Chicago Sluggers The First 75 Years

The Chicago White Stockingslater renamed the Cubswon the inaugural National League Pennant in 1876 with a barrage of offensive numbers. Ross Barnes led the league at a .421 clip, and three other Chicago batters finished among the leagues top five hitters. Even pitcher Al Spalding hit an impressive .312. Thus began the "northsiders" tradition of producing some of the major leagues greatest sluggersincluding "Cap" Anson, "Gabby" Hartnett, and "Hack" Wilson. The Chicago White Soxstill named the White Soxwon the inaugural American League Pennant in 1901, led by Fielder Jones .311 average for a team built more around pitching than hittinga team that won its first World Series title in 1906 with the nickname "The Hitless Wonders." But the "southsiders" also put up some lofty offensive numbers with the likes of Shoeless Joe Jackson and Eddie Collins.