MLB History: Looking Back at MLB Teams That Relocated

The First Four

• 1902: Milwaukee Brewers → St. Louis Browns
• 1903: Baltimore Orioles → New York Highlanders
• 1953: Boston Braves → Milwaukee Braves
• 1954: St. Louis Browns → Baltimore Orioles

So in the first four relocations in MLB history, fans witnessed the Milwaukee Brewers move to the St. Louis Browns then to the Baltimore Orioles that we know today. No, the Baltimore Orioles we know today were not the Baltimore Orioles of 1903. As for the moves themselves, the Orioles failed to win much before they became the Baltimore Orioles. They didn’t win anything as the Brewers, and their lone success as the Browns came with a 1944 AL Pennant. After the move to Baltimore, the Orioles have won three World Series, which are their lone three championships.

As for the original Baltimore Orioles, that team moved to New York City to become the Highlanders. The Highlanders renamed in 1913 to a name we all know, the Yankees. That’s right, the New York Yankees were originally the Baltimore Orioles, which is ironically fitting considering they are now division rivals. Of course, all of the Yankees’ glory has come under the Yankee name. Their 27 World Series and 40 World Series appearances all happened as the Yankees. In a parallel universe I bet Orioles fans wished they remained the Baltimore Orioles.

As for the Boston Braves moving to Milwaukee, that is the Braves team we all know and love today. They, of course, made another move, which we will hold off on for now. As for success, the Braves actually managed to win a World Series not only in Boston but in Milwaukee as well. Those years, 1914 and 1957, are two of three years that the Braves franchise managed to win it all.