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.
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 is a man maker." - Al Spalding
1878 National League Player Review |
||||
Statistic | Name(s) | Team(s) | # | Top 25 |
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 |
Statistic | Name(s) | Team(s) | # | Top 25 |
1878 N.L. History | Year-by-Year History |
1878 National League Pitcher Review |
||||
Statistic | Name(s) | Team(s) | # | Top 25 |
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 |
Statistic | Name(s) | Team(s) | # | Top 25 |
1878 N.L. History | Year-by-Year History |
1878 National LeagueTeam Standings |
||||
Team | Roster | W | L | WP | GB |
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 |
Team | Roster | W | L | WP | GB |
1878 National League Team ReviewHitting Statistics League Leaderboard |
||
Statistic | Team | # |
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 |
Statistic | Team | # |
1878 National League Team ReviewPitching Statistics League Leaderboard |
||
Statistic | Team | # |
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 |
Statistic | Team | # |
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.