- Anaheim Angels (AL)
- 1961 The Los Angeles Angels join the American League as an expansion team.
- Sep 2, 1965 The Los Angeles Angels are renamed the California Angels.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the California Angels are placed in the AL-West.
- 1997 The California Angels are renamed Anaheim Angels
| Angel Championships |
|---|
| 1 Wild Card Slot |
2002 |
| 3 AL-W Divison Titles |
1979 1982 1986 (as California) |
| 1 AL Champtionship |
2002 |
| 1 World Champtionship |
2002 |
- Arizona Diamondbacks (NL)
- 1997 The Arizona Diamondbacks join the National League West as an expansion team.
- Jan 10, 1998 Tickets go on sale.
- Mar 31, 1998 The Arizona Diamonbacks play their first game against the Colorado Rockies.
| Diamondback Championships |
|---|
| 3 NL-W Divison Titles |
1999 2001 2002 |
| 1 NL League Title |
2001 |
| 1 World Title |
2001 |
- Atlanta Braves (NL)
- Mar 15, 1869 The Cincinnati Red Stockings form, the first professional baseball team.
- Jun 1, 1869 In the first game ever played by a professional baseball team (all paid players, no amateurs), the Cincinnati Red Stockings beat the Mansfield Independents, 48-14.
- 1871 The Cincinnati Red Stockings move to Boston, MA as the Boston Red Stockings.
(According to some sources, the team did not actually move, but disbanded and Boston hired most of the players.)
- 1876 The Boston Red Stockings join the National League as charter members and change their
name to the Boston Red Caps.
- 1883 When the National Association folds, the Boston Red Caps change their name to the Boston
Beaneaters to avoid confusion with the Cincinnati Reds of the American Association.
- 1907 The Boston Beaneaters are renamed the Boston Doves, after their owners, the Dovey Brothers.
- 1911 The Boston Doves are renamed the Boston Rustlers.
- 1912 The Boston Rustlers are renamed the Boston Braves, at the suggestion of Johnny Montgomery Ward.
- 1914 The year of the "Miracle Braves". On July 4th, the Boston Braves were in last place. They will go on to
win the pennant and the World Series 4 games to none.
- 1936 The Boston Braves are renamed the Boston Bees as a result of a fan poll.
- 1941 The Boston Bees are renamed back to the Boston Braves.
- 1953 The Boston Braves move to Milwaukee, WI as the Milwaukee Braves.
- 1966 The Milwaukee Braves move to Atlanta, GA as the Atlanta Braves.
- April 12, 1966 The Atlanta Braves play their first game against the Pittsburgh Pirates, losing 3-2 in 13 innings.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the Atlanta Braves are placed in the NL-West.
- 1994 As a result of MLB realignment, the Atlanta Braves move to the NL-East.
| Braves Championships |
|---|
| 5 NL-W Divison Titles |
1969 1982 1991 1992 1993 |
| 9 NL-E Divison Titles |
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 |
| 17 NL League Titles |
1877 1878 1883 1891 1892 1893 1897 1898
1914 1948 (in Boston), 1957 1958 (in Milwaukee), 1991 1992 1995 1996 1999 |
| 1 Temple Cup² |
1892 (in Boston) |
| 3 World Titles |
1914 (in Boston), 1957 (in Milwaukee), 1995 |
- Baltimore Orioles (AL)
- 1894 The Milwaukee Brewers join the WA as a charter franchise.
- 1901 The Milwaukee Brewers join the American League as a charter franchise after the
Western Association disbands.
- 1902 The Milwaukee Brewers move to St. Louis, MO as the St. Louis Browns.
- 1916 The St. Louis Browns absorb the Florida Terriers of the
Federal League.
- 1942 The St. Louis Browns attempt to move to Los Angeles but plans are scuttled with
the attack on Pearl Harbor.
- 1953 The St. Louis Browns attempt to move to Los Angeles but plans are scuttled when
it is learned that the Coliseum the is unavailable.
- Sep 28, 1953 Baseball's owners unanimously agreed
upon the move of the St. Louis Browns to Baltimore, MD. The move followed a season in which
the Browns went 54-100 and drew a crowd of only 3,174 to their season finale, an 11-inning loss to Chicago.
