Champions
*
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...
:
Boston Beaneaters
Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- most po ...
*
American Association American Association may refer to:
Baseball
* American Association (1882–1891), a major league active from 1882 to 1891
* American Association (1902–1997), a minor league active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997
* American Association of Profe ...
:
Philadelphia Athletics
The Philadelphia Athletics were a Major League Baseball team that played in Philadelphia from 1901 to 1954, when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and became the Kansas City Athletics. Following another move in 1967, the team became the Oaklan ...
*Inter-State League:
Brooklyn Atlantics
The Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn ("Atlantic" or the "Brooklyn Atlantics") was baseball's first champion and its first dynasty. The team was also the first baseball club to visit the White House in 1865 at the invitation of President And ...
*Northwestern League:
Toledo Blue Stockings
The Toledo Blue Stockings formed as a minor league baseball team in Toledo, Ohio, in 1883. They won the Northwestern League championship in 1883. Their home ballpark was League Park. The following year, they joined the major league American Assoc ...
Inter-league playoff: Philadelphia (AA) declined to play Boston (NL)
Major league baseball final standings
National League final standings
American Association final standings
Statistical leaders
National League statistical leaders
American Association statistical leaders
Notable seasons
*First baseman
Dan Brouthers
Dennis Joseph "Dan" Brouthers (; May 8, 1858 – August 2, 1932) was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball whose career spanned the period from to , with a brief return in . Nicknamed "Big Dan" for his size, he was and weighed , wh ...
led the NL in batting average (.374), on-base percentage (.397), slugging percentage (.572), adjusted OPS+ (187), hits (159), total bases (243), and runs batted in (97).
*Pitcher
Charles Radbourn
Charles Gardner Radbourn (December 11, 1854 – February 5, 1897), nicknamed "Old Hoss", was an American professional baseball pitcher who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for Buffalo (1880), Providence (1881–1885), ...
led the NL with 48 wins. He finished second in the NL in innings pitched (632.1), earned run average (2.05), adjusted ERA+ (150), and strikeouts (315).
Events
January–March
*February 17 – The
American Association American Association may refer to:
Baseball
* American Association (1882–1891), a major league active from 1882 to 1891
* American Association (1902–1997), a minor league active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997
* American Association of Profe ...
and the
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...
, along with the Northwestern League, sign the Tripartite Agreement (also known as the National Agreement). This agreement binds the leagues to respect each other's valid player contracts as well as increasing the size of the reserve list from 6 to 11 players. This leads to relative harmony among the leagues until the
Players' League
The Players' National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs, popularly known as the Players' League (PL), was a short-lived but star-studded professional American baseball league of the 19th century. The PL was formed by the Brotherhood of Prof ...
wars of
1889
Events
January–March
* January 1
** The total solar eclipse of January 1, 1889 is seen over parts of California and Nevada.
** Paiute spiritual leader Wovoka experiences a vision, leading to the start of the Ghost Dance movement in the ...
–
1890
Events
January–March
* January 1
** The Kingdom of Italy establishes Eritrea as its colony, in the Horn of Africa.
** In Michigan, the wooden steamer ''Mackinaw'' burns in a fire on the Black River.
* January 2
** The steamship ...
.
*March 14 – The Peoria Club of the Northwestern League makes a motion to ban blacks, a move directly aimed at Toledo's star catcher,
Moses Fleetwood Walker
Moses Fleetwood Walker (October 7, 1856 – May 11, 1924) was an American professional baseball catcher who, historically, was credited with being the first black man to play in Major League Baseball (MLB). A native of Mount Pleasant, Ohio, an ...
. After heated discussion, the motion is withdrawn and Walker remains eligible to play.
*March 30 – Charles Fowle, one of the original founders of the
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...
, and secretary of the
St. Louis Brown Stockings
The St. Louis Brown Stockings were a professional baseball club based in St. Louis, Missouri
Missouri is a state in the Midwestern region of the United States. Ranking 21st in land area, it is bordered by eight states (tied for the most ...
from 1875 to 1877, dies in
St. Louis
St. Louis () is the second-largest city in Missouri, United States. It sits near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri Rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a population of 301,578, while the bi-state metropolitan area, which e ...
.
*March 31 – The nation's oldest baseball club, the Olympic Town-Ball Club of Philadelphia, marks its 50th anniversary.
April–June
*April 13 - U.S. President
Chester A. Arthur
Chester Alan Arthur (October 5, 1829 – November 18, 1886) was an American lawyer and politician who served as the 21st president of the United States from 1881 to 1885. He previously served as the 20th vice president under President James A ...
invites members of the recently defunct Forest Cities franchise from the National Association to the white House, making it the first professional sports team to visit a president in Washington D.C. Later that year, the
New York Gothams
The New York Giants were a Major League Baseball team in the National League that began play in the season as the New York Gothams and were renamed in . They continued as the New York Giants until the team relocated to San Francisco, Californ ...
, the precursor to the New York Giants, also visits Arthur in D.C.
*April 15 –
Francis Richter
Francis Charles Richter (January 26, 1854 – February 12, 1926) was an American journalist who served as founder and editor of ''Sporting Life (US sports journal), Sporting Life'' from its inception to its demise, and editor of the ''Reach Guide ...
publishes the first issue of ''
Sporting Life'' which will grow into the leading weekly publication for baseball information and run continuously until 1917.
*April 24 –
Terry Larkin, a pitcher who has not played in the majors since 1880, shoots his wife and a policeman, then tries to kill himself. He attempts suicide the next day and fails again. Both his wife and the police officer survive as well, and Larkin will play in 40 games for the
Richmond Virginians
The Richmond Virginians was the name of a minor league baseball franchise that played in Richmond, Virginia, from 1954 through 1964. The team competed at the Triple-A level as members of the International League, and were affiliated with the ...
in
1884
Events
January–March
* January 4 – The Fabian Society is founded in London.
