History of the Bees
The Boston Bees, formerly known as the Braves, is a Major League Baseball team with a long and storied history. Founded in 1871 as the Boston Red Stockings, they were one of the original eight teams that formed what is now known as MLB. The team changed their name to the Beaneaters in 1883 before finally settling on “Braves” in 1912.
They had great successes throughout their tenure under this name, including winning five National League pennants and two World Series titles (1914 & 1957). They also produced several Hall of Fame players, such as Warren Spahn, Eddie Mathews, and Hank Aaron, who all spent significant time playing for them during their careers.
In 1953 however, things started to take a downturn when attendance began to decline due to poor play from an aging roster and bad management decisions by owner Lou Perini which led him to sell his majority stake in 1955 after losing $400k that season alone! This new ownership group then decided it was best for everyone involved if they rebranded themselves into something more modern. Thus came about the change from “Braves” to “Bees,” starting with the 1956 season.
Unfortunately, despite trying different marketing strategies like changing uniforms or hiring popular manager Billy Hermann, nothing worked out well enough; attendance continued its downward spiral until 1962 when the franchise moved away from Massachusetts, ultimately becoming Milwaukee Braves instead - ending the almost century-long era of baseball presence within the city limits!
Despite having no professional team since then, there are still plenty of people around the area who remember fondly days gone by cheering on beloved Bees at Fenway Park or other venues throughout the region; even though those memories may be fading away over time, one thing remains true –Boston will always have a special place within hearts many fans thanks essentially part played by these plucky yet ultimately unsuccessful franchise throughout years!
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?
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
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