1885 MLB Imperialism Map

Territory Changes

Team Territory Control

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

Final standings: the New York Giants finished on top with 8 of 16 territories (50.0%).

Team Territories Controlled
New York Giants 8 (50.0%)
Philadelphia Athletics 8 (50.0%)

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

Imperialism Map is proudly sponsored by another of my projects:

Territory Creator


Sales territory management software

Because not all territorial conquests happen on the field.

Territory Mapping Software

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

Shared Venues Note

Some teams in this season share a venue location. For visualization purposes, each team's territory boundary is calculated from a slightly offset position (~300 feet apart) to create distinct territories.

  • Polo Grounds I:
    • New York Metropolitans (nudged NE)
    • New York Giants (nudged SW)

Data sources: Game data from Sports Reference; venue data from VenueStats .

📖 I also built MakeCookbook Turn family recipes into a beautiful printed book
Make your own cookbook

Season Records

The standout territory feats of the season.

Biggest Land Grab
+8
Boston Beaneaters
in a single day (1885-07-08)
Longest Reign
13
Chicago White Stockings
straight days as leader
Most Conquered
86
St. Louis Browns
territories taken all season
Biggest Collapse
−8
Boston Beaneaters
lost in one day (1885-07-11)

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.

Chicago White Stockings

West Side Park I

15 days led peak 8 +48 taken

New York Giants

Polo Grounds I

14 days led peak 8 +83 taken

Louisville Colonels

Eclipse Park I

6 days led peak 8 +80 taken

St. Louis Maroons

Union Grounds

4 days led peak 8 +37 taken

Buffalo Bisons

Olympic Park (I)

3 days led peak 8 +44 taken

Cincinnati Red Stockings

Cincinnati's League Park

3 days led peak 8 +47 taken

Allegheny City

Recreation Park

3 days led peak 8 +61 taken

Philadelphia Athletics

Jefferson Street Grounds

0 days led peak 8 +29 taken

Boston Beaneaters

Walpole Street Grounds

0 days led peak 8 +22 taken

Baltimore Orioles

Oriole Park I

0 days led peak 8 +40 taken

Detroit Wolverines

Recreation Park

0 days led peak 8 +11 taken

Brooklyn Grays

Washington Park

0 days led peak 8 +17 taken

New York Metropolitans

Polo Grounds I

0 days led peak 8 +46 taken

Philadelphia Quakers

Recreation Park

0 days led peak 8 +40 taken

Providence Grays

Messer Street Grounds

0 days led peak 8 +33 taken

St. Louis Browns

Athletic Park

0 days led peak 8 +86 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.

MLB seasons of the 2020s

MLB seasons of the 2010s

MLB seasons of the 2000s

MLB seasons of the 1990s

MLB seasons of the 1980s

MLB seasons of the 1970s

MLB seasons of the 1960s

MLB seasons of the 1950s

MLB seasons of the 1940s

MLB seasons of the 1930s

MLB seasons of the 1920s

MLB seasons of the 1910s

MLB seasons of the 1900s

MLB seasons of the 1890s

MLB seasons of the 1880s

MLB seasons of the 1870s

More Sports Imperialism Maps

Questions or Feedback?

Got ideas for making these maps better? Found something weird? Want to suggest a new feature?

Get in Touch View FAQ About This Site