RANDOM MUSINGS FROM THE TOP OF THE HILL

4/22/2013

APRIL 22

The Cincinnati Red Stockings have been around since 1866 - first playing in the National Association of Base Ball Players.  In 1869, they became the first fully professional baseball team with ten paid players.

The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, formed in January 1876, kicked off its season on Saturday April 22 in Philadelphia, PA.  The American League wasn't formed until 1901.  The two leagues make up Major League Baseball.

The original members of the National League were as follows:
Chicago White Stockings (they later became known as the Cubs)
Philadelphia Athletics (the Phillies were a different club)
Boston Red Stockings (they later became the Atlanta Braves - not the Red Sox)
Hartford Dark Blues
New York Mutuals
St. Louis Brown Stockings
Louisville Grays
Cincinnati Red Stockings

The Red Stockings finished that first season with 9 wins and 56 loses - dead last in the league.  (Did you think they were good?)  It all started on this date in 1876!
'o.o'

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