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National League | ORGANIZATION

 

The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional Base Ball Players, it is sometimes called the Senior Circuit in contrast to the "Junior Circuit" of the American League, established as a major league in 1901. The two league champions of 1903 arranged to meet in the World Series and, after the 1904 champions failed to do likewise, the two leagues have arranged to meet in that annual culmination of the American baseball season, failing to do so only in the strike-shortened 1994 season. National League teams have won 43 and lost 61 of the 104 World Series played between these two leagues from 1903 to 2008. The Philadelphia Phillies are the defending National League champions, winning the NL Pennant in 2008; and are the defending World Series champions, having won the 2008 World Series.

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Philadelphia Phillies general manager Ruben Amaro Jr., center right, meets with veteran pitcher Jose Contreras during a baseball news conference in Philadelphia, Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. Contreras has finalized a $1.5 million, one-year contract with the Phillies. Philadelphia Phillies
New York Yankees baseball player Hideki Matsui, the World Series MVP, waves from a float during a ticker-tape parade along Broadway celebrating their 27th World Series championship on Friday, Nov. 6, 2009, in New York. World Series
Minnesota Twins players stretch before Game 1 of the American League division baseball series against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium in New York on Wednesday, Oct. 7, 2009. American League
WELLINGTON, NEW ZEALAND - FEBRUARY 06: William Ryder of Fiji celebrates their win after the match final between Fiji and Samoa during day two of the Wellington IRB Sevens at Westpac Stadium on February 6, 2010 in Wellington, New Zealand. Fiji
LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 31: MLB player Shane Victorino arrives at the 52nd Annual GRAMMY Awards held at Staples Center on January 31, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. Major League Baseball
Former New York Mets baseball players Dwight Gooden, left, and Darryl Strawberry laugh while posing for pictures at Citi Field in New York, Wednesday, Jan. 20, 2010. Both players will be officially inducted into the Mets' Hall of Fame on Aug 1, 2010. New York Mets
Chicago Cubs general manager Jim Hendry, right, Milwaukee Brewers general manager Doug Melvin, center, and Cleveland Indians general manager Mark Shapiro, left, leave meetings with baseball owners and general managers, Thursday, Jan. 14, 2010, in Paradise Valley, Ariz. Chicago Cubs
Randy Levine, president of the New York Yankees, shows a Yankees' T-shirt during an event for the New York Yankees' 2009 World Series trophy in Hong Kong as part of his Asian tour Friday, Feb. 5, 2010. New York Yankees
DETROIT - FEBRUARY 04: Detroit Tigers pitcher Justin Verlander talks to reporters during the press conference to announce his signing of a 5 year contract extension at Comerica Park on February 4, 2010 in Detroit, Michigan. Detroit Tigers
LAS VEGAS - JANUARY 28: In this handout photo provided by the Las Vegas News Bureau, British recording artist Matt Goss performs in front of Caesars Palace on the Las Vegas Strip during the announcement of his new show at the resort January 28, 2010. Goss will appear in the Gossy Room (formerly Cleopatra's Barge) twice a week starting March 12. Las Vegas
Orlando Cabrera, right, smiles at a news conference with Cincinnati Reds general manager Walt Jocketty, left, Monday, Feb. 1, 2010, in Cincinnati, where the Reds announced they had signed Cabrera to a one-year contract with a mutual option for 2011. Cincinnati Reds
Toyota service technician Gene Cordero, of Boston, depresses the pedal of a repaired accelerator pedal assembly in a 2010 Toyota Rav4 in the service department of a Toyota dealership, in Norwood, Mass. Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010. The dealership is extending hours to repair defective gas pedals that have been the source of a recall of millions of cars for the automobile manufacturer. Boston
Reed Hogan of Dallas, left, and Gate Hogan of Jackson, Miss. show their support for the New Orleans Saints before the team's NFL Super Bowl XLIV football game against the Indianapolis Colts in Miami, Sunday, Feb. 7, 2010. Dallas
An Amtrak train arrives in St. Louis from Chicago Thursday, Jan. 28, 2010. Train travel for Missouri residents will get faster after the Obama administration announced grants of $1.1 billion for development of a high-speed rail line between Chicago and St. Louis and $31 million for upgrades between St. Louis and Kansas City, Mo. St Louis
Myanmar opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's lake-side home is seen as renovations are suspended, Thursday, Feb. 4, 2010, in Yangon, Myanmar. A lawyer for Suu Kyi says a court in Yangon will hear testimony next week on a dispute between the detained opposition leader and her brother over efforts to renovate her lakeside home. Myanmar
LOS ANGELES, CA - OCTOBER 08: Matt Holliday #15 of the St. Louis Cardinals looks on during batting practice before taking on the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game Two of the NLDS during the 2009 MLB Playoffs at Dodger Stadium on October 8, 2009 in Los Angeles, California. Matt Holliday
A Philadelphia firefighter who declined to be identified walks to a subway stop to go to work during a winter snow storm in Philadelphia, early in the morning, Saturday, Feb. 6, 2010. Philadelphia
James Bamford, Author, The Shadow Factory: The Ultra-Secret NSA, from 9/11 to the Eavesdropping on America. National Security Agency