* January 5 – Gilbert and Sullivan's ''Princess Ida'' premières at the Savoy Theatre, London.
* January 18 – Dr. William Price atte ...
.
*May 1 – In their inaugural
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...
game, the
New York Gothams
The New York Giants were a Major League Baseball team in the National League that began play in the season as the New York Gothams and were renamed in . They continued as the New York Giants until the team relocated to San Francisco, Californ ...
defeat the
Boston Beaneaters
Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- most po ...
7–5 in front of 15,000 fans, who include President
Ulysses S. Grant
Ulysses S. Grant (born Hiram Ulysses Grant ; April 27, 1822July 23, 1885) was an American military officer and politician who served as the 18th president of the United States from 1869 to 1877. As Commanding General, he led the Union Ar ...
. The
Philadelphia Quakers, also making their NL debut, lose 4–3 to the
Providence Grays
The Providence Grays were a Major League Baseball team based in Providence, Rhode Island who played in the National League from until . The Grays played at the Messer Street Grounds in the Olneyville neighborhood. The team won the National Leagu ...
.
*May 3 –
John Montgomery Ward
John Montgomery Ward (March 3, 1860 – March 4, 1925), known as Monte Ward, was an American Major League Baseball pitcher, shortstop, second baseman, third baseman, manager, executive, union organizer, owner and author. Ward, of English descent, ...
becomes the first pitcher to hit 2 home runs a game as his
New York Gothams
The New York Giants were a Major League Baseball team in the National League that began play in the season as the New York Gothams and were renamed in . They continued as the New York Giants until the team relocated to San Francisco, Californ ...
defeat the
Boston Beaneaters
Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- most po ...
10–9.
*May 13 – In what was still a very rare occurrence, neither team commits an error as the
St. Louis Browns
The St. Louis Browns were a Major League Baseball team that originated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the Milwaukee Brewers. A charter member of the American League (AL), the Brewers moved to St. Louis, Missouri, after the 1901 season, where they ...
defeat the
Louisville Eclipse
The Louisville Colonels were a Major League Baseball team that also played in the American Association (AA) throughout that league's ten-year existence from 1882 until 1891. They were known as the Louisville Eclipse from 1882 to 1884, and as th ...
4–3.
*May 28 – Fort Wayne and Indianapolis play the first of 2 games under electric lights.
*May 30 – Several of the
American Association American Association may refer to:
Baseball
* American Association (1882–1891), a major league active from 1882 to 1891
* American Association (1902–1997), a minor league active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997
* American Association of Profe ...
teams play a Memorial Day double-header in 2 different cities. At one point, there is an
American Association American Association may refer to:
Baseball
* American Association (1882–1891), a major league active from 1882 to 1891
* American Association (1902–1997), a minor league active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997
* American Association of Profe ...
game being played at the
Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name of three stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used mainly for professional baseball and American football from 1880 through 1963. The original Polo Grounds, opened in 1876 and demolished in 1889, was built fo ...
on the
New York Metropolitans
The Metropolitan Club (New York Metropolitans or the Mets) was a 19th-century professional baseball team that played in New York City from 1880 to 1887. (The ''New York Metropolitan Baseball Club'' was the name chosen in 1961 for the New York ...
field and a
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...
game being played at the Polo Grounds on the
New York Gothams
The New York Giants were a Major League Baseball team in the National League that began play in the season as the New York Gothams and were renamed in . They continued as the New York Giants until the team relocated to San Francisco, Californ ...
field where the outfield fences back up to one another.
*June 9 – The
Philadelphia Quakers receive special permission from the
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...
to lower their ticket prices to 25¢ per game in order to compete with the
Philadelphia Athletics
The Philadelphia Athletics were a Major League Baseball team that played in Philadelphia from 1901 to 1954, when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and became the Kansas City Athletics. Following another move in 1967, the team became the Oaklan ...
of the
American Association American Association may refer to:
Baseball
* American Association (1882–1891), a major league active from 1882 to 1891
* American Association (1902–1997), a minor league active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997
* American Association of Profe ...
. The Quakers average game attendance quadruples for the remainder of the season.
*June 16 – The
New York Gothams
The New York Giants were a Major League Baseball team in the National League that began play in the season as the New York Gothams and were renamed in . They continued as the New York Giants until the team relocated to San Francisco, Californ ...
introduce ladies day, where all females are admitted free without restriction. This idea will remain a staple of major league baseball for nearly 100 years.
*June 28 –
Providence Grays
The Providence Grays were a Major League Baseball team based in Providence, Rhode Island who played in the National League from until . The Grays played at the Messer Street Grounds in the Olneyville neighborhood. The team won the National Leagu ...
player Joe Mulvey is shot in the shoulder while leaving the playing field at
Messer Street Grounds
Messer Street Grounds, also known as Messer Park or Messer Field, is a former baseball park located in Providence, Rhode Island. It was home to the Providence Grays of the National League from 1878 to 1885 and of the minor league Providence Grays ...
in
Providence
Providence often refers to:
* Providentia, the divine personification of foresight in ancient Roman religion
* Divine providence, divinely ordained events and outcomes in Christianity
* Providence, Rhode Island, the capital of Rhode Island in the ...
. The shooter, James Murphy, was actually aiming for Mulvey's teammate, Cliff Carroll after Carroll had drenched Murphy with a hose. Within a month, Mulvey would be sold to the
Philadelphia Quakers.
