March 2, 1874
The 4th meeting of the National Association takes place in Boston. Seven clubs are represented, with only the Brooklyn Atlantics not attending. Charles Porter of Boston is elected president.
New rules include the adoption of the batters box and prohibition of any player from betting on his own team(expulsion) or another team(forfeiture of pay). The schedule is expanded from 54 to 60 games.
March 30, 1874
The Brooklyn Eckfords are voted out of the National Association and will be replaced by the Chicago White Stockings.
July 24, 1874
The first professional game to be played in Chicago since the great fire of 1871 takes place between the White Stockings and the Blue Legs of Harford.
July 26, 1874
Phillies P Dick Mcbride pitches a 1-hit shutout against Brooklyn.
August 3, 1874
An exhibition game between the Philadelphia Athletics and Boston Red Stockings takes place in London at the Lord's Cricket Grounds. Boston wins 24-7 in the first professional game ever to take place in England. The teams will return to tour England at the completion of the season.
August 7, 1874
Athletics 3B Ezra Sutton hits for the cycle against Boston
August 8, 1874
Asa Brainard strikes out 15 Brooklyn batters for Baltimore
August 30, 1874
With still a month to play, Cherokee Fisher wins his 23rd game for Hartford, he will go on to win 38 games, a National Association record, and lead the Blue Legs to the World Series.
September 9, 1874
Umpire William McLean testifies that John Radcliffe approached him and offered $175 if he would help Chicago win that day's game. Also in on the fix are Candy Cummings, Nat Hicks, Bill Craver and Denny Mack. Although no actions are taken, all five men are watched closely for the remainder of the season.
September 21, 1874
Jimmy Wood of the Phillies hits for the cycle against Chicago.
September 28, 1874
Phillies P Joe Mcdoolan sets a new NA record for strikeouts with 201
October 7, 1874
Led by Cherokee Fisher, the Hartford Blue Legs make their first post season appearance in just their second season, but are no competition for the Boston Red Stockings who won their second World Series in three appearances four games to none.
October 8, 1874
Jack Chapman was named the Rookie of the Year in NA1. Chapman, at 31, is the oldest rookie so far to play in the National Association. He batted .284 this year, with 67 hits in 236 at bats. On the other side, Dan Collins won the award in NA2. Despite a 14-29 record, Collins was a mainstay for the White Stockings, with a 3.28 ERA, he fanned 117 in 349 innings.
In NA1, Ross Barnes won the MVP Award for the second time in his career, batting .358 with 12 doubles, 7 triples and a homer. Barnes finished just one RBI short of the Triple Crown. Lip Pike didn't fall short however, Pike batted .388 with 8 homers and 53 homers, good enough for his third MVP award and first TRIPLE CROWN!
Al Spalding was once again dominant for the Boston Red Stockings. in 30 starts, Spalding fanned 111 while walkiing 77. He finished the season with a 22-8 record and a 2.55 ERA. Cherokee Fisher was the easy choice for the NA2 Pitcher of the Year, Hartford's right hander won his first award by winning 38 games in 56 starts with a 2.58 ERA. Fisher finished every game he started and had 4 shutouts on the year.
Final 1874 Standings
NA1
W L Pct. GB
Boston 46 14 .767 *
Philadelphia(1) 37 23 .617 9
Baltimore 27 33 .450 19
Brooklyn 10 50 .167 36
NA2
W L Pct. GB
Hartford 42 18 .700 *
New York 31 29 .517 11
Philadelphia(2) 27 33 .450 15
Chicago 20 40 .333 22
League Leaders
Batting Average
L.Pike(Hartford) .388
R.Barnes(Boston) .358
L.Meyerle(Chicago) .332
Home Runs
L.Pike(Hartford) 8
E.Sutton(Philly 2) 5
F.Treacey(Chicago) 4
RBI's
G.Hall(Boston) 54
L.Pike(Hartford) 53
R.Barnes(Boston) 45
A.Reach(Philly 2) 45
Stolen Bases
R.Ham(Baltimore) 16
F.Cone(Brooklyn) 12
3 players 11
ERA
D.Mcbride(Philly 2) 1.82
A.Spalding(Boston) 2.55
A.Brainard(Baltimore) 2.56
Wins
C.Fisher(Hartford) 38-18
A.Spalding(Boston) 22-8
J.Mcdoolan(Philly 2) 20-26
Strikeouts
J.Mcdoolan(Philly 2) 207
C.Fisher(Hartford) 149
R.Wolters(New York) 127