May 1, 1873
A short schedule in April had the Washington Blue Legs introduced themselves to the NA, winning all four of their games. They beat each Baltimore team twice, scoring 11 runs in 3 of the 4 games. Catcher Art Johnson led the offensive assault with 8 hits in 13 at bats.
The two-time defending champion Athletics started off their season by hosting their new cross-town rivals, the White Stockings. The game was an extraordinarily ugly affair, with 23 errors committed by the two teams as the White Stockings won 18-13. Only 10 of the 33 runs scored were earned.
Standings
Code:
W L PCT GB
Washington Blue Legs 4 0 1.000 -
Boston Red Stockings 1 0 1.000 1.5
Elizabeth Resolutes 1 0 1.000 1.5
Brooklyn Atlantics 0 0 .000 2.0
New York Mutuals 0 0 .000 2.0
Philadelphia Athletics 1 2 .333 2.5
Philadelphia White Stockings 1 2 .333 2.5
Baltimore Canaries 1 3 .250 3.0
Baltimore Marylands 0 2 .000 3.0
League Leaders
Average
.615 Art Johnson (WBL)
.600 Sandy McWhorter (ELI)
.571 Steve Tucker (PWS)
Total Bases
13 George Best (WBL)
13 John Retherford (BAL)
12 Art Johnson (WBL)
Stolen Bases
3 Tom Gerheauser (WBL)
2 Ed Buteau (PWS)
1 several players
ERA
2.00 Will Svoboda (BOS)
2.70 Jack Due (MAR)
2.89 Joe Dimond (PHA)
Wins
2 Frank Salley (WBL)
1 several players
Strikeouts
2 Joe Gotcher (PHA)
2 Pete Jackson (BAL)
1 several players