Baseball Player And Sports Entrepreneur

Baseball Pioneer.

Albert Goodwill Spalding, the son of an Illinois farmer, is regarded as the "organizational genius of baseball's pioneer days" and the game's first great pitcher. He began playing baseball as a youngster and at age sixteen began pitching for the Rockford Forest Cities (Illinois), gaining a reputation for his fastball and exceptional batting. In 1871 Harry Wright recruited Spalding for the Boston Red Stockings of the National Association. Earning $1,500 annually, he led Boston to four consecutive pennants from 1872 to 1875. In that time Spalding won 207 and lost 56 games, becoming baseball's first 200-game winner. He also posted a batting average of .320. In 1876 he joined the Chicago White Stockings of the newly formed National League. As pitcher, captain, and manager of the team, Spalding earned $4,000. He also assisted William A. Hulbert, the owner of the White Stockings and president of...