Category: 1883

When did Billy Sunday play professional baseball?

Billy Sunday played professional baseball from 1883 to 1890.

Here is the basic timeline of his baseball career:

1883–1887 — Chicago White Stockings (National League)

  • Discovered by manager Cap Anson while playing for a local amateur team in Marshalltown, Iowa.
  • Joined the Chicago White Stockings (now the Chicago Cubs) in 1883.
  • Known more for speed and defense in the outfield than for hitting.
  • Played on the 1885 and 1886 National League championship teams.

1888–1890 — Pittsburgh Alleghenys (National League)

  • Traded to Pittsburgh in 1888.
  • Continued as an outfielder and base runner.

1890 — Philadelphia Phillies (Players’ League)

  • Jumped to the short-lived Players’ League in 1890 with the Philadelphia Phillies.
  • This was his final season in professional baseball.

Career Snapshot

  • Years: 1883–1890
  • Teams:
    • Chicago White Stockings (1883–1887)
    • Pittsburgh Alleghenys (1888–1890)
    • Philadelphia Phillies – Players’ League (1890)
  • Position: Outfielder
  • Batting Average: .248
  • Games Played: 499
  • Stolen Bases: 95

After Baseball

After leaving baseball in 1890, Sunday worked briefly with the Chicago YMCA, where his speaking ability began to emerge. Within a few years he joined the evangelistic team of J. Wilbur Chapman, launching the ministry that eventually made him the most famous evangelist in America before Billy Graham.

After Baseball

Here is a photo gallery of baseball related images associated with Billy Sunday.