On this day in 1876, something historic happened in New York City that would change American sports forever.
The National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs was established with eight charter members, making today the 150th anniversary of the National League - one of the oldest professional sports leagues in the world.
Think about that for a moment. One hundred and fifty years. That's older than the automobile. Older than the light bulb. Older than the telephone. Baseball has been America's game for a century and a half.
The eight charter members included teams that would become baseball royalty: The Chicago White Stockings (now the Cubs), the Boston Red Stockings (now the Atlanta Braves), and clubs from Philadelphia, Hartford, New York, St. Louis, Cincinnati, and Louisville.
Not all survived - some folded after just one or two seasons. But the league endured, evolved, and thrived.
From the dead-ball era to Babe Ruth's dominance. From Jackie Robinson breaking the color barrier to the integration of the game. From Willie Mays and Hank Aaron to Pedro Martínez and Clayton Kershaw. The National League has been there for all of it.
Today's game bears little resemblance to 1876. Back then, pitchers threw underhand. There were no gloves. Nine balls meant a walk. But the core of the game - pitcher versus batter, the drama of the play, the thrill of victory - that's timeless.
As we celebrate 150 years of the National League, we honor not just the games played, but the pioneers who built baseball into the institution it is today.
That's what sports is all about, folks.
