Joe Start
Joe Start (October 14, 1842 - March 27, 1927), sometimes called "Old Reliable," was one of the biggest stars of baseball's earliest era, and certainly the top first baseman of his time. He started his career before the American Civil War and continued to play professionally until 1886, when he was 43. He led the Brooklyn Atlantics, the team he joined in 1861, to undefeated seasons in 1864 and 1865. In 1871, he joined the new National Association's New York Mutuals, hitting a career-high .360 in his first season with the team, when he was age 28. When the National League was formed, in 1876, the Mutuals joined, bringing Start with them. After spending 1877 with the Hartford Dark Blues and 1878 with the Chicago White Stockings, Joe found his next home with the Providence Grays. From 1879 until 1885, when he was 42, Joe held down first base for the Grays and continued to hit well. Unfortunately, 1885 was Providence's last season in the NL, so in 1886, Joe moved to the Washington Nationals for what would be his last season. Joe only played 31 games for the Nationals and didn't hit well, even for a 43 year-old.
1878 was probably Joe's best season with the bat. He led the league with 100 hits and 125 total bases. He came close to the league lead with his 12 doubles, 5 triples, and single home run. His 58 runs that year were second in the league. These statistics all came in only 285 at bats, and at the age of 35, long after most players have begun to decline. Joe ended his career with 1418 hits, 854 runs, and 544 RBI in National League and National Association play. He had a .299 batting average, a .322 on base percentage, and a .367 slugging percentage. These numbers ignore the first 11 years of his career and, since they were achieved in much shorter seasons than today's professionals play, they only show a portion of Joe's value to his teams. Joe's 1879 Providence team won the National League, and in 1884 they won a World Series, beating the New York Metropolitans.
Joe was also regarded as a excellent fielder. Some even say that he originated the modern positioning of the first baseman, being the first to play away from the bag.
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