MLB History: American League Debuts as Major League

There was a time when the American League was not a part of the MLB. On this day in 1901, the American League played its first games as a part of Major League Baseball.

Rising out of the ashes of the Western League, the American League came into existence in 1900 as a minor league. However, league president Ban Johnson announced his intention to turn the AL into a major league, set to rival the National League. After the 1900 season, when he moved franchises into Boston and Philadelphia, he was ready to make his move.

The American League proclaimed itself to be a second Major League, and began to sign players from the National League. This would lead to a feud between the two leagues that would not end until 1904, when the National Agreement was signed, allowing the two leagues to co-exist as Major League entities and officially establishing the World Series, despite the first matchup being played the previous year.

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In 1901, the American League and the National League were still a long way from that peaceful co-existence. Yet, Johnson and his revamped league began their first season as a Major League on this day, with the Chicago White Sox facing off against the Cleveland Blues, who would eventually become known as the Indians. Weather played a factor in these two teams meeting up for the first AL major league game, as three other matchups that had been scheduled earlier in the day were postponed.

The White Sox took the victory that day, winning 8-2 before 10,000 fans at South Side Park. Roy Patterson earned the victory, as he set himself up as the White Sox first workhorse over their first three years of existence. Chicago would go on to lead the league for most of the year, taking first place on May 23 and not relinquishing control for the rest of the year.

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It may be strange to picture Major League Baseball without the American League, but that was not always the case. It took until this day until 1901 for the AL to make their mark as a rival to the National League, and several weather delays, but the American League was now here to stay.