March 3, 1873
The third annual National Association meeting takes place in Baltimore with just five teams represented. Perennial NA2 front runners Troy are not present, no replacement for Cleveland has been announced.
Henry Chadwick's code of rules are adopted, and for the first time a uniform ball must be used at all times. The schedule is expanded from 44 to 54 games for the coming season.
March 15, 1873
The Brooklyn Eckfords officially disband.
March 30, 1873
Bringing the total once again to eight teams, the Elizabeth Resolutes, Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Blue Legs are all admited to the National Association for the 1873 season.
March 31, 1873
P Candy Cummings from New York to Baltimore
CF Lip Pike FA to Baltimore
LF Tom York FA to Baltimore
SS John Radcliffe Philadelphia to Baltimore
P Bobby Mathews Philadelphia to New York
July 31, 1873
Chicago announces its return to the National Association beginning next season although it is not known what team they will be replacing or if they will be admited as a new team.
August 1, 1873
The season opens in Chicago pitting the Boston Red Stockings against the Philadelphia Phillies, it is announced that several players have signed to play in Chicago next season although no names are mentioned.
August 16, 1873
Baltimore OF Lipman Pike beats a horse named Clarence in a 75 yard dash at Newington Park.
August 29, 1873
Despite losing 3 front teeth in a bar fight the night before, SS George Wright has 3 hits for Boston.
September 12, 1873
CF Levi Meyerle of the Phillies hits an RBI single to extend his hitting streak to a record 30 games.
Phillies 1B Denny Mack sets a National Association record with 5 runs in a game, this mark will be equaled in 2 days by Dick Hingham of the Mutuals.
September 27, 1873
Blue Legs P John Greason sets a rookie record for strikeouts in a season with 122.
October 10, 1873
The Baltimore Canaries best the New York Mutuals in the World Series 4 games to none. Baltimore only outscores New York by six runs over the course of the series, but the Mutuals are not quite able to pull everything together.
October 11, 1873
Fraley Rogers and Joe Mcdoolan were named as Rookies of the Year. Rogers batted .319 with 2 homers in NA1 while Mcdoolan pitched his way to a 19-7 record with a 3.41 ERA.
Lip Pike settled into his new home in the NA1 quickly. Pike won the MVP Award for the second time in his career off a .425 batting average, 24 doubles and 68 runs scored.
With Lip Pike out of the picture 3B Levi Meyerle had an outstanding season. With a .429 average, 11 homers and 65 RBI's, Meyerle led all players in those categories. Not only did he win his second MVP Award, he becomes the first player to win the TRIPLE CROWN!
Dick Mcbride and George Zettlein were announced as the 1873 Pitcher of the Year Award winners. Mcbride compiled a record of 20-14 in 34 starts while Zettlein finished 18-7 with a 2.25 ERA.
1873 Final Standings
NA1 W L Pct GB
Baltimore 36 18 .667 *
Boston 30 24 .556 6
Philadelphia(1) 24 30 .444 12
Brooklyn 18 36 .333 18
NA2 W L Pct GB
New York 43 11 .796 *
Philadelphia(2) 39 15 .722 4
Elizabeth 16 38 .296 27
Washington 10 44 .185 33
League Leaders
Batting Average
C.Mcvey(Boston) .429
L.Pike(Baltimore) .425
L.Meyerle(Philadelphia2) .397
Home Runs
L.Meyerle(Philadelphia2) 11
E.Sutton(Philadelphia1) 5
G.Hall(Baltimore) 4
F.Treacey(Philadelphia2) 4
RBI's
L.Meyerle(Philadelphia2) 65
E.Mills(Baltimore) 58
G.Hall(Baltimore) 52
L.Pike(Baltimore) 52
Stolen Bases
J.Wood(Philadelphia2) 20
D.Flowers(Elizabeth) 15
M.King(Washington) 9
ERA
R.Wolters(New York) 2.24
G.Zettlein(Philadelphia2)2.25
H.Campbell(Elizabeth) 2.86
Wins
D.Mcbride(Phil 1) 20-14
J.Mcdoolan(Phil 2) 19-7
G.Zettlein(Phil 2) 18-7
Strikeouts
B.Mathews(New York) 152
J.Greason(Washington) 139
G.Zettlein(Phil 2) 118