July–September
*July 3 – The
Chicago White Stockings set a major league record with 14 doubles, including 4 each by
Cap Anson
Adrian Constantine Anson (April 17, 1852 – April 14, 1922), nicknamed "Cap" (for "Captain") and "Pop", was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman. Including his time in the National Association (NA), he played a record 27 c ...
and
Abner Dalrymple
Abner Frank Dalrymple (September 9, 1857 – January 25, 1939) was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who hit 43 home runs (including 22 in 1884, the second-highest total to that date) and batted .288 with 407 RBI during his 12-s ...
, in a 31–7 pasting over the
Buffalo Bisons
The Buffalo Bisons (known colloquially as the Herd) are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Located in Buffalo, New York, the team plays their home games at Sahlen Fiel ...
. Chicago also set a Major League record for the most
at bat
In baseball, an at bat (AB) or time at bat is a batter's turn batting against a pitcher. An at bat is different from a plate appearance. A batter is credited with a plate appearance regardless of what happens during their turn at bat, but a batt ...
s by one team in a regulation nine-inning game, with 66.
*July 4 –
Tim Keefe
Timothy John Keefe (January 1, 1857 – April 23, 1933), nicknamed "Smiling Tim" and "Sir Timothy", was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He stood tall and weighed . He was one of the most dominating pitchers of the 19th century and po ...
of the
New York Metropolitans
The Metropolitan Club (New York Metropolitans or the Mets) was a 19th-century professional baseball team that played in New York City from 1880 to 1887. (The ''New York Metropolitan Baseball Club'' was the name chosen in 1961 for the New York ...
wins both games of a double-header over the
Columbus Buckeyes while giving up a combined 3 hits in the 2 games.
*July 25 –
Charles Radbourn
Charles Gardner Radbourn (December 11, 1854 – February 5, 1897), nicknamed "Old Hoss", was an American professional baseball pitcher who played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for Buffalo (1880), Providence (1881–1885), ...
throws a no-hitter for the
Providence Grays
The Providence Grays were a Major League Baseball team based in Providence, Rhode Island who played in the National League from until . The Grays played at the Messer Street Grounds in the Olneyville neighborhood. The team won the National Leagu ...
.
*July 26 – Joe Gephardt of the
Louisville Eclipse
The Louisville Colonels were a Major League Baseball team that also played in the American Association (AA) throughout that league's ten-year existence from 1882 until 1891. They were known as the Louisville Eclipse from 1882 to 1884, and as th ...
is forced out of action due to temporary paralysis. Gephardt will recover and play again within 2 weeks.
*July 28 – The first recorded game is played in
Hawaii
Hawaii ( ; haw, Hawaii or ) is a state in the Western United States, located in the Pacific Ocean about from the U.S. mainland. It is the only U.S. state outside North America, the only state that is an archipelago, and the only stat ...
.
*July 30 – Player/manager
Lon Knight
Alonzo P. "Lon" Knight, born Alonzo P. Letti (June 16, 1853 – April 23, 1932), was an American right fielder, right-handed pitcher and manager in Major League Baseball. He threw the first pitch in the first game played in the new National Le ...
of the
American Association American Association may refer to:
Baseball
* American Association (1882–1891), a major league active from 1882 to 1891
* American Association (1902–1997), a minor league active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997
* American Association of Profe ...
Philadelphia Athletics
The Philadelphia Athletics were a Major League Baseball team that played in Philadelphia from 1901 to 1954, when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and became the Kansas City Athletics. Following another move in 1967, the team became the Oaklan ...
hits for the cycle. Philadelphia defeats the
Pittsburgh Alleghenys
The following is a history of the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.
Franchise beginnings (1870s-1899) Early baseball in Pittsburgh and the American Association
The earliest mention of "base ball" in the region was found in the journal ...
, 17–4.
*August 7 – The
Providence Grays
The Providence Grays were a Major League Baseball team based in Providence, Rhode Island who played in the National League from until . The Grays played at the Messer Street Grounds in the Olneyville neighborhood. The team won the National Leagu ...
fall out of 1st place for good in their 6–4 loss to the
Boston Beaneaters
Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- most po ...
. For the 2nd straight season, Providence will lead the league for the majority of the season and not win the pennant.
*August 11 – The
Boston Beaneaters
Boston (), officially the City of Boston, is the state capital and most populous city of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, as well as the cultural and financial center of the New England region of the United States. It is the 24th- most po ...
turn a triple play when catcher
Mike Hines catches a muffed pop-up and catches the base-runners off guard.
*August 11 – Fred Thayer, patent-holder for the invention of the catching mask, and
George Wright George Wright may refer to:
Politics, law and government
* George Wright (MP) (died 1557), MP for Bedford and Wallingford
* George Wright (governor) (1779–1842), Canadian politician, lieutenant governor of Prince Edward Island
* George Wright ...
sue Wright's former teammate
Albert Spalding
Albert Goodwill Spalding (September 2, 1849 – September 9, 1915) was an American pitcher, manager, and executive in the early years of professional baseball, and the co-founder of A.G. Spalding sporting goods company. He was born and raised ...
's sporting goods company for patent infringement.
Spalding will ultimately be forced to pay Thayer royalties in the case.
*August 20 – The
Pittsburgh Alleghenys
The following is a history of the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.
Franchise beginnings (1870s-1899) Early baseball in Pittsburgh and the American Association
The earliest mention of "base ball" in the region was found in the journal ...
fine
George Creamer
George W. Creamer (1855 – June 27, 1886), born George W. Triebel, was an American Major League Baseball second baseman from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. He played with four teams in two leagues: the Milwaukee Grays (), the Syracuse Stars (), t ...
