The Cincinnati Red Stockings were baseball's first openly professional team, formed in 1869 and based in Cincinnati, Ohio. In its initial season, the team was undefeated in 60 games against various amateur and semi-professional teams. The team won also won its first 24 games in 1870 before suffering a 8-7 loss in eleven innings to the Brooklyn Atlantics. After losing five more times, the Red Stockings disbanded after 1870. The stockholders voted to return the team to amateur status. Many of its star players forming the 1871 Boston Red Stockings team in the fledgling National Association, the sport's first all-professional league.

The team members were:

• Asa Brainard, Pitcher
• Douglas Allison, Catcher
• Charles Gould, First Base
• Charles Sweasy, Second Base
• Fred Waterman, Third Base
• George Wright, Shortstop
• Andrew Leonard Left Field
• Harry Wright, Center Field and manager
• Calvin McVey, Right Field
• Richard Hurley, substitute

Defunct baseball teams | Sports in Cincinnati