1888 Major League Baseball season
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* National League:
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. ...
*
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 ...
: St. Louis Browns ;World Series New York defeated St. Louis, six games to four.


Major league baseball final standings

''Note: team nicknames are given here according to the modern retroactive convention. According to the 1889 Spalding Official Guide, however, which covered the 1888 season, no nicknames were used for any team - aside from Athletic - with the exception of "Giants" (always within quotation marks).''''Spalding's Official Base Ball Guide 1889.'' Chicago: A. G. Spalding and Brothers 1889 https://www.loc.gov/resource/spalding.00145/?sp=1


National League final standings


American Association final standings


Statistical leaders


National League statistical leaders


American Association statistical leaders


Events


January–March

*January 2 –
Fred Dunlap Frederick C. "Sure Shot" Dunlap (May 21, 1859 – December 1, 1902) was a second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball from 1880 to 1891. He was the highest paid player in Major League Baseball from 1884 to 1889. He has also been rated b ...
signs a contract paying him a $5,000 salary and a $2,000 signing bonus. It is the largest contract ever given to a player to date. *January 15 The Pittsburgh Alleghenys Purchase the contract of Billy Sunday from the Chicago White Stockings for $2,000 *January 17 – The Kansas City Cowboys are admitted to 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 ...
. *January 27 – The Brooklyn Bridegrooms keep 5 players from the New York Metropolitans that they purchased last October and sell the rest, plus 4 of their own players, to the Kansas City Cowboys for $7,000. *February 2 – The
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 ...
announce that they will have 42 private boxes on top of their new grandstand. The boxes will only be available to season subscribers. *February 13 - The Kansas City Cowboys purchase the contract of Jumbo Davis from the Baltimore Orioles of the International League. *March 2 – The National League reverts to its original policy of a .50¢ admission price with no concessions given to individual clubs. *March 5 – 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 ...
votes to adopt the use of turnstiles at all parks in order to better control entry into games.


April–June

*April 3 – The
Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
sell John Clarkson to the
Boston Braves The Atlanta Braves, a current Major League Baseball franchise, originated in Boston, Massachusetts. This article details the history of the Boston Braves, from 1871 to 1952, after which they moved to Milwaukee, and then to Atlanta. During it ...
for $10,000. *April 29 – Pitcher Charlie Ferguson dies of typhoid fever at the age of 25. *May 15 –
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 ...
outfielder Harry Stovey hits for the cycle in a 12–3 win over the Baltimore Orioles. *May 21 – The Philadelphia Quakers purchase the contract of Ed Delahanty from Wheeling of the TriState Baseball League *May 27 – Adonis Terry pitches the second
no-hitter In baseball, a no-hitter is a game in which a team was not able to record a hit. Major League Baseball (MLB) officially defines a no-hitter as a completed game in which a team that batted in at least nine innings recorded no hits. A pitcher wh ...
of his career as the Brooklyn Bridegrooms defeat the Louisville Colonels, 4–0. *June 3 – The poem " Casey at the Bat", by
Ernest Thayer Ernest Lawrence Thayer (; August 14, 1863 – August 21, 1940) was an American writer and poet who wrote the poem "Casey" (or "Casey at the Bat"), which is "the single most famous baseball poem ever written" according to the Baseball Almanac, and ...
, is published for the first time in the ''
San Francisco Examiner The ''San Francisco Examiner'' is a newspaper distributed in and around San Francisco, California, and published since 1863. Once self-dubbed the "Monarch of the Dailies" by then-owner William Randolph Hearst, and flagship of the Hearst Corporat ...
''. *June 6 – Henry Porter of the Kansas City Cowboys tosses a
no-hitter In baseball, a no-hitter is a game in which a team was not able to record a hit. Major League Baseball (MLB) officially defines a no-hitter as a completed game in which a team that batted in at least nine innings recorded no hits. A pitcher wh ...
against the Baltimore Orioles in a 4–0 Kansas City win. *June 13 – Kansas City Cowboys second baseman
Sam Barkley Samuel E. Barkley (May 24, 1858 – April 20, 1912) was an American Major League Baseball second baseman. Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, he played for four teams in six seasons from to . Career Barkley began his career with the Toledo Bl ...
hits for the cycle against the Cincinnati Red Stockings. However, the Cowboys lose 11–6. *June 21 –
George Van Haltren George Edward Martin Van Haltren (March 30, 1866 – October 1, 1945) was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball. In his 17-year career, lasting from 1887 through 1903, he played for the Chicago White Stockings (1870–89), Chicago Wh ...
pitches a 6-inning no-hitter to beat the
Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
at
West Side Park West Side Park was the name used for two different ballparks that formerly stood in Chicago, Illinois. They were both home fields of the team now known as the Chicago Cubs of the National League. Both ballparks hosted baseball championships. The ...
in a rain-shortened contest. He strikes out 3 and walks 1.