, Mike Mansell and Billy Taylor $100 each and indefinitely suspend all 3 players for drunkenness.
*August 21 – The
Providence Grays
The Providence Grays were a Major League Baseball team based in Providence, Rhode Island who played in the National League from until . The Grays played at the Messer Street Grounds in the Olneyville neighborhood. The team won the National Leagu ...
defeat the
Philadelphia Quakers 28–0 in the most lopsided shutout game in major league history.
*August 29 – John Stricker of the
Philadelphia Athletics
The Philadelphia Athletics were a Major League Baseball team that played in Philadelphia from 1901 to 1954, when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and became the Kansas City Athletics. Following another move in 1967, the team became the Oaklan ...
gets 4 hits in a game against the
Louisville Eclipse
The Louisville Colonels were a Major League Baseball team that also played in the American Association (AA) throughout that league's ten-year existence from 1882 until 1891. They were known as the Louisville Eclipse from 1882 to 1884, and as th ...
but sets a record by getting picked off 3 times by Eclipse pitcher
Guy Hecker
Guy Jackson Hecker (April 3, 1856 – December 3, 1938) was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was born in Youngsville, Pennsylvania. His debut game took place on May 2, 1882. His final game took place on September 30, 1890. Dur ...
.
Benny Kauff
Bennie Michael "Benny" Kauff (January 5, 1890 – November 17, 1961)[Benny Kauff Play ...](_blank)
of the
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member club of the league's National Football Conference (NFC) East division. ...
will tie Stricker's record in
1916
Events
Below, the events of the First World War have the "WWI" prefix.
January
* January 1 – The British Royal Army Medical Corps carries out the first successful blood transfusion, using blood that had been stored and cooled.
* ...
.
*September 6 – The
Chicago White Stockings set a major league record by scoring 18 runs in the 7th inning in their 26–6 victory over the
Detroit Wolverines
The Detroit Wolverines were a 19th-century Major League Baseball team that played in the National League from 1881 to 1888 in the city of Detroit, Michigan. In total, they won 426 games and lost 437, taking their lone pennant (and winning the pre ...
.
Tom Burns Thomas Burns, Tommy Burns or Tom Burns may refer to:
Politics
* Thomas Burns (politician) (born 1960), Nationalist Northern Irish politician
* Thomas Edward Burns (born 1927), Unionist Northern Irish politician
* Tom Burns (Australian politician ...
goes 3–3 with 2 doubles and a home run in the outburst, setting records for most extra-base hits and runs scored in one inning by a player.
*September 10 –
Long John Reilly
John Good Reilly (October 5, 1858 – May 31, 1937), nicknamed "Long John", was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Stars (1880) and the Cincinnati Red Stockings/Reds (–). In 1888, he hit 13 home ru ...
of the
Cincinnati Red Stockings
The Cincinnati Red Stockings of were baseball's first all-professional team, with ten salaried players. The Cincinnati Base Ball Club formed in 1866 and fielded competitive teams in the National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP) 1867– ...
hits 2 inside the park home runs in a 12–6 win.
*September 12 – The
Union Association
The Union Association was a league in Major League Baseball which lasted for just the 1884 season. St. Louis won the pennant and joined the National League the following season.
Seven of the twelve teams who were in the Association at some poi ...
is officially formed in
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...
*September 12 –
Long John Reilly
John Good Reilly (October 5, 1858 – May 31, 1937), nicknamed "Long John", was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Stars (1880) and the Cincinnati Red Stockings/Reds (–). In 1888, he hit 13 home ru ...
hits for the cycle and collects 6 hits in all, while teammate
Hick Carpenter
Warren William "Hick" Carpenter (August 16, 1855 – April 18, 1937) was an American third baseman in Major League Baseball. He still holds the Cincinnati Reds record for the most games at third base (890); and he holds the record for the most car ...
also garners 6 hits, as the
Cincinnati Red Stockings
The Cincinnati Red Stockings of were baseball's first all-professional team, with ten salaried players. The Cincinnati Base Ball Club formed in 1866 and fielded competitive teams in the National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP) 1867– ...
pound the
Pittsburgh Alleghenys
The following is a history of the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball.
Franchise beginnings (1870s-1899) Early baseball in Pittsburgh and the American Association
The earliest mention of "base ball" in the region was found in the journal ...
27–5.
*September 13 –
Hugh Daily
Hugh Daily (July 17, 1847 – after 1923), nicknamed "One Arm" Daily, was an Irish born professional right-handed pitcher who played six seasons, for seven different teams; the Buffalo Bisons, the Cleveland Blues, and the St. Louis Maroons of ...
of the
Cleveland Blues pitches a no-hitter.
*September 19 –
Long John Reilly
John Good Reilly (October 5, 1858 – May 31, 1937), nicknamed "Long John", was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Stars (1880) and the Cincinnati Red Stockings/Reds (–). In 1888, he hit 13 home ru ...
hits for the cycle for the 2nd time in a week as the
Cincinnati Red Stockings
The Cincinnati Red Stockings of were baseball's first all-professional team, with ten salaried players. The Cincinnati Base Ball Club formed in 1866 and fielded competitive teams in the National Association of Base Ball Players (NABBP) 1867– ...
beat the
Philadelphia Athletics
The Philadelphia Athletics were a Major League Baseball team that played in Philadelphia from 1901 to 1954, when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and became the Kansas City Athletics. Following another move in 1967, the team became the Oaklan ...
12–3.
*September 27 – The
Boston Red Stockings clinch the
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...
pennant with a 4–1 win over the
Cleveland Blues.
