Baseball Team Facts: Part 1
Arizona Diamondbacks/D-backs The Arizona Diamondbacks, named after Western Diamondback Rattlesnakes which live in Arizona, play at Chase Field formerly Bank One Ballpark. Did you know that the Diamondbacks are the only team to have a pool in their stadium? Their most famous players are Randy Johnson, and Luis Gonzales. In March 24, 2001, Randy Johnson threw a fast ball at a bird and exploded the crap out of it (Watch for yourself). The D-backs’ mascot is D. Baxter the Bobcat.
Atlanta Braves: The Atlanta Braves, named after how “Braves” refers to Native American warriors. They’
play at Truist Park and had other home stadiums in the past such as; Turner Field (1997–2016), Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium (1966–1996), Milwaukee County Stadium (1953–1965), Braves Field (1915–1952), Fenway Park (1914–1915), South End Grounds (1895–1914), Congress Street Grounds (1894), and South End Grounds (1871–1893). They previously have been named The Milwaukee Braves (1953-1965), Boston Braves (1941–1952), Boston Bees (1936–1940), Boston Braves (1912–1935), Boston Rustlers (1911), Boston Doves (1907–1910), Boston Beaneaters (1883–1906), Boston Red Caps (1876–1882), and Boston Red Stockings (1871–1875). Their most famous players are Hank Aaron, Chipper Jones, Greg Maddux, Eddie Matthews, and Babe Ruth (when they were called the Boston Braves). In 2013 a Waffle House was built in Turner Field. The Braves are the only team to have won a World Series in all three of their locations. Boston (1914), Milwaukee (1957), and Atlanta (1995 and 2016). The Braves’ mascot is Blooper. Their old mascots were Homer The Brave (1989–2018), Rally (1985–2005), The Bleacher Creature (1976–1981), and Chief Noc-A-Homa (1966–1985).
Baltimore Orioles/O’s: The Baltimore Orioles, named for the Baltimore oriole plays at Oriole Park at Camden Yards and had three ballparks before: Memorial Stadium (1954–1991), Sportsman’s Park (1902–1953), and Lloyd Street Grounds (1894–1901). They were previously called The St. Louis Browns (1902–1953), and The Milwaukee Brewers (1894–1901). The Orioles have the most retired numbers of players with the same last name (Frank Robinson, Brooks Robinson, and every MLB team retired Jackie Robinson’s number, 42). Other famous players from the O’s include Eddie Murray, Cal Ripken Jr. (also known as Iron Man), Earl Weaver, and Jim Palmer. Famous baseball player, Babe Ruth was born in Baltimore but didn’t play for the O’s. When singing The Star-Spangled Banner, fans shout O! For Orioles. The Orioles’ mascot is Oriole Bird.
Boston Red Sox: The Boston Red Sox, named for their red socks are the rivals of the New York Yankees, and play at Fenway Park which is known for The Green Monster: a left field wall (37ft 2in/11.33m) at Fenway Park known for preventing many home runs. They were previously called The Boston Americans (1901–1907) and played at Huntington Avenue Grounds (1901–1911). Boston Red Sox’s anthem is “Tessie”
Lyrics:
Tessie, you make me feel so badly.
Why don't you turn around?
Tessie, you know I love you madly.
Babe, my heart weighs about a pound.
Don't blame me if I ever doubt you,
You know I wouldn't live without you.
Tessie, you are the only, only, only.
The Celtic punk band, Dropkick Murphys, who also made the song “Shipping Up To Boston” made a song called “Tessie”. The Red Sox’s famous baseball players are Carl Yastrzemski, Wade Boggs, Babe Ruth, Ted Williams, and Roger Clemens. The Curse of The Bambino was a superstitious baseball curse derived from the 86-year championship drought between 1918-2004. This curse was named after Babe Ruth referred to as “The Bambino” was sold to the New York Yankees. This curse was a big part of the Yankees-Red Sox Rivalry. The Red Sox are the only team to contain another team in its name (The Reds). The Red Sox’s mascot are Wally the Green Monster and his sister, Tessie. Their old mascots were Lefty and Righty (1997–2014).
Chicago Cubs: The Chicago Cubs were named by Chicago Daily News because of the youth of the team’s roster. The Cubs play at Wrigley Field, and used to play at West Side Park (1893–1915), South Side Park (1891–1893), West Side Park (1885–1891), Union Baseball Park AKA Lakefront Park (1878–1884), and 23rd Street Grounds (1876–1877). In Back To The Future II, they time travel to 2015 and predict the Cubs winning against The Miami Team when the Marlins didn’t exist. then in 2016 the Cubs won against the Cleveland Indians. The Cubs winning in 2016 ended the 71-year National League pennant drought and a 108-year World Series championship drought, both of which are record droughts in the MLB. The Cubs’ old names were Chicago Orphans (1898–1902), Chicago Colts (1890–1897), and Chicago White Stockings (1876–1889). Their most famous players are Greg Maddux, Ron Santo, and Ernie Banks. Their mascot is Clark the Cub. Their old mascots in the 1900s were a bear with no name, and Joa, an actual live bear! In pop culture the Cubs appeared in Rookie of the Year and The Natural.