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Members of Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party (NLD), wear t-shirts bearing her photo as they donate alms to Buddhist monks outside the party's headquarters Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, in Yangon, Myanmar. Members of the NLD have started the movement to offer meals to Buddhist monks every Tuesday in honor of their Tuesday-born opposition leader and as part of a political movement demanding the government to release all political prisoners including Noble Laureate Suu Kyi.

CloseCaption
Members of Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party (NLD), wear t-shirts bearing her photo as they donate alms to Buddhist monks outside the party's headquarters Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, in Yangon, Myanmar. Members of the NLD have started the movement to offer meals to Buddhist monks every Tuesday in honor of their Tuesday-born opposition leader and as part of a political movement demanding the government to release all political prisoners including Noble Laureate Suu Kyi.

AP 

Members of Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party (NLD) donate alms to Buddhist monks outside the party's headquarters Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, in Yangon, Myanmar. Members of the NLD have started the movement to offer meals to Buddhist monks every Tuesday in honor of their Tuesday-born opposition leader and as part of a political movement demanding the government to release all political prisoners including Noble Laureate Suu Kyi.

CloseCaption
Members of Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party (NLD) donate alms to Buddhist monks outside the party's headquarters Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, in Yangon, Myanmar. Members of the NLD have started the movement to offer meals to Buddhist monks every Tuesday in honor of their Tuesday-born opposition leader and as part of a political movement demanding the government to release all political prisoners including Noble Laureate Suu Kyi.

AP 

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols passes through a red curtain to enter the area where he will sign autographs for fans at the Cardinals' annual Winter Warm-Up event Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in St. Louis. Earlier, the National League MVP offered his support to the Cardinals' new hitting coach Mark McGwire, who admitted a week ago that he used steroids while breaking the single-season home run record.

CloseCaption
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols passes through a red curtain to enter the area where he will sign autographs for fans at the Cardinals' annual Winter Warm-Up event Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in St. Louis. Earlier, the National League MVP offered his support to the Cardinals' new hitting coach Mark McGwire, who admitted a week ago that he used steroids while breaking the single-season home run record.

AP 

Sam Taylor, of Chesterfield, Mo., holds a poster of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols as he waits in line to get the National League MVP's autograph at the Cardinals annual Winter Warm-Up baseball event Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in St. Louis.

CloseCaption
Sam Taylor, of Chesterfield, Mo., holds a poster of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols as he waits in line to get the National League MVP's autograph at the Cardinals annual Winter Warm-Up baseball event Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in St. Louis.

AP 

Sam Taylor, of Chesterfield, Mo., holds a poster of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols as he waits in line to get the National League MVP's autograph at the Cardinals annual Winter Warm-Up event Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in St. Louis.

CloseCaption
Sam Taylor, of Chesterfield, Mo., holds a poster of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols as he waits in line to get the National League MVP's autograph at the Cardinals annual Winter Warm-Up event Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in St. Louis.

AP 

Nyan Win, lawyer for detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and spokesman for her National League for Democracy Party, leaves the Supreme Court after hearing the appeal for Suu Kyi Monday, Jan. 18, 2010 in Yangon, Myanmar. Lawyers for Suu Kyi said they're optimistic Myanmar's highest court would overturn an extension of her house arrest imposed after an American intruder swam uninvited to her home.

