1870 in baseball
Encyclopedia
Champions
- National Association of Base Ball PlayersNational Association of Base Ball PlayersThe National Association of Base Ball Players was the first organization governing American baseball. The first, 1857 convention of sixteen New York City clubs...
: Chicago White StockingsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, albeit disputed by Mutual of New YorkNew York MutualsThe Mutual Base Ball Club of New York was a leading American baseball club almost throughout its 20-year history. It was established during 1857, the year of the first baseball convention, just too late to be a founding member of the National Association of Base Ball Players. It was a charter...
Events
- June 14 - After 84 consecutive wins since assembling the first professional team in winter 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings lose 8-7 to the Brooklyn AtlanticsBrooklyn AtlanticsThe Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn was baseball's first champion and its first dynasty.Established in 1855, Atlantic was a founding member of the National Association of Base Ball Players in 1857. In 1859, with a record of 11 wins and 1 loss, Atlantic emerged as the recognized champions of...
before a crowd of 20,000 at the Capitoline GroundsCapitoline GroundsThe Capitoline Grounds, also known as Capitoline Skating Lake and Base Ball Ground, was a baseball park in Brooklyn, New York from 1864 to 1880. It was built to rival nearby Union Grounds, also in Brooklyn...
. Bob Ferguson scores the winning run in the 11th inning on a hit by pitcher George ZettleinGeorge ZettleinGeorge Zettlein was a professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1871–1876. Zettlein played for the Chicago White Stockings, Troy Haymakers, Brooklyn Eckfords, Philadelphia White Stockings, and Athletic of Philadelphia...
.
- June 20 - For the second time in three weeks the Philadelphia Athletics defeat the Brooklyn AtlanticsBrooklyn AtlanticsThe Atlantic Base Ball Club of Brooklyn was baseball's first champion and its first dynasty.Established in 1855, Atlantic was a founding member of the National Association of Base Ball Players in 1857. In 1859, with a record of 11 wins and 1 loss, Atlantic emerged as the recognized champions of...
by a 19-3 score, giving the victors possession of the championship flag.
- July 23 - The visiting Mutuals of New York defeat the Chicago White Stockings 9-0 before 5,000 spectators at Dexter ParkDexter Park (Chicago)Dexter Park was a horse race track in Chicago, Illinois built in the years following the Civil War. It was named for a gelding and trotter who had set world records for the mile...
. The shutoutShutoutIn team sports, a shutout refers to a game in which one team prevents the opposing team from scoring. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball....
pitched by Rynie WoltersRynie WoltersReinder Albertus Wolters was a Major League Baseball player from Nieuweschans, Netherlands, in the late 19th century. His first and best year was in 1871 with the New York Mutuals, when he pitched 283 innings and had a 3.43 earned run average. His second year was with the Cleveland Forest Citys,...
is the first against any NABBP championship contender, inspiring Chicago (verb) and Chicago game as lingo for shutout through the 1890s.
- July 27 - The Red Stockings lose at home for the first time in their professional era, dropping an 11-7 decision to the Athletics of Philadelphia.
- September 15 - In front of a crowd of 4,000 that paid 50¢ at the Union Grounds in Brooklyn, the New York MutualsNew York MutualsThe Mutual Base Ball Club of New York was a leading American baseball club almost throughout its 20-year history. It was established during 1857, the year of the first baseball convention, just too late to be a founding member of the National Association of Base Ball Players. It was a charter...
beat the Athletics for the second time in four weeks by a 12-11 score. This gives the Muts the temporary possession of the flag.
- November 1 - In the most controversial game since the 1860 season, the Chicago White StockingsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
end up on top of a 7-5 score. Leading by one run in the ninth inning, the New Yorkers walk off the field and the score reverted to the last inning completed. This is the second victory by the Chicago club over the Muts in five weeks and gives the Chicagoans the (disputed) championship for the year.
- November 21 - President Bonte recommends that the Cincinnati Base Ball ClubCincinnati Red StockingsThe Cincinnati Red Stockings of were baseball's first fully professional team, with ten salaried players. The Cincinnati Base Ball Club formed in 1866 and fielded competitive teams in the National Association of Base Ball Players 1867–1870, a time of a transition that ambitious Cincinnati,...
not employ a professional nine for 1871, for that will be too expensive. The club officially dissolves that winter.
Professional matches
Ten of the twelve professional clubs from 1869 remained in that field for 1870, all except Keystone of Philadelphia and Irvington, New JerseyIrvington, New Jersey
Irvington is a township in Essex County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the township had a total population of 53,926, a decline of 11.2% from the 60,695 residents enumerated in the 2000 Census.-Geography:...
