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
Sports History On This Day: July 28
July 28, 1933 – The NFL took a huge step in growth on this day
A Day in the Life of a Retired Indy Car Mechanic
In retirement, do we always seek the refuge of our favorite golf course or
Sports History On This Day: July 27
July 27, 1959 – The game of baseball in New York City had somewhat of
1970 Dallas Cowboys: The Doomsday Defense is Doomed in the End
Once “The Doomsday Defense” kicked in, the Cowboys closed the door on opponents …
Sports History On This Day: July 26
July 26, 1953 – Across the pond of the Atlantic there was the annual Tour de
Sports History On This Day: July 25
July 25, 1902 – James J. Jeffries is an interesting character in boxing history. Big
Sports History On This Day: July 24
July 24, 1908 – There was some controversy at the London Olympic Marathon. American runner
Sports History On This Day: July 23
July 23, 1925 – As a child did you ever imagine yourself crushing that game-winning