1877 in baseball - AbsoluteAstronomy.com

Champions

National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

: Boston Red Caps
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
International Association: London‚ Ontario‚ Canada Tecumsehs
London Tecumsehs
The historic London Tecumsehs were a professional men's baseball team in London, Ontario, Canada, that were first formed in 1868 — a merger of the Forest City Base Ball Club and the London Base Ball Club — which, according to George Railton's 1856 London directory, consisted of officers J.K. Brown,...
League Alliance: Indianapolis Hoosiers (West) & Lowell Ladies' Men (East)
New England Association: Lowell Ladies' Men

New York State Championship Association: Syracuse Stars

U.S. newspapers' poll: Boston Beaneaters (NL) and Lowell Ladies' Men (NEA) co-champions

Inter-league playoff: Lowell (NEA) def. Boston (NL) 4 games to 1

Inter-league playoff: Syracuse (NYSCA) def. Boston (NL), 1 game to 0 (score 6–0)

Inter-league competition: New England Association teams defeated National League teams, 25 to 23

National League final standings

National League National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Rank	Club	Wins	Losses	Win %	GB
1st	Boston Red Caps Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....	42	18	.700	–
2nd	Louisville Grays Louisville Grays The Louisville Grays were a 19th century U.S. baseball team and charter member of the National League, based in Louisville, Kentucky. They played two seasons, 1876 and 1877, and compiled a record of 65–61. Their home games were at the Louisville Baseball Park. The Grays were owned by...	35	25	.583	7
3rd	Hartford Dark Blues Hartford Dark Blues The Hartford Dark Blues were a 19th century baseball team. The team was based in Hartford, Connecticut.-History:They were a member of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players in 1874 and 1875 and the National League in 1876 and 1877...	31	27	.534	10
4th	St. Louis Brown Stockings	28	32	.467	14
5th	Chicago White Stockings Chicago Cubs The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...	26	33	.441	15.5
6th	Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati Reds (1876-1880) The Cincinnati Reds, also known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings, were a professional baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio that played from 1876–1880. The Reds were a charter member of the National League.-History:...	15	42	.263	25.5

Statistical leaders

National League National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Type	Name	Stat
AVG Batting average Batting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...	Deacon White Deacon White James Laurie "Deacon" White was an American baseball player who was one of the principal stars during the first two decades of the sport's professional era... BSN Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....	.387
HR Home run In baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...	Lip Pike Lip Pike Lipman Emanuel "Lip" Pike the "Iron Batter", was one of the stars of 19th century baseball in the United States. He was the first player to be revealed as a professional , as well as the first Jewish player... CIN Cincinnati Reds (1876-1880) The Cincinnati Reds, also known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings, were a professional baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio that played from 1876–1880. The Reds were a charter member of the National League.-History:...	4
RBI Run batted in Runs batted in or RBIs is a statistic used in baseball and softball to credit a batter when the outcome of his at-bat results in a run being scored, except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play. The first team to track RBI was the Buffalo Bisons.Common nicknames for an RBI...	Deacon White Deacon White James Laurie "Deacon" White was an American baseball player who was one of the principal stars during the first two decades of the sport's professional era... BSN Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....	49
Wins Win (baseball) In professional baseball, there are two types of decisions: a win and a loss . In each game, one pitcher on the winning team is awarded a win and one pitcher on the losing team is given a loss in their respective statistics. These pitchers are collectively known as the pitchers of record. Only...	Tommy Bond Tommy Bond (baseball) Thomas Henry Bond was a Major League Baseball player who was a pitcher and a right fielder a total of ten seasons. A native of Granard, Ireland, he is the first person born in Ireland to play Major League Baseball. Bond was also the last survivor of the National League's first season... BSN Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....	40
ERA Earned run average In baseball statistics, earned run average is the mean of earned runs given up by a pitcher per nine innings pitched. It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number of innings pitched and multiplying by nine...	Tommy Bond Tommy Bond (baseball) Thomas Henry Bond was a Major League Baseball player who was a pitcher and a right fielder a total of ten seasons. A native of Granard, Ireland, he is the first person born in Ireland to play Major League Baseball. Bond was also the last survivor of the National League's first season... BSN Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....	2.11
Strikeout Strikeout In baseball or softball, a strikeout or strike-out occurs when a batter receives three strikes during his time at bat. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters.... s	Tommy Bond Tommy Bond (baseball) Thomas Henry Bond was a Major League Baseball player who was a pitcher and a right fielder a total of ten seasons. A native of Granard, Ireland, he is the first person born in Ireland to play Major League Baseball. Bond was also the last survivor of the National League's first season... BSN Atlanta Braves The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....	170

