The Level Playing Field: Alternate MLB History From 1884-Onward

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Boston was abuzz with baseball fever as game seven of the third World Series was set for Friday, October 22, 1886 at the Red Sox’s Huntington Avenue Grounds. It was a beautiful clear afternoon with a temperature of 51 degrees and a wind blowing in from right field around 12 mph. The open run came in the fifth inning for the Braves, as Tom Poorman had a leadoff single and was knocked in by Mortimer Hogan’s RBI double.

In the sixth, the Braves started the inning with a Mike Tiernan walk and Charlie Bennett double. 1B Alex McKinnon was next and wasn’t viewed as a huge power hitter, only smacking 13 home runs this season. But he crushed a ball 447 feet to right center, giving the Braves a 4-0 lead. This held until the bottom of the seventh inning. There, Sam Wise got a one-out double, then was doubled in by Lew Brown. Charlie Ferguson had an RBI single to score Brown, putting the tally at 4-2.

In the bottom of the eighth for the Red Sox, Sam Thompson had a leadoff double, followed by an Ezra Sutton walk. After a flyout, pinch hitter Lefty Marr stepped up with an RBI double to score Thompson. Wise was next and had a first pinch single to the right side. Sutton scored and Marr just beat out the throw home, giving the Red Sox their first lead at 5-4. In the top of the ninth, the Braves went down one-two-three, securing the title at home for the Red Sox thanks to their late rally.



Frank Meinke had retired the final four batters in relief. Bill Wise was the winning pitcher with 10 strikeouts, six hits, and five walks allowed in 7.2 innings. Charlie Ferguson was the series MVP, winning his two complete game starts on the mound with a 3.00 ERA and 14 strikeouts. At the plate, Ferguson also was 11-27 with five RBI.

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Milwaukee 1B Denny Lyons has played two pro baseball seasons and now has two American League Most Valuable Player awards to his name. He received 21 first place votes for 1886 while Boston’s Sam Thompson had two and Chicago pitcher John Clarkson had one. The 20-year old Lyons was the leader in runs (147), average (.372), OBP (.445), OPS (1.075), wRC+ (193), and WAR (9.9). He added 218 hits, 39 doubles, 8 triples, 32 home runs, 119 RBI, 80 walks, and 61 stolen bases. Lyons also won a Gold Glove for his defensive efforts.

The National League MVP race was incredibly competitive with five players receiving four or more first place votes. Philadelphia CF Harry Stovey narrowly was the winner with six first place votes and 222 points. Boston’s Mike Tiernan also had six first place votes and was second with 206 points. Defending MVP Dan Brouthers of New York had 203 points with pitchers Perry Werden of Indianapolis (177) and Charley Radbourn of St. Louis (146) next in line.

Stovey took the honor despite the Phillies struggling and despite not being a league leader in any one stat. Still, the 29-year old had 190 hits, 105 runs, 31 doubles, 33 homers, 125 RBI, 62 walks, 61 steals, .329/.395/.568 slash, 167 wRC+, and 9.3 WAR. Stovey was the #4 pick from the inaugural draft. The Phillies gave him an eight-year, $127,200 extension after the 1885 season.

As for his hitting competition, Tiernan had the best wRC+ at 183 along with 45 homers and 7.8 WAR. Brouthers was the leader in triples (12), RBI (146), total bases (387), OBP (.416), and OPS (1.059). The Giants made sure to lock down Big Dan for the long haul with an eight-year, $148,800 extension signed in April; the biggest deal in baseball history thus far.

Chicago’s John Clarkson repeated as AL Pitcher of the Year and was a unanimous winner. He had the best ERA (2.50) and led in innings (306), strikeouts (287), complete games (31), shutouts (7), and WAR (9.4). The 25-year old had a 25-11 record, 185 ERA+, and 63 FIP-. Just prior to the postseason, the White Sox gave Clarkson a seven-year, $91,300 extension.

Charley “Old Hoss” Radbourn won Pitcher of the Year unanimously in the NL. The 31-year old righty was the leader in innings pitched (307), quality starts (24), and complete games (28). Radbourn had a 21-11 record, 2.52 ERA, 234 strikeouts, 167 ERA+, 81 FIP-, and 7.3 WAR. In August, he inked a five-year, $59,900 extension with the Cardinals.