*September 28 – The
Philadelphia Athletics
The Philadelphia Athletics were a Major League Baseball team that played in Philadelphia from 1901 to 1954, when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and became the Kansas City Athletics. Following another move in 1967, the team became the Oaklan ...
clinch the
American Association American Association may refer to:
Baseball
* American Association (1882–1891), a major league active from 1882 to 1891
* American Association (1902–1997), a minor league active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997
* American Association of Profe ...
flag with a 7–6 victory over the
Louisville Eclipse
The Louisville Colonels were a Major League Baseball team that also played in the American Association (AA) throughout that league's ten-year existence from 1882 until 1891. They were known as the Louisville Eclipse from 1882 to 1884, and as th ...
.
October–December
*November 22 –
New York Gothams
The New York Giants were a Major League Baseball team in the National League that began play in the season as the New York Gothams and were renamed in . They continued as the New York Giants until the team relocated to San Francisco, Californ ...
owner
John B. Day
John Bailey Day (September 23, 1847 – January 25, 1925) was an American tobacco merchant who became an owner and manager in professional baseball of the late 19th century. He was the first owner of the franchise now known as the San Francisco ...
proposes a resolution to prohibit a team from signing a player who has broken the reserve clause of his contract. This resolution, eventually adopted by both the
American Association American Association may refer to:
Baseball
* American Association (1882–1891), a major league active from 1882 to 1891
* American Association (1902–1997), a minor league active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997
* American Association of Profe ...
and
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...
, effectively changes the reserve clause from a device to protect owners from their own greediness to a vindictive weapon to be used against uncooperative players.
*November 24 – The
American Association American Association may refer to:
Baseball
* American Association (1882–1891), a major league active from 1882 to 1891
* American Association (1902–1997), a minor league active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997
* American Association of Profe ...
agree to expand to 12 teams by admitting the
Brooklyn Atlantics
The Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn ("Atlantic" or the "Brooklyn Atlantics") was baseball's first champion and its first dynasty. The team was also the first baseball club to visit the White House in 1865 at the invitation of President And ...
,
Indianapolis Hoosiers Indianapolis Hoosiers was the name of three major league and at least three minor league baseball clubs based in Indianapolis.
* Indianapolis Hoosiers (American Association), which played in 1884
* Indianapolis Hoosiers (National League), which pla ...
,
Toledo Blue Stockings
The Toledo Blue Stockings formed as a minor league baseball team in Toledo, Ohio, in 1883. They won the Northwestern League championship in 1883. Their home ballpark was League Park. The following year, they joined the major league American Assoc ...
and
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadiu ...
.
Births
January–March
*January 1 –
Eddie Zimmerman
Edward Desmond Zimmerman (January 1, 1883 – May 6, 1945) was a professional baseball third baseman. He played in two seasons in Major League Baseball, for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1906 and the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1911.
Born in the Oceani ...
*January 3 –
Buck Hopkins
John Winton "Buck" Hopkins (January 3, 1883 – October 2, 1929) was a Major League Baseball outfielder. Nicknamed "Sis", he played fifteen games for the St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team b ...
*January 8 –
Bob Ingersoll
Robert Ingersoll (born October 13, 1952) is an American lawyer and writer. Ingersoll's full-time occupation was an appellate attorney with the Cuyahoga County Public Defender Office in Cleveland, Ohio, until he retired in 2009. He is more widely ...
*January 27 –
John McDonald
*February 2 –
Bill Abstein
William Henry Abstein (February 2, 1883 – April 8, 1940), nicknamed "Big Bill", was a professional baseball and amateur soccer player. He played all or part of three seasons in Major League Baseball player, from 1906 to 1910, primarily as a fi ...
*February 4 –
Doc Miller
Roy Oscar "Doc" Miller (February 4, 1883 in Chatham, Ontario – July 31, 1938 in Jersey City, New Jersey) was a Major League Baseball outfielder from -. He played for the Chicago Cubs, Boston Braves, Cincinnati Reds, and Philadelphia Phillies. ...
*February 5 –
Dick Scott
*February 8 –
Joe Cassidy
*February 13 –
Hal Chase
Harold Homer Chase (February 13, 1883 – May 18, 1947), nicknamed "Prince Hal", was an American professional baseball first baseman and manager in Major League Baseball, widely viewed as the best fielder at his position. During his career, he pl ...
*February 13 –
Harl Maggert
*February 19 –
Harry Curtis
*February 25 –
Jack Hannifin
John Joseph Hannifin (February 25, 1883 – October 27, 1945) was an American Major League Baseball infielder. He played for the Philadelphia Athletics during the season, the New York Giants from to , and the Boston Doves
The Atlanta Brave ...
*March 1 –
Charlie Pickett
*March 4 –
Chet Spencer
Chester Arthur "Chet" Spencer (March 4, 1883 – November 10, 1938) was a Major League Baseball outfielder. Spencer played for the Boston Beaneaters in . In eight career games, he had four hits in 27 at-bats. He batted left and threw right-ha ...
*March 10 –
Glenn Liebhardt
*March 17 –
Oscar Stanage
Oscar Harland Stanage (March 17, 1883 – November 11, 1964) was an American baseball catcher. He played professional baseball for 24 years from 1903 to 1926, including 13 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers.
A native of Tu ...
*March 20 –
Pep Clark
Harry "Pep" Clark (March 20, 1883 – June 8, 1965) was a Major League Baseball third baseman. Clark played for the Chicago White Sox in . In 15 career games, he had 20 hits in 65 at-bats. He batted and threw right-handed.
Clark was born in Unio ...
