Profiling the origins of every Major League Baseball team. In the first installment we look at the teams from the tough American League East.
Boston Red Sox (1901)
In the beginning years of the American League they were known as the Pilgrims or Puritans, also for a time the were known as the Sommersets, after owner Charles Sommers. They became the Red Sox when new owner John Taylor decided the club needed a catchier name. They were once labelled as the Red stockings, the name of the original Boston National League Team. Sportswriters shortened it to Red Sox, and then in later years, the BoSox.
Baltimore Orioles (1901)
During the 1901 season the club was located in Milwaukee. Moving to St.Louis in 1902 they became the Browns because of the brown trim on their uniform. When the franchise moved to Baltimore in 1954 the organization and fans were eager to rid the club of any association with the losing Browns and revive the old Orioles name. All Baltimore teams since 1885 have been called the Orioles, with the exception of the Federal League Terrapins.
New York Yankees (1901)
Began as the Baltimore Orioles in 1901 before moving to New York in 1903. The team was called the Highlanders because of their home park, Hilltop Park, was so high up and also because its first president Joseph Gordon, who's name suggested the Gordon Highlanders, at the time a crack regiment of the British Army. Around 1914 Jim Price of the New York Press coined the current name. Also called the Bronx Bombers.
Tampa Bay Rays (1998)
Name chosen by fans. Started as the the Devil Rays. Dropped the Devil from its name after the 2007 campaign.
Toronto Blue Jays (1977)
Name chosen in a fan contest. Toronto was granted expansion in 1977 after a failed attempt to move the San Fransisco Giants there a few years earlier.
In the beginning years of the American League they were known as the Pilgrims or Puritans, also for a time the were known as the Sommersets, after owner Charles Sommers. They became the Red Sox when new owner John Taylor decided the club needed a catchier name. They were once labelled as the Red stockings, the name of the original Boston National League Team. Sportswriters shortened it to Red Sox, and then in later years, the BoSox.
Baltimore Orioles (1901)
During the 1901 season the club was located in Milwaukee. Moving to St.Louis in 1902 they became the Browns because of the brown trim on their uniform. When the franchise moved to Baltimore in 1954 the organization and fans were eager to rid the club of any association with the losing Browns and revive the old Orioles name. All Baltimore teams since 1885 have been called the Orioles, with the exception of the Federal League Terrapins.
New York Yankees (1901)
Began as the Baltimore Orioles in 1901 before moving to New York in 1903. The team was called the Highlanders because of their home park, Hilltop Park, was so high up and also because its first president Joseph Gordon, who's name suggested the Gordon Highlanders, at the time a crack regiment of the British Army. Around 1914 Jim Price of the New York Press coined the current name. Also called the Bronx Bombers.
Tampa Bay Rays (1998)
Name chosen by fans. Started as the the Devil Rays. Dropped the Devil from its name after the 2007 campaign.
Toronto Blue Jays (1977)
Name chosen in a fan contest. Toronto was granted expansion in 1977 after a failed attempt to move the San Fransisco Giants there a few years earlier.
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