AL Rookie of the Year went to St. Louis Browns CF Hugh Duffy, who set the single-season home run record with 52 dingers. The #2 overall pick had 136 RBI, 178 hits, 100 runs, .945 OPS, 155 wRC+, and 6.3 WAR. New Orleans 2B Frank Grant took the NL’s honor with 6.7 WAR, 180 hits, 95 runs, 38 doubles, 25 homers, 100 RBI, .864 OPS, and 139 wRC+. Grant was the #12 overall pick by the Pelicans.

Below are the other awards winners from the 1886 season. Of note, the American League didn’t have any relievers who qualified for Reliever of the Year, while the National League’s award went to Chicago’s Billy O’Brien for the third straight year. Red Sox manager John McKelvey became the first to win Manager of the Year twice.



White Sox Tony Mullane became a four-time Gold Glove winner in three seasons, as he won both as a pitcher and left fielder in 1886. He had won as a pitcher the prior two years. His Chicago teammate Germany Smith won his third straight at shortstop. In the NL, Cincinnati’s Frank Olin won his third Gold Glove. Becoming three-time Silver Slugger winners in the AL was Detroit 3B Jim O’Rourke, Baltimore LF Pete Browning, and Boston DH Sam Thompson. Louisville 3B Ed Williamson won his third Slugger in the NL.

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Even through only three seasons of Major League Baseball, the demand and interest for baseball has grown substantially. The number of players and cities interested in the game also jumped with various independent teams existing outside of the MLB system. MLB officials looked to change that and devised the concept of the “minor leagues,” affiliated teams where teams could develop players and grow the game.

By the end of 1886, officials felt there were now enough players and enough interest to justify each team having a minor league affiliate. This first level of the minors would retroactively be known as Triple A, but it would be just viewed as “the minor league” in the earliest years. Each franchise set up a team at a nearby smaller market to compete in the new league.

In the majors, the active roster size remained 25 with a secondary 40-man roster that included some minor league players. Players have a maximum three minor league option seasons with up to five options in a season. AAA initially uses a 40 player active roster and uses the DH for both leagues unlike in the majors. AAA also plays a 144 game season with division champs and two wild cards.

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Below are the top picks from the 1886 first-year player draft. The growth in the game meant there were enough players to justify 33 rounds worth of picks. 2B Ed Delahanty was the #1 overall pick by Washington.



There were a few notable veteran free agents entering 1887, most notably three-time all-star 1B Cap Anson. He spent his first two years in Washington, then was traded for 1886 to the Philadelphia Athletics. For 1887, Anson signed a four-year, $103,200 deal with the defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox.



Another three-time all-star and a three-time Silver Slugger winner was 3B/1B Jim O’Rourke. The 36-year old known as “Orator Jim” had spent his first three seasons in Detroit. He was signed by the St. Louis Browns at three years and $60,200. Also of note, 34-year old LF Charley Jones formerly of New Orleans signed a four-year, $63,600 deal with the A’s. Former Pelicans and Tigers catcher Billy Taylor joined Baltimore at two years and $8,560.

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Below are the top-rated batters in professional baseball entering the 1887 season. The biggest overall contract belongs to Minnesota C Emil Gross, who signed an eight-year, $172,000 extension the prior summer. The highest single-year salary is Milwaukee RF Paul Hines, due to make $26,600 in 1887.



Below are the top-rated pitchers entering 1887. The top contracts for pitchers are two-way guys, notably Brooklyn’s Bob Caruthers at $160,600 over six years and Boston’s Charlie Ferguson at $146,600 in seven years.

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The big stunner in April in the American League was three-time AL West champ Chicago struggling to 9-16, last in the division. Milwaukee at 17-8 leads the way but Kansas City (16-9), Minnesota (15-10) and St. Louis (13-12) are each close behind. The Royals notably were last place the prior year at 66-96, but have started strong in 1887. Over in the AL East, Philadelphia holds the top spot at 15-10. Defending World Series champ Boston is tied with New York at 13-12 and Baltimore is 12-13. In injury notes, 1885 ERA champ Charlie Buffinton with Minnesota will miss May with a strained shoulder.

Cincinnati had the National League’s worst record in 1886 at 65-97, but through 1887’s first month, they have the best record in the majors at 18-7. Indianapolis is second in the NL West at 16-9 with St. Louis 14-12 and Louisville 13-12. In the NL East, defending champ Boston sits first at 15-10, followed by Philadelphia (14-11), Pittsburgh (14-11), and Brooklyn (13-12).

