major_league_baseball major_league_baseball mlb professional baseball organization oldest major professional sports leagues united_states canada total teams play american_league national_league teams league operated separate legal entities respectively remaining legally separate entities leagues merged single organization led commissioner baseball organization oversees comprises teams affiliated major_league clubs mlb manages international world baseball classic tournament baseball professional team founded cincinnati decades professional baseball characterized rivalries leagues players jumped team league period baseball known dead ball era players rarely hit home runs time baseball survived conspiracy fix world series came known sport rose popularity 1920s survived potential great depression world war shortly war baseball color barrier broken 1950s 1960s time expansion new artificial turf surfaces began change game 1970s 1980s home runs dominated game 1990s media reports began discuss use major_league players investigation produced mitchell report implicated players use performance enhancing substances including player team today mlb composed thirty teams united_states canada teams play games season teams league advance round postseason tournament world series best seven championship series league champions dates baseball broadcasts aired north_america countries world games aired television radio internet mlb highest season attendance sports league world million spectators organizational structure mlb governed document undergone incarnations recent revisions direction commissioner baseball mlb hires maintains sport crews marketing labor television contracts mlb maintains unique controlling relationship sport including aspects large ruling national_league held baseball interstate commerce subject federal law ruling weakened slightly subsequent years weakened ruling granted stability owners teams resulted values increasing double digit rates challenges mlb sport 1870s attempt new major league aborted chief executive mlb commissioner chief operating officer executive vice presidents charge following areas baseball development business labor relations human resources finance administration vice president mlb chief information officer baseball operations november mlb website lists executive office executive labor relations human resources listed branch mlb based manhattan mlb advanced media branch oversees teams websites charter states mlb advanced media holds editorial independence league ownership group revenue sharing plan similarly structured wing league focusing video traditional broadcast media mlb owns percent percent split cable operators satellite provider operates studios new_jersey editorial independence league league organization weak created manage relationships leagues replaced powerful commissioner baseball power decisions professional baseball years american fielded teams apiece 1960s mlb expansion added teams including non team montreal teams added 1970s league consisted east west division division added league leagues met field world series regular season play introduced march new franchises known simply awarded mlb begin play addition brought total number franchises early mlb decided assign new team league joined arizona joined original plan odd number teams league league division order team able play daily required play scheduled entire season unclear time play continue season approved players union reasons decided leagues continue number teams existing club switch leagues milwaukee brewers agreed november making team league later houston changed ownership prior season team moved west resulting leagues having divisions teams allowing teams balanced schedule play held season dissolved legal entities mlb single overall league similar national_football_league nfl national_basketball_association nba albeit components called leagues instead conferences rules regulations leagues exception operates designated hitter rule difference rules leagues unique mlb sports leagues canada set rules teams current teams denotes relocation franchise respective team articles information history founding 1860s aided civil war new_york baseball expanded national game spawned baseball governing body existed amateur league years clubs members strongest clubs remained based northeastern professional baseball founding year mlb uses year professional team established developed professional amateur founding cincinnati club split amateur organization professional organization known formed amateur counterpart disappeared years modern chicago cubs franchises trace histories 1870s later known national_league established proved ineffective league placed emphasis clubs players clubs enforce player contracts preventing players jumping higher paying clubs clubs required play schedule games instead scheduled games club longer running league championship happened frequently effort curb gambling games leaving validity results doubt game saturday april jefferson street grounds philadelphia pointed beginning mlb early years tumultuous threats rival leagues rebellion players hated reserve clause restricted free movement players clubs competitor leagues formed regularly disbanded regularly successful called beer whiskey league tolerance sale alcoholic spectators years champions met postseason championship series attempt world series leagues merged single team dropped teams season led formation american_league president resulting bidding war players led widespread contract breaking legal disputes war caused shock waves baseball world meeting hotel chicago baseball leagues negotiated plan maintain independence new formed oversee minor leagues continues day known time saw tool end threats smaller rivals expand territories threaten league dominance signed new tied independent contracts reserve clause contracts agreement set formal classification system minor leagues forerunner today system refined early defunct baseball leagues officially considered major leagues statistics records included current major leagues include considered major leagues baseball researchers perceived high caliber play number star players featured researchers dispute major league status pointing franchises came went club deliberately stacked club owned league president club close major league caliber dead ball era period commonly called dead ball era games era tended low scoring dominated pitchers young cleveland alexander term accurately describes condition baseball baseball american modern australian wool wound tightly later affecting distance travel significantly balls kept play soft baseball cost dollars equal today inflation adjusted dollars owners reluctant purchase new balls fans expected throw rare home runs stained