New York, the nation's largest city, was not even represented in the majors between 1877 and 1883, when both the National League and the rival American Association placed franchises on Manhattan island.
Interestingly, both clubs were owned by the same two men, John B. Day and James Mutrie, who had operated an independent team, the Metropolitans, for several seasons. Most of their players simply transferred to the Association entry, which was managed by Mutrie. Day held the position of president of the National League team, filling its roster largely with players from the defunct Troy club.
The League team was no sensation in that first season, finishing sixth in a field of eight. Even so, several players inherited from Troy went on to rank among the game's greats. One was pitcher Mickey Welch, a 25-game victor in 1883 who accumulated 307 wins prior to his retirement. His catcher, William "Buck" Ewing, led the league in home runs that season and although his total of 10 may not sound like much, it stood as a record at the time. Ewing batted .303 over 18 seasons. First baseman Roger Connor batted .357 in 1883; by the time Connor retired in 1897 he had hit 137 home runs, more than anyone.
Ironically a fourth Troy player, perhaps the best of the lot, signed with New York's Association team. He was pitcher Tim Keefe, who won 41 games for Mutrie that season and 342 before his retirement.
It did not take those four long to establish New York as abaseball power. In 1884, Keefe pitched the Metropolitans to the Association pennant, winning 37 games. The following season he joined Welch, Connor and Ewing on the Giants, and they brought a pennant to Manhattan in 1888. Eventually, all four were enshrined in the Hall of Fame. Just imagine: If the team had not folded, we might all be looking back now on the dynasty that was Troy.
The National League, American Association and Northwestern League formulate the National Agreement Feb. 17. Francis Richter publishes the first issue of Sporting Life, the first newspaper devoted to baseball, April 15.
IN THE WORLD
The Brooklyn Bridge is completed and opened for traffic May 24.