The Western League was the name of several

minor league baseball Minor League Baseball (MiLB) is a professional baseball organization below Major League Baseball (MLB), constituted of teams affiliated with MLB clubs. It was founded on September 5, 1901, in response to the growing dominance of the National Le ...

leagues that operated between 1885 and 1900. These leagues were focused mainly in the

Midwestern United States The Midwestern United States (also referred to as the Midwest, the Heartland or the American Midwest) is one of the four census regions defined by the United States Census Bureau. It occupies the northern central part of the United States. It ...

. The 1893 incarnation of the league hired

Ban Johnson Byron Bancroft "Ban" Johnson (January 5, 1864 – March 28, 1931) was an American executive in professional baseball who served as the founder and first president of the American League (AL). Johnson developed the AL—a descendant of th ...

as president in 1894. In 1900, Johnson renamed it the

American League The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is the younger of two sports leagues, leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western L ...

and declared that it was now a major league, intending to compete against the older

National League National League often refers to: *National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada *National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...

of 1876, which was centered in the American Northeast states.

History

Before its incarnation in November 1893, the Western League existed in various forms. The League was formed as a minor league on February 11, 1885. The original clubs were located in

Indianapolis Indianapolis ( ), colloquially known as Indy, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Indiana, most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana, Marion ...

‚

Kansas City The Kansas City metropolitan area is a bi-state metropolitan area anchored by Kansas City, Missouri. Its 14 counties straddle the border between the U.S. states of Missouri (9 counties) and Kansas (5 counties). With and a population of more t ...

‚

Cleveland Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it is situated across the Canada–U.S. maritime border and approximately west of the Ohio-Pennsylvania st ...

‚

Milwaukee Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...

‚

Toledo Toledo most commonly refers to: * Toledo, Spain, a city in Spain * Province of Toledo, Spain * Toledo, Ohio, a city in the United States Toledo may also refer to: Places Belize * Toledo District * Toledo Settlement Bolivia * Toledo, Or ...

and

Omaha Omaha ( ) is the List of cities in Nebraska, most populous city in the U.S. state of Nebraska. It is located in the Midwestern United States along the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's List of United S ...

Keokuk, Iowa Keokuk is a city in and a county seat of Lee County, Iowa, United States. It is Iowa's southernmost city. The population was 9,900 at the time of the United States Census, 2020, 2020 census. The city is named after the Sauk people, Sauk chief K ...

. The season began on April 18, 1885 with the Indianapolis Hoosiers winning the first title with a record of 27–4–1. The league then folded on June 15, 1885. The league was reformed on January 18, 1886, to play an 80-game schedule. Denver won the pennant on September 20, 1886 with a record of 54 wins and 26 losses. In 1887, the league was dominated by

Topeka Topeka ( ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County, Kansas, Shawnee County. It is along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, in northeaste ...

's Golden Giants, a high-priced collection of major leaguers, including

Bug Holliday James Wear "Bug" Holliday (February 8, 1867 – February 15, 1910) was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball for ten seasons, in the 1885 World Series and from through . He was the first player to make his major league debut i ...

, Jim Conway,

Perry Werden Percival Wheritt "Perry" Werden (July 21, 1865 – January 9, 1934) was an American baseball player. He was a first baseman for the St. Louis Maroons (1884), Washington Nationals (1888), Toledo Maumees (1890), Baltimore Orioles (1891), St. Lo ...

and

Jimmy Macullar James F. Macullar (January 16, 1855 – April 8, 1924), also known as "Little Mac", was an American Major League Baseball player from Boston, Massachusetts. He played mostly at shortstop, but did play many games in center field, for three ...

, which won the title by 15½ games on October 2, 1887. The league returned in February 1888, but dissolved after a partial season on June 21, 1888. Denver had finished first with a record of 18 wins and 6 losses. The league was revived in 1892. Columbus won the title with a record of 46 wins and 26 losses. The league shut down on July 11, 1892. The league was revived on May 17, 1893 and had planned a schedule before being shut down on June 20, 1893.

