National League (MLB)
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| National League (MLB) | |
|---|---|
| Name | National League |
| Established | 1876 |
| Sport | Baseball |
| Commissioner | Rob Manfred |
| Teams | 15 |
| Country | United States and Canada |
| Champion | Arizona Diamondbacks (2023) |
| Most titles | St. Louis Cardinals (19) |
National League (MLB) The National League is one of two leagues comprising Major League Baseball, founded in 1876 as the professional circuit that succeeded the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players. The League has featured landmark franchises such as the Chicago Cubs, New York Mets, and St. Louis Cardinals, and has been central to developments including the World Series, All-Star Game (MLB), and the expansion eras of the 1960s and 1990s. Over its history the League has intersected with events and institutions like the American League, Baseball Hall of Fame, and the Commissioner of Baseball office.
History
The National League traces its origins to meetings in New York City that replaced the National Association in response to controversies involving franchises like the Cincinnati Red Stockings (1869), and early clubs such as the Boston Red Caps and Philadelphia Athletics (19th c.). In the 20th century the NL expanded and reorganized amid rivalries with the American League, culminating in the World Series (1903), the formation of the Baseball Writers' Association of America, and the integration of players following actions linked to figures like Branch Rickey and the signing of Jackie Robinson by the Brooklyn Dodgers. The League weathered the 1920s and Great Depression era, saw dynasties like the New York Giants (MLB) and St. Louis Cardinals flourish, and experienced franchise relocations including the moves that produced the Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, and Atlanta Braves. Expansion in 1969 added divisions, later enlarged by the 1993 creation of teams such as the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins, while the 21st century featured realignment including the introduction of the Houston Astros to the American League and the continued prominence of franchises like the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Brewers.
Teams and Divisions
The National League currently comprises 15 teams grouped into three divisions: East, Central, and West. The NL East features the Atlanta Braves, Miami Marlins, New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, and Washington Nationals. The NL Central contains the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Cardinals. The NL West includes the Arizona Diamondbacks, Colorado Rockies, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants. Historic franchises and former members include the Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants (MLB), Montreal Expos, Houston Colt .45s, and Baltimore Orioles (19th century), reflecting a lineage of relocations, expansions, and contraction proposals discussed in meetings involving the Commissioner of Baseball and owners such as Peter Angelos and Jerry Reinsdorf.
Season and Postseason Format
Regular seasons in the National League mirror Major League Baseball schedules with 162 games per team since 1961 for some clubs and since 1962 for others, punctuated by the MLB All-Star Game and interleague play initiated in 1997. Postseason qualification follows a structure of division winners and wild card teams, shaped by agreements negotiated between the Major League Baseball Players Association and league executives, with formats modified in years impacted by events such as the 1994 MLB strike and the COVID-19 pandemic. The NL champion advances to the World Series to face the American League champion, an arrangement formalized by constitutions ratified during meetings at venues like Cooperstown, New York and the offices of the Major League Baseball Commissioner's Office.
Awards and Records
National League players compete for awards including the Cy Young Award, Most Valuable Player Award (MLB), Rookie of the Year Award, and the Gold Glove Award, with winners such as Sandy Koufax, Willie Mays, Derek Jeter (note: American League example), Barry Bonds, and Mike Schmidt among notable honorees. Franchise and individual records include feats by the Barry Bonds single-season home run record (2001), Babe Ruth-era milestones preserved in the Baseball Hall of Fame, long-standing records held by the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field and the San Francisco Giants' Candlestick Park era, and team accomplishments like the St. Louis Cardinals' National League pennants and the Los Angeles Dodgers' sustained postseason runs. Statistical leaders in categories such as wins, home runs, and stolen bases include names like Cy Young, Hank Aaron, Rickey Henderson, Mel Ott, and Rogers Hornsby.
Rivalries and Cultural Impact
The National League's rivalries—Crosstown Classic matchups like Chicago Cubs–Chicago White Sox rivalry (note: interleague), classic NL rivalries such as New York Mets–Philadelphia Phillies rivalry, San Francisco Giants–Los Angeles Dodgers rivalry, and St. Louis Cardinals–Chicago Cubs rivalry—have shaped regional identities in cities like New York City, Los Angeles, San Francisco, St. Louis, and Philadelphia. Iconic moments—Shot Heard 'Round the World (1951), Bill Buckner error (1986 World Series)—entered national discourse via coverage by outlets in New York City and ceremonies at the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum. The League influenced film and literature through works referencing teams and figures such as Field of Dreams (film), Moneyball (book), and biographies of players like Joe DiMaggio and Hank Aaron, while stadiums like Wrigley Field and Dodger Stadium became cultural landmarks hosting concerts, political rallies, and civic events.
Governance and Rules Changes
Governance of National League affairs has been administered through structures tied to Major League Baseball centralized authority under the Commissioner of Baseball and collective bargaining with the Major League Baseball Players Association, producing rule changes such as the adoption of the designated hitter in the American League (later universal DH), interleague play, playoff expansion, and instant replay review systems implemented after consultations with owners including Bill DeWitt Jr. and union leaders like Donald Fehr. Rules committees and meetings at league offices and venues like the MLB All-Star Game site have overseen adaptations to pace-of-play initiatives, roster sizing, and disciplinary frameworks influenced by legal and labor decisions involving entities such as the National Labor Relations Board and court rulings affecting antitrust law posture toward baseball.