- 1954
The St. Louis Browns move to Baltimore as the Baltimore Orioles.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the Baltimore Orioles are placed in the AL-East.
| Oriole Championships |
|---|
| 1 Wild Card Slot |
1996 |
| 8 AL-E Divison Titles |
1969 1970 1971 1973 1974 1979 1983 1997 |
| 7 AL League Titles |
1944 (in St. Louis), 1966 1969 1970 1971 1979 1983 |
| 3 World Titles |
1966 1970 1983 |
- Boston Red Sox (AL)
- 1892 The Buffalo Bisons are charter members of the WA.
- 1901 The Buffalo Bisons (WA) move to Boston MA
as the Boston Somersets, a charter franchise of the American League. The Somersets are
named after their owner, Charles W. Somers.
- 1903 The Boston Somersets change their name to the Boston Pilgrims.
- 1907 The Boston Pilgrims change their name to the Boston Red Sox.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the Boston Red Sox are placed in the AL-East.
| Red Sox Championships |
|---|
| 3 Wild Card Slots |
1998 1999 2003 |
| 5 AL-E Divison Titles |
1975 1986 1988 1990 1995 |
| 10 AL League Titles |
1903 1904 1912 1915 1916 1918 1946 1967 1975 1986 |
| 5 World Titles |
1903 1912 1915 1916 1918 |
- Chicago Cubs (NL)
- 1871 The Chicago White Stockings are charter memebers of the National Association.
- Feb 2, 1876 The National League is formed in New York City with the Chicago White Stockings as
a charter member. William A. Hulbert is their president.
- Apr 25, 1876 Chicago wins its first NL game, beating Louisville 4-0.
- 1890 The Chicago White Stockings are renamed the Chicago Colts.
- 1891 The Chicago Colts absorb the Chicago Pirates (PL), which disbands along with
the Players League, of which the Pirates were a charter member.
- 1898 The Chicago Colts are renamed the Chicago Orphans.
- Mar 27, 1902 Chicago sportswriters George Rice and Fred Hayner in Chicago Daily News first use the nickname "Cubs".
- 1907 The Chicago Orphans are officially renamed the Chicago Cubs.
- 1916 The Chicago Cubs absorb the Chicago Whales (FL), which disbands along with
the Federal League, of which the Whales were a charter member.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the Chicago Cubs are placed in the NL-East.
- 1994 As a result of MLB realignment, the Chicago Cubs move to the NL-Central.
| Cub Championships |
|---|
| 1 Wild Card Slot |
1998 |
| 2 NL-E Divison Titles |
1984 1989 |
| 1 NL-C Divison Titles |
2003 |
| 16 NL League Titles |
1876 1880 1881 1882 1885 1886 1906 1907 1908 1910 1918 1929 1932 1935 1938 1945 |
| 1 pre-Temple Championship¹ |
1882 (tie in exhibition) |
| 2 World Titles |
1907 1908 |
- Chicago White Sox (AL)
- 1894 The Minneapolis Millers join the WA as a charter member.
- 1901 The Minneapolis Millers join the American League as a charter member after the
Western Association disbands as the Chicago White Stockings.
- Apr 22, 1901 The Chicago White Stockings defeat the Cleveland Lakeshores, 8-2, in the first "official" American League game.
- 1904 The Chicago White Stockings are renamed the Chicago White Sox, a name given them by
Chicago sports writers Carl Green and I.E. Sanborn.
- 1906 "The Hitless Wonders" win the pennant and the World Series against the
vaunted Cubs, despite finishing last in team batting average in the American League with a
dismal .198.
- Jul 1, 1910 The Comiskey Park opens, but the White Sox lose to the St. Louis Browns, 2-0.
- 1919 The year of the "Black Sox" scandal. As a result of the outcome of the 1919 World Series (the White Sox lost to the
Cincinnati Reds, 5 games to 3) eight members of the White Sox will be charged with throwing the World Series in exchange for cash.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the Chicago White Sox are placed in the AL-West.
- 1994 As a result of MLB realignment, the Chicago White Sox move to the AL-Central.
| White Sox Championships |
|---|
| 2 AL-W Divison Titles |
1983 1993 |
| 2 AL-C Divison Titles |
1994 2000 |
| 5 AL League Titles |
1901 1906 1917 1919 1959 |
| 2 World Titles |
1906 1917 |
| 1994 |
The 1994 season ended on August 11th. There was no post-season play.
