The Names of the Game: Baseball

A number of idiosyncracies surrounding the labeling of American baseball teams are noted. Many teams are named for local sources of patriotism, eg, the California Angels (in Los Angeles) & the Minnesota Twins. Local industry may also be represented, eg, Milwaukee Brewers, or local history, eg, the San Diego Padres. Unlike football, animalism is poorly represented, although the Detroit Tigers are one example. Other names may pattern after dress, assumed physical superiority, or alliterative content. These categories are similar to those found in football nomenclature. T. Lamb