Buck Freeman scored 25 home runs during the 1899 season; the second highest total was Bobby Wallace with 12. Although Freeman failed to equal Ned Williamson 's record of 27 home runs in a season, recorded in 1884 , Freeman's total is generally regarded as the greater achievement owing to the dimensions of Williamson's home ballpark of Lakeshore Park (of Williamson's 27 homers, only 2 were scored away from home). Freeman's tally was not surpassed until 1919 , when Babe Ruth scored 29 home runs with the Boston Red Sox .
March 9 - Bill McGunnigle , 44, manager who led Brooklyn to the American Association title in 1889, and the NL pennant the following year after the team switched leagues; as collegiate catcher, was possibly the first at that position to wear a glove
