An injury to his catching hand limited his playing time, but he appeared in 38 games for the team, batting .255.

The team ceased to exist after the 1889 season, but Clark joined the Bisons of the newly formed Players' League for 1890.

[2] Clark began playing baseball professionally in 1887 with the Nashville Blues of the Southern League, though he only appeared in three games with them.

[2] Clark could play multiple positions, and spectators noticed that he appeared everywhere on the baseball diamond except on the pitcher's mound during his minor league career.

According to the May 8, 1889 issue of Sporting Life: A peculiar accident happened to catcher Owen Clark, of the Washingtons, at Staten Island [home of the New York Giants at the time] Thursday.

[1] With the Nationals in 1889, Clark also became the first major league player with the nickname of "Spider," a moniker he received because of his thin build and his excellent range as a fielder.

Formed to challenge baseball's reserve clause, the league enticed players to join by promising them part ownership in the teams.

[2][1] An August 9 story in Sporting Life related that "Owen Clark's first base playing has caught the crowds.

"[6][2] For the second year in a row, Clark injured his hand while catching, this time splitting a finger while facing the Cleveland Infants.