January 26, 1879
Troy receives notification of its admission to the National League.
February 14, 1879
The Milwaukee club's property is slold to satisfy a bankruptcy judgment of $125.61.
February 18, 1879
At the International Association meeting, the 1878 pennant is award to Buffalo with a 24-8 record. Syracuse finished second at 23-9 (both clubs will play in the National League this coming season. With no Canadian clubs left in the IA, the name is changed to the National Association.
March 24, 1879
The NL meets in Buffalo and adopts an 8-team, 84-game schedule. The season will open in July 1st.
March 25, 1879
The NL reinstitutes the rule making 3rd strike foul tips caught on the first bounce as outs. Despite some vocal opposition, a 50 cent minimum admission price is retained.
March 30, 1879
3B Ned Williamson from Indianapolis to Chicago
P Will White from Boston to Cincinnati
P Bobby Mathews from Cincinnati to Providence
SS George Wright from Boston to Providence
1B Oscar Walker to Buffalo
CF Billy Riley to Chicago
2B John Richmond to Syracuse
July 4, 1879
A holiday crowd of over 5,000 turns out in Philadelphia to see a widely advertised game between 2 women's teams, the New York Blue Stockings and the Philadelphia Red Stockings. The Blues win 36-24 in a shortened game when the unruly crowd gets out of control.
July 9, 1879
Boston second baseman Andy Leonard has six hits in a 14-2 win over Buffalo.
July 23, 1879
Two weeks after Andy Leanord had six hits, Emil Gross returns the favor, hitting six of his own. Including two doubles and two triples.
August 2, 1879
Cal Mcvey becomes the third player this season to have six hits in a game.
August 15, 1879
Chicago 3B Cap Anson continues to play while undergoing treatment for a liver ailment.
September 20, 1879
Harry Mccormick of Syracuse pitches a 1-hitter against Buffalo, his record 9TH SHUTOUT this season. His no-hitter was broken up with a 2-out single by Chick Fulmer in the seventh.
September 29, 1879
George Zettlein ruptures a disk in his back. The Cincinnati pitcher could find himself out of action into next season.
October 1, 1879
After battling all season, the Boston Red Caps emerge on top of the National League. Cincinnati, Providence and Syracuse all provide challanges, but fall at the end of the year.
October 2, 1879
Bill Mcgunnicle of the Buffalo Bisons is named both Rookie of the Year and Pitcher of the Year. Starting and completing 60 games for the Bisons, Mcgunnicle has a record of 38-22 with a 2.21 ERA. In 554.1 Innings, he struck out 240 batters with 8 shutouts.
Cap Anson won his second straight and third overall MVP Award. Batting .404 with 7 homers and 89 RBI's sinched the award for the Chicago third baseman.
The financially strapped Cincinnati Reds release all its players and will not pay them the final month's salary.
October 3, 1879
Chicago's announcement of the signing of Troy's Fred Goldsmith leads to protests that the new reserve system has already been violated.
Ocotober 10, 1879
Facing bankruptcy, the Syracuse Stars fold becoming the latest National League casualty.
October 16, 1879
With the Cincinnati Reds folding, Mike Kelly signs with Chicago for 1880.
December 3, 1879
The annual NL meeting convenes in Buffalo. A new Cincinnati club headed by Justus Thorner and O.P. Caylor is admitted to membership.
December 4, 1879
NL owners again vote to retain the 50 cent minimum admission charge despite opposition from Troy and Buffalo.
The following rule changes are made:
- The number of balls for a walk is reduced from 9 to 8
- The catcher must catch the 3rd strike on the fly to put the batter out.
- The final outs of the last half inning need to longer be completed if the team batting last is already ahead.
December 5, 1879
A rule is adopted allowing a club to suspend a player for the remainder of one season and the entire following season for drunkeness or insubordination.
Final 1879 Standings
W L Pct. GB
Boston 54 30 .643 *
Cincinnati 51 33 .607 3
Providence 49 35 .583 5
Syracuse 49 35 .583 5
Buffalo 45 39 .536 9
Chicago 42 42 .500 12
Cleveland 24 60 .286 30
Troy 22 62 .262 32
LEAGUE LEADERS
BATTING AVERAGE
L.Meyerle(Cincinnati) .408
C.Anson(Chicago) .404
E.Gross(Providence) .378
HOME RUNS
L.Meyerle(Cincinnati) 11
T.York(Providence) 9
C.Anson(Chicago) 7
L.Pike(Providence) 7
RBI's
C.Anson(Chicago) 89
J.Peters(Chicago) 82
J.O'rourke(Boston) 73
STOLEN BASES
A.Leanord(Boston) 13
J.Wood(Cincinnati) 11
D.Eggler(Buffalo) 11
ERA
C.Foley(Boston) 1.91
H.Salisbury(Troy) 2.14
B.Mcgunnigle(Buffalo) 2.21
WINS
B.Mcgunnigle(Buffalo) 38-22
H.Mccormick(Syracuse) 34-22
L.Reis(Chicago) 20-6
STRIKEOUTS
B.Mcgunnigle(Buffalo) 240
B.Mitchell(Cleveland) 173
H.Mccormick(Syracuse) 155