Division championships were simply awarded to the first place teams in each of the three divisions in both leagues. |
- Cincinnati Reds (NL)
- Mar 15, 1869 The original Cincinnati Red Stockings form, the first professional baseball team.
- Jun 1, 1869 In the first game ever played by a professional baseball team (all paid players, no amateurs),
the Cincinnati Red Stockings beat the Mansfield Independents, 48-14.
- 1871 The Cincinnati Red Stockings move to Boston, MA as the
Boston Red Stockings. (According to some sources, the team did not actually
move, but disbanded and Boston hired most of the players.)
- Feb 2, 1876 The National League is formed in New York City with
a subsequent Cincinnati Red Stockings as a charter member after the
National Association disbands.
- Apr 22, 1876 The Cincinnati Red Stockings play in the first National League
game, defeating the Philadelphia Athletics, 6-5, in front of a crowd of 3000.
- Jun 18, 1877 The Cincinnati Red Stockings disband.
- Jul 7, 1877 The Cincinnati Red Stockings are re-established.
- 1879 The Cincinnati Red Stockings again disband.
- 1880 The Cincinnati Red Stockings are re-established under new management.
- Oct 6, 1880 The Cincinnati Red Stockings are expelled from the National League, due in part to their selling beer in the ballpark.
- 1882 The Cincinnati Reds join the American Association.
- 1890 The Cincinnati Reds return to the National League. According to some sources,
the 1889 AA Cincinnati Reds merged with the disbanded 1889 NL Washington
Senators to form the 1890 NL Cincinnati Reds. (The 1889 NL Washington
Senators were a charter member of the National League.)
- 1944 The Cincinnati Reds are renamed the Cincinnati Red Legs.
- 1946 The Cincinnati Red Legs are renamed back to the Cincinnati Reds.
- 1954 The Cincinnati Reds are again renamed the Cincinnati Red Legs.
- 1961 The Cincinnati Red Legs are again renamed back to the Cincinnati Reds.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the Cincinnati Reds are placed in the NL-West.
- 1994 As a result of MLB realignment, the Cincinnati Reds move to the NL-Central.
| Reds Championships |
|---|
| 7 NL-W Divison Titles |
1970 1972 1973 1975 1976 1979 1990 |
| 2 NL-C Divison Titles |
1994 1995 |
| 1 AA League Title |
1882 |
| 9 NL League Titles |
1919 1939 1940 1961 1970 1972 1975 1976 1990 |
| 1 pre-Temple Championship¹ |
1882 (tie in exhibition, AA) |
| 5 World Titles |
1919 1940 1975 1976 1990 |
| 1994 |
The 1994 season ended on August 11th. There was no post-season play.
Division championships were simply awarded to the first place teams in each of the three divisions in both leagues. |
- Cleveland Indians (AL)
- 1894 The Grand Rapids Rustlers join the WA as a charter member.
- 1900 The Grand Rapids Rustlers move to Cleveland, OH as the Cleveland Lakeshores.
- 1901 The Cleveland Lakeshores join the American League as charter members with the
name Cleveland Bluebirds.
- 1902 The Cleveland Bluebirds are renamed the Cleveland Broncos.
- 1903 The Cleveland Broncos are renamed the Cleveland Naps, after their 2nd baseman/manager
Napoleon Lajoie.
- 1912 The Cleveland Naps are renamed the Cleveland Indians, after an old
Cleveland Spider, Louis Francis Sockalexis, the first American Indian in the majors.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the Cleveland Indians are placed in the AL-East.
- 1994 As a result of MLB realignment, the Cleveland Indians move to the AL-Central.
| Indian Championships |
|---|
| 6 AL-C Divison Titles |
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999 2001 |
| 5 AL League Titles |
1920 1948 1954 1995 1997 |
| 2 World Titles |
1920 1948 |
- Colorado Rockies (NL)
- 1993 The Colorado Rockies join the NL-West as an expansion team.
| Rocky Championships |
|---|
| 1 Wild Card Slot |
1995 |
- Detoit Tigers (AL)
- 1894 The Detroit Tigers join the WA as a charter member.
- 1900 The Detroit Tigers are renamed the Detroit Wolverines.
- 1901 The Detroit Wolverines join the American League as a charter member as the Detroit Tigers.
