Crash Course Baseball: MLB Teams and League Structure
Cubs (National League Central)
One of the founding teams of the National League, they are one of the two MLB teams that play in Chicago, Illinois
Reds (National League Central)
One of two teams playing in Ohio, they joined the National League in 1890 and call Cincinnati home
Giants (National League West)
Originally the New York Giants, moved to San Francisco in 1958, following their biggest rivals, the Dodgers
Pirates (National League Central)
Since joining the National League in 1887, they have played in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Marlins (National League East)
A 1993 expansion team based in Miami
Brewers (National League Central)
After playing one season in Seattle as the Seattle Pilots, they moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin in 1970
Major League Baseball
Also known as the MLB, this organization enforces the rules for all 30 MLB teams
Royals (American League Central)
An expansion team formed in 1969, based in Kansas City, Kansas
Diamondbacks (National League West)
An expansion team that began in 1998, they are the only professional men's sports team from Arizona to win a national championship
Rockies (National League West)
Based in Denver, Colorado, they were incorporated in 1993 as an expansion team
Padres (National League West)
Based in San Diego, they were formed in 1969
Cardinals (National League Central)
Based in St. Louis, Missouri, they joined the National League in 1892
Division
Each league is divided into an East, Central, and West Division, with 5 teams playing in each
Braves (National League East)
Established in 1871, they have called Atlanta, Georgia home since 1966
Tigers (American League Central)
Established in 1894, they joined MLB in 1901, and have called Detroit, Michigan home since then
White Sox (American League Central)
Established in 1901 as one of the eight original American League teams, they have played in Chicago's South Side since then
A's (American League West)
Established in 1901, have changed names and locations multiple times, residing in Oakland, CA since 1968
Orioles (American League East)
Established in 1901, moved to Baltimore, Maryland in 1954
Yankees (American League East)
Established in 1901, they have called New York City home since 1903. One of the most storied franchises in the MLB, known for the number of Hall of Fame players who wore the famous Yankee Pinstripes over the years
Rangers (American League West)
Established in 1961 and named after the famous Texas lawmen, they are one of the few MLB teams to carry the name of the state they call home, rather than the city they play in
Astros (American League West)
Established in 1962, they have called Houston, Texas home since then. After spending 51 seasons in the National League, they moved to the American league in 2013
Mets (National League East)
Established in 1962, they replaced the Dodgers and Giants as the National League team residing in New York
Angels (American League West)
Formed as an expansion team in 1961, they have been known as the California Angels, the Anaheim Angels, and currently as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim
National League
Formed in 1876, this is the older of the 2 leagues that make up Major League Baseball
American League
Formed in 1901 25 years after the National League, this is the 2nd of the 2 leagues that make up Major League Baseball
Red Sox (American League East)
Formed in 1901, they have played in Boston since then. They play at Fenway Park, the oldest stadium in Major League Baseball
Nationals (National League East)
Formed in 1969, they were formerly based in Montreal and known as the Expos. After moving to Washington, D.C. in 2005, the club rebrabded themselves
Blue Jays (American League East)
Formed in 1977 and based in Toronto, they are the only MLB team not based in the United States
Rays (American League East)
Formerly known as the Devil Rays, they are an expansion team based in Tampa Bay, Florida who played their first game in 1998
Phillies (National League East)
Founded in 1883, this club has been based in Philadelphia since then
Mariners (American League West)
Incorporated in 1977, they are an expansion team based in Seattle, Washington
Indians (American League Central)
Joining the American League in 1901, they are based in Cleveland, Ohio
Dodgers (National League West)
They joined the National League in 1890. Originally from Brooklyn, moved to Los Angeles in 1958, becoming the first MLB team to call a west coast city their home
Twins (American League Central)
This club was established in 1894 and joined the MLB in 1901. Named after the Twin Cities of Minneapolis and St. Paul, they currently play in Minnesota