Red Sox RF Sam Thompson was the AL Batter of the Month with a .347 average, 33 hits, 5 home runs, 21 RBI, and 23 runs. Braves LF Mike Tiernan took the NL’s honor with a .470 average, 10 homers, 32 RBI, and 24 runs. Milwaukee’s Lady Baldwin won the AL’s Pitcher of the Month with an 0.96 ERA in 3.72 innings with 28 strikeouts and a 5-1 record. Boston’s Gus Krock, a second round pick, won the NL’s Pitcher and Rookie of the Month honors with an 0.83 ERA in 54 innings, 5-1 record, and 28 Ks. The Brewers’ Red Ehret was the AL’s top rookie with a 3.12 ERA over 43.1 innings and 25 Ks.

Louisville’s Jimmy Ryan (facing Cincinnati) and St. Louis’s Ed Daily (facing New Orleans) both hit for the cycle in April. Detroit’s Lee Viau had a 15 strikeout game over 11 innings facing the Browns. Buffalo’s Clarence Cross and New York’s Dan Brouthers both carried hitting streaks into 1887. Brouthers’ ended at 24 games and Cross’s at 20. The Giants star’s 24-game streak was the second-longest in MLB history thus far.

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Through May, Milwaukee has Major League Baseball’s best record at 35-18 atop the American League West. Kansas City kept pace with them at 32-21, but both have pulled away from the field. Reigning division champ Chicago rebounded from their abysmal April, getting back to .500 at 26-26. In the AL East, New York holds the top spot at 30-22 ahead of Boston (29-24), Baltimore (28-25), and Philadelphia (27-26).

White Sox RF Dennis Casey was AL Batter of the Month with a .424 average, 7 home runs, 19 RBI, 24 runs, and .510 OBP. Baltimore’s Guy Hecker was the Pitcher of the Month with a 1.57 ERA and 5-1 record in six starts, striking out 26 over 56.2 innings. Detroit’s Lee Viau was Rookie of the Month with a 5-1 record, 2.38 ERA, and 30 Ks in 56.2 innings.

In bad news for the Red Sox, rookie pitcher Bill Sowders went down with bone chips in his elbow, likely ending his season. He was the #26 overall pick in the most recent draft.

Indianapolis moved into first in the National League West at 33-20, one game ahead of 32-21 Cincinnati. St. Louis is third at 30-23 and Louisville is 28-25. In the NL East, Boston has the biggest league of any team with the 32-21 Braves five games ahead of Pittsburgh. The rest of the division had forgettable Mays with the Pirates 27-26, Philadelphia and Buffalo 26-27, and Brooklyn down to 23-30. Despite the efforts of perennial MVP candidate Dan Brouthers, the New York Giants have MLB’s worst record at 14-39.

NL Batter of the Month was Louisville RF Jimmy Ryan with a .402 average, 9 home runs, 24 RBI, and 29 runs. Indianapolis had Pitcher of the Month Hardie Henderson with a 2.08 ERA over 47.2 innings with 42 strikeouts. Buffalo pitcher George Proeser, a sixth round pick, was Rookie of the Month with a 2.68 ERA and 19 Ks over 47 innings. In other notes, Pittsburgh CF Jim McTamany had a 21-game hitting streak snapped on May 3.

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At the 1887 all-star break, New York has the American League’s best record at 50-32 atop the AL East Division. The Yankees went 20-10 since the start of June, but the defending World Series champ Red Sox matched their pace. Boston at 49-34 is 1.5 games back with Baltimore a distant third at 43-40. Philadelphia, who led the division through April, has fallen to 37-46. The Athletics have gone 10-20 since the start of June.

Both Milwaukee and Kansas City remain atop the AL West, although both have been around .500 over the last month. The Brewers hold first at 50-33 with the Royals at 48-35. Minnesota is third at 43-40 with St. Louis 41-42. Chicago is 40-42, putting their odds of a fourth consecutive division title increasingly lower.

AL Batter of the Month was Yankees 2B Fred Pfeffer, who hit .347 with 10 home runs, 39 RBI, and 19 runs. Boston’s Bill George was both Pitcher of the Month and Rookie of the Month. The second-round pick in June had a 2.16 ERA over 50 innings with 40 strikeouts. In injury news, Twins rookie pitcher Ed Beatin is out for the year with a torn labrum. Their second round draft pick had a 3.19 ERA this year over 143.2 innings.

The Boston Braves have the best record in Major League Baseball at the break (52-31) and the best run differential (+138). They’re six games ahead of 46-37 Buffalo, while the rest of the division is below .500. St. Louis was 21-9 since the start of June, allowing them to move into a tie for first with Indianapolis at 51-32 in the NL West. Cincinnati at 47-36 remains in the mix, but lost some ground going into the break.