Reorganization and conversion to American League

In a meeting in

Detroit, Michigan Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

, on November 20, 1893, the Western League reorganized again. From this point forward, this version of the WL has continued in existence, eventually becoming the modern-day

. In 1894,

was hired as president of the new league, and remained so until his retirement nearly 35 years later. Johnson, a

Cincinnati Cincinnati ( ; colloquially nicknamed Cincy) is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. Settled in 1788, the city is located on the northern side of the confluence of the Licking River (Kentucky), Licking and Ohio Ri ...

-based newspaper reporter, had been recommended by his friend

Charles Comiskey Charles Albert Comiskey (August 15, 1859 – October 26, 1931), nicknamed "Commy" or "the Old Roman", was an American Major League Baseball player, manager, and team owner. He was a key person in the formation of the American League and was als ...

, a former major league star with the

St. Louis Browns The St. Louis Browns were a Major League Baseball team that originated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the Milwaukee Brewers. A charter member of the American League (AL), the Brewers moved to St. Louis, Missouri, after the 1901 season, where they ...

in the 1880s, who was then managing the

Cincinnati Reds The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...

. After the 1894 season, when Comiskey's contract with the Reds was up, he decided to take his chances at ownership. He bought the

Sioux City Sioux City () is a city in Woodbury and Plymouth counties in the U.S. state of Iowa. The population was 85,797 in the 2020 census, making it the fourth-most populous city in Iowa. The county seat of Woodbury County, Sioux City is the primar ...

team and transferred it to

Saint Paul, Minnesota Saint Paul (often abbreviated St. Paul) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County, Minnesota, Ramsey County. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, ...

. These two men were among the cornerstones of the American League. After the 1899 season, the National League announced it was dropping four of its franchises, reducing its membership from 12 to 8 teams. The franchises that were eliminated were

Baltimore Baltimore is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Maryland. With a population of 585,708 at the 2020 census and estimated at 568,271 in 2024, it is the 30th-most populous U.S. city. The Baltimore metropolitan area is the 20th-large ...

Louisville Louisville is the most populous city in the Commonwealth of Kentucky, sixth-most populous city in the Southeast, and the 27th-most-populous city in the United States. By land area, it is the country's 24th-largest city; however, by populatio ...

and

Washington Washington most commonly refers to: * George Washington (1732–1799), the first president of the United States * Washington (state), a state in the Pacific Northwest of the United States * Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States ** A ...

. This afforded an opportunity for the Western circuit to expand into those vacated cities. In a meeting in

Chicago Chicago is the List of municipalities in Illinois, most populous city in the U.S. state of Illinois and in the Midwestern United States. With a population of 2,746,388, as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the List of Unite ...

on October 11, 1899, the Western League renamed itself the American League. It was still a minor league, subject to the National Agreement, and generally subordinate to the older National League of

Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...

, founded 1876. The NL gave permission to the new AL to put a team in Chicago that year, and Comiskey moved his St. Paul club to the South Side. However, the new team in Chicago was subject to rules from the NL. The Cubs (then called the Orphans) were allowed to draft two players each year from the AL team. Comiskey was also barred from using the name "Chicago" in all of his dealings, so he cleverly revived the old moniker "White Stockings" from the days of

Cap Anson Adrian Constantine Anson (April 17, 1852 – April 14, 1922), nicknamed "Cap" (for "Captain"), "Pop", and "Baby" (early in his career) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman. Including his time in the National Association ...

for his team. The AL also transferred the

Grand Rapids Grand Rapids is the largest city and county seat of Kent County, Michigan, United States. With a population of 198,917 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census and estimated at 200,117 in 2024, Grand Rapids is the List of municipalities ...

team to

for the 1900 season. After the 1900 season, the American League declined to renew its membership in the "National Agreement" and declared itself a "major league". It began raiding NL team rosters and attempting to compete directly against the NL. The franchises in the smaller cities of

Buffalo Buffalo most commonly refers to: * True buffalo or Bubalina, a subtribe of wild cattle, including most "Old World" buffalo, such as water buffalo * Bison, a genus of wild cattle, including the American buffalo * Buffalo, New York, a city in the n ...

and

Minneapolis Minneapolis is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, and its county seat. With a population of 429,954 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the state's List of cities in Minnesota, most populous city. Locat ...

were replaced by the larger, more important urban centers of

Boston Boston is the capital and most populous city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Massachusetts in the United States. The city serves as the cultural and Financial centre, financial center of New England, a region of the Northeas ...

