Baseball is deeply ingrained in American culture, a shared experience that transcends generations. Countless hours have been spent in front of the TV, gathered with friends and family, passionately cheering for our beloved teams. It's more than just a tradition; it's a cherished activity that gets passed down from one generation to the next.
We've all nurtured dreams of visiting the ballpark, witnessing the world's greatest stars step up to the plate, savoring hot dogs, making the thrilling catch of a foul ball, and taking it home as a treasured souvenir. This has always been the essence of the game. As the years go by, our loyalty to our chosen team remains steadfast.
Regardless of the number of championship rings they've earned, the marquee players they've acquired, or the ups and downs they've faced, our allegiance to our favorite team never wavers. So, which MLB franchise commands the largest fanbase? In this ranking, we evaluate them based on their number of Facebook followers.
25. Oakland Athletics
Fans: 745,000
City: Oakland, CA
Championships: 9
Founded: 1901 (as Philadelphia Athletics)
The A's won three consecutive World Championships between 1972 and 1974, with legendary players such as Vida Blue, Catfish Hunter, Reggie Jackson, and ace reliever Rollie Fingers. But the franchise struggled to succeed since then.
The team plays its home games at the Oakland Coliseum. The stadium was also home to the Oakland Raiders of the National Football League in two periods (1966 to 1981/1995 to 2019).
24. Colorado Rockies
Fans: 904,278
City: Denver, CO
Championships: 0
Founded: 1993
The Blake Street Bombers have never won a World Series. In fact, they only hold a National League pennant from their historical 2007 campaign. Even so, their fans have stuck to them through thick and thin.
In 2020, Larry Walker became their first player to be inducted to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Despite their lack of success, the Rockies have a loyal fanbase who will support them regardless of the results.
23. Milwaukee Brewers
Fans: 1.1 million
City: Milwaukee, WI
Championships: 0
Founded: 1969 (as Seattle Pilots)
Born in 1969 as the Seattle Pilots, the franchise moved to Milwaukee the following year. They are the only team to play in four different divisions since the introduction of divisional play in Major League Baseball in 1969.
American Family Field is home to the Brewers and their faithful. Even if glory hasn't come their way recently, they will always have their loyal supporters cheering on them from the stands.
22. Pittsburgh Pirates
Fans: 1.1 million
City: Pittsburgh, PA
Championships: 5
Founded: 1882 (as Allegheny)
While they hold the longest streak of consecutive losing seasons in US sports history, the Bucs can brag about their 5 World Series titles between 1909 and 1979.
The team plays its home games at PNC Park since 2001. Regardless of its performances, you'll always find plenty of supporters on the bleachers, as they're the second most beloved team in the city after the Steelers.
21. Minnesota Twins
Fans: 1.1 million
City: Minneapolis, MN
Championships: 3
Founded: 1901 (as Washington Senators)
Established in 1901, but based in Minneapolis since 1961, the team has fielded 20 American League batting champions. Since 2010, they play their home games at Target Field.
The Twins have had their fair share of struggles, especially over the past decade. But the fans have never turned their back on the team, even when it was painful to watch.
20. Baltimore Orioles
Fans: 1.2 million
City: Baltimore, MD
Championships: 3
Founded: 1901 (as Milwaukee Brewers)
The Orioles have enjoyed their greatest years from 1966 to 1983, when they made six World Series appearances - winning three of them. However, The O’s suffered fourteen consecutive losing seasons in Major Leagues between 1998 and 2011.
That duality has defined the Orioles throughout history. You never know if you're going to watch them dominate or fail to make the playoffs. I guess that's what comes with supporting the Orioles.
19. Seattle Mariners
Fans: 1.2 million
City: Seattle, WA
Championships: 0
Founded: 1977
The Seattle Mariners' decision to hire Lou Piniella proved to be correct. Between 1992 and 2002, the franchise won three West Division titles. Since 1999, the team plays its home games at T-Mobile Park.
Sadly, they couldn't make the most of Felix Hernández's prime. They've had some of the most talented players in the history of the game on Ken Griffey Jr, Ichiro Suzuki, Alex Rodríguez, Randy Johnson, and Edgar Martínez but they don't have a ring to show up for it. Even so, their fans are still there.
18. Kansas City Royals
Fans: 1.2 million
City: Kansas, MO
Championships: 2
Founded: 1969
In 2015, the Royals became the first AL Central team to win a division title. After that, they defeated the New York Mets in five games to win their second World Series championship.
In 1973, they moved from Municipal Stadium to Kauffman Stadium (“The K"), which they continue to make their home. The last few years haven't been easy as they couldn't find so much success, but the Royals fans are still proud of their team.
