Baseball is one of the most popular sports in the United States, and Major League Baseball (MLB) is the most significant professional baseball organization in the world. Over the years, the MLB has seen teams come and go, with some teams shifting cities and others simply folding. Surprisingly, despite being a major hub for sports, New Jersey is one of the few states in the US that has not had a team in the MLB. This article will explore why New Jersey doesn’t have an MLB team.
Sports History in New Jersey
New Jersey has a long and rich sports history, with teams from all major sports leagues located in the state. The National Football League (NFL) has the New York Giants and the New York Jets, both of which play in New Jersey. The National Basketball Association (NBA) has the Brooklyn Nets, and the National Hockey League (NHL) has the New Jersey Devils. New Jersey is also home to several minor league baseball teams, such as the Trenton Thunder and the Somerset Patriots.
The MLB Expansion
The MLB began to expand in the early 1960s, adding teams in cities across the US. In 1962, the MLB added the Houston Colt .45s (now the Houston Astros) and the New York Mets. In 1969, the league added four additional teams, including the San Diego Padres and the Montreal Expos (now the Washington Nationals). The league then added teams in Seattle, Toronto, and Miami in 1977.
Reasons for Not Adding a New Jersey Team
Despite the MLB’s expansion during the 1960s and 1970s, New Jersey was never added to the league. There are several reasons for this, some of which include:
1. Stadium Location
The MLB requires that teams have a suitable stadium in order to join the league. While there are several stadiums in New Jersey, none of them meet the MLB’s requirements for an expansion team. The closest stadium to New Jersey that meets the MLB’s standards is Citi Field, home of the New York Mets.
2. Population Density
The population density of New Jersey is one of the highest in the US, with cities like Newark, Jersey City, and Paterson all having a population of over 100,000. This population density makes it difficult for an MLB team to be successful in New Jersey, as the population is already spread across several teams.
3. Competition from Local Teams
The MLB would also have to compete with the other teams in the area, such as the New York Yankees, the New York Mets, and the Philadelphia Phillies. These teams already have strong fan bases and it would be difficult for a new team to compete with them.
4. Financial Considerations
Finally, the MLB also has to consider the financial implications of adding a new team. The cost of building a stadium and supporting a team can be quite expensive, and the league would have to ensure that the team is profitable before adding it to the league.
Conclusion
New Jersey has a rich sports history and is home to teams from all major sports leagues. However, the state does not have an MLB team, and it is unlikely that this will change anytime soon. This is due to a variety of reasons, such as the lack of a suitable stadium and the competition from other teams in the area. The financial considerations of adding a team in New Jersey are also a major factor, as the league would have to ensure that the team is profitable before committing to the move.
FAQs
- Why doesn’t New Jersey have an MLB team?
New Jersey does not have an MLB team due to a variety of reasons, such as the lack of a suitable stadium, the competition from other teams in the area, and the financial considerations of adding a team in New Jersey.
- Are there any professional baseball teams in New Jersey?
Yes, there are several minor league baseball teams in New Jersey, such as the Trenton Thunder and the Somerset Patriots.
- Is there any chance that New Jersey will get an MLB team?
It is unlikely that New Jersey will get an MLB team in the near future, as the league would have to consider the financial implications of adding a team in the state.
Takeaways
New Jersey has a long and rich sports history, but the state does not have an MLB team. The reasons for this include the lack of a suitable stadium, the competition from other teams in the area, and the financial considerations of adding a team in New Jersey. While it is unlikely that New Jersey will get an MLB team in the near future, the state does have several minor league baseball teams.
References
- Cantu, M. (2020, October 8). Why doesn’t New Jersey have an MLB team? Retrieved from sportscasting.com/why-doesnt-new-jersey-have-an-mlb-team/
- Cantu, M. (2020, August 7). What are the MLB expansion teams? Retrieved from sportscasting.com/what-are-the-mlb-expansion-teams/
- Perez, J. (2020, December 18). List of professional sports teams in New Jersey. Retrieved from sportsrec.com/list-of-professional-sports-teams-in-new-jersey-2321.html