1894 by Edward Drobinski - HTML preview
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Page 41
League played split season; the winner of the first half played he winner of the second half in a postseason championship series, but then abandoned the concept which proved to be unpopular.
Although the “modern” World Series didn't begin until 1903, major league baseball had several versions of a post season championship series before that. In 1884, the Providence Grays of the National League outplayed the New York Metropolitan Club of the American Association in a three game series for what was originally called "The Championship of the United States."
Several newspapers penned the Grays as "World Champions" and the new title stuck. Over the next six years, different variations took place between the National League and American Association pennant winners, ranging in length from six to fifteen games.
The American Association folded after the 1891 season forcing a suspension of the series.
In 1893, the Pittsburgh Pirates finished second to the Boston Beaneaters. The Pirates' president, William Chase Temple, felt that his team should have the option of having a playoff series to claim the title. As a result, Temple had a trophy minted and he donated it to the league.
1894