Founded by financier Morgan G. Bulkeley the Hartford Dark Blues joined the National Association.

The National Association was baseball's first professional league, which was more of a loose association of clubs, than a formal league. The Dark Blues played their home games at the Hartford Ball Club Grounds and had a devoted follower in Hartford won its first game on May 1st, defeating the New York Mutuals 10-7.

Managed by Lip Pike who also was the team's best hitter, with a . 355 average and 50 RBI, the Dark Blues struggled in their first season finishing seventh with a record of 16-37.

Among the other players on Hartford's roster was Tommy Barlow who was credited with inventing the bunt, while Cherokee Fisher was the Dark Blues top pitcher, winning 13 games.