Millions of adults, teens, and kids love to play and watch baseball. The MLB or Major League Baseball is an American professional baseball organization that’s currently made up of 30 teams. 15 teams play in the National League while the other 15 teams play in the American League.
Although the National League and the American League were both formed separately in 1876 and 1901, they both integrated into the same organization later on, but remained separate entities. The teams in each league are divided into East, Central, and West divisions. In this article, we’ll talk about the teams that play in both leagues.
The National League
The National League is the world’s oldest still existing professional sports league. Often called the Senior Circuit, the NL was founded to replace the National Association. There are currently 15 teams playing in the NL.
East
Atlanta Braves
The name Braves was first used in 1912, and the nickname the “Bravos” later became popular. The team won a total of 3 World Series championships.
Miami Marlins
The Marlins faced some controversial periods; however, they managed to win the World Series championship twice.
New York Mets
This team was founded to replace 2 teams; the New York Giants and the New York Dodgers. The team won the World Series twice.
Philadelphia Phillies
Winner of World Series championship 2 times, this team is considered to be one of the oldest teams in the NL.
Washington Nationals
This team achieved a lot of success in the 2010s, winning the World Series championship in 2019.
Central
Chicago Cubs
This is one of the 2 major teams in Chicago and has played 11 World Series championships, winning 3 of them.
Cincinnati Reds
The Reds previously played in the West division from 1969 to 1993. The Reds won the World Series title 5 times.
Milwaukee Brewers
The team is named after the brewing industry. It hasn’t won any World Series titles or pennants.
Pittsburgh Pirates
This team faced some struggles in the 1880s and 1890s but soon became one of the most successful teams, winning 5 World Series titles. The Pirates are also referred to as the “Bucs.”
St. Louis Cardinals
The Cardinals won 11 World Series championships, more than any other team on the NL. They also won 19 NL pennants.
West
Arizona Diamondbacks
The D-backs won 1 World Series title in 2001 to become the fastest expansion team to achieve this.
Colorado Rockies
The Rockies managed to win their only NL pennant in 2007, but hasn’t won any World Series.
Los Angeles Dodgers
This team won the World Series championship 6 times. Baseball fans are aware of the famous Dodgers–Yankees rivalry.
San Diego Padres
The Padres is one of the two teams that originate from California, winning 2 NL pennants and no World Series titles.
San Francisco Giants
This team was founded in 1883, where it was named the New York Gothams. It was later renamed the New York Giants, and then the San Francisco Giants when it finally moved to San Francisco in 1957 to win the World Series title 8 times.
The American League
Also known as the Junior Circuit, the American League or AL was founded in 1901 after developing from the Western League. At the end of every season, the AL champion plays against the NL champion. The New York Yankees managed to win 27 times out of the 66 times that AL teams won the World Series championship.
East
Baltimore Orioles
This team first played in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, and then moved to St. Louis, Missouri, to become the St. Louis Browns. After 52 years, the team adopted its new name in honor of the main bird of Maryland. The team won the World Series 3 times.
Boston Red Sox
The Red Sox team was 9 times the World Series winner after participating 14 times.
New York Yankees
This team is considered to be one of the most successful professional sports teams in the USA. It started playing in 1901 and won 27 World Series championships.
Tampa Bay Rays
Based in St. Petersburg, Florida, this team had a rough start in the late 1990s and early 2000s. The team won their first AL pennant in 2008.
Toronto Blue Jays
This Canadian team is named after a bird of the same name. After struggling in the late 1970s and early 1980s, the team had the first winning season in 1983. The Jays won the World Series championship back to back in 1992 and 1993.
Central
Chicago White Sox
The team changed their name from the Chicago White Stockings to Sox and managed to win the World Series 3 times.
Cleveland Indians
After winning 2 World Series titles in 1920 and 1948, the team has been experiencing the longest drought among all the 30 teams of the MLB.
Detroit Tigers
As a former member of the Western League, the Tigers is the only team that still remains in its original city. The team won 4 World Series titles.
Kansas City Royals
The Royals team is named after the annual American Royal Show. The team won the World Series 2 times.
Minnesota Twins
Originally founded in Washington. D.C. as the Washington Senators, the team relocated to Minnesota in 1961. The team won the World Series championship 3 times.
West
Houston Astros
First playing in the NL, the team moved to the AL's West division in 2013. The team won 1 World Series championship.
Los Angeles Angels
This team was named after another team which played in the Pacific Coast League from 1903 till 1957. The team won 1 World Series title.
Oakland Athletics
Ever since it was founded in 1901, the team won the World Series 9 times, and back-to-back in 1929 and 1930.
Seattle Mariners
Although the Mariners haven’t won any World Series titles or AL pennants, they won 116 games in 2001, setting the record for most wins in a single season.
Texas Rangers
The team’s name is shared with a law enforcement agency of the same name. The Rangers didn’t win any World Series titles but managed to win 2 AL pennants.
These 30 teams continue to provide baseball lovers with exceptional entertainment. Baseball brings lots of people together, which is why it’s one of the most exciting sports for participants and spectators.