13 Facts About Joe Start

Joe Start began his playing career in 1859, before the formation of organized leagues and before ballplayers received payment for their services.

Joe Start continued to play regularly until 1886, when he was 43.

Joe Start's career spanned countless innovations that transformed the game in fundamental ways, but he adjusted and continued to play at a high level for almost three decades.

New York City-born Joe Start played first base and third base for the amateur Enterprise Club of Brooklyn from 1859 to 1861, before the advent of salaried ballplaying.

Joe Start made a pivotal contribution to one of the most celebrated games of the late Amateur Era.

Related searches

In 1871, Joe Start joined the new—and fully professional—National Association, playing for the New York Mutuals and, at age 28, hitting a career-high.

The following year Joe Start joined the Hartford Dark Blues, and in 1878 moved over to the Chicago White Stockings.

Joe Start came close to the league lead with 12 doubles, 5 triples, and one home run.

From 1879 until 1885, when he was 42, Joe Start held down first base for the Providence Grays and continued to hit well; he served as team captain, a role that provided field leadership before the establishment of team managers.

Joe Start only played 31 games for the Nationals, did not hit well, and retired from professional play.

Joe Start played the final game of his professional career on July 9,1886.

Over his full major league career Joe Start amassed 1,417 hits, 852 runs, and 544 RBI in NL and NA play.

When 16-year-old Joe Start began playing in 1859, pitchers threw underhand with a stiff wrist from behind a line 45 feet from home plate, a fly ball caught on one bounce was an out, and gloves were unheard of, as were professional ballplayers.