national colored league, 1887

Bill Mullins has sent in some items on the National Colored League of 1887, the first attempt at a national black professional league (a Southern league had operated in 1886).

Here is an article on the league’s organization from the St. Louis Globe-Democrat (November 14, 1886), which hints at one of the major reasons for the league’s demise—the ultimate refusal of the Cuban Giants, the best-known and most successful black professional club, to join the league.

This is from the New York Freeman, January 22, 1887, and includes the roster of the Louisville Falls Citys:

This item, also from the New York Freeman (February 19, 1887), lists the players for the Boston Resolutes:

Here’s a line score for the first game (Washington Post, May 10, 1887), including ominous remarks about the low attendance and lopsided result:

By the next day, the league was already “in trouble”:

                        (Washington Post, May 11, 1887)

And in only a couple of weeks the circuit was on its last legs:

                        (New York Times, May 26, 1887)

Thanks again to Bill for sending these in.