CloseCaption
Nyan Win, lawyer for detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and spokesman for her National League for Democracy Party, leaves the Supreme Court after hearing the appeal for Suu Kyi Monday, Jan. 18, 2010 in Yangon, Myanmar. Lawyers for Suu Kyi said they're optimistic Myanmar's highest court would overturn an extension of her house arrest imposed after an American intruder swam uninvited to her home.

AP 

Kyi Win, lawer for detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and spokesman for her National League for Democracy Party, talks to journalists outside the Supreme Court after hearing the appeal for Suu Kyi Monday, Jan. 18, 2010 in Yangon, Myanmar. Lawyers for Suu Kyi said they're optimistic Myanmar's highest court would overturn an extension of her house arrest imposed after an American intruder swam uninvited to her home.

CloseCaption
Kyi Win, lawer for detained pro-democracy leader Aung San Suu Kyi and spokesman for her National League for Democracy Party, talks to journalists outside the Supreme Court after hearing the appeal for Suu Kyi Monday, Jan. 18, 2010 in Yangon, Myanmar. Lawyers for Suu Kyi said they're optimistic Myanmar's highest court would overturn an extension of her house arrest imposed after an American intruder swam uninvited to her home.

AP 

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: A line out during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: A line out during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Rory Damant of London Scottish gets away from the Esher Rugby players during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Rory Damant of London Scottish gets away from the Esher Rugby players during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

Getty Images 

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Garrick Cowley of Esher Rugby passes the ball out during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Garrick Cowley of Esher Rugby passes the ball out during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Joe MArler of Esher Rugby celebrates scoring a try during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Joe MArler of Esher Rugby celebrates scoring a try during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Line out action infront of the trees in an adjacent park during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Line out action infront of the trees in an adjacent park during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

Getty Images 

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: James Inglis of Esher Rugby fumbles the ball in the lineout as he has jersey pulled by Willie Lipp of London Scottish during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: James Inglis of Esher Rugby fumbles the ball in the lineout as he has jersey pulled by Willie Lipp of London Scottish during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

Getty Images 

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Scrum action in front of the residential houses over looking the ground during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

CloseCaption
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Scrum action in front of the residential houses over looking the ground during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

Getty Images 

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: The Esher Rugby players run out at the beginning of the match during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

CloseCaption
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: The Esher Rugby players run out at the beginning of the match during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

Getty Images 

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Former Wasps and Harlequins player Paul Volley of London Scottish runs out at the beginning of the match during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

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LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Former Wasps and Harlequins player Paul Volley of London Scottish runs out at the beginning of the match during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

Getty Images 

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Esher Rugby fan, and BBC TV presenter John Inverdale (far right) watches the action during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

CloseCaption
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Esher Rugby fan, and BBC TV presenter John Inverdale (far right) watches the action during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

Getty Images 

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: The Esher Rugby players run out at the beginning of the match during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

CloseCaption
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: The Esher Rugby players run out at the beginning of the match during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

Getty Images 

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Esher Rugby fan, and BBC TV presenter John Inverdale watches the action during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

CloseCaption
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Esher Rugby fan, and BBC TV presenter John Inverdale watches the action during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

Getty Images 

LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Esher Rugby front row Joe Marler (r) and Kevin Corrgian line up against the London Scottish pack during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

CloseCaption
LONDON, ENGLAND - JANUARY 16: Esher Rugby front row Joe Marler (r) and Kevin Corrgian line up against the London Scottish pack during the National League Division One match between London Scottish and Esher RFC at Richmond Athletic Ground on January 16, 2010 in London, England.

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"It was important for me to stay here"


Skip Schumaker Feb 09 2010 4:02 AM from St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The security is something I've been looking to get for my family ... Going into this, I told my agent that I wanted a two-year deal because I wanted that kind of security."


Skip Schumaker Feb 09 2010 4:02 AM from St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"It's huge for me to go into spring training and have it done"


Skip Schumaker Feb 09 2010 4:02 AM from St. Louis Post-Dispatch

"The All-Star Game was made for Willie Mays."


