October 1, 1873
With Boston having beaten the Atlantics on September 8th, the Red Stockings had pushed Brooklyn slightly behind themselves and the Blue Legs. The Red Stockings then traveled to Washington for a pivotal game that would either put them back in a tie with the Blue Legs or put them up 2 games. Boston would quickly go up 4-0 after John Yawn reached base due to an error with runners on 2nd and 3rd. The Red Stockings would explode for another 7 runs in the 4th on a series of hits and costly defensive mistakes to take an 11-1 lead. Washington would ultimately commit 11 miscues on the day, gifting a 15-7 win to the team they could least afford to lose to. Will Svoboda gave up 7 runs (2 earned), on 13 hits for the complete game victory. The two teams would meet again 2 days later, and this time Boston completely demoralized the Blue Legs, winning by a score of 21-1. Washington again committed 11 errors, but the real story was Boston pitcher Bill Johnson, making his second start of the season shutting down the Blue Legs to the tune of just 5 hits.
Washington’s struggles would give the Atlantics a chance to move up again in the standings, and even the Mutuals pulled ahead of them as well. The Athletics have become an afterthought.
In Other News
Sept 17 – The Ohio Agricultural and Mechanical College opens its doors to 25 students. It will later become Ohio State University.
Sept 18 – The New York stock market crashes. Triggered by the bankruptcy of Jay Cooke and Co., the “Panic of 1873” causes a severe economic depression that lasts for four years.
Standings
Code:
W L PCT GB
Boston Red Stockings 29 17 .630 -
Brooklyn Atlantics 27 19 .587 2.0
New York Mutuals 26 20 .565 3.0
Washington Blue Legs 18 14 .563 4.0
Baltimore Marylands 3 3 .500 6.0
Elizabeth Resolutes 11 12 .478 6.5
Philadelphia Athletics 20 21 .488 6.5
Baltimore Canaries 20 27 .426 9.5
Philadelphia White Stockings 13 34 .277 16.5
League Leaders
Average
.485 Joe Bonetti (MAR)
.434 George Gower (ELI)
.412 John Nero (NY)
Total Bases
134 John Nero (NY)
120 Bob Brose (ATL)
115 Steve Tucker (PWS)
Stolen Bases
19 John Nero (NY)
18 John Arend (ATL)
14 Ed Buteau (PWS)
ERA
2.67 Will Svoboda (BOS)
2.81 Bill McManis (NY)
3.19 Jack Wheeler (BAL)
Wins
16 Will Svoboda (BOS)
11 Charlie Calmus (PHA)
10 Jack Anderson (ATL)
Strikeouts
13 Charlie Calmus (PHA)
9 Jack Wheeler (BAL)
8 Pete Cannon (BAL), Jake Lindsey (ATL)