Philadelphia Philadelphia ( ), colloquially referred to as Philly, is the List of municipalities in Pennsylvania, most populous city in the U.S. state of Pennsylvania and the List of United States cities by population, sixth-most populous city in the Unit ...

and

for the 1901 season. The second and third of those cities already had NL teams. Next,

moved to

St. Louis St. Louis ( , sometimes referred to as St. Louis City, Saint Louis or STL) is an independent city in the U.S. state of Missouri. It lies near the confluence of the Mississippi and the Missouri rivers. In 2020, the city proper had a populatio ...

in 1902.

, having fallen into disarray, was replaced by

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

in 1903, for the reason that the new league would not be totally respected and have "major league" status without a team in the nation's largest city. The American League team lineup settled on five franchises in cities that already had NL teams (Boston, Chicago, New York, Philadelphia, and St. Louis) and two in cities that had been recently abandoned by the NL (Cleveland and Washington), but only one in a city remaining from the former Western League lineup of 1899 (

Detroit Detroit ( , ) is the List of municipalities in Michigan, most populous city in the U.S. state of Michigan. It is situated on the bank of the Detroit River across from Windsor, Ontario. It had a population of 639,111 at the 2020 United State ...

). Four of the other 1899 Western League cities now host Major League Baseball today (Kansas City, Milwaukee, and Minneapolis and Saint Paul jointly), while three do not (Buffalo, Grand Rapids, and Indianapolis, but all have minor league teams). This membership list for both leagues lasted in place for nearly a half-century until the move of the

Boston Braves The Boston Braves were a Major League Baseball club that originated in Boston, Boston, Massachusetts, and played from 1871 to 1952. Afterwards they moved to History of the Atlanta Braves#Milwaukee, Milwaukee (and became the Milwaukee Braves). ...

to Milwaukee in 1953, the

to Baltimore, becoming the new

Baltimore Orioles The Baltimore Orioles (also known as the O's) are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East Division. As one of the America ...

in 1954, and the

Philadelphia Athletics The Philadelphia Athletics were a Major League Baseball team that played in Philadelphia from 1901 to 1954, when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and became the Kansas City Athletics. Following another move in 1967, they became the Oakland ...

to Kansas City in 1955. The American League's claim to major league status was disputed, but had to be recognized after the

Boston Red Sox The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Founded in as one of the Ameri ...

defeated the NL champion

Pittsburgh Pirates The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...

in the first

World Series The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB). It has been contested since between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winning team, determined through a best- ...

held in late 1903.

20th century Western League

When

changed his league's name to the American League before the 1900 season, another "Western League" was immediately formed to function on the supporting minor-league level. This league operated from 1900 to 1937 and later from 1947 to 1958. Its franchises were located west of the

Mississippi River The Mississippi River is the main stem, primary river of the largest drainage basin in the United States. It is the second-longest river in the United States, behind only the Missouri River, Missouri. From its traditional source of Lake Ita ...

, in the

Great Plains The Great Plains is a broad expanse of plain, flatland in North America. The region stretches east of the Rocky Mountains, much of it covered in prairie, steppe, and grassland. They are the western part of the Interior Plains, which include th ...

and

Rocky Mountains The Rocky Mountains, also known as the Rockies, are a major mountain range and the largest mountain system in North America. The Rocky Mountains stretch in great-circle distance, straight-line distance from the northernmost part of Western Can ...

states. In its post-World War II incarnation, the later Western League included clubs in

Denver, Colorado Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county, the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Colorado, most populous city of the U.S. state of ...

