October 6, 1882: Not Quite the World Series

The 1882 Cincinnati Red Stockings

October 6, 1882: In the 1st postseason matchup between the Champions of 2 different major leagues in baseball, the Cincinnati Red Stockings, Champions of the American Association, shut out the Chicago White Stockings, Champions of the National League, 4-0 behind the pitching of Will White.

The next day, Chicago returns the favor by blanking Cincinnati 2-0. At this point, Cincinnati‚ under pressure from the AA‚ reluctantly cancels the exhibition series to avoid expulsion from the league. So, with the NL still the unquestioned superior league, the White Stockings are the unofficial World Champions, for the 3rd year in a row.

At the time, nobody is calling this "the World Series," or even "the World's Series." It is not officially recognized as such now: The establishment of Major League Baseball recognizes the 1903 contest between the NL's Pittsburgh Pirates and the American League's Boston Americans (Red Sox) as the first official World Series.

This was the 3rd straight Pennant for the White Stockings, who lost their founding owner when William Hulbert right before the season began. Al Spalding, once a great pitcher and by this point what would now be called the general manager, became the owner, and held ownership until 1902.

The Red Stockings joined the NL and changed their name to the Cincinnati Reds, both in 1890. The White Stockings went through a few name changes before becoming the Chicago Cubs in 1903.

UPDATE: The Cubs have a team Hall of Fame. Inducted from their 1880s Pennant winners have been Hulbert, Spalding, and catcher Mike "King" Kelly. Pitcher John Clarkson would join Kelly on the 1885 and 1886 Pennant winners. From the 1890s, they have inducted pitcher Clark Griffith (better known as the later owner and stadium namesake of the Washington Senators), and outfielders Jimmy Ryan and Bill Lange.

The Reds also have a team Hall of Fame. Inducted from this 1882 team have been pitcher Will White, 1st baseman John Reilly, and 2nd baseman John "Bid" McPhee. From the rest of the 19th Century, they have inducted pitcher Tony Mullane and deaf center fielder William "Dummy" Hoy.

And for the early 20th Century, they have inducted outfielders Sam Crawford, Cy Seymour and Bob Ewing; and pitcher Frank "Noodles" Hahn.

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October 6, 1882 was a Friday. There were no other baseball games played on this day. There were no college football games played. Basketball did not yet exist. And hockey barely did. So there were no other scores on this historic day.