Braves LF Mike Tiernan is having a mammoth year and if the season ended today, would have a Triple Crown for all of MLB with a .394 average, 32 home runs, and 86 RBI. He’s also the WARlord at 5.9. Tiernan was June’s NL Batter of the Month with a .354 average, 12 homers, 27 RBI, and 16 runs. The top pitcher was St. Louis’s Charley Radbourn with a 2.44 ERA, 55.1 innings, 27 strikeouts, and 5-0 record. Boston’s Gus Krock was Rookie of the Month with a 3.33 ERA and 34 Ks over 46 innings and a 5-0 record. Krock’s 2.23 ERA is the best qualifying mark in the majors at the break.



In bad news for an already struggling New Orleans squad, their first round pick Ben Sanders suffered a torn flexor tendon. His injury has a 13 month recovery time with hopes of a summer 1888 return. Buffalo’s Fred Carroll hit for the cycle facing Cincinnati on June 16.

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Below are the rosters for the 1887 MLB All-Star Game. In the Home Run Challenge, Louisville’s Jimmy Ryan won 16-7 in the final round over St. Louis’s Hugh Duffy. Duffy was also the runner-up the prior year. The American League defeated the National League 10-7, giving the AL four straight victories in the first four All-Star Games. Baltimore LF Pete Browning was MVP, going 3-3 with two RBI and a run.

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The New York Yankees were an abysmal 8-15 for the rest of July after the All-Star Break, going from the American League’s best record to 5.5 games back in the East Division. Defending champ Boston went 15-8 to close the month, taking the lead at 64-42. Baltimore was 16-7 for the rest of July, which vaulted them up to second at 59-47. Meanwhile, Milwaukee (63-43) and Kansas City (60-46) remained mostly even the battle for the AL West.

AL Batter of the Month and the Rookie of the Month was Baltimore RF Bug Holliday, the #6 pick from the 1886 draft. In July, he had a .433 average, 15 home runs, 38 RBI, and 33 runs. St. Louis had the Pitcher of the Month Bob Black with a 6-1 record, 2.21 ERA, and 47 strikeouts over 57 innings. In bad news of the Yankees, ace Bert Door is out a month with a hamstring strain.

St. Louis has the best record in the majors and leads the National League West at 66-40. The Cardinals have gone 15-8 since the break and now hold a five-game lead over Indianapolis at 61-45 after the Clowns went 10-13. Cincinnati at 60-46 sits six games back. Reigning NL champ Boston maintains a five-game NL East lead at 64-42 ahead of 59-47 Buffalo. Pittsburgh went 14-9 the rest of July to get back above .500, but their 54-52 is still ten games out of first.

Despite New York’s struggles at 38-68, 1B Dan Brouthers was NL Batter of the Month with a .418 average, 8 home runs, 25 RBI, and 27 runs. Boston’s Ed Morris was Pitcher of the Month with a 5-1 record, 0.69 ERA, and 32 Ks in 39 innings. Chicago 1B Jake Beckley was Rookie of the Month, as the #11 draft pick hit .468 with 44 hits, 5 homers, 22 runs, and 20 RBI.

Braves LF Mike Tiernan, who was a Triple Crown leader at the all-star break, got bad news with a fractured hand on July 30 against Buffalo. He’s expected to be out at least six weeks, but Boston is optimistic to have him back before the regular season’s end. Still, it is a big blow for the leading MVP candidate.

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Boston’s road to a fourth straight American League East title continued in August, finishing the month with MLB’s best record at 83-51. Baltimore mostly kept pace, but at 77-57 still has to make up six games. New York’s collapse continues as they’re now 11 back at 72-62; a far cry from having the lead at the all-star break. Philadelphia is also struggling hard at 58-76, almost certainly to post their first-ever losing season.

In the AL West, Kansas City has taken the lead away from Milwaukee. The Royals were 12-4 since September 15, including taking three of four over the Brewers; all by shutouts. In the same stretch, Milwaukee was 7-9. KC sits first at 77-57 with Milwaukee at 74-60. St. Louis (69-65) and Chicago (68-66) aren’t out yet, but are hanging on by a thread.

Two-time defending AL MVP Denny Lyons was August’s Batter of the Month despite a weak run by the Brewers overall. He hit .387 with 36 hits, 5 home runs, 17 RBI, and 23 runs. Baltimore’s Guy Hecker was Pitcher of the Month with a 5-1 record, 2.06 ERA, and 32 strikeouts in 52.1 innings. Athletics’ first rounder Jesse Duryea was Rookie of the Month with a 5-1 record, 2.05 ERA, and 31 Ks over 48.1 innings.