July–September

*July 4 – Albert Spalding, president of the Chicago White Stockings, has two ticket speculators arrested and jailed after they violate a city ordinance that prohibits the selling of tickets on the street. *July 7 –
Dave Foutz David Luther Foutz (September 7, 1856 – March 5, 1897) was a Major League Baseball player for 13 seasons. He played multiple positions, including pitcher, from to , compiling a 147–66 career record, as well as first base and outfield. From ...
of the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, former popular player with the St. Louis Browns, is carried off of the field by Browns fans after he gets the game-winning hit for Brooklyn in a game held in St. Louis. *July 13 – The Pittsburgh Alleghenys shut out 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 ...
in both games of a double-header, the first such occurrence in major league history. *July 14 – Adonis Terry tells his teammates that he heard Kansas City Cowboys manager
Sam Barkley Samuel E. Barkley (May 24, 1858 – April 20, 1912) was an American Major League Baseball second baseman. Born in Wheeling, West Virginia, he played for four teams in six seasons from to . Career Barkley began his career with the Toledo Bl ...
order substitute umpire Jim Donahue, who was the Cowboys regular catcher, to call a Bridegroom runner out in the 9th inning of a 5–4 game. The Grooms walked off the field in protest‚ forfeiting the game, resulting in a 9–0 score. *July 17 –
Tommy McCarthy Thomas McCarthy (also Tom and Tommy) may refer to: Academia * Thomas A. McCarthy (born 1940), American professor of philosophy * Thomas J. McCarthy (born 1956), American professor of polymer chemistry at the University of Massachusetts * J. Thomas ...
of the St. Louis Browns goes 5–5 at the plate to go along with 6 stolen bases in a game in which the Browns steal 15 bases in all. *July 26 –
Ed Seward Edward William Seward (June 29, 1867 – July 30, 1947), born as ''Edward William Sourhardt'', was an American Major League Baseball pitcher for six seasons from 1885 to 1891. Seward made his professional baseball debut in 1884 at age 16 with Terr ...
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 ...
pitches a no-hitter in a 12–2 over the Cincinnati Red Stockings. *July 28 – Jimmy Ryan of the Chicago White Stockings hits for the cycle and pitches 7 innings in relief in a 21–17 win over the Detroit Wolverines. Ryan becomes the first player to hit for the cycle and pitch in the same game. *July 31 –
Gus Weyhing August Weyhing (September 29, 1866 – September 4, 1955) was an American pitcher in professional baseball. Nicknamed "Cannonball", "Rubber Arm Gun", and "Rubber-Winged Gus", he played for nine different Major League Baseball (MLB) teams from 188 ...
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 ...
pitches a no-hitter against the Kansas City Cowboys for the second no-hitter by an Athletics pitcher in 5 games. *July 31 – "Sliding" Billy Hamilton makes his major league debut with the Kansas City Cowboys. *August 7 – 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 ...
votes to allow teams to lower ticket prices to .25¢ and changes the gate guarantee for the visiting team from a percentage to a flat $130. *August 10 –
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 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. ...
wins his 19th consecutive game, setting a new major league record. *August 21 – The Detroit Wolverines blow a 2–0 lead by committing 6 errors in the final 2 innings to lose their 16th game in a row. *August 22 – Silver King of the St. Louis Browns loses a no-hitter in the 9th inning when 2 Browns outfielders let an easy fly ball drop between them. *August 22 – The
