radcliffe debuted with the philadelphia athletics of the national association on may 20, 1871. in 28 games, he hit for a .303 batting average with 0 home runs and 22 runs batted in. he also had 5 stolen bases in his first year. the next year, playing for the baltimore canaries, he hit his first career home run and picked up 44 rbis. he recorded 4 triples as well.