;

Des Moines, Iowa Des Moines is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities in Iowa, most populous city in the U.S. state of Iowa. It is the county seat of Polk County, Iowa, Polk County with parts extending into Warren County, Iowa, Wa ...

;

Omaha, Nebraska Omaha ( ) is the List of cities in Nebraska, most populous city in the U.S. state of Nebraska. It is located in the Midwestern United States along the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's List of United S ...

; and

Colorado Springs, Colorado Colorado Springs is the most populous city in El Paso County, Colorado, United States, and its county seat. The city had a population of 478,961 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, a 15.02% increase since 2010 United States Census, 2 ...

. Each of those cities later served as the home for a Triple-A team in the

Pacific Coast League The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Western United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade bel ...

(the

Denver Bears Denver ( ) is a consolidated city and county, the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Colorado. It is located in the Western United States, in the South Platte River Valley on the western edge of the High Plains east of th ...

Iowa Cubs The Iowa Cubs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Chicago Cubs. They are located in Des Moines, Iowa, and are named for their Major League Baseball (MLB) affiliate. T ...

Omaha Royals Omaha ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nebraska. It is located in the Midwestern United States along the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's 41st-most-populous city, Omaha had a popu ...

, and

Colorado Springs Sky Sox The Colorado Springs Sky Sox were a Minor League Baseball team in Colorado Springs, Colorado. The team played in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and was the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers (2015–2018), Colorado R ...

, respectively). Several other 20th century minor-league circuits have also used the same name.

Cities represented 1885–1888, 1892

Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and the county seat of Cuyahoga County, Ohio, Cuyahoga County. Located along the southern shore of Lake Erie, it is situated across the Canada–United States border, Canada–U.S. maritime border ...

Cleveland Forest Citys The Forest Citys were a short lived professional baseball team based in Cleveland in the early 1870s. The actual name of the team, as shown in standings, was Forest City, not "Cleveland". The name "Forest Citys" was used in the same generic sty ...

(1885) *

Columbus, Ohio Columbus (, ) is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of cities in Ohio, most populous city of the U.S. state of Ohio. With a 2020 United States census, 2020 census population of 905,748, it is the List of United States ...

Columbus Reds The International Association for Professional Base Ball Players, commonly known as the International Association, was the name for two separate Canadian-American professional baseball leagues that first operated during 1877–1878 (plus an addi ...

(1892) *

Denver Mountain Lions Denver ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Consolidated city and county, consolidated city and county, the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Colorado, most populous city of the U.S. state of ...

(1886); Denver Mountaineers (1887–1888) *

Emporia, Kansas Emporia is a city in and the county seat of Lyon County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population of the city was 24,139. Emporia lies between Topeka, Kansas, Topeka and Wichita, Kansas, Wichita ...

: Emporia (1887) *

Fort Wayne, Indiana Fort Wayne is a city in Allen County, Indiana, United States, and its county seat. Located in northeastern Indiana, the city is west of the Ohio border and south of the Michigan border. The city's population was 263,886 at the 2020 census ...

Fort Wayne Fort Wayne is a city in Allen County, Indiana, United States, and its county seat. Located in northeastern Indiana, the city is west of the Ohio border and south of the Michigan border. The city's population was 263,886 at the 2020 United S ...

(1892) *

Hastings, Nebraska Hastings is a List of cities in Nebraska, city in and the county seat of Adams County, Nebraska, Adams County, Nebraska, United States. The population was 25,152 at the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, making it the List of cities in Neb ...

: Hastings Hustlers (1887) *

Hutchinson, Kansas Hutchinson is the largest city in and the county seat of Reno County, Kansas, Reno County, Kansas, United States. The city is located on the Arkansas River. It has been home to salt mines since 1887 (thus its nickname of "Salt City") but locals ...

