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On this day in history, March 15, 1869, Cincinnati Red Stockings become first professional baseball team

On this day in history, March 15, 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the first professional baseball team in history. The team was created by businessman and former player Ivers Wright, who wanted to create a team that would represent the city of Cincinnati in the burgeoning sport of baseball.

The Cincinnati Red Stockings consisted of professional players from around the country, and they were the first team to pay their players a salary. This was a revolutionary concept at the time, as most teams were made up of volunteers or semi-professional players.

The Red Stockings were an instant success, finishing their first season with a perfect 57-0 record. They continued their dominance over the next few years, winning four consecutive championships in the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players (NAPBBP).

The team disbanded in 1875, but their legacy lives on. The Cincinnati Red Stockings are credited with paving the way for professional baseball, and their championship seasons set a precedent for future generations of professional players.

Today, the Cincinnati Reds are the oldest professional baseball team still in existence, and they still honor the legacy of the Red Stockings with their team name and logo. The team has won five World Series titles in its history, and they continue to be one of the most successful franchises in the sport.

The legacy of the Cincinnati Red Stockings will always be remembered in the history of professional baseball, and their impact on the sport has been felt for over a century.