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 – 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, 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 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 – 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 – 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.

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.

The National League adopts a salary classification plan that puts all players into five categories with a standard salary for each ranging from $1,500 to $2,500. The scheme is vehemently opposed by the Brotherhood.

1888 – The National League adopts a salary classification plan that puts all players into five categories with a standard salary for each ranging from $1,500 to $2,500. The scheme is vehemently opposed by the Brotherhood.

1888 – The Cleveland Spiders are formally admitted to the National League, creating a vacancy in the American Association. Cleveland will replace the Detroit Wolverines.

1888 – The Cleveland Spiders are formally admitted to the National League, creating a vacancy in the American Association. Cleveland will replace the Detroit Wolverines.

1888 – In Los Angeles, the All-Americans of Al Spalding beat Chicago, 7 – 4, in the final game on American soil of Chicago’s world tour. Spalding’s group now sets sail for Australia.

1888 – In Los Angeles, the All-Americans of Al Spalding beat Chicago, 7 – 4, in the final game on American soil of Chicago’s world tour. Spalding’s group now sets sail for Australia.

1888 – In Detroit, MI, a club is organized to compete in the International Association next season to take the place of the disbanded Detroit Wolverines, fifth-place finishers this past season in the National League. The Wolverines sell off their stars, including Big Sam Thompson going to the Philadelphia Quakers, and the so-called “Big Four” Dan Brouthers and Hardy Richardson to the Boston Beaneaters and Jack Rowe and Deacon White to the Pittsburgh Alleghenys.

1888 – In Detroit, MI, a club is organized to compete in the International Association next season to take the place of the disbanded Detroit Wolverines, fifth-place finishers this past season in the National League. The Wolverines sell off their stars, including Big Sam Thompson going to the Philadelphia Quakers, and the so-called “Big Four” Dan Brouthers and Hardy Richardson to the Boston Beaneaters and Jack Rowe and Deacon White to the Pittsburgh Alleghenys.