The team was named after the striped stockings used in 1901. Editor Philip Reid thought that
the yellow and black sox were very similar to those worn by the Princeton University Tigers football team.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the Detroit Tigers are placed in the AL-East.
- 1994 As a result of MLB realignment, the Detroit Tigers move to the AL-Central.
| Tiger Championships |
|---|
| 3 AL-E Divison Titles |
1972 1984 1987 |
| 9 AL League Titles |
1907 1908 1909 1934 1935 1940 1945 1968 1984 |
| 4 World Titles |
1935 1945 1968 1984 |
- Florida Marlins (NL)
- 1993 The Florida Marlins join the NL-East as an expansion franchise.
| Marlin Championships |
|---|
| 2 Wild Card Slots |
1997 2003 |
| 2 NL League Titles |
1997 2003 |
| 2 World Titles |
1997 2003 |
- Houston Astros (NL)
- Oct 17, 1960 The ownership group from Houston, TX, headed by Judge Roy Hofheinz, attended
the annual Major League Baseball owners meetings in Chicago where Houston was awarded a franchise in the ten-team NL.
The team will be called the Houston Colt .45s.
- 1962 The Houston Colt 45s join the NL as an expansion franchise.
- Apr 10, 1962 The Houston Colt .45s play their first major league game, defeating the Chicago Cubs 11-2.
- Apr 9, 1965 The Houston Colt .45s become the Houston Astros and inaugurate indoor baseball with a 2-1 exhibition
win over the AL New York Yankees in the Astrodome.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the Houston Astros are placed in the NL-West.
- 1994 As a result of MLB realignment, the Houston Astros move to the NL-Central.
| Astro Championships |
|---|
| 3 NL-W Divison Titles |
1980 1981 1986 |
| 4 NL-C Divison Titles |
1997 1998 1999 2001 |
| 1981 |
The 1981 season was split due to a strike. The Astros won
the second half and lost to the LA Dodgers in the playoffs. |
- Kansas City Royals (AL)
- 1969 The Kansas City Royals join the AL-West as an expansion team.
- 1994 As a result of MLB realignment, the Kansas City Royals move to the AL-Central.
| Royal Championships |
|---|
| 7 AL-W Divison Titles |
1976 1977 1978 1980 1981 1984 1985 |
| 2 AL League Titles |
1980 1985 |
| 1 World Title |
1985 |
| 1981 |
The 1981 season was split due to a strike. The Astros won
the second half and lost to Oakland in the playoffs. |
- Los Angeles Dodgers (NL)
- 1884 The Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers join the American Association as a charter member.
The name came from the maze of trolley cars near the Brooklyn Bridge.
- 1889 The Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers are renamed the Brooklyn Bridegrooms due to the inordinate
number of recently married ball players on the team.
- 1890 The Brooklyn Bridegrooms move to the National League as an expansion team named the Brooklyn Dodgers.
- 1891 The Brooklyn Dodgers absorb the Brooklyn Wonders (PL) when the Players League disbands.
- 1899 The Brooklyn Dodgers are renamed the Brooklyn Superbas.
- 1900 The Brooklyn Superbas absorb the Baltimore Orioles (AA) when the American Association disbands.
- 1911 The Brooklyn Superbas are renamed back to the Brooklyn Dodgers.
- 1914 The Brooklyn Dodgers are renamed the Brooklyn Robins.
- 1932 The Brooklyn Robins are renamed back to the Brooklyn Dodgers.
- 1958 The Brooklyn Dodgers move to Los Angeles as the Los Angeles Dodgers.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the Los Angeles Dodgers are placed in the NL-West.
| Dodger Championships |
|---|
| 1 Wild Card Slot |
1996 |
| 9 NL-W Divison Titles |
1974 1977 1978 1981 1983 1985 1988 1994 1995 |
| 1 AA League Title |
1889 (in Brooklyn) |
| 21 NL League Titles |
1890 1899 1900 1916 1920 1941 1947 1949
1952 1953 1955 1956 (in Brooklyn), 1959 1963 1965 1966 1974 1977 1978 1981 1988 |
| 1 pre-Temple Championship¹ |
1890 (tie) |
| 1 Temple Cup² |
1900 |
| 6 World Titles |
1955 (in Brooklyn), 1959 1963 1965 1981 1988 |
| 1981 |
The 1981 season was split due to a strike. The Astros won
the first half and beat the Houston Astros in the playoffs. |
| 1994 |
The 1994 season ended on August 11th. There was no post-season play.
