1883 Major League Baseball season

February 2025 1883 1883 MLB season American Association (AA)National League (NL) Baseball May 1 – September 30, 1883 (AA)May 1 – September 29, 1883 (NL) 98 16 (8 in each league) Pennant winner AA Philadelphia Athletics St. Louis Browns NL Boston Beaneaters Chicago White Stockings List of Major League Baseball seasons MLB 1882 Major League Baseball season 1882 1884 Major League Baseball season 1884 The 1883 major league baseball season was contested from May 1 through September 30, 1883. It was the second season for the American Association (AA) and eighth season for the National League (NL). The Philadelphia Athletics won the AA pennant, while the Boston Beaneaters won the NL pennant. There was no postseason, although there was a canceled exhibition series between the two pennant winners. Prior to the season, the Troy Trojans and Worcester Worcesters of the National League folded. In its place, the league enfranchised two teams: the New York Gothams and Philadelphia Quakers (today's San Francisco Giants and Philadelphia Phillies). It was decided that the six-team American Association would expand to eight teams and saw the minor league New York Metropolitans join and the enfranchisement of the Columbus Buckeyes. Prior to the season, the Boston Red Caps and St. Louis Brown Stockings renamed as the Boston Beaneaters and St. Louis Browns, respectively. The American Association and the National League, along with the Northwestern League, sign the Tripartite Agreement (also known as the National Agreement of 1883). This agreement binds the leagues to respect each other's valid player contracts as well as increasing the size of the reserve list from 6 to 11 players. Schedule Major League Baseball schedule The 1883 schedule consisted of 98 games for all teams in the American Association and National League, each of which had eight teams. Each team was scheduled to play 14 games against the other seven teams of their respective league. This format was unique to the 1883 season. Previously, the National League had played an 84-game schedule, with 12 games against each team being played, while a pre-expansion six-team American Association had played an 80-game schedule, with 16 games against each team being played. The following season would see the National League play a 112-game schedule (increase of 14 to 16 games each), while the American Association would expanded again, this time to twelve teams, for a 110-game schedule (of 10 games against each of the other eleven teams). Opening Day took place on May 1 featuring all sixteen teams. American Association would see its final day of the regular season on September 30 featuring four teams, while the National League would see its final day of the regular season on September 29, featuring all eight teams. Rule changes The 1883 season saw the following rule changes: Championships were to be decided on a percentage basis.MLB Rule Changes https://www.baseball-almanac.com/rulechng.shtml 2025-01-28 Baseball Almanac en-us All throws except for overhand throws are legal. The American Association further specified this rule, and considered all overhand throws a balk, which resulted in both any runner on base and batter to be awarded an extra base (balks today do not advance the batter).McAvoy Michael 1882 Winter Meetings: Reconciliation and Cooperation Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/1882-winter-meetings-reconciliation-and-cooperation/ 2025-02-11 en-US The National League abolishes the "foul bound catch" rule, which was when a fielder caught a foul ball on its first bounce. The American Association would follow this abolition in 1885.Hershberger Richard The Dropped Third Strike: The Life and Times of a Rule Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/the-dropped-third-strike-the-life-and-times-of-a-rule/ 2025-02-11 en-US Teams An asterisk (*) denotes the ballpark a team played the minority of their home games at LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManager1883 Major League Managers https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1883-managers.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference enAmerican Association American Association (1882–1891) American AssociationBaltimore OriolesOxford, MarylandA 1 1Oriole Park5,000Billy BarnieCincinnati Red StockingsCincinnati, OhioBank Street Grounds3,000Will WhiteColumbus BuckeyesColumbus, OhioRecreation Park (Columbus)UnknownHorace Phillips baseballLouisville EclipseLouisville, KentuckyEclipse Park3,000Joe GerhardtNew York MetropolitansNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds (Southeast Diamond)20,709Jim MutriePolo Grounds (Southwest Diamond)*Unknown*Philadelphia AthleticsPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaJefferson Street Grounds5,200Lon KnightPittsburgh AlleghenysAllegheny, PennsylvaniaB 1 1Exposition Park II*Unknown*Al Pratt baseball Exposition Park IUnknownOrmond ButlerJoe BattinSt. Louis BrownsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park6,000Jimmy Williams baseball managerCharles ComiskeyNational League National League (baseball) National LeagueBoston BeaneatersBoston, MassachusettsSouth End Grounds3,000Jack BurdockJohn Morrill baseballBuffalo BisonsBuffalo, New YorkRiverside ParkUnknownJim O'Rourke baseballChicago White StockingsChicago, IllinoisLakefront Park5,000Cap AnsonCleveland BluesCleveland, OhioNational League ParkUnknownFrank BancroftDetroit WolverinesDetroit, MichiganRecreation Park (Detroit)UnknownJack Chapman baseballNew York GothamsNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds (Southeast Diamond)20,709John Clapp baseballPhiladelphia QuakersPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaRecreation Park (Philadelphia)6,500Bob Ferguson infielderBlondie PurcellProvidence GraysProvidence, Rhode IslandMesser Street Grounds6,000Harry Wright A 1 In today's Baltimore, Maryland. B 1 In today's Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Standings start American Association Philadelphia Athletics break National League Boston Beaneaters end Tie games 6 tie games (1 in AA, 5 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again) occurred throughout the season. start American Association The Louisville Eclipse and New York Metropolitans had one tie game each. September 4, Louisville Eclipse vs. New York Metropolitans, tied at 8.1883 New York Metropolitans Schedule https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYP/1883-schedule-scores.shtml 2026-03-11 Baseball Reference en break National League The Cleveland Blues and Detroit Wolverines had three tie games each. The New York Gothams had two tie games. The Buffalo Bisons and Philadelphia Quakers had one tie game each. August 24, Cleveland Blues vs. Detroit Wolverines, tied at 8.1883 Detroit Wolverines Schedule https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DTN/1883-schedule-scores.shtml 2026-03-11 Baseball Reference en September 1, Buffalo Bisons vs. Detroit Wolverines, tied at 12. September 15, Cleveland Blues vs. New York Gothams, tied at 1.1883 New York Schedule https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYG/1883-schedule-scores.shtml 2026-03-11 Baseball Reference en September 19, Cleveland Blues vs. New York Gothams, tied at 2. September 22, Detroit Wolverines vs. Philadelphia Quakers, tied at 6.1883 Philadelphia Schedule https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/1883-schedule-scores.shtml 2026-03-11 Baseball Reference en end Managerial changes Off-season TeamFormer ManagerNew ManagerCincinnati Red StockingsHenry MyersBilly BarnieCleveland BluesJohn MorrillJack BurdockColumbus BuckeyesFred DunlapFrank BancroftLouisville EclipseFrank BancroftJack ChapmanNew York GothamsDenny MackJoe GerhardtPhiladelphia QuakersJuice LathamLon KnightPittsburgh AlleghenysNed CuthbertTed SullivanProvidence GraysBob FergusonTeam foldedSt. Louis BrownsJack ChapmanTeam folded In-season TeamFormer ManagerNew ManagerBoston BeaneatersJack BurdockJohn MorrillPhiladelphia QuakersBob FergusonBlondie PurcellPittsburgh AlleghenysAl PrattOrmond ButlerOrmond ButlerJoe BattinSt. Louis BrownsTed SullivanCharles Comiskey League leaders American Association start + Hitting leaders1883 American Association Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AA/1883-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total AVG Ed Smartwood (PIT) .357 OPS Ed Smartwood (PIT) .869 HR Harry Stovey (PHA) 14 RBI Charley Jones (CIN) 80 R Harry Stovey (PHA) 110 H Ed Smartwood (PIT) 147 break + Pitching leaders1883 American Association Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AA/1883-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total W Will White (CIN) 43 L Frank Mountain (COL) 33 ERA Will White (CIN) 2.09 K Tim Keefe (NYM) 359 IP Tim Keefe (NYM) 619.0 SV Bob Barr (PIT)Tony Mullane (STL) 1 WHIP Tim Keefe (NYM) 0.963 end National League start + Hitting leaders1883 National League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1883-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total AVG Dan Brouthers (BUF) .374 OPS Dan Brouthers (BUF) .969 HR Buck Ewing (NYG) 10 RBI Dan Brouthers (BUF) 97 R Joe Hornung (BSN) 107 H Dan Brouthers (BUF) 159 break + Pitching leaders1883 National League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1883-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total W Charles Radbourn (PRO) 48 L John Coleman1 (PHI) 48 ERA Jim McCormick (CLE) 1.84 K Jim Whitney (BSN) 345 IP Pud Galvin (BUF) 656.1 SV George Weidman (DET)Jim Whitney (BSN) 2 WHIP Charles Radbourn (PRO) 0.979 1 All-time single-season losses record end Milestones Batters Cycles List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle Lon Knight (PHA): Knight hit for his first cycle, first in franchise history, first in American Association history, and the first natural cycle in major league history on July 30 against the Pittsburgh Alleghenys.http://www.retrosheet.org/cycles.htm Cycles Retrosheet 2011-09-10 2018-06-29 https://web.archive.org/web/20180629045321/http://www.retrosheet.org/cycles.htm livehttps://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/july-30-1883-philadelphias-lon-knight-is-first-player-to-hit-for-a-natural-cycle/ July 30, 1883: Philadelphia's Lon Knight is first player to hit for a 'natural' cycle Mike Huber SABR 2020-12-02 2020-11-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20201124083934/https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/july-30-1883-philadelphias-lon-knight-is-first-player-to-hit-for-a-natural-cycle/ live John Reilly (CIN): Reilly hit for his first cycle and first in franchise history, on September 12 against the Pittsburgh Alleghenys. Reilly hit for his second cycle and second in franchise history only a week after his first, on September 19 against the Philadelphia Athletics. Other batting accomplishments John Montgomery Ward (NYG): Became the first pitcher to hit two home runs in one game. Chicago White Stockings: Set a Major League record for most doubles in a single game, hitting 14 doubles in a 31–7 over the Buffalo Bisons on July 3.Doubles Records Set by MLB Teams https://www.baseball-almanac.com/rb_2b2.shtml 2026-03-12 Baseball Almanac Set a Major League record for most hits in a nine inning game, with 66 hits in a 31–7 over the Buffalo Bisons on