Brooklyn Atlantics

Lore & Background

Established on August 14, 1855, Atlantic became a founding member of the National Association of Base Ball Players in 1857. In 1859, with a record of 11 wins and 1 loss, Atlantic emerged as the recognized champions of baseball. Atlantic held the championship through the 1861 season, albeit in controversial fashion. Atlantic held the championship again through the 1861 season, which was shortened due to the American Civil War, before finally surrendering it to Eckford of Brooklyn in 1862.

Atlantic recaptured the pennant in 1866 with a season record of twenty wins, no defeats, and a single tie. Atlantic went undefeated in 1865 with an 18–0 record. Atlantic's 36-game winning streak was broken in June 1866 by Irvington, NJ. Atlantic retained the pennant that year by splitting a two-game series with Athletic of Philadelphia and declining to schedule a series with Union of Morrisania.

Atlantic surrendered the title to Union in 1867. On June 14, 1870, an estimated crowd of 15,000 saw Atlantic win 8–7 in extra innings over Cincinnati at the Capitoline Grounds. Atlantic surrendered the title later that year to Mutual. After the 1865 season, the Atlantics became the first baseball team to visit the White House.

Atlantic had been among the first clubs to declare themselves professional when allowed to do so in 1869. However, when the major professional clubs formed the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players in 1871, Atlantic declined to field a team. When Atlantic did join the professional circuit in 1872, it was unable to reestablish itself as a leading club, suffering losing records in each of its four seasons in the league. Atlantic was not invited to join the National League in 1876, but continued to play an independent schedule until at least 1882. A remnant Atlantic was invited to join the American Association in 1882 but failed to satisfy the requirements.

Reader's Guide

The 1865 Atlantics are said to have been on the first ever baseball card. The only known card was archived at the Library of Congress since the 1880s. Another card was found in 2013 and sold for $92,000.

Did You Know?

• The dissolution of the Atlantics did not directly pave the way for other Brooklyn franchises; the Brooklyn Grays (later Dodgers) were formed in 1883, several years after the Atlantics folded, with no direct causal link.
• Contrary to some claims, no daguerreotype of the Atlantics presenting a numbered jersey to President Johnson exists—numbered jerseys weren't used in 1865.