Chicago Unions

The Chicago Unions were a professional, black baseball team that played in the late 19th century, prior to the formation of the Negro leagues.

In 1899, they lost a series for the western championship to the Columbia Giants, also based in Chicago.

The Unions, along with the Cuban Giants, are the only Negro teams to survive the political and economic crisis that eventually lead to the Panic of 1893.

Every other significant Negro team which operated prior to the Panic ultimately ceased to exist.

The Union Giants "were recognized as the top team in the West, but lost a challenge playoff to the Algona Brownies in 1903 for the western championship" (Riley 168).