Before divisional play began in 1969, the New York Yankees held the record for earliest clinching of a pennant by wrapping up the Junior Circuit on September 4, 1941. It came in their 136th game, which is the record for fewest games played before clinching a pennant. The Bombers finished the year with a 101-53 record, 17 games ahead of the Boston Red Sox.
Since the formation of Eastern and Western divisions in the American League, the Baltimore Orioles hold the record for earliest clinching. They clinched the Eastern Division title on September 13, 1969 in their 146th game of the season.
