MLB origins

Major League Baseball is the highest level baseball in North America. It consists of the National League (founded in 1876) and the American League (founded in 1901).
Baseball’s National League withstood challenges over the years from other leagues such as the American Association which began in 1882 and was a solid competitor to the NL as the 2 league champions competed in an informal World Series, but eventually four of the AA’s teams defected to the NL and the AA expired in 1891 after labor problems led to the formation of the Players’ League for the 1890 season which attracted a significant amount of the high-caliber baseball talent and caused the NL and AA significant financial harm, but since it lacked financial backing, it too folded in 1891.
The minor Western League moved several franchises in NL cities and even cities abandoned by the NL for the 1900 and 1901 seasons, and renamed itself the American League in direct competition with the NL. They eventually made peace in 1903, and formed MLB, although still legally separated.
As time went on they had other challenges from the likes of the Federal League in 1914 and while African American players were prevented from playing in MLB, various African American leagues reached their peak from the 1920s to the 1940s, and the players showed themselves to be MLB players’ competitive equals.
After Jackie Robinson broke the color barrier in 1947, the influx of black stars into the major leagues drained the African-American Leagues of talent and eventually caused their collapse.
Continental League tried taking off but the MLB prevented them from even getting off the ground after they awarded franchises to three of their proposed cities as well as expanding to two others. The two finally merged on an organizational level in 2000 with the elimination of separate league offices; they have shared a single Commissioner since 1920 though.
There are currently 30 teams, with 29 located in the U.S. and 1 in Canada.
Traditionally called the “National Pastime”, baseball was the first professional sport in the U.S.

AL Central

CHICAGO WHITE SOX

Established in 1901, White Sox was the original name of the Chicago Cubs, named after the white stockings that the players wore.

• 4 time World/AL champions; 1901, 1906, 1917, 2005
• 5 World Series appearances; 1906, 1917, 1919, 1959, 2005
• 3 Conference final appearances; 1983, 1993, 2005
• 6 division titles; 1983, 1993, 1994, 2000, 2005, 2008

 

CLEVELAND INDIANS

Indians were established in 1901 as the Blues, a year later they became the Bronchos. In 1905 they changed their name to the Naps but in 1915 after Nap Lajoie was sold to Philadelphia, the fans voted to rename the club Indians, after a popular 19th century player named Louis Sockalexis, a Penobscot indian and the first Native American to play in the MLB.

• 2 time World champions; 1920, 1948
• 6 World Series appearances; 1920, 1948, 1954, 1995, 1997, 2016
• 5 Conference final appearances; 1995, 1997, 1998, 2007, 2016
• 9 division titles; 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2007, 2016, 2017

DETROIT TIGERS

Established in 1901, Tigers were named after the black and orange striped socks they wore

• • 4 time World champions; 1935, 1945, 1968, 1984
  • 11 World Series appearances; 1907, 1908, 1909, 1934, 1935, 1940, 1945, 1968, 1984, 2006, 2012
  • 7 Conference final appearances; 1971, 1984, 1987, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013
  • 7 division titles; 1969, 1970, 1987, 1991, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010

KANSAS CITY ROYALS

Established in 1969, Royals were named after the American royal livestock show which has been held in Kansas City every year, since 1899

• • 2 time World champions; 1985, 2015
  • 4 World Series appearances; 1980, 1985, 2014, 2015
  • 8 Conference final appearances; 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1984, 1985, 2014, 2015
  • 8 division titles; 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1984, 1985, 2015

MINNESOTA TWINS

Twins were stablished in 1961 but formerly played as Washington Senators from 1901-1904 then switched to Nationals from 1905-1955, then switched back to Senators from 1956-1960. In 1961 they moved to Minnesota and changed their name to reflect the twin cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, where they play.

• 3 time World champions; 1924, 1987, 1991
• 6 World Series appearances; 1924, 1925, 1933, 1965, 1987, 1991
• 5 Conference final appearances; 1969, 1970, 1987, 1991, 2002
• 11 division titles; 1969, 1970, 1987, 1991, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2006, 2009, 2010, 2020

AL East

BALTIMORE ORIOLES

Orioles were established in 1954 but formerly played as the Milwaukee Brewers in 1901 before moving and becoming the St. Louis Browns from 1902-1953. In 1954 they moved to Baltimore and changed their name to reflect the state bird of Maryland.

