Before entering the world of betting, don’t lose sight of the most relevant of the US Baseball Season with MyBookie, check out the most interesting MLB Major League Baseball for the true baseball fans.
Learn more about this prestigious baseball league in the United States, the best players who have been the historical base of the MLB and who played there.
The Complete Guide to Major League Baseball: History, Rules, and All-Time Greats
By the other side, if you are one of the fans that are just starting in the sport, check out the information we have for you, standings, conferences, divisions and everything you need to start with your betting plans for the season, no matter what stage you are at.
Top Players in the MLB History
Babe Ruth
- Nickname: The Bambino
- Born: 2/06/1895, Baltimore, MD
- Teams:
Boston Red Sox (1914-19)
New York Yankees (1920-34)
Boston Braves (1935) - Debut: 7/11/1914
- Hall of Fame: 1936
- Last Game: 8/16/1948
- Home Runs: 714
Records | ||
World Series Championship | ||
---|---|---|
1915 | Boston Red Sox | AL |
1916 | Boston Red Sox | AL |
1918 | Boston Red Sox | AL |
1923 | New York Yankees | AL |
1927 | New York Yankees | AL |
1928 | New York Yankees | AL |
1932 | New York Yankees | AL |
The American League Award | ||
1923 | New York Yankees | AL |
Willie Mays
- Nickname: Say Hey
- Born: 5/06/1931, Westfield, AL
- Teams:
New York Giants (1951-57)
San Francisco Giants (1958-72)
New York Mets (1972-73) - Debut: 5/25/1951
- Hall of Fame: 1979
- Last Game: 9/9/1973
- Home Runs: 660
Records | ||
World Series Championship | ||
---|---|---|
1954 | New York Giants | NL |
Jackie Robinson, NL Rookie of the Year | ||
1951 | New York Giants | NL |
NL MVP | ||
1954 | New York Giants | NL |
1965 | San Francisco Giants | NL |
AP Male Athlete of the Year | ||
1954 | New York Giants | NL |
Rawlings MLB Gold Glove | ||
1957 | New York Giants | NL |
Ty Cobb
- Nickname: The Georgia Peach
- Born: 12/18/1886, Narrows, GA
- Teams:
Detroit Tigers (1905–1926)
Philadelphia Athletics (1927–1928) - Debut: 8/30/1905
- Hall of Fame: 1936
- Last Game: 9/11/1928
- Home Runs: 117
Records | ||
The Chalmers Award (AL) | ||
---|---|---|
1911 | Detroit Tigers | AL |
Mickey Mantle
- Nickname: The Commerce Comet
- Born: 10/20/1931, Spavinaw, OK
- Teams:
New York Yankees (1951–1968) - Debut: 4/17/1951
- Hall of Fame: 1974
- Last Game: 9/28/1968
- Home Runs: 536
Records | ||
World Series Championship | ||
---|---|---|
1951 | New York Yankees | AL |
1952 | New York Yankees | AL |
1953 | New York Yankees | AL |
1956 | New York Yankees | AL |
1958 | New York Yankees | AL |
1961 | New York Yankees | AL |
1962 | New York Yankees | AL |
AL MVP | ||
1956 | New York Yankees | AL |
1957 | New York Yankees | AL |
1962 | New York Yankees | AL |
AP Male Athlete of the Year | ||
1956 | New York Yankees | AL |
Rawlings AL Gold Glove | ||
1962 | New York Yankees | AL |
The Hutch Award | ||
1965 | New York Yankees | AL |
Cy Young
- Nickname: Cyclone
- Born: 3/29/1867, Gilmore, OH
- Teams:
Cleveland Spiders (1890-1898)
St. Louis Perfectos (1899-1900)
Boston American/Red Sox (1901-1908)
Cleveland Naps (1909-1911)
Boston Rustlers (1911) - Debut: 8/06/1890
- Hall of Fame: 1937
- Last Game: 6/10/1911
- Wins: 511
Records | ||
World Series Championship | ||
---|---|---|
1903 | Boston Americans | AL |
Joe DiMaggio
- Nickname: Joltin’ Joe
- Born: 11/25/1914, Martinez, CA
- Teams:
New York Yankees (1936–1942, 1946–1951) - Debut: 5/03/1936
- Hall of Fame: 1955
- Last Game: 9/30/1951
- Home Runs: 361
Records | ||
World Series Championship | ||
---|---|---|
1936 | New York Yankees | AL |
1937 | New York Yankees | AL |
1938 | New York Yankees | AL |
1939 | New York Yankees | AL |
1941 | New York Yankees | AL |
1947 | New York Yankees | AL |
1949 | New York Yankees | AL |
1950 | New York Yankees | AL |
1951 | New York Yankees | AL |
AL MVP | ||
1939 | New York Yankees | AL |
1941 | New York Yankees | AL |
1947 | New York Yankees | AL |
Jackie Robinson
- Nickname: Dark Destroyer
- Born: 1/31/1919, Cairo, GA
- Teams:
