Ban Johnson had seen what happened in 1899, and decided to take advantage. Johnson was president of the Western League, a minor league in the Central region of the country.

Johnson decided it was time for a step up and decided to add teams in a few of the cities victimized by the National League's actions, including Baltimore, a highly successful team that won three pennants. With the new teams in the National League disposed of cities of Washington, Cleveland, and Baltimore, Johnson encouraged the teams to raid NL rosters, and the American League was born.

The new Orioles were led by 1890's hero john McGraw and would finish fourth with a respectable 68-65 record. Before the season manager, John McGraw tries to bring Charlie Grant a black pitcher into the league by claiming he is a Cherokee Indian named Chief Tokohama.