: Hutchinson (1888) *

Indianapolis, Indiana Indianapolis ( ), colloquially known as Indy, is the List of capitals in the United States, capital and List of municipalities in Indiana, most populous city of the U.S. state of Indiana and the county seat of Marion County, Indiana, Marion ...

: Indianapolis Hoosiers (1886, 1892) *

Kansas City, Missouri Kansas City, Missouri, abbreviated KC or KCMO, is the largest city in the U.S. state of Missouri by List of cities in Missouri, population and area. The city lies within Jackson County, Missouri, Jackson, Clay County, Missouri, Clay, and Pl ...

Kansas City Cowboys Several sports team in Kansas City, Missouri have used the name Cowboys: *Kansas City Cowboys (Union Association), a major league baseball team in the Union Association in 1884 *Kansas City Cowboys (National League), a major league baseball team in ...

(1885, 1887, 1892) *

: Keokuk Hawkeyes (1885) *

Leadville, Colorado Leadville ( ) is a List of municipalities in Colorado#Statutory city, statutory city that is the county seat, the most populous community, and the only List of municipalities in Colorado, incorporated municipality in Lake County, Colorado, Lak ...

: Leadville Blues (1886) *

Leavenworth, Kansas Leavenworth () is the county seat and largest city of Leavenworth County, Kansas, Leavenworth County, Kansas, United States. Part of the Kansas City metropolitan area, Leavenworth is located on the west bank of the Missouri River, on the site o ...

: Leavenworth Soldiers (1886–1888) *

Lincoln, Nebraska Lincoln is the List of capitals in the United States, capital city of the U.S. state of Nebraska. The city covers and had a population of 291,082 as of the 2020 census. It is the state's List of cities in Nebraska, second-most populous city a ...

: Lincoln Tree Planters (1886–188) *

Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee is the List of cities in Wisconsin, most populous city in the U.S. state of Wisconsin. Located on the western shore of Lake Michigan, it is the List of United States cities by population, 31st-most populous city in the United States ...

Milwaukee Brewers The Milwaukee Brewers are an American professional baseball team based in Milwaukee. The Brewers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Di ...

(1885);

(1892) *

Minneapolis, Minnesota Minneapolis is a city in Hennepin County, Minnesota, United States, and its county seat. With a population of 429,954 as of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, it is the state's List of cities in Minnesota, most populous city. Locat ...

: Minneapolis Minnies (1892) *

Newton, Kansas Newton is a city in and the county seat of Harvey County, Kansas, United States. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population of the city was 18,602. Newton is located north of Wichita, Kansas, Wichita. The city of North ...

Newton Newton most commonly refers to: * Isaac Newton (1642–1726/1727), English scientist * Newton (unit), SI unit of force named after Isaac Newton Newton may also refer to: People * Newton (surname), including a list of people with the surname * ...

(1888) *

Omaha Omahogs Omaha ( ) is the most populous city in the U.S. state of Nebraska. It is located in the Midwestern United States along the Missouri River, about north of the mouth of the Platte River. The nation's 41st-most-populous city, Omaha had a popu ...

(1885 1887, 1892) *

St. Joseph, Missouri St. Joseph is a city in and county seat of Buchanan County, Missouri, Buchanan County, Missouri, United States. A small portion of the city extends north into Andrew County, Missouri, Andrew County. Located on the Missouri River, it is the princ ...

: St. Joseph Reds (1886–1887) *

St. Paul, Minnesota Saint Paul (often abbreviated St. Paul) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Minnesota and the county seat of Ramsey County. As of the 2020 census, the city had a population of 311,527, making it Minnesota's second-most populous city a ...

St. Paul Saints The St. Paul Saints are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. They are located in Saint Paul, Minnesota, and have played their home games at CHS Field since 2015. They previ ...

(1892) *

Toledo, Ohio Toledo ( ) is a city in Lucas County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. It is located at the western end of Lake Erie along the Maumee River. Toledo is the List of cities in Ohio, fourth-most populous city in Ohio and List of United Sta ...

