Arkansas Travelers 125 Years Old? Not Really

With a lot of fanfare, the Arkansas Travelers (AA, Seattle Mariners) announced a festive 2026 season because of the alleged 125th anniversary of the club. With the celbration comes a lot of new merchandise.

It is clear the Travs want to make a buck or two with the celebration, mainly through the sale of special merchandise. But does the club really exist 125 years?

Well, in 1887, a team called the Little Rock Travelers was established. It played only one season in the Southwestern League. After a hiatus of seven years, another club with the same name played for two seasons; in 1894 in the Arkansas State League, and in 1895 in the Southern League. Then in 1896, the club did not play. In 1897 a club with the same name played in a new upstart of Arkansas State League and in 1898 in the Southwestern League once again.

After two inactive seasons, another Little Rock Travelers team joined the Southern Association in 1901 (the year the Arkansas Travelers claim to be established). This run was more stable as it lasted through 1909. After five inactive years, a club (re-)joined the Southern Association in 1915 and this run would last through 1961, the year the Southern Association would fold.

After a season without professional baseball, the current Arkansas Travelers showed up and joined the AAA International League. After that one season, the club moved to the AAA Pacific Coast League for 1964 and 1965. In 1966, the Travs joined the AA Texas League, where they are still playing today.

As the current Travelers came into existence in 1963, the club is not more than 63 years old in 2026.

Even if the previous editions of the Little Rock Travelers, founded in 1901, are really part of the history of the current club, as the PR of the club claims, the number of active years don’t make 125.

1901 – 1909 = 9 years
1915 – 1961 = 46 years
1963 – 2026 = 63 years

Put these numbers together and the club still lacks 7 years to reach 125 years.
Even with the pre-1900 years in which a club with the name Travelers existed, the Arkansas Travelers still lack two years.

I love to bestow the club its party, but history should not be messed with.