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 ...
attempt to play a "night" game at dusk by using natural-gas lights. *August 25 –
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. ...
outfielder
Mike Tiernan Michael Joseph Tiernan (January 21, 1867November 7, 1918), nicknamed "Silent Mike", was an American professional baseball right fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB), exclusively for the New York Giants, from 1887 to 1899. Early life ...
hits for the cycle as the Giants beat the
Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...
, 7–0. *August 29 – Joe Quinn makes his first game as a Boston Beaneater a memorable one by homering in the bottom of the 9th to give Boston a 2–1 win over 30 game winner
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 ...
. *September 4 –
Pud Galvin James Francis "Pud" Galvin (December 25, 1856 – March 7, 1902) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher in the 19th century. He was MLB's first 300-game winner and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1965. Baseball career Galv ...
became the first pitcher to win 300 games. *September 6 – The
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 ...
try again to play an evening game with the use of natural-gas lights. Unable to generate adequate lighting to play, the Hoosiers drop the idea for good. *September 7 –
Dick Johnston Richard Frederick Johnston (April 6, 1863 – April 4, 1934) was a 19th-century center fielder in Major League Baseball. He played eight seasons in the majors, for five different teams in three different leagues. In 746 games over eight seas ...
of 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 ...
leads off the game with a home run for the 2nd straight game. *September 12 – 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. ...
are forced to forfeit their game with the Chicago White Stockings when they have no available substitutes to replace the injured Buck Ewing in the 5th inning. *September 15 – Ed Morris of the Pittsburgh Alleghenys pitches his 4th consecutive shutout, setting a National League record that will stand until
1968 The year was highlighted by protests and other unrests that occurred worldwide. Events January–February * January 5 – "Prague Spring": Alexander Dubček is chosen as leader of the Communist Party of Czechoslovakia. * Januar ...
. *September 18 –
Ben Sanders Alexander Bennett "Ben" Sanders (February 16, 1865 – August 29, 1930) was an American Major League Baseball player who pitched a total of five seasons for three teams. Career Born in Catharpin, Virginia, Sanders debuted on June 6, with ...
of the Philadelphia Quakers loses his perfect game with 1 out in the 9th inning when he allows a single to the Chicago White Stockings pitcher Gus Krock, a .164 career hitter. *September 20 – Cubs pitcher
Frank Dwyer John Francis Dwyer (March 25, 1868 – February 4, 1943) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Stockings (1888–1889), Chicago Pirates (1890), Cincinnati Kelly's Killers (1891), Milwaukee Brewers (1 ...
pitches a 3-hit shutout in his Major league debut, defeating the Washington Nationals 11–0 in the first game of a double-header at West Side Park. *September 27 – Ed "Cannonball" Crane pitches a 7-inning no-hitter for 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. ...
in their 3–0 win over the Washington Nationals.


