Ross Barnes 19th Century Baseball Star

(1871 Boston Red Stockings)

Ross Barnes was born Charles Roscoe Barnes and became one the stars of baseball from 1871-1881. In fact, many who saw him said he was just as good as Honus Wagner and Ty Cobb. This is a lofty review of him. In 2017, Nate Silver called him one of the most dominate players to play the game of baseball.

Ross Barnes Career

He was a second baseman ad shortstop that was a top hitter and base runner.He played for the Rockford Forest Citys from 1868 to 1870. along with Albert Spalding. In 1871, the National Association was established and Harry Wright signed both of them to play for a new team in Boston. At the age of 21, Barnes career started.

Barnes led the league with 66 runs scored and finished with 91 total bases. He finished second in the batting average race with

Ross Barnes Accolades and Awards:Highest bWAR for Position Players (NA) (1871, 1872, 1873 & 1875)

Highest Offensive bWAR (3) (NA) (1871 & 1872) & (NL) (1876)
Highest Batting Average (3) (NA) (1872 & 1873) (NL) (1876)
Highest On Base Percentage (3) (NA) (1873 & 1875) (NL) (1876)
Highest Slugging Percentage (3) (NA) (1872 & 1873) (NL) (1876)
Highest OPS (3) (NA) (1872 & 1873) (NL) (1876)
Highest OPS+ (3) (NA) (1872 & 1873) (NL) (1976)
Most Plate Appearances (1) (NA) (1873)
Most Runs Scored (4) (NA) (1871, 1873 & 1875) (NL) (1876)
Most Hits (4) (NA) (1872, 1873, 1875) (NL) (1876)
Most Total Bases (4) (NA) (1871, 1872 & 1873) (NL) (1876)
Most Doubles (3) (NA) (1872 & 1873) (NL) (1876)
Most Triples (2) (NA) (1873) (NL) (1876)
Most Walks (2) (NA) (1873) (NL) (1876)
Most Stolen Bases (1) (NA) (1873)
Most Singles (2) (NA) (1875) (NL) (1876)
Most Extra Base Hits (3) (NA) (1872 & 1873) (NL) (1876)

Ross Barnes Other Points of Note:6 Top Ten Finishes (bWAR for Position Players)

5 Top Ten Finishes (Offensive bWAR)
6 Top Ten Finishes (Defensive bWAR)
6 Top Ten Finishes (Batting Average)
6 Top Ten Finishes (On Base Percentage)
5 Top Ten Finishes (Slugging Percentage)
6 Top Ten Finishes (OPS)
6 Top Ten Finishes (OPS+)
6 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Scored)
5 Top Ten Finishes (Hits)
5 Top Ten Finishes (Total Bases)
5 Top Ten Finishes (Doubles)
3 Top Ten Finishes (Triples)
3 Top Ten Finishes (Home Runs)
5 Top Ten Finishes (Runs Batted In)
7 Top Ten Finishes (Most Walks)
5 Top Ten Finishes (Stolen Bases)
4 Top Ten Finishes (Singles)
5 Top Ten Finishes (Extra Base Hits)

Despite playing for a star-studded team, many claim that Ross was the most valuable to his teams.

Ross Barnes Career Records

Barnes holds the career National Association records in runs (459), hits (530), doubles (99), walks (55), stolen bases (73), total bases (695), times on base (585), runs produced (694), batting average (.390), on-base percentage (.413), and slugging percentage (.511).

Ross Barnes Personal life

Barnes held a variety of white-collar jobs in the Chicago area after his baseball career ended until his death from heart disease in 1915. A bachelor for most of his life, Barnes married Ellen Welsh in 1900.

To this day, Barnes is not in the Hall of Fame. In fact. it is likely that he has been a forgotten star in baseball. It’s a shame as by all accounts, Ross Barnes was the best player many had ever seen play baseball.

One thing that may have held him back is he get an illness and played for only 12 seasons.

Look for more 19th Century Stars articles that will include:

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