Confused as to the difference in speeds of these 2 queries

accounts

28,444 records

mysql> SHOW CREATE TABLE accounts\G
*************************** 1. row ***************************
       Table: accounts
Create Table: CREATE TABLE `accounts` (
  `id` int(11) NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
  `AccountId` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `AccountIdTemp` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `HighSchoolTempId` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `IsActive` tinyint(1) DEFAULT NULL,
  `IsVisible` tinyint(1) DEFAULT NULL,
  `IsPaidAd` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `boolean` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Name` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `CommonName` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `ShortName` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `AbbreviatedName` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `OtherName` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `NickName` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `FemaleNickName` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `KeywordAlias` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `AccountTypeId` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `TribuneName` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Division` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `ConferenceId` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `Address` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `AddressLine2` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `City` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `State` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Zip` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Zip4` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `Country` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Website` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `VideoLink` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `SiteProvider` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `VideoProvider` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Latitude` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Longitude` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `TimeZone` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Colors` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Logo` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `LogoImage` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `MonthlyFee` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `AnnualFee` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `RadioStation` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `TVStation` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `TicketOfficeLink` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `TicketOfficePhone` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `DST` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Mascot` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `NCES_PSS_Id` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `County` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `CountyFipsId` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Phone` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `PublicSchool` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `LocaleCode` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `NumberOfStudents` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Enrollment_9to12` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `MaleStudents` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `FemaleStudents` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Coed` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `LowestGradeLevel` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `HighestGradeLevel` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Title1` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `SchoolType` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `SEC_Comb` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Affiliation` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `SearchSortorder` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `CreationDate` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `CreatedBy` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `LastModifiedDate` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `LastModifiedBy` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `CompName` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Show` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `created_at` datetime NOT NULL,
  `updated_at` datetime NOT NULL,
  PRIMARY KEY (`id`),
  KEY `AccountId` (`AccountId`),
  KEY `Name` (`Name`),
  KEY `id_name` (`id`,`Name`)
) ENGINE=InnoDB AUTO_INCREMENT=28445 DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8 COLLATE=utf8_unicode_ci

players

246,544 records

mysql> SHOW CREATE TABLE players\G
*************************** 1. row ***************************
       Table: players
Create Table: CREATE TABLE `players` (
  `id` int(11) NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
  `IsActive` tinyint(1) DEFAULT NULL,
  `IsVisible` tinyint(1) DEFAULT NULL,
  `FirstName` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `LastName` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `HeightFeet` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `HeightInches` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `Weight` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `Birthday` date DEFAULT NULL,
  `Gender` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `HometownCity` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `HometownState` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `HometownZip` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `HometownCountry` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `HighSchoolId` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `HighSchoolIdTemp` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `HighSchoolGradYear` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `CollegeYear` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Redshirted` tinyint(1) DEFAULT NULL,
  `Transferred` tinyint(1) DEFAULT NULL,
  `CollegeId` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `CollegeIdTemp` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `CollegeGradYear` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `OtherAccountId` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `PreviousCollegeId` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `CurrentTeamId` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `LateralRecommendationReason` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `LateralRecommendationLink` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `CreationDate` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `CreatedBy` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `LastModifiedDate` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `LastModifiedBy` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `TwitterLink` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `FacebookLink` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `PersonalWebsite` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `PlayerImage` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `FirstNameNickName` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `NeulionID` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `OtherTeamID` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `OtherSportTypeID` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `SourceDataTypeID` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `PlayerTypeID` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `LoadID` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `SameNameTeammate` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `SameNameSchoolMate` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `SD_SportID` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `SD_PlayerID` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `ZeroNCAAStats` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `ModifiedByPythonGame` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Missing2011` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Transfer2011` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `RecruitingClass` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `created_at` datetime NOT NULL,
  `updated_at` datetime NOT NULL,
  PRIMARY KEY (`id`),
  KEY `FirstName` (`FirstName`),
  KEY `LastNAme` (`LastName`),
  KEY `CollegeYear` (`CollegeYear`)
) ENGINE=InnoDB AUTO_INCREMENT=251770 DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8 COLLATE=utf8_unicode_ci

