National League baseball returns to the City of Brotherly Love as Philadelphia hosts its first NL game since 1876. The Philadelphia Quakers, after holding their first spring training at Recreation Park, open their regular season there, bowing to the Providence Grays, 4 – 3.

On May 1, 1883 — National League baseball returns to the City of Brotherly Love as Philadelphia hosts its first NL game since 1876. The Philadelphia Quakers, after holding their first spring training at Recreation Park, open their regular season there, bowing to the Providence Grays, 4 – 3.

Source
Baseball Reference May 1