Major League Baseball (MLB)

Major League Baseball (MLB) is “America’s Pastime”—a sport steeped in over 150 years of history, statistical obsession, and summer nostalgia. Known for its deliberate pace, strategic depth, and the iconic sound of the wooden bat, MLB is a masterclass in endurance. Featuring 30 elite clubs divided into the American League (AL) and National League (NL), it is a sport that defines the American summer. From the ivy-covered walls of historic parks to the modern retractable-roof marvels, MLB blends world-class athletic precision with the relaxed, social lifestyle of a day at the ballpark.

Contents

📅 When is the MLB Season?

The MLB season is a grueling marathon, running for seven months from the start of spring through the first chill of autumn.

The Launch: “Opening Day” typically falls in the last week of March or first week of April. It is treated as an unofficial holiday in many American cities.
The Marathon: A massive 162-game regular season for every team. Games are played almost every single day, often in three or four-game “series” between opponents.
The All-Star Break: The league takes a four-day hiatus in mid-July for the “Midsummer Classic,” featuring the Home Run Derby and the All-Star Game.
The Pennant Race: The intensity ramps up in September as teams battle for postseason spots.
The Fall Classic: The postseason culminates in October with the World Series, crowning the global champion of baseball.

⚾ The Teams & Venues

MLB is divided into two historic leagues, each with its own identity and “Cathedrals of Baseball.” Every ballpark features a “Bleacher” section where the most vocal and sun-drenched fans reside.

🅰️ American League (AL)

AL East

New York Yankees: Based in Bronx, New York. The most successful franchise in sports history with 27 titles. They play at the majestic Yankee Stadium.
Boston Red Sox: Based in Boston, Massachusetts. Owners of the “Green Monster” wall. They play at Fenway Park, the oldest and most historic park in MLB.
Toronto Blue Jays: Based in Toronto, Ontario. Canada’s sole representative in MLB. They play at the retractable-roof Rogers Centre.
Baltimore Orioles: Based in Baltimore, Maryland. Known for the beautiful “retro-classic” design of their home. They play at Oriole Park at Camden Yards.
Tampa Bay Rays: Based in St. Petersburg, Florida. Known for their analytical innovation. They play under the dome at Tropicana Field.

AL Central

Cleveland Guardians: Based in Cleveland, Ohio. A foundational franchise of the American League. They play at Progressive Field.
Kansas City Royals: Based in Kansas City, Missouri. Famous for the iconic fountains behind the outfield. They play at Kauffman Stadium.
Detroit Tigers: Based in Detroit, Michigan. A historic club with a deep connection to the city’s industrial roots. They play at Comerica Park.
Minnesota Twins: Based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. Known for their “TC” (Twin Cities) logo. They play at the open-air Target Field.
Chicago White Sox: Based in Chicago, Illinois. Representing the South Side of the city. They play at Guaranteed Rate Field.

AL West

Houston Astros: Based in Houston, Texas. A modern powerhouse with a loud, indoor atmosphere. They play at Minute Maid Park.
Texas Rangers: Based in Arlington, Texas. The 2023 Champions who play in a state-of-the-art climate-controlled venue. They play at Globe Life Field.
Seattle Mariners: Based in Seattle, Washington. Known for “The King’s Court” and great views. They play at T-Mobile Park.
Los Angeles Angels: Based in Anaheim, California. Located in the heart of Orange County. They play at Angel Stadium.
Oakland Athletics: Currently in transition. Historically based in Oakland, California, playing at the Oakland Coliseum.

🇳 National League (NL)

NL East

Atlanta Braves: Based in Cumberland, Georgia. Known for the “Tomahawk Chop” and a dominant regional following. They play at Truist Park.
Philadelphia Phillies: Based in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Home to some of the most passionate and demanding fans in the sport. They play at Citizens Bank Park.
New York Mets: Based in Queens, New York. The “Amazins” representing the blue-and-orange side of NY. They play at Citi Field.
Miami Marlins: Based in Miami, Florida. Reflecting the city’s vibrant Latin-American culture. They play at the colorful loanDepot park.
Washington Nationals: Based in Washington, D.C. The capital’s team, famous for the “Presidential Race” during games. They play at Nationals Park.

