Cubs World Series!!!

[coxfan]

The Cubs are by far the longest continuously-operating franchise in a single city in professional sports. They began play in 1871, ironically named the White Stockings. ( No connection with the later-formed White Sox.) They lost a couple of early years due to the fire, so the Braves, who also started in 1871, are the longest-running franchise. But the Braves, who were ironically named the Boston Red Stockings, have moved twice. (And they're not connected with the later-formed Red Sox.)

Both the Braves' and the Cubs' franchises were charter members of the NL when it was formed in 1876. The Cincinnati Red Stockings of 1869 are NOT the longest-running prpfessional franchise, despite their claims. The Cincinnatti Base Ball Club disbanded its professional team in 1870. Part of that team then moved to Boaton, which formed a new and separate franchise that have played since, and are today's Braves. The only claim Cincinnatti can make is that their 1869 team inspired the modern names of three teams.

[coxfan]

The Cubs, then known as the White Stockings, won the first-ever major-league championship by winning the National League's first pennant in its inaugural season of 1876. Their record was 52-14, some six games ahead of Hartford and St. Louis ( not connected with later St. Louis teams.) Thus, the Cubs currectly can claim the be both the first and last (so-far) MLB champions.

Although some consider the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players (1871-75) as a major league, it had an open-admission policy that included some very weak, semi-pro clubs that were barely minor-league level at best. The NL was the first professional league that restricted admission to a small number of well-financed clubs in strong markets, which is the basic definition of a major league.

The White Stockings ( direct ancestors of the Cubs) and the Red Stockings ( direct ancestors of today's Braves) were the only clubs to survive the NL 's first few years. Those Red Stockings won the NL's first-ever game, at Philadelphia.