Division championships were simply awarded to the first place teams in each of the three divisions in both leagues. |
- Milwaukee Brewers (AL and NL)
- 1969 The Seattle Pilots join the AL-West as an expansion team.
- Apr 1, 1970 The Seattle Pilots move to Milwaukee, WI as the Milwaukee Brewers, still in the AL-West.
- Apr 7, 1970 The Milwaukee Brewers lose their first game, 12-0, to the California Angels, at home.
- Apr 1972 The Milwaukee Brewers move to the AL-East, a shift instigated by the Senators move to Arlington.
- 1982 "Harvey's Wallbangers", under manager Harvey Kuenn, sports five players with 20 or more home runs,
Paul Molitor with 19 home runs and Don Money with 16 home runs, for a team total of 216 home runs, three more than the two division winners
in the NL, St. Louis and Atlanta, combined.
- Nov 6, 1997 The Milwaukee Brewers move from the AL-Central to the NL-Central. The transfer is the first since the American
League was formed at the turn of the century, was necessary to create a 16-team National League and a 14-team American League.
- Mar 31, 1998 The Milwaukee Brewers lose their National League debut, 2-1, against Atlanta, in Atlanta.
| Brewer Championships |
|---|
| 2 AL-E Divison Titles |
1981 1982 |
| 1 AL League Title |
1982 |
| 1981 |
The 1981 season was split due to a strike. The Brewers won
the second half and lost to the Yankees in the playoffs. |
- Minnesota Twins (AL)
- 1894 The Kansas City Blues join the Western Association as a charter member.
- 1901 The Kansas City Blues join the American League as the Washington Senators as a charter member.
- 1905 The Washington Senators are renamed the Washington Nationals.
- 1957 The Washington Nationals are renamed back the Washington Senators.
- Oct 26, 1960 The Washington Senators club president Calvin Griffith announces his
club's intention to move to Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN.
- 1961 The Washington Senators move to Minneapolis/St. Paul, MN as the Minnesota Twins.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the Minnesota Twins are placed in the AL-West.
- 1994 As a result of MLB realignment, the Minnesota Twins move to the AL-Central.
| Twins Championships |
|---|
| 4 AL-W Divison Titles |
1969 1970 1987 1991 |
| 2 AL-C Divison Titles |
2002 2003 |
| 6 AL League Titles |
1924 1925 1933 (in Washington), 1965 1987 1991 |
| 3 World Titles |
1924 (in Washington), 1987 1991 |
- Montreal Expos (NL)
- May 27, 1968 Montreal is awarded a National League franchise for the 1969 season.
Montreal business executive Charles Bronfman of the Seagram's distilling empire is the front man for Montreal's new team.
- 1969 The Montreal Expos join the NL-East as an expansion franchise.
- Feb 24, 1969 The new team, the Expos, reports to spring training in West Palm Beach, FL.
- Apr 8, 1969 The Expos win their opening game against the NY Mets at Shea Stadium, 11-10.
- Apr 14, 1969 The Expos win their first home game against the St Louis Cardinals 8-7.
| Expo Championships |
|---|
| 2 NL-E Divison Titles |
1981 1994 |
| 1981 |
The 1981 season was split due to a strike. The Expos won
the second half and beat to the Phillies in the playoffs. |
| 1994 |
The 1994 season ended on August 11th. There was no post-season play.
Division championships were simply awarded to the first place teams in each of the three divisions in both leagues. |
- New York Mets (Metropolitans) (NL)
- 1962 The New York Mets join the National League as an expansion franchise.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the New York Mets are placed in the NL-East.
- 1969 The "Miracle Mets" had been the National League's doormat since the Mets inception in 1962,
even finishing in 9th place in 1968. Seemingly out of nowhere, the Miracle Mets win the pennant and the World Series (in 5 games against
Baltimore) purely on merit.
| Mets Championships |
|---|
| 2 Wild Card Slots |
1999 2000 |
| 4 NL-E Divison Titles |
1969 1973 1986 1988 |
| 4 NL League Titles |
1969 1973 1986 2000 |
| 2 World Titles |
1969 1986 |
- New York Yankees (AL)
- 1901 The Baltimore Orioles join the American League as a charter franchise.