October–December

*October 1 – With darkness looming, the
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 ...
score 3 runs in the top of the 9th inning to take a 4–2 lead over the Washington Nationals when Washington catcher Connie Mack suddenly develops an "injury" to his finger. The delay causes the game to be called because of darkness with the score reverting to the last completed inning, resulting in a 2–1 Washington victory. *October 3 – 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. ...
and the St. Louis Browns each clinch their respective league pennants. *October 5 –
Pud Galvin James Francis "Pud" Galvin (December 25, 1856 – March 7, 1902) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher in the 19th century. He was MLB's first 300-game winner and was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1965. Baseball career Galv ...
of the Pittsburgh Alleghenys becomes the first pitcher to record 300 career wins with a 5–1 victory over the Washington Nationals. *October 13 – The National League season comes to a close with the champion
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. ...
setting a league attendance record by drawing 305,000 fans for the season. *October 16 – Rumours abound of the Detroit Wolverines dropping out of the National League and being replaced by the Cleveland Blues 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 ...
after they sell star players
Sam Thompson Samuel Luther "Big Sam" Thompson (March 5, 1860 – November 7, 1922) was an American professional baseball player from 1884 to 1898 and with a brief comeback in 1906. At , the Indiana native was one of the larger players of his day and was known ...
, Dan Brouthers and 30 game winner Pete Conway. *October 16 – The World Series opens with 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. ...
beating the St. Louis Browns 2–1. *October 17 – The Browns even the series by taking a 3–0 victory over the Giants. *October 18 –
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...
wins Game 3 4–2 over the Browns. *October 19 –
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...
takes a 3–1 series advantage with a 6–3 win over St. Louis. *October 20 – The Giants score 5 runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to take a 6–4 victory and a 4–1 lead in the series. *October 22 –
New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...
wins again in Game 6 by a score of 12–5. *October 24 – The Browns get a must-win by scoring 4 in the 8th to beat the Giants 7–5. *October 25 – 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. ...
clinch the series with an 11–3 win over the St. Louis Browns. The final 2 games will be played for revenue purposes with St. Louis winning both contests for an overall series result of 6 games to 4 in favor of the Giants. *November 10 – A new club is organized in Detroit to compete in the International Association during the next season, in order to take the place of the disbanded Detroit Wolverines, who finished in fifth place in the National League this past season. The Wolverines sell off their stars, including
Sam Thompson Samuel Luther "Big Sam" Thompson (March 5, 1860 – November 7, 1922) was an American professional baseball player from 1884 to 1898 and with a brief comeback in 1906. At , the Indiana native was one of the larger players of his day and was known ...
to the Philadelphia Quakers, as well as the so-called ''Big Four'' Dan Brouthers 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 ...
, Hardy Richardson to the Boston Reds, and Jack Rowe and Deacon White to the Pittsburgh Alleghenys. *November 20 – The Joint Rules Committee reduces the number of balls needed for a walk to 4. With the 4 ball, 3 strike at-bat and overhand pitching rules now in place, baseball in
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 ...
will be played very similar to the game of today. *November 21 – The National League formally admits the Cleveland Blues from 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 Blues are the 2nd team to leave the AA for the NL, following the Pittsburgh Alleghenys who made the switch after the
1886 Events January–March * January 1 – Upper Burma is formally annexed to British Burma, following its conquest in the Third Anglo-Burmese War of November 1885. * January 5– 9 – Robert Louis Stevenson's novella ''Strange ...
season. *November 22 – The National League adopts a five-tier salary structure based on a player's on-field abilities and off-field personal habits, with the salary scale ranging from $1,500–2,500 in each tier. The ''Brotherhood'' of the Professional Baseball Players is incensed by the classification system and it will be the impetus for the organization of 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 ...
in
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 ...
. *November 23 – The World Champion
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. ...
announce the sale of star player and leader of The Brotherhood of Professional Baseball Players, John Montgomery Ward, to the Washington Nationals for $12,000. The deal will fall through after Ward refuses to abide by the sale. *December 5 – The
Columbus Solons The Columbus Solons were a professional baseball team in the American Association from 1889 to 1891. In three seasons, they won 200 games and lost 209 for a winning percentage of .489. Their home games were played at Recreation Park in Columbus, ...
are admitted to 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 ...
to replace the departed Cleveland Blues.


