William Hulbert
(Oct. 23, 1832–Apr. 10, 1882)

Hulbert was part owner of the Chicago White Stockings, later to become the Cubs. He and Albert Spalding founded the National League in 1876. He was elected National League president and is credited with establishing respectability, through opposition to betting, rowdiness and other abuses. His monument in the shape of a baseball is one of the most unique in Graceland, and features the eight original cities that comprised the National League.

photo and text by Joe Collier