Born: September 2, 1850, in Byron, Illinois
Died: September 9, 1915, in San Diego, California

ML Debut: 5/5/1871

Played For: Boston Red Stockings (1871-1875), Chicago White Stockings (1876-1877)

Managed: Chicago White Stockings (1876-1877)

Bio
A.G. Spalding was the premier pitcher of the 1870s and an organizational genius during baseball's formative years. He led the league in pitching victories in each of his six full seasons in Organized baseball (1871 to 1876). His 47 victories led the '76 Chicago White Stockings to the first-ever National League championship. With the success of the sporting goods business he founded in 1876, Spalding left the playing field for an executive role with the White Stockings; as team president from 1882 to 1891, he directed the club to three pennants.

Quote
"His face is that of a Greek hero, his manner that of a Church of England Bishop. When I first talked with him he was a candidate for United States Senator from California and he is the father of the greatest sport the world has ever known."
   — Edward Marshall, NY Times

Did You Know... that during the off-season of 1888-1889, A.G. Spalding staged the first baseball world tour, traveling to "exotic" locales such as Hawaii, Australia, Sri Lanka, Egypt, Italy, and Paris?