Defunct franchises
Historical MLB franchises
Franchises that played at least one National League, American League, American Association, Players League, Federal League, or Union Association season but no longer exist as independent clubs. Includes 19th-century charter members and short-lived 1870s and 1880s teams. Disambiguators in parens for name collisions (Orioles (1) is the 1882-1899 American Association club; Reds (1) is the early Cincinnati franchise; and so on).
Baltimore Orioles (AA/NL, 1882–1899)BaltimoreAA/NL1882189918113310490.5191894189518961897
Baltimore Orioles (AA/NL, 1882–1899)
Baltimore
AA/NL
1882
1899
18
1133
1049
0.519
1894189518961897
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1882 | AA | Baltimore Orioles | 19 | 54 | 0.260 | 272 | 513 | 6 | |
| 1883 | AA | Baltimore Orioles | 28 | 68 | 0.292 | 471 | 742 | 8 | |
| 1884 | AA | Baltimore Orioles | 63 | 43 | 0.594 | 636 | 515 | 6 | |
| 1885 | AA | Baltimore Orioles | 41 | 68 | 0.376 | 541 | 683 | 8 | |
| 1886 | AA | Baltimore Orioles | 48 | 83 | 0.366 | 625 | 878 | 8 | |
| 1887 | AA | Baltimore Orioles | 77 | 58 | 0.570 | 975 | 861 | 3 | |
| 1888 | AA | Baltimore Orioles | 57 | 80 | 0.416 | 653 | 779 | 5 | |
| 1889 | AA | Baltimore Orioles | 70 | 65 | 0.518 | 791 | 795 | 5 | |
| 1890 | AA | Baltimore Orioles | 15 | 19 | 0.441 | 182 | 192 | 6 | |
| 1891 | AA | Baltimore Orioles | 71 | 64 | 0.526 | 850 | 798 | 4 | |
| 1892 | NL | Baltimore Orioles | 46 | 101 | 0.313 | 779 | 1020 | 12 | |
| 1893 | NL | Baltimore Orioles | 60 | 70 | 0.462 | 820 | 893 | 8 | |
| 1894 | NL | Baltimore Orioles | 89 | 39 | 0.695 | 1171 | 819 | 1 | Pre-1903 cup appearance |
| 1895 | NL | Baltimore Orioles | 87 | 43 | 0.669 | 1009 | 646 | 1 | Pre-1903 cup appearance |
| 1896 | NL | Baltimore Orioles | 90 | 39 | 0.698 | 995 | 662 | 1 | Pre-1903 cup / pennant winner |
| 1897 | NL | Baltimore Orioles | 90 | 40 | 0.692 | 964 | 674 | 2 | Pre-1903 cup / pennant winner |
| 1898 | NL | Baltimore Orioles | 96 | 53 | 0.644 | 933 | 623 | 2 | |
| 1899 | NL | Baltimore Orioles | 86 | 62 | 0.581 | 827 | 691 | 4 |
Providence Grays (NL, 1878–1885)ProvidenceNL1878188584382780.61218791884
Providence Grays (NL, 1878–1885)
Providence
NL
1878
1885
8
438
278
0.612
18791884
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1878 | NL | Providence Grays | 33 | 27 | 0.550 | 353 | 337 | 3 | |
| 1879 | NL | Providence Grays | 59 | 25 | 0.702 | 612 | 355 | 1 | Pre-1903 cup / pennant winner |
| 1880 | NL | Providence Grays | 52 | 32 | 0.619 | 419 | 299 | 2 | |
| 1881 | NL | Providence Grays | 47 | 37 | 0.559 | 447 | 426 | 2 | |
| 1882 | NL | Providence Grays | 52 | 32 | 0.619 | 463 | 356 | 2 | |
| 1883 | NL | Providence Grays | 58 | 40 | 0.592 | 636 | 436 | 3 | |
| 1884 | NL | Providence Grays | 84 | 28 | 0.750 | 665 | 388 | 1 | Pre-1903 cup / pennant winner |
| 1885 | NL | Providence Grays | 53 | 57 | 0.482 | 442 | 531 | 4 |
Cleveland Spiders (AA/NL, 1887–1899)ClevelandAA/NL18871899138279380.469189218951896
Cleveland Spiders (AA/NL, 1887–1899)
