The Man (1878)

Tommy Bond was the man in 1878. For his second year in a row, he had a 40 win season. Yes, that is right, 40 wins.

He led the league in wins, innings, strikeouts and 57 complete games. He started 59 of the Braves 60 games. All this at a time when pitchers could not raise there arm above waist level. Overhand pitching wouldn't be approved until 1884.

So, Tommy was the man. There was no other.

Interesting demotion (1876)

Joseph Borden could not replace Al Spalding in 1876. The Braves (then known as the Red Stockings) got pretty frustrated with him. How much? So much so they demoted him. Moved him to the bullpin? Nope. Moved him to the bench? Nope.

They made him a groundskeeper. They didn't want him to pitch anymore but needed to get something for what they were paying him. OK, this was the first year of the National League and the rules were a little different. OK, they were a lot different.

Hitless wonders? (1878)

Hitless wonders? Yes, but champions none the less. 1878 continued the amazing success of Harry Wright as the Braves manager. They ended up with a record of 41-19 and finished in first place, four games ahead.

This was an amazing year because the just couldn't hit. The ended up next to last in team batting average (.241) and slugging percentage (.300). They were dead last in on-base percentage at .253. The were last in hits and walks. Of course, for the whole league there were only 23 home runs the whole season. But this was bad compared to the rest.

And yet, they won the championship that year. Amazing!

Dick McBride (1878)

James Dickson "Dick" McBride (June 14, 1847 – October 10, 1916) was from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, and was the star pitcher and the player-manager for the Philadelphia Athletics of the National Association from 1871 through most of the 1875 when Cap Anson took over as player-manager for the remaining eight games of the season.

 In 1864, while serving in the Union Army during the Civil War, he was allowed to take a 3 day furlough to participate in a series of baseball exhibitions between clubs from Brookyln and the local Philadelphia clubs. It was during this time that the north's attention had turned to military defense, not baseball, so Brooklyn strategically scheduled these events hoping to take advantage of the situation to get some well sought after wins in "enemy" territory. The presence of Dick didn't do much, as all Philly teams were beaten soundly.

Dick had a pitching record of 149 wins and 74 losses during that period with the Athletics. McBride finished his major league career the following year, in 1876, when he was signed by the Boston Red Caps (now the Atlanta Braves of the National League when the Association failed. He had a record of 0-4 before his career came to an end. McBride died in Philadelphia at the age of 70, and is interred at Lawnview Cemetery in Rockledge, Pennsylvania.

How they got there (1878)

The Red Stockings (now the Atlanta Braves) were making a showing in Boston. But they were not without rivals in 1878. Providence was just 50 miles away and had just joined the National League. But they were also coming on strong. They finished third to Boston's first place.

So, how to fuel the rivalry? Get special trains to make the 50 mile journey back and forth. It worked in 1878. Instant rivalry and more games for the fans.

Moving your brother around (1878)

Imagine your brother being the manager? Well, Harry Wright managed his brother George for the Boston Red Caps (now known as the Atlanta Braves) in 1878. He decided to move him back to short stop from second base. He moved Ezra Sutton from short to third base. The move paid off, as sometimes they do. George led the league in team fielding at .947 for the only time in his Hall of Fame career.

The Red Stockings led the league in double plays with 48. They also placed second in ERA with 2.32 to Cincinnati. Their move to end up in first was real. It was Harry's third season and he would have his second championship in a row.

And he had his brother with him.