By: HISTORY.com Editors

1869

Cincinnati Red Stockings become first professional baseball team

An illustrated team portrait of the Cincinnati Red Stockings baseball team, circa late 1860s

Stock Montage/Getty Images

Published: October 06, 2021

Last Updated: May 27, 2025

On March 15, 1869, Cincinnati attorney Aaron Champion hires former cricket player Harry Wright to organize, manage and play for the Cincinnati Red Stockings, who become the first professional baseball team. The organization of the club comes shortly after the National Association of Baseball Players, which had previously banned the payment of players, allows open professionalism after the close of the 1868 season.

In 1869, the Red Stockings finished the season with a 57-0 record—64-0 with exhibitions included. Baseball was still in the underhand-pitch iteration of the sport, so the team routinely scored dozens of runs in games. The Red Stockings defeated the Buckeyes of Cincinnati, 103-8.

Wright, given roughly $10,000 to assemble the best team money could buy, signed his younger brother, George, to a team-high $1,400 salary. George, a shortstop who was considered to be the best baseball player, was well worth the investment as he reportedly hit .630 with 49 home runs and averaged six runs per game.

In addition to managing, Harry Wright played center field and pitched. He was the second-highest-paid player on the roster with a $1,200 salary. Known as the “Father of Professional Baseball,” Harry was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953. George was inducted in 1937.

"This did not just make the city famous, it made baseball famous," Major League Baseball’s official historian John Thorn said of the Red Stockings’ impact.

Timeline

Also on This Day in History

Discover more of the major events, famous births, notable deaths and everything else history-making that happened on March 15th

Related Articles

Portrait of American baseball players Roger Maris (1934 - 1985) (left) and Mickey Mantle (1931 - 1995), both of the New York Yankees, as they pose together before a game at Yankee Stadium, New York, New York, 1961. (Photo by Transcendental Graphics/Getty Images)

In a pressure-packed 1961 season, Roger Maris hit 61 home runs, outdueling his more famous New York Yankees teammate, Mickey Mantle.

The Bizarre NFL Game Where Fans, Players Were in a Fog

'I haven’t even driven a car in anything like that,' a player said about the conditions at the Philadelphia Eagles-Chicago Bears playoff game in 1988.

How a Tiemaker Won the Longest Game in NFL History

In an epic, double-overtime game on Christmas Day 1971, Miami Dolphins kicker Garo Yepremian booted the Kansas City Chiefs from the playoffs.

Bill Mazeroski's game-winning 1960 World Series homer.

In the bottom of the ninth in Game 7 of the wild 1960 World Series, Bill Mazeroski of the underdog Pittsburgh Pirates toppled the mighty New York Yankees.

About the author

HISTORY.com Editors

HISTORY.com works with a wide range of writers and editors to create accurate and informative content. All articles are regularly reviewed and updated by the HISTORY.com team. Articles with the “HISTORY.com Editors” byline have been written or edited by the HISTORY.com editors, including Amanda Onion, Missy Sullivan, Matt Mullen, Christian Zapata and Cristiana Lombardo.

Fact Check

We strive for accuracy and fairness. But if you see something that doesn't look right, click here to contact us! HISTORY reviews and updates its content regularly to ensure it is complete and accurate.

Citation Information

Article title
Cincinnati Red Stockings become first professional baseball team
Website Name
History
Date Accessed
June 30, 2025
Publisher
A&E Television Networks
Last Updated
May 27, 2025
Original Published Date
October 06, 2021

History Every Day

Sign Up for "This Day in History"

Uncover fascinating moments from the past every day! Learn something new with key events in history, from the American Revolution to pop culture, crime and more.

By submitting your information, you agree to receive emails from HISTORY and A+E Global Media. You can opt out at any time. You must be 16 years or older and a resident of the United States.