The Cincinnati Red Stockings, despite having victories over all of the leading clubs, never faced a reigning champion in a deciding game, partly because in scheduling tours of continental scope they practically opted out.
In 1869, many members of the association were officially paying their players. Several dozen amateur teams, as well as some supbar or short-lived teams, are omitted here. Standings were now determined by winning percentage, rather than by number of total wins, as in years past. Historical records of game results and player statistics may be missing or incomplete. Union and Atlantic clubs played one tie game.
| TEAM | W | L | Pct | GB | ||
 | Cincinnati | 19 | 0 | 1.000 | - | |
 | Atlantic | 15 | 6 | .705 | 5.0 | |
 | Athletic | 15 | 7 | .674 | 5.5 | |
 | Eckford | 15 | 8 | .652 | 6.0 | |
 | Lansingburgh | 12 | 8 | .595 | 7.5 | |
 | Mutual | 11 | 15 | .423 | 11.5 | |
 | Olympic | 9 | 12 | .429 | 11.0 | |
 | Baltimore | 7 | 14 | .333 | 13.0 | |
 | Washington | 4 | 12 | .250 | 13.5 | |
 | Cleveland | 1 | 6 | .143 | 12.0 | |
 | Irvington | 0 | 8 | .000 | 13.5 | |
| | Milwaukee | 0 | 0 | .000 | - |