1879: While the Cincinnati Red Stockings were the first professional baseball club in 1869, Northern Ohio got its first team a decade later when the Cleveland Blues joined the National League. The Blues played their home games at Kennard Street Park and were managed by Jim McCormick, who was a native of Scotland. McCormick was also the front line pitcher for Cleveland, posting a record of 20-40. The Blues did not fare much better, finishing in sixth place with a record of 27-55.

1880: The Cleveland Blues were significantly better in their second season, posting a record of 47-37 while finishing in the third place. Pitching manager Jim McCormick had a terrific season, posting a record of 45-28, with an ERA of 1.85 and 260 strikeouts. Fred Dunlap was the Blues leading hitter with a .276 average and four home runs.

1881: The Cleveland Blues were unable to maintain their success, as Jim McCormick handed the managerial duties to Mike McGeary who in turn was replaced by John Clapp during a disappointing 36-48 that saw Cleveland finish in seventh place.

1882: The Cleveland Blues would rebound, as Fred Dunlap took over as manager after Jim McCormick briefly held the role at the start of the season. McCormick again was one the National League’s top pitchers winning 36 games, as the Blues posted a 42-40 record to finish fifth in the NL’s eight team standings.

1883: With Frank Bancroft managing the Cleveland Blues had their finest season to date, finishing in fourth place with a record of 55-42, seven and half games away from the top of the National League. Jim McCormick for the first time had another pitcher on the staff that was his equal as Hugh Daily posted a record of 23-19. Daily also made history tossing Cleveland’s first No Hitter on September 13th with a 1-0 road win against the Philadelphia Quakers.

1884: Under Manager Charlie Hackett, the Cleveland Blues went into a season long skid as the team was put up for sale. The Blues would finish in seventh place with a record of 35-77 as Charles Byrne purchased the team for $10,000. Byrne would fold the Blues and take a majority of the roster to Brooklyn for a new team in the American Association. The Brooklyn Greys would later join the National League becoming the Dodgers. Cleveland would also get a team in the American Association, which would also later join the National League as the Cleveland Spiders.