One of the foremost stars of baseball's early years, Start first gained prominence
with Brooklyn's Atlantics (1861-70), whom he helped go undefeated in 1864 and 1865
to win the national championship. He played five years with the New York Mutuals
of the old National Association and was in his thirties when the National League
was formed in 1876. After leading the NL in hits (100) in 1878 with Chicago, he joined
the Providence Grays, helping them to a pennant in 1879 and captaining the 1884 pennant
winners. Start is credited as the first first baseman to play his position away
from the bag (although some say it was Charlie Comiskey), an advantage underscored
by the fact that his chances per game and putouts per game exceeded those of other
first basemen of his time.
(FIC)