The Forgotten Champions: Boston, Philadelphia, Brooklyn, New York, Washington

Boston Braves

Conference: National League
Win World Series Year: 1914

Years of Existence

• Boston Bees (1936-1940)
• Boston Braves (1912–1935); (1941–1952)
• Boston Rustlers (1911)
• Boston Doves (1907–1910)
• Boston Beaneaters (1883–1906)
• Boston Red Caps (1876–1882)
• Boston Red Stockings (1871–1875)

From Boston to Milwaukee and to Atlanta

Quite a history! As it turns out, this team is of great importance to MLB, as it was one of the founding pillars of the National Professional Baseball Players Association and the National League.

In 1871, the team was called the Cincinnati Red Stockings, but it was not until 1912 that it was known as the Boston Braves, with six league titles in the 1870s and three more in the 1890s.

To Milwaukee

Due to the large loss of fans caused by the Red Sox, an American League team, along with the goal of helping the State after 82 years in Boston, team owner Lou Perini made the decision to move the Milwaukee Braves to the home of the major minor league affiliate.

Now, to Atlanta

And now what happened? Well, it turns out that the same situation happened as in Boston, the lack of fan support caused the team to get involved in legal battles to find another destination.

They finally arrived in Atlanta in 1966 to a warm welcome, where they currently reside and are known as the Atlanta Braves, who have won the World Series in 1991, 1992, 1995, 1996, 1999 and 2021.

Philadelphia Athletics

Conference: American League
Win World Series Years: 1910, 1911, 1913, 1929, 1930

Years of Existence

• Las Vegas Athletics (2025)
• Oakland Athletics (1967)
• Kansas City Athletics (1954–1967)
• Philadelphia Athletics (1901-1954)

From Philadelphia to Kansas City, Oakland and to Las Vegas

The move continues! But before we get to that topic, we must remember that this has been Philadelphia’s winningest franchise, having won 9 American League championships and 5 World Series.

It was thus that the founders, among them Connie Mack (who had played and managed in the major leagues), were chosen to found the franchise and where Mack would be a vital character in the story, as he was in charge of putting together the team.

Several controversies have marred the Athletics’ (founded in 1901) journey, including the “assault” on the National League Phillies, who lost several stars to Connie Mack, whom they sued in court.

To Kansas City

Several factors led Arnold Johnson (American industrialist, businessman and sportsman) to take the team to Kansas City.

First, in 1914 the salaries of the National League were increased, second, the suspicions of “abandonment” in 4 consecutive games lost to the “Miracle Boston Braves” who were not favorites.

Another determining factor was the club’s financial problems, since the sportswriters who had initially invested in the team had retired, leaving ownership to the Shibe and Mack families.

But that was not the end of the Philadelphia Athletics’ bitter history, as the absence of a complete minor league system, the age of Connie Mack and the growing popularity of the Phillies in 1950 contributed to empty seats at the stadium, a factor that pushed the team to move.

Oakland, the New Home

It has been over 50 years since the team was in this city, arriving in 1968 without winning anything during their 13 seasons in Kansas City.

Team owner Charlie Finley was responsible for the move to a new home, as he did not like the terms of his lease with Kansas City.

The process was not easy, as he needed at least seven of the ten American League owners to give their approval. After he got it, he had several advantages.

A new stadium (the Oakland Coliseum, opened in 1966) and the opportunity to increase radio and television revenues would be key factors that would change the landscape, now as the Oakland Athletics.

Welcome to Las Vegas

Poor results in recent years, lack of government support, lack of state support and empty seats at the Oakland Coliseum have led to the team being referred to as the “Las Vegas Athletics” for the next few seasons.

Thank you, Oakland Coliseum 💚💛 pic.twitter.com/8l4ER08UTp

— Oakland A's (@Athletics) September 26, 2024

Brooklyn Dodgers

Conference: National League
Win World Series Year: 1955

Years of Existence

• Brooklyn Robins (1914–1931)
• Brooklyn Dodgers (1913)
• Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers (1911–1912)
• Brooklyn Superbas (1899–1910)
• Brooklyn Bridegrooms (1896–1898)
• Brooklyn Grooms (1891–1895)
• Brooklyn Bridegrooms (1888–1890)

From Brooklyn to California

With the nickname “Bridegrooms”, the team took its first steps in the National League in 1890, and what a way! Being the champion that year, debuted with top honors and incidentally was nicknamed “Trolley Dodgers” due to the complex maze of streetcars that snaked through the borough of Brooklyn.

Early Team Years

When this Conference was created, starting in 1901, the team and the National League were significantly affected by the loss of key players who were attracted by better salaries or benefits.

However, the situation turned around when Charles Ebbets (owner) and Harry Von der Horst, owner of Baltimore decided to become partners in negotiations that would see the return of Ned Hanlon and several of Baltimore’s top stars, including Keeler, Jennings, McGinnity, Kelley, Jones, Dahlen and Donovan.

The death of Charles Ebbets in 1925, brought as a consequence a decade full of problems, where the results were five consecutive seasons in sixth place.

