November 1, 1874
The Chicago White Stockings are the new champions of the National Association after winning their final two games of the season against the Philadelphia White Stockings. Chicago was only 6th in the league in runs scored, with only Hartford and Baltimore scoring fewer runs, and both teams played fewer games. The key for Chicago was the surprise pitching performance of Mart Lemelle, who started 50 games, went 28-18 and posted an ERA of 2.30. As a team, the rest of the staff was even better, giving Chicago a team ERA of 2.22.
The Brooklyn Atlantics gave Chicago a scare down the stretch, though. They won 10 of their final 12 games to pull to within a half game of Chicago. There were tied with Chicago on the 29th of October when they traveled to Philadelphia to play the White Stockings. A win would give Brooklyn the championship, however, Denny Klusman held the Atlantics to 1 run on 7 hits. Brooklyn starter Jack Anderson went the distance in the loss, allowing 4 unearned runs, ultimately having errors cost the team the title. This is the second year in a row that Brooklyn has come within percentage points of winning it all.
Elsewhere, Boston really struggled in October, dropping below .500 on the season to 5th place. The Athletics were actually the only team other than Chicago and Brooklyn to finish above .500.
In Other News
Oct 6: Boston pitcher Will Svoboda becomes the first pitcher to twice win 20 or more games in a single season.
Oct 6: Oil magnate Samuel Martin Kier dies at the age of 61. Among other contributions to the petroleum industry, Kier founded the first oil refinery in the United States in 1850.
Oct 20: George Barkley’s 27 game hit streak comes to an end against the Boston Red Stockings. The streak is the longest of the 1874 season. The longest active streak now belongs to Boston’s Jim Gray at 21 games.
Standings
Code:
W L PCT GB
Chicago White Stockings 39 20 .661 -
Brooklyn Atlantics 37 19 .661 .5
Philadelphia Athletics 33 22 .600 4.0
New York Mutuals 32 33 .492 10.0
Boston Red Stockings 34 37 .479 11.0
Philadelphia White Stockings 26 32 .448 12.5
Hartford Dark Blues 19 34 .358 17.0
Baltimore Canaries 12 35 .255 21.0
League Leaders
Average
.404 Bob Polansky (ATL)
.352 John Nero (NY)
.348 Fred Mannion (BOS)
Total Bases
149 Fred Mannion (BOS)
145 John Nero (NY)
141 Tom Hedgepeth (NY)
Stolen Bases
22 John Nero (NY)
12 John Arend (ATL)
11 Sam Shokes (NY)
ERA
1.67 Al Allen (NY)
2.08 Jack Anderson (ATL)
2.26 Will Svoboda (BOS)
Wins
29 Jack Anderson (ATL)
28 Mart Lemelle (CHW)
22 Will Svoboda (BOS)
Strikeouts
30 Jack Anderson (ATL)
14 Will Svoboda (BOS)
13 George Joss (PWS)