An excellent hitter who could play any position, including pitcher, McVey was only
18 when he joined
Harry Wright's Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first professional
team, which barnstormed to a 56-0-1 record in 1869. When the first professional league,
the
National Association, was formed in 1871, McVey followed Wright to the Boston
Red Stockings and hit .419. The NL replaced the NA in 1876, and Iowa native McVey
joined the White Stockings (later the Cubs), batting .347 and collecting six hits
in one game twice in four days (July 22 and 25). He returned to Cincinnati in 1878
as the Reds' player-manager but left for California after a fifth-place finish in
1879. He was involved in
Pacific Coast League baseball for many years.
(JK)
Cal McVey
teams 