Major League Baseball - National League Team Names
Created | Updated Apr 19, 2005
Major League Baseball, or MLB as it is sometimes referred to, is the main grouping of baseball teams in Canada and the United States. There are 30 teams; The National League teams listed here along with a brief explanation of the team's name. The National League is the "senior" league, it was formed in 1876.
Arizona: The Diamondbacks. A diamondback is a type of snake native to Arizona. Were an expansion team in 1998 and won the World Series in 2001. They play at Bank One Ballpark
Atlanta: The Braves. Almost a derogatory term referring to Native Americans. The Braves were originally located in Boston, moved to Milwaukee in 1953, and finally to Atlanta in 1966. They play at Turner Field.
Chicago: The Cubs. A cub is a young bear. Originally called the White Stockings, the name was changed in 1907. The cubs play in Wrigley Field.
Cincinnati: The Reds. Red is the colour of strawberries. But Reds is also a general term (somewhat derogatory) for Native Americans (or communists). Actually the name originates from the Cincinnati Red Stockings, but the stockings was dropped to decrease confusion with the Red Sox. They play at Great American Ball Park.
Colorado: The Rockies. Comes from the Rocky Mountains, which are partially in Colorado. They were an expansion team in 1993. They play at Coors Field.
Florida: The Marlins. Marlins are a type of fish that is very popular among avid sports fishermen. They are common around Florida. The Marlins were an expansion team in 1993. They play at Pro Player Stadium.
Houston: The Astros. Probably short for Astronauts, being that NASA's ground control and training centres are located in Houston. Originally called the Colt.45's, the name was changed in 1965. They play at Minute Maid Park.
Kansas City*: The Royals. Describes royalty (i.e., Kings and Queens) or the certain shade of blue which is found on their uniforms. They play at Kauffman Stadium.
Los Angeles: The Dodgers. The origins of this name are unclear, a dodger may be someone who dodges things... I don't know. Originally the Brooklyn Dodgers, they moved to LA in 1958. They play at Dodger Stadium.
Milwaukee: The Brewers. Someone who brews beer. Which make sense since Milwaukee is the home of the Miller Brewing Company. Originally known as the Seattle Pilots, they moved to Milwaukee in 1970. They play at Miller Park.
Montréal: The Expos. Expos is short for Expositions. Named after the world exposition held there in 1967. They play at Olympic Stadium.
New York: The Mets. Short for metropolitans, because New York is a large metropolitan area. They play at Shea Stadium.
Philadelphia: The Phillies. Philly is short for Philadelphia. They are the oldest team to never have moved or changed names in their history. They play at Veteran's Stadium, but will move to a new ballpark in 2004.
Pittsburgh: The Pirates. Groups of men who stole treasure from naval ships. Originally called the Alleghenies, they are renamed the Pirates in 1889. They play at PNC Park.
San Diego: The Padres. Spanish word for "Father." Named for the Catholic missionaries in the area. They play at Qualcomm Stadium.
San Francisco: The Giants. Very large mythological creatures. Originally known as the New York Gothams, they became the Giants in 1888. They moved to San Francisco in 1958. They play at Pacific Bell Park.
St. Louis: Cardinals. Red Birds. Originally known as the Brown Stockings, they were renamed the Cardinals in 1900. They play at Busch Stadium.
Some information as sugessted by Azara (U172739).
Each year the champions of the American and National Leagues face off in the World Series. This year (2002) it is the San Francisco Giants and the Anaheim Angels.
An expansion team is a team added to help the league grow, usually for revenue purposes.
Often the teams will move to an area where they will attract more fans.
Also see entry A854372
Note: The name origins are based mainly on the author's opinion, although there is some truth in some of them. All historical data and stadium names were verified at www.mlb.com
Arizona: The Diamondbacks. A diamondback is a type of snake native to Arizona. Were an expansion team in 1998 and won the World Series in 2001. They play at Bank One Ballpark
Atlanta: The Braves. Almost a derogatory term referring to Native Americans. The Braves were originally located in Boston, moved to Milwaukee in 1953, and finally to Atlanta in 1966. They play at Turner Field.
Chicago: The Cubs. A cub is a young bear. Originally called the White Stockings, the name was changed in 1907. The cubs play in Wrigley Field.
Cincinnati: The Reds. Red is the colour of strawberries. But Reds is also a general term (somewhat derogatory) for Native Americans (or communists). Actually the name originates from the Cincinnati Red Stockings, but the stockings was dropped to decrease confusion with the Red Sox. They play at Great American Ball Park.
Colorado: The Rockies. Comes from the Rocky Mountains, which are partially in Colorado. They were an expansion team in 1993. They play at Coors Field.
Florida: The Marlins. Marlins are a type of fish that is very popular among avid sports fishermen. They are common around Florida. The Marlins were an expansion team in 1993. They play at Pro Player Stadium.
Houston: The Astros. Probably short for Astronauts, being that NASA's ground control and training centres are located in Houston. Originally called the Colt.45's, the name was changed in 1965. They play at Minute Maid Park.
Kansas City*: The Royals. Describes royalty (i.e., Kings and Queens) or the certain shade of blue which is found on their uniforms. They play at Kauffman Stadium.
Los Angeles: The Dodgers. The origins of this name are unclear, a dodger may be someone who dodges things... I don't know. Originally the Brooklyn Dodgers, they moved to LA in 1958. They play at Dodger Stadium.
Milwaukee: The Brewers. Someone who brews beer. Which make sense since Milwaukee is the home of the Miller Brewing Company. Originally known as the Seattle Pilots, they moved to Milwaukee in 1970. They play at Miller Park.
Montréal: The Expos. Expos is short for Expositions. Named after the world exposition held there in 1967. They play at Olympic Stadium.
New York: The Mets. Short for metropolitans, because New York is a large metropolitan area. They play at Shea Stadium.
Philadelphia: The Phillies. Philly is short for Philadelphia. They are the oldest team to never have moved or changed names in their history. They play at Veteran's Stadium, but will move to a new ballpark in 2004.
Pittsburgh: The Pirates. Groups of men who stole treasure from naval ships. Originally called the Alleghenies, they are renamed the Pirates in 1889. They play at PNC Park.
San Diego: The Padres. Spanish word for "Father." Named for the Catholic missionaries in the area. They play at Qualcomm Stadium.
San Francisco: The Giants. Very large mythological creatures. Originally known as the New York Gothams, they became the Giants in 1888. They moved to San Francisco in 1958. They play at Pacific Bell Park.
St. Louis: Cardinals. Red Birds. Originally known as the Brown Stockings, they were renamed the Cardinals in 1900. They play at Busch Stadium.
Some information as sugessted by Azara (U172739).
Each year the champions of the American and National Leagues face off in the World Series. This year (2002) it is the San Francisco Giants and the Anaheim Angels.
An expansion team is a team added to help the league grow, usually for revenue purposes.
Often the teams will move to an area where they will attract more fans.
Also see entry A854372
Note: The name origins are based mainly on the author's opinion, although there is some truth in some of them. All historical data and stadium names were verified at www.mlb.com
