There were three developments of note in 1884: One that would not be seen again, one that would not be seen in more than six decades, and one that would eventually grow into the game's most recognizable feature.
Charles "Hoss Radbourn" authored the unprecedented achievements, winning 59 games for Providence's National League champions. Working virtually every day, he started 73 games, hurled 629 innings, and compiled an earned run average of 0.99. No wonder that Providence rolled to a marvelous 84-28 record. Considering that the greatest number of wins in one season in the 20th century is 41, and considering that the high since 1935 is 31, it seems safe to predict that Radbourn's records of that season will never be approached.
Integration almost came to baseball in 1884. That was the season that Moses "Fleet" Walker, a black catcher, played for Toledo of the American Association. Walker caught in 42 games, batting .263. But race prejudice was strong in the post-Reconstruction years; Walker left the game and baseball erected an invisible "color barrier" that was not lowered until the 1940s.
1884 was also the year of the first "World Series," although it wasn't recognized as such at the time. New York, champions of the American Association, challenged Radbourn'e Providence club to "a series of games for the championship of the United States and $1,000 a side," the format to be best of five. It was no contest: Radbourne shut out the New Yorkers 6-0 in the firstgame, and beat them 3-1 and 12-2 in the other two.
The National League reduces the number of balls needed for a walk from 7 to 6, and requires that teams be given separate benches to reduce fraternization.
Chicago's Ed Williamson hits three home runs on Memorial Day, and pounds 27 home runs for the season, 25 of them at his home Lake Park, where the fence is a mere 180 feet from home plate. It remained the single season record until broken by Babe Ruth.
IN THE WORLD
Standard Time is established in the United States March 13.