On April 22nd in sports history, one significant event took place in 1876. This was the day when the first National League baseball game was played, marking the beginning of what would become one of America's most beloved sports institutions.

The game was played at the Jefferson Street Grounds in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, between the Boston Red Caps (now known as the Atlanta Braves) and the Philadelphia Athletics (not to be confused with the modern-day Oakland Athletics). Approximately 3,000 spectators were in attendance to witness this historic moment.

The Athletics won the game 6-5, thanks in part to a strong pitching performance by Dick McBride, who threw a complete game. The Red Caps' pitcher, Joe Borden, also went the distance but took the loss. Remarkably, both teams combined for only six strikeouts in the game, a testament to the early days of baseball when pitchers relied more on the defense behind them rather than overpowering hitters.

The National League, founded by William A. Hulbert, originally consisted of eight teams: Boston Red Caps, Chicago White Stockings, Cincinnati Reds, Hartford Dark Blues, Louisville Grays, New York Mutuals, Philadelphia Athletics, and St. Louis Brown Stockings. The formation of the league brought a new level of organization and professionalism to the sport, which had previously been dominated by amateur clubs.

This first National League game on April 22, 1876, set the stage for the growth and development of professional baseball in the United States. It's a date that holds a special place in the hearts of baseball fans and historians alike, as it represents the birth of one of the most iconic sports leagues in the world.