Births


January–April

*January 5 – Rube Foster *January 5 –
Jesse Barber Jesse Bernard "Phantom" Barber (January 5, 1888 – October 21, 1959) was an American baseball outfielder in the Negro leagues. He played from 1909 to 1926 with several teams. Barber played the majority of his career with the Bacharach Giants, Ph ...
*January 10 –
Del Pratt Derrill Burnham "Del" Pratt (January 10, 1888 – September 30, 1977) was a star running back for the University of Alabama before becoming a professional baseball player. Pratt signed with the St. Louis Browns in . He was a star second basema ...
*January 24 –
Pinch Thomas Chester David "Pinch" Thomas (January 24, 1888 – December 24, 1953) was an American professional baseball catcher who played in Major League Baseball from 1912 through 1921 for the Boston Red Sox (1912–17) and Cleveland Indians (1918–21) ...
*February 10 –
Lorenza Cobb Lorenza Samuel Nathaniel Cobb (February 10, 1888 – January 21, 1953) was an American baseball catcher in the Negro leagues. He played from 1914 to 1920, playing mostly with the St. Louis Giants The St. Louis Stars, originally the St. Louis ...
*March 4 – Jeff Pfeffer *March 17 – Ed Klepfer *April 4 – Tris Speaker *April 9 – Hippo Vaughn *April 18 – Duffy Lewis *April 18 – Tommy McMillan *April 22 – Harry Sullivan *April 26 –
Ray Caldwell Raymond Benjamin Caldwell (April 26, 1888 – August 17, 1967) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Cleveland Indians from 1910 to 1921. He was known f ...
*April 26 –
Olaf Henriksen Olaf Henriksen (April 26, 1888 – October 17, 1962) was a Major League Baseball outfielder who remains to date the only Danish-born person ever to play in the major leagues. He played seven seasons (1911–17) for the Boston Red Sox as a teammat ...
*April 29 – Ernie Johnson


May–August

*May 4 –
Ralph Pond Ralph Benjamin Pond (May 4, 1888 – September 8, 1947) was an American professional baseball outfielder who played briefly for the Boston Red Sox during the season. Pond threw right-handed (batting side unknown). A native of Eau Claire, Wisconsi ...
*May 15 –
Steve Yerkes Stephen Douglas Yerkes (May 15, 1888 – January 31, 1971) was a professional baseball player. History Yerkes played all or part of seven seasons in Major League Baseball between 1909 and 1916, primarily as a second baseman. He played for the ...
*May 23 – Zack Wheat *June 29 – Bobby Veach *July 1 – Ben Taylor *July 2 – Grover Hartley *July 12 – Harry Krause *July 19 – Ed Sweeney *August 6 –
Hy Gunning Hyland Gunning (August 6, 1888 – March 28, 1975) was a professional baseball player. He appeared in Major League Baseball (MLB) briefly for the Boston Red Sox during the 1911 season. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed. A native of Mapl ...
*August 10 –
Charlie Hartman Charles Otto Hartman (August 10, 1888 – October 22, 1960) was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played briefly in the American League during the 1908 in baseball, 1908 season. Hartman made his professional baseball debut in wi ...
*August 15 –
Ben Van Dyke Benjamin Harrison Van Dyke (August 15, 1888 – October 22, 1973) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Phillies () and Boston Red Sox (). Listed at , 150 lb., Van Dyke batted right-handed and threw left-hande ...
*August 17 –
Vince Molyneaux Vincent Leo Molyneaux (August 17, 1888 – May 4, 1950) was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Browns () and Boston Red Sox (). Listed at 6' 0", 180 lb., Molyneaux batted and threw right-handed. A native ...
*August 31 –
Wally Rehg Walter Phillip Rehg (August 31, 1888 – April 5, 1946) was a reserve outfielder in Major League Baseball, playing mostly as a right fielder for four different teams between the and seasons. Listed at , 160 lb., Rehg batted and threw right ...


