July 28, 1875: The first professional no-hitter: Joe Borden

Professional baseball in the 19th century produced many notable…

August 4, 1875: Boston Red Stockings get the best of Joe Borden

“The Chicagoes were not, as aforesaid, able to make a clean…

April 22, 1876: A new age begins with inaugural National League game

It is perhaps fitting that the National League played its first…

June 14, 1876: George Hall gets five hits, but is it a cycle?

The first official cycle in the major leagues was accomplished…

July 15, 1876: Wearin’ of the ‘Grin’: George Bradley’s no-hitter

1876 St. Louis Brown Stockings. 1 - Joe Blong, 2 - George Bradley,…

May 1, 1877: The double shutout

“The Grandest Game ever played,” Henry Chadwick called it.…

August 20, 1877: Gray outcomes for ‘Louisville Four’

Baseball’s difficulties with gambling have a long if not distinguished…

May 8, 1878: Three in one? Paul Hines’ unassisted triple play

The baseball game played on May 8, 1878, between Providence…
John "Bud" Fowler, SABR's 2020 Overlooked 19th Century Legend who was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2022 (NATIONAL BASEBALL HALL OF FAME LIBRARY)

May 17, 1878: Bud Fowler becomes the first Black player in Organized Baseball

Professional baseball leagues began in 1871 with the founding…

September 14, 1878: Farewell to old-style ball

On September 14, 1878, more than 3,000 screaming supporters shoved…

June 2, 1879: Lee Richmond’s no-hit debut

When the National Association’s last place Worcester club…

June 12, 1880: Baseball perfection by Lee Richmond

“The most wonderful game on record.”1 That’s how contemporary…

June 17, 1880: Perfection revisited by John Ward

Two perfect games within a week defies all odds.1 But that is…

August 19, 1880: Larry Corcoran throws first career no-hitter

“The Reds were woefully weak with the willow, not being able…

September 2, 1880: Night baseball at Nantasket Beach

Today many major league baseball games are played under artificial…

September 29, 1880: Metropolitan club opens new Polo Grounds with a win

The first professional baseball game played in Manhattan took…

June 25, 1881: George Gore’s theft spree

The Chicago White Stockings were the most powerful team in the…

June 26, 1881: Mullane vs. Reccius for 18 innings

For sheer head-to-head doggedness, few pitching matchups in baseball…

September 10, 1881: Roger Connor’s ‘ultimate’ grand slam

Nearly half a century before baseball borrowed the expression…

May 2, 1882: The Beer and Whiskey League: Day One

The inaugural American Association season opened on May 2, 1882,…

May 10, 1882: Pittsburgh hosts its first major-league game

The charter Allegheny club of the fledgling American Association…