Black and white photo of baseball team around turn of 20th century.
This undated team photo shows the Cleveland Spiders. Credit: Ohio History Connection

EDITOR’S NOTE: This story was originally published at Ohio Memory. It’s being republished here through a collaborative agreement.

CLEVELAND — The Cleveland Spiders was a professional baseball team from Cleveland, Ohio.

The team, originally known as the Cleveland Blues, played for two seasons (1887 and 1888) in the American Association, a professional league that lasted from 1882 to 1891.

At least 25 different teams played in this league over the course of the American Association’s existence. The Cleveland Blues finished eighth in the league in 1887 and sixth in 1888.

The Cleveland Blues joined the National League in 1889, and the team became known as the Cleveland Spiders.

The Cleveland Spiders played for ten seasons (1890-1899) in the National League before the team ceased operations. The highest that the Cleveland Spiders finished in the league standings was second in the 1892, 1895, and 1896 seasons.

In its final year of existence, the Cleveland Spiders finished a dismal 12th in the National League.

Cleveland Blues

The Cleveland Blues was a professional baseball team from Cleveland, Ohio. The team played for two seasons (1887 and 1888) in the American Association, a professional league that lasted from 1882 to 1891.

At least 25 different teams played in this league over the course of the American Association’s existence. The Cleveland Blues finished eighth in the league in 1887 and sixth in 1888.

The Cleveland Blues joined the National League in 1889, and the team became known as the Cleveland Spiders.

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