, from Greater New York. The five newcomers were Union of Morrisania, now in New York City; Tri-Mountain of Boston; Riverside of Portsmouth, Ohio
Portsmouth, Ohio
Portsmouth is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Scioto County. The municipality is located on the northern banks of the Ohio River and east of the Scioto River in Southern Ohio. The population was 20,226 at the 2010 census.-Foundation:...
, near Cincinnati; Forest City of Rockford, Illinois
Rockford, Illinois
Rockford is a mid-sized city located on both banks of the Rock River in far northern Illinois. Often referred to as "The Forest City", Rockford is the county seat of Winnebago County, Illinois, USA. As reported in the 2010 U.S. census, the city was home to 152,871 people, the third most populated...
, near Chicago; and Chicago or the Chicago White Stockings
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
, the only brand new club. Union was a founding member from the 1857 convention and Forest City had been one of the strongest amateurs remaining in 1869.
The records of the teams in professional matches, ranked by wins (see table), reveal three groups of five with sharp outlines. A big group of thirteen and a little of group of two are equally clear, considering the numbers of defeats, pro matches, and all matches (not shown), and are supported by the subsequent history.
| Club | W | L | T | comment |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mutual, New York | 29 | 15 | 3 | |
| Cincinnati Red Stockings | 27 | 6 | 1 | |
| Athletic, Philadelphia | 26 | 11 | 1 | |
| Chicago White Stockings | 22 | 7 | a brand new base ball club | |
| Atlantic, Brooklyn | 20 | 16 | ||
| Troy Haymakers | 11 | 13 | 1 | Union of Lansingburgh, New York Lansingburgh, New York Lansingburgh was the first chartered village in Rensselaer County, New York, USA and was settled around 1763. The name is from Abraham Lansing, an early settler, combined with the Scottish word burgh.... |
| Olympic, Washington | 10 | 18 | ||
| Forest City, Rockford | 10 | 13 | 1 | |
| Forest City, Cleveland | 9 | 15 | ||
| Union, Morrisania | 7 | 18 | Union of Morrisania, Bronx Morrisania, Bronx Morrisania is the historical name for the South Bronx and derives from the powerful and aristocratic Morris family, who at one time owned all of the Manor of Morrisania. Today the name is most commonly associated with the village of Morrisania, which is only a small corner of the original... |
|
| Eckford, Brooklyn | 2 | 12 | 1 | |
| Maryland, Baltimore | 2 | 14 | ||
| National, Washington | 2 | 9 | ||
| Riverside, Portsmouth | 0 | 6 | ||
| Tri-Mountain, Boston | 0 | 4 |
The two more ambitious newcomers played only a few pro matches and never returned to the professional field. Mighty Cincinnati and venerable Union also shut down after this season. All the others joined the new professional association established that winter (NAPBBP), seven as founding members and four in 1872 or 1873.
The Mutuals, Athletics, and Chicago White Stockings survived to found the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
in 1875/76.
Amateur clubs
Four amateur teams defeated professionals more than once and two of them demonstrated that they were as strong as middling pros. Harvard college fielded its strongest team, which toured nationally in the summer and won 6 of 16 against professional teams all season. Star of Brooklyn, featuring Hall of Fame pitcher Candy CummingsCandy Cummings
William Arthur "Candy" Cummings was a professional baseball pitcher in the National Association and National League who was credited with inventing the curveball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.-Career:...
, won 6 of 13 against pros.
Pastime of Baltimore won 4 of 24 including 1 of 4 with the Troy Haymakers, 1 of 2 with Olympic, and 2 of 5 with Maryland. The Pastimes lost badly to Harvard and won one of three close matches with the Stars. Resolute of Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth Resolutes
The Elizabeth Resolutes were a 19th-century professional baseball team based in Elizabeth, New Jersey. They were a member of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players for the season, and played their home games at Waverly Fairgrounds....
won 2 of 8, both at the expense of venerable Eckford; the Resolutes remained in operation until a failed venture into the professional field in 1873.
Bill Ryczek lists Lowell of Boston and the Keystone of Philadelphia (pro in 1869) among the major teams. They did not defeat any professionals but showed strength comparable to Pastime, Resolute, and the weaker pros.
Considering the professionals in three groups of five ranked by wins in pro matches (see table), the stronger pros won 37 of 41 against the six amateur teams covered here; the middling pros won 13 of 18; the weaker pros won 6 of 15.
Here are the records of those amateurs against the pros.
| Pastime | 4–20 | Baltimore |
| Keystone | 0–9 | Philadelphia |
| Resolute | 2–6 | Elizabeth |
| Star | 6–7 | Brooklyn |
| Harvard | 6–10 | Cambridge |
| Lowell | 0–4 | Boston |
One of the elite professional teams, the Athletics of Philadelphia won eight matches with Harvard, Lowell, Keystone, and Pastime, with 20 to 34 runs scored and 11- to 22-run margins. The average score was about 25 to 10.
