1879—The departing Milwaukee franchise was replaced by one in Buffalo, a much more central location that made for a more convenient destination for most road teams. The league increased the schedule for the first time, to 84 games, but only added one extra week; the three-game series over three days became the norm, but for now teams still relied heavily on their number one man; every team had a pitcher who started between 54 and 56 games.
The pennant race was another thriller. Philadelphia looked like they had it in the bag, with a six-game lead over Chicago and a seven-game lead over Cincinnati with 15 to play, but both the Haymakers and Excelsiors went on a tear. By Sept. 8, just two weeks later, the Keystones’ lead was down to one game over Chicago and two games over Cincinnati; the Haymakers pulled even on Sept. 12. Philadelphia and Chicago were still tied going into the first game of their season-ending series on Sept. 18; The ‘Stones took that contest, 10-3, to take a one-game lead with two to play, but the Haymakers won the final two, 6-3 and 7-6, the final game featuring a thrilling eighth inning that saw the ‘Stones plate two in the top of the inning to break a 3-3 tie before the Haymkers countered with four in the bottom of the frame. Chicago won the pennant by a game over Philadelphia, while Cincinnati finished two back.
Jimmy Yates of the Haymakers won the batting title at .331 while George Stonge won his second ERA crown with a miserly 1.67 mark. Harry Allison of Boston threw the league’s first no-hitter on June 28.
Buffalo survived their first season in the league and even finished ahead of Boston and Providence in the standings, but Indianapolis was not so fortunate. The team, known as the Independents, improved by eight games over their 1878 showing but struggled at the gate, and the owners threw in the towel shortly after the conclusion of the season.
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