National Colored Base Ball League is organized

ByTom

The National Colored Base Ball League, the first attempt at a professional Negro League, is organized at a meeting in Baltimore, MD. Eight clubs are represented: Lord Baltimores (Baltimore), Resolutes (Boston, MA), Browns (Cincinnati, OH), Falls City (Louisville, KY), Gorhams (New York, NY), Pythians (Philadelphia, PA), Keystones (Pittsburgh, PA) and Capital City Club (Washington, DC). Two weeks after being launched, the league will fail from lack of attendance.

Albert Spalding meets with the Chicago White Stockings players and exacts from each man a pledge of total abstinence from drinking

Albert Spalding meets with the Chicago White Stockings players and exacts from each man a pledge of total abstinence from drinking

ByTom

1887 – At Hot Springs, Arkansas, Albert Spalding meets with the Chicago White Stockings players and exacts from each man a pledge of total abstinence from drinking during the coming season. With the entire outfield gone from last year’s team and pitcher Jim McCormick holding out at home in New Jersey, the champion White Stockings will have to rely on young players.

1887 – A new Kansas City club is founded to play in the Western League. The team vows to compete with the National League team in town, but that franchise will not return this year.

ByTom

1887 – A new Kansas City club is founded to play in the Western League. The team vows to compete with the National League team in town, but that franchise will not return this year.

1887 – The New York Metropolitans (American Association) buy third baseman Dude Esterbrook from the New York Giants (NL). Although the Mets are no longer owned by the Giants’ management, the Giants still seem to get the best of every deal between the two clubs.

ByTom

1887 – The New York Metropolitans (American Association) buy third baseman Dude Esterbrook from the New York Giants (NL). Although the Mets are no longer owned by the Giants’ management, the Giants still seem to get the best of every deal between the two clubs.

1886 – The Cleveland Blues hire outfielder Pete Hotaling and Jimmy Williams as manager of the new American Association team. The club has already secured a large park site on East 39th street, well removed from downtown.

ByTom

1886 – The Cleveland Blues hire outfielder Pete Hotaling and Jimmy Williams as manager of the new American Association team. The club has already secured a large park site on East 39th street, well removed from downtown.

Tyrus Raymond Cobb is born in a rural Georgian farming community known as “The Narrows.”

Tyrus Raymond Cobb is born in a rural Georgian farming community known as “The Narrows.”

ByThis Day in Baseball

On December 18, 1886, Tyrus Raymond Cobb is born in a rural Georgian farming community known as “The Narrows.” He makes his major league debut in 1905 at the age of 18, and plays 24 seasons in the big leagues, retiring with more hits, runs scored, RBI, and stolen bases than any other player in…

1886 – The American Association meets and ratifies the new rules. It also approves the new clause that allows a club to reserve a player for as long as it wants, not just for next year’s contract.

ByTom

1886 – The American Association meets and ratifies the new rules. It also approves the new clause that allows a club to reserve a player for as long as it wants, not just for next year’s contract.

1886 – The official American Association batting averages show Dave Orr with .346 edging Bob Caruthers and Guy Hecker, both at .342.

ByBaseball

1886 – The official American Association batting averages show Dave Orr with .346 edging Bob Caruthers and Guy Hecker, both at .342.