Because of the industrial power of the Midwest, Chicago had the resources to bring in and pay those players, entertain the crowds that would come out to games, and attract high quality teams (Melville 47). In 1870, the White Stockings played a single season in the NABBP, where they won the championship before joining the National Association to play in the first season of its existence in 1871. The White Stockings played their next 5 seasons in the NA except for the years of 1872 and 1873 because the Great Chicago Fire that took out their Lake Street field. During those two years, professional baseball was not played in Chicago. They were forced to play the rest of their games on the road but didn't continue their winning streak (LaBlanc 286-287). However, the team was still a symbol of pride for the citizens of Chicago. .
The real story of the Cubs begins with the formation of the National League. Albert G. Spalding, president of the White Stockings, published a book in 1911 called America's National Game. It was the first significant historical work on baseball. He claimed that professional baseball was "saved . . . from decay or death, when grave dangers threatened it " when Chicago White Stockings president William Hulbert staged a daring "coup " in 1876, over throwing the corrupt and inefficient National Association in order to create the National League (Spaulding). .
William Hulbert moved to Chicago at a young age and eventually became a coal merchant and respected member of the Board of Exchange. It was later in his life that he became involved with the sport of baseball and the Chicago White Stockings organization. .
"He became a director of the club in 1872, its secretary in 1874, and, by the following year, Hulbert assumed its presidency, a position he would hold until his death in 1882, " a Chicago history article states. Hulbert's so called "coup " took place in 1876, when he convinced other cities to join the National League.