The History Of Troy, New York’s Forgotten Major League Baseball Team

One of the biggest complaints I hear about New York's Capital Region is the lack of any major sports teams. Sure, we've got the Firebirds and the Patroons, but none of our teams play in any professional leagues.

Read More: World Series Trophy Coming to Troy

That wasn't always the case, but the Capital Region's major league baseball team had a weird and tumultuous history before their departure from the national eye.

The Troy Trojans

In 1867, in the wake of the Civil War, the team the Unions of Lansingburgh beat the highly regarded New York Mutuals, earning them the nickname "Haymakers". In 1871, they joined the first ever professional baseball league, known as the National Association.

When the National League was formed in 1876, Troy was left out of the fun, but were able to enter the league after the 1878 season, renaming themselves as the Troy Trojans. Their first season, they finished in last place.

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History for the Trojans

Things turned around quickly for the Trojans, finishing first in their division in 1880, and fourth in the league. In 1881, financial problems became more apparent, but that same year, Roger Connor hit the first grand slam home run in major league baseball history.

By the time the 1882 season rolled around, things were looking bleak for the Trojans, and on December 6th, the National League removed them from the lineup. The team went on to become the New York Gothams in NYC, who later became the New York Baseball Giants, and finally, made their way to San Francisco, where the Giants have stayed since 1958.