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10 unusual facts about 1883 in baseball


1883 Providence Grays season

The Providence Grays finished the 1883 season in third place after a hard-fought four-way battle for the National League pennant.

1883 St. Louis Browns season

The St. Louis Browns 1883 season was the team's 2nd season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 2nd season in the American Association.

Abraham G. Mills

Abraham Gilbert Mills (March 12, 1844 – August 26, 1929) was the fourth president of the National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs (1883-1884), and is best known for heading the "Mills Commission" which controversially credited Civil War General Abner Doubleday with the invention of baseball.

Billy Barnie

In 1883 he became manager of the Baltimore Orioles of the American Association; he appeared as a backup catcher that season, and also played two games in 1886, but otherwise did not take the field.

Jack Burdock

In 1883 Burdock began the season as manager; but after beginning the season 30-24, he was replaced by first baseman John Morrill – who had also been his predecessor in the job – and the team went on to capture the National League pennant.

Jack Gleason

He then played in the American Association for the St. Louis Browns in 1882 and the beginning of 1883 and the Louisville Eclipse for the majority of 1883.

Jefferson Street Grounds

Later it was home to the American Association Athletics beginning 1883, moving in from Oakdale Park, until 1890.

John Morrill

In an incredible season in 1883, he batted .316, played six different positions, and led the Boston Beaneaters to the National League pennant after taking over as manager from Jack Burdock in midseason.

Tom Loftus

His playing career began in 1877 with the St. Louis Brown Stockings of the National League, but he only played in nine career games in 1877 and 1883 as an outfielder.

Wilmington Quicksteps

In 1883, the Inter-State Association of Professional Baseball Clubs was founded and local capital was invested for a franchise in Wilmington.