1899 - Detroit to Cincinnati
Summary: Elberfeld started the season playing for Detroit in the Western League. After assaulting an empire, his was suspended by the league, but was picked up by Cincinnati in the National League and played for them. The National League was considered a step up to the majors.
June 7, 1899 - The Algona Upper Des Moines, IA - The coats of Detroit players will wear this year in place of the blouse usually worn are made of bright red flannel with black collar, pocket laps and cuffs. They are cut like the regulation box coat, double breasted and have great black buttons. In length they are a little longer than the usual box coat and will make the eyes of the fans bulge about a foot the first time the players come marching up from the club house with these coats on. Elberfeld says that in red coats the team will have all kinds of luck and Elberfeld is a professor on signs and superstitions. - Detroit Journal
June 19, 1899 - Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan)- Kid Elberfeld Hit by Pitch Kid Elberfeld Hit by Pitch - Sheridan Ump
July 17, 1899 - Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan) - Elberfeld Was Again Removed for Too Much Backtalk - In this inning Elberfeld was put out of the the game for questioning a call at second base, and when the happy hour of closing arrived spectators and players alike were in a bad humor and glad it was all over.
August 2, 1899 - The Indianapolis News, IN - Struck the Umpire - Detroit, Mich., August 2 - Umpire Haskell put Shortstop Elberfeld out of the game in the first inning yesterday for kicking on a decision. Elberfeld lost his temper and struck the umpire,blackening an eye and cutting a gash under his nose, which bled freely. It was an un-called-for attack. Anticipating suspension by President Johnson, Elberfeld packed his belongings and put out for his home in the East.
August 4, 1899 - Kansas City Journal, MO - The Detroit Free Press has this to say of Shortstop Elberfeld:
Tuesday saw the finish of Norman Elberfeld as a Western league baseball player for this season, at least, and there Is no one to blame but himself. For the little shortstop, who has been playing such a grand fielding game for the Tigers, committed one of the most outrageous acts ever witnessed on a professional diamond and one that may keep him out of the business in years to come. His suspension by President Ban Johnson is sure to follow soon as the head of the league learns particulars of the case, and punishment cannot be too severe when the action of the player is calmly considered. An assault on Umpire Haskell was made by Elberfeld, who struck the indicator handler two hard blows in the face and at a time when Haskell was not looking and entirely unprepared for such action. It was not only disgraceful, but cowardly in the extreme as well as being totally unwarranted.
Tuesday saw the finish of Norman Elberfeld as a Western league baseball player for this season, at least, and there Is no one to blame but himself. For the little shortstop, who has been playing such a grand fielding game for the Tigers, committed one of the most outrageous acts ever witnessed on a professional diamond and one that may keep him out of the business in years to come. His suspension by President Ban Johnson is sure to follow soon as the head of the league learns particulars of the case, and punishment cannot be too severe when the action of the player is calmly considered. An assault on Umpire Haskell was made by Elberfeld, who struck the indicator handler two hard blows in the face and at a time when Haskell was not looking and entirely unprepared for such action. It was not only disgraceful, but cowardly in the extreme as well as being totally unwarranted.
- August, 1899: Sent to the Cincinnati Reds by Detroit (Western) as part of a conditional deal.
1899 - ELBERFIELD, Kid, SS, 3B, 1899 - History of the Cincinnati Reds
August 14, 1899 - The Kansas City Journal, MO - Elberfeld going to Cincinnati article
August 22, 1899 - The Journal News - Hamilton, OH - Elberfeld goes from Detroit to Cincinnati Reds article
August 22, 1899 Detroit Free Press (Detroit, Michigan) - Kid Elberfeld sold to Cincinnati
August 27, 1899 - The Inter Ocean, Chicago, IL - Cincinnati, Ohio - Aug. 26 - The Cincinnatis defeated the Washingtons here today in a game replete with errors and hits. During the first and second innings seven errors were bunched by the two teams, the visitors making four of that number. Elberfeld played his first game at third for the reds, and he contributed one error to the exhibition.