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Chadwick Sports Newsletter
November 1875
Base Ball Year in Review
For the second consecutive year, Boston finished a close second in the Association title race. This time, though, it was the Philadelphia Whites who won out, as they rebounded from a losing season to go 44-24 to bring the City of Brotherly Love its first title. Outfielder Bill Kelly and infielder Jimmy Wood were the team’s top hitters, but the defense was what really led them to victory. Wood and Chick Fulmer anchored the middle infield, and center fielder Tim Murnane was also a standout player. The final standings:
Philadelphia 44-24
Boston 49-30
Hartford 48-34
Brooklyn 27-17
St. Louis Browns 39-29
Mutual 38-30
Centennial 8-6
St. Louis Reds 9-10
National 10-18
Chicago 28-39
Western 1-12
New Haven 15-32
Athletic 19-54
For 1876, there would be a change that was meant to add stability to the world of baseball. The National Association, with its loose membership rules, would be replaced by a new National League. Six existing clubs – Boston, Hartford, St. Louis, Mutual, Chicago and Athletic – would be a part of the new organization, along with new clubs representing Cincinnati and Louisville. The defending champions would be left out in the cold, as Athletic convinced Chicagoan William Hulbert, the man behind the new idea, to let them be the Philadelphia representative.
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