Here is a table that illustrates the Major League Baseball teams chronologically. This page lives hand in hand with the Team Name History page.
| Year | # of Teams | Change | Team | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 | 30 | Renaming | Cleveland Guardians | Renamed from Cleveland Indians |
| 2016 | 30 | Renaming | Los Angeles Angels | Renamed from Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim |
| 2013 | 30 | Realignment | Houston Astros | Moved from NL Central to AL West |
| 2012 | 30 | Renaming | Miami Marlins | Renamed from Florida Marlins |
| 2008 | 30 | Renaming | Tampa Bay Rays | Renamed from Tampa Bay Devil Rays |
| 2005 | 30 | Relocation | Washington Nationals | Relocated from Montreal (Expos) |
| Renaming | Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim | Renamed from Anaheim Angels | ||
| 1998 | 30 | Expansion | Arizona Diamondbacks | |
| Expansion | Tampa Bay Devil Rays | |||
| Realignment | Milwaukee Brewers | Moved from AL Central to NL Central | ||
| Realignment | Detroit Tigers | Moved from AL East to AL Central | ||
| 1997 | 28 | Renaming | Anaheim Angels | Renamed from California Angels |
| 1993 | 28 | Expansion | Colorado Rockies | |
| Expansion | Florida Marlins | |||
| 1977 | 26 | Expansion | Seattle Mariners | |
| Expansion | Toronto Blue Jays | |||
| 1972 | 24 | Relocation | Texas Rangers | Relocated from Washington (Senators) |
| 1970 | 24 | Relocation | Milwaukee Brewers | Relocated from Seattle (Pilots) |
| 1969 | 24 | Expansion | Kansas City Royals | |
| Expansion | Montreal Expos | |||
| Expansion | San Diego Padres | |||
| Expansion | Seattle Pilots | |||
| 1968 | 20 | Relocation | Oakland Athletics | Relocated from Kansas City |
| 1966 | 20 | Relocation | Atlanta Braves | Relocated from Milwaukee |
| 1965 | 20 | Renaming | Houston Astros | Renamed from Houston Colt .45s |
| Renaming | California Angels | Renamed from Los Angeles Angels | ||
| 1962 | 20 | Expansion | Houston Colt .45s | |
| Expansion | New York Mets | |||
| 1961 | 18 | Expansion | Los Angeles Angels | |
| Expansion | Washington Senators | |||
| Relocation | Minnesota Twins | Relocated from Washington (Senators) | ||
| 1959 | 16 | Renaming | Cincinnati Reds | Renamed from Cincinnati Redlegs |
| 1958 | 16 | Relocation | Los Angeles Dodgers | Relocated from Brooklyn |
| Relocation | San Francisco Giants | Relocated from New York | ||
| 1955 | 16 | Relocation | Kansas City Athletics | Relocated from Philadelphia |
| 1954 | 16 | Renaming | Cincinnati Redlegs | Renamed from Cincinnati Reds |
| Relocation | Baltimore Orioles | Relocated from St. Louis Browns | ||
| 1953 | 16 | Relocation | Milwaukee Braves | Relocated from Boston |
| 1941 | 16 | Renaming | Boston Braves | Renamed from Boston Bees |
| 1936 | 16 | Renaming | Boston Bees | Renamed from Boston Braves |
| 1932 | 16 | Renaming | Brooklyn Dodgers | Renamed from Brooklyn Robins |
| 1915 | 16 | Renaming | Cleveland Indians | Renamed from Cleveland Naps |
| 1914 | 16 | Renaming | Brooklyn Robins | Renamed from Brooklyn Dodgers |
| 1913 | 16 | Renaming | New York Yankees | Renamed from New York Highlanders |
| Renaming | Brooklyn Dodgers | Renamed from Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers | ||
| 1912 | 16 | Renaming | Boston Braves | Renamed from Boston Rustlers |
| 1911 | 16 | Renaming | Boston Rustlers | Renamed from Boston Doves |
| Renaming | Brooklyn Trolley Dodgers | Renamed from Brooklyn Superbas | ||
| 1908 | 16 | Renaming | Boston Red Sox | Renamed from Boston Americans |
| 1907 | 16 | Renaming | Boston Doves | Renamed from Boston Beaneaters |
| 1904 | 16 | Renaming | Chicago White Sox | Renamed from Chicago White Stockings |
| 1903 | 16 | Renaming | Chicago Cubs | Renamed from Chicago Orphans |
| Renaming | Cleveland Naps | Renamed from Cleveland Bluebirds | ||
| Relocation | New York Highlanders | Relocated from Baltimore Orioles | ||
| 1902 | 16 | Relocation | St. Louis Browns | Relocated from Milwaukee Brewers |
| 1901 | 16 | First season of the AL and NL |
The longest period of stability was from 1915 to 1932, sandwiched in between two team renamings. The second longer period was from 1977 to 1993, this time between expansions.
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