Year In Review : 1882 National League

Off the Field…

Congress adopted the "Chinese Exclusion Act" which prohibited the immigration of Chinese laborers into the United States for ten years. It was the first major restriction on immigration in the U.S. and stated "Whereas, in the opinion of the Government of the United States, the coming of Chinese laborers to this country endangers the good order of certain localities within the territory."

In the National League…

For the first time, teams in the National League were permitted to wear colored uniforms. Although the league would not mandate what colors were used, they later determined all stocking colors for the following season.

The Chicago White Stockings set a Major League record after scoring a 35-4 win over the Cleveland Blues. Outfielder-turned pitcher Dave Rowe surrendered twenty-nine hits (including ten doubles and seven walks) in his only appearance on the mound.

In the American Association…

Ambidextrous Tony Mullane of the Louisville Eclipse pitched right AND left handed during a July 18^th, 9-8 loss to the Baltimore Orioles.

The Cincinnati Red Stockings executed a rare triple play — three times in the season — thanks to pitcher Will White who was on the mound for two of them.

In December, the American Association became the first league to hire full-time umpires.