FIRST PROFESSIONAL BASEBALL TEAM

Jim, are you sure you are correct about the oldest team in baseball? (See previous post.) I always thought the Cincinnati Reds was the oldest team in baseball?

For years, I also thought the Reds were the oldest team in baseball. In fact, Cincinnati's claim to the oldest team dates back to 1869 when a group of nine baseball players formed the first professional team. This group, lead by Harry Wright, was named the Red Stockings. Each man was paid a salary. The highest salary went to Harry's brother George, the shortstop, who made $1400. As there was no other professional teams, they traveled from town to town and challenged the local teams. At the end of 1869 they were 65-0. By the end of 1870, the team was disbanded. Harry, George, and others (Including Albert Goodwill Spaulding) resurfaced shortly therafter in Boston with another professional baseball team.