• • 3 time World champions; 1966, 1970, 1983
  • 6 World Series appearances; 1966, 1969, 1970, 1971, 1979, 1983
  • 10 Conference final appearances; 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1983, 1996, 1997, 2014
  • 9 division titles; 1969, 1970, 1971, 1973, 1974, 1979, 1983, 1997, 2014

BOSTON RED SOX

Red Sox were established in 1901 as the Boston Americans, in 1908 they changed their name to reflect the original Boston team, the Red Stockings who moved on to become what is now the Atlanta Braves

• • 8 time World/AL champions; 1903, 1904, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 2004, 2007, 2013
  • 12 World Series appearances; 1903, 1912, 1915, 1916, 1918, 1946, 1967, 1975, 1986, 2004, 2007, 2013
  • 10 Conference final appearances; 1975, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1999, 2003, 2004, 2007, 2008, 2013
  • 9 division titles; 1975, 1986, 1988, 1990, 1995, 2007, 2013, 2016, 2017

NEW YORK YANKEES

Yankees were established in 1903 as the New York Highlanders, before that they had a brief period as Baltimore Orioles from 1901-1902. They changed to Yankees in 1913 since local writers kept referring to them as Yanks to fit them in headlines. It also fit in the sense that they were the American League team and Americans were always referred to as Yanks by the British.

• • 27 time World champions; 1923, 1927,1928, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1943, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1956, 1958, 1961, 1962, 1977, 1978, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2009
  • 40 World Series appearances; 1921, 1922, 1923, 1926. 1927, 1928, 1932, 1936, 1937, 1938, 1939, 1941, 1942, 1943, 1947, 1949, 1950, 1951, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1958, 1960, 1961, 1962, 1963, 1964, 1976, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2009
  • 16 Conference final appearances; 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2003, 2004, 2009, 2010, 2012, 2017
  • 19 division titles; 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 2003, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2011, 2012

TAMPA BAY RAYS

Rays were established in 1998 as the Devil Rays, in 2008 they shortened it to just Rays.

• • 2 World Series appearance; 2008, 2020
  • 2 Conference final appearances; 2008, 2020
  • 3 division titles; 2008, 2010, 2020

TORONTO BLUE JAYS

Blue Jays were established in 1977 and were named in a name the team contest, the name was selected because of the city’s large bird population and the colors blue and white, matched every other Toronto sports team

• 2 time World champions; 1992, 1993
• 2 World Series appearances; 1992, 1993
• 7 Conference final appearances; 1985, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2015, 2016
• 6 division titles; 1985, 1989, 1991, 1992, 1993, 2015

AL West

HOUSTON ASTROS

Astros were established in 1962 as the Houston Colt .45s, in 1964 they changed to the Astros in honor of NASA which is headquartered in Houston.

• 1 time World champions; 2017
• 2 World Series appearances; 2005, 2017
• 5 Conference final appearances; 1980, 1986, 2004, 2005, 2020
• 8 division titles; 1980, 1981, 1986, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2017

LOS ANGELES ANGELS OF ANAHEIM

Angels were established in 1961 as the Los Angeles Angels, named after Los Angeles being referred to as the city of Angels. In 1965 they changed it to California Angels then in 1997 they became the Anaheim Angels. Now they are referred to as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim

• • 1 time World champions; 2002
  • 1 World Series appearances; 2002
  • 6 Conference final appearances; 1979, 1982, 1986, 2002, 2005, 2009
  • 9 division titles; 1979, 1982, 1986, 2004, 2005, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2014

OAKLAND ATHLETICS

Athletics were established in 1968 but formerly played in Philadelphia from 1901-1954 and Kansas City from 1955-1967. They were originally named in tribute to Philadelphia’s first pro team, which was a group of fans from various athletic clubs that came together to form a team in 1871.

• • 4 time World/AL champions; 1902, 1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, 1930, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1989
  • 6 World Series appearances; 1905, 1910, 1911, 1913, 1914, 1929, 1930, 1931, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1988, 1989, 1990
  • 11 Conference final appearances; 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1981, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 2006
  • 17 division titles; 1971, 1972, 1973, 1974, 1975, 1981, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1992, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2006, 2012, 2013, 2020

SEATTLE MARINERS

Established in 1977, Mariners got their name from the fans to reflect the maritime history of Seattle

• • 3 Conference final appearances; 1995, 2000, 2001
  • 3 division titles; 1995, 1997, 2001

TEXAS RANGERS

Rangers were established in 1972 but played formerly as the Washington Senators from 1961-1971. When they were lured to Texas they changed their name to reflect the State of Texas’s elite law enforcement agency.

