Lip Pike

National Association In 1871, the National Association was formed as the first professional baseball league, and Pike joined the Troy Haymakers for its inaugural season. He was their star and for 4 games was the captain and manager, On August 16, 1873, he raced a fast trotting horse named "Clarence" in a 100-yard sprint at Baltimore's Newington Park, and won by four yards with a time of 10 seconds flat, earning $250 ($ today). but the 36-year-old Pike could no longer play effectively, hitting .111 and not managing a single extra base hit in 18 at-bats over 5 games. He was interred in the Salem Fields Cemetery in Brooklyn, New York.

Legacy In 1936, decades after he died, Pike received one vote in the veterans election for the 1936 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting. He was not included on any further ballots.