1877 New England Association

club W L Pct GB

Lowell Ladies' Men 33 7 .815 –

Manchester Reds 29 11 .690 4

Fall River Cascades 19 21 .475 14

Providence Rhode Islands 11 29 .275 22

Lynn Live Oaks 8 32 .200 25

1877 New York State Championship Association

club W L Pct GB

Syracuse Stars 20 9 .690 –

Binghamton Crickets 20 13 .606 2

Auburn Auburnians 18 19 .486 6

Rochester Flour Citys 12 18 .400 8.5

Buffalo Bisons-x 3 14 .176 11

x-dropped out August 22

1877 International Association

club W L T Pct GB

London Tecumsehs 13 4 4 .765 –

Pittsburgh Alleghenys 13 6 0 .684 1

Rochester Flour Citys 10 7 0 .588 3

Columbus Buckeyes 7 11 2 .312 6.5

Guelph Maple Leafs 4 12 2 .250 8.5

Lynn Live Oaks 3 9 0 .250 7.5

January–March

February 3 – Cherokee Fisher
Cherokee Fisher
William Charles "Cherokee" Fisher , was an American baseball pitcher.Fisher was a pitcher during organized baseball's formative years, from about 1867 to the end of his career. He was known for his fastball on the field and his heavy drinking off it. William J...

admits taking $100 to throw a game from the 1876 season. Fisher will only appear in 1 more game in his career (1878) after his admission.
February 20 – The International League, the first minor league
Minor league baseball
Minor league baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball and provide opportunities for player development. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses...

, is formed in Pittsburgh.
February 27 – Candy Cummings
Candy Cummings
William Arthur "Candy" Cummings was a professional baseball pitcher in the National Association and National League who was credited with inventing the curveball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.-Career:...

, player-manager of the Live Oaks of Lynn, MA, is elected President of the International League.
March 5 – The Hartford Dark Blues
Hartford Dark Blues
The Hartford Dark Blues were a 19th century baseball team. The team was based in Hartford, Connecticut.-History:They were a member of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players in 1874 and 1875 and the National League in 1876 and 1877...

agrees to play its home games in Brooklyn
Brooklyn
Brooklyn is the most populous of New York City's five boroughs, with nearly 2.6 million residents, and the second-largest in area. Since 1896, Brooklyn has had the same boundaries as Kings County, which is now the most populous county in New York State and the second-most densely populated...

. The team will retain the Hartford name, although it will only play 2 league games in Hartford.
March 22 – The National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

publishes the 1877 schedule. It is the first time the league has handled scheduling and continues to this day.

April–June

April 12 – Jim Tyng
Jim Tyng
James Alexander "Jim" Tyng was the first baseball player to wear a catcher's mask while playing for Harvard in 1877. The team manager, Fred Thayer received a patent for the mask in 1878. In 1879, Tyng was picked up by Harry Wright and the Boston Red Caps as an emergency pitcher. Tyng defeated the...

, a catcher for Harvard
Harvard University
Harvard University is a private Ivy League university located in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States, established in 1636 by the Massachusetts legislature. Harvard is the oldest institution of higher learning in the United States and the first corporation chartered in the country...

