Major League Baseball (MLB) has been an integral part of American sports and culture for over a century and a half. Throughout its rich history, the league has witnessed the formation, expansion, and relocation of numerous teams, each with its own unique name and identity. The names of MLB teams are not just arbitrary labels; they often have deep roots in the team’s history, location, and fanbase. In fact, a team’s name can provide insight into its identity, culture, and even its fanbase’s values and traditions. Understanding the origins and meanings behind each team’s name can enrich our understanding of the game of baseball, as well as provide a fascinating look into American history and culture. So, in this article, we’ll take a deep dive into the history of MLB team names, exploring the stories behind each team’s name and how they came to be known as the iconic names we recognize today. Lets begin with the AL East.

Baltimore Orioles:

The Baltimore Orioles trace their history back to the late 19th century, when they were founded as the Milwaukee Brewers in 1894. The team was owned by a German businessman named Henry Killilea and played in the Western League before joining the American League in 1901 as one of its eight charter members.

After several years in Milwaukee, the Brewers moved to St. Louis in 1902 and were renamed the St. Louis Browns. The team struggled to find success on the field, finishing in the second division of the American League standings for much of its existence. However, the Browns were known for their colorful owner Bill Veeck, who often employed innovative marketing and promotional techniques to attract fans to the ballpark.

In 1953, Veeck sold the Browns to a group of investors led by Clarence Miles, who began exploring the possibility of moving the team to a new city. After considering several options, Miles and his partners decided on Baltimore, which had been without a Major League Baseball team since the departure of the Baltimore Orioles in 1902.

In order to establish a new identity for the team in its new home, Miles and his partners decided to rename the Browns the Baltimore Orioles, in honor of Maryland’s state bird, the Baltimore Oriole. The oriole is a colorful songbird that is known for its distinctive orange and black plumage, and it was a natural choice for a team looking to create a new brand in a new city.

The Orioles’ new name and logo were unveiled in a ceremony at Baltimore’s City Hall on January 29, 1954. As part of the celebration, team officials presented a live oriole bird as a gift to Mayor Thomas D’Alesandro Jr., who was on hand to help unveil the team’s new colors and uniform design.

Boston Red Sox:

The Boston Red Sox, one of the oldest and most storied franchises in Major League Baseball, were founded in 1901 as the Boston Americans. The team was established when the fledgling American League decided to put a team in Boston to compete with the well-established National League franchise, the Boston Braves.

In their first few seasons, the Boston Americans were a middling team, finishing in the middle of the pack in the American League standings. However, in 1903, the team won the first modern World Series, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates in a best-of-nine series. This helped to establish the team’s reputation as a serious contender and drew greater attention from Boston’s baseball fans.

In 1907, the Boston Americans were purchased by John I. Taylor, a wealthy businessman who had previously owned a stake in the team. Taylor was a shrewd businessman and saw the potential for the team to become more successful and profitable with the right leadership and marketing strategy.

In 1908, Taylor made a bold move and changed the team’s name to the Boston Red Sox. The name change was intended to give the team a more distinctive and memorable identity that would help to differentiate them from the other professional baseball clubs of the era.

The name “Red Sox” was a reference to the team’s distinctive uniform, which included red stockings that were worn over their stirrup socks. The team had previously been known as the “Americans,” which was seen as a generic and uninspired name that didn’t convey the excitement and passion of the sport.

At the time, the decision to change the team’s name was met with mixed reactions from fans and the press. Some critics derided the move as a gimmick or a publicity stunt, while others praised Taylor for his foresight and willingness to take risks.

Tampa Bay Rays:

The Tampa Bay Rays, based in St. Petersburg, Florida, were established in 1998 as the Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The team’s original name, “Devil Rays,” was chosen through a fan vote, with the name beating out other options such as “Sting Rays,” “Manta Rays,” and “Seadogs.”

The name was inspired by the abundance of stingrays that inhabit the waters of Tampa Bay and the “devil” part of the name was intended to convey a sense of toughness and intimidation. The team’s logo, which featured a stylized manta ray, was also designed to reflect this theme.

However, over time, the name “Devil Rays” became associated with the team’s lack of success on the field. The team struggled for many years, failing to make the playoffs in their first ten seasons and finishing last in their division nine times during that span.

