1959day.year
The Continental League is announced as baseball's "third major league" in the United States.
On July 27, 1959, the Continental League was announced as a proposed third major baseball league in the United States, challenging the sport’s establishment.
A group of baseball executives unveiled plans for the Continental League to start play in 1961 with teams in underserved cities.
The league aimed to break the American and National Leagues’ monopoly and bring professional baseball to new markets.
Backers included media magnates and civic leaders eager to boost local economies and fan engagement.
Although the league never played a game, its threat led Major League Baseball to expand into new cities in the 1960s.
The Continental League’s legacy lies in its role as a catalyst for MLB’s modern expansion era.
1959
Continental League