1897 Boston Royal Rooters

In 1897, a group of ardent Boston baseball fans created a club called the “Royal Rooters.” These fans would travel to opposing team cities to root for both the Boston American League team and the Boston National League team.  In 1897, the Boston National League team (then called the “Beaneaters”) ended the season against the Baltimore Orioles. Boston won two of the three games to become the league champions. The Royal Rooters remained active for 20 years. Based on identified items plus old photographs of fans wearing pins and ribbons, about 10 different Royal Rooters items issued between 1897 and 1916.  This pin depicts a satanic figure offering a serving of baked beans.