tobacco juice grass mud juice players purpose ball pitchers manipulate ball use use pitch restricted pitchers grandfather clause additionally large dimensions chicago_cubs feet center field fence avenue grounds boston_red_sox feet center field fence home runs rare small ball tactics singles stolen bases hit run play dominated strategies time hitting methods like increase number infield singles successful baltimore batter hits ball ground causing bounce high batter reaches base ball fielded thrown baseman adoption foul strike rule early twentieth century quickly sent baseball high scoring game scoring runs struggle prior institution rule foul balls counted strikes batter foul number pitches strikes counted gave enormous advantage batter adopted foul strike rule followed suit world series chicago_white_sox cincinnati_reds baseball allegations game fixing scheme known players oscar happy intentionally lost world series exchange ring worth despite acquitted permanently banned major_league_baseball rise popularity baseball popularity increased 1920s 1930s season notable death cleveland_indians struck head pitch died hours later mlb player die field injury tragedy led directly leagues requiring placing play new white ball dirty helping bring dead ball era end following year new_york_yankees world series appearance end 1930s team appeared world series winning yankees set single season home run record hitting home runs years earlier set record home runs affected difficulties great depression baseball popularity begun downward turn early 1930s mlb teams turned profit attendance fallen federal amusement tax added baseball ticket prices baseball owners cut men men best players took pay cuts team executives innovative attempts survive creating night games broadcasting games live radio rolling promotions free admission women period great depression mlb teams moved folded world war era onset world war created significant shortage professional baseball players men left mlb teams serve military played service baseball teams entertained military personnel pacific mlb teams time largely consisted young men older players military classification indicating mental physical moral service men like armed outfielder got chance advance major leagues mlb include black players end war black players served war restricted playing negro league baseball wartime restrictions designed outdoor lighting low levels caused problem baseball rules limited traveling night games point season nearly cancelled january mlb commissioner wrote letter president pleaded continuation baseball war hopes start new major league season president roosevelt responded honestly feel best country baseball going fewer people unemployed everybody work longer hours harder means ought chance recreation taking minds work approval president roosevelt spring training began repercussions war interrupted careers stars including baseball clubs continued field teams breaking color barrier president general manager began making efforts introduce black baseball player previously white professional baseball leagues selected list promising negro league players obtaining commitment robinson turn cheek racial directed agreed sign contract month later referred noble experiment robinson black baseball player international_league 1880s joining dodgers farm club season following year dodgers called robinson major leagues april robinson major league debut field crowd spectators including black patrons black baseball fans began dodgers came town abandoning negro league teams followed exclusively robinson promotion met generally positive mixed reception newspapers white major league players manager informed team care guy yellow black stripes like manager team plays rich use money traded strike threat players president baseball commissioner let known striking players suspended robinson received significant encouragement major league players including dodgers teammate said hate man reasons color year robinson earned inaugural major_league baseball rookie year award separate year honors awarded months later african american break color barrier american_league cleveland_indians year number black players entered major leagues signed indians dodgers added star catcher later winner young award outstanding pitching ban women major_league_baseball banned signing women contracts ban lasted expanding west south north major leagues consisted team leagues teams located cities northeastern united_states new_york_city teams boston chicago philadelphia teams southernmost westernmost city major league team longest possible road trip boston took hours railroad baltimore_orioles baseball experts consider boss influential owner baseball early expansion era major_league_baseball season moved los_angeles moved dodgers brooklyn appeared cover time influential rival new_york_giants west san_francisco_giants giants suffering attendance records aging polo grounds dodgers moved west away closest team joint west_coast road trips economical visiting teams invited san_francisco mayor new_york meet giants owner considering moving giants minnesota convinced join west_coast end meetings christopher occurred wishes commissioner baseball ford dual moves successful franchises mlb dodgers set single game mlb attendance record home appearance fans washington senators franchise moved minneapolis paul new teams added american_league time soon moved downtown nearby anaheim new washington senators franchise added houston new_york_mets known seasons southern major league franchise louisville folded franchise located gulf_coast established reputation going season play nation media capital playing little better subsequent campaigns eighth season 1960s expansion teams play post season culminating world series title heavily favored baltimore_orioles major leagues moved deep south braves moved atlanta moved west american added expansion franchises american_league added milwaukee brewers disastrous season seattle added canadian franchise montreal san_diego_padres second moved dallas texas_rangers baseball expanded adding second canadian team subsequently new teams added teams moved 1990s added florida miami area denver brewers switched leagues joining national_league new teams added phoenix american_league florida season team owners voted favor mlb teams considered elimination early talks montreal teams came closest folding plan plans mlb halted twins landlord awarded court injunction required team play home games stadium mlb owners agreed hold reducing league size montreal franchise decades left canada team returned baseball united_states capital city year absence franchise shift like previous ones involved baseball return city previously abandoned counting short lived montreal city granted mlb