In 1901, the minor Western League, led by Ban Johnson, declared its equality with the National League, then the only major league in baseball. Johnson changed the name of the league to the American League, leading teams in his league to be christened with the unofficial nickname “Americans.” This was especially true in the case of the new Boston franchise, which would not adopt an official nickname until 1908.

Established
1901

City
Boston

League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1901 – 1999 / American League

Team History
1908 – Present / Boston Red Sox
1901 – 1907 / Boston Americans

Nickname
Americans – The “Americans” or “Boston Americans” as in “American Leaguers.”

In 1901, the minor Western League, led by Ban Johnson, declared its equality with the National League, then the only major league in baseball. Johnson changed the name of the league to the American League, leading teams in his league to be christened with the unofficial nickname “Americans.” This was especially true in the case of the new Boston franchise, which would not adopt an official nickname until 1908.

Championship
World Series  1
2018, 2013, 2007, 2004, 1918, 1916, 1915, 1912, 1903

Stadium
1912 – Present / Fenway Park
1901 – 1911 / Huntington Avenue Grounds

Owner
2002 – Present / Fenway Sports Group
1992 – 2002 / JRY Trust
1976 – 1992 / Jean R. Yawkey
1933 – 1976 / Tom Yawkey
1923 – 1933 / Bob Quinn
1916 – 1923 / Harry Frazee
1913 – 1916 / Joseph Lannin
1911 – 1913 / Jimmy McAleer
1904 – 1914 / John I. Taylor
1903 – 1904 / Henry Killilea
1901 – 1903 / Charles Somers

Retired Number
1 Bobby Doerr
4 Joe Cronin
6 Johnny Pesky
8 Carl Yastrzemski
9 Ted Williams
14 Jim Rice
26 Wade Boggs
27 Carlton Fisk
34 David Ortiz
42 Jackie Robinson
45 Pedro Martínez

Mascot
1997 – Present / Wally the Green Monster

*Blue is this team’s history