Orioles rookie Bug Holliday has the overall attention as he leads the majors with 45 home runs, potentially challenging the record 52 set last year by the Browns’ Hugh Duffy. At the month ended, Red Sox RF Sam Thompson was riding a 23-game hitting streak.

With the injury to MVP candidate Mike Tiernan for all of August, Boston squandered their lead in the National League East Division. The Braves were 13-15 for August, while Buffalo was an outstanding 21-7. The Bisons have moved into first at 80-54 with Boston three back at 77-57 and Pittsburgh nine away at 71-63. In the NL West, St. Louis maintained their lead at 81-53, four ahead of 77-57 Indianapolis. Cincinnati, who was only six back entering the month, are now 12 away at 69-65.

Batter of the Month for the NL was Brooklyn’s Bob Caruthers with a .364 average, .471 OBP, 36 hits, 4 home runs, 19 RBI, and 23 runs. Buffalo’s George Proeser was the Pitcher and Rookie of the Month. A sixth round selection, Proeser in August saw a 5-0 record, 2.76 ERA, 49 innings, and 33 strikeouts. In other notables, Cincinnati 3B Dude Esterbrook had a six-hit game against Boston; the only six-hit game so far in 1887. Giants CF Walt Wilmot hit for the cycle against Buffalo.

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The defending World Series champion Boston Red Sox made it 4/4 in American League East Division titles. They held firm through September and posted MLB’s best record at 99-63, beating out Baltimore (92-70) and New York (89-73) for the division. Boston was MLB’s top scoring team with 949 runs and had the best run differential by a healthy margin at +232. This was also the best run differential thus far in MLB history.

For the Orioles, this was a new franchise-best. The Yankees have been above .500 all four years, but have nothing to show for it. It was the Athletics’ first-ever losing season at 75-87. Washington at 54-108 also notably had the worst record in MLB history.

Meanwhile in the NL West, Kansas City’s dream season had a rough collapse. The Royals had been 66-96 the prior year and entered September with a three-game lead in the West. However, KC was 7-21 to end the season, including a mid-September stretch where they went 1-11. The Royals dropped to 84-78, finishing third.

This opened the door for Milwaukee to take the top spot at 91-71, earning their first-ever division title. Chicago’s bid for a fourth straight division title was too little, too late after going 40-42 in the first half. However, a solid finish put the White Sox second at 86-76. The Browns ended up fourth at 80-82. The Brewers allowed 657 runs with a 3.51 team ERA; both the best in the AL.

The AL Batter of the Month for September was CF Jim Fogarty, who hit .404 with 4 home runs, 13 RBI, 29 runs, and a .508 OBP. White Sox ace Tony Mullane was Pitcher of the Month with a 6-0 record, 2.72 ERA, and 26 strikeouts in 59.2 innings. Yankees SP Bert Cunningham was Rookie of the Month with a 2.40 ERA in 41.1 innings, 4-2 record, and 29 strikeouts.



Boston Sam Thompson had a 27-game hitting snapped on September 7 against Philadelphia. This ranks as the second-longest in MLB so far, behind Billy Taylor’s 29 from 1884. Orioles rookie RF Bug Holliday notably hit 51 home runs, falling one short of Hugh Duffy’s record from the prior year. Duffy won the batting title for 1887 at .334. Those three, along with the reigning winner Denny Lyons are the top Most Valuable Player candidates in the AL.

For Pitcher of the Year, Baltimore’s Guy Hecker is likely the favorite as the leader in wins (24-10) and WAR (7.9). Detroit rookie Lee Viau won the ERA title (2.58) and Cleveland’s George Van Haltren led in strikeouts with 231. Van Haltren also set bad records for losses (26) and home runs allowed (39). Washington’s Ed Dugan also set a new bad record with 357 hits allowed.

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St. Louis was able to grow its National League West Division lead over Indianapolis in early September, giving them the cushion to withstand being swept by the Clowns in their final four games. Despite that ugly finish, the 95-67 Cardinals had the NL’s best record, besting 92-70 Indy. The Clowns had the best run differential (+160) and most runs (904) despite being the runner-up. Their run mark was a new NL team record, while the Cardinals set a record for doubles (331). Indy also set a new MLB attendance record of 476,199.