*March 29 –
Rube Dessau
Frank Rolland Dessau (March 29, 1883 – May 6, 1952) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched in two games for the 1907 Boston Doves and in nineteen games for the 1910 Brooklyn Superbas. He was also a manager in minor league baseball ...
April–June
*April 4 –
Bill Hinchman
William White Hinchman (April 4, 1883 – February 20, 1963) was an American professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1905 to 1920 for the Cincinnati Reds, Cleveland Naps, and Pittsburgh Pirates.
In 1916 he ...
*April 4 –
John Hummel
*April 7 –
Bill Cooney
*April 8 –
Shag Shaughnessy
*April 10 –
Tex Pruiett
*April 13 –
Mike Simon
Mike Simon (April 13, 1883 – June 10, 1963) was a catcher in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 tota ...
*April 22 –
Carl Vandagrift
*April 25 –
Russ Ford
Russell William Ford (April 25, 1883 – January 24, 1960) was a Canadian-American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the New York Highlanders / Yankees of the American League from 1909 to 1913 and for the B ...
*April 28 –
Harry Gaspar
Harry Lambert Gaspar (April 28, 1883 – May 14, 1940) was a professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of four seasons (1909–1912) with the Cincinnati Reds. For his career, he compiled a 46–48 record in 143 appea ...
*April 29 –
Rube Manning
Walter S. "Rube" Manning (April 29, 1883 – April 23, 1930), was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1907 to 1910.
Manning started his professional baseball career in 1906. He pitched for the Williamsport Millionaires of the Tri-State League ...
*April 29 –
Amby McConnell
Ambrose Moses McConnell (April 29, 1883 – May 20, 1942) was an American baseball second baseman who played four seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed "Midget" due to his stature, he played for the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White S ...
*April 29 –
Bill McGilvray
William Alexander McGilvray (April 29, 1883 – May 23, 1952) was a professional baseball player. He was an outfielder for one season (1908) with the Cincinnati Reds. For his career, he compiled no hits in 2 at-bats.
An alumnus of Stanford ...
*May 5 –
Gene Curtis
*May 6 –
Ed Karger
*May 13 –
Jimmy Archer
James Patrick Archer (May 13, 1883 – March 29, 1958) was an Irish-born catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) who spent nearly his entire career with four National League teams, primarily the Chicago Cubs, for whom he played from 1909 to 191 ...
*May 19 –
Eddie Files
Charles Edward Files (May 19, 1883 – May 10, 1954) was an American baseball pitcher with the Philadelphia Athletics during the Major League Baseball season. A Maine native, Files was born in Portland
Portland most commonly refers to:
* Portla ...
*May 21 –
Eddie Grant
*May 25 –
Heinie Heitmuller
*June 6 –
Jim St. Vrain
*June 10 –
Ernie Lindemann
Ernest Theodore Lindemann (June 10, 1883 – December 27, 1951) was an American professional baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batting and fielding. The game occur ...
*June 16 –
Al Mattern
Alonzo Albert Mattern (June 16, 1883 – November 6, 1958) was a professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from to . He played for the Boston Braves
The Atlanta Braves, a current Major League Baseball franchise, originat ...
*June 16 –
Red Waller
*June 29 –
Doc Martel
Leon Alphonsus Martell (June 29, 1883 – October 11, 1947) was a catcher and first baseman in Major League Baseball. Nicknamed "Marty", he played for the Philadelphia Phillies and Boston Doves
The Atlanta Braves, a current Major League Base ...
July–September
*July 5 –
Jack Quinn
*July 5 –
Josh Swindell
Joshua Ernest Swindell (July 5, 1883 – March 19, 1969) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for two seasons. He pitched in four games for the Cleveland Naps during the 1911 Cleveland Naps season, and made an appearance as a pinch hit ...
*July 8 –
Ducky Holmes
James William "Ducky" Holmes (January 28, 1869 – August 6, 1932) was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played ten seasons in the National League and American League with the Louisville Colonels (1895–97), New York Giants (1897), St ...
*July 9 –
Dave Shean
David William Shean (July 9, 1883 – May 22, 1963) was an American professional baseball second baseman. He played from through for the Philadelphia Athletics (1906), Philadelphia Phillies (1908–1909), Boston Doves (1909–1910, 1912), Ch ...
*July 14 –
Happy Smith
*July 21 –
Larry Pape
*July 27 –
Harry Kane
Harry Edward Kane (born 28 July 1993) is an English professional footballer who plays as a striker for club Tottenham Hotspur and captains the England national team. A prolific goalscorer with strong link play, Kane is regarded as one of ...
*July 31 –
Tommy Madden
Thomas Joseph Madden (July 31, 1883 – July 26, 1930) was a Major League Baseball outfielder. Madden played in four games for the Boston Beaneaters in the season, and for the New York Highlanders in . In five career games, he had four hits in 1 ...
*July 31 –
Red Munson
Clarence Hanford "Red" Munson (July 31, 1883 – February 19, 1957) was a catcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. Th ...
*July 31 –
Tuffy Stewart
*August 4 –
Lew Moren
Lewis Howard "Hicks" Moren (August 4, 1883 – November 2, 1966) was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched six seasons from 1903 to 1910: two seasons with the Pittsburgh Pirates and four seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies. In 1908, Mor ...
*August 7 –
Tom Richardson
*August 14 –
Bill O'Hara
*August 17 –
Walt Justis
Walter Newton Justis (August 17, 1883 – October 4, 1941), nicknamed "Smoke", was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played in with the Detroit Tigers. He batted and threw right-handed. Justis had a 0–0 record, with an 8.10 ERA, in 2 games, i ...
