1880
The Cincinnati Stars played their only season in the National League in 1880, replacing the defunct Cincinnati Reds. Off-season acquisition, John Clapp, would manage and play catcher after arriving from Buffalo. Clapp would hit .282 with one home run while driving in 20 in his dual role. Outfielder, Blondie Purcell would contribute offensively with a .292 average, one home run and twenty-four runs batted in. Second baseman, Pop Smith managed to drive in 27 runs to lead the team despite his .207 average. Deacon White switched to the outfield to provide room for Clapp behind the dish and hit .298 for the year.
Righthander, Will White, again carried the load for the pitching staff. White started 62 games for the Stars, posting 18 wins and a league leading 42 losses while allowing a league worst nine home runs. Fellow righty, Blondie Purcell, started 21 games and managed only 3 wins in 20 decisions. Harry Wheeler chimed in with six wins in seven starts.
The Stars would be banished from the league after one season for defying the Blue Laws of the time and renting Bank Street Grounds out for use on Sundays.
1882
The 1882 Red Stockings of Cincinnati won the American Association by 11.5 games over the second place Philadelphia Athletics. Catcher/Manager, Pop Snyder, acquired from the Boston Red Caps would guide the crimson sox in their first year in the A.A.
American Association Champions
Will White, formerly of the National League’s Cincinnati entry, led the A.A. in Wins (40), WAR (11.1), Winning Percentage (.769), Innings Pitched (480) and Shutouts (8) while posting a meager 1.54 ERA.
A. A. Wins Leader (40)
Will White (CIN)
Righthander, Harry McCormick, added 14 wins and fellow righty Harry Wheeler posted a 1-2 record in limited action. Offensively, third baseman, Hick Carpenter posted a .342 average while leading the A.A. in Hits (120) and RBIs (67).
A. A. RBI Leader (67)
Hick Carpenter (CIN)
Outfielder, Joe Sommer, led the league in plate appearances (354) and batted .288. Pop Synder, pulling double duty, hit .291 with one home run and 50 RBIs. On June 2nd, the Red Stockings started a ten-game winning streak propelling them into first place where they would remain the rest of the year. On September 11th, Tony Mullane of the visiting Louisville Eclipse, would no-hit Cincinnati 2-0.
No Hitter:
Tony Mullane (LOU)
vs. Cincinnati Reds (2-0)
1883
The 1883 version of the Red Stockings finished third in the American Association despite winning six more games that their previous campaign. The pitching staff was led again by Will White who posted a league leading 43 wins.
A. A. Wins Leader (43)
Will White (CIN)
White also led the Association in ERA with a miniscule 2.09 for the season while allowing a league high 16 round-trippers.
A. A. ERA Leader (2.09)
Will White (CIN)
Fellow starters Ron Deagle and Harry McCormick pitched admirably with 18 wins combined. Deagle recorded a 2.31 ERA and McCormick 2.87.
Outfielder, Charley Jones hit .294 with 10 home runs while driving in a league high 80 baserunners.
A. A. RBI Leader (80)
Charley Jones (CIN)
First-sacker, John Reilly, led the team in average hitting .311 with 9 home runs and 79 RBIs. Reilly hit for the cycle on September 12th against the visiting Allegheny’s of Pittsburgh.
Cycle:
John Reilly (CIN)
vs. Pittsburgh Alleghenys
Reilly followed his cycle with another a week later against the Philadelphia Athletics.
Cycle:
John Reilly (CIN)
vs. Philadelphia Athletics
The 1883 season would be the final one at Bank Street Grounds for the Red Stockings as they would move to League Park for the 1884 schedule.
1884
The Cincinnati Outlaw Reds would have the third best winning percentage in the lone season of the Union Association, second for teams playing a full schedule. The pitching staff excelled combining for a team ERA of 2.38. Veteran George Bradley won 25 of 40 decisions while striking out 168 batters and posted a 2.71 ERA. Young lefthander Dick Burns went 23-15 with 167 punchouts and a 2.46 ERA. Righthander Jim McCormick shined with a 21-3 record with 161 K’s and a league best 1.54 earned run average.
U. A. ERA Leader (1.54)
Jim McCormick (CIN)
First Baseman, Martin Powell led the team in batting average, hitting .319 for the campaign. Outfielders Bill Hawes and Dick Burns each homered four times apiece for the Outlaw Reds to pace the team. Burns also contributed a league best 12 triples for the Reds.
U. A. Triples Leader (12)
Dick Burns (CIN)
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