Kansas City Monarchs (1945)
Brooklyn Dodgers (1947–1956) - Debut: 4/15/1947
- Hall of Fame: 1962
- Last Game: 9/30/1956
- Home Runs: 141
Records | ||
World Series Championship | ||
---|---|---|
1955 | Brooklyn Dodgers | NL |
MLB Rookie of the Year | ||
1947 | Brooklyn Dodgers | NL |
NL MVP | ||
1949 | Brooklyn Dodgers | NL |
Rogers Hornsby
- Nickname: Rajah
- Born: 4/27/1896, Winters, TX
- Teams:
St. Louis Cardinals (1915–1926, 1933)
New York Giants (1927)
Boston Braves (1928)
Chicago Cubs (1929–1932)
Baltimore Orioles (1933–1937) - Debut: 9/10/1915
- Hall of Fame: 1942
- Last Game: 7/20/1937
- Home Runs: 301
Records | ||
World Series Championship | ||
---|---|---|
926 | St. Louis Cardinals | NL |
The National League Award | ||
1925 | St. Louis Cardinals | NL |
1929 | Chicago Cubs | NL |
Stan Musial
- Nickname: The Man
- Born: 11/21/1920, Donora, PA
- Teams:
St. Louis Cardinals (1941-1963) - Debut: 9/17/1941
- Hall of Fame: 1969
- Last Game: 9/29/1963
- Home Runs: 475
Records | ||
World Series Championship | ||
---|---|---|
1942 | St. Louis Cardinals | NL |
1944 | St. Louis Cardinals | NL |
1946 | St. Louis Cardinals | NL |
NL MVP | ||
1943 | St. Louis Cardinals | NL |
1946 | St. Louis Cardinals | NL |
1948 | St. Louis Cardinals | NL |
Lou Gehrig Award | ||
1957 | St. Louis Cardinals | NL |
SI’s Sportsman of the Year | ||
1957 | St. Louis Cardinals | NL |
NL Player of the Month | ||
05/1958 | St. Louis Cardinals | NL |
Ted Williams
- Nickname: Splendid Splinter
- Born: 8/30/1918, San Diego, CA
- Teams:
Boston Red Sox (1939-1942, 1946-1960) - Debut: 4/20/1939
- Hall of Fame: 1966
- Last Game: 9/28/1960
- Home Runs: 521
Records | ||
Thomas A. Yawkey Red Sox MVP | ||
---|---|---|
1941 | Boston Red Sox | AL |
1946 | Boston Red Sox | AL |
1949 | Boston Red Sox | AL |
1955 | Boston Red Sox | AL |
AL MVP | ||
1946 | Boston Red Sox | AL |
1949 | Boston Red Sox | AL |
AP Male Athlete of the Year | ||
1957 | Boston Red Sox | AL |
Hank Aaron
- Nickname: Hammerin’ Hank
- Born: 2/05/1934, Mobile, AL
- Teams:
Indianapolis Clowns (1952)
Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves (1954-1974)
Milwaukee Brewers (1975-1976) - Debut: 4/13/1954
- Hall of Fame: 1982
- Last Game: 3/10/1976
- Home Runs: 755
Records | ||
World Series Championship | ||
---|---|---|
1957 | Milwaukee Braves | NL |
NL MVP | ||
1957 | Milwaukee Braves | NL |
Not so far away, let’s see the Top 5 Outstanding Players that made the Game Great until our present days
-
Fernando Valenzuela
The native of Mexico was one of the best pitchers, achieving 173 wins, 153 losses and six shutouts in a single season (1981). Teams: Dodgers, Angels, Orioles, Phillies, Padres and Cardinals. He is the best Mexican player in MLB history.
-
Alex Rodriguez
The New York native had 696 career home runs, 2,086 RBIs and a .296 batting average. Teams: Mariners, Rangers and Yankees. He is the youngest player to hit 500 home runs, breaking the record set by Jimmie Foxx in 1939.
-
Barry Bonds
The left-handed batter managed to connect 762 runs, 1,996 RBIs and a batting average of .298. Teams: Pirates and Giants. He holds the record for home runs in a single season, with 73 in 2001..
-
Pedro Martinez
The Dominican was the first right-handed pitcher to reach 300 strikeouts with an ERA below 2.00 since Walter Johnson in 1912. He had 219 wins, 100 losses and 3,154 strikeouts.
-
Roger Clemens
“Rocket” won seven Cy Young awards during his career, more than any other pitcher in history. His statistics are 354 games won, 184 lost and 4,619 strikeouts.
-
Greg Maddux
He is among the 22 pitchers to have achieved 300 wins during his professional career, also, the first baseball player to receive more than 100 million dollars during his career. He has 355 wins, 227 losses and 3,371 strikeouts.
-
Justin Verlander
“JV” aun sigue activo con los Astros, hasta el momento tiene 260 ganes, 143 perdidas y 3,013 ponches. He was named Cy Young Award winner by unanimous vote, becoming the first AL pitcher since Johan Santana in 2006 to win the award in that manner.
