A. G. Spalding facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Albert Goodwill 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)
Baseball Hall of Fame
Induction	1939
Election Method	Veterans Committee

Albert Spalding on a 1871 Boston Red Stockings baseball card.

Albert Goodwill Spalding (September 2, 1849 – September 9, 1915) was an American pitcher, manager, and executive in the early years of professional baseball, and the co-founder of A.G. Spalding sporting goods company. He was born and raised in Byron, Illinois yet graduated from Rockford Central High School in Rockford, Illinois. He played major league baseball between 1871 and 1878. Spalding set a trend when he started wearing a baseball glove.

After his retirement as a player, Spalding remained active with the Chicago White Stockings as president and part-owner. In the 1880s, he took players on the first world tour of baseball. With William Hulbert, Spalding organized the National League. He later called for the commission that investigated the origins of baseball and credited Abner Doubleday with creating the game. He also wrote the first set of official baseball rules.

He was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1939.