Page:America's National Game (1911).djvu/201

 Washingtons, New Havens, Centennials, Westerns and Atlantics.

It was during this season's play that a remarkable game occurred between the Chicago White Stockings and the Hartford Dark Blues. Billy McLean, the quondam prize fighter, of Philadelphia, acted as umpire. Ten innings had been played without a run being scored on either side, when the Chicagos got in one in their half of the eleventh innings, winning by 1 to 0.

In evidence of the tremendous strides that had been taken in the playing of the game in the few years since contests were characterized by two figures on each side, and occasionally by three figures for the winners, the following record of games won by the Bostons in the contest of 1875 will be in point: Boston vs. St. Louis, 2 to 1; Hartfords, 3 to 1; Mutuals, 4 to 1; Hartfords, 3 to 2; Hartfords, 4 to 0; Hartfords, 4 to 1; Philadelphias, 4 to 3; Centennials, 5 to 0; St. Louis, 5 to 0. On the other hand, Boston was defeated by Chicago in this season's contest 1 to 0; and by the same club a second time by 2 to 0, and by St. Louis by a score of 5 to 3. Here was a demonstration of what professional Base Ball had accomplished in the improvement of the game.

In 1876 eight clubs, representing Chicago, Hartford, St. Louis, Boston, Louisville, New York, Philadelphia and Cincinnati, contested for the championship, and closed the season in the order above printed.

Next year, 1877, only six clubs comprised the circuit, and of these one (Cincinnati) forfeited its membership by non-payments. Boston again took its place as winner,