With the sport of baseball growing and spectator sports gaining in popularity as second league to rival the National League was born called the American Association. While the National League was planted in more established Eastern cities, the American Association focused on growing cities.

Among those teams was the Louisville Eclipse. The unquestioned star of the Eclipse was Pete Browning led the AA in both batting (.

378) and slugging (. 510), while hitting five home runs.

On the mound Tony Mullane led the way with a record of 30-24 with an ERA of 1. 70.

Mullane, would throw the first American Association No Hitter on September 11th, blanking the Cincinnati Red Stockings 2-0. Eight days later Guy Hecker would No Hit Pittsburgh Alleghenys3-1.

The Eclipse would finish the season third, among six teams with a record of 42-38.