The Chicago White Stockings beat New York Mutuals at Dexter Park for the unofficial national championship

1870 – The Chicago White Stockings host the New York Mutuals at Dexter Park with the unofficial national championship at stake with 6,000 fans on hand. With his team ahead, 13 – 12, and having just walked the bases loaded, Mutuals pitcher Rynie Wolters walks off the mound, claiming the umpire is biased. The game ends with the score reverting to the last completed inning, giving Chicago a 7 – 5 win although the Mutuals continue to proclaim themselves the champs.

1870 – An estimated 20,000 fans pack Dexter Park in Chicago, IL to watch the Chicago White Stockings defeat the Cincinnati Red Stockings, 16 – 13. Chicago finishes the season with a record of 65-8, making them the unofficial national champions.

1870 – An estimated 20,000 fans pack Dexter Park in Chicago, IL to watch the Chicago White Stockings defeat the Cincinnati Red Stockings, 16 – 13. Chicago finishes the season with a record of 65-8, making them the unofficial national champions.

Young pitcher Fred Goldsmith demonstrates at a public exhibition at the Capitoline Grounds in Brooklyn, NY that the curve ball is a real pitch and not simply an optical illusion

Young pitcher Fred Goldsmith demonstrates at a public exhibition at the Capitoline Grounds in Brooklyn, NY that the curve ball is a real pitch and not simply an optical illusion

1870 – Young pitcher Fred Goldsmith demonstrates at a public exhibition at the Capitoline Grounds in Brooklyn, NY that the curve ball is a real pitch and not simply an optical illusion, as he manages to make a ball bend around three parallel stakes placed in the ground. Henry Chadwick is among those in attendance and reports on the event in the next day’s paper. Goldsmith’s claim to have invented the pitch will be disputed by Candy Cummings, however.

1870 – In what is considered by many historians the greatest baseball game of the 19th century, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, baseball’s first all-professional team see their winning streak stopped at 89 in a wild 11-inning battle with the Atlantic of Brooklyn team, 8 – 7. The game is tied 5 – 5 after nine innings of play, and the Atlantic players are happy to have a draw but Cincinnati captain Harry Wright insists that the game be played to a decision. The Red Stockings score twice in the 11th inning, but the Atlantic come back with three in their half to win. The game is notable as being the first extra-inning game between professional clubs, and as one of the lowest-scoring games of its day. As is the practice of the day, Atlantic continues to bat after having clinched the game, but no further runs are scored.

1870 – In what is considered by many historians the greatest baseball game of the 19th century, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, baseball’s first all-professional team see their winning streak stopped at 89 in a wild 11-inning battle with the Atlantic of Brooklyn team, 8 – 7. The game is tied 5 – 5 after nine innings of play, and the Atlantic players are happy to have a draw but Cincinnati captain Harry Wright insists that the game be played to a decision. The Red Stockings score twice in the 11th inning, but the Atlantic come back with three in their half to win. The game is notable as being the first extra-inning game between professional clubs, and as one of the lowest-scoring games of its day. As is the practice of the day, Atlantic continues to bat after having clinched the game, but no further runs are scored.

The champion Brooklyn Eckfords Club begins a new Championship series

The champion Brooklyn Eckfords Club begins a new Championship series

1869 – The champion Brooklyn Eckfords Club begins a new Championship series with the ex-champion New York Mutuals‚ a most unusual event to occur so soon after the title changed hands. Despite a high wind‚ the Mutuals defeat the Eckfords with 5 runs in the bottom of the 9th to win‚ 28 – 25.

The first rain out involving a professional baseball team occurs when heavy rain postpones the Red Stockings’ tune up game against the Antioch Nine, a Yellow Springs, Ohio college team. Aaron B. Champion, Cincinnati’s owner, had been a student at the school in the 1850s.

The first rain out involving a professional baseball team occurs when heavy rain postpones the Red Stockings’ tune up game against the Antioch Nine, a Yellow Springs, Ohio college team. Aaron B. Champion, Cincinnati’s owner, had been a student at the school in the 1850s.

The Mutuals of New York journey to Boston, MA on a three-day visit‚ during which time they will beat the Tri-Mountains (69 – 17)‚ the Harvards (43 – 11)‚ and the Lowells (26 – 21).

The Mutuals of New York journey to Boston, MA on a three-day visit‚ during which time they will beat the Tri-Mountains (69 – 17)‚ the Harvards (43 – 11)‚ and the Lowells (26 – 21).

The Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first all-professional baseball team, start their first regular season with a 45 – 9 victory over the Great Westerns of Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first all-professional baseball team, start their first regular season with a 45 – 9 victory over the Great Westerns of Cincinnati.

The Cincinnati Red Stockings defeat the rival Amateurs, 24-15, in baseball’s first professional game. Team captain Harry Wright had put all of his players under contract, making the club, that will become known as the Reds, the first pro team in sports history.

The Cincinnati Red Stockings defeat the rival Amateurs, 24-15, in baseball’s first professional game. Team captain Harry Wright had put all of his players under contract, making the club, that will become known as the Reds, the first pro team in sports history.