Mordecai Davidson

Who was Mordecai Davidson?

Mordecai Hamilton Davidson was a Major League Baseball owner and manager. He is best known as the primary owner of the Major League Baseball Louisville Colonels during the worst period of the team's history. He was also one of three managers of the Colonels in 1888, while he owned the team.

Davidson, a Union army veteran, was working for a local mercantile house in Louisville when he became a shareholder of the Colonels in 1887. Prior to the 1888 season, he was named the Colonels' secretary-treasurer, and on June 7 bought out most of the team's other shareholders. Two days later, Davidson relieved manager John Kelly 39 games into the season, and managed the team himself for three games, winning one. After John Kerins managed the team for seven games, Davidson took over as manager once again and managed the team for the rest of the season. During his second tenure as manager, Davidson managed 90 games, winning 34 and losing 52 with 4 ties. Overall, Davidson's record as manager was 35 wins, 54 losses and 4 ties. It was his only experience as a major league manager.

Prior to the 1889 season, Davidson brought in Dude Esterbrook as manager, while also seeking to sell the team. Esterbrook did not last long, either, and the club went through four managers during the season. By June, the players were in open revolt over Davidson's handling of the club, and several of them refused to play outright on June 14. A special meeting of the AA board was called, and Davidson was issued an ultimatum to strengthen the club or be forced out.