paper team (1891)

“Anson’s Opinion of the New York’s Present Gait–He Considers Them a Strong Paper Team” (Subhead). “Says They Cannot Keep It Up,” Chicago Daily News, June 12, 1891, p3

Previous earliest use (Dickson Baseball Dictionary, 3rd edition, 2009):
1911.  (Baseball Magazine, October, p.39; Edward J. Nichols).

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