Joe Start

Who was Joe Start?

Joseph Start, nicknamed "Old Reliable", was one of the biggest stars of baseball's earliest era, and certainly the top first basemen of his time. He started his career before the American Civil War and continued to play professionally until 1886, when he was 43.

Born in New York City, he led the Brooklyn Atlantics, the team he joined in 1862, 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, he found his next home with the Providence Grays. From 1879 until 1885, when he was 42, Start 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, he moved to the Washington Nationals for what would be his last season. Start only played 31 games for the Nationals and didn't hit well, even for a 43-year-old.

1878 was probably Start's best season with the bat.