 Cap Anson pursueded the team to acquire McBride based on his outstanding Texas League season in 1895, and had expected him to take over the starting job in left field in place of departing Walt Wilmot.However, he appeared in just nine games for the Colts during 1896 season, and had a batting average of .241 in 29 at bats, and hit first major league home run on May 29 against Harley Payne of the Brooklyn Bridgegrooms.He finished the 1896 season with the Grand Rapids Rippers/Gold Bugs of the Western League.