Major League Baseball Teams in 1981
The Major League Baseball landscape has changed drastically since 1981. In 1981, there were only 26 teams, which made up two leagues. This is significantly fewer than the 30 teams in Major League Baseball today. In this article, we will examine the teams that made up the Major League Baseball landscape in 1981 and look at how the landscape has changed since then.
1981 Major League Baseball Teams
In 1981, the two leagues that made up Major League Baseball were the National League (NL) and the American League (AL). The NL was made up of 12 teams and the AL was made up of 14 teams. The teams that made up each league in 1981 were as follows:
National League
- Atlanta Braves
- Chicago Cubs
- Cincinnati Reds
- Houston Astros
- Los Angeles Dodgers
- Montreal Expos
- New York Mets
- Philadelphia Phillies
- Pittsburgh Pirates
- San Diego Padres
- San Francisco Giants
- St. Louis Cardinals
American League
- Baltimore Orioles
- Boston Red Sox
- California Angels
- Chicago White Sox
- Cleveland Indians
- Detroit Tigers
- Kansas City Royals
- Milwaukee Brewers
- Minnesota Twins
- New York Yankees
- Oakland Athletics
- Seattle Mariners
- Texas Rangers
Major League Baseball Expansion Since 1981
In the years since 1981, Major League Baseball has undergone a period of expansion. This expansion has led to the number of teams in Major League Baseball increasing from 26 teams in 1981 to 30 teams in 2021. The teams that have been added as part of this expansion are:
- Colorado Rockies (added in 1993)
- Miami Marlins (added in 1993)
- Arizona Diamondbacks (added in 1998)
- Tampa Bay Rays (added in 1998)
Impact of Expansion on Major League Baseball Landscape
The expansion of Major League Baseball since 1981 has had a significant impact on the landscape of Major League Baseball. The addition of four new teams has meant the addition of four new ballparks, four new cities for fans to experience Major League Baseball in, and four new teams for fans to root for.
The expansion has also led to a change in the alignment of the leagues. In 1981, the NL was made up of 12 teams and the AL was made up of 14 teams. This has changed as part of the expansion, with the NL now made up of 15 teams and the AL made up of 15 teams. This means that the two leagues have the same number of teams for the first time in Major League Baseball history.
Realignment of Teams
As part of the expansion of Major League Baseball, the two leagues have also been realigned. This means that teams that were once in one league are now in the other. The teams that have been realigned are as follows:
- Houston Astros (moved from the NL to the AL in 2013)
- Milwaukee Brewers (moved from the AL to the NL in 1998)
- Washington Nationals (moved from the AL to the NL in 2005)
The realignment of teams has had a major impact on the landscape of Major League Baseball. This is because teams that were once rivals in one league are now rivals in the other league. This has resulted in some teams having different rivalries than they had in 1981.
Divisional Format
Another change that has occurred in Major League Baseball since 1981 is the introduction of the divisional format. In 1981, there were no divisions in either league. This meant that teams from both leagues were competing for the same playoff spot.
However, in 1994, the divisional format was introduced. This meant that teams were divided into three divisions in each league – the East, Central and West divisions. This meant that teams were now competing against teams in the same division for a playoff spot.
The divisional format has had a major impact on Major League Baseball. It has allowed for more teams to make the playoffs, as teams in each division are now competing for a playoff spot. It has also allowed for an increase in rivalries, as teams in the same division are now playing each other more often.
Interleague Play
Another change that has occurred in Major League Baseball since 1981 is the introduction of interleague play. Interleague play is when teams from one league play teams from the other league. This has allowed fans to experience Major League Baseball teams that they would not normally see.
Interleague play has also allowed for teams to gain a better understanding of the other league. This has allowed teams to better prepare for the playoffs, as they now know what they are up against.
Wild Card Format
The introduction of the wild card format is another major change that has occurred in Major League Baseball since 1981. The wild card format is when teams from each league compete for the final playoff spot. This has allowed for more teams to make the playoffs, as teams that do not win their division are still able to make the playoffs.
The wild card format has also resulted in an increase in rivalries, as teams that are competing for the wild card spot are now playing each other more often. This has resulted in some exciting games, as teams have to fight for the final playoff spot.
Conclusion
The Major League Baseball landscape has changed drastically since 1981. In 1981, there were only 26 teams in Major League Baseball, whereas today there are 30. This change has been brought about by expansion and realignment, as well as the introduction of the divisional format, interleague play, and the wild card format. All these changes have had a major impact on the landscape of Major League Baseball and have resulted in an exciting and competitive landscape.