Major League Baseball player. Ross Barnes, a Second Baseman, was the National League's first batting leader (.429) with Chicago in 1876. Having already won two batting titles in the National Association, the precursor to the National League (1873 and 1875) where he was considered the league’s finest player, he was also the first player to lead two different leagues in batting. He specialized in "fair-foul" hits, short bunts that landed fair, rolled foul, but remained in play under the rules of the time. When the rules were changed before the 1877 season his batting average dipped to a more modest level. Barnes has the distinction of having first home run in National League history, on May 2, 1876. After leaving baseball in 1881, Barnes served as an accountant with People's Gas, Light & Coke Co.
Major League Baseball player. Ross Barnes, a Second Baseman, was the National League's first batting leader (.429) with Chicago in 1876. Having already won two batting titles in the National Association, the precursor to the National League (1873 and 1875) where he was considered the league’s finest player, he was also the first player to lead two different leagues in batting. He specialized in "fair-foul" hits, short bunts that landed fair, rolled foul, but remained in play under the rules of the time. When the rules were changed before the 1877 season his batting average dipped to a more modest level. Barnes has the distinction of having first home run in National League history, on May 2, 1876. After leaving baseball in 1881, Barnes served as an accountant with People's Gas, Light & Coke Co.
Bio by: Schuler
Family Members
Advertisement