September–December

*September 6 – Red Faber *September 8 – Joe Giannini *September 10 –
Marty Krug Martin John Krug (10 September 1888 – 27 June 1966) was a major league infielder with the Boston Red Sox (1912) and Chicago Cubs (1922). Born Martin Johannes Krieg in Koblenz, German Empire, his parents immigrated to the United States, and ...
*September 15 –
Jean Dubuc Jean Joseph Octave Dubuc (September 15, 1888 – August 28, 1958), sometimes known by the nickname "Chauncey", was a right-handed American baseball pitcher, manager, and scout, and a coach of both baseball and ice hockey. A native of Vermont, Du ...
*September 19 – Ralph Young *October 12 – Bill Swanson *October 26 –
Dick Hoblitzel Richard Carleton "Dick" Hoblitzell (October 26, 1888 – November 14, 1962) played first base in the major leagues from 1908 to 1918. He played for the Cincinnati Reds and Boston Red Sox. Nicknamed "Doc" by his teammates, Hoblitzell's baseball c ...
*October 29 –
Earl Yingling Earl Hershey Yingling (October 29, 1888 – October 2, 1962) was a professional baseball pitcher. He played all or part of five seasons in Major League Baseball for the Cleveland Naps (1911), Brooklyn Dodgers (1912–13), Cincinnati Reds (1914) ...
*November 1 – Grover Gilmore *November 10 – Ben Hunt *December 5 –
Ed Porray Edmund Joseph Porray (December 5, 1888 – July 13, 1954) was a major league pitcher. A right-handed pitcher, he had a brief Major League career in which he pitched in 3 games for the Buffalo Buffeds of the Federal League, compiling a 0–1 rec ...
*December 11 – Fred Toney *December 20 – Fred Merkle


