FINAL STANDINGS:
Code:
Team W L WPct GB
Boston 38 33 .535 2
Chicago 33 26 .559 1
New York 33 32 .508 4
Brooklyn 30 26 .536 2.5
Phil. Whites 29 29 .500 4.5
Baltimore 28 19 .596 --
Phil. Athletics 21 34 .382 11
Hartford 20 33 .377 11
* - Boston is recognized champion by virtue of most victories in league play.
RECAP:
The National Association pennant race was tight in 1874 with four teams in strong contention for the championship, eventually awarded to the Boston club for its 38 victories. George Caylor was the top batsman in the league, recording a .400 batting average for the Boston Red Stockings, following a strong .419 mark in 1873. In three years of Association play, Caylor has a .396 average, second only to Ralph Eanes' .397 in Association history. The Bostonian's pitching was also - as usual - sterling. Jeff Rainwater continues to be the most consistently strong pitcher in the Association. This year, Rainwater pitched 65 games, racking up 596.7 innings - a new record. Other outstanding performers included the aforementioned Ralph Eanes, another Boston standout, who hit .390 - the worst mark of his career - but has still recorded the highest career average (.397) and more hits than any other batsman in history.
LEADERS:
Code:
Batting Average
Caylor BS1 .400
Norman NY2 .395
Eanes BS1 .390
Aiken CH2 .380
Koopman BS1 .375
Runs
Lister BS1 67
Caylor BS1 58
Koopman BS1 51
Allen BR2 49
Nevins CH2 47
Wins
Rainwater BS1 35
Huddleston CH2 31
Manke BL1 28
Hanner PH2 26
Rose NY2 24
Innings Pitched
Rainwater BS1 596.7
Revis PH1 503.3
Huddleston CH2 491.0
Hanner PH2 477.7
Rose NY2 465.7
AWARDS:
Batter of the Year: George Caylor, Boston Red Stockings, .400 average, 58 runs, 53 RBI, 6 doubles, 5 triples, 1 HR.
Pitcher of the Year: Jeff Rainwater, Boston Red Stockings, 35-30 record, 65 games, 596.7 innings, 163 earned runs.