What Are The Oldest Baseball Teams?
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A look at the eight MLB teams that have been in existence the longest.
The Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. The Red Sox have won nine World Series championships, tied for the third-most of any MLB team, and they have played in 13. Their most recent appearance and win was in 2018. In addition, they won the 1904 American League pennant, but were not able to defend their 1903 World Series championship when the New York Giants refused to participate in the 1904 World Series. Founded in 1901 as one of the eight charter members of the American League, the Red Sox’ home ballpark has been Fenway Park since 1912. The “Red Sox” name was chosen by the team owner, John I. Taylor, circa 1908, following previous adoptions of the nickname by other sports teams including theBoston Braves (now Atlanta Braves) who had switched to “Braves” from “Red Stockings” following their relocation to Atlantain 1912.
The Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs, founded in 1876, are the oldest team in Major League Baseball. The Cubs have won two World Series titles, in 1907 and 1908. The Boston Red Sox, founded in 1901, are the second-oldest team in Major League Baseball. The Red Sox have won eight World Series titles, the most recent in 2018.
The Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are the oldest baseball team. They were established in 1869.
The Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a professional baseball team based in Detroit, Michigan. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the American League (AL) Central division. One of the AL’s eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit as amember of the minor league Western League in 1894 and is the only Western League team still in its original city. They are also the oldest continuously operating professional sports franchise in the United States.
The New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the Bronx, New York City, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. They are one of two Major League clubs based in New York City; the other is the National League’s (NL) New York Mets. The Yankees began play in the 1901 season as the Baltimore Orioles (no relation to the modern Baltimore Orioles). In 1903, Frank Farrell and Bill Devery purchased the franchise after it ceased operations and moved it to New York City, renaming the club the New York Highlanders. The Highlanders were officially renamed as the “Yankees” in 1913.
