Special Report
The Year Every Team Won Their First Championship
July 23, 2019 10:42 pm
Last Updated: January 15, 2020 9:02 am
Source: Jim McIsaac / Getty Images
Anaheim Ducks
> Year of first title: 2007
> League: NHL
> First year in franchise history: 1993
> Total championships: 1
The Anaheim Ducks won their first and only championship in 2007, the first year after the franchise’s name changed from The Mighty Ducks of Anaheim.
Source: Wikimedia Commons
Arizona Cardinals (as the Chicago Cardinals)
> Year of first title: 1925
> League: NFL
> First year in franchise history: 1920
> Total championships: 2
The Cardinals franchise has two titles, won in 1925 and 1947, both in Chicago. The team has struggled to find postseason success since moving to St. Louis and then Arizona.
Source: Jeff Gross / Getty Images
Arizona Diamondbacks
> Year of first title: 2001
> League: MLB
> First year in franchise history: 1998
> Total championships: 1
Arizona Diamondbacks fans did not have to wait long for a title. The team won its only World Series in just its fourth ever season in 2001.
Source: W. W. Somers / The Sporting News Collection / Wikimedia Commons
Atlanta Braves (as the Boston Braves)
> Year of first title: 1914
> League: MLB
> First year in franchise history: 1876
> Total championships: 3
The Braves franchise has the rare distinction of bringing a World Series championship to three different cities — Boston in 1914, Milwaukee in 1957, and Atlanta in 1995.
Source: The Sporting News Archives / Wikimedia Commons
Atlanta Hawks (as the St. Louis Hawks)
> Year of first title: 1958
> League: NBA
> First year in franchise history: 1949
> Total championships: 1
The Hawks franchise has just one title, won in 1958 in St. Louis. Since moving to Atlanta, the Hawks have never made the NBA finals.
Source: keithallison / Flickr
Baltimore Orioles
> Year of first title: 1966
> League: MLB
> First year in franchise history: 1901
> Total championships: 3
The Baltimore Orioles were founded as the Milwaukee Brewers in 1901, before changing to the St. Louis Browns the next season, then the Orioles in 1954. Before moving to Baltimore, the Browns had just one postseason appearance.
Source: aukirk / Flickr
Baltimore Ravens
> Year of first title: 2000
> League: NFL
> First year in franchise history: 1996
> Total championships: 2
After shocking the NFL with a surprise move from Cleveland after the 1995 season, the Baltimore Ravens quickly rewarded their new fans, winning the Super Bowl after the 2000 season.
Source: Hendrik Seis / Wikimedia Commons
Boston Bruins
> Year of first title: 1929
> League: NHL
> First year in franchise history: 1924
> Total championships: 6
One of the NHL’s original six franchises, the Boston Bruins won their first of six Stanley Cups in 1929.
Source: The Sporting News Archives / Jack O'Connell / Wikimedia Commons
Boston Celtics
> Year of first title: 1957
> League: NBA
> First year in franchise history: 1946
> Total championships: 17
One of the most successful franchises in sports history, the Boston Celtics have 17 NBA championships. The team’s first title came in 1957, the first of 11 in 13 years.
Source: McGreevey Collection / Wikimedia Commons
Boston Red Sox (as the Boston Americans)
> Year of first title: 1903
> League: MLB
> First year in franchise history: 1901
> Total championships: 9
Before changing their name to the Red Sox, the Boston Americans won the first officially recognized World Series in 1903, defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates five games to three in a best of nine series.
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