• 2 World Series appearances; 2010, 2011
• 33 Conference final appearances; 2010, 2011
• 8 division titles; 1994, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2010, 2011, 2015, 2016

NL Central

CHICAGO CUBS

Cubs were established in 1876 as the Chicago White Stockings, changing to Colts in 1894 and to orphans in 1898 before settling on Cubs in 1902. They got the name Cubs because they had a high number of young players at the time.

• 9 time World champions; 1876, 1880, 1881, 1882, 1885, 1886, 1907, 1908, 2016
• 11 World Series appearances; 1906, 1907, 1908, 1910, 1918, 1929, 1932, 1935, 1938, 1945, 2016
• 6 Conference final appearances; 1984, 1989, 2003, 2015, 2016, 2017
• 8 division titles; 1984, 1989, 2003, 2007, 2008, 2016, 2017, 2020

CINCINNATI REDS

Reds were established in 1869 as the first professional baseball team; the Red Stockings. They shortened the name to Reds in 1878 but changed again in 1954 to the Redlegs before reverting back to Reds in 1960.

• 6 time World champions; 1881, 1919, 1940, 1975, 1976, 1990
• 9 World Series appearances; 1919, 1939, 1940, 1961, 1970, 1972, 1975, 1976, 1990
• 8 Conference final appearances; 1970, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1990, 1995
• 11 division titles; 1970, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1976, 1979, 1990, 1994, 1995, 2010, 2012

MILWAUKEE BREWERS

Brewers were established in 1970 but played a year as the Seattle Pilots in 1969. They were named after Milwaukee’s well known beer industry.

• 1 World Series appearances; 1982
• 2 Conference final appearances; 1982, 2011
• 3 division titles; 1981, 1982, 2011

PITTSBURGH PIRATES

Pirates were established in 1887 as the Pittsburgh Allegheneys, changing their name to Pirates in 1890 which was a nickname given to them after they started stealing players from other teams.

• 7 time World/NL champions; 1901, 1902, 1909, 1925, 1960, 1971, 1979
• 7 World Series appearances; 1903, 1909, 1925, 1927, 1960, 1971, 1979
• 9 Conference final appearances; 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1990, 1991, 1992
• 8 division titles; 1970, 1971, 1972, 1974, 1975, 1979, 1990, 1991, 1992

ST. LOUIS CARDINALS

Cardinals were established in 1892 as the St. Louis Brown Stockings, in 1898 they changed to the Perfectos but that only lasted a year when they became the Cardinals after a new red color scheme was unveiled in 1900. The owner overheard a woman refer to it as a lovely shade of Cardinal and the name stuck.

• 11 time World champions; 1926, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1982, 2006, 2011
• 19 World Series appearances; 1926, 1928, 1930, 1931, 1934, 1942, 1943, 1944, 1946, 1964, 1967, 1968, 1982, 1985, 1987, 2004, 2006, 2011, 2013
• 13 Conference final appearances; 1982, 1985, 1987, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2011, 2012, 2013, 2014
• 13 division titles; 1982, 1985, 1987, 1996, 2000, 2002, 2004, 2005, 2006, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015

NL East

ATLANTA BRAVES

Atlanta Braves were established in 1966 but formerly played as the Boston Red Stockings from 1876-1882, then became Beaneaters from 1883-1906, then changed to Doves from 1907-1908, then to Pilgrims from 1909-1911, then to Braves from 1912-1935, then to Bees from 1936-1940, then back to Braves from 1941-1952. In 1953 they moved to Milwaukee and kept the Braves name and then moved to Atlanta in 1966 as the Braves where they have stayed. The name Braves was given to them after the political organization their owner was a member of; Tammany Hall braves.

• 10 time World/NL champions; 1877, 1878, 1883, 1891, 1892, 1893, 1897, 1898, 1914, 1995
• 7 World Series appearances;  1914, 1948, 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999
• 12 Conference final appearances; 1969, 1982, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2001, 2020
• 18 division titles; 1969, 1982, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1995, 1996, 1997, 1998, 1999, 2000, 2001, 2002, 20003, 2004, 2005, 2013, 2020

MIAMI MARLINS

Marlins were established in 1993 as the Florida marlins, in 2012 they changed to Miami marlins. Owner Wayne Huizenga was an avid deep sea fisher that chose Marlins because the fish were fierce fighters

• • 2 time World champions; 1997, 2003
  • 2 World Series appearances; 1997, 2003
  • 2 Conference final appearances; 1997, 2003

NEW YORK METS

Mets were established in 1962 and selected their name to represent the entire New York Metropolitan area, named Mets for short.