, becomes the first backstop to wear a face mask during a game. Harvard team manager, Fred Thayer, will receive a patent for the mask in 1878.
May 2 – The Boston Red Caps
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

, who will win the pennant with a 42–18 record in 1877, lose an exhibition game to the Allegheny club of the International League. Pud Galvin
Pud Galvin
James Francis Galvin , nicknamed "Pud", "Gentle Jeems", and "The Little Steam Engine", was an American National Association and Major League Baseball pitcher. He was Major League Baseball's first 300-game winner...

tosses a one-hit shutout and hits a home run to defeat the Red Caps 1–0.
May 3 – Five New England teams – the Fall River Cascades, Lowell Ladies' Men, Lynn Live Oaks, Manchester Reds and Providence Rhode Islands form the New England Association playing each other 10 games each for a 40-game schedule to decide the so-called "Championship of New England."
May 4 – Five New York State teams – the Auburn Auburnians, Binghamton Crickets, Buffalo Bisons, Rochester Flour Citys and Syracuse Stars form the New York State Association playing each other 10 games each for a 40-game schedule to decide the so-called "Championship of New York State."
May 5 – Baseball's first "minor league" of sorts is formed as the National League recruits 12 teams to play in the "League Alliance." The LA Eastern Division enlists the: Brooklyn Chelseas, Philadelphia Athletics and Syracuse Stars while the LA Western Division enlists the: Chicago Fairbanks, Indianapolis Hoosiers, Janesville Mutuals, Memphis Reds, Milwaukee Cream Citys, Minneapolis Browns, St. Paul Red Caps and Winona Clippers.
May 10 – The Lowell Ladies' Men, members of the New England Association, affiliate themselves with the National League by joining the NL's "farm system," i.e. the League Alliance East Division. Lowell competes in both circuits and wins the pennant in each.
May 17 – The National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

votes to change to a livelier ball to replace the one described as being "dead enough to bury" in a special league meeting.
June 5 – Star pitcher Albert Spalding
Albert Spalding
Albert Goodwill Spalding was a professional baseball player, manager and co-founder of A.G. Spalding sporting goods company.-Biography:...

makes his last career start on the mound.
June 10 – The St. Louis Brown Stockings
St. Louis Brown Stockings
The St. Louis Brown Stockings were a professional baseball club based in St. Louis, Missouri from 1875 to 1877.-History:Joining the National Association in the final season of that league, the Brown Stockings were the first team to represent St. Louis in a professional baseball association . The...

and the Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds (1876-1880)
The Cincinnati Reds, also known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings, were a professional baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio that played from 1876–1880. The Reds were a charter member of the National League.-History:...

play a Sunday exhibition game. It will be the one and only Sunday game played in professional baseball until 1892.
June 18 – The Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds (1876-1880)
The Cincinnati Reds, also known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings, were a professional baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio that played from 1876–1880. The Reds were a charter member of the National League.-History:...

club disbands after running out of money. The Buffalo Bisons of the New York Association also disband.
June 21 – Cincinnati
Cincinnati Reds (1876-1880)
The Cincinnati Reds, also known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings, were a professional baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio that played from 1876–1880. The Reds were a charter member of the National League.-History:...

stockholders re-structure the club in order to keep it running and maintain its place in the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

but 2 players, Jimmy Hallinan
Jimmy Hallinan
James H. "Jimmy" Hallinan was an American baseball player born in Ireland. In the first professional league season, he played shortstop in five games for the 1871 Fort Wayne Kekiongas...

and Charley Jones
Charley Jones
Charles Wesley Jones was an American left fielder in the National Association and Major League Baseball who hit 56 home runs and batted .298 during his twelve-year career...

, have already been signed by Chicago
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...

. The White Stockings will return Jones on June 29, but will retain Hallinan.
June 30 – Cincinnati
Cincinnati Reds (1876-1880)
The Cincinnati Reds, also known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings, were a professional baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio that played from 1876–1880. The Reds were a charter member of the National League.-History:...

signs Candy Cummings
Candy Cummings
William Arthur "Candy" Cummings was a professional baseball pitcher in the National Association and National League who was credited with inventing the curveball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.-Career:...

to help bolster their pitching. Cummings will continue to hold his position as President of the International League while playing for the Reds.

July–September

July 3 – Cincinnati
Cincinnati Reds (1876-1880)
The Cincinnati Reds, also known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings, were a professional baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio that played from 1876–1880. The Reds were a charter member of the National League.-History:...

loses to the Louisville Grays
Louisville Grays
The Louisville Grays were a 19th century U.S. baseball team and charter member of the National League, based in Louisville, Kentucky. They played two seasons, 1876 and 1877, and compiled a record of 65–61. Their home games were at the Louisville Baseball Park. The Grays were owned by...

in their first game since re-organization. The Reds hope to avoid forfeiture of games played and expulsion by the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

by finishing out the season.
July 11 – Pete Hotaling
Pete Hotaling
Peter James Hotaling, nicknamed Monkey, was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball for nine seasons from to . He was born in Mohawk, New York, and died in Cleveland, Ohio at the age of 71. He is interred at Lake View Cemetery in Cleveland.Hotaling got the nickname monkey after...

