- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Chicago
- Team: White Stockings
- League: National League
William Ashley Sunday (1862-1935) was born into extreme poverty and rose to become a beloved pro player making a handsome salary. In 1891 he gave that all up to pursue Christian ministry, cutting his income by two-thirds. Al Spalding had signed Sunday to his Chicago White Stockings on the recommendation of Cap Anson in 1883. His speed was his greatest asset.
- In ’85 Chicago held an exhibition with Sunday racing the speediest AA player. Billy won easily.
- His integrity and popularity led Anson to name Sunday the team’s business manager
- Sunday was recruited for the Players’ League in 1890, but remained loyal to his employer
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Chicago
- Team: White Stockings
- League: National League
Martin C. Sullivan (1862-1894) played outfield for four teams over five years from 1887-91. His first two seasons were with the Chicago White Stockings where he got into 190 games and even pitched in relief in one. He moved on to the Indianapolis Hoosiers in 1889, spent part of the next two seasons with the Beaneaters before ending his ML tenure with one game for the Cleveland Spiders.
- His lifetime BA is variously reported as .256, .273 and .288 showing the variance in data in that era
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Omaha
- Team: Omahogs
- League: Western Association
Joseph Strauss (1858-1906) was a fixture in minor league outfields from age 25 to 39 and got a a brief turn in the majors with 3 clubs from 1884-86. He entered MLB with the KC Cowboys the year they played in the short-lived Union Association, playing in only 16 games in ’84. The following season proved even slimmer pickings for “Dutch” as he was picked up by the Louisville Colonels in the AA, but appeared in only 2 games. His 1-for-6 performance must have showed them something, however, as Louisville brought Joe back the next year. He got into 74 games & hit .215 in nearly 300 at-bats. Joe’s lot improved a bit late that season when he was purchased by the competing, and stronger, Brooklyn Grays. Brooklyn would go on to a third-place finish. Strauss appeared in 9 games & hit .250 in his final experience in the big leagues. Undeterred by his mediocre showing at the top level, Joe continued his extensive minor-league career that included at least 15 teams, finishing up with Rock Island in the Western Association in 1898.
- Strauss made two relief appearances for the Colonels in ’86, saving one game. The scant data for bullpen achievement in that era records that Joe tied for the AA lead in saves that year with four other hurlers
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: Philadelphia
- Team: Athletics (AA)
- League: American Association
Harry Duffield Stovey (nee Stowe) (1856-1937) was a prolific slugger and base stealer. He was the 1st in MLB to get to 100 HRs, leading the league 5 times. Stovey began his career with the Worcester Ruby Legs in 1880 and retired as a player with the Bridegrooms in ’93. Considered the premier base thief of his era, Stovey was said to have innovated the feet-first slide.
- Harry didn’t want his mother reading of him in the press as she objected to his baseball ambitions, hence the name Stovey
- Series: Beginnings: 1880's
- City: New York
- Team: Giants
- League: National League
Michael J. Slattery (1866-1904) was an outfielder for five teams over five seasons, including the 1888 Champion NY Giants. He debuted for the Union Association’s Boston entry (the Reds) in 1884 during that league’s only season. Slattery returned to MLB in 1888 with the NL’s Giants for two years before jumping to the NY Player’s League team in 1890. He closed his career with the Cincinnati Reds and Washington Statesmen in ’91.
- Averaged .251 at the plate over his ML tenure
- Best year was in the PL, with a .307 BA, 126 hits, 5 HRs and 18 steals