17. Cincinnati Reds
Fans: 1.2 million
City: Cincinnati, OH
Championships: 5
Founded: 1881 (as Cincinnati Red Stockings)
In 1970, the Cincinnati Reds formed the emblematic 'The Big Red Machine.' With Johnny Bench, Tony Pérez, Pete Rose, Lee May, Bobby Tolan, Gary Nolan, Jim Merritt, Wayne Simpson, Jim McGlothlin, Tony Cloninger, Clay Carroll, Pedro Borbón and Don Gullett, they had their golden era. Five years later, they won two consecutive World Series titles.
In the wake of the Riverfront Stadium demolition, the franchise has played its home games at the Great American Ball Park since 2003. Despite its youth, it's seen as one of the most iconic ballparks in the nation right now.
16. Los Angeles Angels
Fans: 1.3 million
City: Anaheim, CA
Championships: 1
Founded: 1961
The franchise has changed its name four times since its foundation in 1961 due to its multiple relocations. Though they were born with their current name, the Angels have been renamed as California Angels between 1965 and 1996 and as Anaheim Angels between 1997 and 2004.
In 2005, the team was officially renamed the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in compliance with the terms of its lease with the city. The Halos’ ballpark since 1966 is Angel Stadium, where fans get to watch Shohei Ohtani's magic.
15. Cleveland Guardians
Fans: 1.3 million
City: Cleveland, OH
Championships: 2
Founded: 1894 (as Grand Rapids Rustlers)
While it has the longest active championship drought in MLB, Cleveland also set the record for the longest winning streak in American League history, winning 22 consecutive games from August 2017 to September 2017.
Since 1994 the team plays its home games at Progressive Field. The franchise, however, went through a significant change in 2021, when they rebranded from Indians to Guardians.
14. Houston Astros
Fans: 1.4 million
City: Houston, TX
Championships: 2
Founded: 1962 (as Houston Colt .45s)
Astros became a force in recent years, having won the 2017 and 2022 World Series. Still, they were also surrounded by controversy. An investigation found that members of the franchise stole signs of opposing teams using technology in 2017 and 2018.
Their home is Minute Maid Park, which opened in 2000. In only a few years, it became an intimidating ballpark for the rest of the league as the Astros strengthen themselves at home.
13. New York Mets
Fans: 1.5 million
City: New York, NY
Championships: 2
Founded: 1962
Even though they live in the shadow of the New York Yankees, the Mets are still one of the most important teams in MLB history. They have two championships to show up for it, and a loyal fanbase that takes pride in supporting this franchise instead of its crosstown rivals.
The team plays its home games at Citi Field since 2009, and, believe it or not, they have one of the strongest fanbases on earth. New York City is all about baseball and there's always enough room for everyone.
12. Chicago White Sox
Fans: 1.6 million
City: Chicago, IL
Championships: 3
Founded: 1900 (as Chicago White Stockings)
The White Sox won their last World Series title in 2005, when they beat the Houston Astros. Jermaine Dye, Paul Konerko, Mark Buehrle, catcher A. J. Pierzynski and Ozzie Guillén were some of the icons who helped them achieve that feat.
They play their home games at U.S. Cellular Field, located in the city's South Side. They have to share the city with theit lifelong rivals Cubs, and those 'Crosstown Classics' are always a must-watch for baseball fans.
11. Philadelphia Phillies
Fans: 1.6 million
City: Philadelphia, PA
Championships: 2
Founded: 1883 (as Philadelphia Quakers)
The Phillies are one of the more successful franchises since the start of the Divisional Era in MLB. They had their ‘Golden era’ between 2003 and 2012, when they grabbed the 2008 World Series title, 2 National League pennants, and 5 East Division Titles.
Since 2004, the team's home stadium has been Citizens Bank Park. Like every team from Philadelphia, they're always going to have the loudest, most heartfelt fanbase rooting for them - even when things don't go their way.
10. Toronto Blue Jays
Fans: 1.7 million
City: Toronto, ON
Championships: 2
Founded: 1977
The Blue Jays are currently the only MLB team based outside the U.S. and one of two under corporate ownership - along with the Atlanta Braves. They’re also the only American League team to be under such management.
Rogers Centre is home to the Jays and, since they represent Canada in the league, they actually have the support of their entire nation. Baseball is still making its way up north but the Blue Jays have found great PR success. Therefore, their contribution to the league is deeply appreciated.