players_to_teams

mysql> SHOW CREATE TABLE players_to_teams\G
*************************** 1. row ***************************
       Table: players_to_teams
Create Table: CREATE TABLE `players_to_teams` (
  `id` int(11) NOT NULL AUTO_INCREMENT,
  `IsActive` tinyint(1) DEFAULT NULL,
  `IsVisible` tinyint(1) DEFAULT NULL,
  `player_id` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `team_id` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  `CreationDate` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Position` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Number` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `Club` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `BT` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `BioLink` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `OtherBioLink` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `StartYear` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `EndYear` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `NeulionPlayerID` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `SeasonYear` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `GamesPlayed` varchar(255) COLLATE utf8_unicode_ci DEFAULT NULL,
  `created_at` datetime NOT NULL,
  `updated_at` datetime NOT NULL,
  `account_id` int(11) DEFAULT NULL,
  PRIMARY KEY (`id`),
  KEY `FK_players_to_teams_player` (`player_id`),
  KEY `FK_players_to_teams_team` (`team_id`),
  KEY `Position` (`Position`),
  KEY `FK_players_to_teams_account_id` (`account_id`),
  CONSTRAINT `FK_players_to_teams_account_id` FOREIGN KEY (`account_id`) REFERENCES `accounts` (`id`) ON DELETE NO ACTION ON UPDATE NO ACTION,
  CONSTRAINT `FK_players_to_teams_player` FOREIGN KEY (`player_id`) REFERENCES `players` (`id`) ON DELETE NO ACTION ON UPDATE NO ACTION,
  CONSTRAINT `FK_players_to_teams_team` FOREIGN KEY (`team_id`) REFERENCES `teams` (`id`) ON DELETE NO ACTION ON UPDATE NO ACTION
) ENGINE=InnoDB AUTO_INCREMENT=256003 DEFAULT CHARSET=utf8 COLLATE=utf8_unicode_ci
1 row in set (0.00 sec)

sorting by accounts.Name

mysql> EXPLAIN EXTENDED SELECT 
    ->     players_to_teams.id
    -> FROM
    ->     players_to_teams
    ->         INNER JOIN
    ->     accounts ON accounts.id = players_to_teams.account_id
    -> ORDER BY accounts.Name \G
*************************** 1. row ***************************
           id: 1
  select_type: SIMPLE
        table: players_to_teams
         type: index
possible_keys: FK_players_to_teams_account_id
          key: FK_players_to_teams_account_id
      key_len: 5
          ref: NULL
         rows: 289424
     filtered: 100.00
        Extra: Using index; Using temporary; Using filesort
*************************** 2. row ***************************
           id: 1
  select_type: SIMPLE
        table: accounts
         type: eq_ref
possible_keys: PRIMARY,id_name
          key: PRIMARY
      key_len: 4
          ref: mysql_development.players_to_teams.account_id
         rows: 1
     filtered: 100.00
        Extra: 
2 rows in set, 1 warning (0.00 sec)

select `mysql_development`.`players_to_teams`.`id` AS `id` from `mysql_development`.`players_to_teams` join `mysql_development`.`accounts` where (`mysql_development`.`accounts`.`id` = `mysql_development`.`players_to_teams`.`account_id`) order by `mysql_development`.`accounts`.`Name`

7.705 seconds to complete

sorting by player.FirstName

mysql> EXPLAIN EXTENDED SELECT 
    ->     players_to_teams.id
    -> FROM
    ->     players_to_teams
    ->         INNER JOIN
    ->     players ON players.id = players_to_teams.player_id
    -> ORDER BY players.FirstName \G
*************************** 1. row ***************************
           id: 1
  select_type: SIMPLE
        table: players
         type: index
possible_keys: PRIMARY
          key: FirstName
      key_len: 768
          ref: NULL
         rows: 250119
     filtered: 100.00
        Extra: Using index
*************************** 2. row ***************************
           id: 1
  select_type: SIMPLE
        table: players_to_teams
         type: ref
possible_keys: FK_players_to_teams_player
          key: FK_players_to_teams_player
      key_len: 5
          ref: mysql_development.players.id
         rows: 1
     filtered: 100.00
        Extra: Using where; Using index

select `mysql_development`.`players_to_teams`.`id` AS `id` from `mysql_development`.`players_to_teams` join `mysql_development`.`players` where (`mysql_development`.`players_to_teams`.`player_id` = `mysql_development`.`players`.`id`) order by `mysql_development`.`players`.`FirstName`

0.004 seconds to complete