Al Spalding-- Part 1: Mighty Big Name in Early MLB

On March 30, I wrote about the Chicago White Stockings (now the Cubs) winning their season opener in 1876 behind the pitching of their manager-pitcher Al Spalding.  Well, this name sounded familiar in sporting goods so I did some further research and what a baseball player this guy was.

From Wikipedia.

ALBERT GOODWILL SPALDING  (September 2, 1850-September9, 1915)

Baseball pitcher, player, manager and executive and co-founder of A.G. Spalding sporting goods company.  Born and raised in Byron, Illinois, and graduated high school in Rockford, Illinois.    Played Major League Baseball from 1871 to 1878.  He started a trend when he started wearing a baseball glove.

After his retirement as a player, he became active as an executive and owner of the Chicago White Stockings (who are today's Chicago Cubs).With William Hulburt, he organized the National League and later called for a commission which determined that baseball had been invented by Abner Doubleday (second in command at Fort Sumter when it surrendered to the Confederates and later Union general).  He also wrote the first set of baseball rules.

--CootBall