[Tay1038]

Historic 1877 St. Paul Red Caps original photographer display - Very 1st Professional Team in the State of Minnesota!

138 year old, 1877 St. Paul Red Caps photo display. All 9 of the starters from the very first professional baseball team in Minnesota are represented on this display. Photographer: Charles A. Zimmerman, who was an immensely popular photographer during this era. Thanks to a fellow N54 forum member, I found out this is a photographic proof. The larger images and wording were arranged and then another photograph was taken to create the finished composite photo from the photographer so he could then sell the smaller piece with all the players on it.

The transition from amateur to professional baseball in Minnesota happened before either the Saints or Millers existed, with the St. Paul Red Caps in 1877. The Red Caps won the League Alliance, a loosely affiliated league that hoped to rival the National League. The Red Caps played only one season because of money problems, and pro ball wasn't attempted again in St. Paul until 1884, when the St. Paul Base Ball Club, or White Caps, played nine road games in the Union Association.