franchise currently host team pitching dominance rule changes late 1960s balance pitching hitting swung favor pitchers later nicknamed year pitcher boston_red_sox player won american_league batting title average lowest history major_league_baseball detroit_tigers pitcher won games making pitcher win games season starting pitcher achieved equally remarkable feat allowing era following pitching performances december mlb playing rules committee voted reduce strike zone knees shoulders knees lower pitcher mound inches beginning season american_league suffering lower attendance national_league sought increase scoring initiating designated hitter rule new artificial surfaces 1960s 1970s baseball expanded nfl football popularity making economical cities build multi purpose instead single purpose baseball fields climate economic issues facilities playing surfaces artificial turf oval designs characteristic designed house baseball football resulted baseball fields relatively foul territory older characteristics changed nature professional baseball putting higher premium speed defense home run hitting power fields big teams expect hit home runs foul balls hit air easily caught outs teams began built pitching particularly speed artificial surfaces meant balls traveled quicker bounced higher easier hit ground balls hole corner middle starting pitchers longer expected throw complete games starter innings turn game team closer position grew importance decades stolen bases increased home run totals dropped hit home runs player reached mark 1990s power age routinely late 1990s early 2000s baseball players hit home runs season feat considered rare 1980s apparent power surge result players performance enhancing drugs modern baseball believe need pitchers combat rise power lead pitching revolution point new pitches mysterious shift balance power defensive pitches changed game baseball including 1950s 60s split fastball 1970s 90s 1990s resurgence thrown pitchers recently pitchers throwing split finger grip creating dropping movement dubbed split change uniforms baseball uniform type uniform worn baseball players non playing personnel field managers coaches worn indicate person role game use colors numbers identify teams players managers coaches traditionally home uniforms display team away uniforms display team home location modern times exceptions pattern common teams team uniforms teams alternate uniforms usually consisting primary secondary team color vest instead usual white gray past decades throwback uniforms popular baseball team use uniforms taking field april pants blue wool white shirts straw hats caps types baseball uniforms beginning baseball teams wore straw hats cap official rule uniform rules players team wore uniforms different colors patterns indicated position played late 1880s national_league wear striped uniforms end 19th century teams began practice having different uniforms played home baseball stadium different played away road team common wear white pants white color vest home gray pants gray solid dark colored vest away home away uniforms standard major leagues season structure spring training spring training series practices exhibition games preceding start regular season spring training allows new players audition roster position spots gives existing team players practice time prior competitive play teams divided spring training attracted fan attention drawing crowds travel warmer climates enjoy weather watch favorite teams play spring training usually spring break college students find greater access players spring training spring training typically lasts months starting mid february running season opening day traditionally week april pitchers benefit longer training period pitchers begin spring training days rest team regular season current mlb regular season consisting games team typically begins sunday april ends sunday october team schedule typically organized game series occasional game series postponed games suspended games result hoc game game series team series organized road trips group multiple series teams generally play games seven days week commonly having monday thursday day frequently games scheduled night sunday games generally played afternoon allowing teams travel destination prior monday night game addition teams play day games frequently opening day holidays days team plays games divisional opponents plays home series away series amounting seven games teams league team plays divisions league rotating year opponents game home series game away series games split home away furthermore team natural rival cases counterpart metro area plays home games away games year odd number teams league necessary teams participate play days season teams day team plays games season usually game day weekend late teams participate series use rule determined home team league rules play structured differently weekend mid period consisting typically thirds june teams played games save teams day games scheduled outside dates course season teams compete playoff league win winning division capturing wild card spot conclusion game season additional tie breaking game games needed determine postseason participation star game early mid july midway point season held day break regular season schedule star game features team players american_league led manager previous team team players national_league similarly managed exhibition game games held season held july held august designated hitter rule star game time following games game played rule effect regardless venue official star game held world fair chicago illinois idea sports editor chicago_tribune initially intended time event great success resulted making game annual ward contribution recognized major_league_baseball creation arch ward trophy given valuable player year renamed valuable beginning position players team starting lineup voted game fans fan voting discontinued ballot box scandal cincinnati seven slots originally went reds players subsequently removed lineup room fan voting reinstated continued including internet voting recent years contest milwaukee ended inning tie league wins star game gets home field advantage world series league champion hosts games necessary national_league win star game gain home field advantage able overcome disadvantage win seven world series mlb star game players leagues worn team uniforms game exception star game members wore special gray uniforms national_league written navy blue letters jersey postseason regular season ends sunday october sunday september teams enter postseason playoffs teams consist teams division champions earning best regular season overall win loss record respective divisions wild card teams teams respective leagues earned best regular season win loss record