The Athletics try to slow the Browns down by loading the base paths with sand. St. Louis captain Charles Comiskey refuses to play and even helps the grounds crew remove the sand. The Browns win the two games, 18 – 1 and 11 – 3, with a total of 14 stolen bases.

The Athletics try to slow the Browns down by loading the base paths with sand. St. Louis captain Charles Comiskey refuses to play and even helps the grounds crew remove the sand. The Browns win the two games, 18 – 1 and 11 – 3, with a total of 14 stolen bases.

Chicago notches its most lopsided shut out victory ever‚ a 20-0 whitewash of Washington. Only two of the runs are earned against Cannonball Crane. After the 3rd inning‚ Chicago P Jim McCormick switches positions with RF John Flynn‚ who tosses the last 5 frames.

Chicago notches its most lopsided shut out victory ever‚ a 20-0 whitewash of Washington. Only two of the runs are earned against Cannonball Crane. After the 3rd inning‚ Chicago P Jim McCormick switches positions with RF John Flynn‚ who tosses the last 5 frames.

In American Association action, St. Louis Browns player-manager Charles Comiskey prevents a double play by running full tilt into Red Stockings second baseman Bid McPhee, enabling the Browns to win, 2 – 1. The Cincinnati fans are infuriated, but the umpire certifies the play.

In American Association action, St. Louis Browns player-manager Charles Comiskey prevents a double play by running full tilt into Red Stockings second baseman Bid McPhee, enabling the Browns to win, 2 – 1. The Cincinnati fans are infuriated, but the umpire certifies the play.

1886 – The Cincinnati Red Stockings announce that the American Association pennant they won in 1882 will be flown at home games this season “for luck.”

1886 – The Cincinnati Red Stockings announce that the American Association pennant they won in 1882 will be flown at home games this season “for luck.”

1886 – The New York State League admits clubs from Buffalo, Toronto and Hamilton. The inclusion of the Canadian teams causes the league to change its name to the International League.

1886 – The New York State League admits clubs from Buffalo, Toronto and Hamilton. The inclusion of the Canadian teams causes the league to change its name to the International League.

Via a transatlantic telegraph from Paris, France, American Association 40-game winner Bob Caruthers agrees to terms with St. Louis Browns owner Chris von der Ahe. Caruthers’ well-publicized holdout will earn him the nickname “Parisian Bob.”

Via a transatlantic telegraph from Paris, France, American Association 40-game winner Bob Caruthers agrees to terms with St. Louis Browns owner Chris von der Ahe. Caruthers’ well-publicized holdout will earn him the nickname “Parisian Bob.”

Via a transatlantic telegraph from Paris, France, American Association 40-game winner Bob Caruthers agrees to terms with St. Louis Browns owner Chris von der Ahe. Caruthers’ well-publicized holdout will earn him the nickname “Parisian Bob.”

1886 – The National League meets and adopts the stolen base and the four foot by seven foot pitcher’s box. But the NL retains seven balls for a walk and rejects the American Association’s rule giving a batter first base on a hit by pitch.

1886 – The National League meets and adopts the stolen base and the four foot by seven foot pitcher’s box. But the NL retains seven balls for a walk and rejects the American Association’s rule giving a batter first base on a hit by pitch.

1886 – The American Association meets and overrules president Denny McKnight (also owner of the Pittsburgh Alleghenys club) and suspends second baseman Sam Barkley for signing with Pittsburgh before the dispute over his sale is settled. The AA adopts new rules. The number of balls needed for a walk is reduced from seven to six; the pitcher’s box is one foot deeper, giving the pitcher seven feet behind the 50-foot front line in which to execute his delivery; stolen bases are adopted as an official statistic, although the definition is rather vague initially.

1886 – The American Association meets and overrules president Denny McKnight (also owner of the Pittsburgh Alleghenys club) and suspends second baseman Sam Barkley for signing with Pittsburgh before the dispute over his sale is settled. The AA adopts new rules. The number of balls needed for a walk is reduced from seven to six; the pitcher’s box is one foot deeper, giving the pitcher seven feet behind the 50-foot front line in which to execute his delivery; stolen bases are adopted as an official statistic, although the definition is rather vague initially.