Home > Joe Start

Born in New York City, he led the Brooklyn Atlantics , the team he joined in 1861, to undefeated seasons in 1864 and 1865. In 1871, he joined the new National Association's New York Mutuals , hitting a career-high .360 in his first season with the team, when he was age 28. When the National League was formed in 1876See also 1875 in sports, other events of 1876, 1877 in sports and the list of 'years in sports'. Boat race Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race Cambridge Football (Soccer) FA Cup Wanderers FC beat Old Etonians 1 1 (aet) ; 3 0 (replay) Births Deaths 1876., the Mutuals joined, bringing Start with them. After spending 1877See also 1876 in sports, other events of 1877, 1878 in sports and the list of 'years in sports'. Boat race Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race Dead Heat Cricket Australia defeats England in the first ever Test match by 45 runs Football (Soccer) FA Cup Wanderer with the Hartford Dark BluesThe Hartford Dark Blues were a 19th century baseball team. The team was based in Hartford, Connecticut. They were a member of the National Association of Professional Baseball Players in 1874 and 1875. In 1876 they joined the National League as a charter and 1878See also 1877 in sports, other events of 1878, 1879 in sports and the list of 'years in sports'. Boat race Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race Oxford Football (Soccer) FA Cup Wanderers FC beat Royal Engineers 3-1, their fifth and final title. Births Deaths 187 with the Chicago White StockingsBaseball teams The Chicago Cubs are a Major League Baseball team based in Chicago, Illinois. They are in the Central Division of the National League. Founded 1870, as an independent professional club. Joined the National Association in 1871. Became a char, he found his next home with the Providence GraysBaseball teams The Providence Grays were a 19th century baseball team. The team was based in Providence, Rhode Island. They were a member of the National League from 1878 to 1885. They won the National League championship in 1879 and 1884. The team may ha. From 1879See also 1878 in sports, other events of 1879, 1880 in sports and the list of 'years in sports'. Boat race Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race Cambridge Cricket 2 January- 4 January, Sydney Only Test between Australia and England. Australia win by 10 wickets. until 1885See also 1884 in sports, other events of 1885, 1886 in sports and the list of 'years in sports'. Boat race Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race Oxford Football (Soccer) FA Cup Blackburn Rovers beat Queen's Park (Glasgow) 2-0 Births Deaths 1885., when he was 42, Start held down first base for the Grays and continued to hit well. Unfortunately, 1885 was Providence's last season in the NL, so in 1886, he moved to the Washington Nationals for what would be his last season. Start only played 31 games for the Nationals and didn't hit well, even for a 43 year-old.

1878 was probably Start's best season with the bat. He led the league with 100 hits and 125 total bases. He came close to the league lead with his 12 doubles, 5 triples, and a single home run. His 58 runs that year were second in the league. These statistics all came in only 285 at bats, and at the age of 35, long after most players have begun to decline. Start ended his career with 1418 hits, 854 runs, and 544 RBI in National League and National Association play. He had a .299 batting average, a .322 on base percentage, and a .367 slugging percentage. These numbers ignore the first 11 years of his career and, since they were achieved in much shorter seasons than today's professionals play, they only show a portion of his value to his teams. In addition, his career spanned many important rule changes that changed the game in many ways, but Start continued to play at a high level through all of them. Start's 1879 Providence team won the National League, and in 1884 they won a World Series, beating the New York Metropolitans.

Start was also regarded as an excellent fielder, although at 5'9" he was a much smaller player than would later be typical at his position. Some even say that he originated the modern positioning of the first baseman, being the first to play away from the bag. Just like every other player of his time, Start never fielded with a glove, as modern players do, making his fielding contributions more impressive.

Start died in Providence, Rhode Island at the age of 84.