MLB player to owner: There’s a history to A-Rod’s idea
By Bill Felber
Albert Spalding
Al Spalding, who for the final two decades of the 19th Century owned the Chicago Cubs – then known as the White Stockings – is best recalled today as the owner of the sporting good firm that bears his name. Less recalled is that Spalding started out as a pitcher, and a very good one.
Star pitcher of Boston’s perennial champions of the National Association, an 1870s MLB entity that preceded the National League, Spalding jumped to the White Stockings when the NL was founded in 1876 by William Hulbert, who owned the team.
In his first season, he won 47 of 60 starts and led the White Stockings to the initial NL pennant. Spalding retired following the 1877 season at age 26 to pursue his business interests but maintained an interest in the White Stockings. When Hulbert died in 1882, Spalding purchased the team.
Under his direction, Chicago won pennants in 1882, again in 1885 and 1886. As his business grew, Spalding gradually relinquished his ownership stake in the team to concentrate on those business interests, which were flourishing.
His company held the exclusive franchise to sell baseballs to the National League and quickly expanded from its Chicago headquarters to open successful offices in New York and several other cities.
He died in 1915.