At the tender age of 23, and with just 2 years of professional experience, Gore had the audacity to defy A.G. Spalding and the Chicago White Stockings by refusing a contract that would have paid him $1,200 for the 1879 campaign. Gore demanded $2,500 and settled for $1900. He played in 63 games that season with 266 plate appearances and a .263 batting average. Mr Spalding expected more from his young outfielder in return for his investment, and the 1880 season validated his worth. He hit .360 that second season, won the batting championship, and had a slugging percentage of .463.
