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1872 Boston Red Stockings - Set of 4

If you are a fan of baseball history, you might be interested in learning more about the 1872 Boston Red Stockings season. The Boston Red Stockings were one of the founding members of the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players (NA), the first professional baseball league in America. They were also the successors of the famous Cincinnati Red Stockings, who went undefeated in 1869 and 1870. The Boston team inherited most of the Cincinnati players, including the Wright brothers, Harry and George, who were the manager and the shortstop, respectively.

The 1872 season was the second season of the Boston franchise and the second season of the NA. The Boston team dominated the league, winning 39 games and losing only 8, with one tie. They finished 7.5 games ahead of their closest rivals, the Baltimore Canaries.

  • The Boston team was led by their star pitcher, Albert Spalding, who started all 48 games and won 38 of them, leading the league in wins and strikeouts.
  • Spalding also played first base when he was not pitching, and batted .351 with one home run and 47 runs batted in.

The Boston team also had a potent offense, scoring 521 runs in 48 games, an average of 10.85 runs per game. They had four players who batted over .300, led by second baseman Ross Barnes, who won the league batting title with a .430 average. Barnes also hit the first home run in NA history on May 2, 1872, against the New York Mutuals. The other hitters who batted over .300 were outfielder Andy Leonard (.349), catcher Cal McVey (.321), and George Wright (.337). George Wright also hit two home runs and drove in 35 runs, while playing stellar defense at shortstop.

The Boston team was not only successful on the field, but also popular off the field. They drew large crowds to their home games at the South End Grounds, and also attracted fans on the road.

  • They were praised by the press for their skill, discipline, and sportsmanship.
  • They were also involved in some memorable games, such as a 22-inning marathon against the Baltimore Canaries on August 28, 1872, which ended in a 1-1 tie due to darkness.
  • The Boston team also played an exhibition game against an all-star team of NA players on October 16, 1872, which they won 7-5.

The 1872 Boston Red Stockings season was a remarkable achievement for the young franchise and for professional baseball in general. The Boston team established themselves as the best team in the country and set a high standard for excellence and popularity. They also paved the way for future dynasties in baseball history, such as the New York Yankees and the Atlanta Braves (the current incarnation of the Boston franchise). The 1872 Boston Red Stockings season is a fascinating chapter in baseball history that deserves to be remembered and celebrated.