Anson briefly made a return to baseball managing the New York Giants in June and July of . He then attempted to buy a Chicago team in the Western League, but failed after being opposed by Spalding. In , he helped to organize a new version of the defunct American Association, called the New American Base Ball Association, and was named its president. However, at the first sign of trouble he dissolved the league before a single game was played, drawing heated criticism from other backers.