What Is MLB? A Primer

Major League Baseball (MLB) is the top professional baseball league in North America, widely regarded as the premier baseball league in the world.

• It’s composed of 30 teams, divided equally between two leagues: the American League (AL) and the National League (NL).

• Of those 30 teams, 29 are in the United States and 1 is in Canada (the Toronto Blue Jays).

• Each team plays a 162-game regular season, typically from late March/early April through late September or early October.

• After the regular season, a playoff system culminates in the World Series, a best-of-seven contest between the champions of each league.

• MLB is headquartered in New York City.

So at its core, MLB is both a sporting competition and a long seasonal journey of endurance, strategizing, player management, and fan engagement.

Historical Snapshot & Evolution

• The National League (NL) was founded in 1876; the American League (AL) followed in 1901.

• The two leagues came to a formal agreement in 1903 to cooperate and create a championship structure (which eventually led to the World Series).

• Over time, MLB expanded, contracted, relocated teams, integrated players regardless of race, instituted free agency, expanded the playoff format, and adapted rules to respond to changes in how fans consume sports (e.g. TV, streaming).

• In 2000, MLB unified the operational structure, making both leagues part of one corporate entity rather than being separate in many respects.

Through its history, MLB has balanced tradition (long games, rich statistics, ballparks with character) with innovation (rule changes, pace of play adjustments, broadcast expansion).

MLB in 2025: Trends, Highlights & Storylines

Here are some of the current and recent dynamics shaping MLB in 2025:

Rising Attendance & Viewership

• In 2025, MLB reported a total attendance of about 71,409,421 fans — marking an increase year over year. Reuters

• Television ratings are also climbing across networks like FOX, ESPN, TBS, and MLB Network. Reuters

• Teams like the Los Angeles Dodgers broke attendance milestones (surpassing 4 million attendees). Reuters

• The San Diego Padres set franchise records for attendance as well. Reuters

These gains are attributed partly to rule changes meant to speed up games, making the viewing experience more engaging. Reuters

Postseason & Power Rankings

• As the 2025 postseason begins, analysts and MLB.com experts have made predictions for the Wild Card matchups and how teams will fare. MLB.com

• In “Postseason Power Rankings,” the Philadelphia Phillies are rated No. 1, followed by the Dodgers, Mariners, Brewers, Yankees, and others. MLB.com

• Many teams have jockeyed in standings and rankings over the season; tight races in divisions and wild card spots have created suspense. MLB.com+1

Rule Adjustments & Fan Engagement

• The 2025 MLB All-Star Game introduced some new features:
    • Each team gets two challenges (for replay review) as in Spring Training. MLB.com
    • Some players will wear two-way mics, allowing in-field conversation with broadcasters during the game — an effort to increase fan connection and novelty. MLB.com

• These tweaks are part of MLB’s ongoing effort to modernize the game, make it faster and more palatable to a broader audience.

Player Development, Draft, and Prospects

• The 2025 MLB Draft was scheduled for July 13–14 in Atlanta, coinciding with All-Star Week. MLB.com+1

• Mock drafts and scouting reports have had top names like Ethan Holliday, Kade Anderson, Jamie Arnold, etc. MLB.com+3ESPN.com+3MLB.com+3

• The Futures Game (a showcase of top minor-league prospects) also drew attention, with reports on how each team’s rising stars performed. MLB.com+1

Trades & Midseason Moves

• The trade deadline (July 31) was a focal point: teams worked to address weaknesses or reinforce strengths. MLB.com+3MLB.com+3ESPN.com+3

• Some trade talk centered on teams like the Astros, who lost Alex Bregman to free agency and dealt Kyle Tucker. They looked to fill gaps in starting pitching and left-handed hitting. ESPN.com

• In both leagues (AL & NL), clubs considered bullpen needs, batting upgrades, pitching depth, and roster flexibility. MLB.com+1

Team & Managerial Changes

• Some notable managerial turnover is underway: Brian Snitker, manager of the Atlanta Braves since about 2018, is stepping away from the dugout and will take on an advisory role after the 2025 season. New York Post+1

• Another major change: reports suggest Albert Pujols is expected to become the next manager of the Los Angeles Angels. The Telegraph

• The Angels also parted ways with Ron Washington, who had health issues and struggled with team performance. New York Post

---

Challenges & Tensions

While MLB is performing strongly in many metrics, it faces several pressures:

• Pace of play & audience retention: Baseball has long been criticized for slow games, especially in a world of short attention spans. Rule tweaks help, but balancing tradition and modernization is tricky.

• Competitive balance: Some teams have deeper financial resources, better farm systems, or more talent pipelines. Ensuring meaningful competition across all 30 teams is an ongoing concern.

• Player health & injury management: Pitchers, in particular, face a high injury risk, which can swing fortunes. Maintaining depth and managing workloads is critical.

• Talent pipeline & minor leagues: The success of MLB depends on developing solid minor-league systems, scouting, and making sure the lower levels remain viable.

• Global growth & viewership: To expand its footprint, MLB continues efforts internationally (broadcasts, academies, exhibitions) — but capturing and retaining new fan bases is hard.

• Broadcast innovation & rights: As streaming becomes more central, how MLB negotiates media deals, distribution, and fan access determines its future reach and revenue.

---

What to Watch in the Near Future

Here are some key developments and storylines to keep an eye on:

1. Postseason drama: Which teams will advance, which upsets will occur, and who ultimately lifts the World Series trophy? The Phillies and Dodgers are early favorites. MLB.com+2MLB.com+2

2. Managerial shifts: With Snitker stepping down and new leadership possibly at the Angels, front office strategies and clubhouse culture could shift. The Telegraph+3New York Post+3AP News+3

3. Next draft & prospects: The 2026 draft and the maturation of 2025’s prospects will be critical for rebuilding or sustaining success for many franchises.

4. Rule experiments: MLB may pilot further changes (e.g. pitch clock tweaks, pitch limits, replay rules) to balance tradition and modernity.

5. International growth: Look for more MLB games abroad, development academies globally, and broadcast deals to push baseball into new markets.

6. Fan engagement & technology: Increasing use of data, fantasy integrations, AR/VR experiences, in-game mic’ing, interactive content — MLB will experiment to keep fans engaged.

---

Why MLB Matters Globally

• It’s not just an American pastime—MLB features international players from Latin America, Asia, the Caribbean, and more, creating a global tapestry of talent and fandom.

• The statistical depth, historical richness, and culture (ballparks, lore, rivalries) make MLB a fascinating study of sport and time.

• MLB’s choices for evolving the game influence how traditional sports adapt in the digital era: balancing heritage and innovation.

• For fans around the world, MLB offers a window into American culture, but also a shared language of passion, drama, and community.