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Chadwick Sports Newsletter
November 1877
Base Ball Year in Review
For the second consecutive year, there was a close pennant race between Boston and Louisville. This time, though, there were some very ugly insinuations. Louisville spent most of the summer in a comfortable lead, but late in the year they lost just enough games to finish one behind Boston for the National League pennant. Many alleged that this was the result of the Louisville club losing games purposely at the behest of local gambling interests. League president William Hulbert quickly announced his intention to get to the bottom of things, but the damage was done and the Louisville club announced it was folding at season’s end. They were joined in oblivion by St. Louis and Hartford, as only Boston, Chicago and Cincinnati would remain for 1878. Clearly the National League was having trouble and it remained an open question whether this national professional format would succeed.
On the field, though, there were some great performances. Adrian Anson, the star first baseman of the Louisville club, led the league in basically every offensive category as he batted a robust .360. McVey and Barnes of Boston were nearly as good, hitting .345 and .329 respectively. Slick-fielding George Wright provided outstanding defense for Boston and had another .300 year at the plate. Meanwhile, Boston pitcher George Knight led the league in wins with 25 and in strikeouts with 159. If the National League could just find some stability off the field, they would likely be a great success.
Boston 39-21
Louisville 38-22
St. Louis 30-30
Cincinnati 28-29
Chicago 23-36
Hartford 19-39
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