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A. G. Spalding facts for kids

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Albert Goodwill Spalding
AG Spalding
Spalding the businessman at 60, 1910
Pitcher
Born: September 2, 1849
Byron, Illinois
Died: September 9, 1915(1915-09-09) (aged 66)
San Diego, California
Batted: Right Threw: Right
debut
May 5, 1871, for the Boston Red Stockings
Last appearance
August 31, 1878, for the Chicago White Stockings
MLB statistics
Win–loss record 252–65
Earned run average 2.14
Strikeouts 248
Batting average .313
Hits 613
Runs batted in 338
Teams
  National Association of Base Ball Players
Rockford Forest Citys (1866–1870)
  League Player
Boston Red Stockings (1871–1875)
Chicago White Stockings (1876–1878)
  League Manager
Chicago White Stockings (1876–1877)
Career highlights and awards
  • National Association pennant: 1872–1875
  • National League pennant: 1876
  • 6× Wins leader (1871–1876)
Empty Star.svg Empty Star.svg Empty Star.svg Baseball Hall of Fame Empty Star.svg Empty Star.svg Empty Star.svg
Induction 1939
Election Method Veterans Committee
1871 Albert Spalding Baseball-card-Boston Red Stockings
Albert Spalding on a 1871 Boston Red Stockings baseball card.

Albert Goodwill Spalding (born September 2, 1849 – died September 9, 1915) was a very important person in early professional baseball. He was a great pitcher, a team manager, and a smart businessman. He even helped start the famous A.G. Spalding sporting goods company.

Spalding was born in Byron, Illinois, and played major league baseball from 1871 to 1878. He was one of the first players to wear a baseball glove.

A Baseball Star and Innovator

Early Days on the Field

Albert Spalding started his baseball journey playing for the Rockford Forest Citys. He became a professional player in 1871 with the Boston Red Stockings. As a pitcher, he was incredibly good. He led the league in wins for six years in a row, from 1871 to 1876!

He helped the Boston Red Stockings win the National Association pennant four times. This was a big championship back then. Later, he moved to the Chicago White Stockings. There, he helped them win the first-ever National League pennant in 1876.

Beyond the Field: A Business Mind

After he stopped playing in 1878, Spalding didn't leave baseball. He became the president and a part-owner of the Chicago White Stockings. He was also a very successful businessman. He co-founded the A.G. Spalding sporting goods company. This company made baseballs, bats, and other sports equipment. It became very famous.

A World Tour and New Rules

In the 1880s, Albert Spalding did something amazing. He took baseball players on the first-ever world tour! They traveled around the globe, showing people in other countries how to play baseball. This helped make baseball popular worldwide.

Spalding also worked with William Hulbert to create the National League. This league is still a major part of baseball today. He also helped write the first official rules for baseball. He even called for a special group to figure out how baseball started. This group later said that Abner Doubleday created the game.

Hall of Fame

Albert Spalding's contributions to baseball were huge. Because of his amazing career as a player, manager, and businessman, he was honored. He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939. This is one of the highest honors in baseball.

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