1889 – Veteran outfielder Joe Hornung is released by the Boston Beaneaters after eight years with that club. According to The Sporting News, “Ubbo’s unruly tongue was the principal cause of his release.”
1889 – Facing over $30,000 in debts, the Indianapolis Hoosiers go bankrupt and surrender their franchise to the National League.
1889 – The Spalding Baseball Tourists play their final game in Australia, with the Chicagos winning, 5 – 0.
1888 – At the Pennsylvania State Agricultural Society, on the Pennsylvania State Fair Buildings and Grounds located at Broad Street & Lehigh Avenue in Philadelphia, the Downtowners beat the Uptowners in the first sanctioned indoor baseball game ever played, 6 – 1, before a crowd of 2,000.
1888 – Former Detroit players Deacon White and Jack Rowe purchase a controlling interest in the minor league Buffalo club. Though their reserve rights have been sold to Pittsburgh, both men announce plans to play in Buffalo next year.
1888 – The Tourists, the world-traveling team of major leaguers put together by Al Spalding, play their first game in Australia, drawing a crowd of 5,500 in Sydney.
1888 – The Tourists play in Auckland, New Zealand, during a brief stopover.
1888 – The American Association votes against adopting the National League’s salary classification system‚ to the surprise of the press and the delight of the Brotherhood.
1888 – Columbus is admitted to the American Association to replace Cleveland, which is moving to the National League.
1888 – The New York Giants announce the sale of John Ward to the Washington Nationals for a record price of $12,000. But Ward, who is on tour, will eventually cancel the deal by refusing to play for Washington.
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