Boston Red Sox was formed in 1893 as the Toledo , Ohio franchise in the minor Western League. In 1900 they moved to Boston after the league became the American League. Owner John I. Taylor named the team Red Sox in 1907 and the name is based on an outdated form of socks, as in the red footwear worn by the team. Boston is one of the most successful teams in the Major Baseball League. Though they were not able to earn a championship tag until 2004. The fans had held the trading of Babe Ruth to the Yankees responsible for it. Another reason was poor pitching and defense by team players. After trading Babe Ruth to New York , the Sox failed to win Game Seven in the World Series four times. Boston Red Sox moved to Fenway Park in April 1912, winning the AL flag and the World Series during their first season. In 1915, 1916 and 1918 the team repeatedly won in the post-season. During the late 1930s the team improved much under the guidance of shortstop/manager Joe Cronin and was supported by veterans Jimmie Foxx and Lefty Grove. But in 1948 and 1978 Boston Red Sox lost the flag in a playoff and were again defeated three times on the final day of the regular season, by the Yankees. The club finished a lot in fourth place during the 1950s. Boston Red Sox saw the retirement of Williams and Carl Yastrzemski took his place in left field in the early 1960s. Carl won three batting titles and a triple crown in his 23 seasons that he played with the Boston Red Sox. After his retirement AL MVP Jim Rice came in to take his place. In 1975, rookie players Rice and Fred Lynn led the club to the pennant, but lost to Cincinnati in an exciting seven-game World Series. During the 1980s the club team comprised of players like Rice, Lynn, Fisk, right fielder Dwight Evans, and third baseman Carney Lansford who further solidified their lineup. In 1986 flamethrower Roger Clemens piloted the club to the AL East title and also made a thrilling win in the ALCS over the Angels. Red Sox made two more playoff appearances in 1988 and 1990 led by batting champion Wade Boggs and Clemens. In the early 1990s, the team saw a number of mangers take its charge and they also traded Jeff Bagwell to Houston Astros. Jeff Bagwell soon became a superstar with the Astros. Including right-hander Pedro Martinez in 1998 worked wonders for the pitching staff of the league and earned them payoffs: wild card berths in 1998 and 1999. During the 2004 season, the Red Sox won six of their first seven games against the Yankees bringing cheers from their fans. In a thrilling game series, the Boston Red Sox defeated the Angels and earned a birth in the ALCS against the Yankees.