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List of American League pennant winners
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Every Major League Baseball (MLB) season, one American League (AL) team wins the pennant, signifying that they are the league's champion and have the right to play in the World Series against the champion of the National League (NL). The pennant was presented to the team with the best win–loss record each year through the 1968 season, after which the AL Championship Series (ALCS) was introduced to decide the pennant winner. The first modern World Series was played in 1903 and, after a hiatus in 1904, has taken place every season except 1994, when a players' strike forced the cancellation of the postseason. The current AL pennant holders are the Toronto Blue Jays, who beat the Seattle Mariners for the pennant on October 20, 2025.
In 1969, the AL split into two divisions, and the teams with the best records in each division played one another in the five-game ALCS to determine the pennant winner, who received (and continues to receive) the William Harridge Trophy. The trophy featured a golden eagle, the league's emblem, sitting atop a silver baseball and clutching the AL banner. Since 2017, the trophy is all silver with a pennant on top. The trophy is named for Will Harridge, who was league president from 1931 to 1958. The format of the ALCS was changed from a best-of-five to a best-of-seven format in the 1985 postseason. In 1995, an additional playoff series was added when MLB restructured into three divisions in each league. An additional Wild Card Game was added in 2012. Beginning in 2022, three Wild Card teams and the division winner with the worst record play in the three-game Wild Card Series, with the winners facing the other two of the East, Central, and West Division winners in the AL Division Series, a best-of-five playoff to determine the opponents who will play in the ALCS. AL pennant winners have gone on to win the World Series 68 times, most recently in 2023.
The New York Yankees have won 41 AL pennants, winning their first in 1921 and their most recent in 2024. This total is more than twice that of the next-closest team, the Oakland Athletics, who have won 15. They are followed by the Boston Red Sox and the Detroit Tigers, with 14 and 11 pennants won respectively. The Yankees have the most pennants since the introduction of the ALCS in 1969 with 11, followed by the Athletics, Red Sox, and the Baltimore Orioles with 6, 6, and 5 respectively. The Yankees also hold the record for most wins by a pennant-winning team, with their 1998 team winning 114 out of 162 games, finishing 22 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox. The 1954 Cleveland Indians won the most games of any pennant winner under the pre-1969 system, winning 111 out of their 154 games and finishing eight games ahead of the Yankees. The Milwaukee Brewers won the AL pennant in 1982 but later moved to the NL starting in the 1998 season.
The only current MLB franchise to have never won a league pennant—and therefore, to have never appeared in the World Series—is the Seattle Mariners.
Key
| † | Wild card team (1995–present) |
|---|
Single table era (1901–1968)

League Championship Series era (1969–present)
;Notes
- A mid-season labor stoppage split the season into two halves. The winner of the first half played the winner of the second half in each division in the 1981 American League Division Series. The winners played in the 1981 ALCS for the American League pennant.
- The leagues were re-aligned in 1994 to three divisions and a wild card was added to the playoffs, but the labor stoppage cancelled the postseason. Wild cards were first used in the 1995 playoffs.
- While Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim was the official name of the team, the team was commonly referred to simply as "Los Angeles Angels", which they changed back to in 2016.
Pennants won by franchise

| Team | Pennants won | Postseason appearances | Ref | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Yankees | 41 | 59 | ||||||||
| Athletics | 15 | 29 | ||||||||
| Boston Red Sox | 14 | 25 | ||||||||
| Detroit Tigers | 11 | 17 | ||||||||
| Baltimore Orioles | 7 | 16 | title=Baltimore Orioles Team History & Encyclopedia | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/ | url-status=live | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180129032721/https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/ | archive-date=January 29, 2018 | access-date=January 25, 2010 | work=Baseball-Reference.com}} | |
| Minnesota Twins | 6 | 18 | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/ | title=Minnesota Twins Team History & Encyclopedia | work=Baseball-Reference.com | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | access-date=January 25, 2010 | archive-date=March 2, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302110239/http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/ | url-status=live}} |
| Cleveland Guardians | 6 | 17 | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/ | title=Cleveland Indians Team History & Encyclopedia | work=Baseball-Reference.com | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | access-date=January 25, 2010 | archive-date=February 19, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110219082748/http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/ | url-status=live}} |
| Chicago White Sox | 6 | 11 | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/ | title=Chicago White Sox Team History & Encyclopedia | work=Baseball-Reference.com | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | access-date=January 25, 2010 | archive-date=April 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406112522/http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/ | url-status=live}} |
| Kansas City Royals | 4 | 10 | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/ | title=Kansas City Royals Team History & Encyclopedia | work=Baseball-Reference.com | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | access-date=January 25, 2010 | archive-date=April 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406112511/http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/ | url-status=live}} |
| Houston Astros | 4 | 9 | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ | title=Houston Astros Team History & Encyclopedia | work=Baseball-Reference.com | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | access-date=October 24, 2013 | archive-date=April 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406112934/http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/ | url-status=live}} |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 3 | 10 | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TOR/ | title=Toronto Blue Jays Team History & Encyclopedia | work=Baseball-Reference.com | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | access-date=January 25, 2010 | archive-date=August 13, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200813213424/https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TOR/ | url-status=live}} |
| Texas Rangers | 3 | 9 | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TEX/ | title=Texas Rangers Team History & Encyclopedia | work=Baseball-Reference.com | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | access-date=January 25, 2010 | archive-date=April 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406112639/http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TEX/ | url-status=live}} |
| Tampa Bay Rays | 2 | 9 | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TBD/ | title=Tampa Bay Rays Team History & Encyclopedia | work=Baseball-Reference.com | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | access-date=January 25, 2010 | archive-date=August 11, 2020 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200811103116/https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TBD/ | url-status=live}} |
| Los Angeles Angels | 1 | 10 | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ANA/ | title=Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Team History & Encyclopedia | work=Baseball-Reference.com | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | access-date=January 25, 2010 | archive-date=April 6, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110406112723/http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ANA/ | url-status=live}} |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 1 | 2 | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIL/ | title=Milwaukee Brewers Team History & Encyclopedia | work=Baseball-Reference.com | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | access-date=January 25, 2010 | archive-date=February 21, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221055724/http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIL/ | url-status=live}} |
| Seattle Mariners | 0 | 5 | url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SEA/ | title=Seattle Mariners Team History & Encyclopedia | work=Baseball-Reference.com | publisher=Sports Reference LLC | access-date=January 25, 2010 | archive-date=February 21, 2011 | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110221192956/http://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SEA/ | url-status=live}} |
