The CUBS (known as the White Stockings back then) were off that day, after having beaten the New York Mutuals 16-2 in Chicago the day before. They enjoyed a couple days off at home waiting for the Philadelphia Athletics to come to town. At the time, the White Stockings were in first place in the National League, 2.5 games ahead of the Hartford Dark Blues. Ah... the good old days. If that's an actual historical fact, wow. That certainly puts things in perspective.