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The 1896 National League Championship Series had Indianapolis as the top seed in their third NLCS trip, having won the pennant in both 1885 and 1888. Philadelphia was going for the three-peat, which had only previously been accomplished by the 1889-91 Boston Braves. Two wins separated them in the regular season, although the Phillies won the season series 4-2. You had the NL’s top scoring team (Indianapolis) against the team with the fewest runs allowed (Philadelphia).



The series began with high drama on an Indianapolis comeback. Philadelphia was up 6-1 entering the bottom of the eighth, but the Clowns scored thrice in the eighth and twice in the ninth to force extras. Fred Clark had a two-run homer in the eighth and Charlie Hamburg saw a two-run bomb in the ninth, sending it to extras at 6-6.

Philadelphia went back up on a Tom Kinslow solo homer in the top of the tenth. Indianapolis’ Bill Hallman had a RBI double in the bottom half to tie it up. A walk put runners at first and second with two outs, where Joe Werrick got a single. An error in left field after that allowed Hallman to score the winning run for an 8-7 Clowns victory to open the series. Philly’s Bug Holliday in defeat notably was 4-5 with a homer and two doubles.



Indianapolis took the 2-0 series lead on a 4-0 game two win at home. Ed Stein won a pitcher’s duel with a three-hit shutout, giving up five walks with six strikeouts. Philadelphia’s Silver King had his own complete game, but allowed four runs and five hits.



The Clowns were on the precipice of a sweep after a 7-3 road win in game three. They had four homers in the game, including two solo shots by leadoff man Spider Clark, who scored thrice in the game. LF Fred Clarke was 4-4 with a homer, double, two runs, and three RBI.



Philadelphia avoided the sweep on an 8-6 win in game four. The Phillies went ahead for the first time on a three-run seventh inning, capped off by Ed Herr’s two RBI double.



The Phillies held on 3-2 in game five at home to force the series by to Indianapolis trailing 3-2. Joe Neale had a strong seven-inning outing, allowing just one run and seven hits with six strikeouts.



Philadelphia stunned Indianapolis 7-5 in game six, forcing game seven after initially trailing 3-0. Tied 5-5 entering the ninth, the Phillies had three hits and two runs in the top half to go ahead. Silver King had a complete game, giving up five hits, four earned runs, and three walks with seven strikeouts.