The first-place Toledo Blue Stockings are declared the league champion for 1883

The first-place Toledo Blue Stockings are declared the league champion for 1883

ByThis Day in Baseball

1884 – At the annual meeting of the minor-league Northwest League, the first-place Toledo Blue Stockings are declared the league champion for 1883. But because Toledo has moved from the NWL to the major league American Association for 1884, the NWL pennant is awarded to the second-place Saginaw Greys. The NWL also rescinds its prohibition of Sunday baseball and the sale of beer at its ballparks, thereby aligning itself with AA policy and against the National League policy.

At a meeting between the American Association and the National League, the Tripartite Agreement (or “National Agreement”) is drafted

ByTom

1883 – At a meeting between the American Association and the National League, the Tripartite Agreement (or “National Agreement”) is drafted. In it the two leagues, along with the Northwestern League, agree to respect each other’s contracts, ending a brief period of player raids. Also, the reserve rule is amended to allow each team to reserve 11 players, an increase of 6. The National Agreement will usher in a period of peaceful coexistence, lasting until the Players League war of 1890.

Louisville hurler Tony Mullane becomes the first major leaguer to pitch both left- and right-handed in the same game
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Louisville hurler Tony Mullane becomes the first major leaguer to pitch both left- and right-handed in the same game

ByTom

Louisville hurler Tony Mullane, without wearing a fielder’s glove, pitches with both arms in an American Association game against the Orioles. The natural right-hander’s ambidextrous efforts are to little avail when the home team defeats the Eclipse at Baltimore’s Newington Park.

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The American Association elects Denny McKnight as its president

ByThis Day in Baseball

1881 – The American Association elects H.D. McKnight as its president. It votes to honor the National League blacklist in the case of drunkenness but not to abide by its reserve clause. The new league will rely on home gate receipts, visiting teams getting just a $65 guarantee on the road, as opposed to the NL’s policy of giving 15¢ from each admission to the visitors. The AA will allow Sunday games, liquor sales, and 25¢ tickets, all prohibited by the NL.