The Washington Nationals, also to be known as the Statesmen, are admitted to the National League. The new franchise, which will play its home games at the Swampoodle Grounds, will win only 28 games of the 120 games played, finishing 60 games behind the first-place Chicago White Stockings in their first season of the team’s four-year existence in the nation’s capital.
1886 – Having waited in vain for the $1,000 check from the Baltimore Orioles club, St. Louis Browns owner Chris Von der Ahe takes $1,000 from the Pittsburgh Alleghenys for the rights to Sam Barkley, ignoring the fact that the infielder has already signed with the Orioles.
Season Recap: 1885 League Champion: Chicago White Stockings
1885 – The American Association champions St. Louis Browns agree to sell the reserve rights of infielder Sam Barkley to the Pittsburgh Alleghenys for $1,000.
1885 – The St. Louis Maroons announce that Jerry Denny, Dude Esterbrook, Paul Hines, and George Myers are to play for them in 1886. Denny and Myers do so, but Esterbrook stays with the Giants and Hines goes to the newly-formed Washington Nationals.
1885 – At an American Association meeting in Philadelphia, the Metropolitan club is removed from the Association, and the National club of Washington is admitted. By court order, the Metropolitans will be readmitted.
1885 – The National League Metropolitans franchise is sold to millionaire Erastus Wiman. The Metropolitan Exhibition Company receives $25,000 for the transaction.
1885 – Former National League President Arthur Soden buys the Providence franchise and players for $6,000.
1885 – Hardie Henderson‚ pitching for Baltimore‚ is 5 for 5 while beating Cincinnati‚ 12 – 1.
5/16/1885: Tip O’Neill of St. Louis Browns (AA) homered in the fourth inning against the Baltimore Orioles. The game, played in St. Louis, was rained out.
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