Ted Williams Feb 09 2010 2:34 AM from MLB.com

"It was fun ... It was fun until the day I quit."


Willie Mays Feb 09 2010 1:43 AM from MLB.com

"We didn't play Interleague Games, and we didn't have the television exposure that they have now, so most of the people in the American League didn't get a chance to see the National League stars until the All-Star Game ... That's..."


Willie McCovey Feb 09 2010 1:43 AM from MLB.com

"He rounded second base, trying to tempt the outfielder to throw it to third ... He threw the ball to second, and Mays just kept on going."


Lon Simmons Feb 09 2010 1:43 AM from MLB.com

"I tell people this all the time: The pitcher is your key to playing outfield ... If you know what he's going to do, I feel it's very easy to play. But you have to be on the same page. You know those balls hit in the gap? I'd..."


Willie Mays Feb 09 2010 1:43 AM from MLB.com

"When you were on that mound, you tried not to make any kind of mistake. Otherwise you were going to hear from Willie"


Juan Marichal Feb 09 2010 1:43 AM from MLB.com

"He was a very funny guy. He was always laughing"


Ken Henderson Feb 09 2010 1:43 AM from MLB.com
  of  

Members of Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party (NLD), wear t-shirts bearing her photo as they donate alms to Buddhist monks outside the party's headquarters Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, in Yangon, Myanmar. Members of the NLD have started the movement to offer meals to Buddhist monks every Tuesday in honor of their Tuesday-born opposition leader and as part of a political movement demanding the government to release all political prisoners including Noble Laureate Suu Kyi.

CloseCaption
Members of Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party (NLD), wear t-shirts bearing her photo as they donate alms to Buddhist monks outside the party's headquarters Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, in Yangon, Myanmar. Members of the NLD have started the movement to offer meals to Buddhist monks every Tuesday in honor of their Tuesday-born opposition leader and as part of a political movement demanding the government to release all political prisoners including Noble Laureate Suu Kyi.

AP 

Members of Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party (NLD) donate alms to Buddhist monks outside the party's headquarters Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, in Yangon, Myanmar. Members of the NLD have started the movement to offer meals to Buddhist monks every Tuesday in honor of their Tuesday-born opposition leader and as part of a political movement demanding the government to release all political prisoners including Noble Laureate Suu Kyi.

CloseCaption
Members of Myanmar's opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi's National League for Democracy Party (NLD) donate alms to Buddhist monks outside the party's headquarters Tuesday, Jan. 26, 2010, in Yangon, Myanmar. Members of the NLD have started the movement to offer meals to Buddhist monks every Tuesday in honor of their Tuesday-born opposition leader and as part of a political movement demanding the government to release all political prisoners including Noble Laureate Suu Kyi.

AP 

St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols passes through a red curtain to enter the area where he will sign autographs for fans at the Cardinals' annual Winter Warm-Up event Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in St. Louis. Earlier, the National League MVP offered his support to the Cardinals' new hitting coach Mark McGwire, who admitted a week ago that he used steroids while breaking the single-season home run record.

CloseCaption
St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols passes through a red curtain to enter the area where he will sign autographs for fans at the Cardinals' annual Winter Warm-Up event Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in St. Louis. Earlier, the National League MVP offered his support to the Cardinals' new hitting coach Mark McGwire, who admitted a week ago that he used steroids while breaking the single-season home run record.

AP 

Sam Taylor, of Chesterfield, Mo., holds a poster of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols as he waits in line to get the National League MVP's autograph at the Cardinals annual Winter Warm-Up baseball event Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in St. Louis.

CloseCaption
Sam Taylor, of Chesterfield, Mo., holds a poster of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols as he waits in line to get the National League MVP's autograph at the Cardinals annual Winter Warm-Up baseball event Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in St. Louis.

AP 

Sam Taylor, of Chesterfield, Mo., holds a poster of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols as he waits in line to get the National League MVP's autograph at the Cardinals annual Winter Warm-Up event Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in St. Louis.

CloseCaption
Sam Taylor, of Chesterfield, Mo., holds a poster of St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols as he waits in line to get the National League MVP's autograph at the Cardinals annual Winter Warm-Up event Monday, Jan. 18, 2010, in St. Louis.

AP 

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