Oldest existing U.S. major-league professional baseball organization.
The league was founded in 1876. Its supremacy was challenged by several rival organizations over the years, of which only the American League has survived; since 1903 the champions of the two leagues have engaged in an annual World Series competition. Today the National League consists of 16 teams aligned in three divisions. In the Eastern Division are the Atlanta Braves, Florida Marlins (Miami), Montreal Expos, New York Mets, and Philadelphia Phillies. In the Central Division are the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Milwaukee Brewers, Pittsburgh Pirates, and St. Louis Cardinals. In the Western Division are the Arizona Diamondbacks (Phoenix), Colorado Rockies (Denver), Los Angeles Dodgers, San Diego Padres, and San Francisco Giants.