The history of baseball is intertwined with the present day game. Anything, even the weakest ground ball from the past, is a foundation for the game we know today. In preparation for Opening Day and beyond, I am taking a look back at the Top 5 greatest individual seasons from each year since 1880. Today's column features the Top 5 statistical seasons from 1881.
No. 5: RHP Old Hoss Radbourn (Providence Grays)
The legend of Old Hoss Radbourn officially began in 1881. Radbourn, who was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Old Timer's Committee in 1939, played 11 seasons of Major League Baseball. He won 309 career games, including a career-high 59 in 1884. 1884 was also the season when Radbourn won the pitching Triple Crown. He led the National League with a 1.38 ERA and 441 strikeouts.
1881 was Radbourn's rookie season in the Major Leagues. The then 26-year old rookie won 25 games for the Providence Grays. He produced a 2.43 ERA in 325.1 innings of work. Radbourn led the league in winning percentage (.694) and was eighth in strikeouts (117). 1881 marked the start of an amazing run for Radbourn, who would go on to become one of the game's greatest pitchers.
No. 4: 1B Joe Start (Providence Grays)
Joe Start was a seasoned MLB veteran by 1881. He started his career ten years prior in 1871 with the New York Mutuals. Start had a great “start” to his MLB career, hitting .360 in his rookie season and leading the league with 33 games played. He would go onto play 16 years in the Major Leagues, retiring as a career .299 hitter with 1417 hits. Start led the National League in hits with the Chicago White Stockings during the 1878 season.
Start had another solid season in 1881, batting .328 in 79 games. He was fourth in the league in hits (114) and second in singles (96). He was considered a leader on the field, especially in such an early era of baseball history.
No. 3: C Jack Rowe (Buffalo Bisons)
Jack Rowe was a solid Major Leaguer for 12 seasons and 1881 was no different. Rowe, who made his Major League debut in 1879 with the Bisons, was a career .286. He played three positions in the pros (Catcher, Shortstop and Outfielder) and was a competitor each and every season. Rowe led the Bisons to a “pre-World Series” (the championship before the official World Series began in 1903) championship in 1887. He hit .333 (21-63) with seven RBI and five stolen bases in the series.
1881 was Rowe's breakout Major League season. He hit .333 and drove in 43 RBI in 64 games. His 11 triples led the National League, something hardly seen from a catcher in today's era of Major League Baseball. Rowe was also third in the NL with a .480 slugging percentage.
No. 2: RHP George Derby (Detroit Wolverines)
The story of George Derby could be compared to any Kentucky Derby; it was short, sweet, fast and we wish it could've lasted longer. Derby was a rookie in 1881. The young right-hander went 29-26, with a 2.20 ERA. He started 55 games for the Wolverines, completing all 55. A statistic like that is unheard of in this era of baseball and should be noted for the accomplishment that it is. Derby also led the National League is strikeouts (212) and complete game shutouts (9) during the 1881 season.
Derby retired after the 1883 season, due to arm problems and lack of money. Despite all the money Major Leaguers make now, it should be noted that Derby only made $1400 during his amazing 1881 season. He finished with a career record of 48-56, with a 3.01 ERA in 964.1 lifetime innings. Derby had the potential to be a great Major League pitcher and his 1881 season should not go unnoticed.
No. 1: 1B Cap Anson (Chicago White Stockings)
Despite being one of the most racist men in Baseball history (maybe second all-time behind Ty Cobb) Adrian Constantine “Cap”Anson was the game's first superstar. He played 27 seasons at the Major League level, winning four batting titles (the first of which came in 1879). Anson was the Major Leagues all-time hits (3,435) and RBI (2,075) leader upon his retirement after the 1897 season. He was inducted into the National Baseball of Fame by the Old Timer's committee in 1939 as a reward for his hard work on the field.
1881 was perhaps Anson's best season in the Major Leagues. The then 29-year old first baseman led the National League with a .399 batting average, 137 hits and 82 RBI in 84 games played. His .442 OBP also led the National League and his .510 slugging percentage was second in the league. Keep in mind, Anson was also the manager of the White Stockings, leading the club to a first place finish at 56-28.
Did I leave anyone off the list? Let us know what you think in the comments' section below!
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