Introduction to the American League
The American League, or AL, is one of the two major professional baseball leagues in the United States and Canada. It is considered the junior circuit compared to the National League, or NL, which was founded in 1876. The American League was founded in 1901 and is made up of 15 teams, divided into three divisions: East, Central, and West.
The AL is unique in that it was the first professional sports league to allow for the use of a designated hitter, or DH, in its games. This has been a controversial rule in baseball, as it allows a team to add an additional offensive player to their lineup.
History of the American League
The American League was founded in 1901 with eight teams: the Baltimore Orioles, the Boston Americans, the Chicago White Sox, the Cleveland Blues, the Detroit Tigers, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Philadelphia Athletics, and the Washington Senators.
The AL was formed as a result of the National Agreement of 1903, when the National League owners agreed to allow the American League to become a major league. The AL was granted exclusive rights to the city of Baltimore and the right to use their own rules, which included the designated hitter.
The first official season of the American League began in April 1903, and the league was divided into two divisions: the Eastern Division and the Western Division. The winners of each division would meet in a best-of-nine series to decide the championship.
The Original 8 Teams in the American League
The original eight teams in the American League were:
- Baltimore Orioles – The Baltimore Orioles were founded in 1901 and played in the Eastern Division of the American League. They won the first AL championship in 1903 and have won a total of nine World Series titles. They currently play in the Central Division.
- Boston Americans – The Boston Americans were founded in 1901 and were one of the original eight teams in the American League. They won the first AL pennant in 1903 and went on to win the first World Series in 1903. They changed their name to the Red Sox in 1907 and have won a total of nine World Series titles.
- Chicago White Sox – The Chicago White Sox were founded in 1901 and played in the Western Division of the American League. They won the 1906 AL pennant and went on to win the 1906 World Series. They have won a total of three World Series titles and currently play in the Central Division.
- Cleveland Blues – The Cleveland Blues were founded in 1901 and played in the Eastern Division of the American League. They won the 1904 AL pennant and went on to win the 1904 World Series. They changed their name to the Indians in 1915 and have won a total of two World Series titles.
- Detroit Tigers – The Detroit Tigers were founded in 1901 and played in the Western Division of the American League. They won the 1907 AL pennant and went on to win the 1907 World Series. They have won a total of four World Series titles and currently play in the Central Division.
- Milwaukee Brewers – The Milwaukee Brewers were founded in 1901 and played in the Western Division of the American League. They changed their name to the St. Louis Browns in 1902 and moved to Baltimore in 1954, where they changed their name to the Orioles. They have not won any World Series titles.
- Philadelphia Athletics – The Philadelphia Athletics were founded in 1901 and played in the Eastern Division of the American League. They won nine AL pennants and five World Series titles. They moved to Kansas City in 1955 and changed their name to the Kansas City Athletics, and then to the Oakland Athletics in 1968. They have won a total of nine World Series titles.
- Washington Senators – The Washington Senators were founded in 1901 and played in the Eastern Division of the American League. They won the 1924 AL pennant and went on to win the 1924 World Series. They moved to Minnesota in 1961 and changed their name to the Twins. They have won a total of three World Series titles.
Impact of the Original 8 Teams
The original eight teams in the American League have had a lasting impact on the game of baseball. These teams have been responsible for some of the most iconic moments in baseball history, from the first World Series victory to the “Curse of the Bambino” in Boston.
The original eight teams have also had a significant impact on the game from a financial standpoint. Many of these teams have been among the most profitable in baseball, with the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, and Chicago Cubs being the most successful.
Changes to the American League
Since its founding in 1901, the American League has seen several changes over the years. Teams have moved to different cities, and some teams have even folded or merged with other teams.
In 1953, four teams joined the American League, including the Baltimore Orioles, the Chicago White Sox, the Cleveland Indians, and the Detroit Tigers. These teams formed the AL’s East and West Divisions, and they would eventually expand to include the Texas Rangers, the Kansas City Royals, the Seattle Mariners, and the Toronto Blue Jays by the end of the 20th century.
Expansion of the American League
The American League has continued to expand over the years. In 1998, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Arizona Diamondbacks joined the AL, and in 2002, the Houston Astros joined the league. In 2012, the Houston Astros moved to the AL West Division and the Kansas City Royals moved to the AL Central Division.
In 2013, the Miami Marlins joined the American League and the Houston Astros moved to the AL West Division. In 2014, the Milwaukee Brewers moved to the AL Central Division and the Tampa Bay Rays moved to the AL East Division.
Future Expansion of the American League
The American League is expected to continue to expand in the future. In 2021, the Montreal Expos are expected to join the league as the 32nd team, and the Portland Diamondbacks are expected to join the league as the 33rd team in 2022.
Conclusion
The original eight teams in the American League have had a lasting impact on the game of baseball. These teams have been responsible for some of the most iconic moments in baseball history, and they have also had a significant impact on the game from a financial standpoint. The American League continues to expand and is expected to add two more teams in the near future.
References
- MLB. (2020). History of the American League. Retrieved from mlb.com/history/american-league
- Baseball Almanac. (2020). The American League: A History. Retrieved from baseball-almanac.com/leagues/american_league_history.shtml
- Sports Illustrated. (2017). American League Expansion: What You Need to Know About the AL Adding Two Teams. Retrieved from si.com/mlb/2017/05/25/american-league-expansion-teams-montreal-portland