In Baseball, you hear terms like World Series, Wild Card, and Pennant. A pennant in baseball symbolizes the victory of a team in their respective league, either the American League (AL) or the National League (NL). Winning the pennant means a team has won their League, but not yet The World Series.
These pennant-winning teams then advance to face each other in the annual MLB championship, The World Series, for the ultimate title in Major League Baseball.
The journey for a team to win the pennant goes beyond the regular season and requires advancing deep into the playoffs Starting with either winning their division or competing in the wild-card round. By securing the pennant, these teams earn the right to represent their league in the battle for the coveted World Series Championship.
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History of the Pennant in Baseball
In Baseball, the term “pennant” holds particular significance. Throughout the years, the pennant has evolved from a simple flag awarded for a league championship to a cherished symbol of achievement in Major League Baseball.
Origins and Early Years
The history of the pennant dates back to the early stages of the sport. In the early to mid-1900s, teams would be rewarded with a flag or a pennant for winning their league championship.
This pennant would be put up in their home stadium to recognize their achievement. Notable teams from this era include the Providence Grays and the Detroit Wolverines, both of whom claimed pennants during the 19th century.
As the sport grew in popularity, the term “pennant” came to symbolize winning the National League and American League championships.
Winners of the pennant were considered the best teams in their respective leagues and would go on to represent their league in the World Series.
Evolution and Changes
Over time, the pennant has undergone several changes in significance and format. From 1876 through 1968, the National League pennant was awarded to the team with the best regular-season record.
In 1969, the league was divided into East and West divisions, leading to the establishment of the League Championship Series (NLCS) where the best teams from each division would compete for the pennant.
Similarly, the American League underwent the same transformation, with the league being divided into two divisions in 1969.
The winners of each division would then face off in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) to determine the pennant winner.
Today, the winners of each league’s pennant receive a trophy in addition to the historical flag – the Warren C. Giles Trophy for the National League and the William Harridge Trophy for the American League.
Throughout history, there have been many memorable pennant races, such as the heated rivalry between the New York Giants and Brooklyn Dodgers in the mid-20th century.
These contests have captivated fans and solidified the pennant as an esteemed symbol of success in Major League Baseball.
Pennant Races and League Structures
In Major League Baseball (MLB), the pennant races represent the teams competing for the title of the league championships in both the National League (NL) and the American League (AL).
Pennant winners from each league advance to the World Series to compete for the annual MLB championship.
The pennant races involve the divisions within each league and the postseason playoff system, which includes the wild card round, division series, and league championship series.
Central, Western, and Eastern Divisions
Both the National League and American League are divided into three divisions: Central, Western, and Eastern divisions.
These divisions include:
- National League: NL East, NL Central, and NL West;
- American League: AL East, AL Central, and AL West.
Each division has five teams that compete throughout the regular season to become the division champions, securing their spot in the postseason playoffs.
Wild Card and Playoff System
At the start of the 2022 season, under the new MLB Collective Bargaining Agreement, there are now 3 wild card teams in each League (AL and NL). These teams are selected based on their overall win-loss records. The 1st wild card team is the division winner with the lowest winning percentage among the three division winners. The next two teams are the top two records of the non-division-winning teams within their respective leagues.
After the regular season, the playoffs begin with the 3rd division winner and the two wild card teams. The 3rd division winner takes the #3 overall seed in a bracket style format and plays the #6 seed. The #4 seed plays the #5 seed while the #1 and #2 seeds have a first round bye. The teams in the wild card round play a best of 3 series.
The winners advance to face the top 2 division champions in the Division Series. The two teams who just had a bye in round 1. These teams then play a best of 5 series. The winners of the division round then go on the face each other in the Championship Round, for a chance to win the Pennant.
Ultimately, the pennant winners of both the National and American Leagues face off in the World Series to decide the Major League Baseball Championship.
Notable Pennant Winners and Rivalries
Dominant Teams Throughout History
The New York Yankees are the most dominant team in terms of winning pennants, with a total of 40 American League (AL) championships.
Their first win came in 1921, and their most recent victory was in 2009. The Oakland Athletics are second in line, winning 15 pennants, followed by the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers with 14 and 11 pennants, respectively.
In the National League (NL), the best record by a pennant winner belongs to the Cincinnati Reds in 1975 and the New York Mets in 1986, with a season record of 108-54. Both teams went on to win the World Series that year.
Some of the most notable World Series champions include:
- Houston Astros
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Chicago Cubs
- Minnesota Twins
- Chicago White Sox
- Seattle Mariners
- Philadelphia Phillies
- San Francisco Giants
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Atlanta Braves
- Pittsburgh Pirates
- Cincinnati Reds
Famous Rivalries
Throughout the history of baseball, there have been some intense rivalries between MLB teams. One of the most well-known rivalries is between the New York Yankees and the Boston Red Sox.
The Baltimore Orioles and Milwaukee Brewers have also been involved in some memorable pennant races, as have the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants.
Some of the other notable MLB rivalries include the Chicago Cubs and St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets and Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Guardians and Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Royals and Chicago White Sox, Tampa Bay Rays and Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers and Toronto Blue Jays, Los Angeles Angels and Oakland Athletics, and San Diego Padres and Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Pennant’s Role in Baseball Culture
In baseball, the pennant holds a significant place in the sport’s culture, symbolizing both team success and fan engagement.
The pennant serves as a visual representation of a team’s championship achievement and serves as a rallying point for fans during games.
Traditions and Celebrations
The tradition of awarding a specific pennant to a championship team in Major League Baseball has a long history, dating back to the early days of the sport.
Teams display their earned pennants proudly around their stadiums, symbolizing their accomplishments.
Throughout the years, the process of winning a pennant has evolved as leagues have grown and changed.
Regardless of the processes, the importance of the pennant as a symbol of victory remains the same. Fans and teams alike celebrate their league championships and their pennants, regarding them as essential elements of their team’s history and tradition.
Impact on Fans
As an important symbol of success, the pennant reinforces the sense of community and pride shared among sports fans.
When a team earns a pennant and advances to the World Series, their fans rally around them, celebrating the achievement and cheering them on to victory. The shared experience of sports fans and their emotional connection to their favorite team’s triumphs and setbacks helps define the cultural impact of the pennant in baseball.
Pennants in Other Areas of Baseball
In addition to Major League Baseball, pennants are also prominent symbols of success and pride in other areas of baseball, such as college baseball and minor league baseball.
College Baseball
College baseball teams also compete for pennants, which serve as symbols of their accomplishments and championships. Similar to MLB, college teams display pennants to express pride in their school and team achievements. College baseball pennants often feature team colors and logos, allowing fans and players alike to celebrate their college’s athletic prowess.
Minor League Baseball
Pennants play a significant role in minor league baseball as well, where teams across different leagues and levels vie for championships and recognition. Winning a pennant in minor league baseball can help bolster a team’s reputation and possibly lead to increased fan support and further opportunities for players within the organization. Like their MLB and college counterparts, minor league baseball teams proudly display their pennants to demonstrate their successes on the field.