Chicago White Sox: The White Sox are named after their white socks they had on their old uniforms, even though they now wear black socks. The White Sox play at Guaranteed Rate Field and used to play at Comiskey Park (1910–1990), Milwaukee County Stadium (1968–1969), South Side Park (1900–1910), and Lexington Park (1897–1899). Their old names were Chicago White Stockings (1900–1903), and St. Paul Saints (1895–1899). The most famous baseball players for the White Sox are Mark Buehrle, Jose Abreu, Frank Thomas AKA Big Hurt, Bo Jackson, “Shoeless” Joe Jackson, Ken Griffey Jr., and Michael Jordan! Not some other guy named Mike Jordan, His Airness, Micheal Jordan played an exhibition game against the Chicago Cubs on April 7, 1994 (Watch for yourself!) Both Cubs fans and White Sox fans were cheering him on because he is the Michael “Air” Jordan! The White Sox were the first team to have names on the back of their jerseys. The Black Sox scandal was a game-fixing scandal where eight players were accused of purposely losing the 1919 World Series for gambling purposes. The White Sox’s mascot is Southpaw and the White Sox’s old mascots were Ribbie and Roobarb (1981–1988), and Andy The Clown (1960–1990) who was a private in The U.S. Army from 1942–1943.
Cincinnati Reds: Cincinnati Reds, named after their red stockings, play at the Great American Ballpark and used to play at Riverfront Stadium (1970–2002), Crosley Field (1912–1970), Palace of the Fans (1902–1911), League Park (1884–1901), and Bank Street Grounds (1881–1883). They used to be named the Cincinnati Redlegs (1953-1959) to disassociate themselves with communism. Famous players of the Reds’ lineup known as the “Great Eight” which included Johnny Bench, Pete Rose, Joe Morgan, Tony Pérez, Dave Concepción, George Foster, César Geronimo, and Ken Griffey Sr. From 1970–1979 the Reds were nicknamed the “Big Red Machine” because their roster was dominating the 70s and won four National League pennants (1970, 1972, 1975, 1976), and two World Series titles (1975 and 1976). The Cincinnati Reds are the very first team in MLB. The Reds have four mascots: Mr. Red, the main mascot, Mr. Redlegs, Rosie Red (named after the huge fan named Rosie Janis), and Gapper, who is named after the "gap" in the stands of the seats. Mr. Red, Redlegs, and Rosie Red all have baseball for heads, and Gapper looks like a muppet.
Cleveland Guardians: The Cleveland Guardians were named after the Guardians of Traffic which are eight sculptures on the Hope Memorial Bridge. The Guardians play at Progressive Field and used to play at Cleveland Stadium (1932–1933, 1937–1993), League Park (1900–1932, 1934–1936), Ramona Park (1899), and Recreation Park II (1896–1899). They used to be named the Cleveland Indians (1915–2021), Cleveland Naps (1903–1914), Cleveland Bronchos (1902), Cleveland Bluebirds (1901), Cleveland Lake Shores (1900), Grand Rapids Furniture Makers (1899), Columbus Senators (1897–1899), Columbus Buckeyes (1896). The Cleveland Guardians retired number 455 in honour of the fans for the record breaking 455 consecutive sellout games at Progressive Field from June 12, 1995, to April 2, 2001. The movie Major League is about the Cleveland Indians (now known as the Cleveland Guardians). Their famous players include Bob Feller, Jim Thome, and Larry Doby. The Guardian’s mascot is Slider and some considered Chief Wahoo their mascot until he got cancelled because he was deemed too racist.
Colorado Rockies: The Colorado Rockies, named after the Rocky Mountains, play at Coors Field and used to play at Mile High Stadium (1993–1994). Their most famous players are Todd Helton and Larry Walker. The Rockies retired the initials KSM for Keli Scott McGregor who played for the Denver Broncos, the Indianapolis Colts, and was the president of the Colorado Rockies. The highest ballpark is Coors Field, which sits at an elevation of approximately 5,200 feet (1,580 meters) above sea level. Their mascot is Dinger, a dinosaur based off of a 68-million year old triceratops fossil found under Coors Field.
Detroit Tigers: The Detroit Tigers are named after the Detroit Light Guard which was a military unit known as "The Tigers.” They play at Comerica Park and used to play at Tiger Stadium (1912–1999), Bennett Park (1903–1911), Burns Park (1901–1902), Bennett Park (1896–1900), and Boulevard Park (1894–1895). The Tigers’ most famous players are Willie Horton, Ty Cobb, Al Kaline and Jack Morris. The Detroit Tigers have a baseball-themed ferris wheel and a tiger-themed carrousel at Comerica Park, and have Chevrolet Fountain in centerfield. The Tigers’ mascot is named Paws.
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