How Many MLB Teams Are There? – A Complete List

One commonly asked question I hear is, “How many MLB teams are there?” While the number of teams has grown since the beginning, I thought I would make a list of all the teams, when they started, and where they play.

There are 30 teams in Major League Baseball. The teams are split into 2 leagues with 15 teams in each league, The American League and The National League

Inside each league, the teams are separated into 3 different divisions with 5 teams in each division. The teams are generally put into the division that fits the city geographically.

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So. How many Major League teams are there?

Here is how the divisions are broken down.

American League (AL)

The American League was founded on January 28, 1901. The American League is the younger of the two leagues, founded 25 years after the National League. This is why it is sometimes referred to as the Junior Circuit. Let’s break down the divisions.

American League East

• New York Yankees: Enfranchised in 1901.
• Boston Red Sox: Enfranchised in 1901.
• Baltimore Orioles: Enfranchised in 1901.
• Toronto Blue Jays: Enfranchised in 1977.
• Tampa Bay Rays: Enfranchised in 1998.

American League Central

• Detroit Tigers: Enfranchised in 1894.
• Chicago White Sox: Enfranchised in 1894.
• Minnesota Twins: Enfranchised in 1894.
• Cleveland Indians: Enfranchised in 1887. (Changed to Cleveland Guardians in 2021)
• Kansas City Royals: Enfranchised in 1969.

American League West

• Oakland Athletics: Enfranchised in 1901.
• Texas Rangers: Enfranchised in 1961.
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Enfranchised in 1961.
• Houston Astros: Enfranchised in 1962.
• Seattle Mariners: Enfranchised in 1977.

National League (NL)

The National League was founded on February 2, 1876. Sometimes called the Senior Circuit, The National League was formed some 25 years earlier than the American League.

National League East

• Atlanta Braves: Enfranchised in 1871.
• Philadelphia Phillies: Enfranchised in 1883.
• New York Mets: Enfranchised in 1962.
• Washington Nationals: Enfranchised in 1969.
• Miami Marlins: Enfranchised in 1993.

National League Central

• Chicago Cubs: Enfranchised in 1870.
• Cincinnati Reds: Enfranchised in 1882.
• Pittsburgh Pirates: Enfranchised in 1882.
• St. Louis Cardinals: Enfranchised in 1882.
• Milwaukee Brewers: Enfranchised in 1969.

National League West

• Los Angeles Dodgers: Enfranchised in 1883.
• San Francisco Giants: Enfranchised in 1883.
• San Diego Padres: Enfranchised in 1969.
• Colorado Rockies: Enfranchised in 1993.
• Arizona Diamondbacks: Enfranchised in 1998.

Where They Play

American League

• New York Yankees: Yankee Stadium – The Bronx, New York City, New York.
• Boston Red Sox: Fenway Park – Boston, Massachusetts.
• Baltimore Orioles: Oriole Park at Camden Yards – Baltimore, Maryland.
• Toronto Blue Jays: Rogers Centre – Toronto, Ontario, Canada.
• Tampa Bay Rays: Tropicana Field – St. Petersburg, Florida.
• Detroit Tigers: Comerica Park – Detroit, Michigan.
• Chicago White Sox: Guaranteed Rate Field – Chicago, Illinois.
• Minnesota Twins: Target Field – Minneapolis, Minnesota.
• Cleveland Guardians (formerly Indians): Progressive Field – Cleveland, Ohio.
• Kansas City Royals: Kauffman Stadium – Kansas City, Missouri.
• Oakland Athletics: Oakland Coliseum – Oakland, California.
• Texas Rangers: Globe Life Field – Arlington, Texas.
• Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: Angel Stadium of Anaheim – Anaheim, California.
• Houston Astros: Minute Maid Park – Houston, Texas.
• Seattle Mariners: T-Mobile – Seattle, Washington.

National League

• Atlanta Braves: Truist Park- Atlanta, Georgia.
• Philadelphia Phillies: Citizens Bank Park – Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.
• New York Mets: Citi Field – Queens, New York City, New York.
• Washington Nationals: Nationals Park – Washington, D.C.
• Miami Marlins: LoanDepot Park/Marlins Park – Miami, Florida.
• Chicago Cubs: Wrigley Field – Chicago, Illinois.
• Cincinnati Reds: Great American Ballpark – Cincinnati, Ohio.
• Pittsburgh Pirates: PNC Park – Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.
• St. Louis Cardinals: Busch Stadium – St. Louis Missouri.
• Milwaukee Brewers: American Family Field/Miller Park – Milwaukee, Wisconsin.
• Los Angeles Dodgers: Dodgers Stadium – Los Angeles, California.
• San Francisco Giants: Oracle Park – San Francisco, California.
• San Diego Padres: Petco Park – San Diego, California.
• Colorado Rockies: Coors Field – Denver, Colorado.
• Arizona Diamondbacks: Chase Field – Phoenix, Arizona.

Some Fun Facts

Of the 30 Major League Baseball Stadiums, there are only 8 that have not sold the stadium’s naming rights to a corporation.

