When sports fans read or hear about the origins of the Boston Red Sox, the name "Boston Pilgrims" often comes up. We know the Boston Red Sox were not always the Boston Red Sox, but were they ever the "Boston Pilgrims?" The answer to that may seem easy. They must have kept records. However, it is not that simple. It seems that those who believe the Sox were once known as the "Boston Pilgrims" may be mistaken.
The Boston Red Sox is an AL baseball club with roots stemming back to 1901, the first year of the American League's major league status. At that time, the Boston Red Sox went by a different name, but precisely what that name was is not clear. Sources vary on the name all the way up until they officially gained their current name, but even the date of that name change is disputed.
In 1903, the Boston club won the first World Series. Some reference the "Boston Pilgrims" as the winners. We do know that whatever club won, it was certainly the one that now goes by the name Boston Red Sox, but the actual name referenced in modern sources is not the Red Sox, is sometimes the Pilgrims and is sometimes the Boston Americans or the Boston American League Baseball Club in deference to their league. The two latter names are almost certainly their official name and a derivative of that name. So, why the Pilgrims reference?
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