Major League Franchise Origins

Updated February 21, 2017 | Factmonster Staff

Here is what the current 30 teams in Major League Baseball have to show for the years they have put in as members of the National League (NL) and American League (AL). Pennants and World Series championships are since 1901.

National League

1st Year Pennants & World Series Franchise Stops
Arizona Diamondbacks 1998 1 NL (2001)* Phoenix (1998– )
   1 WS (2001)  
Atlanta Braves 1876 9 NL (1914,48,57-58,91-92,95,96,99) * Boston (1876–1952)
  3 WS (1914,57,95)   Milwaukee (1953–65)
   â€ƒâ€ƒAtlanta (1966– )
Chicago Cubs 1876 10 NL (1906-08,10,18,29,32,35,38,45) * Chicago (1876– )
  2 WS (1907-08)  
Cincinnati Reds 1876 9 NL (1919,39-40,61,70,72,75-76,90) * Cincinnati (1876–80)
  5 WS (1919,40,75-76,90)   Cincinnati (1890– )
Colorado Rockies 1993 None * Denver (1993– )
Florida Marlins 1993 2 NL (1997,2003)* Miami (1993– )
   2 WS (1997,2003)  
Houston Astros 1962 None * Houston (1962–)
Los Angeles Dodgers 1890 18 NL (1916,20,41,47,49,52-53,55-56,* Brooklyn (1890-1957)
  59,63, 65-66,74,77-78, 81,88)   Los Angeles (1958– )
  6 WS (1955,59,63,65,81,88)  
Milwaukee Brewers 1969 1 AL (1982) * Seattle (1969)
   â€ƒâ€ƒMilwaukee (1970– )
New York Mets 1962 4 NL (1969,73,86,00) * New York (1962– )
  2 WS (1969,86)  
Philadelphia Phillies 1883 5 NL (1915,50,80,83,93) * Philadelphia (1883– )
  1 WS (1980)  
Pittsburgh Pirates 1887 7 NL (1903,09,25,27,60,71,79) * Pittsburgh (1887– )
  5 WS (1909,25,60,71,79)  
St. Louis Cardinals 1892 16 NL (1926,28,30-31,34,42-44,46,64, * St. Louis (1892– )
  67-68,82,85,87,2004)  
  9 WS (1926,31,34,42,44,46,64,67,82)  
San Diego Padres 1969 2 NL (1984,98) * San Diego (1969– )
San Francisco Giants 1883 17 NL (1905,11-13,17,21-24,33,36-37,51, * New York (1883–1957)
  54,62,89,2002)   San Francisco (1958– )
  5 WS (1905,21-22,33,54)  
Washington 1969 None * Montreal (1969–2004)
(unnamed as of Oct. 31, 2004)  * Washington, DC (2005– )

American League

1st Year Pennants & World Series Franchise Stops
Anaheim Angels 1961 1 AL (2002)* Los Angeles (1961–65)
  1 WS (2002) Anaheim, CA (1966– )
Baltimore Orioles 1901 7 AL (1944,66,69-71,79,83) * Milwaukee (1901)
  3 WS (1966,70,83)   St. Louis (1902–53)
   â€ƒâ€ƒBaltimore (1954– )
Boston Red Sox 1901 9 AL (1903, 04,12,15-16,18,46,67,75,86,2004) * Boston (1901– )
  6 WS (1903,12,15-16,18,2004)  
Chicago White Sox 1901 4 AL (1906,17,19,59) * Chicago (1901– )
  2 WS (1906,17)  
Cleveland Indians 1901 5 AL (1920,48,54,95,97) * Cleveland (1901– )
  2 WS (1920,48)  
Detroit Tigers 1901 9 AL (1907-09,34-35,40,45,68,84) * Detroit (1901– )
  4 WS (1935,45,68,84)  
Kansas City Royals 1969 2 AL (1980,85) * Kansas City (1969– )
  1 WS (1985)  
Minnesota Twins 1901 6 AL (1924-25,33,65,87,91) * Washington, DC (1901–60)
  3 WS (1924,87,91)   Bloomington, MN (1961–81)
   â€ƒâ€ƒMinneapolis (1982– )
New York Yankees 1901 39 AL (1921-23,26-28,32,36-39,41-43,47, * Baltimore (1901–02)
  49-53,55-58,60-64,76-78,81,96,98-01,03)   New York (1903– )
  26 WS (1923,27-28,32,36-39,41,43,47, 
  49-53,56,58,61-62,77-78,96,98-00)  
Oakland Athletics 1901 14 AL (1905,10-11,13-14,29-31,72-74,* Philadelphia (1901-54)
  88-90)  Kansas City (1955–67)
   9 WS (1910-11,13,29-30,72-74,89)   Oakland (1968– )
Seattle Mariners 1977 None * Seattle (1977– )
Tampa Bay Devil Rays 1998 None * Tampa Bay (1998– )
Texas Rangers 1961 None * Washington, DC (1961–71)
   â€ƒâ€ƒArlington, TX (1972– )
Toronto Blue Jays 1977 2 AL (1992-93) * Toronto (1977– )
  2 WS (1992-93)  
Sources +