Posted By:
Dan BrettaThe White Stocking are the same "Franchise" as the Cubs, it is older than the Phillies. Now if you had said same continuous nickname I would agree that it's the Phillies, but I am certain the NL Chicago franchise is the answer to your original question.
Edited to add: A nickname change is not a franchise change - would anyone argue that the NY Highlanders is not the same franchise as the NY Yankees? Or that the Colt 45's is not the same franchise as the Astros?