*August 19 –
George Ferguson
*August 21 –
Chief Wilson
John Owen "Chief" Wilson (August 21, 1883 – February 22, 1954) was an American professional baseball right fielder. He played in Major League Baseball from 1908 to 1916 for the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals.
Wilson played minor le ...
*August 23 –
Red Downs
Jerome Willis "Red" Downs (August 23, 1883 – October 19, 1939), was a Major League Baseball player, who gained notoriety later in life as an armed robber during the Great Depression.
Early life and MLB career
Downs was born and raised in Neo ...
*August 23 –
Lew Richie
Elwood Lewis Richie (August 23, 1883 in Ambler, Pennsylvania – August 15, 1936 in South Mountain, Pennsylvania), was a professional baseball player was a pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1906 to 1913. He played for the Chicago Cubs, Boston Dove ...
*August 25 –
Elmer Brown
*August 27 –
Baldy Louden
William P. "Baldy" Louden (August 27, 1883 – December 8, 1935) was an American baseball player. He played professional baseball from 1906 to 1920, including six years in Major League Baseball as an infielder with the New York Highlanders (1907 ...
*August 29 –
Jimmie Savage
*August 30 –
Bill Brinker
William Hutchinson "Dodo" Brinker (August 30, 1883 - February 5, 1965) was a Major League Baseball outfielder and third baseman. Brinker played for the Philadelphia Phillies in the season. In 9 career games, he had 4 hits in 18 at-bats. He batte ...
*August 30 –
Sam Edmonston
Samuel Sherwood Edmonston (August 30, 1883 – April 12, 1979) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball, who played in one game for the Washington Senators in 1907. He also attended Georgetown University
Georgetown University is a private uni ...
*August 31 –
Syd Smith
*September 3 –
Art Fromme
Arthur Henry Fromme (September 3, 1883 – August 24, 1956) was a professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from -. He played for the St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team ...
*September 5 –
Lefty Leifield
Albert Peter "Lefty" Leifield (September 5, 1883 – October 10, 1970) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs and the St. Louis Browns between 1905 and 1920. He batted and threw left-handed.
Baseb ...
*September 6 –
Dick Bayless
Harry Owen "Dick" Bayless (September 6, 1885 – December 16, 1920) was a professional baseball player. He was an outfielder for one season (1908) with the Cincinnati Reds. He played in the minor leagues through 1917. He died three years later i ...
*September 7 –
John Flynn
*September 17 –
Leo Hafford
*September 18 –
Frank Manush
Frank Henry Benjamin Manush (September 18, 1883 – January 5, 1965) was a Major League Baseball third baseman. Manush played for the Philadelphia Athletics in . In 23 career games, he had 12 hits in 77 at-bats, with a .156 batting average. He bat ...
*September 21 –
Bris Lord
Bristol Robotham Lord (September 21, 1883 – November 13, 1964) was an American professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1905 to 1913 for the Philadelphia Athletics, Cleveland Naps, and Boston Braves. Lord i ...
*September 28 –
Harley Young
Harlan Edward Young (September 28, 1883 – March 26, 1975) nicknamed "Cy the Third", was a professional baseball pitcher. He played for two Major League Baseball teams in 1908, eight games for the Pittsburgh Pirates and six games for the Boston D ...
October–December
*October 3 –
Phil Reardon
Philip Michael Reardon (October 3, 1883 in Brooklyn, New York – September 28, 1920 in Brooklyn, New York) was a professional baseball player who played outfield in five games for the 1906 Brooklyn Superbas
The Brooklyn Dodgers were a Major L ...
*October 4 –
Harry Ables
Harry Terrell Ables (October 4, 1883 – February 8, 1951) was a Major League Baseball pitcher for three seasons. Ables attended Southwestern University.
Ables was from Terrell, Texas and originally played for the Dallas Giants. On 30 July 1905 h ...
*October 6 –
Red Morgan
*October 7 –
Al Burch
Albert William Burch (October 7, 1883 – October 5, 1926), was a professional baseball player who played outfield from 1906 to 1911 for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Brooklyn Dodgers.
In 611 games over six seasons, Burch posted a .254 batting ...
*October 7 –
Phil Lewis
*October 12 –
Charlie French
Charles Calvin French (October 12, 1883 – March 30, 1962) began his major league career at the age of 25 with the Boston Red Sox. He played in 105 games with 377 at bats. He had 78 hits and 20 RBIs with no home runs
In baseball, a ho ...
*October 13 –
Walter Blair
*October 13 –
Harry Huston
Harry Emanuel Kress Huston (October 14, 1883 – October 16, 1969) was an American professional baseball player and colle ...
*October 16 –
Lew Groh
*October 16 –
Will Harridge
William Harridge (October 16, 1883 – April 9, 1971) was an American executive in professional baseball whose most significant role was as president of the American League (AL) from 1931 to 1959. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the ...
*October 19 –
Walt Miller
*October 20 –
Cuke Barrows
Roland "Cuke" Barrows (October 20, 1883 – February 10, 1955) was a baseball outfielder who played for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball from 1909 to 1912. Barrows played in 32 games and had a career batting average (baseball), ...
*October 22 –
Bill Carrigan
William Francis Carrigan (October 22, 1883 – July 8, 1969), nicknamed "Rough", was a Major League Baseball, Major League baseball catcher and manager. He played for the Boston Red Sox between 1906 and 1916, and he was a player-manager for the la ...
*October 28 –
Frank Lange
Frank Herman Lange (October 28, 1883 – December 26, 1945) was a pitcher and pinch hitter in Major League Baseball. He played for the Chicago White Sox.
