Cincinnati Red Stockings – The Birth of Pro Baseball (1869)

In 1869, the Cincinnati Red Stockings became the world’s first professional baseball team — forever changing the sport. In this premiere episode of Hall of Teams, host Kirk Jensen takes you back to baseball’s earliest days: the Red Stockings’ perfect season, their daring Southern tour, and the cultural impact that made them more than just a ballclub.

From the iconic red stockings to the legendary players who set the standard for all who followed, discover how a team from Cincinnati left a legacy still felt in baseball today.

Along the way, you’ll hear Trivia from the Hall, bite-sized facts and hidden gems that bring history to life in surprising ways. Each season, episodes compete for the Team of the Year crown, awarded to the story that resonates most with listeners through likes, comments, and subscriptions. And every inducted team finds its place on the Hall of Teams Wall of Honor, a growing collection that celebrates the greatest clubs across sport, across time, and across the world.

Hall of Teams isn’t just about scores and trophies — it’s about the traditions, identities, and legacies that make these teams immortal.