July 10, 1968 – The National League of Major League Baseball announced that it would split into 2 divisions of six teams each for the 1969 season. The decision came after the American League separated its teams into divisions in a similar fashion. Warren Giles, President of the NL stated that New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, St Louis, and the expansion team from Montreal would comprise one group. At the same time, San Francisco, LA, San Diego, Cincinnati, Houston, and Atlanta would round out group 2.
As a compromise, the American League increased their scheduled games to 162 from 156 to match the NL so that consistency would be between the two opposing Leagues. The NL would move to three geographical divisions in 1994 as the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins had been recently added and the Milwaukee Brewers moved over from the AL.
To find more great daily sports history make sure to check out the Sports Jersey Dispatch and Pigskin Dispatch.
More From Sports History Network
The Miami Dolphins in the 1970s: A Trip Down Memory Lane
With their new Head Coach, Don Shula leading the way, the 1970 Dolphins got
Edward “Butch” O’Hare: Capone, Cardinals, and a Chicago Legacy
This is one of those stories that you certainly can not make up: happiness,
The Oakland Raiders in the 1970s: A Trip Down Memory Lane
The 1970 Oakland Raiders dug themselves a hole by not registering a win until
Great Rookie Running Back Seasons During The 1970s
During the 1970s, there were several outstanding rookie running backs whose first year in
Super Bowl X: A Retrospective on the Thrilling Final Drive
We have finished reviewing the first 50 Super Bowls, and if you want to
NFL Player Profile: Tyreek “The Freak” Hill
When you are looking through the latest NFL odds, a man you will often see
The Minnesota Vikings in the 1970s: A Trip Down Memory Lane
The Vikings began the 1970 season by getting a small measure of revenge for
The Los Angeles Rams in the 1970s: A Trip Down Memory Lane
The 1970 Rams were 8–3–1 going into week thirteen, but they needed to win