Spalding Vintage Series: 08520

Spalding was founded in 1876 by Boston Red Stockings pitcher A.G. Spalding. Spalding has been a leader of innovation and quality in sporting goods ever since. Spalding has been credited with developing the very first official baseball, basketball, golf ball and football.

A.G. Spalding was a very prominent and influential figure in baseball back in the early days of the game. He played for the Boston Red Stockings and in 1876 he left to play for the Chicago White Stockings, which would later become known as the Chicago Cubs. Spalding helped the White Stocking win the 1876 Inaugural National League Title. After the start of the following season Spalding retired from his playing days to become a full time businessman and team president for the White Stockings.

With an $800 loan from his mother Al Spalding opened up his own sporting goods company, which got its start by selling baseballs. Spalding’s baseballs became The Official Baseball of the National League, which gave him great advertising and exposure and people started to know Spalding Sporting Goods as quality products. As his company expanded Spalding started expanding into numerous outdoor activities and began developing golf clubs, tennis rackets, basketballs, and any other equipment needed for popular athletics at the time. Spalding sporting goods are now official products for many professional sports leagues and college conferences and amateur leagues.