St. Louis is the first NL team to earn repeat playoff trips. Indianapolis posted a third consecutive 90+ win season. Cincinnati was third at 83-79, rebounding from their terrible 65-win 1886. New Orleans notably collapsed after going 87-75 the prior year, as their 59-103 for 1887 was a new NL all-time worst record.

Buffalo held onto their NL East lead over defending champ Boston as the Braves were still without Mike Tiernan until the middle of the month. Buffalo was only 14-15 from September on, but the Braves only gained one game on them. They met in the final series at Buffalo and split four games. The Bisons claimed first at 93-69 with Boston at 91-71, successfully erasing a six-game hole from the all-star break. It was the second division title for Buffalo, who did it in 1884.

Pittsburgh notably made a late charge, ending three games back at 90-72. The Pirates were 50-29 after the all-star break and were 18-9 in September, but the hole was ultimately too great. Pittsburgh’s 602 runs allowed were the fewest in the majors and NL history, helping them to their first winning season. The Pirates also set the MLB records for pitching strikeouts (1088) and stolen bases (536).



New York 1B Dan Brouthers was NL Batter of the Month with a .441 average, 6 home runs, 27 RBI, 27 runs, and .509 OBP. Boston’s Jim Devlin was the Pitcher of the Month with a 1.86 ERA, 5-1 record, and 39 Ks in 58 innings. The Giants also had the Rookie of the Month CF Walt Wilmot, who hit .326 with 8 homers and 32 RBI. September also had a cycle by Buffalo’s Clarence Cross against Cincinnati; one of two cycles for the season. 1887 did notably end without a single no-hitter, which also happened in 1884.

Cubs 1B Jake Beckler at .392 narrowly beat out Brouthers’ .391 for the batting title. Despite NYG’s mediocrity, Big Dan is a favorite for another MVP as he led in OPS (1.135), WAR (9.7), hits (234), RBI (144), and runs (129). The Cardinals had a pitching Triple Crown as a team, but three different guys led between ERA (Ed Daily, 2.39), wins (Charley Radbourn, 23) and Ks (Frank Gilmore, 249).

Chicago rookie Herman Long stole 89 bases for a new single-season record. Cubs closer Billy O’Brien also set new records for saves (34) and appearances (58). Pittsburgh’s Adonis Terry also set new records for innings pitched (325) and complete games (33). Terry led NL pitchers in WAR and is also in the mix with a crowded Pitcher of the Year race.

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Defending World Series champ Boston was in their fourth consecutive American League Championship Series, while Milwaukee was making their first appearance. It was the top-scoring Red Sox (949 runs) facing the Brewers with the fewest allowed (657) in the AL. Boston won the season series 6-3 over Milwaukee.

Game one went extra innings with a 1-1 score after regulation. In the top of the 11th with two outs, the Brewers’ Tip O’Neill got a double. After an intentional walk to set up forces, Bill Boyd tripled to score O’Neill and Buck Ewing. Paul Hines then doubled to give Milwaukee the 4-1 lead, which held for the road upset. Lady Baldwin tossed all 11 innings in the Brewers win, scattering eight hits and two walks with seven strikeouts.



Milwaukee was up 4-2 after the fourth inning, with the Red Sox tying it in the fifth. Boston got solo spots in the sixth and seventh and held on for a 6-4 win. Charlie Ferguson tossed the complete game win with only one earned run allowed, eight hits, and four Ks.



Boston took the series lead with a 5-2 road win in game three. They scored four in the sixth inning which included a two-RBI double by Sam Thompson. Larry McKeon gave up seven hits with five strikeouts in his complete game win.



The Red Sox exploded for a 14-4 win in game four, putting them on the cusp of repeat pennants. Eight of the nine Boston starters scored a run with Ezra Sutton getting a homer and two singles, three runs, and three RBI.



Boston opened game five up 5-0 after the second inning. Milwaukee got four back, but the Red Sox held on 6-4 to conclude the series on the road in five games. Sutton won series MVP at age 38, going 8-21 with 8 hits, 2 homers, and 9 RBI. Ferguson had another complete game win in game five and had a 1.50 ERA for the series.

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St. Louis was making repeat National League Championship Series trips, having been defeated last year by Boston. This was Buffalo’s second trip, as they were the 1884 runner-up against Chicago. The Cardinals narrowly won the season series over the Bisons 5-4.

In game one, St. Louis opened with a 5-1 home win despite both teams getting four hits. Charley Radbourn was the winning pitcher with seven strikeouts and two walks over his complete game win.