, of the Syracuse Stars
Syracuse Stars (National League)
The Syracuse Stars was an American baseball team 19th century, as well as the name of the minor league baseball teams which preceded it, based in Syracuse, New York. They played their home games at Newell Park...

in the International League, wears a catcher's mask in his first game back after missing a month after being struck in the eye by a foul ball.
July 13 – George Bradley
George Bradley
George Washington Bradley , nicknamed "Grin", was an American Major League Baseball player who was a pitcher and infielder. He was 5'10.5" and weighed 175 lbs. Bradley was born in Reading, Pennsylvania.-Baseball career:...

of the Chicago White Stockings
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...

ends his streak of pitching 88 consecutive games for Chicago after playing third base in the White Stockings victory.
July 20 – Will White
Will White
William Henry "Whoop-La" White was an American Major League Baseball pitcher.White made his debut on July 20, 1877 with the Boston Red Caps at the age of 23...

makes his major league debut. White is the first professional player to wear glasses. No other big-leaguer will wear glasses until Lee Meadows
Lee Meadows
Henry Lee "Specs" Meadows was a professional baseball player. He was a right-handed pitcher over parts of 15 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was the National League wins leader in 1926 with Pittsburgh...

in 1915.
August 6 – As per National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

rules, Cal McVey
Cal McVey
Calvin Alexander McVey was a professional baseball player during the 1860s and 1870s. McVey's importance to the game stems from his play on two of the earliest professional baseball teams, the original Cincinnati Red Stockings and the National Association Boston Red Stockings...

of the visiting Chicago White Stockings
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...

randomly draws the umpire from 3 slips of paper placed in a hat for their game against the first-place Louisville Grays
Louisville Grays
The Louisville Grays were a 19th century U.S. baseball team and charter member of the National League, based in Louisville, Kentucky. They played two seasons, 1876 and 1877, and compiled a record of 65–61. Their home games were at the Louisville Baseball Park. The Grays were owned by...

. When McVey draws an umpire named Dan Devinney, he disgustedly grabs the hat and discovers that all 3 pieces of paper have the same name on them. The angered White Stockings proceed to pound the Grays 7–2.
August 8 – Catcher Mike Dorgan
Mike Dorgan
Michael Cornelius Dorgan was an American Major League Baseball player from Middletown, Connecticut, who played mainly in right field, but did play infield positions on occasion. His brother, Jerry Dorgan also played Major league Baseball...

of the St. Louis Brown Stockings
St. Louis Brown Stockings
The St. Louis Brown Stockings were a professional baseball club based in St. Louis, Missouri from 1875 to 1877.-History:Joining the National Association in the final season of that league, the Brown Stockings were the first team to represent St. Louis in a professional baseball association . The...

, after seeing starter John Clapp
John Clapp (baseball)
John Edgar Clapp , nicknamed "Honest John", was a professional baseball player-manager whose career spanned 12 seasons, 11 of which were spent with the Major League Baseball Middletown Mansfields , Philadelphia Athletics , St...

get his jaw smashed by a foul ball, takes his place wearing a catcher's mask.
August 12 – Johnny Quigley, a catcher for the Harlem Clippers, dies from injuries sustained in a collision with Dan Brouthers
Dan Brouthers
Dennis Joseph "Dan" Brouthers was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball whose career spanned the period from to , with a brief return in...

at home plate on July 7.
August 20 – Louisville Grays
Louisville Grays
The Louisville Grays were a 19th century U.S. baseball team and charter member of the National League, based in Louisville, Kentucky. They played two seasons, 1876 and 1877, and compiled a record of 65–61. Their home games were at the Louisville Baseball Park. The Grays were owned by...

