Wednesday, February 1, 2012

Today in Sports History: National League

1876:  The National League formed on this day, much different looking from what it is today.  The original 8 franchises were located in Chicago, Philadelphia, Boston, St. Louis, Hartford, Louisville, New York, and Cincinnati.  Only two of the teams survive today.  The original teams were:

           Chicago White Stockings who would become the Cubs.

           Philadelphia Athletics who were expelled after one season.

           Boston Red Stockings who would become the Braves.

           Hartford Dark Blues who folded after two seasons of play.

           Mutual of New York who were expelled after the first season.

           St. Louis Brown Stockings who folded after 1877.

           Cincinnati Red Stockings who folded after the 1880 season.

           Louisville Grays who folded after the 1877 season.

Before a crowd of 3,000, Boston scored two runs in the 9th inning to win the first game 6-5, played April 22nd against the host team, Philadelphia. 

The Current Teams, of course, include:

       Atlanta Braves:  Formed in 1876
       Arizona:  1998
       Chicago:  1876 (Wouldn't be called the Cubs until 1902)
       Cincinnati:  Originated in 1882 and joined the NL in 1890
       Colorado:  1993
       Houston:  1962--Moving to AL in 2013
       Los Angeles:  Joined the NL in 1890 in Brooklyn
       Miami:  1993
       Milwaukee:  Started in Seattle as the Pilots in 1969 in the AL.  Moved to Milwaukee in 1970,
       and joined the NL in 1998.  
       New York:  1962
       Philadelphia:  1883
       Pittsburgh:  Joined the NL in 1887
       Washington:  1969 (in Montreal)
       San Diego:  1969
       San Francisco:  1883 as the New York Gothams
       St. Louis:  Joined NL in 1892

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