The Cardinals out-dueled Buffalo 4-2 in game two, starting the series up 2-0 with home wins. Ed Daily’s complete game win saw only three hits and two runs allowed with three walks and four strikeouts.



St. Louis made it a 3-0 series lead with a 5-4 road win over Buffalo. The big moment was a four-run sixth inning, which had a bases clearing double by Bill White. The Bisons tried to rally and got a two-run homer by Jumbo Davis, but couldn’t get any baserunners after that.



The Cardinals were primed for a sweep, leading game four 10-4 after the fifth inning. Buffalo exploded with a six-run sixth inning, then went ahead with two in the eighth to take a 12-10 win. 3B Tom Burns was 3-3 with 4 RBI and 2 runs.



Game five was tied 4-4 after the fifth inning and it stayed there into extras. In the top of the 11th, Ed Daily smacked a three-run home run to put St. Louis ahead. Buffalo’s Jackie Hayes had a solo homer to start the bottom half, but that’s all they could muster. The Cardinals won 7-5 to take the series on the road in five games, earning their first-ever pennant.



Daily was 3-6 with a homer, double, and 4 RBI in game five and was the winning pitcher, tossing all 11 innings with only two earned runs allowed. He was the series MVP with a 1.80 ERA over 20 innings on the mound.

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The fourth World Series had the Boston Red Sox hoping to become the first-ever repeat MLB champion, having beaten the Boston Braves the prior year. St. Louis was making their first-ever appearance. In game one, the Red Sox offense exploded for a 14-4 home win. DH Sam Thompson tied the playoff record with four runs, going 3-5 with a homer and three RBI.



The Red Sox bats didn’t slow down at all and they got great pitching in a 10-0 blowout for game two. CF Chicken Wolf set a playoff record with 7 RBI, getting a homer, triple, and single with three runs scored. Cap Anson tied the runs scored mark with his own four on two doubles and a single. While Boston pitcher Larry McKeon didn’t need to be great, he tossed a five-hit shutout with seven strikeouts and two walks.



The series shifted to St. Louis’s Robison Field for game three and the Cardinals unloaded their frustrations in a 10-2 win. Charley Radbourn was 3-3 with 3 RBI and 2 runs. Ed Daily had the complete game on the mound, allowing eight hits with six strikeouts.



Game four was a pitcher’s duel which was 2-2 after regulation. The Cardinals needed two hits and a single to score in the ninth and force extras. In the 11th, Pete Hotaling led off with a double for Boston and was knocked in by Ezra Sutton’s RBI single. The 3-2 win in 11 innings put the Red Sox ahead 3-1, one win away from the first-ever repeat.



St. Louis forced the series back to Boston by winning game five 6-4. The Cardinals were up 5-0 after the fourth inning and held on from there. Gid Gardner was 3-5 with a triple and 4 RBI.



Back at the Huntington Avenue Grounds, St. Louis earned their first road win of the series with a 5-3 game six win. Five hits and three runs gave the Cardinals a three-run third inning and they never surrendered the lead. With that, all four World Series matchups so far have needed all seven games.

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Game seven of the 1887 World Series was Tuesday, October 18 on a cloudy and breezy 58 degree afternoon in Boston. The Red Sox offense got to Cardinals starter Ed Daily, forcing him from the game with six runs against him through 4.2 innings. After five, Boston held the 6-1 lead. St. Louis tried to rally, getting two runs in the eighth inning on a trio of doubles. In the ninth, Gid Gardner got a one-out triple and later scored on a wild pitch. But he was the last baserunner of the game. The Red Sox held on 6-4, becoming the first repeat World Series champion.



Charlie Ferguson had a complete game on the mound, scattering nine hits and five walks with six strikeouts. Cap Anson was the game’s hero, going 3-3 with a homer, double, 3 runs, and 2 RBI. The 35-year old 1B proved to be a critical free agent signing by Boston. Anson was the series MVP, going 13-27 with 2 homers and 5 RBI. He scored 16 runs across the postseason, a new record. Also setting playoff records for Boston were Ezra Sutton with 16 RBI and Sam Thompson with 7 doubles. The Red Sox Doggie Miller and Cardinal Curt Welch both set playoff records with 7 stolen bases.

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Boston two-way star Charlie Ferguson won his second American League Most Valuable Player award, having also taken the honor in 1884. The 24-year old Red Sox star also won his first Pitcher of the Year award. For MVP, he earned all but one of the 24 first place votes. POTY was close as he had 14 first place votes, while Baltimore’s Guy Hecker had ten. The 31-year old Hecker notably was the leader in wins (24-10), innings (305.1), and pitching WAR (7.9) posting a 2.92 ERA with 153 strikeouts.

