The Original Teams of Major League Baseball

The history of Major League Baseball (MLB) begins with its foundation in the 1870s, and the teams that made up the National League in 1876 are the cornerstone of what we now know as MLB. This article explores the original teams and their evolution over the years into the teams we recognize today.

Teams of the National League (1876)

Chicago White Stockings - now the Chicago Cubs Cincinnati Reds Cleveland Blues - now the Cleveland Guardians Louisville Grays New York Mutuals Philadelphia Athletics - not to be confused with the modern Oakland Athletics Pittsburgh Alleghenys - now the Pittsburgh Pirates St. Louis Brown Stockings - now the St. Louis Cardinals

While these teams formed the National League, the American League, which aimed to compete with the National League, was founded in 1901. The original American League teams included:

Chicago White Sox Cleveland Indians - now the Cleveland Guardians Detroit Tigers Milwaukee Brewers - not to be confused with the modern Milwaukee Brewers Philadelphia Athletics - later moved to Kansas City and then Oakland
St. Louis Browns - later became the Baltimore Orioles Washington Senators - there were multiple iterations of this team. The original moved to Minnesota and became the Twins Boston Americans - now the Boston Red Sox

The Evolution of MLB Teams

The initial teams laid the groundwork for the modern structure of MLB. However, the history of baseball is not as simple as creating a league and recruiting teams. Instead, it is a complex journey of teams being formed, joining leagues, and sometimes even folding or changing identities.

Officially, the oldest continuing major league team is the Atlanta Braves, originally known as the Boston Red Stockings, which joined the National League in 1876 and has been in continuous operation since 1871, making them the oldest active team in MLB. The Chicago Cubs, known at the time as the Chicago White Stockings, are also among the oldest teams, having played since 1871. Similarly, the St. Louis Cardinals and the Pittsburgh Pirates also have long histories, deciding to play in the National League in 1876.

The Philadelphia Athletics of the 1876 league can be confused with the modern Philadelphia Athletics, known as the Oakland Athletics, which are part of the American League. This 1876 team was the eventual champion with a 21-7 record.

A Revisionist History

Cincinnati claims that the Cincinnati Red Stockings were the first fully professional baseball team; however, this team never competed in a major league and disbanded in 1870. The team that we recognize as the Cincinnati Reds began play in 1882 and are therefore younger than the Cubs and Braves, but the same age as the Cardinals and Pirates.

Major League Baseball has perpetuated a revisionist history by opening the season in Cincinnati and continuing to play there almost every season. This tradition, however, is unnecessary and should be abandoned. The true origin of the Cincinnati team, the 1882 Red Stockings, should be recognized rather than the 1869 team.

The teams of the 1870s and 1880s form the backbone of what we now know as MLB. From the Cubs to the Red Sox, each team has a rich history that has evolved over time. The evolution of these teams provides a fascinating glimpse into the development of America's pastime and the changes in league structure over the years.