Major League Baseball (MLB) is the highest level of play in professional baseball in the world. More specifically, Major League Baseball refers to the entity that operates North American professional baseball's two major leagues, the National League and the American League, by means of a joint organizational structure which has existed between them since 1903. On an organizational level, MLB effectively operates as a single "league", and as such it constitutes one of the major professional sports leagues of North America.

Major League Baseball is governed by the Major League Baseball Constitution, an agreement that has undergone several incarnations since 1876 then called the NL Constitution, with the most recent revisions being made in 2005. Major League Baseball, under the direction of its Commissioner, Bud Selig, hires and maintains the sport's umpiring crews, and negotiates marketing, labor, and television contracts. As is the case for most North American sports leagues, the 'closed shop' aspect of MLB effectively prevents the yearly promotion and demotion of teams into the Major League by virtue of their performance.

MLB as well maintains a unique, controlling relationship over the sport, including most aspects of minor league baseball. This is due in large part to a 1922 U.S. Supreme Court ruling in Federal Baseball Club v. National League which declared baseball is not considered interstate commerce (and therefore not subject to federal antitrust law), despite baseball's own references to itself as an "industry" rather than a "sport."

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SI.com - MLB

Sheppard, 99, likely to retire as Yanks' PA voice
Thu, 26 Nov 2009 21:20:45 -0500
NEW YORK (AP) -- Bob Sheppard says he has no plans to return to his longtime job as the public address announcer at Yankee Stadium.
Sammy Sosa being sued for $203K in D.R. court
Thu, 26 Nov 2009 19:57:09 -0500
SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) -- Sammy Sosa is being sued for $203,000 by a businessman who claims the former Major Leaguer owes him for commission on a house sale, among other things.
Gonzalez agrees to one-year pact with Blue Jays
Thu, 26 Nov 2009 13:09:11 -0500
TORONTO (AP) -- The Toronto Blue Jays signed shortstop Alex Gonzalez to a one-year deal worth $2.75 million on Thursday, which includes a club option for 2011.
Royals trade backup INF Tug Hulett to Red Sox
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:37:30 -0500
KANSAS CITY, Mo. (AP) -- The Royals have traded infielder Tug Hulett to the Boston Red Sox for cash or a player to be named.
Phils' Moyer hospitalized over surgery problems
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:35:50 -0500
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -- Phillies pitcher Jamie Moyer has been hospitalized due to recurring symptoms from groin surgery in September.
McDonald stays with Jays for $3M, 2-year deal
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 19:32:53 -0500
TORONTO (AP) -- Shortstop John McDonald has decided to remain with the Toronto Blue Jays, agreeing to a $3 million, two-year contract.

USATODAY.com MLB - Top Stories

Report: Longtime Yankee Stadium voice Sheppard retiring
Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:23:36 -0000
MLB.com reported Thursday that Bob Sheppard, who is in his late 90s, doubts very much that he'll be able to resume his duties for even one New York Yankees game next season.
Sammy Sosa sued for $203,000 in Dominican court
Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:20:16 -0000
Sammy Sosa is being sued for $203,000 by a businessman in the Dominican Republic who says the former Major Leaguer owes him for among other things commission on a house sale.
Andruw Jones agrees to one-year deal with White Sox
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:57:45 -0000
Andruw Jones agreed Wednesday to a $500,000, one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox.
Still no schedule for McGwire news conference
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:24:09 -0000
Mark McGwire was hired to be the St. Louis Cardinals' hitting coach a month ago, and the former home run king's initial media session has yet to be scheduled.
Feds seek rehearing of baseball drug list ruling
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:21:08 -0000
Solicitor General Elena Kagan asked for an unprecedented reconsideration of an appeals court ruling that government agents illegally seized drug-testing samples and records of baseball players who allegedly tested positive for steroids in 2003.
Pujols unanimous choice en route to third NL MVP Award
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:26:23 -0000
All agreed. St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols was named National League MVP on Tuesday, becoming the sixth unanimous winner of the NL award and capturing the honor for the third time in five years.

USATODAY.com MLB - Top Stories

Report: Longtime Yankee Stadium voice Sheppard retiring
Fri, 27 Nov 2009 06:23:36 -0000
MLB.com reported Thursday that Bob Sheppard, who is in his late 90s, doubts very much that he'll be able to resume his duties for even one New York Yankees game next season.
Sammy Sosa sued for $203,000 in Dominican court
Fri, 27 Nov 2009 05:20:16 -0000
Sammy Sosa is being sued for $203,000 by a businessman in the Dominican Republic who says the former Major Leaguer owes him for among other things commission on a house sale.
Andruw Jones agrees to one-year deal with White Sox
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 20:57:45 -0000
Andruw Jones agreed Wednesday to a $500,000, one-year contract with the Chicago White Sox.
Still no schedule for McGwire news conference
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 17:24:09 -0000
Mark McGwire was hired to be the St. Louis Cardinals' hitting coach a month ago, and the former home run king's initial media session has yet to be scheduled.
Feds seek rehearing of baseball drug list ruling
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 00:21:08 -0000
Solicitor General Elena Kagan asked for an unprecedented reconsideration of an appeals court ruling that government agents illegally seized drug-testing samples and records of baseball players who allegedly tested positive for steroids in 2003.
Pujols unanimous choice en route to third NL MVP Award
Wed, 25 Nov 2009 14:26:23 -0000
All agreed. St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Albert Pujols was named National League MVP on Tuesday, becoming the sixth unanimous winner of the NL award and capturing the honor for the third time in five years.

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