Recap
Although not always remembered today as a great baseball town, Baltimore has a strong baseball tradition. The Lord Baltimores became the citys first professional team in 1872 when they joined the National Association of Professional Baseball Players. In the early 1880s, Baltimores professional baseball legacy began with the introduction of the Baltimore Orioles, a member of the American Association baseball league. |
In 1892, the Orioles joined the National League until the 1901 and 1902 season, when they Orioles joined the American League. The franchise was unstable and, in 1902, the President of the American League, Ban Johnson, sold the Baltimore Orioles to two New York businessmen to create the New York Yankees.
Minor league play continued in Baltimore throughout early part of the century. In 1914, George Herman "Babe" Ruth joined the team as a 20-year old pitcher. That same year the organization joined the majors with the short-lived Federal League as the Baltimore Terrapins. However, a losing season combined with a faltering new league resulted in an unfortunate venture. The Federal League was disbanded after the 1915 season, and Dunn moved the team to Richmond after he sold Ruth to the Boston Red Sox.
By 1918, Dunn returned to Baltimore; this time to manage and own the minor league Orioles. Between 1919 and 1925 Dunn established one of the best minor league teams in the United States, winning seven consecutive pennants. Baltimoreans enjoyed their minor league Orioles until finally in 1954, the St. Louis Browns moved to Baltimore bringing the major leagues back to the city after almost 40 years.^