In 2007, new ownership took over the team and decided to rebrand the franchise in an effort to revitalize the team’s image and generate greater fan interest. The team’s new name, “Rays,” was chosen to reflect the abundant sunshine in the Tampa Bay area and to convey a sense of energy and positivity.

The new name was accompanied by a new logo and color scheme, with the team adopting a bright blue and yellow color scheme that was intended to evoke a sense of fun and excitement. The team’s mascot, a stingray named “Raymond,” was also given a new look to better fit with the team’s new image.

The rebranding effort appeared to pay off, as the Rays enjoyed a resurgence on the field in the years that followed. In 2008, the team made the playoffs for the first time in franchise history, and they went on to make it to the World Series before ultimately losing to the Philadelphia Phillies.

Since then, the Rays have continued to be a competitive team in the American League, making the playoffs several times and earning a reputation as a scrappy and innovative team that excels despite its limited budget.

Toronto Blue Jays:

The Toronto Blue Jays were established in 1977, and their name was chosen through a name-the-team contest held by the team’s ownership group.

Over 4,000 entries were received in the contest, with the name “Blue Jays” ultimately being selected as the winner. The name was submitted by a man named Bill Skov, who won a trip to Florida as his prize.

The name “Blue Jays” was chosen for a few reasons. First, blue is one of Canada’s national colors, and it was felt that incorporating this color into the team’s name would help to give the team a sense of national identity. Additionally, the blue jay is a common bird found throughout Canada and is known for its intelligence, resourcefulness, and adaptability.

The team’s logo, which features a blue jay perched on a baseball bat, was designed to reflect the team’s name and to convey a sense of energy and athleticism. The logo has undergone several revisions over the years, but the blue jay has remained a central part of the team’s identity.

The team’s name and logo have become iconic symbols of Canadian baseball and have helped to cement the team’s place in the hearts of baseball fans across the country.

New York Yankees:

The New York Yankees are one of the oldest and most iconic franchises in Major League Baseball, tracing their roots back to the early days of professional baseball. The team was established in 1901 as the Baltimore Orioles, but they moved to New York two years later and were renamed the New York Highlanders.

The team’s current name, the New York Yankees, was officially adopted in 1913, but the origins of the name are somewhat unclear. There are several theories about how the team came to be known as the Yankees, and it’s likely that the truth is a combination of these different explanations.

One theory is that the name “Yankees” was a derogatory term used by opposing teams to refer to the New York team and its fans. The term was meant to convey a sense of arrogance and unsophistication, with the idea being that the New York team and its supporters were “country bumpkins” who didn’t belong in the big city.

Another theory is that the name “Yankees” was adopted as a way of embracing this perceived insult and turning it into a source of pride. The team’s owners may have seen the name as a way of emphasizing the team’s working-class roots and positioning themselves as the underdogs in the highly competitive world of professional baseball.

Regardless of the origin of the name, the Yankees quickly established themselves as one of the most successful and dominant teams in baseball history. The team has won a record 27 World Series championships, and their distinctive interlocking “NY” logo has become one of the most recognizable symbols in sports. Today, the Yankees remain one of the most popular and widely recognized sports franchises in the world.

Cleveland Guardians:

The Cleveland Guardians, based in Cleveland, Ohio, and began playing under their new name starting with the 2022 Major League Baseball season. The team was previously known as the Cleveland Indians, a name that had been in use since 1915.

The decision to change the team’s name was made in 2020, following years of criticism and protests from Native American groups who argued that the name “Indians” was offensive and insensitive. The team’s ownership group, led by chairman and CEO Paul Dolan, announced that they would be retiring the name and working to select a new one that would be more inclusive and respectful of all fans.

After considering over 1,100 potential names and conducting extensive research and outreach to fans, community leaders, and other stakeholders, the team announced in July 2021 that they would be changing their name to the Cleveland Guardians. The name was chosen in part because of its connection to the city of Cleveland – the team plays in a stadium located near the Hope Memorial Bridge, which features two large statues known as the “Guardians of Traffic.”