- Jan 9, 1903 Frank Farrell and Bill Devery purchase the defunct Baltimore Oriole
franchise of the American League for $18,000 and then move the team to Manhattan as the New York Highlanders.
The name "Highlanders" comes from a British Army regiment named Gordon's Highlanders, and because Hilltop Park
was their home ballpark and was located on a hilltop overlooking Washington Heights.
- Mar 12, 1903 The New York franchise is approved as a member of the American League.
- Apr 22, 1903 The Highlanders play their first game, a 3-1 loss at Washington.
- Apr 30, 1903 The Highlanders notch a 6-2 win vs. Washington in their inaugural home opener at Hilltop Park.
- Jun 21, 1904 Called Yankees for the first time by sportswriters Mark Roth of the New
York Globe and Sam Crane of the New York Journal, the name appearing in print for the first time on in the Boston Herald.
- Apr 11, 1912 Pinstripes first appear on Highlanders' uniforms, creating a look that would become the most famous uniform design in sports.
- Apr 1913 The Highlanders are officially renamed the "Yankees" after moving to the Polo Grounds, home of the National League's New York Giants.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the New York Yankees are placed in the AL-East.
| Yankee Championships |
|---|
| 2 Wild Card Slots |
1995 1997 |
| 13 AL-E Division Titles |
1976 1977 1978 1980 1981 1994
1996 1998 1999 2000 2001 2002 2003 |
| 39 AL League Titles |
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 |
| 26 World Titles |
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 |
| 1981 |
The 1981 season was split due to a strike. The Yankees won
the first half and beat the Milwaukee Brewers in the playoffs. |
| 1994 |
The 1994 season ended on August 11th. There was no post-season play.
Division championships were simply awarded to the first place teams in each of the three divisions in both leagues. |
- Oakland Athletics (AL)
- 1901 The Philadelpia Athletics join the American League as a charter member.
- 1902 The Philadelpia Athletics are renamed the Philadelphia White Elephants, as a joke by John McGraw.
- 1904 The Philadelpia White Elephants are renamed back to the Philadelphia Athletics.
- 1955 The Philadelpia Athletics move to Kansas City as the Kansas City Athletics.
- 1962 The Kansas City Athletics are renamed the Kansas City A's.
- 1968 The Kansas City Athletics move to Oakland, CA as the Oakland Athletics.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the Oakland Athletics are placed in the AL-West.
| Athletic Championships |
|---|
| 1 Wild Card Slot |
2001 |
| 13 AL-W Divison Titles |
1971 1972 1973 1974 1975 1981 1988 1989 1990 1992 2000 2002 2003 |
| 15 AL League Titles |
1902 1905 1910 1911 1913 1914 1929 1930 1931 (in Philadelphia), 1972 1973 1974 1988 1989 1990 |
| 9 World Titles |
1910 1911 1913 1929 1930 (in Philadelphia), 1972 1973 1974 1989 |
| 1981 |
The 1981 season was split due to a strike. Oakland won
the first half and beat the Royals in the playoffs. |
- Philadelphia Phillies (NL)
- 1880 The Worcester (MA) Ruby Legs join the National League as an expansion team.
- 1883 The Worcester Ruby Legs move to Philadelphia as the Philadelphia Quakers.
- 1890 The Philadelphia Quakers are renamed the Philadelphia Phillies.
- 1942 The Philadelphia Phillies are renamed the Philadelphia Phils.
- 1943 The Philadelphia Phils are renamed the Philadelphia Blue Jays.
- 1945 The Philadelphia Blue Jays are renamed back to the Philadelphia Phillies.
- 1950 The Philadelphia "Whiz Kids" win the pennant, but lose to the Yankees in the lowest scoring World Series to date.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the Philadelphia Phillies are placed in the NL-East.
| Phillie Championships |
|---|
| 7 NL-E Divison Titles |
1976 1977 1978 1980 1981 1983 1993 |
| 5 NL League Titles |
1915 1950 1980 1983 1993 |
| 1 World Title |
1980 |
| 1981 |
The 1981 season was split due to a strike. The Phillies won
the first half and lost to the Montreal Expos in the playoffs. |
- Pittsburgh Pirates (NL)
- 1882 The Louisville Eclipse were a charter franchise of the American Association.
