The American League’s new Seattle team chose a name for its new club on March 31, 1968: the Pilots. The moniker came from Seattle’s connection with the airplane industry, as well as co-owner Dewey Soriano’s part-time job as a harbor pilot.
This day in baseball: The Pilots’ moniker bestowed
I remember this well. The Pilots and Kansas City Royals entered the American League together for the 1969 campaign. After only one season, the Pilots moved to Milwaukee and became the Brewers.
Seattle sure got screwed. I wonder how many fans out there retired form being fans after the team was stolen to Milwaukee?
They did get screwed, though from what I’ve read, there wasn’t a very big fan base at that time anyways. They were more of a college sports town.