Meet the "Boston Americans", who later became the "Boston Red Sox" The American League officially declared itself a major league on January 28, 1901. At that time there were only 8 teams: - Baltimore Orioles (became New York Highlanders in 1903, then New York Yankees in 1903) - Boston Americans (became Boston Red Sox in 1908) - Chicago White Stockings (became Chicago White Sox 1903) - Cleveland Bluebirds (became Cleveland Indians in 1915) - Detroit Tigers (unchanged) - Milwaukee Brewers (became St. Louis Browns in 1902 and Baltimore Orioles in 1954) - Philadelphia Athletics (became Kansas City Athletics in 1955, then Oakland Athletics in 1968) - Washington Senators (became Minnesota Twins in 1961)