Major League Baseball (MLB) is a premier professional baseball organization in North America, composed of 30 teams split evenly between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 teams based in the United States and one in Canada[2][3]. Formed through the merger of the NL (established in 1876) and the AL (established in 1901), MLB officially unified under a single commissioner in 2000 after over a century of cooperation and competition between the two leagues[1][3][4]. It is recognized as the oldest major professional sports league in the world and is often called "America's Pastime"[1][4]. MLB's hallmark is its extensive 162-game regular season, followed by a postseason tournament culminating in the World Series, a best-of-seven championship played between the league champions since 1903[1][3]. The league also organizes the MLB All-Star Game mid-season and administers Minor League Baseball, which develops future major league talent[1]. Its teams are divided into three divisions within each league (East, Central, West), featuring iconic franchises such as the New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Chicago Cubs[2][6]. Beyond the field, MLB is a significant player in sports business, entertainment, and media markets. It boasts the highest total attendance among global sports leagues, with games broadcast on television, radio, and digital platforms. The 2009 launch of MLB Network further expanded its media presence, offering live games and analysis[1]. MLB also co-sponsors international events like the World Baseball Classic, promoting global outreach[3]. Historically, MLB emerged from early rivalries and "baseball wars" between leagues, evolving governance from a three-man National Commission to a commissioner-led structure emphasizing uniformity and stability[2][3]. Although the league has faced controversies and a historical ban on female players (lifted in 1992), it remains a centra