Over the next 40 years, baseball expanded in the population centers, especially San Francisco and Oakland. Teams in Sacramento & Stocton, as well as teams in Southern California came and went as some made money, but most didn't. The number of teams ebbed and flowed as seasons were poorly organized and chamionships were often determined by tournament play.

Teams came from the Eastern Leagues to "challenge" the western teams in the winter due to the excellent California weather. The chance to see some of these "all-star" teams created more interest and drew large crowds in the 1870's.

In 1881 the California League operated with the Athletics, Renos, California, Knickerbockers, and Mystics. Crowds of fewer than 500 fans were the rule as loosely organized competition dragged on throughout the summer. It could not continue on like this. The League had to organize and get more competitive. The California Haverly Theater put together a hand-picked team that won the championship in 1883, 84, 85, and 86. The Haverlys showed that baseball could succeed and no longer were the local teams just a bunch of well-to-do gentlemen who played for the love of the game. It was business!

In 1891, The California State League chose to replace financially troubled Stocton with San Jose. Why? Because James H, Henry, owner of the San Jose and Santa Clara Railway Co. agreed to put up about $5,000 to operate a team and build a ballpark (with easy access to the train station, no doubt). The Mercury's (News) base ball reporter urged support for the project because, "the games will furnish innocent amusement to many young men who now seek the saloons for pleasure and pastime...".

A ballpark was built west of town at Race Street and The Alameda. Ticket prices were 50 cents for men, 25 cents for boys, and "ladies" admitted free. The stage was set.

Mike Finn, manager of the San Francisco team, was given the chance to take the helm of the San Jose team. San Jose at the time was a community of about 18,000 at the southern end of San Francisco Bay. It had good weather and strong fan support. Finn was called the "Duke of Santa Clara County" in some newspapers and the team soon became known as either the Dukes or the Gardeners. more later...

All of this material has been savagely stolen from John E. Spalding's book "Always on Sunday: The California Baseball league 1886-1915" with his full permission. Thanks John!