Year In Review : 1885 National League
Off the Field…
The Statue of Liberty arrived in New York aboard the French ship ISERE. Later assembled on Ellis Island in New York Harbor, the one-hundred fifty-one foot statue was a gift of international goodwill from the people of France to the people of the United States. She was completed and dedicated on October 28th, 1886 and was designated a National Monument on October 15th, 1924. The Statue was extensively restored in time for her spectacular centennial on July 4th, 1986 and today she is still considered THE universal symbol of political freedom and democracy.
In the National League…
The National League began its season with the founding franchise members including the Boston Beaneaters, Chicago White Stockings, Buffalo Bisons, Detroit Wolverines, New York Giants, Philadelphia Phillies and Providence Grays. After the Union Association folded, the Cleveland Spiders and St. Louis Unions merged into a new National League franchise named the St. Louis Maroons. At the conclusion of the season, the Bison and Grays dropped out and were replaced by the Washington Senators and Kansas City Cowboys.
Spring Training began as Cap Anson and his Chicago White Stockings traveled to Hot Springs, Arkansas to prepare for the upcoming season.
Art Irwin of the Providence Grays developed the first known fielder's glove after padding a buckskin glove to protect his two broken fingers.
In the American Association…
The American Association leading St. Louis Browns and National League champion Chicago White Stockings went head-to-head for six Championship games (winning three each) resulting in a rare tie. Despite the forming of a special committee to determine a winner, both teams were declared champions and split the $1,000 purse - $500 each.
Both the American Association and National League set a maximum pay cap at $2,000 with no bonuses.
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