share-square-1295079 CINCINNATI -- The Reds were baseball’s first professional franchise, but their name has had multiple variations over the past century and a half. In 1869, Harry Wright formed the Cincinnati Red Stockings and the team played its home games at Union Grounds, which was located just west of downtown. The team name originated from the high red socks or stockings the team wore with its knee-length pants. The barnstorming Red Stockings were 57-0 in their first season, but the team disbanded in 1870 and Wright -- and his brother George – went on to help found the Boston Red Stockings, which eventually became the Boston Braves.