: Toledo Avengers (1885); Toledo Black Pirates (1892) *

Topeka, Kansas Topeka ( ) is the capital city of the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Shawnee County. It is along the Kansas River in the central part of Shawnee County, in northeastern Kansas, in the Central United States. As of the 2020 cen ...

Topeka Capitals (1886); Topeka Golden Giants (1887) *

Wichita, Kansas Wichita ( ) is the List of cities in Kansas, most populous city in the U.S. state of Kansas and the county seat of Sedgwick County, Kansas, Sedgwick County. As of the 2020 United States census, 2020 census, the population of the city was 397, ...

: Wichita Braves (1887)

League members 1894–1900

Detroit Tigers The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. One of the AL's eight chart ...

(known as Detroit Creams in 1894; only Western League charter member remaining in its original city; retains minor league team name) * Grand Rapids Rippers → replaced by Omaha, 1898 * Indianapolis Hoosiers → dropped for newly organized

, 1901 * Kansas City Blues → first Washington Senators franchise, 1901 →

Minnesota Twins The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The team is named afte ...

, 1961 *

→

, 1902 →

, 1954 *

Minneapolis Millers The Minneapolis Millers were an American professional minor league baseball team that played in Minneapolis, Minnesota, through 1960. In the 19th century a different Minneapolis Millers were part of the Western League. The team played first in ...

→ dropped for newly organized

, 1901 * Sioux City Cornhuskers →

, 1895 → Chicago White Stockings, 1900 (renamed

Chicago White Sox The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...

, 1903) * Toledo White Stockings → replaced by Columbus, 1896 * Columbus Buckeyes, 1896 → Grand Rapids Prodigals, 1899 → Cleveland Bluebirds, 1900 (known as Cleveland Blues by 1901, Cleveland Broncos by 1902, Cleveland Naps from 1903, and named Cleveland Indians from 1915, and

Cleveland Guardians The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division. Since , the team has played its home gam ...

from 2022) *

, 1898 → St. Joseph Saints, 1898 → replaced by Buffalo, 1899 *

Buffalo Bisons The Buffalo Bisons (known colloquially as the Herd) are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays. Located in Buffalo, New York, the team plays their home games at Sahlen Fiel ...

, 1899 → dropped for newly organized

Boston Americans The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Founded in as one of the Ameri ...

