In 1876, Cavanagh’s was established as a twelve-seat clam bar, originally called Kenny’s, in New York City and the National League of Professional Baseball Clubs was formed in Chicago, Illinois. This menu wittily notes the inauguration of two of America’s favorite pastimes in the same year - eating and baseball.

John J. Cavanagh took over the restaurant in 1894. It became popular with Tammany Hall politicians and sporting figures, especially prize-fighters, and business flourished. The restaurant expanded by taking over adjoining four story buildings and was soon hosting opera stars from the nearby Grand Opera House on Eighth Avenue.

Unlike many other restaurants Cavanagh's survived the Prohibition years because it never had a bar and didn't rely on alcohol sales. The restaurant's early specialties included oyster stews, lobster, steaks, fried oysters and chops.

The National League was established by businessman and owner of the Chicago Baseball Club (now known as the Chicago Cubs), William Hubert as successor to the National Association of Professional Baseball Players which Hubert believed to have been corrupt, mismanaged, full of rowdy, drunken ballplayers and under the influence of the gambling community.

The 1876 NL season was contested by eight teams: the Chicago White Stockings, Hartford Dark Blues, St Louis Brown Stockings, Boston Redcaps, Louisville Grays, New York Mutuals, Philadelphia Athletics and Cincinnati Reds.

The Chicago White Stockings won the pennant, and the Hartford Blues were runners-up.

The rather plain façade of a Clearview movieplex now occupies the old Cavanagh's site at 254-260 West 23rd Street in Manhattan.