SABR All-Time Eras Teams announced for 19th Century Era and Deadball Era
MAY 15, 2026 — Throughout the 2026 season, SABR members will have a chance to vote on SABR’s All-Time Eras Teams as we celebrate the 150 years of baseball and American history since the founding of the National League in 1876.
On Wednesday, May 13, SABR revealed the first two teams in a special Zoom webinar, covering the 19th Century Era (1876-1900) and the Deadball Era (1901-1919).
More than 650 SABR members cast a vote on these ballots. The top vote recipients at each position were selected for the first team. Click on a link below to view the players, managers, and executives selected, along with their SABR biographies and statistics from Baseball-Reference.com:
Click here to view the 19th Century Era Team (1876–1900)
- Outfielders: Ed Delahanty, Billy Hamilton, Willie Keeler
- Infielders: Buck Ewing (C), Cap Anson (1B), Bid McPhee (2B), John McGraw (3B), George Davis (SS)
- Pitchers: Cy Young, Kid Nichols, Old Hoss Radbourn, Tim Keefe, Pud Galvin
- Manager: Harry Wright
- Executive: Al Spalding
Click here to view the Deadball Era Team (1901–1919)
- Outfielders: Ty Cobb, Tris Speaker, Joe Jackson
- Infielders: Roger Bresnahan (C), Frank Chance (1B), Nap Lajoie (2B), Home Run Baker (3B), Honus Wagner (SS)
- Pitchers: Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Grover Alexander, Mordecai Brown, Eddie Plank
- Manager: John McGraw
- Executive: Ban Johnson
Before the teams were unveiled, Brian M. Ingrassia of West Texas A&M University delivered a presentation on “Building Trust: Baseball in the Gilded Age and Progressive Era, 1876-1919.” Click here to watch a video recording of Ingrassia’s presentation and the team reveals.
The All-Time Eras Teams project is an interactive opportunity for all SABR members to participate in, debate with one another, and learn more about the iconic players and figures from different eras. Each ballot period will culminate with a virtual Zoom webinar which includes a presentation covering that era of American history prior to the unveiling of the team chosen by our members.
Coming soon
- Voting for the Segregation Era (1920–1946) teams will open on May 29 at SABR.org. All SABR members are eligible to vote in the online ballot. The final team will be revealed in a Zoom webinar on Wednesday, June 24, with a presentation by Seth S. Tannenbaum of Manhattanville University. Click here to pre-register for the Zoom meeting.
Visit SABR.org/all-time-eras-teams to learn more about the project.
Originally published: May 15, 2026. Last Updated: May 14, 2026.