The 1881 major league baseball season was contested from April 30 through September 30, 1881, and saw the Chicago White Stockings as the pennant winner of the sixth season of the National League. There was no postseason.
The 1881 season is most known for featuring the first major league grand slam. Roger Connor of the Troy Trojans hit the walk-off home run at Riverside Park (Greenbush) against the Worcester Worcesters on September 10, leading to an 8–7 victory.
Over the off-season, the National League dropped the Cincinnati Stars because the team refused to sign a league pledge that banned alcohol in league parks and forbade clubs from renting their parks out on Sundays. The team was replaced by the Detroit Wolverines.
1881 would be the final season of the first National League monopoly-era, as the American Association would be established in .
Schedule
The 1881 schedule consisted of 84 games for all eight teams of the National League. Each team was scheduled to play 12 games against the other seven teams in the league. This continued the format put in place since and would be used until .
Opening Day took place on April 30 featuring four teams. The final day of the season was on September 30, featuring all eight teams.
Rule changes The 1881 season saw the following rule changes: The pitching distance from the front of the pitcher's box to the center of home base from 45 feet to 50 feet. The number of "fair balls" the batter could choose to take without lowering the number of "unfair balls" in a base on balls was reduced from four to three. Temporary substitute runners were prohibited. Runners were now required to return to their occupied base or risk being putout: Before the umpire called time on any play. When a foul ball was not ruled an out and returned to the pitcher. Umpires must now use their best judgement on the legitimacy of a catch by a fielder, whereas previously, an umpire could take the testimony of bystanders nearest the player attempting the catch to make his decision.
Teams An asterisk (*) denotes the ballpark a team played the minority of their home games at LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManagerBoston Red CapsBoston, MassachusettsSouth End Grounds3,000Buffalo BisonsBuffalo, New YorkRiverside Park (Buffalo)UnknownChicago White StockingsChicago, IllinoisLakefront Park5,000Cleveland BluesCleveland, OhioNational League ParkUnknownDetroit WolverinesDetroit, MichiganRecreation ParkUnknownProvidence GraysProvidence, Rhode IslandMesser Street Grounds6,000Troy TrojansLansingburgh, New YorkHaymakers' GroundsUnknownGreenbush, New YorkRiverside Park (Greenbush)*Unknown*Worcester WorcestersWorcester, MassachusettsAgricultural County Fair GroundsUnknown
Standings National League
Tie games Two tie games, which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind occurred throughout the season (though standings were determined by total wins, not winning percentage).
The Cleveland Blues, Providence Grays, Troy Trojans, and Worcester Worcesters had one tie game each. August 18, Providence Grays vs. Worcester Worcesters, tied at 8. September 15, Cleveland Blues vs. Troy Trojans, tied at 6.
Managerial changes Off-season TeamFormer ManagerNew ManagerBuffalo BisonsSam CraneJim O'RourkeCincinnati StarsJohn ClappTeam foldedCleveland BluesJim McCormickMike McGearyProvidence GraysMike DorganJack FarrellWorcester WorcestersFrank BancroftMike Dorgan
In-season TeamFormer ManagerNew ManagerCleveland BluesMike McGearyJohn ClappProvidence GraysJack FarrellTom YorkWorcester WorcestersMike DorganHarry Stovey
League leaders Any team shown in indicates a previous team a player was on during the season.
National League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Cap Anson (CHI) .399 OPS Cap Anson (CHI) .952 HR Dan Brouthers (BUF) 8 RBI Cap Anson (CHI) 82 R George Gore (CHI) 86 H Cap Anson (CHI) 137
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Larry Corcoran (CHI)Jim Whitney (BSN) 31 L Jim Whitney (BSN) 33 ERA George Weidman (DET) 1.80 K George Derby (DET) 212 IP Jim Whitney (BSN) 552.1 SV Bobby Mathews (BSN/) 2 WHIP George Weidman (DET) 1.043
Milestones Batters George Gore (CHI): Set a Major League record for most stolen bases in a single game, stealing seven bases against the Providence Grays on June 25.
Venues The Detroit Wolverines join the National League and play at Recreation Park in Detroit, Michigan.
The Troy Trojans would play their final game at Haymakers' Grounds on September 30 against the Detroit Wolverines, moving to the Troy Ball Clubs Grounds for the start of the season.
The Troy Trojans continue to host a few games at Riverside Park in nearby Greenbush, New York, playing on June 15 and September 10.
Notes
See also 1881 in baseball (Events, Births, Deaths)
References
External links 1881 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference