February 2, 1876
Chicago President William Hulbert organizes a meeting in New York to establish a new league. Hulbert proposes that Morgan Bulkeley of Hartford be president and Nick Young of Wasington be secretary. The National League is born.
In addition to the seven teams named last season, the St. Louis Brown Stockings round out the field of eight. The schedule reamins at 70 games, but the two league format is abolished, and all 8 teams are consolidated under the National League banner. Post season play is also done away with, not to return until the American Association makes it's debut in 1882.
February 12, 1876
Al Spalding moves from Rockford, IL. to Chicago to open the Spalding sporting goods enterprise.
March 19, 1876
The Boston Red Caps have their first practice, the team has been weakened considerably by the loss of Al Spalding, Cal Mcvey and Ross Barnes to Chicago.
March 30, 1876
2B Dick Higam from Chicago to Hartford
1B Jim Devlin from Chicago to Louisville
RF George Bechtel from Philadelphia to Louisville
Al Pratt retires
April 8, 1876
After four seasons with the Philadelhpia Athletics, Cap Anson reports to Chicago to play 3B.
July 10, 1876
The Boston Red Caps and Louisville Grays play the first National League game. Visiting Boston comes out on top 10-0. Rookie pitcher Foghorn Bradley pitches a seven hit shutout.
Flip Lafferty of the Athletics, considered the top pitching prospect this season pitches 11.2 innings before rupturing a disk in his back, he will miss the entire season.
July 14, 1876
New York P Terry Larkin shuts out Hartford on 2 hits.
August 10, 1876
George Bechtel of Louisville, already in trouble for "crookedness" after alegedly throwing a game last season while playing for Philadelphia gets in more trouble when Jim Devlin shows his manager a telegram from Bechtel saying, "We can win $100 if you lose the game today."
September 3, 1876
Ross Barnes has his hitting streak snapped at 36 games, just one short of the record.
September 25, 1876
Terry Larkin of New York sets a rookie record for wins with 16
September 31, 1876
The Cincinnati Reds lose their final six games of the season and are passed by the Philadelphia Athletics for the first National League Championship. Despite pulling in the top stars from Boston, the Chicago White Stockings only finish two games ahead of them in the standings, third overall.
October 1, 1876
Cincinnati pitcher Dory Deam earned the Rookie of the Year Award for a season that saw him put up a 15-7 record on a 1.73 ERA. He struck out 57 and walked just 7 over 198 innings.
Cap Anson won his first MVP Award. The Chicago third baseman batted .349 and a .404 on-base percentage. He finishes fourth in batting and first in RBI's.
The Pitcher of the Year Award goes to Dick Mcbride. There really was no other choice, Mcbride started 60 games, for a 37-19 record and a 2.56 ERA. In over 500 innings pitched, Mcbride had 159 strikeouts and 2 shutouts.
December 10, 1876
After a 5-day meeting in Cleveland, these results are announced: the Philadelphia Athletics and New York Mutuals are expelled by unanimous vote; a uniform and lively baseball is agreed upon; the playing rules for 1877 are modified, and William Hulbert is elected NL President.
1876 Final Standings
W L Pct. GB
Philadelphia 44 26 .629 *
Cincinnati 42 28 .600 2
Chicago 39 31 .557 5
Hartford 38 32 .543 6
Boston 37 33 .529 7
New York 28 42 .400 16
Louisville 27 43 .386 17
St. Louis 25 45 .357 19
League Leaders
BATTING AVERAGE
R.Barnes(Chicago) .421
L.Meyerle(Cincinnati) .368
C.Mcvey(Chicago) .359
HOME RUNS
G.Stires(Louisville) 9
G.Hall(Philadelhpia) 9
L.Meyerle(Cincinnati) 6
RBI's
C.Anson(Chicago) 78
E.Sutton(Philadelphia) 58
B.Ferguson(Hartford) 56
STOLEN BASES
C.Smith(New York) 20
P.Sager(Louisville) 15
A.Leanord(Boston) 12
ERA
F.Bradley(Boston) 1.35
D.Dean(Cincinnati) 1.73
D.Williams(Cincinnati) 1.75
WINS
D.Mcbride(Philadelphia) 37-19
T.Larkin(New York) 18-22
D.Dean(Cincinnati) 15-7
D.Williams(Cincinnati) 15-7
D.Collins(Chicago) 15-8
STRIKEOUTS
T.Larkin(New York) 174
D.Mcbride(Philadelphia) 159
H.Arundel(Louisville) 119
[ 04-22-2002, 07:55 PM: Message edited by: Vyper ]