, 1901

Timeline

The first line is the formation of the 1894–1900 Western League (WL). The second line marks when the WL was classified as a Class A minor league. The third line marks when the Western League was renamed as the American League (AL). The fourth line marks the declaration that the AL was a major league. Pennant winners are shown with a "•". DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy ImageSize = width:800 height:auto barincrement:25 PlotArea = left:0 right:50 bottom:20 top:20 Colors = id:majorGridColor value:rgb(0.9,0.9,0.9) id:lineColor value:gray(0.6) id:nl1 value:gray(0.9) id:inactive value:gray(0.5) id:gold value:rgb(0.99,0.72,0.15) id:brown value:rgb(0.54,0.30,0.15) id:darkbrown value:rgb(0.36,0.20,0.10) id:vegasgold value:rgb(0.80,0.72,0.49) id:orange value:rgb(1,0.39,0) id:redorange value:rgb(1,0.23,0) id:red value:rgb(0.80,0.01,0.07) id:darkred value:rgb(0.50,0,0) id:iceblue value:rgb(0.20,0.60,0.80) id:navy value:rgb(0,0,0.28) id:navy2 value:rgb(0,0,0.39) Period = from:01/01/1893 till:01/01/1902 TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:dd/mm/yyyy ScaleMajor = start:01/01/1893 unit:year increment:1 gridcolor:majorGridColor LineData = at:01/01/1894 color:lineColor #Formation of 1894–1900 Western League at:01/01/1895 color:lineColor #Western League classified as "Class-A" at:01/01/1900 color:lineColor #Western League renamed as American League at:28/01/1901 color:lineColor #American League declared a major league BarData = bar:DET # Detroit Creams / Tigers bar:GR # Grand Rapids Rippers / Gold Bugs / Bob-o-links bar:IND # Indianapolis Hoosiers bar:KC # Kansas City Cowboys / Blues bar:MIL # Milwaukee Brewers / Creams bar:MIN # Minneapolis Minnies / Millers bar:CHI # Sioux City Cornhuskers / St. Paul Saints / Chicago White Stockings bar:TOL # Toledo White Stockings / Columbus Buckeyes bar:CLE # Columbus Buckeyes / Grand Rapids Prodigals / Cleveland Bluebirds bar:OMA # Omaha Omahogs / St. Joseph Saints bar:BUF # Buffalo Bisons bar:BAL # Baltimore Orioles bar:BOS # Boston Americans bar:PHI # Philadelphia Athletics Define $Up = shift:(,1) Define $Left = anchor:from align:right shift:(-1,) Define $Right = anchor:till align:left shift:(2,) Define $Right2 = anchor:till align:right shift:(-25,) Define $DownRight2 = anchor:till align:right shift:(-25,-10) Define $Down = shift:(,-10) Define $UpLeft = anchor:from align:right shift:(-1,1) Define $UpLeft2 = anchor:from align:left shift:(-1,1) Define $UpRight2 = anchor:till align:right shift:(-1,1) Define $UpRight3 = anchor:till align:right shift:(-25,1) Define $UpRight = anchor:till align:left shift:(2,1) Define $DownRight = anchor:till align:left shift:(2,-10) Define $DownLeft = anchor:from align:left shift:(2,-10) Define $UpUpRight = anchor:till align:left shift:(2,10) Define $champ = text:"•" textcolor:white fontsize:XL shift:(5,-5) PlotData = color:inactive textcolor:black width:20 fontsize:S mark:(line,black) anchor:middle # other options are anchor:from anchor:till align:center # other options are align:left align:right shift:(0,-5) # Note on dates: A team's bar begins with the season that team played its first game, and ends with the season after that team played its last game. For example, the Cincinnati Red Stockings played their first game in 1876, the first season of the National League, and played their last game in 1880. Therefore, their bar goes from 1876 to 1881. # --- Charter Members of the American League bar:DET from:01/01/1894 till:end link:/wiki/Detroit_Tigers bar:DET from:01/01/1894 till:01/01/1895 color:orange text:"Detroit Creams" textcolor:navy bar:DET from:01/01/1895 till:end color:navy text:"Detroit Tigers" textcolor:orange bar:GR from:01/01/1894 till:01/01/1898 link:/wiki/Grand_Rapids_(baseball) bar:GR from:01/01/1894 till:01/01/1897 color:gold text:"Grand Rapids Rippers/Gold