Deaths

*February 5 – Martin Powell, 31, first baseman with a .283 career batting average from 1881–1884; led the National League in games played in
1883 Events January–March * January 4 – ''Life'' magazine is founded in Los Angeles, California, United States. * January 10 – A fire at the Newhall Hotel in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, United States, kills 73 people. * Ja ...
*February 19 – Live Oak Taylor, 37, played center field for the
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 ...
Pittsburgh Alleghenys *March 24 –
Bill Collver William J. Collver (March 21, 1867 – March 24, 1888) was a 19th-century American Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Clyde, Ohio. He played in one game, on July 4, 1885 for the Boston Beaneaters. He was hitless in four at-bat ...
, 21, played in 1 game in
1885 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 – ...
for the Boston Red Stockings *March 30 –
Frank Bahret Franklin F. Bahret (1858 – March 30, 1888), sometimes referenced as Frank J. Bahret was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and catcher for the Baltimore Monumentals of the Union Association in 1884. He also played for Indianapolis duri ...
, 29?, played 2 games 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 ...
for the
Baltimore Monumentals The Baltimore Monumentals were an American baseball team in the short-lived Union Association. In their lone season of 1884, they finished fourth in the UA with a 58–47 record. History The team was managed by Bill Henderson. Their top-hitting ...
of 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 ...
*April 10 – Denny Mack, 36?, infielder from 1871–1883; led the National Association in walks in
1872 Events January–March * January 12 – Yohannes IV is crowned Emperor of Ethiopia in Axum, the first ruler crowned in that city in over 500 years. * February 2 – The government of the United Kingdom buys a number of forts on ...
*April 29 – Charlie Ferguson, 25, pitcher who won 99 games in his first 4 seasons, including a no-hitter, for the Philadelphia Quakers since 1884; was 30–9 for the 1886 team *June 28 – Joe Brown, 29, pitcher in 1884–1885 *July 16 –
Amos Cross Amos C. Cross (February 8, 1860 – July 16, 1888) was an American Major League baseball player from –. His main position was catcher. He played three seasons in MLB, all for the Louisville Colonels. His brothers, Lave and Frank, also playe ...
, 27?, catcher for the 1885–87 Louisville Colonels, succeeded by his brother
Lave ''Lave'' was an ironclad floating battery of the French Navy during the 19th century. She was part of the of floating batteries. In the 1850s, the British and French navies deployed iron-armoured floating batteries as a supplement to the wooden ...
*July 27 – Ed Cogswell, 34, first baseman who batted over .300 in both
1879 Events January–March * January 1 – The Specie Resumption Act takes effect. The United States Note is valued the same as gold, for the first time since the American Civil War. * January 11 – The Anglo-Zulu War begins. * Janu ...
and
1880 Events January–March * January 22 – Toowong State School is founded in Queensland, Australia. * January – The international White slave trade affair scandal in Brussels is exposed and attracts international infamy. * February ...
*August 12 –
Favel Wordsworth Favel Parry Wordsworth (April 1850 – August 12, 1888) was a professional baseball player. He appeared in 12 games for the Elizabeth Resolutes of the National Association in 1873, primarily as a shortstop Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the ba ...
, 37, shortstop for the
1873 Events January–March * January 1 ** Japan adopts the Gregorian calendar. ** The California Penal Code goes into effect. * January 17 – American Indian Wars: Modoc War: First Battle of the Stronghold – Modoc Indians defeat ...
Elizabeth Resolutes. *September 25 – John Bass, 40?, batted .303 as the regular shortstop for the Cleveland Forest Citys in
1871 Events January–March * January 3 – Franco-Prussian War – Battle of Bapaume: Prussians win a strategic victory. * January 18 – Proclamation of the German Empire: The member states of the North German Confederation and the sout ...
, his only full season *October 16 – Ed Duffy, 44?, regular shortstop for the
1871 Events January–March * January 3 – Franco-Prussian War – Battle of Bapaume: Prussians win a strategic victory. * January 18 – Proclamation of the German Empire: The member states of the North German Confederation and the sout ...
Chicago White Stockings *November 7 – Rit Harrison, 39, went 2–4 in his only career game for the
1875 Events January–March * January 1 – The Midland Railway of England abolishes the Second Class passenger category, leaving First Class and Third Class. Other British railway companies follow Midland's lead during the rest of the ...
New Haven Elm Citys The Elm City baseball club, or New Haven Elm Citys in modern nomenclature, were a professional baseball team based in New Haven, Connecticut ("The Elm City"). They existed for one season, in the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players ...
*November 10 –
John Glenn John Herschel Glenn Jr. (July 18, 1921 – December 8, 2016) was an American Marine Corps aviator, engineer, astronaut, businessman, and politician. He was the third American in space, and the first American to orbit the Earth, circling ...
, 38, played from 1871–1877 with a .267 career average *November 19 –
Len Sowders Leonard Sowders (June 29, 1861 – November 21, 1888), was a Major League Baseball player who played outfielder. He played for the Baltimore Orioles of the American Association during the 1886 season. His brothers Bill and John also played prof ...
, 27, center fielder who hit .263 for the Baltimore Orioles in his only season in
1886 Events January–March * January 1 – Upper Burma is formally annexed to British Burma, following its conquest in the Third Anglo-Burmese War of November 1885. * January 5– 9 – Robert Louis Stevenson's novella ''Strange ...
*December 29 –
Asa Brainard Asahel "Asa" Brainard (1841 – December 29, 1888), nicknamed "Count", was the ace pitcher of the original Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first fully professional baseball team, after having pitched for the Excelsior club of Brooklyn, New York. ...
, 47, pitcher for the undefeated
1869 Events January–March * January 3 – Abdur Rahman Khan is defeated at Tinah Khan, and exiled from Afghanistan. * January 5 – Scotland's oldest professional football team, Kilmarnock F.C., is founded. * January 20 – E ...
Cincinnati Red Stockings


References


External links


1888 National League season at Baseball-Reference.com1888 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=1888