Boston P Jim Whitney muffs a pop-up‚ but catcher Mike Hines catches it before it hits the ground and starts a triple play. All the runners had taken off with the apparent error. Providence still wins‚ 6 – 2.

Boston P Jim Whitney muffs a pop-up‚ but catcher Mike Hines catches it before it hits the ground and starts a triple play. All the runners had taken off with the apparent error. Providence still wins‚ 6 – 2.

Frederick Thayer‚ the inventor of the catcher’s mask‚ and George Wright sue the Spalding Brothers Company for copyright infringement. The two will eventually lose their case.

Frederick Thayer‚ the inventor of the catcher’s mask‚ and George Wright sue the Spalding Brothers Company for copyright infringement. The two will eventually lose their case.

National League baseball returns to the City of Brotherly Love as Philadelphia hosts its first NL game since 1876. The Philadelphia Quakers, after holding their first spring training at Recreation Park, open their regular season there, bowing to the Providence Grays, 4 – 3.

National League baseball returns to the City of Brotherly Love as Philadelphia hosts its first NL game since 1876. The Philadelphia Quakers, after holding their first spring training at Recreation Park, open their regular season there, bowing to the Providence Grays, 4 – 3.

Charlie Bennett
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Charlie Bennett wins case and freedom from the Allegheny

1882 – The case of the Allegheny Club versus Charlie Bennett is won by Bennett. Prior to the 1882 season, Allegheny signed Bennett to a $100 agreement which stated that he would sign an 1883 contract with the club after the season. Instead, Bennett re-signed with the Detroit Wolverines. This case will later have bearing on the fight over the reserve rule during the 1889-1890 Players League war.

1884 – Pitcher Tony Mullane violates an oral agreement to sign with the St. Louis Browns by signing a $5,000 contract with the Cincinnati Red Stockings. The American Association suspends Mullane for the 1885 season and fines him $1,000, but allows him to remain with Cincinnati. Over the next eight years Mullane will win 163 games with the Reds on his way to a career total of 285 victories.

1884 – Pitcher Tony Mullane violates an oral agreement to sign with the St. Louis Browns by signing a $5,000 contract with the Cincinnati Red Stockings. The American Association suspends Mullane for the 1885 season and fines him $1,000, but allows him to remain with Cincinnati. Over the next eight years Mullane will win 163 games with the Reds on his way to a career total of 285 victories.

With his team already ahead in the eighth inning, 5-0, White Stockings (Cubs) outfielder Abner Dalrymple becomes the first player to be intentionally walked with the bases loaded. The run-producing free pass is given up by Buffalo Bisons’ right-hander Jack Lynch in an eventual 11-2 Chicago victory.

With his team already ahead in the eighth inning, 5-0, White Stockings (Cubs) outfielder Abner Dalrymple becomes the first player to be intentionally walked with the bases loaded. The run-producing free pass is given up by Buffalo Bisons’ right-hander Jack Lynch in an eventual 11-2 Chicago victory.