Bugs" bar:GR from:01/01/1897 till:01/01/1898 color:vegasgold text:"Grand Rapids~Bob-o-links" $Up bar:IND from:01/01/1894 till:28/01/1901 link:/wiki/Indianapolis_Hoosiers_(minor_league_baseball) bar:IND from:01/01/1894 till:28/01/1901 color:brown text:"Indianapolis Hoosiers/Indians" textcolor:white $Down at:IND at:22/09/1895 $champ mark:(line, brown) at:IND at:17/09/1897 $champ mark:(line, brown) at:IND at:11/09/1899 $champ mark:(line, brown) bar:KC from:01/01/1894 till:end link:/wiki/Kansas_City_Blues_(1885–1901) bar:KC from:01/01/1894 till:01/01/1895 color:blue text:"Kansas City~Cowboys" textcolor:white $Up bar:KC from:01/01/1895 till:28/01/1901 color:skyblue text:"Kansas City Blues" bar:KC from:28/01/1901 till:end color:darkblue text:"Washington~Senators" textcolor:red $Up at:KC at:20/09/1898 $champ mark:(line, skyblue) bar:MIL from:01/01/1894 till:end link:/wiki/Milwaukee_Brewers_(1894–1901) bar:MIL from:01/01/1894 till:end color:darkbrown text:"Milwaukee Brewers/Creams" textcolor:skyblue bar:MIN from:01/01/1894 till:28/01/1901 link:/wiki/Minneapolis_Millers bar:MIN from:01/01/1894 till:01/01/1895 color:redorange text:"Minneapolis~Minnies" $Up bar:MIN from:01/01/1895 till:28/01/1901 color:orange text:"Minneapolis Millers" at:MIN at:22/09/1896 $champ mark:(line, orange) bar:CHI from:01/01/1894 till:end link:/wiki/Chicago_White_Sox bar:CHI from:01/01/1894 till:01/01/1895 color:black text:"Sioux City~Cornhuskers" textcolor:white $Up bar:CHI from:01/01/1895 till:01/01/1900 color:navy2 text:"St. Paul Apostles/Saints" textcolor:white bar:CHI from:01/01/1900 till:31/12/1901 color:black text:"Chicago White Stockings" textcolor:white $Down at:CHI at:25/09/1894 $champ mark:(line, black) at:CHI at:18/09/1900 $champ mark:(line, black) bar:TOL from:01/01/1894 till:01/01/1896 link:/wiki/Toledo_White_Stockings bar:TOL from:01/01/1894 till:01/01/1895 color:navy2 text:"Toledo~White Stockings" textcolor:white $Up bar:TOL from:01/01/1895 till:30/06/1895 color:darkblue text:"Toledo~Swamp Angels" textcolor:white $UpLeft2 bar:TOL from:30/06/1895 till:01/01/1896 color:blue text:"Terra Haute~Hottentots" $UpRight bar:CLE from:01/01/1896 till:end link:/wiki/Cleveland_Guardians bar:CLE from:01/01/1896 till:15/07/1899 color:darkblue text:"Columbus Buckeyes/Senators" textcolor:white bar:CLE from:15/07/1899 till:01/01/1900 color:blue text:"Grand Rapids~Prodigals" textcolor:white $Up bar:CLE from:01/01/1900 till:28/01/1901 color:darkblue text:"Cleveland~Bluebirds" textcolor:white $Up bar:CLE from:28/01/1901 till:end color:navy text:"Cleveland~Blues" textcolor:white $Up bar:OMA from:01/01/1898 till:01/01/1899 link:/wiki/Omaha_Packers bar:OMA from:01/01/1898 till:12/07/1898 color:red text:"Omaha~Omahogs" $Up bar:OMA from:12/07/1898 till:01/01/1899 color:redorange text:"St. Joseph~Saints" $Up bar:BUF from:01/01/1899 till:28/01/1901 link:/wiki/Buffalo~Bisons~(1886–1970) bar:BUF from:01/01/1899 till:28/01/1901 color:blue text:"Buffalo Bisons" textcolor:white bar:BAL from:28/01/1901 till:end link:/wiki/Baltimore_Orioles_(1901–1902) bar:BAL from:28/01/1901 till:end color:orange text:"Baltimore~Orioles" $Up bar:BOS from:28/01/1901 till:end link:/wiki/Boston_Red_Sox bar:BOS from:28/01/1901 till:end color:darkred text:"Boston~Americans" textcolor:white $Up bar:PHI from:28/01/1901 till:end link:/wiki/Athletics_(baseball) bar:PHI from:28/01/1901 till:end color:blue text:"Philadelphia~Athletics" textcolor:vegasgold $Up

Pennant winners

* 1885 – Indianapolis Hoosiers * 1886 –

* 1887 – Topeka Golden Giants * 1888 – Denver Mountaineers * 1892 –

* 1894 – Sioux City Cornhuskers * 1895 – Indianapolis Hoosiers * 1896 –

* 1897 – Indianapolis Hoosiers * 1898 – Kansas City Blues * 1899 – Indianapolis Hoosiers * 1900 – Chicago White Stockings (American League) * There were no seasons in 1889, 1890, 1891, and 1893

References

Sources