The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1895-03-31
NATIONAL LEAGUE RECORD.
Condensed History of the Leagu,
Membership and Games Each Year.

Membership and Games Each Year.
The beginning of the baseball season in
April will mark the beginning of the twen-
tieth year of the National League Since
the organization of the League, in 1876
twenty-four cities have held its franchises
| but only two-Boston and Chicago-have
been continuously represented. In 1876 the
League consisted of eight clubs. They were
located at Hartford, Chicago, ST. Louis,
Boston, Louisville, Cincinnati, New York
and Philadelphia. Only 257 games were
played by all the clubs Chicago coming out
in the lead.
In 1877 the League was reduced to six
teams. Philadelphia and New York having
dropped out, and only four of the six
played out their scheduled series. That
year 120 games were played, with Boston
as winner.
In 1878 indianapolis gained place in the
League, taking the place Of Louisville.
Providence took the place of Hartford and
Milwaukee dropped into the place formerly
held by st. Louis still continuing a six
club League Boston again won the pen
nant The number of games was increased
to $50.
In 1879 it was decided to increase the
number of clubs to eight and Troy and
Syracuse, N. Y, secured the new franchises.
Milwaukee and Indianapolis dropped out
and were succeeded by Buffalo and Cleve-
land. Providence after a hard-fought battle
succeeded in winning the pennant, with BoS-
ton close second and Chicago third. The
games played that year were 2SS.
Syracuse found that 1T in too fast
company and dropped out in 1885, and Wor-
cester, Mass, came in for stay OF three
year with Providence second and Cleve
land third. The games increased to 1872.
sp ny wa on made n IS the saeg sbe
place of Cincinnati, which was compelled
to drop out on account of poor support.
Providence second and Buffalo third. Two
more games were played tnan the year
before, the number reaching 334
The leading clubs IN 1882 We're the same as
in the year before with the same number
of games. There. were no changes in the
New York and Philadelphia, who had been
out six years, came into the League again
in 1885, Troy and Worcester dropping out
to make room for them Boston came to
the front again and secured the pennant.
Chicago and Providence finished second and
third. The number of games played was
The next year saw no changes in the
scratch and Buffalo was third,
Cleveland succumbed to st. Louis in 1855.
ished last. While the pennant Went to Chi
were second and third That season 4a3
Providence and Buffalo gave up the strug-
gle in 1886 and Washington and Kansas
City look lle1r places. AnSOnS Colts CAP
tured the flag, with Detroit second and New
York third. The games were 480.
Indianapolis knocked at the door of the
League successfully in 1887 and succeeded
Kansas City. Pittsburg. which was then
member of the American Association. ex-
changed places with st. Louis Detroit
came to the front and carried off the PEN
nant, while Philadelphia took the highest
Chicago third Twelve games were added
to the schedule that year, making the total
In 1883 5S2 games were played. New York
for the first time took the pennant, with
Chicago and Philadelphia second and third.
There was no change IN the League MEM
Detroit dropped out and Cleveland re-
turned in 1889. New York for the last time
won the flag, defeating Boston by a very
small margin. Chicago was third. The
number OF games dropped to 51S.
Indianapolis tired of the game, and in
company with " asnington dropped out in
1890. Brooklyn and Cincinnati filed the
gap. Brooklyn did what was most remark
able. Coming in as a new. club 1t won the
pennant with hardly a struggle, with Chi
cago second and Philadelphia third. Five
hundred and thirty-one games were played.
In 1881 Af5 games were played, with Bus-
ton as the pennant winner. Chicago and
New York finishing named
The next year witnessed the consolidation
Association, making twelve-club league.
The consolidation brought in st. Louis,
Washington, Louisville and Baltimore. all
put the last having been members or the
double season plan was tried, but 1T proved
q failure. boston won in the first division
and Cleveland in the second. In playing for
win. Brooklyn finished third The number
Of games was sos. Since the consolidation
snerS nave been no changes IN the League
played, the clubs finishing sffer / hard
etruggle With Boston III the flrst place ara