Edward Achorn

(A daily diary of the greatest season a major-league pitcher ever had.)

PROVIDENCE, R.I. – Old Hoss Radbourn, after one game “off” at shortstop, is back in the pitcher’s box, where he will be stationed in every game, incredibly, for more than a month, winning one contest after another — one of the greatest feats, perhaps the greatest, in baseball’s long history.

On this afternoon, Radbourn beats Cap Anson’s Chicago White Stockings, 5-3, with the help of a rowdy Providence crowd at the Messer Street Grounds.

The mob unnerves Chicago’s pitcher, Larry Corcoran, by bellowing “Keep in the box!” at him with unsportsmanlike persistence and ferocity, while ignoring Radbourn’s own transgressions.

“It shows a contemptibly mean spirit to say the least,” the Fall River Daily Evening News complains.

Up in Boston, the Beaneaters (today’s Braves) beat the Detroit Wolverines, 12-4, to remain 4½ games behind in the National League standings.

RADBOURN’S RECORD: 36-9.

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