After this the team continued to do poorly, as the Great Depression of the 1930’s hit, significantly affecting the style of play, resulting in another decade that led them to be known as the “Daffiness Dodgers.”

Jackie Robinson

A historic event that marked baseball in the United States was when the Dodgers broke the racial barrier by signing Jackie Robinson, the first African-American to play in the MLB.

In addition, his quality and performance on the field were notorious, a great star who would later become the first African-American elected to the Hall of Fame.

To Los Angeles

Despite the move to the West Coast in 1957, the now called Dodgers dominated the National League in 1952, 1953, 1955, 1956 and 1959, along with the 1955 and 1959 World Series.

Although there were some poor performances by the team due to the move, that did not prevent them from finishing no lower than second place in 8 of the 10 years, winning 913 games.

Dodger Stadium

Walter O’Malley’s dream finally came true. Now established and 10 years old as the Los Angeles Dodgers, he finally had the stadium he had been looking for so many years.

The 56,000-seat stadium opened on April 10, 1962, with a game against the Cincinnati Reds.

New York Giants

Conference: National League
Win World Series Year: 1905, 1921, 1922, 1933, 1954

Years of Existence

• San Francisco Giants (1957–present)
• New York Giants (1885–1956)
• New York Gothams (1883–1884)

Early Years

The club was founded in 1883 by John B. Day and Jim Mutrie, New York Metropolitans. By 1885 they became known as the Giants, thanks to the transfer of star players and champions of the Metropolitans.

Home Changes

Starting in 1889 they had several problems with their hometown, as they were evicted from the Polo Grounds Stadium where they played, alternating venues between Oakland Park, St. George Grounds and the Second Polo Grounds.

Eventually, the Polo Grounds would be their home for the next 66 years. However, in 1911 a fire broke out on the grounds, forcing the team to move to Hilltop Park.

Team Record

1922 was a great year because they won their second consecutive World Series and the third and last in the illustrious career of the Giants’ winningest captain, John McGraw, later manager of the team, who left due to illness and handed over to first baseman Bill Terry.

Monte Irvin and Hank Thompson

The racial barrier also came down with the signing in 1949 of Monte Irvin and Hank Thompson, who became the first black players to play for the Giants. Also in 1981 Frank Robinson became the first black manager in the National League to manage the Giants.

From New York to San Francisco

So what happened? Dodgers owner Walter O’Malley and Los Angeles Mayor George Christopher convinced Giants owner Horace Stoneham that the clubs (Dodgers and Giants) should move west.

This, after two disappointing seasons and growing dissatisfaction with his tenure in New York. Finally, on August 19, 1957, Stoneham announced that the Giants would move to the Bay Area for the 1958 season.

Obviously, the fans filled the mythical minor league Seals Stadium with a huge pregame parade. On April 15, it would be Ruben Gomez who would blank the Dodgers 8-0 in that historic home opener. Even so, the San Francisco Giants would once again move to Candlestick Park, inaugurated on that occasion by Vice President Richard Nixon.

The 90’s were chaotic for the team as the team was on the verge of being relocated to the Tampa-St. Petersburg area. However, a group of local businessmen saved the team and to make it great, they signed superstar Barry Bonds, who became the fourth member of the prestigious 300-300 Club, hitting his 300th and 301st home runs.

And seeing is believing… as Candlestick Park would be part of the Giants’ memory, with a moving and nostalgic celebration, the crowd would bid farewell to the stadium singing “Bye-Bye Baby”, while their new and current home, Pacific Bell Park, looks like this team is finally here to stay in the Bay Area.

Washington Senators

Conference: American League
Win World Series Year: 1924

Years of Existence

• Minnesota Twins (1961–present)
• Washington Senators (1901–1904, 1956–1960)
• Washington Nationals/Senators (1905–1955)

From Washington to Minnesota

Like the former Philadelphia Athletics, this was the second team founded in the 20th century. They would be known throughout their history as the “Senators”, a club that was founded in 1901.

The Only World Series

That’s right, during a 60-year tenure in Washington, the Senators managed to achieve the only championship victory in 1924, in addition to 3 American League pennants.

This triumph is especially remembered because they defeated the New York Giants along with John McGraw, favorites to win.

It wasn’t easy, as the series was forced to be played in 7 games, with a dramatic finale in which the legendary Muddy Ruel hit a double and then proceeded to score the winning run.

The North Star State

Also, like the teams mentioned above, the Washington team had name changes, and it was the Washington Nationals/Senators that was chosen to remain active from 1905 to 1955.

Finally, from 1956 to 1960, the Senators became the Minnesota Twins. Here we tell you how.

Clark Griffith, pitcher, manager and later owner of the team died in 1955, when his nephew and adopted son Calvin Griffith took over the presidency of the team.

Thereafter, the new owner sold the stadium to the city of Washington, and although the fans packed the stadium, negotiations between Griffith and the Minneapolis-St. Paul region were at a point of no return, forming a new team in a new city.

Thus it was that on October 26, 1960, the Minnesota Twins were born with legendary players such as Harmon Killebrew, Bob Allison, Camilo Pascual and Jim Kaat.