National LeagueEdit
The National League (NL) is one of the two fundamental circuits that make up Major League Baseball, the pinnacle of professional baseball in North America. Founded in 1876, it is the oldest continuously operating professional sports league in the United States. Today it comprises 15 franchises in major cities across North America, and its pennant winner advances to the World Series to face the champion of the American League. The NL has long influenced the rhythm of the game—its traditions, its rivalries, and its business model—while adapting to changing economics, technology, and fan expectations.
In the modern era, the NL is part of a single, nationwide competition under MLB, sharing a common schedule and postseason framework with the American League. Yet its identity remains distinct in terms of history, franchise culture, and on-field styles—traditionally heavy on pitching, defense, and strategic decision-making. The league’s evolution has included structural reforms, the adoption of the designated hitter across both leagues, and a broader, fan-focused approach to broadcasting and entertainment, all while preserving a throughline of iconic franchises and memorable moments.
History and governance
Origins and formation
The National League began in the 19th century as a formalized association intended to stabilize professional baseball. It established a consistent schedule, standardized rules, and a mechanism for determining a seasonal champion. Over time, the NL developed strong regional identities and a durable hierarchy of clubs, many of which remain prominent to this day. To understand the NL is to understand how professional sports built a model of ownership, competition, and fan engagement that combines local roots with national reach. For further context on the league’s place within the sport, see Major League Baseball.
Expansion, realignment, and the modern era
Throughout the 20th and into the 21st century, the NL expanded and realigned to accommodate growth in markets, travel, and television audiences. New franchises joined the league, while others relocated or reoriented their identities. The NL’s structure solidified into three divisions in many seasons, with interleague play becoming a regular feature and playoff formats evolving to heighten competition and revenue opportunities. A notable change in recent years was the adoption of the designated hitter rule across MLB, moving the National League closer to the American League on the matter of on-base and run production. The broader push for competitive balance—through scheduling, revenue sharing, and a unified national media strategy—reflects a broader market orientation that emphasizes efficiency, accountability, and long-term franchise value. See World Series for the culmination of NL teams’ seasons and their broader competition with the AL.
Governance, economics, and the business of baseball
The NL operates within the MLB framework, which includes a collective bargaining agreement with the Major League Baseball Players Association and a system of revenue sharing and luxury taxes designed to keep teams financially viable while preserving competitive integrity. The economics of professional baseball—gate receipts, broadcasting rights, sponsorship, and regional economic impact—are central to how franchises decide on stadium plans, player acquisitions, and market strategy. The league’s governance also involves franchise ownership structures, patient capital investments, and long-term commitments to fan bases in cities as diverse as New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, and Chicago Cubs.
Notable franchises and rivalries
The NL’s landscape has been shaped by enduring rivalries and legendary teams. The St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs rivalry is among the oldest and most storied in American sports. The Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants have produced several generations of dramatic pennant races. The NL has also been home to franchises with deep historical footprints in cities like New York and Boston—now part of a national conversation about franchise value, market realities, and fan loyalty. Key franchises include the Arizona Diamondbacks, the Atlanta Braves, the Cincinnati Reds, the Colorado Rockies, the Miami Marlins, the Milwaukee Brewers, the Philadelphia Phillies, the Pittsburgh Pirates, the San Diego Padres, the San Francisco Giants, the Washington Nationals, and the New York Mets.
Rules, formats, and the modern game
The NL, like the rest of MLB, operates under a unified set of rules and a shared postseason framework. In recent years, the league has embraced changes aimed at broadening appeal and ensuring that games remain competitive and engaging for fans. The universal designated hitter change, for example, altered in-game strategy and the calculus of pitching and offense in ways that reflect a market-friendly push toward more offense and more predictable revenue opportunities for clubs and broadcasters. For a broader view of how these rules affect play, see Designated Hitter.
Notable topics and debates
Stadium subsidies and public financing: Owners and city officials often negotiate the cost and location of ballparks, which can involve substantial public subsidies. Proponents argue that stadiums generate local jobs and economic activity, while critics contend that government support is an inefficient use of public funds and prefer private capital and market-driven deals. The NL’s teams have frequently been at the center of these debates, given their large urban markets and the visibility of their venues.
Revenue sharing and competitive balance: The MLB revenue-sharing system aims to level the playing field between rich and small markets. Supporters say it helps smaller franchises compete and maintain fan interest, while critics argue it reduces the incentive for efficiency and reform. The NL’s franchise mix—ranging from long-tenured, market-dominant clubs to smaller-market outfits—provides a live case study in how a market-based approach to competition operates in a high-profile sport.
Labor relations and player economics: The relationship between club owners and players, governed by the Major League Baseball Players Association and the league’s collective bargaining agreements, shapes salaries, free agency, and benefits. A market-oriented perspective emphasizes performance-based pay and long-term financial discipline for franchises, while acknowledging the value of a robust talent pipeline and predictable labor peace for the sport’s fans.
Steroid era and ethical norms: The NL’s history intersects with broader debates about integrity, health, and the role of regulation in professional athletics. From a pragmatic standpoint, fans and franchises have learned hard lessons about medicine, performance, and governance, with reforms aimed at protecting players and the game’s reputation while preserving competitive tension.
Tradition versus modernization: The NL’s emphasis on pitching grit, defense, and classic ballpark experiences sits alongside modern improvements in player development, analytics, and entertainment. This tension—between tradition and modernization—shapes discussions about how baseball should evolve to attract new fans while preserving the sport’s timeless appeal. See Baseball and National League (baseball) for broader context.
See also
- Major League Baseball
- National League (baseball) (the article you’re reading)
- American League
- World Series
- Designated Hitter
- St. Louis Cardinals
- Chicago Cubs
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- San Francisco Giants
- New York Mets
- Washington Nationals
- Pittsburgh Pirates
- Philadelphia Phillies
- Cincinnati Reds
- Arizona Diamondbacks
- Colorado Rockies
- Miami Marlins
- Milwaukee Brewers
- San Diego Padres
- Houston Astros