The Boston Bees history covers a short but distinctive era in Major League Baseball. From 1936 to 1940, the Boston Braves rebranded as the Bees in an effort to revive fan interest. Although wins were limited, the period of Boston Bees baseball remains memorable for its bold identity change and contribution to the team’s evolving legacy.
Established
1883
City
Boston – Milwaukee – Atlanta
League History
2000 – Present / Major League Baseball
1883 – 1999 / National League
Team History
1966 – Present / Atlanta Braves
1953 – 1965 / Milwaukee Braves
1941 – 1952 / Boston Braves
1936 – 1940 / Boston Bees
1912 – 1935 / Boston Braves
1911 / Boston Rustlers
1907 – 1910 / Boston Doves
1883 – 1906 / Boston Beaneaters
Nickname
Bees – Baseball fans in Boston have a long and storied history of supporting their beloved Red Sox. But before the team moved to Fenway Park, they were known as the Boston Bees. So where did this nickname come from?
Boston Bees Origin
The answer lies with owner George Herman Ruth, better known as Babe Ruth. In 1921, he purchased an interest in the then-Boston Red Sox and changed its name to The Braves—a reference to his nickname, “the Bambino,” which had been given by teammate Jack Dunn when he was playing for Baltimore Orioles earlier that year. He also wanted a new mascot for the team, so he chose a bee because it was both aggressive and hardworking, like his players should be on the field!
From there, local newspapers began referring to them as “Ruth’s Buzzing Bees” or just plain old “Bees." This stuck until 1936, when they officially became known as The Braves again after being sold back into private hands (and eventually becoming what we know today).
While not quite up there with some of baseball's more iconic nicknames like "Yankees" or even "Mets," it is still interesting that such an integral part of our national pastime has roots going back almost 100 years ago! It's incredible how much can change over time, but one thing remains constant: Baseball will always remain America's favorite sport, no matter what you call it!
Championship
World Series 0
1995, 1957, 1914
Stadium
2017 – Present / SunTrust Park
1997 – 2016 / Turner Field
1976 – 1996 / Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
1966 – 1976 / Atlanta Stadium
*Milwaukee*
1953 – 1965 / Milwaukee County Stadium
*Boston*
1915 – 1952 / Braves Field
1936 – 1941 / National League Park
1914 – 1915 / Fenway Park
1894 – 1914 / South End Grounds
1894 / Congress Street Grounds
1883 – 1894 / South End Grounds
Owner
2007 – Present / Liberty Media Corporation
1996 – 2007 / Time Warner
1976 – 1996 / Ted Turner
1962 – 1976 / William Bartholomay
1944 – 1962 / Lou Perini
1935 – 1945 / Bob Quinn
1922 – 1935 / Emil Fuchs
1919 – 1922 / George W. Grant
1915 – 1918 / Percy Haughton
1912 – 1915 / James Gaffney
1911 / William Hepburn Russell
1909 – 1910 / John Dovey
1907 – 1909 / George & John Dovey
1883 – 1909 / Arthur Soden
Boston Bees History
The Boston Bees history marks one of the most unusual chapters in Major League Baseball. Originally founded in 1871 as the Boston Red Stockings, the team underwent several name changes, becoming the Beaneaters in 1883 and then the Braves in 1912. In 1936, under new ownership led by Bob Quinn, the franchise rebranded as the Boston Bees in an effort to revive attendance and fan interest.
During this era, the Boston Bees baseball team played home games at the newly renamed National League park, known then as the “Beehive.” Despite the new identity, the Bees found limited success on the field. They struggled to rise above the middle of the standings, though they occasionally showed promise with solid pitching and standout performances from players like Tony Cuccinello, Wally Berger, and Al López, who later became a Hall of Fame manager.
While the Boston Bees history included moments of competitiveness, the rebrand ultimately failed to generate lasting results. By 1941, the franchise returned to its traditional Braves name, signaling the end of the short-lived Bees experiment. However, the period still holds a unique place in baseball history as an example of how franchises adapted during the Great Depression to maintain fan support.
Bees Achievements
In terms of achievements, the Boston franchise as a whole produced legendary figures like Warren Spahn, Eddie Mathews, and Hank Aaron, but the Bees era itself is remembered more for its cultural impact than championships. The Bees offered fans in Boston a sense of continuity during hard economic times and kept Boston Bees baseball alive until the Braves reclaimed their historic identity.
The legacy of the Boston Bees history endures through its role in the evolution of the Braves franchise. While wins were scarce, the era demonstrated the resilience of baseball in Boston and its importance to the city’s sports culture. Though the team name only lasted five seasons, the Bees remain a distinctive part of Major League Baseball’s story and a reminder of how tradition and change often collide in sports history.
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Retired Number
3 / Dale Murphy
6 / Bobby Cox
10 / Chipper Jones
21 / Warren Spahn
29 / John Smoltz
31 / Greg Maddux
35 / Phil Niekro
41 / Eddie Matthews
42 / Jackie Robinson
44 / Hank Aaron
47 / Tom Glavine
*Blue is this team’s history