- 1885 The Louisville Eclipse are renamed the Louisville Colonels.
- 1889 The Louisville Colonels are renamed the Louisville Cyclones.
- 1890 The Louisville Cyclones are renamed back to the Louisville Colonels.
- 1892 The Louisville Colonels move to the National League.
- 1882 The Pittsburgh Alleghenies were a charter franchise of the American Association.
- 1882 The Pittsburgh Alleghenies join the National League as an expansion team.
- Apr 30, 1887 The Pittsburgh Alleghenies play their first National League game, defeating the defending league
champion Chicago White Stockings, 6-2, in front of nearly 10,000 fans at Recreation Park.
- Dec 1889 The Pittsburgh Alleghenies sign second baseman Louis Bierbauer away
from the Philadelphia Athletics. This is significant in that it will result in the team taking the name "Pirates".
- 1890
The Pittsburgh Alleghenies are renamed the Pittsburgh Innocents.
- 1891 The Pittsburgh Innocents are renamed the Pittsburgh Pirates
after signing second baseman Louis Bierbauer away from the Philadelphia Athletics.
- 1891 The Pittsburgh Pirates absorb the PL Pittsburgh Burgers.
- 1900 Barney Dreyfuss, owner of the defunct NL Louisville Colonels, acquires a controlling interest of the Pittsburgh
Pirates and brings 14 players with him, including future Hall of Famers Honus Wagner and Fred Clarke. The Pittsburgh Pirates effectively
absorb the NL Louisville Colonels.
- May 6, 1906 The Pittsburgh Pirates are the first team to use a canvas tarp to cover the infield when it rains.
- Aug 5, 1921 KDKA, the first commercial radio station airs the first broadcast of a Major League game.
Harold Arlin does the play-by-play of the Pirates 8-5 win over the Phillies.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the Pittsburgh Pirates are placed in the NL-East.
- 1994 As a result of MLB realignment, the Pittsburgh Pirates move to the NL-Central.
| Pirate Championships |
|---|
| 9 NL-E Divison Titles |
1970 1971 1972 1974 1975 1979 1990 1991 1992 |
| 9 NL League Titles |
1901 1902 1903 1909 1925 1927 1960 1971 1979 |
| 5 World Titles |
1909 1925 1960 1971 1979 |
- San Diego Padres (NL)
- 1969 The San Diego Padres join the NL-West as an expansion franchise.
| Padre Championships |
|---|
| 3 NL-W Divison Titles |
1984 1996 1998 |
| 2 NL League Titles |
1984 1998 |
- San Francisco Giants (NL)
- 1879 The Troy Trojans join the National League as an expansion team.
- 1883 The Troy Trojans move to New York as the New York Gothams.
- 1885 Jim Mutrie becomes the manager of the Gothams, and he and John Day move some of the star players from the pennant-winning Metropolitans over to the National League NY Gotham franchise.
- 1885 The New York Gothams are renamed the New York Giants.
(This happened when manager Mutrie stood up in the dugout after an important victory in 1885 and stated
that he was very proud of "My big fellows! My giants!")
- 1891 The NL New York Giants absorb the PL New York Giants.
- 1904 After crushing the rest of the league with a franchise-best 106 victories to capture the National League
title, the Giants decline to participate in the newly created World Series because manager John McGraw
and owner John Brush consider the American League a minor league.
- 1958 The New York Giants move to San Francisco as the San Francisco Giants.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the San Francisco Giants are placed in the NL-West.
| Giant Championships |
|---|
| 1 Wild Card Slot |
2002 |
| 6 NL-W Divison Titles |
1971 1987 1989 1997 2000 2003 |
| 20 NL League Titles |
1888 1889 1904 1905 1911 1912 1913 1917
1921 1922 1923 1924 1933 1936 1937 1951 1954 (in New York), 1962 1989 2002 |
| 2 pre-Temple Championships¹ |
1888 1889 (in New York) |
| 1 Temple Cup² |
1894 (in New York) |
| 5 World Titles |
1905 1921 1922 1933 1954 (in New York) |
- St Louis Cardinals (NL)
- 1882 The St. Louis Browns join the American Association as a charter franchise.
Chris Von der Ahe Von is the owner; Charles Comiskey is his manager.
- 1892 The American Associaton folds at the conclusion of 1891 and the St. Louis Browns rejoins the NL as part of the newly reformed 12 team circuit.
