The first home run in the history of the National League was hit on May 2, 1876 by Ross Barnes of the Chicago White Stockings — an inside-the-park home run against the Cincinnati Redlegs.  Barnes had been a superstar in the National Association, signing with the Chicago team just before the NA disbanded.  On top of having the honor of hitting the new league’s first homer, Barnes had a single, a triple, two stolen bases, and four runs scored.