The Cleveland Green Sox (64–54), St. Louis Terriers (59–60) Covington Blue Sox/Kansas City Packers (32–45) and Pittsburgh Filipinos (49–71) were the other members of the 1913 six-team Federal League.

Chicago businessman James A. Gilmore was appointed Federal League president, replacing John T. Powers.

Nearly 300 entries were submitted, and Weeghman chose "Whales", saying that it "carried a suggestion of athletic prowess and power", as well as being "absolutely unique as a nickname.

The Whales won the league championship, finishing with 86 wins and 66 losses, percentage points ahead of the St. Louis Terriers' 87–67 record.

Many Whales players had American and National League experience, including manager Joe Tinker, Dutch Zwilling, Mordecai Brown, and Rollie Zeider.