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 17
July 17, 1941 – All good things must come to an end. That was truly the
Sports History On This Day: July 16
July 16, 1936 – It is hard to fathom in any era of baseball, but
Sports History On This Day: July 15
July 15, 1876 – By George I think he’s got it! Almost 100 years to the
Sports History On This Day: July 14
July 14, 1914 – This is truly a great story of overcoming much in a
Spies on the Sidelines: How Much of an Impact Does Spying Have in the NFL?
While the phrase “three-letter agency” is a euphemism for American spook organizations such as
Sports History On This Day: July 13
July 13, 1930 – The first-ever football (soccer) World Cup competition begins in Uruguay. When
Sports History On This Day: July 12
July 12, 1931 – Crowd control or crowd in control? It was an odd occurrence
The Incredible Run of the 1966 to 1971 Baltimore Orioles
For nearly twenty years (1966-85), the Baltimore Orioles were a team to be reckoned