The Tecumsehs of the International Association: Canada's First Major League Baseball Champions

This is the previously untold story of the London Tecumsehs, an 1870s baseball team that rose to the top ranks of pro ball. The Tecumsehs of London, Ontario, were among the founding members of the International Association in 1877, the first league established to challenge the struggling National League, formed a year earlier. The team played against the top competition of the day and defeated nines from Chicago, St. Louis and elsewhere. They became the first champions of the International Association when theydefeated Pittsburghwith the help of Fred Goldsmith, one of the first curveball pitchers.