The Phillies, known as the Quakers at the time, win their first game in franchise history when they rout the White Stockings, later to be known as the Cubs, at Chicago’s Lake Front Park. Philadelphia had lost their first eight games of the season before today’s 12-0 victory, and will finish the season in last place in the eight-team National League with a dismal 17-81 (.173) record.

ByTom

The Phillies, known as the Quakers at the time, win their first game in franchise history when they rout the White Stockings, later to be known as the Cubs, at Chicago’s Lake Front Park. Philadelphia had lost their first eight games of the season before today’s 12-0 victory, and will finish the season in last place in the eight-team National League with a dismal 17-81 (.173) record.

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.

ByBaseball

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.

The Giants, then known as the Gothams, play their first game in franchise history, defeating Boston, 7 to 5, at the Southeast Diamond at the Polo Grounds in New York. The newcomer in the National League will finish the season with a record of 46-50, sixteen games behind today’s opponent, the league-leading Beaneaters.

ByTom

The Giants, then known as the Gothams, play their first game in franchise history, defeating Boston, 7 to 5, at the Southeast Diamond at the Polo Grounds in New York. The newcomer in the National League will finish the season with a record of 46-50, sixteen games behind today’s opponent, the league-leading Beaneaters.

“Good ballplayers make good citizens.” – Chester A. Arthur, 21st President of the United States.Chester A. Arthur brings the Forest Cities ball club, a recently defunct franchise of the National Association, to the White House, making it the first professional team to visit with a president in Washington, D.C. Later in the season, the country’s Commander-in-Chief will also host the new National League’s New York Gothams, who will become better known as the Giants in 1885.

ByTom

“Good ballplayers make good citizens.” – Chester A. Arthur, 21st President of the United States.Chester A. Arthur brings the Forest Cities ball club, a recently defunct franchise of the National Association, to the White House, making it the first professional team to visit with a president in Washington, D.C. Later in the season, the country’s Commander-in-Chief will also host the new National League’s New York Gothams, who will become better known as the Giants in 1885.

In a Northwestern League meeting, Peoria moves to ban black players in order to prevent Toledo from playing star catcher Moses Fleetwood Walker. After an “exciting discussion” the motion is withdrawn and Walker is allowed to play.

In a Northwestern League meeting, Peoria moves to ban black players in order to prevent Toledo from playing star catcher Moses Fleetwood Walker. After an “exciting discussion” the motion is withdrawn and Walker is allowed to play.

ByTom

1883 – In a Northwestern League meeting, Peoria moves to ban black players in order to prevent Toledo from playing star catcher Moses Fleetwood Walker. After an “exciting discussion” the motion is withdrawn and Walker is allowed to play.

At a meeting between the American Association and the National League, the Tripartite Agreement (or “National Agreement”) is drafted

ByTom

1883 – At a meeting between the American Association and the National League, the Tripartite Agreement (or “National Agreement”) is drafted. In it the two leagues, along with the Northwestern League, agree to respect each other’s contracts, ending a brief period of player raids. Also, the reserve rule is amended to allow each team to reserve 11 players, an increase of 6. The National Agreement will usher in a period of peaceful coexistence, lasting until the Players League war of 1890.

1883 – Both of the New York Major League clubs will play simultaneously at the Polo Grounds. Their fields will be separated by an 8-foot fence.

ByTom

1883 – Both of the New York Major League clubs will play simultaneously at the Polo Grounds. Their fields will be separated by an 8-foot fence.