The Boston Reds were born of the first labor strife in baseball. Unhappy with contracts they were receiving from teams in the National League and American Association, a group of star players led by John Montgomery Ward attempted to form their own baseball league called the Players' National League of Professional Base Ball Clubs.

Shortened to the Players' League, the new major league had eight teams including the Boston Reds. The Boston Reds played their home games at the Congress Street Grounds, as had a roster full of familiar names including Old Hoss Radbourn, King Kelly, Hugh Duffy, Tommy McCarthy and Dan Brouthers.

Hardy Richardson was the team's leading hitter batting . 328, with 16 home runs and league best 152 RBI.

On the mound, the Boston Reds were led by Radbourn who posted a record of 27-12, while Ad Gumbert went 23-12. The Reds were the top team in the Players' League, winning the only pennant with a record of 81-48.

The Players' League was unable to sustain itself as the league folded after one season, with the star players returning to the National League with their teams being brought out by NL Owners. The Boston Reds though would live on to play in the NL's rival American Association.