vice-president, Charles Chase, receives a telegram from an unknown source stating that something was going on with the Louisville players and that bettors were placing their money on Hartford
Hartford Dark Blues
The Hartford Dark Blues were a 19th century baseball team. The team was based in Hartford, Connecticut.-History:They were a member of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players in 1874 and 1875 and the National League in 1876 and 1877...

in their game to be played that day. Hartford defeats Louisville 6–1.
August 21 – Louisville
Louisville Grays
The Louisville Grays were a 19th century U.S. baseball team and charter member of the National League, based in Louisville, Kentucky. They played two seasons, 1876 and 1877, and compiled a record of 65–61. Their home games were at the Louisville Baseball Park. The Grays were owned by...

loses again to Hartford
Hartford Dark Blues
The Hartford Dark Blues were a 19th century baseball team. The team was based in Hartford, Connecticut.-History:They were a member of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players in 1874 and 1875 and the National League in 1876 and 1877...

7–0.
August 25 – The Louisville Grays
Louisville Grays
The Louisville Grays were a 19th century U.S. baseball team and charter member of the National League, based in Louisville, Kentucky. They played two seasons, 1876 and 1877, and compiled a record of 65–61. Their home games were at the Louisville Baseball Park. The Grays were owned by...

surrender a run in the 8th and 2 more in the 9th and lose to the second-place Boston Red Caps
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

3–2 in the opener of a crucial 3 game series. The loss drops the Grays into a first-place tie with the Red Caps.
August 25 – Joe Battin
Joe Battin
Joseph V. Battin was a 19th century Major League Baseball player. Battin was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania....

and Joe Blong
Joe Blong
Joseph Myles Blong was an American professional baseball player who played pitcher and outfield from 1875-1877. He attended the University of Notre Dame in the 1860s. He was kicked out of baseball in 1877 for "crooked play". -External links:...

of the St. Louis Brown Stockings
St. Louis Brown Stockings
The St. Louis Brown Stockings were a professional baseball club based in St. Louis, Missouri from 1875 to 1877.-History:Joining the National Association in the final season of that league, the Brown Stockings were the first team to represent St. Louis in a professional baseball association . The...

are named by gamblers in both cities as willing players in a loss to the Chicago White Stockings
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...

. Neither player ever appears in a National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

game again.
August 27 – Boston
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

takes the second game of their series with Louisville
Louisville Grays
The Louisville Grays were a 19th century U.S. baseball team and charter member of the National League, based in Louisville, Kentucky. They played two seasons, 1876 and 1877, and compiled a record of 65–61. Their home games were at the Louisville Baseball Park. The Grays were owned by...

by a score of 6–0. The victory gives them sole possession of first place over Louisville.
August 28 – Boston
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

completes the sweep over Louisville
Louisville Grays
The Louisville Grays were a 19th century U.S. baseball team and charter member of the National League, based in Louisville, Kentucky. They played two seasons, 1876 and 1877, and compiled a record of 65–61. Their home games were at the Louisville Baseball Park. The Grays were owned by...

by winning 4–3.
September 25 – Jim Devlin
Jim Devlin
James Alexander Devlin 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...

and George Hall of the Louisville Grays
Louisville Grays
The Louisville Grays were a 19th century U.S. baseball team and charter member of the National League, based in Louisville, Kentucky. They played two seasons, 1876 and 1877, and compiled a record of 65–61. Their home games were at the Louisville Baseball Park. The Grays were owned by...

are named by Louisville newspaper writer John Haldeman to have thrown an exhibition game played the previous day against Indianapolis. Both players will later admit this to club officials.
September 29 – Boston
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

clinches the pennant with a 8–4 victory over the Hartford Dark Blues
Hartford Dark Blues
The Hartford Dark Blues were a 19th century baseball team. The team was based in Hartford, Connecticut.-History:They were a member of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players in 1874 and 1875 and the National League in 1876 and 1877...

. Manager Harry Wright
Harry Wright
William Henry "Harry" Wright was an English-born American professional baseball player, manager, and developer. He assembled, managed, and played center field for baseball's first fully professional team, the 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings...

appears in his final game as a player.
September 30 – The Lowell Ladies' Men clinch the New England Association pennant posting a 33–7 won-lost record.