Cleveland
AA/NL
1887
1899
13
827
938
0.469
189218951896
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1887 | AA | Cleveland Spiders | 39 | 92 | 0.298 | 729 | 1112 | 8 | |
| 1888 | AA | Cleveland Spiders | 50 | 82 | 0.379 | 651 | 839 | 6 | |
| 1889 | NL | Cleveland Spiders | 61 | 72 | 0.459 | 656 | 720 | 6 | |
| 1890 | NL | Cleveland Spiders | 44 | 88 | 0.333 | 630 | 832 | 7 | |
| 1891 | NL | Cleveland Spiders | 65 | 74 | 0.468 | 835 | 888 | 5 | |
| 1892 | NL | Cleveland Spiders | 93 | 56 | 0.624 | 855 | 613 | 2 | Pre-1903 cup appearance |
| 1893 | NL | Cleveland Spiders | 73 | 55 | 0.570 | 976 | 839 | 3 | |
| 1894 | NL | Cleveland Spiders | 68 | 61 | 0.527 | 932 | 896 | 6 | |
| 1895 | NL | Cleveland Spiders | 84 | 46 | 0.646 | 921 | 725 | 2 | Pre-1903 cup / pennant winner |
| 1896 | NL | Cleveland Spiders | 80 | 48 | 0.625 | 840 | 650 | 2 | Pre-1903 cup appearance |
| 1897 | NL | Cleveland Spiders | 69 | 62 | 0.527 | 773 | 680 | 5 | |
| 1898 | NL | Cleveland Spiders | 81 | 68 | 0.544 | 730 | 683 | 5 | |
| 1899 | NL | Cleveland Spiders | 20 | 134 | 0.130 | 529 | 1252 | 12 |
Louisville Colonels (AA/NL, 1882–1899)LouisvilleAA/NL188218991899313200.4291890
Louisville Colonels (AA/NL, 1882–1899)
Louisville
AA/NL
1882
1899
18
993
1320
0.429
1890
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1882 | AA | Louisville Eclipse | 42 | 38 | 0.525 | 443 | 352 | 2 | |
| 1883 | AA | Louisville Eclipse | 52 | 45 | 0.536 | 564 | 562 | 5 | |
| 1884 | AA | Louisville Colonels | 68 | 40 | 0.630 | 573 | 425 | 3 | |
| 1885 | AA | Louisville Colonels | 53 | 59 | 0.473 | 564 | 598 | 6 | |
| 1886 | AA | Louisville Colonels | 66 | 70 | 0.485 | 833 | 805 | 4 | |
| 1887 | AA | Louisville Colonels | 76 | 60 | 0.559 | 956 | 854 | 4 | |
| 1888 | AA | Louisville Colonels | 48 | 87 | 0.356 | 689 | 870 | 7 | |
| 1889 | AA | Louisville Colonels | 27 | 111 | 0.196 | 632 | 1091 | 8 | |
| 1890 | AA | Louisville Colonels | 88 | 44 | 0.667 | 819 | 588 | 1 | Pre-1903 cup / pennant winner |
| 1891 | AA | Louisville Colonels | 54 | 83 | 0.394 | 698 | 873 | 8 | |
| 1892 | NL | Louisville Colonels | 63 | 89 | 0.414 | 649 | 804 | 9 | |
| 1893 | NL | Louisville Colonels | 50 | 75 | 0.400 | 759 | 942 | 11 | |
| 1894 | NL | Louisville Colonels | 36 | 94 | 0.277 | 698 | 1019 | 12 | |
| 1895 | NL | Louisville Colonels | 35 | 96 | 0.267 | 698 | 1090 | 12 | |
| 1896 | NL | Louisville Colonels | 38 | 93 | 0.290 | 653 | 997 | 12 | |
| 1897 | NL | Louisville Colonels | 52 | 78 | 0.400 | 675 | 869 | 11 | |
| 1898 | NL | Louisville Colonels | 70 | 81 | 0.464 | 728 | 833 | 9 | |
| 1899 | NL | Louisville Colonels | 75 | 77 | 0.493 | 833 | 782 | 9 |
Boston Red Stockings (AA, 1891)BostonAA18911891193420.6891891
Boston Red Stockings (AA, 1891)
Boston
AA
1891
1891
1
93
42
0.689
1891
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1891 | AA | Boston Red Stockings | 93 | 42 | 0.689 | 1028 | 675 | 1 | Pre-1903 cup / pennant winner |
Philadelphia Athletics (AA, 1882–1890)PhiladelphiaAA1882189095604980.5291883
