1886 – The Sporting News publishes the official National League averages, which show King Kelly as the batting champ with a .388 average, 17 points ahead of Cap Anson. The paper previously had printed its own stats showing Anson ahead, .374 to .366.
With Jim McCormick and Jocko Flynn lame and John Clarkson tired‚ Chicago tries to use a minor league recruit in the pitcher’s box‚ only to be refused by the Browns. SS Ned Williamson and RF Jimmy Ryan pitch for the Whites. The Browns win easily 10-3 to take a 3-to-2 lead in the best-of-7 series.
The AA season ends with 2 games in Philadelphia. Harry Stovey hits a HR to give him at least a share of the Association leadership for the 4th consecutive season.
1886 – At Washington’s Capitol Park, backstop Connie Mack makes his major league debut as the Nationals edge Philadelphia, 4 – 3.
Roger Connor becomes the first and only player to hit a ball out of the original Polo Grounds (110th Street and Fifth Avenue). The Giants’ first baseman receives a $500 gold watch from stockbrokers and others to honor his accomplishment.
1886 – Ed “Cannonball” Crane walks 14 and adds 5 wild pitches and an error in a 15 – 2 loss to Chicago. Formerly an OF‚ Crane has just been pressed into service as a pitcher for the last-place Nationals. He’ll emerge as a regular starter for the New York Giants next year.
Louisville’s Chicken Wolf hits a game-winning inside-the-park home run, thanks to a stray dog impeding Abner Powell from fielding the ball. The canine, who had been sleeping by the fence, refuses to let go of the pant leg of the Reds center fielder, who watches in dismay as the Colonel batter races around the bases in the team’s 5-4 loss at Eclipse Park.
1886 – Pitcher Guy Hecker has one of the greatest days ever – at the plate – in the second game of a doubleheader between Louisville and Baltimore in the American Association. In 7 at-bats, he hits three singles and three homers, accumulating 15 total bases. He scores a record 7 runs, as he reaches base on an error in his other at-bat. Louisville wins easily, 22 – 5.
1886 – Guy Hecker allows 16 hits and 11 runs and goes 4-for-5 as Louisville wins a 27 – 11 slugfest against Brooklyn. There is scoring in 13 of the 14 half innings before the game is called to allow the Grays to catch a train.
1886 – Rumors of the imminent demise of the St. Louis Maroons abound after star 2B Fred Dunlap is sold to Detroit for $4‚700.
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