The Cleveland Spiders takes advantage of 13 bases on balls and three wild pitches by a severely discontrolled Jouett Meekin, to beat the New York Giants, 11 – 5.

The Cleveland Spiders takes advantage of 13 bases on balls and three wild pitches by a severely discontrolled Jouett Meekin, to beat the New York Giants, 11 – 5.

Cy Young gets Cleveland’s 8th consecutive win with a 4 – 1 decision over Boston. The streak has helped the Spiders to solidify their hold on first place.

Cy Young gets Cleveland’s 8th consecutive win with a 4 – 1 decision over Boston. The streak has helped the Spiders to solidify their hold on first place.

Louisville gets a rare victory, riding Mike McDermott’s two-hitter to a 1 – 0 win over Baltimore. This is McDermott’s only good performance of the year. In the remaining 56 innings he will pitch this year, he will allow 85 hits.

Louisville gets a rare victory, riding Mike McDermott’s two-hitter to a 1 – 0 win over Baltimore. This is McDermott’s only good performance of the year. In the remaining 56 innings he will pitch this year, he will allow 85 hits.

Washington defeats Pittsburgh, 14 – 9, in a beanball battle. Senators pitcher Win Mercer hits three Pittsburgh batters while Pirate Pink Hawley plunks three Washington batters in a disastrous 11-run 7th inning, tying a mark he set on July 4, 1894. Hawley retires in 1900 after only nine seasons with a still-standing National League record of 195 hit batters. All told, eight batters are plunked in the contest, a National League-record five by Hawley. The five Washington batters hit by pitches ties the NL mark and won’t be matched till July 2, 1969.

Washington defeats Pittsburgh, 14 – 9, in a beanball battle. Senators pitcher Win Mercer hits three Pittsburgh batters while Pirate Pink Hawley plunks three Washington batters in a disastrous 11-run 7th inning, tying a mark he set on July 4, 1894. Hawley retires in 1900 after only nine seasons with a still-standing National League record of 195 hit batters. All told, eight batters are plunked in the contest, a National League-record five by Hawley. The five Washington batters hit by pitches ties the NL mark and won’t be matched till July 2, 1969.

In the top of the 9th inning, Philadelphia’s Billy Nash starts to argue with the umpire over a called strike. Clark Griffith throws a pitch in the midst of the argument which nicks Nash’s bat, resulting in a double play. Griffith’s quick thinking helps the Chicago Colts take a 5 – 3 victory.

In the top of the 9th inning, Philadelphia’s Billy Nash starts to argue with the umpire over a called strike. Clark Griffith throws a pitch in the midst of the argument which nicks Nash’s bat, resulting in a double play. Griffith’s quick thinking helps the Chicago Colts take a 5 – 3 victory.

The St. Louis Browns dismiss manager Harry Diddlebock for intoxication. Player Arlie Latham and owner Chris Von der Ahe manage two games apiece before Von der Ahe settles on Roger Connor.

The St. Louis Browns dismiss manager Harry Diddlebock for intoxication. Player Arlie Latham and owner Chris Von der Ahe manage two games apiece before Von der Ahe settles on Roger Connor.

With an overflow crowd of 17,231 at West Side Grounds, the umpire rules that any ball hit into the crowd is a ground rule triple. The Chicago Colts take advantage and crack nine triples, including three by Bill Dahlen, to crush the St. Louis Browns, 16 – 7.

With an overflow crowd of 17,231 at West Side Grounds, the umpire rules that any ball hit into the crowd is a ground rule triple. The Chicago Colts take advantage and crack nine triples, including three by Bill Dahlen, to crush the St. Louis Browns, 16 – 7.

1896 – Western League president Ban Johnson asserts that “the Western League has passed the stage where it should be considered a minor league – it is a first-class organization, and should have the consideration that such an organization warrants.” Four years later Johnson will act upon this belief, taking the first steps toward moving the WL – renamed the American League in 1900 – to major league status.

1896 – Western League president Ban Johnson asserts that “the Western League has passed the stage where it should be considered a minor league – it is a first-class organization, and should have the consideration that such an organization warrants.” Four years later Johnson will act upon this belief, taking the first steps toward moving the WL – renamed the American League in 1900 – to major league status.

New York City Parks Commissioner Samuel McMillan announces a plan to cut a street through the Polo Grounds 

New York City Parks Commissioner Samuel McMillan announces a plan to cut a street through the Polo Grounds 

1896 – New York City Parks Commissioner Samuel McMillan announces a plan to cut a street through the Polo Grounds leading to the Speedway, a new privately-constructed horse track. The street is never built.