Philadelphia Athletics (AA, 1882–1890)
Philadelphia
AA
1882
1890
9
560
498
0.529
1883
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1882 | AA | Philadelphia Athletics | 41 | 34 | 0.547 | 406 | 389 | 3 | |
| 1883 | AA | Philadelphia Athletics | 66 | 32 | 0.673 | 720 | 547 | 1 | Pre-1903 cup / pennant winner |
| 1884 | AA | Philadelphia Athletics | 61 | 46 | 0.570 | 700 | 546 | 7 | |
| 1885 | AA | Philadelphia Athletics | 55 | 57 | 0.491 | 764 | 691 | 4 | |
| 1886 | AA | Philadelphia Athletics | 63 | 72 | 0.467 | 772 | 942 | 6 | |
| 1887 | AA | Philadelphia Athletics | 64 | 69 | 0.481 | 893 | 890 | 5 | |
| 1888 | AA | Philadelphia Athletics | 81 | 52 | 0.609 | 827 | 594 | 3 | |
| 1889 | AA | Philadelphia Athletics | 75 | 58 | 0.564 | 880 | 787 | 3 | |
| 1890 | AA | Philadelphia Athletics | 54 | 78 | 0.409 | 702 | 945 | 8 |
Detroit Wolverines (NL, 1881–1888)DetroitNL1881188884264370.4941887
Detroit Wolverines (NL, 1881–1888)
Detroit
NL
1881
1888
8
426
437
0.494
1887
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1881 | NL | Detroit Wolverines | 41 | 43 | 0.488 | 440 | 429 | 4 | |
| 1882 | NL | Detroit Wolverines | 42 | 41 | 0.506 | 407 | 488 | 5 | |
| 1883 | NL | Detroit Wolverines | 40 | 58 | 0.408 | 524 | 650 | 7 | |
| 1884 | NL | Detroit Wolverines | 28 | 84 | 0.250 | 445 | 736 | 8 | |
| 1885 | NL | Detroit Wolverines | 41 | 67 | 0.380 | 514 | 582 | 6 | |
| 1886 | NL | Detroit Wolverines | 87 | 36 | 0.707 | 829 | 538 | 2 | |
| 1887 | NL | Detroit Wolverines | 79 | 45 | 0.637 | 969 | 710 | 1 | Pre-1903 cup / pennant winner |
| 1888 | NL | Detroit Wolverines | 68 | 63 | 0.519 | 721 | 629 | 5 |
Washington Senators (AA/NL, 1891–1899)WashingtonAA/NL1891189994547880.365—
Washington Senators (AA/NL, 1891–1899)
Washington
AA/NL
1891
1899
9
454
788
0.365
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1891 | AA | Washington Statesmen | 44 | 91 | 0.326 | 691 | 1067 | 9 | |
| 1892 | NL | Washington Senators | 58 | 93 | 0.384 | 731 | 869 | 10 | |
| 1893 | NL | Washington Senators | 40 | 89 | 0.310 | 722 | 1032 | 12 | |
| 1894 | NL | Washington Senators | 45 | 87 | 0.341 | 882 | 1122 | 11 | |
| 1895 | NL | Washington Senators | 43 | 85 | 0.336 | 840 | 1052 | 10 | |
| 1896 | NL | Washington Senators | 58 | 73 | 0.443 | 818 | 920 | 9 | |
| 1897 | NL | Washington Senators | 61 | 71 | 0.462 | 781 | 793 | 6 | |
| 1898 | NL | Washington Senators | 51 | 101 | 0.336 | 704 | 939 | 11 | |
| 1899 | NL | Washington Senators | 54 | 98 | 0.355 | 743 | 983 | 11 |
Cincinnati Kelly's Killers (AA, 1891)CincinnatiAA18911891143570.430—
Cincinnati Kelly's Killers (AA, 1891)
Cincinnati
AA
1891
1891
1
43
57
0.430
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1891 | AA | Cincinnati Kelly's Killers | 43 | 57 | 0.430 | 549 | 643 | 7 |
Columbus Solons (AA, 1889–1891)ColumbusAA1889189132002090.489—
Columbus Solons (AA, 1889–1891)
Columbus
AA
1889
1891
3
200
209
0.489
—
Milwaukee Brewers (AA, 1891)MilwaukeeAA18911891121150.583—
Milwaukee Brewers (AA, 1891)
Milwaukee
AA
1891
1891
1
21
15
