Introduction
The Northwestern League was a minor league baseball league that operated in the central United States during the late 19th century. The Northwestern League is considered the first “minor league” as it had an agreement with the National League and American Association to honor player suspensions and reserve clauses. The league played season 4 in 1887, 138 years ago.
The 1887 season was successfully completed but the Northwestern League folded when a number of its teams joined teams from the Western League to form the Western Association in 1888. The Northwestern League legacy was that it was the first ever official minor league and its league members went on to support minor league Baseball in other leagues.
Classification
Season Length
April 30, 1887 to October 12, 1887
Season Champion
Oshkosh
# of Teams
8
Season Standings
Season Playoffs
There were no championship playoffs as the top team with the most wins at end of season was declared league champion for the season but for this season no champion was declared due to teams folding.
Future Features
