The 1870 season was a fairly important transition campaign in baseball history. It was the year before the National Association, the first major recognized professional league, began play, and it was the year after the Cincinnati Red Stockings, the first (openly) professional baseball team, had taken to wing. 

On this fine day of gratitude, the 1870 season is also notable for the following, which comes to us courtesy of the Nov. 23, 1870 edition of the New York Times ... 

Yea, verily: On this and every Thanksgiving, let "the ball tossers ... have a great deal of exciting sport."

In 1870, the diseases were worse, but the November baseball schedule was better. 

(Wink of CBS eye: Hunter College Libraries)