0.583
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1891 | AA | Milwaukee Brewers | 21 | 15 | 0.583 | 227 | 156 | 3 |
Philadelphia Quakers (AA, 1891)PhiladelphiaAA18911891173660.525—
Philadelphia Quakers (AA, 1891)
Philadelphia
AA
1891
1891
1
73
66
0.525
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1891 | AA | Philadelphia Quakers | 73 | 66 | 0.525 | 817 | 794 | 5 |
Brooklyn Gladiators (AA, 1890)BrooklynAA18901890126720.265—
Brooklyn Gladiators (AA, 1890)
Brooklyn
AA
1890
1890
1
26
72
0.265
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | AA | Brooklyn Gladiators | 26 | 72 | 0.265 | 492 | 733 | 9 |
Rochester Hop Bitters (AA, 1890)RochesterAA18901890163630.500—
Rochester Hop Bitters (AA, 1890)
Rochester
AA
1890
1890
1
63
63
0.500
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | AA | Rochester Hop Bitters | 63 | 63 | 0.500 | 709 | 711 | 5 |
Syracuse Stars (AA, 1890)SyracuseAA18901890155720.433—
Syracuse Stars (AA, 1890)
Syracuse
AA
1890
1890
1
55
72
0.433
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | AA | Syracuse Stars | 55 | 72 | 0.433 | 698 | 831 | 7 |
Toledo Maumees (AA, 1890)ToledoAA18901890168640.515—
Toledo Maumees (AA, 1890)
Toledo
AA
1890
1890
1
68
64
0.515
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1890 | AA | Toledo Maumees | 68 | 64 | 0.515 | 739 | 689 | 4 |
Indianapolis Hoosiers (NL, 1887–1889)IndianapolisNL1887188931462490.370—
Indianapolis Hoosiers (NL, 1887–1889)
Indianapolis
NL
1887
1889
3
146
249
0.370
—
Kansas City Blues (AA, 1888–1889)Kansas CityAA188818892981710.364—
Kansas City Blues (AA, 1888–1889)
Kansas City
AA
1888
1889
2
98
171
0.364
—
Washington Nationals (NL, 1886–1889)WashingtonNL1886188941633370.326—
Washington Nationals (NL, 1886–1889)
Washington
NL
1886
1889
4
163
337
0.326
—
New York Metropolitans (AA, 1883–1887)New YorkAA1883188752703090.4661884
New York Metropolitans (AA, 1883–1887)
New York
AA
1883
1887
5
270
309
0.466
1884
Kansas City Cowboys (NL, 1886)Kansas CityNL18861886130910.248—
Kansas City Cowboys (NL, 1886)
Kansas City
NL
1886
1886
1
30
91
0.248
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1886 | NL | Kansas City Cowboys | 30 | 91 | 0.248 | 494 | 872 | 7 |
St. Louis Maroons (NL, 1885–1886)St. LouisNL188518862791510.344—
St. Louis Maroons (NL, 1885–1886)
St. Louis
NL
1885
1886
2
79
151
0.344
—
Buffalo Bisons (NL, 1879–1885)BuffaloNL1879188573143330.485—
Buffalo Bisons (NL, 1879–1885)
Buffalo
NL
1879
1885
7
314
333
0.485
—
Cleveland Blues (NL, 1879–1884)ClevelandNL1879188462422990.447—
Cleveland Blues (NL, 1879–1884)
Cleveland
NL
1879
1884
6
242
299
0.447
—
Columbus Colts (AA, 1883–1884)ColumbusAA1883188421011040.493—
Columbus Colts (AA, 1883–1884)
Columbus
AA
1883
1884
2
101
104
0.493
—
Indianapolis Blues (AA, 1884)IndianapolisAA18841884129780.271—
Indianapolis Blues (AA, 1884)
Indianapolis
AA
1884
1884
1
29
78
0.271
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1884 | AA | Indianapolis Hoosiers | 29 | 78 | 0.271 | 462 | 755 | 12 |
Richmond Virginians (AA, 1884)RichmondAA18841884112300.286—
