1871-1880 seasons can be found
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1881 Season
January 11
The first of a series of Tuesday games on ice is played in Chicago using professional and amateur players. These games would become a regular winter feature.
February 7
Providence rounds out its roster by signing Charles Radbourn
February 11
Veteran Charles 'Chick' Fulmer is signed to manage a Philadelphia Athletic team being organized by Charley Mason and Billy Sharsing.
February 22
George Wright signs a contract to play with Boston in the coming season.
February 25
Jim O'Rourke signs on with Buffalo for approximately $1,300 per year though he will claim the contract is for $2,000.
March 8
The NL meets and adopts an 84-game schedule. An enterprising newsman predicts Chicago as the consensus choice to win the upcoming pennant race.
March 9
The NL announces a staff of 23 approved umpires, but one, John Young of Syracuse refuses to serve.
March 30
P George Bradley from Troy to Detroit
LF Sade Houck from Boston to Detroit
LF Mike Dorgan from Providence to Worcester
Cal Mcvey and Levi Meyerle, former batting adversaries retire. Meyerle with a career .378 average, Mcvey at .352
May 19
With the Troy club facing financial difficulties, various rumors have the team moving to New York, Cincinnati, or Pittsburgh.
June 18
The Washington Nationals disband, citing a lack of interest since the club failed to land a berth in the NL.
June 20
A new Reds teams (the third in three years) takes the field for the first time. This club would be among the founders of the American Association next year.
June 24
The Chicago White Stockings unveil their new lavender uniforms, much to the amusement of the press.
July 2
Troy P Tim Keefe pitches a 1-hit shutout against Worcester.
July 12
Jack Glasscock of Cleveland hits for the cycle against Buffalo.
July 19
In back to back starts against Worcester, Cleveland pitcher 'The only' Nolan pitches 3-hit shutouts.
July 26
Buffalo 2B Sam Crane has six hits against Providence.
July 28
James Woodruff is arrested on charges that he tried to bribe Cleveland's John Clapp to help throw a game. By going to the police after the incident, Clapp earns the nickname, "Honest John".
August 4
Cherokee Fisher pitches his 174th complete game, topping Al Spalding's five year old mark of 173.
August 12
The Providence club is reorganized. New capital is pledged, C.L. Gardner is named new president, and Robert Morrow replaces James Bullock as manager.
August 18
Worcester suspends captain Mike Dorgan, Harry Stovey takes his place.
August 23
Boston CF Fred Cone records his 100th career stolen base.
September 3
CF Lip Pike makes 3 errors in the 9th inning to give Boston 2 runs and a 3-2 win over Worcester. The Ruby Legs immediately accuse Pike of throwing the game and suspend him for the remainder of the season.
September 17
Boston informs its players that they will be released on October 1st and not payed the last month of their salaries.
September 29
At an NL meeting in Saratoga Springs, NY, the league adopts a blacklist of players who are barred from playing for or against any NL teams until they are removed by unaminous vote of the league clubs. These men are: Sadie Houck, Lip Pike, Lou Dickerson, Mike Dorgan, Bill Crowley, John Fox, Lew Brown, Emil Gross, and Ed Caskins.
September 30
The NL adopts an "ironclad" contract that gives teams the right to fine a player for any conduct they deem detrimental to its interest. Also the player assumes all risk of injury or illness and must pay for his own medical treatment.
October 1
The Boston Red Caps won their second League Championship in three years with a 52-33 record. Going into the final series, Cleveland held a 3 game advantage over Boston, but the Red Caps took all three games and then won the playoff to take the title. Early season favorites Chicago struggled all year and lost their last 7 games, finishing a disapointing 39-45.
October 2
Jack Lynch of Buffalo is named the Rookie of the Year. Lynch had a 16-5 record for the Bisons with a 3.07 ERA and 2 shutouts.
Harry Mccormick of Worcester won his first Pitcher of the Year Awrad with a 21-17 record and a 2.48 ERA
Cap Anson of Chicago won his fourth MVP Award. Anson batted .346 in 309 at bats with 5 homers and 59 RBI's
October 8
Chris Von der Ahe, president of the corporation that runs Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, signs the members of the previously independent St. Louis Browns semi-pro club, giving Von der Ahe control over the players for the first time. This is a key step in the formation of the club that would eventually become the St. Louis Cardinals.
October 10
Cincinnati backers meet in Pittsburgh with H. Denny McKnight and issue a call to other independent club operators to meet November 2nd to form a major league independent of the NL.
October 15
McKnight organizes a new Allegheny Baseball Club of Pittsburgh in anticipation of the new league.
November 2
The American Association is founded. Members include St. Louis, Cincinnati, Louisville, Pittsburgh, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
November 3
The AA elects H.D. McKnight as president and votes to honor the NL blacklist in the case of drunkenness, but not to abide by the NL reserve clause. The AA will allow Sunda games, liquor sales, and 25 cent tickets, all prohibited by the NL.
December 8
The NL adopts a few new playing rules:
- Runners can no longer be put out returning to their bases on foul balls not caught
- The fine for pitchers hitting batters is repealed
- Runners are allowed to take as many bases as possible on balls going into the crowd with the fielding team being able to put them out only after returning the ball to the pitcher in his box.
1881 Final Season Standings
W L Pct. GB
Boston 52 33 .612 *
Cleveland 51 34 .600 1
Buffalo 50 34 .595 1.5
Providence 41 43 .488 10.5
Troy 40 44 .476 11.5
Chicago 39 45 .464 12.5
Worcester 35 49 .417 16.5
Detroit 29 55 .345 22.5
LEAGUE LEADERS
BATTING AVERAGE
M.Moynahan(Buffalo) .396
D.White(Buffalo) .360
C.Anson(Chicago) .346
HOME RUNS
J.O'rourke(Boston) 7
5 players 6
RBI's
C.Nelson(Troy) 65
J.Glasscock(Cleveland) 64
R.Connor(Troy) 60
STOLEN BASES
F.Cone(Boston) 11
D.Force(Buffalo) 9
D.Eggler(Buffalo) 8
ERA
B.Mcgunnigle(Buffalo) 1.70
L.Corcoran(Chicago) 1.97
B.Purcell(Buffalo) 2.03
WINS
H.Mccormick(Worcester) 21-17
B.Mitchell(Cleveland) 21-15
T.Nolan(Cleveland) 18-9
STRIKE OUTS
B.Mitchell(Cleveland) 215
T.Nichols(Providence) 167
L.Corcoran(Chicago) 124