On the mound, Ferguson had a 21-9 record, 2.81 ERA, 281.2 innings, 160 strikeouts, 82 walks, 165 ERA+, 71 FIP-, and 7.0 WAR. He also made 96 starts in right field and at the plate had 131 games with 154 hits, 116 runs, 26 doubles, 12 home runs, 59 RBI, 94 walks, 52 stolen bases, .298/.408/.422 slash, 137 wRC+, and 5.2 WAR. He’s under contract through 1893, his age 30 season, meaning the defending champs are likely to continue to contend.

New York 1B Dan Brouthers also became a two-time National League MVP, having also done it in 1885. Big Dan wasn’t as dominant as that historic season, but he was still a beast despite the Giants’ general mediocrity. The 29-year old won unanimously and led in hits (234), runs (129), RBI (144), total bases (407), OBP (.455), slugging (.679), OPS (1.135), wRC+ (204), and WAR (9.6). Brouthers added 56 doubles, 33 home runs, 64 stolen bases, and a .391 average. Big Dan has led in OPS all four seasons and currently has an absurd 1.128 career OPS along with 199 wRC+ and 36.4 WAR.

NL Pitcher of the Year was St. Louis’s Ed Daily with 18 first place votes. Boston rookie Gus Krock was second with four place votes, yet surprisingly wasn’t the Rookie of the Year winner. Pittsburgh’s Adonis Terry had two first place votes for POTY, but was fifth in points.

The 24-year old Daily won the ERA title (2.39) and had a 21-8 record, 256.1 innings, 133 strikeouts, 68 walks, 175 ERA+, 78 FIP-, and 6.4 WAR. He’s also a two-year guy, although he had a mere 94 wRC+ and 0.6 WAR over 126 games playing LF. Daily is under contract with the Cardinals through 1890, having signed a four-year, $37,880 extension after the 1886 season.

AL Rookie of the Year was Baltimore’s Bug Holliday, the MVP runner-up. The #6 overall pick was the home run leader (51) and led in slugging (.655), OPS (1.046), and wRC+ (180). He also had 6.8 WAR, 161 hits, 112 runs, and 131 RBI. The NL’s winner was Chicago 1B Jake Beckley with 18 first place votes, while Philadelphia RF Charlie Duffee and Braves SP Gus Krock got three apiece. The 11th draft pick, Beckley won the batting title at .392 and had 181 hits, 81 runs, 33 doubles, 18 homers, 96 RBI, 1.039 OPS, and 6.0 WAR.

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Below are the other award winners from 1887.



Red Sox skipper John McKelvey won AL Manager of the Year for the third consecutive season. The Cardinals’ James McDermott repeated as the NL’s winner. Billy O’Brien won NL Reliever of the Year for the fourth straight year.

In the American League, Orioles LF Pete Browning and Red Sox DH Sam Thompson both have gone 4/4 in winning Silver Sluggers. Brewers 1B Denny Lyons and Cleveland SS Jack Glasscock won his third. In the NL, becoming three-time Slugger winners was Giants 1B Dan Brouthers, Braves LF Mike Tiernan, and Colonels RF Jimmy Ryan.

The White Sox Tony Mullane is the first with five Gold Gloves, winning thrice as a pitcher and twice in left field. His teammate Germany Smith won a fourth straight at SS. Athletics catcher John Kerins and Royals 2B Danny Richardson became three-time Gold Glovers. In the NL, Cincinnati’s Frank Olin won his fourth Gold Glove in LF. Cardinals 1B Roger Connor and New Orleans’ 3B Billy Shindle won their third.

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After a massive draft group in 1886, there was a small group in 1887 that only justified four rounds. The #1 overall pick was Washington’s and went to SP/1B Scott Stratton. Below are the top 50 picks from the group. Notably, #2 pick Clark Griffith opted not to sign with New Orleans, instead opting for a college career.



In offseason moves, three-time Silver Slugger SS Jack Glasscock was traded to the Boston Braves for four prospects. Glasscock is 30-years old and due free agency next year, so it is uncertain if the Braves will re-sign him or if he’ll be a rental. Another notable swap saw the White Sox sending veteran SP Joe Blong to Kansas City for LF Jim Manning and P Clarence Stephens.



Below are the top free agent signings for 1887-88.