American League East
The American League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. Four of its five teams are located in Eastern United States and one in Canada. At the end of the MLB season, the team with the best record in the division earns one of the American League's four playoff spots.
Current members
- Baltimore Orioles - Founding member
- Boston Red Sox - Founding member
- New York Yankees - Founding member
- Tampa Bay Rays - Joined in 1998 as an expansion team (as "Devil" Rays)
- Toronto Blue Jays - Joined in 1977 as an expansion team
Former members
- Cleveland Indians - Founding member; currently in AL Central
- Detroit Tigers - Founding member; currently in AL Central
- Milwaukee Brewers - Joined in 1972, stayed through 1993; currently in NL Central
- Washington Senators - Founding member, stayed through 1971; moved to Arlington, Texas in 1972 (Texas Rangers); currently in AL West
Division lineups
| Time period | Lineup | Changes from previous setup |
|---|---|---|
| 1969-1971 | Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Washington Senators | Creation of division due to 1969 expansion |
| 1972-1976 | Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees | Washington franchise moved to Dallas/Ft. Worth, became Texas and moved into AL West, trading divisions with Milwaukee |
| 1977-1993 | Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays | Toronto added in 1977 expansion |
| 1994-1997 | Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays | Due to 1994 realignment, Cleveland and Milwaukee moved to newly-created AL Central |
| 1998-present | Baltimore Orioles, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Devil Rays/Rays, Toronto Blue Jays | Tampa Bay added in 1998 expansion with Detroit moving to AL Central |
AL East champions by year
‡ - In 1978, the New York Yankees ended up in a tie with the Boston Red Sox for the division championship, and won a 1-game playoff against Boston.
* - Due to the players' strike, the season was split. New York won the first half and defeated second-half champion Milwaukee (62-45) in the postseason.
§ - Due to the players' strike starting August 12, no official winner was awarded. New York was leading at the strike.
†† - The Boston Red Sox and New York Yankees finished the 2005 season tied for first place with identical records. New York won the season series against Boston and was awarded the tie-breaker; Boston was awarded the wild card berth. Had a team from another division won the wild card, a one game playoff would have decided the division champion.
The Cleveland Indians were the only team to not win the AL East before the 1994 division realignment.
AL East titles won by team
| Team | Championship(s) | Last Year Won |
|---|---|---|
| New York Yankees | 15 | 2006 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 8 | 1997 |
| Boston Red Sox | 6 | 2007 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 5 | 1993 |
| Detroit Tigers† | 3 | 1987 |
| Milwaukee Brewers* | 1 | 1982 |
| Tampa Bay Rays | 1 | 2008 |
* - Left division in 1994
† - Left division in 1998
Wild Card winners produced
| Year | Winner | Record | % | GB | Playoffs |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1995 | New York Yankees | 79-65 | .549 | 7 | Lost ALDS to Seattle, 3-2 |
| 1996 | Baltimore Orioles | 88-74 | .543 | 4 | Lost ALCS to New York, 4-1 |
| 1997 | New York Yankees | 96-66 | .593 | 2 | Lost ALDS to Cleveland, 3-2 |
| 1998 | Boston Red Sox | 92-70 | .568 | 22 | Lost ALDS to Cleveland, 3-1 |
| 1999 | Boston Red Sox | 94-68 | .580 | 4 | Lost ALCS to New York, 4-1 |
| 2003 | Boston Red Sox | 95-67 | .586 | 6 | Lost ALCS to New York, 4-3 |
| 2004 | Boston Red Sox | 98-64 | .605 | 3 | Won World Series over St. Louis, 4-0 |
| 2005 | Boston Red Sox | 95-67 | .586 | 0 | Lost ALDS to Chicago, 3-0 |
| 2007 | New York Yankees | 94-68 | .580 | 2 | Lost ALDS to Cleveland, 3-1 |
| 2008 | Boston Red Sox | 95-67 | .586 | 2 | Plays in Anaheim for ALDS starting October 1 |
See also
- American League Central
- American League West
- National League East
- National League Central
- National League West