NL Central

Chicago Cubs: Based in Chicago, Illinois. Famous for their “Loveable Losers” history and day games. They play at the ivy-covered Wrigley Field.
St. Louis Cardinals: Based in St. Louis, Missouri. Often cited as having the “best fans in baseball.” They play at Busch Stadium.
Milwaukee Brewers: Based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. Famous for “Tailgating” and the Bernie Brewer slide. They play at American Family Field.
Cincinnati Reds: Based in Cincinnati, Ohio. The first professional baseball team in history. They play at Great American Ball Park.
Pittsburgh Pirates: Based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. Often cited as the most beautiful view in sports. They play at PNC Park.

NL West

Los Angeles Dodgers: Based in Los Angeles, California. A global brand with a star-studded roster. They play at the iconic Dodger Stadium.
San Francisco Giants: Based in San Francisco, California. Famous for “Splash Hits” into the bay. They play at Oracle Park.
San Diego Padres: Based in San Diego, California. Representing the relaxed SoCal lifestyle. They play at Petco Park.
Arizona Diamondbacks: Based in Phoenix, Arizona. Featuring an outfield swimming pool. They play at Chase Field.
Colorado Rockies: Based in Denver, Colorado. Where the “thin air” leads to massive home runs. They play at Coors Field.

🏁 Tournament Format & Major Events

MLB uses a league-table system that leads into a high-pressure postseason bracket:

The All-Star Game: Held in July, it is a celebration of the league’s best players and a major mid-season festival.
The Wild Card Series: A best-of-three opening round for the lower-seeded playoff teams.
The Division Series (LDS): A best-of-five series where rivalries intensify.
The League Championship Series (LCS): A best-of-seven “Semi-Final” to determine the AL and NL Pennant winners.
The World Series: A best-of-seven showdown between the AL and NL champions. The winner is crowned “World Champion.”
The MLB World Tour: Annual regular-season games played internationally in locations like London, Mexico City, and Seoul.

🎟️ Tickets and Match Sessions

Primary Ticket Source: Ticketmaster is the primary source for MLB tickets. It serves as the main platform for original ticket sales and verified fan-to-fan resale for most clubs. Because there are 81 home games a year, tickets are generally easier to find than in the NFL, except for “Opening Day” or “Postseason.”
Match Timing: Baseball has no clock, but recent “Pitch Clock” rules have shortened games to roughly 2.5 to 3 hours.
- Night Games: Typically start at 7:00 PM local time.
- Day Games: Traditionally 1:00 PM starts, especially on Sundays or “Getaway Days” (the last game of a series).
Mobile Entry: Almost all MLB ballparks are 100% digital. You must have the MLB Ballpark App or Ticketmaster app on your phone.

🚆 Travel & Transit to the Grounds

Public Transit: Unlike many US sports, several iconic baseball parks are located in dense urban neighborhoods.
- New York: Subway to 161st St (Yankees) or Mets-Willets Point (Mets).
- Chicago: The “L” Red Line to Addison (Wrigley Field) is a legendary fan experience.
The “Ballpark Walk”: In cities like San Diego or Denver, the parks are integrated into the downtown “Gaslamp” or “LoDo” districts, making them easily walkable from hotels.

🏟️ The Fan Experience: “Peanuts & Cracker Jack”

MLB is a social event. Fans often spend as much time walking the concourse as they do in their seats.

The Atmosphere: Expect the “Seventh-Inning Stretch,” where the entire stadium stands to sing “Take Me Out to the Ball Game.”
Alcohol Policy: Beer is sold until the end of the 7th or 8th inning. Many fans enjoy local craft brews, as MLB parks have become hubs for regional microbreweries.
Stadium Bites: Regional Flavors:
- The Dodger Dog: The most famous hot dog in sports, sold in Los Angeles.
- Garlic Fries: A signature snack at Oracle Park in San Francisco.
- Lobster Rolls: Available at Fenway Park in Boston for a true New England experience.

💡 Know Before You Go

Sun Protection: For day games, the “bleachers” can be brutal. Wear a hat, sunglasses, and plenty of sunscreen.
The Pitch Clock: Games move faster now. Don’t spend too long at the concession stand or you might miss two full innings!
Bag Policy: Like the NFL, many MLB parks now enforce “Clear Bag” policies. Check the specific stadium website before you go.
Scorekeeping: You will see fans with paper programs and pencils “scoring” the game manually—it is a traditional way to stay engaged with the stats.