White Stockings Club of Chicago
| Nick Name | White Stockings |
|---|---|
| Earliest Known Date | October 1869 |
| Last Known Game | |
| Location | Chicago, IL, United States |
| Modern Address | |
| NABBP Status | |
| Nine Class | Senior |
| Tags | |
| Description | In October 1869, a group of prominent Chicagoans decided to form the first openly professional club in Chicago. They raided the top eastern clubs for talent, and decided to name the team the White Stockings. Though derided in other cities as the "$18,000 club" "mercenaries," the new team finished 65-8 overall and 22-7 against other professional teams, giving them the best record in the country. They defeated the famed Cincinnati Reds twice in 1870 (defeating Chicago's arch-rival, Cincinnati, was the prime object of the team) , and when they defeated the New York Mutuals Nov. 1, 1870, laid claim as national champions. This team dissolved after the great Chicago fire of 1871, but was reborn a few years later and eventually took the nickname "Cubs." |
| Sources | Rucker and Freyer, "19th Century Baseball in Chicago." |
| Source Image | |
| Has Source On Hand | No |
| Comment | Attached image is that of Colonel Norman Gassette (1839-91), first club president, a prominent Chicago lawyer and politician. Club vice president was Willard F. Wentworth (1838-1910), a former city treasurer. Edit with form to add a comment |
| Query | Edit with form to add a query |
| Found by | Bruce Allardice |
| Submission Note | |
| Entered by | Bruce Allardice |
| First in Location | |
| First in Location Note | |
| Entry Origin | |
| Entry Origin Url | |
| Local-Origin Study Groups | |
| Has Supplemental Text |
Ballgames
No games have been posted for this Club yet.
Players
No players have been associated with this Club yet.
Playing Fields
| Field | Years | Edit Association with Club |
|---|---|---|
| Dexter Park | 1870 | |
| Lake Front Park | 1871 |
Comments
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