YEAR IN REVIEW : 1887 National League

Off the field...

English author Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's first Sherlock Holmes story "A Study in Scarlet" was published. Doyle's brilliant and theatrical hero solved all of his extraordinarily complex cases through what he called "ingenious deductive reasoning". His companion, Dr. Watson, narrated the stories and both characters helped to redefine the mystery novel. Doyle later abandoned his medical practice in 1890 and devoted his time to writing. Other works of the great detective included The Sign of the Four (1890), The Memoirs of Sherlock Holmes (1894), The Hound of the Baskervilles (1902), The Return of Sherlock Holmes (1905), His Last Bow (1917), and The Case Book of Sherlock Holmes, (1927).

In the National League...

The Philadelphia Phillies finished off their 1887 season with an unprecedented sixteen consecutive wins.

Detroit Wolverines owner Frederick Stearnes challenged American Association St. Louis owner Chris Von Der Ahe to a best-of-fifteen Championship series. The Wolverines prevailed winning eight games. Despite appearing in sixteen post-season games, the Browns receive nothing for their efforts as Von Der Ahe refused to share his profits.

In the American Association...

St. Louis Browns first baseman/manager Charles Comiskey became the first baseball player ever paid to endorse a product after lending his name and likeness to Menell's Penetrating Oil.

Thomas Ramsey of the Louisville Colonels introduced the "knuckleball" pitch, which helped him to fan seventeen batters in a single game — twice.

On April 16th, Mike Griffin of the Baltimore Orioles became the first player ever to homer in his first Major League at-bat.

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"He (Sam Thompson) was known as an outstanding clutch hitter and he collected over 200 hits three times, twice topping the National League in home runs and RBI." - National Baseball Hall of Fame

1887 National League Player Review

Hitting Statistics League Leaderboard

Base on Balls Jim Fogarty Philadelphia 82 Top 25
Batting Average Cap Anson Chicago .347 Top 25
Doubles Dan Brouthers Detroit 36 Top 25
Hits Sam Thompson Detroit 203 Top 25
Home Runs Billy O'Brien Washington 19 Top 25
On Base Percentage Dan Brouthers Detroit .426 Top 25
RBI Sam Thompson Detroit 166 Top 25
Runs Dan Brouthers Detroit 153 Top 25
Slugging Average Sam Thompson Detroit .571 Top 25
Total Bases Sam Thompson Detroit 311 Top 25
Triples Sam Thompson Detroit 23 Top 25

1887 National League Pitcher Review

Pitching Statistics League Leaderboard

Complete Games John Clarkson Chicago 56 Top 25
ERA Dan Casey Philadelphia 2.86 Top 25
Games John Clarkson Chicago 60 Top 25
Saves Lady Baldwin Chicago 1 Top 25
Charlie Ferguson Indianapolis
Bob Pettit Chicago
Bill Stemmeyer Boston
Mike Tiernan New York
Larry Twitchell Detroit
George Van Haltren Chicago
Shutouts Dan Casey Philadelphia 4 Top 25
Strikeouts John Clarkson Chicago 237 Top 25
Winning Percentage Charlie Getzien Detroit .690 Top 25
Wins John Clarkson Chicago 38 Top 25

1887 National League

Team Standings

Detroit Wolverines 79 45 .637 0
Philadelphia Phillies 75 48 .610
Chicago White Stockings 71 50 .587
New York Giants 68 55 .553 10½
Boston Beaneaters 61 60 .504 16½
Pittsburgh Alleghenys 55 69 .444 24
Washington Senators 46 76 .377 32
Indianapolis Hoosiers 37 89 .294 43

1887 National League Team Review

Hitting Statistics League Leaderboard

Base on Balls Chicago 407
Batting Average Detroit .299
Doubles Detroit 213
Philadelphia
Hits Detroit 1,404
Home Runs Chicago 80
On Base Percentage Detroit .353
Runs Detroit 969
Slugging Average Detroit .434
Triples Detroit 126

1887 National League Team Review

Pitching Statistics League Leaderboard

Complete Games Washington 124
ERA Chicago 3.46
Fewest Hits Allowed New York 1,096
Fewest Home Runs Allowed New York 27
Fewest Walks Allowed Pittsburgh 246
Saves Chicago 3
Shutouts Philadelphia 7
Strikeouts Chicago 510
Seasonal Events: All-Star Game | World Series
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Miscellaneous: A.A. Leaderboard
Retirements | Rookies List
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baseball almanac fast facts

On April 30, 1887, the Philadelphia Phillies defeated the New York Giants 19-10 in the first game ever played at the Baker Bowl.

On May 7, 1887, Sam Thompson became the first player to hit two bases loaded triples during the same game.

Did you know that during the 1887 regular season base on balls (walks) were counted as actual base hits?