The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs of Major League Baseball is formed.

The National League: A Foundation of Professional Baseball

The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, universally recognized as the National League (NL), stands as the elder of the two distinct leagues that together form Major League Baseball (MLB) across the United States and Canada. Established on February 2, 1876, the NL holds the remarkable distinction of being the world's oldest continuously operating professional team sports league. It was specifically created to supplant the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players (NAPBBP), which operated from 1871 to 1875 and was commonly referred to as the "National Association." The NAPBBP, despite being the first professional league, struggled with issues of stability and competitive integrity, paving the way for the NL's more structured and commercially-driven model. Due to its foundational role and earlier establishment, the National League is affectionately known as the "Senior Circuit," a title that contrasts with MLB's other prominent league, the American League (AL), which emerged 25 years later in 1901 and is consequently dubbed the "Junior Circuit."

The "Baseball War" and the Genesis of the World Series

Both the National League and the American League currently comprise 15 teams each, ensuring a balanced representation within Major League Baseball. However, this equilibrium was not always present. The early 20th century witnessed a period of intense rivalry, famously dubbed the "baseball war" of 1901–1902, where the nascent American League aggressively challenged the National League's established dominance by "raiding" its star players with higher salaries. This fierce competition ultimately led to a pivotal "peace pact" in 1903 between the then eight-team leagues. This landmark agreement was crucial for the future of professional baseball, as it:

A direct outcome of this newfound cooperation was the arrangement for the league champions of 1903 to compete against each other in a championship tournament. This inaugural contest, held in the fall of 1903, marked the birth of the modern "World Series," a tradition that succeeded earlier, less formal national championship series played intermittently since the 1880s. While the 1904 World Series did not take place due to a disagreement between the New York Giants and the Boston Americans, the two leagues recognized the immense potential and fan appeal of such a championship. Consequently, they formalized the World Series tournament, establishing it as a permanent annual arrangement between the leagues themselves, beginning with the 1905 season. Since its inception in 1903 up to 2021, National League teams have collectively claimed 51 of the 117 World Series championships contested, showcasing their enduring competitive strength.

Major League Baseball: Structure and Enduring Legacy

Major League Baseball (MLB) functions as the overarching professional baseball organization and proudly holds the distinction of being the oldest major professional sports league in the world. As of 2022, the league encompasses a total of 30 teams, precisely divided with 15 teams in the National League (NL) and 15 in the American League (AL). Geographically, 29 of these teams are based in the United States, with one team located in Canada, reflecting the sport's North American reach. While the NL and AL were independently founded in 1876 and 1901 respectively, their relationship evolved significantly. Beginning with the aforementioned National Agreement in 1903, the two leagues operated cooperatively, yet remained legally distinct entities. This structure persisted until a landmark merger in 2000, when they officially unified into a single, cohesive organization, now centrally governed by the Commissioner of Baseball. MLB's administrative hub is strategically located in Midtown Manhattan, New York City.

What is the oldest professional baseball team?
Baseball's journey to professionalization began even before the National League. The Cincinnati Red Stockings, founded in 1869, are widely recognized as the sport's first openly all-professional team, setting a precedent by paying all their players. Prior to this, some teams engaged in a clandestine practice of secretly compensating certain players. The initial decades of professional baseball were characterized by intense rivalries between nascent leagues and frequent player movement, often with athletes "jumping" from one team or league to another in pursuit of better terms, highlighting the early instability of player contracts.

Defining Eras and Overcoming Challenges in Baseball History

The period leading up to 1920 is historically known as the "dead-ball era," a distinct phase in baseball characterized by significantly lower offensive production where home runs were a rarity, attributed to factors like looser wound balls, larger stadiums, and different pitching styles that emphasized finesse over power. Professional baseball in the United States faced one of its gravest threats with the "Black Sox Scandal," a shocking conspiracy to intentionally fix the 1919 World Series. This event profoundly shook public trust in the integrity of the game and ultimately led to the appointment of the first Commissioner of Baseball, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, tasked with restoring order and public confidence. Despite such controversies and the immense societal challenges of the Great Depression in the 1930s and World War II in the 1940s, the sport not only survived but saw a significant rise in popularity throughout the 1920s, demonstrating its deep cultural roots and resilience. A pivotal moment in American history and baseball occurred shortly after World War II when Jackie Robinson famously broke baseball's long-standing color barrier in 1947, transcending sports to become a civil rights icon and forever changing the face of the game.

The mid-20th century, specifically the 1950s and 1960s, marked a dynamic period of club expansion and significant relocation for both the American and National Leagues, driven by demographic shifts and the growth of new population centers across the United States. As the sport evolved, the 1970s and 1980s saw the introduction of modern stadiums featuring artificial turf surfaces, which profoundly altered gameplay, favoring speed and athleticism. The 1990s became synonymous with a surge in offensive power, often referred to as the "home run era," a period that captivated fans but was later overshadowed. In the mid-2000s, media reports began to disclose the pervasive use of anabolic steroids and other performance-enhancing substances among MLB players, leading to a significant crisis of integrity. A comprehensive investigation in 2006 culminated in the release of the Mitchell Report, which extensively implicated numerous players in the use of these substances, highlighting the issue's widespread nature by including at least one player from every MLB team.

MLB's Season Structure, Global Reach, and Economic Standing

Each Major League Baseball team embarks on a demanding 162-game regular season schedule. Following this rigorous competition, six teams from each league (the three division winners and three Wild Card teams) advance to a thrilling four-round postseason tournament. This elimination bracket culminates in the iconic World Series, a best-of-seven championship series that pits the National League champion against the American League champion, continuing a tradition that dates back to its formalization in 1905.

Baseball games are accessible to a vast audience, extensively broadcast across various platforms including television, radio, and the internet throughout North America and in numerous countries worldwide, underscoring the sport's international appeal. MLB boasts an unparalleled global spectator engagement, holding the distinction of having the highest total season attendance of any professional sports league in the world, with over 69.6 million spectators recorded in 2018. Beyond its primary major league operations, MLB also strategically oversees Minor League Baseball, a vital system comprising numerous lower-tier teams affiliated with the major league clubs, serving as a crucial development pipeline for future talent. Furthermore, demonstrating its commitment to global baseball development, MLB collaboratively manages the international World Baseball Classic tournament with the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), fostering competition among national teams.

How does MLB rank financially among professional sports leagues?
In terms of revenue, Major League Baseball stands as the second-wealthiest professional sports league globally, positioned only behind the National Football League (NFL). This strong financial standing underscores MLB's significant economic footprint and enduring popularity in the landscape of professional sports.