The team’s new logo features a depiction of one of the statues, which has been a beloved symbol of the city for many years. The logo also incorporates the team’s traditional colors of navy blue and red. The new name and logo were met with mixed reactions from fans and the broader baseball community, but the team’s ownership expressed hope that the change would help to build a more inclusive and welcoming fan base and ensure that the team remains a source of pride for the city of Cleveland for years to come.

Minnesota Twins:

The Minnesota Twins were founded in 1960 as the Washington Senators. The team moved to Minnesota in 1961, and shortly thereafter, the team’s owner, Calvin Griffith, decided to change the team’s name.

At the time, the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul were already a well-known cultural and geographic landmark in the region, and Griffith wanted a name that reflected that identity. He eventually settled on the name “Twins,” which he felt would be a fitting tribute to the region’s two largest cities.

The name was also meant to reflect the close relationship between the two cities. The Twin Cities are located just a few miles apart and are often thought of as a single metropolitan area. In fact, the two cities are so closely linked that they share a single airport, the Minneapolis-St. Paul International Airport.

To further emphasize the connection between the team and the Twin Cities, the team’s logo features two baseball players, one with a “M” on his cap representing Minneapolis, and the other with a “StP” on his cap representing St. Paul.

Over the years, the Twins have become an important part of the region’s cultural identity. The team’s success on the field, including multiple American League Central Division titles and two World Series championships, has helped to strengthen the bond between the team and the community.

The Twins’ home stadium, Target Field, is also a source of pride for the region. The stadium, which opened in 2010, was designed to reflect the unique character of the Twin Cities, with features like limestone walls and a sweeping view of downtown Minneapolis. The stadium has become a popular destination for baseball fans from around the country, and has helped to further cement the Twins’ place in the region’s cultural landscape.

Chicago White Sox:

The Chicago White Sox were founded in 1901, one of the original eight teams of the American League. They have played their home games at various stadiums throughout their history, including Comiskey Park and Guaranteed Rate Field.

The team’s name is believed to have originated from the use of the word “White” to describe the team’s uniforms, which were originally all-white. The team was originally called the “Chicago White Stockings,” a name that was common in the early days of baseball, but this was quickly shortened to “White Sox.”

Over the years, the team’s uniforms have changed several times. In the early years, the team wore all-white uniforms, but eventually, they added black pinstripes to the jerseys. In the 1930s, the team added black socks to the uniform, giving rise to the iconic “White Sox” name and logo that we know today.

Detroit Tigers:

In 1865, a military unit called the Detroit Light Guard was established. It was a part of the Michigan Army National Guard, and the soldiers wore distinctive orange and black striped uniforms that earned them the nickname “Tigers”. The Detroit Light Guard was known for their sharp military maneuvers and was well-respected in the city.

Fast forward to the 1890s, baseball was becoming more popular in Detroit, and a minor league team was formed in 1894 as part of the Western League. The team played at Boulevard Park, and it was decided that they would adopt the same colors as the Detroit Light Guard, orange and black. The team was unofficially called the Tigers as a nod to the military unit, and the name eventually stuck.

In 1900, the Western League became the American League, and the Detroit Tigers were one of the original eight teams in the league. The team kept the name, and it has become a beloved symbol of Detroit baseball. Today, the team is known for its distinctive English “D” (𝔡) logo, which incorporates a tiger’s tail into the letter.

Kansas City Royals:

The Kansas City Royals were founded in 1969 as an expansion team in the American League, and they have been based in Kansas City, Missouri ever since.

The name “Royals” was chosen in a name-the-team contest held by the Kansas City Baseball Club. The team’s ownership group at the time was looking for a name that would reflect the regal, dignified nature of baseball, and they wanted a name that would be unique and not used by any other professional sports team in the country.

The name “Royals” was selected as the winner of the contest, and it was announced to the public on May 17, 1968. The name was seen as a good fit for the team, as it reflected the city’s history as the “City of Fountains” and the home of the American Jazz Museum.

The team’s original logo featured a crown with the letters “KC” inside, and it has gone through several iterations over the years. The name is also reflected in the Kaufman stadium scoreboard with a “royal” crown on the top of it.

Oakland A’s:

The Oakland Athletics was founded in 1901 as the Philadelphia Athletics and was one of the eight charter members of the American League.