Richmond Virginians (AA, 1884)
Richmond
AA
1884
1884
1
12
30
0.286
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1884 | AA | Richmond Virginians | 12 | 30 | 0.286 | 194 | 294 | 10 |
Toledo Blue Stockings (AA, 1884)ToledoAA18841884146580.442—
Toledo Blue Stockings (AA, 1884)
Toledo
AA
1884
1884
1
46
58
0.442
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1884 | AA | Toledo Blue Stockings | 46 | 58 | 0.442 | 463 | 571 | 8 |
Washington Nationals (AA, 1884)WashingtonAA18841884112510.191—
Washington Nationals (AA, 1884)
Washington
AA
1884
1884
1
12
51
0.191
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1884 | AA | Washington Nationals | 12 | 51 | 0.191 | 248 | 481 | 13 |
Troy Trojans (NL, 1879–1882)TroyNL1879188241341910.412—
Troy Trojans (NL, 1879–1882)
Troy
NL
1879
1882
4
134
191
0.412
—
Worcester Brown Stockings (NL, 1880–1882)WorcesterNL188018823901590.361—
Worcester Brown Stockings (NL, 1880–1882)
Worcester
NL
1880
1882
3
90
159
0.361
—
Cincinnati Reds (NL, 1876–1880)CincinnatiNL1876188051252170.366—
Cincinnati Reds (NL, 1876–1880)
Cincinnati
NL
1876
1880
5
125
217
0.366
—
Syracuse Stars (NL, 1879)SyracuseNL18791879122480.314—
Syracuse Stars (NL, 1879)
Syracuse
NL
1879
1879
1
22
48
0.314
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1879 | NL | Syracuse Stars | 22 | 48 | 0.314 | 276 | 462 | 7 |
Indianapolis Browns (NL, 1878)IndianapolisNL18781878124360.400—
Indianapolis Browns (NL, 1878)
Indianapolis
NL
1878
1878
1
24
36
0.400
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1878 | NL | Indianapolis Browns | 24 | 36 | 0.400 | 293 | 328 | 5 |
Milwaukee Grays (NL, 1878)MilwaukeeNL18781878115450.250—
Milwaukee Grays (NL, 1878)
Milwaukee
NL
1878
1878
1
15
45
0.250
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1878 | NL | Milwaukee Grays | 15 | 45 | 0.250 | 256 | 386 | 6 |
Hartford/Brooklyn Hartfords (NL, 1876–1877)Hartford/BrooklynNL18761877278480.619—
Hartford/Brooklyn Hartfords (NL, 1876–1877)
Hartford/Brooklyn
NL
1876
1877
2
78
48
0.619
—
Louisville Grays (NL, 1876–1877)LouisvilleNL18761877265610.516—
Louisville Grays (NL, 1876–1877)
Louisville
NL
1876
1877
2
65
61
0.516
—
St. Louis Brown Stockings (NL, 1876–1877)St. LouisNL18761877273510.589—
St. Louis Brown Stockings (NL, 1876–1877)
St. Louis
NL
1876
1877
2
73
51
0.589
—
New York Mutuals (NL, 1876)New YorkNL18761876121350.375—
New York Mutuals (NL, 1876)
New York
NL
1876
1876
1
21
35
0.375
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1876 | NL | New York Mutuals | 21 | 35 | 0.375 | 260 | 412 | 6 |
Philadelphia Athletics (NL, 1876)PhiladelphiaNL18761876114450.237—
Philadelphia Athletics (NL, 1876)
Philadelphia
NL
1876
1876
1
14
45
0.237
—
| Year | League | Team | W | L | Win% | RS | RA | Finish | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1876 | NL | Philadelphia Athletics | 14 | 45 | 0.237 | 378 | 534 | 7 |
Active 30: /teams/mlb. Source: MLB workbook (Totals sheet, defunct rows). Championships count pre-1903 cup wins and NL pennants.