July 3.Hits Records for MLB Teams https://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/hits_records_mlb_teams.shtml 2026-03-12 Baseball Almanac Pitchers No-hitters List of Major League Baseball no-hitters Charles Radbourn (PRO): Radbourn threw his first career no-hitter and the second no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Cleveland Blues 8–0 on July 25.Catchers Who Caught No Hitters http://bb_catchers.tripod.com/catchers/catchnoh.htm bb_catchers.tripod.com Encyclopedia of Baseball Catchers 2012-07-19 August 6, 2012 https://web.archive.org/web/20120806172440/http://bb_catchers.tripod.com/catchers/catchnoh.htm dead Hugh Daily (CLE): Daily threw his first career no-hitter and the first no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Philadelphia Quakers 1–0 on September 13. Other pitching accomplishments John Coleman (PHI): Set a Major League record for most losses in a single season, losing 48 games.Single-Season Leaders & Records for Losses https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/L_season.shtml 2026-03-12 Baseball Reference en Miscellaneous Chicago White Stockings: Set a modern major league record for most runs scored in the seventh inning, by scoring 18 runs against the Detroit Wolverines on September 6.DeRosa Theo The most runs scored in each inning, from the 1st to the 26th(!) https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-most-runs-scored-in-each-inning 2026-04-20 MLB.com en Rudy Kemmler (COL): Set a Major League record for passed balls in a single season, allowing 114 balls to pass him.Single-Season Leaders & Records for Passed Balls https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/PB_season.shtml 2026-03-12 Baseball Reference en Venues The 1883 season saw the American Association and National League each with two new teams, all playing at new venues: American Association: The Columbus Buckeyes played at Recreation Park (Columbus). The New York Metropolitans played at the Polo Grounds. National League: The New York Gothams played at the Polo Grounds. The Philadelphia Quakers played at Recreation Park (Philadelphia). The Polo Grounds, home of the New York Metropolitans and Gothams, featured two baseball fields, at the southeast and southwest of the grounds. The Gothams played entirely at the southeast grounds, while the Metropolitans moved alternated. The played ten games at the southeast diamond to start the season, before moving to the southwest diamond on May 30. The southwest diamond was of worse quality than the southeast diamond, so games at the southwest diamond did not last long. They played only ten games (aside from a one-off at the southeast diamond on June 13) before returning to the southeast diamond in July. They did play three more games at the southwest diamond on August 30, 31, and September 4 due to scheduling conflicts with the Gothams.1883 Log For Polo Grounds I (Southeast Diamond) in New York, NY https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1883/PKL_NYC031883.htm 2026-03-12 Retrosheet1883 Log For Polo Grounds II (Southwest Diamond) in New York, NY https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1883/PKL_NYC041883.htm 2026-03-12 Retrosheet Following a fire and a flood of their home at Exposition Park, the Pittsburgh Alleghenys had to move into a newly built venue, a second iteration of Exposition Park, which was built immediately south.Exposition Park http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06192/700663-341.stm https://web.archive.org/web/20061123201238/http://www.post-gazette.com/pg/06192/700663-341.stm dead November 23, 2006 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette 2006-07-11 2008-12-31 However, after only 17 games, they played their last game there on June 9 and returned to the first Exposition Park on June 12.1883 Log For Exposition Park II in Pittsburgh, PA https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1883/PKL_PIT031883.htm 2026-03-12 Retrosheet1883 Log For Exposition Park I in Pittsburgh, PA https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1883/PKL_PIT021883.htm 2026-03-12 Retrosheet The 1883 season saw two teams relocate to new ballparks: The Baltimore Orioles leave Newington Park (where they played their inaugural season the previous year) and move to Oriole Park, where they would go on to play for six seasons through 1889. The Philadelphia Athletics leave Oakdale Park (where they played their inaugural season the previous year) and move to the Jefferson Street Grounds, where they would go on to play for eight seasons through 1890, where they would fold thereafter. The 1883 season saw four teams play their final games at respective ballparks, before moving to new ballparks for the 1884 season: The Buffalo Bisons would play their final game at Riverside Park on September 8 against the Cleveland Blues, moving to Olympic Park. The Cincinnati Red Stockings would play their final game at Bank Street Grounds on September 29 against the New York Metropolitans, moving to American Park. The New York Metropolitans would play their final home game of the season at the Polo Grounds southeast diamond on September 6 against the Louisville Eclipse, moving to Metropolitan Park. However, would eventually return to the Polo Grounds by August of the following season. The Pittsburgh Alleghenys would play their final game at Exposition Park on September 6 against the Cincinnati Red Stockings, moving to Recreation Park. See also 1883 in baseball (Events, Births, Deaths) References External links 1883 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference Category:Major League Baseball seasons Category:1883 in baseball