- 1898 The Robison Brothers buy the bankrupt St. Louis Browns from Chris Von der Ahe Von. At the end of the season the St. Louis Browns acquire virtually every player from the
Cleveland Spiders.
- 1899 The St. Louis Browns are renamed the St. Louis Cardinals.
- 1899 The St. Louis Cardinals are renamed the St. Louis Perfectos.
- 1899 The St. Louis Perfectos are renamed back to the St. Louis Cardinals.
- (According to the St. Louis Cardinals, Frank and Stanley Robison discard the name of Browns, calling the St. Louis National Leaguers the Perfectos. The team was outfitted in red striped stockings and red-trimmed uniforms. When sportswriter Willie McHale, of the St. Louis Republic, heard a lady fan remark, "What a lovely shade of cardinal," the new nickname was used in his column, and struck a chord with St. Louis fans.)
- 1911 The ownership of the club passed to Robison's daughter, Mrs. Helene Hathaway Britton. Mrs. Britton bought out Manager Roger Bresnahan's contract and hired Miller Huggins.
- 1916 After the season, Mrs. Britton sold her stock in the club to her attorney, James C. Jones, and stockholders, including a St. Louis automobile dealer named Sam Breadon.
- 1917 The fan-controlled club needed a baseball man to run it. They found one in Branch Rickey, then business manager of the A.L. Browns . Rickey was named president, however the club continued to struggle financially. Mr. Breadon was called upon frequently for financial assistance. League Park was renamed Cardinal Field.
- 1920 Sam Breadon became president and majority stockholder of the Cardinals, and Branch Rickey moved to Vice President and General Manager. This leadership team successfully developed the Cardinals, leading them to their first World Championship in 1926. One of Breadon's first moves was to sell Robison Field and become tenants at Sportsman's Park. Branch Rickey used proceeds from the sale of the ballpark to invest in the first Cardinals farm club affiliation at Houston, TX.
- 1934 "The Gas House Gang" was probably coined by Frank Graham, a writer for the New
York Sun, but not in print until 1935. (The Gas House Gang actually did better in 1935 by one game, but was still bested
by the Cubs.)
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the St. Louis Cardinals are placed in the NL-East.
- 1994 As a result of MLB realignment, the St. Louis Cardinals move to the NL-Central.
| Cardinal Championships |
|---|
| 1 Wild Card Slot |
2001 |
| 3 NL-E Divison Titles |
1982 1985 1987 |
| 3 NL-C Divison Titles |
1996 2000 2002 |
| 4 AA League Titles |
1885 1886 1887 1888 |
| 15 NL League Titles |
1926 1928 1930 1931 1934 1942 1943 1944 1946 1964 1967 1968 1982 1985 1987 |
| 1 pre-Temple Championship¹ |
1886 (AA) |
| 9 World Titles |
1926 1931 1934 1942 1944 1946 1964 1967 1982 |
- Seattle Mariners (AL)
- 1977 The Seattle Mariners join the AL-West as an expansion franchise.
| Mariner Championships |
|---|
| 1 Wild Card Slot |
2000 |
| 3 AL-W Divison Titles |
1995 1997 2001 |
- Tampa Bay Devil Rays (AL)
- 1998 The Tampa Bay Devil Rays join the AL-East as an expansion franchise.
| No Devil Ray Championships |
|---|
- Texas Rangers (AL)
- 1961 The Washington Senators join the American League as an expansion franchise.
- 1969 As a result of MLB dividing into divisions, the Washington Senators are placed in the AL-East.
- 1972 The Washington Senators move to Arlington,TX as the Texas Rangers in the AL-West.
| Ranger Championships |
|---|
| 4 AL-W Divison Titles |
1994 1996 1998 1999 |
| 1994 |
The 1994 season ended on August 11th. There was no post-season play.
Division championships were simply awarded to the first place teams in each of the three divisions in both leagues. |
- Toronto Blue Jays (AL)
- 1977 The Toronto Blue Jays join the AL-East as an expansion franchise.
| Blue Jay Championships |
|---|
| 5 AL-E Divison Titles |
1985 1989 1991 1992 1993 |
| 2 AL League Titles |
1992 1993 |
| 2 World Titles |
1992 1993 |
|
Ken Fussichen's