Three amateur clubs of 1870 would later enter the all-professional National Association
National Association of Professional Base Ball Players
The National Association of Professional Base Ball Players , or simply the National Association , was founded in 1871 and continued through the 1875 season...
for one season each: Kekionga of Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne, Indiana
Fort Wayne is a city in the US state of Indiana and the county seat of Allen County. The population was 253,691 at the 2010 Census making it the 74th largest city in the United States and the second largest in Indiana...
in 1871; Mansfield of Middletown, Connecticut
Middletown, Connecticut
Middletown is a city located in Middlesex County, Connecticut, along the Connecticut River, in the central part of the state, 16 miles south of Hartford. In 1650, it was incorporated as a town under its original Indian name, Mattabeseck. It received its present name in 1653. In 1784, the central...
in 1872; Resolute of Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth, New Jersey
Elizabeth is a city in Union County, New Jersey, United States. As of the 2010 United States Census, the city had a total population of 124,969, retaining its ranking as New Jersey's fourth largest city with an increase of 4,401 residents from its 2000 Census population of 120,568...
in 1873.
Harvard continued to field strong amateur teams, but amateurs would not again hold their own with middling pros. The Stars won a championship in 1871 under the new all-amateur Association (NAABBP), before Candy Cummings joined the pros in 1872.
Births
- January 5 - Bill DahlenBill DahlenWilliam Frederick Dahlen , nicknamed "Bad Bill" for his ferocious temperament, was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played as a shortstop in Major League Baseball for four National League teams from to...
- January 16 - Jimmy CollinsJimmy CollinsJames Joseph Collins was a Major League Baseball player at the turn of the 20th century who was widely regarded as being the best third baseman prior to Brooks Robinson...
- February 14 - Candy LaChanceCandy LaChanceGeorge Joseph LaChance was a first baseman who played in Major League Baseball between 1893 and . LaChance was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed...
- February 14 - Bob QuinnBob Quinn (baseball)James Aloysius Robert Quinn was an American executive in Major League Baseball who became renowned for his management of four different franchises....
- February 22 - Pussy TebeauPussy TebeauCharles Alston "Pussy" Tebeau was a right fielder in Major League Baseball who played briefly for the Cleveland Spiders during the 1895 season. Tebeau batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Worcester, Massachusetts....
- March 15 - Jimmy "Doc" CaseyDoc CaseyJames Patrick "Doc" Casey was a third baseman in Major League Baseball. Born in Lawrence, Massachusetts, he was a switch hitter that threw right-handed....
- April 9 - Ollie PickeringOllie PickeringOliver Daniel Pickering , was a professional baseball player and is noted as the first batter in American League History while playing for the Cleveland Blues in 1901. He went on that season to hit .309 and scored 102 runs for Cleveland. He played outfielder, primarily in center field, in the...
- August 23 - George Davis
- September 22 - Mike "Doc" PowersDoc PowersMichael Riley "Doc" Powers was an American Major League Baseball player who caught for four different teams from to . He played for the Louisville Colonels and Washington Senators of the National League, and the Philadelphia Athletics and New York Highlanders of the American League...
- October 22 - Kid CarseyKid CarseyWilfred "Kid" Carsey , was a professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1891-1901. He played for the Washington Statesmen, Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Washington Senators, New York Giants and Brooklyn Superbas.-External links:...
- November 23 - Socks SeyboldSocks SeyboldRalph Orlando "Socks" Seybold was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played over parts of nine seasons with the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Athletics. Known as a power hitter, Seybold set the American League record for home runs in 1902, which would not be broken until 1919...
- November 28 - Heinie PeitzHeinie PeitzHenry Clement "Heinie" Peitz was an American baseball catcher. He played for the St. Louis Browns , Cincinnati Reds , Pittsburgh Pirates , Louisville Colonels , and St. Louis Cardinals...
- November 30 - Frank KillenFrank KillenFrank Bissell "Lefty" Killen was a professional baseball player. He was a left-handed pitcher over parts of ten seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, Washington Senators , Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Beaneaters and Chicago Orphans. He was the National League wins leader in 1893 and 1896 with...
- December 1 - Tommy RaubTommy RaubThomas Jefferson Raub was a professional baseball player. He was a catcher for parts of two seasons with the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals...
- December 8 - William LackeyWilliam LackeyWilliam D. Lackey was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played briefly during the season. He was born in St. Albans, West Virginia. Formerly known as just Lackey, also is known as Bill William D., Bill Lackey or William Lackey...
- December 31 - Tommy ConnollyTom ConnollyThomas Henry Connolly was an English-American umpire in Major League Baseball. He officiated in the National League from 1898 to 1900, followed by 31 years of service in the American League from 1901 to 1931...
- Silk O'LoughlinSilk O'LoughlinFrancis H. "Silk" O'Loughlin was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1902 to 1918...