The team’s founder and first owner, Ben Shibe, was a prominent baseball executive who had made a fortune as a manufacturer of baseballs. Shibe chose the name “Athletics” for the team, in part, because it conveyed a sense of athleticism and physical prowess that he wanted the team to embody.

The team was based in Philadelphia for the first five decades of its existence, and it won five World Series championships during that time. In 1955, the team moved to Kansas City, Missouri, where it played as the Kansas City Athletics for 13 seasons before relocating to Oakland, California, in 1968.

Since moving to Oakland, the Athletics have won four more World Series championships, in 1972, 1973, 1974, and 1989. The team is known for its innovative and unconventional approach to baseball, and for its emphasis on advanced statistics and analytics, similar to how it is depicted in the movie “Moneyball”. The A’s now look to move out of the Oakland-Alameda area into a fresh home.

Houston Astros:

The Houston Astros were originally founded in 1962 as the Houston Colt .45s, named after the iconic Colt .45 handgun. The team played its first three seasons at Colt Stadium, which was a temporary stadium built on the site of a former landfill. The stadium was known for its low seating capacity and unique features, such as a hill in center field.

In 1965, the Colt .45s moved to the brand new Houston Astrodome, which was the world’s first indoor, domed sports stadium. The Astrodome was a marvel of engineering and innovation, and was seen as a symbol of Houston’s status as a modern, forward-thinking city. With its futuristic design and cutting-edge technology, the Astrodome quickly became an icon of American sports and culture.

As part of the move to the Astrodome, the team decided to change its name to reflect the stadium’s futuristic and innovative nature. The team held a contest to choose a new name, and “Astros” was ultimately chosen as the winner. The name was a nod to Houston’s importance in the American space program, as well as the team’s new home in the space-age Astrodome.

Los Angeles Angels:

The Los Angeles Angels were founded in 1961 by Gene Autry, a famous actor, singer, and television host. Autry was a lifelong baseball fan and had long dreamed of owning a Major League Baseball team. He was awarded the expansion franchise by the American League, which was looking to expand its footprint in California.

Autry named his team the Los Angeles Angels, after the city’s nickname. The Angels played their first game on April 11, 1961, at Wrigley Field in Los Angeles, which was the home of the Pacific Coast League’s Los Angeles Angels.

The team struggled in its early years, finishing in last place in the American League for its first four seasons. In 1965, the Angels moved to Dodger Stadium, where they played for four seasons before moving to their own stadium in Anaheim, California, in 1966.

In the 1970s and 1980s, the Angels had some success on the field, but it wasn’t until the early 2000s that they finally won their first World Series championship. Led by stars such as outfielder Garret Anderson, shortstop David Eckstein, and pitcher Troy Percival, the Angels defeated the San Francisco Giants in a thrilling seven-game series in 2002.

Seattle Mariners:

The Seattle Mariners were founded as an expansion team in 1977, along with the Toronto Blue Jays. Seattle had previously been home to a minor league team, the Seattle Rainiers, which played in the Pacific Coast League.

The Mariners’ name was chosen in a public contest, which received more than 600 entries. The winning name, Mariners, was submitted by Roger Szmodis, a former minor league baseball player from Bremerton, Washington. Szmodis’s submission was selected because it reflected Seattle’s maritime history and its connection to the Puget Sound and Pacific Ocean.

The Mariners’ first home stadium was the Kingdome, a multi-purpose dome that also served as home to the NFL’s Seattle Seahawks. The team struggled in its early years, failing to post a winning record until 1991 when they finished the season at 83-79. However, unlike most teams would do, they stuck with the same branding through the toughest times, until now where they are labeled a contender in the American League

Texas Rangers:

The Texas Rangers were established as an expansion team in 1961, and were originally based in Washington D.C. as the Washington Senators. The team moved to Arlington, Texas in 1972 and became the Texas Rangers, adopting the name of the famous law enforcement agency.

The team’s logo and uniforms have undergone several changes over the years, but have consistently featured a combination of the letters “T” and “R” with a cowboy hat. The team’s colors have also changed over time, with the current primary colors being red, white, and blue.

In addition to their success on the field, the Texas Rangers are also known for their state-of-the-art ballpark, Globe Life Field, which opened in 2020. The stadium features a retractable roof and numerous amenities, making it a popular destination for fans of the team and baseball in general.