1881 MLB Imperialism Map

Providence Grays10–1Buffalo Bisons+6 territories
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Chicago White Stockings11–4Worcester Ruby Legs+2 territories
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Territory Changes

Team Territory Control

This table shows all teams sorted by the number of territories they control.

Final standings: the Providence Grays finished on top with 6 of 8 territories (75.0%).

Team Territories Controlled
Providence Grays 6 (75.0%)
Chicago White Stockings 2 (25.0%)

Play with the MLB Map

Simulate your own territory battles: spin the wheel, input results, and see what happens.

Editable MLB Map Random MLB Team Generator
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How MLB Territory Conquest Works

  • Every team starts with the land closest to its ballpark.
  • Win a game and you take all of the loser's territory.
  • Territory carries over all season, with no resets until next year.
  • Click any territory to trace every team that held it.

Full Rules and FAQ How to make your own map

Data sources: Sports Reference (game data); VenueStats (venue data).

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Season Records

The standout territory feats of the season.

Biggest Land Grab
+6
Boston Red Caps
in a single day (1881-07-22)
Longest Reign
9
Buffalo Bisons
straight days as leader
Most Conquered
78
Providence Grays
territories taken all season
Biggest Collapse
−6
Boston Red Caps
lost in one day (1881-07-26)

Team Directory

Each team's season at a glance — days spent leading the map, largest empire, territory conquered, and the rise-and-fall sparkline. Sorted by who dominated.

Providence Grays

Messer Street Grounds

33 days led peak 6 +78 taken

Worcester Ruby Legs

Worcester Agricultural Fairgrounds

17 days led peak 6 +49 taken

Buffalo Bisons

Riverside Park

16 days led peak 6 +43 taken

Boston Red Caps

Walpole Street Grounds

13 days led peak 6 +27 taken

Troy Trojans

Haymakers' Grounds

11 days led peak 6 +34 taken

Chicago White Stockings

Lake Front Park

6 days led peak 6 +33 taken

Detroit Wolverines

Recreation Park

0 days led peak 2 +14 taken

Explore MLB Through the Years

All 156 MLB seasons, 1871 to 2026. Replay any of them game by game, or make your own version.

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MLB seasons of the 1900s

MLB seasons of the 1890s

MLB seasons of the 1880s

MLB seasons of the 1870s

More Sports Imperialism Maps

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