YEAR IN REVIEW : 1878 National League

Off the field...

Yellow Fever struck many cities in the south including Memphis, New Orleans and Mobile. Many citizens of infected areas were prevented from fleeing by strict quarantines adopted by nearby towns and cities. Despite the best efforts from doctors, nurses and volunteers, the number of infected persons rose dramatically from day to day. During the worst part of the epidemic, special health regulations were issued by the federal government to help prevent the spread of the disease. Unfortunately, over 13,000 people died in the lower Mississippi Valley alone before a proven vaccination was developed.

In the National League...

Against the Boston Red Caps, Paul Hines of the Providence Grays, made a shoestring catch in centerfield, then ran to touch third base for the first unassisted triple play in baseball history.

In July, John Montgomery Ward of the Providence Grays lost against the Indianapolis Hoosiers for his first Major League start then continued to pitch every game all season long. Impressive, until 1879 when he won "only" forty-seven games on the mound.

Cincinnati pitcher Will White and catcher James White became the first pitcher-to-catcher brother set to play together in the Major Leagues on the same team at the same time. Will went on to go 30-21 on the mound and James batted .314 at the plate.

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"Baseball is a man maker." - Al Spalding

1878 National League Player Review

1877 | 1878 Hitting Statistics League Leaders | 1879

Base on Balls Terry Larkin Chicago 17 Top 25
Jack Remsen
Batting Average Paul Hines Providence .358 Top 25
Doubles Dick Higham Providence 22 Top 25
Hits Joe Start Chicago 100 Top 25
Home Runs Paul Hines Providence 4 Top 25
On Base Percentage Bob Ferguson Chicago .375 Top 25
RBI Paul Hines Providence 50 Top 25
Runs Dick Higham Providence 60 Top 25
Slugging Average Paul Hines Providence .486 Top 25
Total Bases Paul Hines Providence 125 Top 25
Tom York Providence
Joe Start Chicago
Triples Tom York Providence 10 Top 25
1878 N.L. History | Year-by-Year History

1878 National League Pitcher Review

1877 | 1878 Pitching Statistics League Leaders | 1879

Complete Games Tommy Bond Boston 57 Top 25
ERA John Ward Providence 1.51 Top 25
Games Tommy Bond Boston 59 Top 25
Saves Tom Healey Providence 2 Top 25
Indianapolis
Shutouts Tommy Bond Boston 9 Top 25
Strikeouts Tommy Bond Boston 182 Top 25
Winning Percentage Harry Wheeler Providence .857 Top 25
Wins Tommy Bond Boston 40 Top 25
1878 N.L. History | Year-by-Year History

1878 National League

Team Standings

Boston Red Caps 41 19 .683 0
Cincinnati Reds 37 23 .617 4
Providence Grays 33 27 .550 8
Chicago White Stockings 30 30 .500 11
Indianapolis Blues 24 36 .400 17
Milwaukee Grays 15 45 .250 26

1878 National League Team Review

Hitting Statistics League Leaderboard

Base on Balls Chicago 88
Batting Average Chicago .290
Doubles Providence 107
Hits Chicago 677
Home Runs Providence 8
On Base Percentage Chicago .316
Runs Chicago 371
Slugging Average Chicago .350
Triples Providence 30

1878 National League Team Review

Pitching Statistics League Leaderboard

Complete Games Cincinnati 61
Chicago
ERA Cincinnati 1.84
Fewest Hits Allowed Cincinnati 546
Fewest Home Runs Allowed Cincinnati 2
Fewest Walks Allowed Chicago 35
Saves Indianapolis 1
Shutouts Boston 9
Strikeouts Cincinnati 220
baseball almanac flat baseball

baseball almanac fast facts

On May 8, 1878, Paul Hines of Providence caught a line drive hit by Jack Burdock of Boston. With runners on second and third he sprinted forward and tagged third base, which was clear of baserunners. To make sure he got the out, he threw the ball to Charlie Sweasy at second base. The play was recorded, unrecorded, and still debated as the first ever unassisted triple play.

One day later on May 9, 1878, Sam Weaver of the Milwaukee Grays threw a no-hit game according to one scorer. The scorer from the Indianapolis Blues awarded a hit to John Clapp and a debate began which laster nearly half a century.

On July 15, 1878, 18-year old John Ward made his Major League debut for Providence. He lost 13-to-9, but continued to pitch every inning of every game for the rest of the 1878 season.