October–December

October 1 – The Syracuse Stars clinch the New York State Association pennant.
October 2 – The London, Ontario
London, Ontario
London is a city in Southwestern Ontario, Canada, situated along the Quebec City – Windsor Corridor. The city has a population of 352,395, and the metropolitan area has a population of 457,720, according to the 2006 Canadian census; the metro population in 2009 was estimated at 489,274. The city...

, Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...

Tecumsehs
London Tecumsehs
The historic London Tecumsehs were a professional men's baseball team in London, Ontario, Canada, that were first formed in 1868 — a merger of the Forest City Base Ball Club and the London Base Ball Club — which, according to George Railton's 1856 London directory, consisted of officers J.K. Brown,...

win the first International Association championship with a 5–2 win over Pittsburgh.
October 3 – The Indianapolis Hoosiers clinch the League Alliance Western division title.
October 5 – Louisville
Louisville Grays
The Louisville Grays were a 19th century U.S. baseball team and charter member of the National League, based in Louisville, Kentucky. They played two seasons, 1876 and 1877, and compiled a record of 65–61. Their home games were at the Louisville Baseball Park. The Grays were owned by...

wins its 4th consecutive game since Boston
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....

clinched the pennant.
October 4 – Several newspapers around the U.S. declare the Boston Red Stockings (most games won) and the Lowell Ladies' Men (best W-L percentage) to be the 2 best teams of pro baseball.
October 15 – In an inter-league game played at Syracuse, New York, the New York State Association champion Syracuse Stars defeat the National League champion Boston Red Stockings by a score of 6–0.
October 20 – Tommy Bond
Tommy Bond (baseball)
Thomas Henry Bond was a Major League Baseball player who was a pitcher and a right fielder a total of ten seasons. A native of Granard, Ireland, he is the first person born in Ireland to play Major League Baseball. Bond was also the last survivor of the National League's first season...

demonstrates proof that a curveball really does curve by throwing it around stakes driven into the ground before an exhibition game.
October 26 – Jim Devlin
Jim Devlin
James Alexander Devlin 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...

and George Hall are confronted by Louisville
Louisville Grays
The Louisville Grays were a 19th century U.S. baseball team and charter member of the National League, based in Louisville, Kentucky. They played two seasons, 1876 and 1877, and compiled a record of 65–61. Their home games were at the Louisville Baseball Park. The Grays were owned by...

vice-president Charles Chase with charges of throwing games. Both players admit to the charges, and also implicate teammates Al Nichols
Al Nichols
Alfred Henry Nichols was an English Major League Baseball player for three seasons. Born in Worcester, England, he played for three different teams, and mainly played as a third baseman...

and Bill Craver
Bill Craver
William H. Craver was an American Major League Baseball player from Troy, New York who played mainly as an infielder, but did play many games at catcher as well during his seven year career. He played for seven different teams, in two leagues...

in the scandal.
October 27 – The Louisville Grays
Louisville Grays
The Louisville Grays were a 19th century U.S. baseball team and charter member of the National League, based in Louisville, Kentucky. They played two seasons, 1876 and 1877, and compiled a record of 65–61. Their home games were at the Louisville Baseball Park. The Grays were owned by...

formally drop Jim Devlin
Jim Devlin
James Alexander Devlin 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...

, George Hall, Al Nichols
Al Nichols
Alfred Henry Nichols was an English Major League Baseball player for three seasons. Born in Worcester, England, he played for three different teams, and mainly played as a third baseman...

and Bill Craver
Bill Craver
William H. Craver was an American Major League Baseball player from Troy, New York who played mainly as an infielder, but did play many games at catcher as well during his seven year career. He played for seven different teams, in two leagues...

