2006-06-27 05:09:15 · 7 answers · asked by dawn h 1 in Sports ➔ Baseball
The Wikipedia links have much of the story, but the real answer is that the team owners decide, usually by authorizing the league to make changes. Today that would be a decision of all the owners on behalf of MLB, as when the leagues expanded and when the Milwaukee Brewers were moved from the American to the National League.
Why do some states (and cities) have teams in both leagues? Competition, pure and simple. The American League itself was founded for that reason, and it was why the original Baltimore Orioles became the New York Yankees. In fact, part of the 1905 agreement that established the World Series as an annual affair specified that the American League would not move a franchise to Pittsburgh to compete with the Pirates.
The New York Mets and Houston Astros - indeed all of the expansion franchises and most of the recent franchise moves -also exist because of competition. When the Giants moved to San Francisco, a minority shareholder who opposed the move, Joan Payson (who also unsuccessfully tried to buy the Giants from Horace Stoneham and thus prevent the move), had enough money to back a new major league, the Continental League, which would have teams in Atlanta, Buffalo, Dallas-Fort Worth, Denver, Houston, Minneapolis-St. Paul, New York and Toronto. (All these cities except Buffalo now have major league teams.) The AL and NL folded and added four new teams, the others being the second Washington Senators franchise (now the Rangers) and the Los Angeles Angels (no "of Anaheim" in those days). The man who organized the Continental League, William A. Shea, is the man for whom Shea Stadium is named. Payson became the first owner of the Mets.
Sometimes moves occur because the team owner wishes to move to greener pastures, as with the Giants, Dodgers, Athletics, the Milwaukee (ex-Boston) Braves and the Seattle Pilots (now the Brewers).
2006-06-27 13:29:57 · answer #1 · answered by BroadwayPhil 4 · 0⤊ 1⤋
I am actually not sure what determines what league a team will play in, I would think nowadays it would be a question of how the divisions would be balanced, and if the area all ready had a team in close proximity. Some states have both because they are just big market areas (like NY) or really big states! (TX and CA)
2006-06-27 12:24:41 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I agree with the guy above, its a long story, but I can explain the latter. Cities like New York, Chicago and LA have two teams because the population and TV marketing allows them to. Dont forget, at one time, New York had 3 teams with Yankees, Giants and Dodgers. It really depends on how high the demand is.
2006-06-27 12:41:48 · answer #3 · answered by J-Far 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Prospective owners put bids in to have a team in that city and the league checks all aspects of where the team will play. Also some cities have a baseball history and teams are just put in that city.
2006-07-02 11:50:57 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Nothing determines it. I guess just one day they randomly categorized them. And it's not like basketball where the divisions are Western Conference and Eastern Conference. So it doesn't matter if states have both American and National League teams.
2006-06-27 12:28:22 · answer #5 · answered by Ronnoc 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
large markets have teams in both leagues...small markets ie Kansas City, Tampa Bay, Minnesota Twins, Milwaukee Brewers, Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres..they have one town..sometimes they are in their league due to having moved from one city to another...
LA, Bay Area, NYC, Chicago are the main cities with multiple teams...
LA is the only team with 2 basketball teams
NY and LA are the only ones with 2 Hockey Teams
California has the most professional teams of any state...
San Diego Padres (NL)
LA Dodgers (NL)originally from Brooklyn
Anaheim Angels (AL-screw Moreno)
Oakland As (AL-Originally from Philly)
SF Giants (Originally from NY)
LA Kings (NHL)
Anaheim Ducks (NHL)
San Jose Sharks (NHL)
LA Lakers (Originally from Minnesota)
LA Clippers (Originally from San Diego)
Golden State Warriors (NBA)
Sacramento Kings(NBA)
Sacramento Monarchs (WNBA)
LA Sparks (WNBA)
LA Galaxy(MLS)
San Jose Earthquakes(MLS) folded last year
2006-06-28 08:48:55 · answer #6 · answered by juanes addicion 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Its a long story.......
2006-06-27 12:37:31 · answer #7 · answered by oubaker12 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