;Notes
- Also known as New York Highlanders. In addition to their 41 official pennants, the Yankees had the best record in the American League when the 1994 season was cut short by a labor dispute.
- Also known as Kansas City Athletics, Philadelphia Athletics, and Oakland Athletics.
- Also known as Boston Americans.
- Also known as St. Louis Browns and Milwaukee Brewers. This does not refer to the New York Yankees, who were known as the Baltimore Orioles in 1901 and 1902.
- Also known as Washington Senators from 1901 to 1960 as called the Nationals from 1905 to 1955.
- Also known as Cleveland Bluebirds (Blues), Cleveland Bronchos, Cleveland Naps, and Cleveland Indians.
- Also known as Washington Senators from 1961 to 1971.
- Also known as Houston Colt .45's from 1962 to 1964. This does not include one National League pennant and nine playoff appearances.
- Also known as Anaheim Angels, California Angels, and Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim.
- Also known as Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
- Also known as Seattle Pilots in 1969. The Brewers were members of the American League through the 1997 season after which they switched to the National League. This table records only the Brewers' American League accomplishments.
Notes
References
; General
; Inline citations
References
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- "1904 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1905 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1906 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1907 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1908 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1909 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1910 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1911 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1912 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1913 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1914 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1915 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1916 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1917 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1918 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1919 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1920 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1921 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1922 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1923 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1924 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1925 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1926 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1927 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1928 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1929 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1930 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1931 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1932 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1933 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1934 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1935 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1936 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1937 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1938 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1939 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1940 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1941 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1942 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1943 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1944 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1945 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1946 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1947 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1948 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1949 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1950 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1951 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1952 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1953 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1954 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1955 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1956 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1957 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1958 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1959 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1960 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1961 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1962 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1963 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1964 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1965 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1966 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1967 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1968 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1969 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1970 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1971 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1972 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1973 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1974 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1975 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1976 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1977 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1978 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1979 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1980 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1981 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1982 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1983 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1984 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1985 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1986 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1987 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1988 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1989 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1990 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1991 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1992 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1993 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1994 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1996 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1997 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1998 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "1999 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2000 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2001 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2002 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2003 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2004 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2005 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2006 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2007 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2008 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2009 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2010 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2011 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2012 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2013 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2014 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2015 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2016 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2017 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2018 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2019 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2020 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2021 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2022 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2023 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
- "2024 American League Team Statistics and Standings". Sports Reference LLC.
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- "Cleveland Indians Team History & Encyclopedia". Sports Reference LLC.
- "Chicago White Sox Team History & Encyclopedia". Sports Reference LLC.
- "Kansas City Royals Team History & Encyclopedia". Sports Reference LLC.
- "Houston Astros Team History & Encyclopedia". Sports Reference LLC.
- "Toronto Blue Jays Team History & Encyclopedia". Sports Reference LLC.
- "Texas Rangers Team History & Encyclopedia". Sports Reference LLC.
- "Tampa Bay Rays Team History & Encyclopedia". Sports Reference LLC.
- "Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim Team History & Encyclopedia". Sports Reference LLC.
- "Milwaukee Brewers Team History & Encyclopedia". Sports Reference LLC.
- "Seattle Mariners Team History & Encyclopedia". Sports Reference LLC.
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