for their involvement in the fixing of games. The players' remaining salaries are forfeited to the team. Devlin's testimony included statements that the Gray's had paid umpire Dan Devinney (see August 6) extra to call games in Louisville's favor in roughly 20 games during the season. The club denied the charge as a lie by Devlin, but the method for choosing umpires was changed by the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

before the 1878 season began.
November 6 – The Lowell Ladies' Men, pennant winners of the New England Association, defeat the NL champion Boston Beaneaters, 9–4, to win the 1877 Inter-League playoff between the champions of the 2 leagues, 3 games to 1 with 1 contest tied. Newspapers around the country did not use the term "World Series" as of yet- instead referring to the series sometimes as the "United States' Series" or the "Inter-League Exhibitions."
November 20 – The New York Clipper sporting periodical published a list of the results of interleague competition between the teams of the National League and the teams of the New England Association. The NEA teams win the 48-game competition against the NL teams with 24 victories, 23 defeats and 1 tied contest. In 50 decisions played between the National League and New York State Association teams, the NL teams win 33 games while the NYSA teams win 17. In 50 decisions between NL teams and the teams of the International Association the NL teams prevail winning 30 contests while the IA teams win 20 games.
November 24 – The New York Mercury prints an amazingly accurate prediction about the future of baseball. "The baseball mania is getting so bad that every city will soon have a mammoth structure like the Roman Coliseum to play in. This will be illuminated by electric lights so that games can be played nights‚ thus overcoming a serious objection at present existing."
December 4 – At its winter meetings, the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

formally confirms the expulsion of the 4 Louisville
Louisville Grays
The Louisville Grays were a 19th century U.S. baseball team and charter member of the National League, based in Louisville, Kentucky. They played two seasons, 1876 and 1877, and compiled a record of 65–61. Their home games were at the Louisville Baseball Park. The Grays were owned by...

players. They also vote to throw out all of Cincinnati
Cincinnati Reds (1876-1880)
The Cincinnati Reds, also known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings, were a professional baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio that played from 1876–1880. The Reds were a charter member of the National League.-History:...

's games because they failed to pay their $100 league fee.
December 5 – The National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

accepts the withdrawal of the St. Louis Brown Stockings
St. Louis Brown Stockings
The St. Louis Brown Stockings were a professional baseball club based in St. Louis, Missouri from 1875 to 1877.-History:Joining the National Association in the final season of that league, the Brown Stockings were the first team to represent St. Louis in a professional baseball association . The...

from the league. The Cincinnati Reds
Cincinnati Reds (1876-1880)
The Cincinnati Reds, also known as the Cincinnati Red Stockings, were a professional baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio that played from 1876–1880. The Reds were a charter member of the National League.-History:...

are re-admitted while the Indianapolis Blues
Indianapolis Blues
The Indianapolis Blues were a baseball team in the National League only during the 1878 season and finished fifth in the six-team league with a 24-36 record. They were managed by outfielder/first baseman/catcher John Clapp, and played their home games at South Street Park.Their top-hitting regular...

and Milwaukee Grays
Milwaukee Grays
The Milwaukee Grays were a short-lived baseball team that spent one year, 1878, in the National League.The team was part of the League Alliance, loosely affiliated with the National League, in 1877. It won 19 games and lost 13 , ending up in fourth place...

are admitted as new teams for the 1878 season.
December 6 – William Hulbert
William Hulbert
William Ambrose Hulbert was one of the founders of the National League, recognized as baseball's first major league, and was also the president of the Chicago White Stockings franchise....

is re-elected as president of the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...

and limits are placed upon the amount of non-league games that teams may play. The league also strips the Hartford Dark Blues
Hartford Dark Blues
The Hartford Dark Blues were a 19th century baseball team. The team was based in Hartford, Connecticut.-History:They were a member of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players in 1874 and 1875 and the National League in 1876 and 1877...

of their membership due to continual financial problems.
December 7 – The Providence Rhode Islands jump leagues- going from the New England Association to the National League. The team, renamed the Grays, formally joins the NL on January 16, 1878.
December 12 – The Indianapolis Hoosiers and Milwaukee Cream Citys of the League Alliance announce their intention to join the National League for the 1878 season.
December 30 – The Lowell Spindle Citys (formerly Ladies' Men), Lynn Live Oaks and Manchester Reds leave the New England Association and join the International Association. The remaining NEA team, Fall River Cascades, disbands- effectively ending the NEA.
December 31 – The Auburn Auburnians, Binghamton Crickets, Rochester Flour Citys and Syracuse Stars leave the New York State Association and join the International Association – effectively ending the NYSA.

