Some interesting reading (if not too fuzzy)

[cardswin53]

My guess is the Cardinals wanted to differentiate their team from the new American League team that moved to St. Louis from Milwaukee in 1901 and called themselves the Browns which, of course, was the Cardinals name when they were in the American Association and until 1900 when they were renamed the Cardinals. To this day we still refer to the American League as the junior circuit.

[cubman1941]

Originally Posted by cardswin53

My guess is the Cardinals wanted to differentiate their team from the new American League team that moved to St. Louis from Milwaukee in 1901 and called themselves the Browns which, of course, was the Cardinals name when they were in the American Association and until 1900 when they were renamed the Cardinals. To this day we still refer to the American League as the junior circuit.

That is probably true. My kids don't believe me when I tell them the Milwaukee Brewers actually go back to 1901. Of course they also don't believe me when i tell them the Milwaukee Brewers were a Cubs farm team at one time.