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Original NL constitution up for auction

 
Published May 24, 2017

LOS ANGELES — In 1876, a group of owners and team officials gathered at a New York hotel to draft and sign the constitution that created baseball's National League and would ultimately have ramifications far beyond the diamond.

The principles the document laid out, largely the work of Chicago White Stockings owner William Hulbert, would provide the basic model for every major team sports league in the world that followed.

The constitution is getting a public airing for the first time in more than a century when it's put up for sale by SCP Auctions of Laguna Niguel, Calif., starting today.

It offers a glimpse into a time when nearly half the teams in the league had "stockings" in their names, 50 cents for a ticket was considered a steep price, and getting paid to play sports was deemed dirty.

"The idea that grown men would pick up a bat and ball and put on costumes was suspicious," said John Thorn, the official historian of Major League Baseball. Not to mention the "residue and foul odor of drunkenness" thought to permeate the game.

Many fans were convinced the outcome of games was determined in advance. Occasionally they were correct, Thorn said.

Last year, SCP auctions sold a similar document, 1857's "Laws of Base Ball," which laid out the rules of the modern game. That went for $3.26 million. This prize could easily surpass it.

Quotable

"Right now, this guy is filming this. I've got something to lose. You guys don't even have a life, so you've got nothing to lose at all."

Joey Votto, Reds 1B, cutting off a heckler during Monday night's game in Cleveland after being picked off second base

Extras

. The Mariners activated 2B Robinson Cano from the 10-day disabled list. Cano had been out since May 11 with a strained right quadriceps.

. Searching for answers in a wobbly bullpen, the Mets optioned struggling RHP Hansel Robles to Triple-A Las Vegas and recalled LHP Josh Smoker from their top farm club.

. The Red Sox promoted top prospect Sam Travis from Triple-A Pawtucket. The first baseman was batting .286 with a .353 on-base percentage and a .452 slugging percentage in 33 games at Pawtucket.

. Blue Jays slugger Jose Bautista, typically a rightfielder, started at third base for the first time since April 14, 2013.