They are:

1. Angel Stadium of Anaheim
2. Yankee Stadium
3. Wrigley Field
4. Nationals Park
5. Kauffman Stadium
6. Dodger Stadium
7. Oriole Park at Camden Yards
8. Fenway Park

Old Vs New MLB Stadiums

Opening for the 202 season, Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers in Arlington, Texas is currently the newest stadium in Major League Baseball.

Opening for the 1912 season, Fenway Park, home of the Boston Red Sox in Boston, Massachusetts, is currently the oldest stadium in Major League Baseball.

Fenway is followed closely by Wrigley field, home of the Chicago Cubs in Chicago, Illinois, which opened in 1914.

Seating Capacity

With seating for 56,00 fans, Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, California, Home of the Los Angeles Dodgers, boasts the most seating capacity in Major League Baseball.

With seating for 31,042 fans, Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida, Home of the Tampa Bay Rays, has the lowest seating capacity in Major League Baseball.

MLB Founding Teams

The 8 original founding teams of the National League in 1876 were:

• Louisville Grays
• St. Louis Brown Stockings
• Cincinnati Red Stockings
• Chicago White Stockings
• Boston Red Stockings
• Hartford Dark Blues
• Mutual of New York
• Philadelphia Athletics

The 8 Original founding teams of the American League were:

• Cleveland Bluebirds
• Boston Americans
• Baltimore Orioles
• Detroit Tigers
• Philadelphia Athletics
• Chicago White Stockings
• Milwaukee Brewers
• Washington Senators

Over the years, many of the original teams have changed their name multiple times and even leagues. The name and location of the Detroit Tigers has remained the same since 1894.

Show Me the Money!

According to Forbes.com, there are a record 29 Major League Baseball teams worth 1 billion dollars or more. The top 5 are…

1. The New York Yankees, checking in at a whopping 6 billion dollars.
2. The Los Angeles Dodgers come in at second, worth $4.07 billion dollars.
3. The Boston Red Sox come in at #3, worth $3.9 billion dollars.
4. The Chicago Cubs come in at #4, worth an even $3.8 billion dollars.
5. The San Francisco Giants round out the top 5 with a worth of $3.5 billion dollars.

The least, but still quite valuable teams are:

1. The Miami Marlins, worth $990 billion dollars.
2. The Tampa Bay Rays worth $1.1 billion dollars.
3. The Kansas City Royals, worth $1.1 billion dollars.
4. The Oakland Athletics, worth $1.18 billion dollars.
5. The Cincinnati Reds, worth $1.19 billion dollars.

By comparison, the average Major League Baseball franchise in 1946 was valued at 2.5 million dollars!

We Are The Champions!

The World Series, often called the Fall Classic, has been played 110 times since it’s inception. The World Series is the contest played between the American League and National League champions.

Of these 117 series played, The American League has won 63 of the contests, while the National League has won 47.

Of the 66 World Series titles The American League has won, The New York Yankees claim 27 of them!

Of the 51 World Series titles The National League has won, The St. Louis Cardinals have won 11.

The Toronto Blue Jays are the only MLB team that does not play home games in the United States.

There are 8 states that have more than one MLB team (California, Florida, Illinois, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Texas).

The Boston Red Sox and the Chicago White Sox are the only 2 MLB teams that don’t with the letter S. There are only 9 major league teams that don’t end in the letter S: Baseball: Boston Red Sox, Chicago White Sox. Basketball: Miami Heat, Oklahoma City Thunder, Orlando Magic, Utah Jazz. Hockey: Colorado Avalanche, Minnesota Wild, Tampa Bay Lightning.

In fact, 9 major league teams in baseball, basketball, hockey, and football don’t end with ‘S’:

Some Famous Players – Yesterday & Today

Nothing scientific here, just a few famous players.

Then

• Babe Ruth – I wrote an entire article about this guy! If you have a few minutes, you can check it out HERE
• Hank Aaron – The first to surpass Ruth’s home run record.
• Jackie Robinson – Became the first African American player in 1947.
• Pete Rose – MLB’s all time hits leader. Banned for life for allegedly betting on games. (Don’t get me started!!)

Now

• Derek Jeter – Commonly referred to as “The Captain”, Jeter is the Yankees all time hits leader.
• Alex Rodriguez – Signed a then record $252 mil. contract with the Texas Rangers in 2001. Rodriguez sat out the entire 2014 season due to a suspension from MLB for steroid use.
• Miguel Cabrera – In 2014 the Detroit Tigers signed Cabrera to a 10 year contract worth a total of $292 mil. In 2012, Cabrera became the first player since 1967 to win the Triple Crown, leading the A.L. in batting average, runs batted in, and home runs.
• Mike Trout – At only 23 years old, Trout had already won the 2012 A.L. Rookie of the Year award and the 2014 A.L. Most Valuable Player Award. Trout was a true rising star.

Don’t forget to check out Steroids and sports – A kids perspective

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I hope you have enjoyed this article on “How Many MLB Teams Are There?” As always, if you have any questions, or if there is anything I can help you with, just leave a comment below and I will get right back with you.

Thanks for stopping by ~Jeremy