Births

January 22 – Tom Jones
February 4 – Germany Schaefer
Germany Schaefer
Herman A. "Germany" Schaefer was a second baseman in Major League Baseball who played fifteen seasons with the Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Washington Senators, Newark Pepper, New York Yankees, and Cleveland Indians....
March 11 – Norwood Gibson
Norwood Gibson
Norwood Ringold Gibson [Gibby] was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Boston Americans between and . Listed at 5' 10", 165 lb., Gibson batted and threw right-handed...
April 2 – Ed Siever
Ed Siever
Edward Tilden Siever was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played seven seasons with the Detroit Tigers and St. Louis Browns . Born in Goddard, Kansas, Siever had four good seasons and one phenomenal season in his brief major league career...

[1]
April 5 – Wid Conroy
May 16 – Art Williams
July 20 – Red Kleinow
Red Kleinow
John Peter Kleinow was a reserve catcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1904 through 1911 for the New York Highlanders , Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Phillies . Listed at 5' 10", 165 lb., Kleinow batted and threw right-handed...
September 7 – Mike O'Neill
September 9 – Frank Chance
Frank Chance
Frank Leroy Chance was a Major League Baseball player at the turn of the 20th century. Performing the roles of first baseman and manager, Chance led the Chicago Cubs to four National League championships in the span of five years and earned the nickname "The Peerless Leader".Chance was elected to...
September 29 – Harry Steinfeldt
Harry Steinfeldt
Harry M. Steinfeldt was a third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds , Chicago Cubs and Boston Rustlers . Steinfeldt batted and threw right-handed. He was born in St...
October 10 – Pep Deininger
Pep Deininger
Otto Charles "Pep" Deininger was a pitcher/center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for two different teams between and . Listed at 5' 8½" Weight: 180 lb., Deininger batted and threw left-handed. He was born in Wasseralfingen, Germany.Deininger started his majors career in 1902 as a...
October 26 – Doc Newton
Doc Newton
Eustace James "Doc" Newton was an American Major League Baseball pitcher from Indianapolis, Indiana who played for several teams in both the National League and American League. A former Dentist, he finished with a 54–72 win-loss record, a 3.22 Earned Run Average, and 99 complete games...
November 4 – Tommy Leach
Tommy Leach
Thomas Andrew Leach was a baseball player during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Leach participated in the first modern World Series in 1903 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, hitting four triples to set a record that still stands...
November 23 – George Stovall
George Stovall
George Thomas Stovall, nicknamed "Firebrand" , was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball with the Cleveland Naps and the St. Louis Browns in the American League, and he also played two seasons with the Kansas City Packers of the short-lived Federal League...
November 30 – Tacks Latimer
Tacks Latimer
Clifford Wesley "Tacks" Latimer was a professional baseball player who played catcher from 1898–1902....
December 1 – Matt Broderick
Matt Broderick
Matthew Thomas Broderick , is a former professional baseball player who played second base for the Brooklyn Superbas during the baseball season...
December 7 – Hobe Ferris
Hobe Ferris
Albert Sayles "Hobe" Ferris, , was a Major League second baseman during the 1900s. He holds the record for the lowest on base percentage of any player in Major League Baseball history with over 5000 plate appearances, recording an OBP of just .265...

1 – Some sources show 1875

Deaths

October 1 – Ed Somerville
Ed Somerville
Edward G. Somerville was a major league baseball player from 1875 to 1876. He played with the Philadelphia Centennials, New Haven Elm Citys, and Louisville Grays as an infielder. He had a .200 batting average for his career....

, 24, second baseman for the Louisville Grays
Louisville Grays
The Louisville Grays were a 19th century U.S. baseball team and charter member of the National League, based in Louisville, Kentucky. They played two seasons, 1876 and 1877, and compiled a record of 65–61. Their home games were at the Louisville Baseball Park. The Grays were owned by...

in 1876
1876 in baseball
After a tumultuous six-year existence, the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players , folded following the season. The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs was formed in Chicago, Illinois by businessman, and owner of the Chicago White Stockings, William Hulbert, for the...

.
December 18 – Archie Bush
Archie Bush (umpire)
Archibald McClure Bush was a professional baseball umpire.Bush umpired 2 National Association games in , both of them as the home plate umpire.-References:...

, 31, umpire for two game during the 1871 National Association season.

External links

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