division champions rounds series games played determine champion game playoff wild card teams league best games series best seven games series played surviving teams league champions informally referred pennant winners world series best seven games series played pennant winners league league division winners seeds based win loss records team best record non division winners seed team second best record non division winners second seed round seed play seed game playoff division series matchup seed winner seed seed team belonging league won mid season star game receives home field advantage world series postseason series split home fields teams home field advantage usually play large role postseason series goes maximum number games giving team additional game home games postseason series hosted team team increased chance starting series wins gaining momentum rest series use rule world series determined home team league rules international play star team mlb sent end season tour japan dubbed mlb japan star series playing exhibition games best format stars recently national team mlb played mlb china series series spring training games san_diego_padres los_angeles_dodgers games effort baseball china mlb played mlb taiwan series taiwan november series exhibition games played team mlb players called mlb stars mlb stars swept series games zero end season announced play season japan october chicago_tribune wrote mlb considering postseason star tours taiwan korea baseball increasing popularity countries opened season los_angeles_dodgers march australia teams played historic sydney cricket ground seating capacity games represented mlb regular season play held country games counted home games played home games mlb sponsors international baseball tournament contested national teams baseball hit long standing single season mlb record home runs topped record home runs bonds subjects speculation use performance enhancing substances later admitted legal baseball season baseball original testing policy effect provided penalties ranging game suspension positive test year suspension fourth positive test players tested year chance players tested times year book game shadows san francisco chronicle investigative reporters chronicled alleged extensive use performance including types growth baseball superstars senate majority leader appointed march investigate use performance enhancing drugs mlb appointment influential members negative comments effectiveness honesty mlb drug policies commissioner day mitchell report released said haven seen report proud report said mandatory random testing began treatment athletic popular players tests pointed likely performance enhancing effects report included substance use allegations player mlb team according espn people questioned mitchell director role boston_red_sox created conflict interest especially prime players report report named prominent yankees parts world series clubs long running fierce yankees rivalry prosecutor brought mitchell conflict interest later said senator good job mitchell acknowledged tight relationship major_league_baseball left open criticism said readers examine report closely find evidence bias special treatment january mlb players union reached agreement add random season testing agreed implement new test reveal use season current mlb drug policy provides game suspension positive test game suspension second positive test lifetime suspension positive test allegations surfaced received game suspension testing positive banned substances early april retired baseball face game suspension second positive test mlb media television networks baseball games including fox espn broadcast mlb games entire season fox previously broadcast games september fox holds rights season fox league championship series broadcasts broadcasting odd numbered years numbered years fox broadcasts games world series espn continues broadcast mlb games beginning national opening day coverage espn broadcasts sunday night baseball monday night baseball wednesday night baseball baseball tonight espn rights july airs sunday afternoon regular season games non exclusive nationally began exclusive rights games determine division wild card champions airs exclusive coverage division series round playoffs carries league championship series included fox television agreement shows odd numbered years numbered years january mlb launched featuring news coverage league airing live games season team local broadcasts games carried fox saturdays espn sunday nights games typically split local broadcast television station local regional sports network teams air local games team networks canada contains team broadcasts games nationally channel owned parent company fox saturday afternoon games playoff games world series april began carrying espn sunday night baseball canada policy mlb rules local broadcaster priority games team market national broadcasters example time showed games nationally internationally canada games areas braves played team local broadcaster showed local station broadcast rights local market market game market local team playing weekday espn game shown local station past game scheduled espn time espn operates regional coverage broadcasting operates game choice subject alternative programming feed mlb streaming internet video service subject rules radio internet holds national broadcast rights broadcasts sunday night baseball weekly season addition playoff games rights world series exclusive espn addition team employs broadcast regular season teams operate regional networks cover fan bases supposedly regional networks national reach located united_states major_league_baseball exclusive rights deal includes channel live play play games teams maintain network stations broadcast games spanish montreal broadcast games english french mlb games broadcast live internet television radio broadcasts games available subscription major_league_baseball website radio broadcasts available subscription audio rules applied live television broadcasts radio broadcasts international broadcasting espn large number mlb games spanish latin_america airs games puerto_rico including spring training games games involving team puerto_rico brazil exclusive rights espn espn internet broadcasting games united_kingdom previously screened mlb games including postseason games sunday wednesday usually starting recently presented mlb station channel covered baseball beginning opening night financial reasons decision pick mlb season espn live recorded games times week available basis televised large number games dozens countries espn announced shut channel july australia mlb games regularly shown subscription mlb games broadcast sports channels
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