*October 29 –
Del Mason
Adelbert William Mason (October 29, 1883 – December 31, 1962) was a Major League Baseball player for the Washington Senators and the Cincinnati Reds. Prior to his professional debut, Mason, a pitcher, played at the college level for Rollins ...
*November 3 –
Ed Lennox
James Edgar Lennox (November 3, 1883 – October 26, 1939) was an American professional baseball third baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Athletics, Brooklyn Superbas, Chicago Cubs, and Pittsburgh Rebels.
Whil ...
*November 5 –
Otis Johnson
Otis Samuel Johnson (born 1942) is an American social worker, educator and politician from the U.S. state of Georgia who served as the Mayor of Savannah from 2004 until 2012. He is a member of the Democratic Party.
Background
Mayor Johnson is ...
*November 11 –
Harry Billiard
Harry Pree Billiard (November 11, 1883 – June 3, 1923), nicknamed "Pree", was an American Major League Baseball pitcher who played in with the New York Highlanders of the American League, then in with the Indianapolis Hoosiers, continuing with ...
*November 16 –
Rollie Zeider
Rollie Hubert Zeider (November 16, 1883 – September 12, 1967) was a professional baseball player. An infielder (playing over 100 games at all four infield positions in his career), he played nine seasons in the major leagues for the Chi ...
*November 20 –
Ben Egan
Arthur Augustus "Ben" Egan (November 20, 1883 – February 18, 1968) was an American professional baseball catcher for the Philadelphia Athletics and Cleveland Indians from 1908 to 1915. He was later a coach for the Washington Senators for th ...
*November 20 –
Harry Welchonce
Harry Monroe "Welch" Welchonce (November 20, 1883 – February 26, 1977) was a Major League Baseball outfielder. Welchonce played for the Philadelphia Phillies in . In 26 games, Welchonce had 14 hits in 66 at-bats, with a .212 batting average. He ...
*November 26 –
Frank Lobert
*November 28 –
Fred Osborn
*November 30 –
Ben Houser
*December 4 –
Jim Moroney
*December 8 –
Jimmy Wacker
Charles James Wacker (December 8, 1883 – August 7, 1948) was a professional baseball pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1909. He was born in Jeffersonville, Indiana and died in Evansville, Indiana
Evansville is a city in, and the cou ...
*December 10 –
Jerry Upp
George Henry "Jerry" Upp (December 10, 1883 – June 30, 1937) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball in 1909 for the Cleveland Naps. He played in seven games, starting four of them, pitching 26.2 innings. His earned run average
In basebal ...
*December 10 –
Jim Stephens
James Walter Stephens (December 10, 1883 – January 2, 1965) was a Major League Baseball catcher who played six seasons with the St. Louis Browns of the American League from to . A weak hitter, he had a career .220 batting average, and hit three ...
*December 17 –
Rebel Oakes
Ennis Telfair "Rebel" Oakes (December 17, 1883 – March 1, 1948) was an American Major League Baseball player.
Oakes was born in Lisbon, Louisiana. After attending Louisiana Industrial Institute, which is now Louisiana Tech University, Rebel ...
*December 18 –
Hub Knolls
Oscar Edward "Hub" Knolls (December 18, 1883 – July 1, 1946) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He pitched in two games for the 1906 Brooklyn Superbas.
A double in his only at-bat left Knolls with a rare MLB career batting average
Batti ...
*December 26 –
Jimmy O'Rourke
Date of birth unknown
*
Mike McCormick
*
Bill Moriarty
Deaths
*April 17 –
John Bergh, 25, back-up catcher for the 1880 Boston Red Stockings.
*July 5 –
Charlie Guth, 27?, pitched a complete game victory in his only major league game in 1880 for the Chicago White Stockings.
*September 21 –
Dan Collins, 29, outfielder who played in 10 games from 1874 to 1876.
*October 10 –
Jim Devlin
James Alexander Devlin (June 6, 1849 – October 10, 1883) was an American Major League Baseball player who played mainly as a first baseman early in his career, then as a pitcher in the latter part. He played for three teams during his five ...
, 34, pitcher for the Louisville Grays in 1876–77 who led NL in games, innings, starts and strikeouts in its first season; expelled from baseball in the
1877 Louisville Grays scandal The 1877 Louisville Grays scandal was an incident in which members of the Louisville Grays baseball team accepted money to lose games. Four players – Bill Craver, Jim Devlin, George Hall, and Al Nichols – were subsequently banned from professi ...
See also
*
1882 in baseball
Champions
*National League: Chicago White Stockings
*American Association: Cincinnati Red Stockings
*League Alliance: New York Metropolitans
Interleague
*Chicago (NL) vs. Cincinnati (AA) tie 1 game each
*Chicago (NL) def. New York (LA) 2 games t ...
*
1884 in baseball
Champions
*First World's Championship Series: Providence Grays over New York Metropolitans (3–0)
*National League: Providence Grays
*American Association: New York Metropolitans
*Union Association: St. Louis Maroons
Major league baseball fin ...
*
1885 in baseball
Events
January–March
* January 3– 4 – Sino-French War – Battle of Núi Bop: French troops under General Oscar de Négrier defeat a numerically superior Qing Chinese force, in northern Vietnam.
* January 4 – ...
References
;Sources
*Nemec, David (1994). ''The Beer and Whiskey League: The Illustrated History of the American Association-Baseball's Renegade Major League''. New York: Lyons & Burford, Publishers
External links
1883 National League season at Baseball-Reference.com1883 American Association season at Baseball-Reference.comCharlton's Baseball Chronology at BaseballLibrary.comYear by Year History at Baseball-Almanac.comRetrosheet.org
{{Year in baseball, this year=1883