9. Texas Rangers
Fans: 2.2 million
City: Arlington, TX
Championships: 1
Founded: 1961 (as Washington Senators)
Born as the Washington Senators, the team rebranded as the Texas Rangers in 1972 and went on to win seven West Division titles. In 2011, they missed out on the ultimate glory by losing to the St. Louis Cardinals in seven games in the World Series.
They left Globe Life Park after 25 years to move to Global Life Field in 2020. The change of environment paid off, as the team ended its championship drought by beating the Arizona Diamondbacks in the 2023 World Series.
8. Detroit Tigers
Fans: 2.2 million
City: Detroit, MI
Championships: 4
Founded: 1894
The oldest team to have the same name and be in the same city in the American League, the Tigers definitely deserve respect. From 1935 to 1984, the Bengals won 4 World Series titles. Since 2000, Detroit plays its home games at Comerica Park.
The Tigers have struggled big time in the last decade but they had their fair share of success during Miguel Cabrera's prime. But their fans will continue to root for them regardless of their shortcomings.
7. Atlanta Braves
Fans: 2.3 million
City: Atlanta, GA
Championships: 4
Founded: 1871 (as Boston Red Stockings)
The Braves became one of the most successful teams in baseball history from 1991 to 2005, winning 14 division titles in a row. They are also the only Major League Baseball franchise to win the World Series in three different home cities.
After leaving Turner Field in 2016, the Braves moved to Trust Park the following season. The Braves have enjoyed recent success as they won the World Series against the Astros in 2021.
6. St. Louis Cardinals
Fans: 2.3 million
City: St. Louis, MO
Championships: 11
Founded: 1882 (as St. Louis Brown Stockings)
The Cardinals are one of the most successful franchies in the league. They have won 11 World Series championships, more than any other team in the National League. Only the New York Yankees boast more banners.
Their ballpark is called Busch Stadium and has a seating capacity of 44,494. Unsurprisingly, their track record of success has made the Cardinals one of the most polarizing teams in the league. Either you love them or you hate them.
5. San Francisco Giants
Fans: 2.8 million
City: San Francisco, CA
Championships: 8
Founded: 1883 (as NY Gothams)
Founded in 1883 as the New York Gothams, the Giants hold the most wins in the history of baseball. Apart from 23 National League pennants, they boast 20 World Series appearances.
The rivalry between them and the Los Angeles Dodgers is one of the longest-standing not only in MLB, but in American sports. The Orange and the Blacks play their home games at Oracle Park.
4. Chicago Cubs
Fans: 3.4 million
City: Chicago, IL
Championships: 3
Founded: 1876 (as Chicago White Stockings)
The Chicago Cubs are a legendary franchise that struggled to find success. It wasn't until 2016 that they finally won the World Series, ending a 108-year championship drought. The North Siders have played their home games at the emblematic Wrigley Field since 1916.
Wrigley is by far one of the most iconic ballparks in the history of the sport. The Cubs were 'cursed' for years, but that's over now and many generations finally got to see their beloved team become world champs.
3. Los Angeles Dodgers
Fans: 3.5 million
City: Los Angeles, CA
Championships: 7
Founded: 1883 (as Brooklyn Atlantics)
The Dodgers have won seven World Series championships and twenty-four National League pennants. The franchise also set the world record for the largest attendance in a baseball game: 115,300 spectators showed up for an exhibition against the Boston Red Sox in 2008 at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum.
They've played their home games at Dodger Stadium since 1962 and have been on the losing side of most World Series lately. However, they did get over the hump in 2020, when they beat the Rays in the World Series.
2. Boston Red Sox
Fans: 5 million
City: Boston, MA
Championships: 9
Founded: 1901 (as Boston Americans)
The Boston Red Sox are not just another team in the league. Not only are we talking about the third most successful team in MLB with nine World Series titles, the Red Sox are also popular outside the US.
Their rivalry with the Yankees may explain their fame, as it's one of the biggest in the top American competitions. Fenway Park, their historic ballpark since 1912, is one of the most intimidating stadiums every rival could set its feet on.
1. New York Yankees
Fans: 8.2 million
City: New York City, NY
Championships: 27
Founded: 1901 (as Baltimore Orioles)
Even people who don’t like baseball know about the New York Yankees, which explains their incredible popularity. Their unparalleled success may explain that recognition: 27 World Series championships, 40 American League pennants, and 19 AL East Division titles.
The Yankees became a worldwide brand, as their logo seems to trascend the sport as a fashion icon. Additionally, fans from all over the world travel to the Bronx every year to watch a ballgame at Yankee Stadium. Curiously, they're also the most hated team in the nation, but that's the price you have to pay for success.