• 2 time World champions; 1969, 1986
• 5 World Series appearances; 1969, 1973, 1986, 2000, 2015
• 8 Conference final appearances; 1969, 1973, 1986, 1988, 1999, 2000, 2006, 2015
• 6 division titles; 1969, 1973, 1986, 1988, 2006, 2015

PHILADELPHIA PHILLIES

Phillies were established in 1883 as the Philadelphia Quackers. In 1890 they changed to the Phillies and in 1943 they changed to the Blue Jays before reverting back to the Phillies in 1945. The selected Phillies to represent the citizens of Philadelphia.

• 2 time World champions; 1980, 2008
• 7 World Series appearances; 1915, 1950, 1980, 1983, 1993, 2008, 2009
• 9 Conference final appearances; 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1983, 1993, 2008, 2009, 2010
• 12 division titles; 1976, 1977, 1978, 1980, 1981, 1983, 1993, 2007, 2008, 2009, 2010, 2011

 

WASHINGTON NATIONALS

Nationals were established in 2005 but formerly played as the Montreal Expos from 1969-2004. They got the name Nationals because Washington is the national capital of the United States.

• • 4 division titles; 2012, 2014, 2016, 2017

NL West

ARIZONA DIAMONDBACKS

Diamondbacks were established in 1998 and named after the Diamondback rattlesnake which is the most common rattler in Arizona

• 1 time World champions; 2001
• 1 World Series appearances; 2001
• 2 Conference final appearances; 2001, 2007
• 5 division titles; 1999, 2001, 2002, 2007, 2011

COLORADO ROCKIES

Rockies were established in 1993 and got their name from the Rocky Mountains which run through Colorado

• • 1 World Series appearances; 2007
  • 1 Conference final appearances; 2007

LOS ANGELES DODGERS

The franchise was established in 1890 as the Brooklyn Bridegrooms, in 1899 they became the Superbas and then in 1911 they changed the name to Trolley-Dodgers after their fans in Brooklyn that would have to dodge trolleys that criss-crossed Brooklyn in that era. By 1913 they dropped it down to just Dodgers but a year later they changed to the Robins. In 1931 they went back to the Dodgers and in 1957 they moved to Los Angeles and keept the name.

• • 10 time World/NL champions; 1890, 1899, 1900, 1955, 1959, 1963, 1965, 1981, 1988, 2020
  • 20 World Series appearances; 1916, 1920, 1941, 1947, 1949, 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1959, 1963, 1965, 1966, 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1988, 2017, 2020
  • 13 Conference final appearances; 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2016, 2017, 2020
  • 18 division titles; 1974, 1977, 1978, 1981, 1983, 1985, 1988, 1994,1995, 2004, 2008, 2009, 2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2020

SAN DIEGO PADRES

Established in 1969, Padres got their name from the priests of the Roman Catholic Mission that was founded in San Diego in the 1700s,  padres is Spanish for priests.

• 2 World Series appearances; 1984, 1998
• 2 Conference final appearances; 1984, 1998
• 5 division titles; 1984, 1996, 1998, 2005, 2006

SAN FRANCISCO GIANTS

Giants were established in 1883 as the New York Gothams, in 1885 they became the New York Giants after manager Jim Murtie blurted out that they were his Giants after an impressive victory over Philadelphia. In 1857 they moved to San Francisco and retained the name

• • 12 time World/NL champions; 1888, 1889, 1894, 1904, 1905, 1921, 1922, 1933, 1954, 2010, 2012, 2014
  • 20 World Series appearances; 1905, 1911, 1912, 1913, 1917, 1921, 1922, 1923, 1924, 1933, 1936, 1937, 1951, 1954, 1962, 1989, 2002, 2010, 2012, 2014
  • 6 Conference final appearances; 1971, 1987, 1989, 2002, 2010, 2012
  • 9 division titles; 1971, 1987, 1989, 1997, 2000, 2003, 2010, 2012, 2014