When the American League was formed, a decision was made to place a team in Philadelphia to rival the National League's Phillies. The Shibe family who produced sporting goods, some local sportswriters, and Connie Mack, who had played and managed in the major leagues, were chosen to found the Philadelphia franchise.

[Mack would serve as the "baseball man" and would receive a minority share of the club]. In building the original Athletics, Mack tried to raid the Phillies roster.

Still, the Pennsylvania Supreme Court ruled in favor of the Phillies, saying the players were not allowed to play for another team. In a shrewd move, Mack traded the players in question to the Cleveland Blues and was able to receive talent while the Phillies were unable to recoup their players since Cleveland was out of the court's jurisdiction.

The Athletics would finish their inaugural season in fourth place with a 74-62 record.