Interesting MLB Facts You Must Know About the Game
This great American sport has its best moments in the summer, there is no doubt about that, since every year is one of the best times to practice outdoor sports in the United States and baseball is a witness of that.
Plus, the 4th of July is in the middle of the scene, so millions of Americans celebrate big along with this proud and beloved sport.
All of these remembrances make the postseason for fans the highlight that ends up rewarding the best of the best each year, such as the teams, players and coaches.
Therefore, awards are also an important part of Major League Baseball and here are the important ones that currently exist:
MVP Awards American, National League
This award honors the most outstanding player of the season in each conference.
Cy Young Awards American, National League
It honors the great pitching great Cy Young, being an annual award given to the best pitcher in each Conference.
Rookie of the Year Awards National, American League
What young player wouldn’t like to be the best player in his first year as a professional? That’s what this award is all about, given in both Conferences to the best player in his first season.
Manager of the Year Awards National, American League
The base of every team also deserves to be taken into account, so the strategists also have their own award in both Conferences.
Gold Glove Awards
Fortunately, 18 players have the opportunity to be the best defensively. It is awarded in both conferences to each player at each position.
Silver Slugger Awards
Offensive performance also has its own award, and like the previous one, it is given to each player by position, with 18 players selected in each Conference to be awarded.
Postseason Awards
ALCS MVP: In the Conference Championship Series, there will always be one player who has the best group performance that helps favorably in each match of the Series.
NLCS MVP: Like the previous one, the award is also given by the same criteria in this Conference Championship series.
WS MVP: The player who deserves all the honors is the one who had the best performance with his team, not only on an individual level, but also the positive impact created in each game.
Last 5 World Series MVP’s
- 2023: Corey Seager – Texas Rangers
- 2022: Jeremy Pena – Houston Astros
- 2021: Jorge Soler – Atlanta Braves
- 2020: Corey Seager – Los Angeles Dodgers
- 2019: Stephen Strasburg – Washington Nationals
MLB 50/50 Club
Although there is no award for this newly named Club, it is worth mentioning the great recognition received by Shohei Ohtani of the Dodgers, who recently became the first player with 50 runs and 50 stolen bases.
But this does not end here, as there are several candidates who could join the newly founded Club:
- Bobby Witt Jr., Royals
- Elly De La Cruz, Reds
- Ronald Acuña Jr., Braves
- Fernando Tatis Jr., Padres
- Julio Rodríguez, Mariners
- Gunnar Henderson, Orioles
- Jackson Chourio, Brewers
Tim Lincecum is one of two MLB pitchers to win multiple World Series championships, two Cy Young Awards, throw multiple no-hitters, and be elected to multiple All-Star Games. The other pitcher being Sandy Koufax pic.twitter.com/CDPV61fYLu
— BaseballHistoryNut (@nut_history) August 10, 2024
HISTORY!
— Los Angeles Dodgers (@Dodgers) September 19, 2024
SHOHEI OHTANI IS THE ONLY MEMBER OF THE 50/50 CLUB. pic.twitter.com/F1T5D4n6QD
MLB Standings
The positions of the teams in the standings is like an x-ray of each team’s performance during the regular season.
In general, many fans view it daily to make future plans for their bets in the American League, National League and World Series.
Here are the standings of the MLB Teams for the 2024 Season:
American League East
Team | W | L | % | GB | STRK | HOME | AWAY |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Yankees Z | 94 | 68 | .580 | – | W1 | 44-37 | 50-31 |
Orioles W | 91 | 71 | .562 | 3.0 | W2 | 44-37 | 47-34 |
Red Sox | 81 | 81 | .500 | 13.0 | W1 | 38-43 | 43-38 |
Rays | 80 | 82 | .494 | 14.0 | L1 | 42-39 | 38-43 |
Blue Jays | 74 | 88 | .457 | 20.0 | L3 | 39-42 | 35-46 |
American Central League
Team | W | L | % | GB | STRK | HOME | AWAY |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Guardians Y | 92 | 69 | .571 | – | L2 | 50-30 | 42-39 |
Royals W | 86 | 76 | .531 | 6.5 | W1 | 45-36 | 41-40 |
Tigers W | 86 | 76 | .531 | 6.5 | L2 | 43-38 | 43-38 |
Twins | 82 | 80 | .506 | 10.5 | L4 | 43-38 | 39-42 |
White Sox | 41 | 121 | .253 | 51.5 | W2 | 23-58 | 18-63 |
American League West
National League East
Team | W | L | % | GB | STRK | HOME | AWAY |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Phillies Y | 95 | 67 | .586 | – | W1 | 54-27 | 41-40 |
Braves W | 89 | 73 | .549 | 6.0 | W1 | 46-35 | 43-38 |
Mets W | 89 | 73 | .549 | 6.0 | L1 | 46-35 | 43-38 |
Nationals | 71 | 91 | .438 | 24.0 | L1 | 38-43 | 33-48 |
Marlins | 62 | 100 | .383 | 33.0 | W4 | 30-51 | 32-49 |
National Central League
Team | W | L | % | GB | STRK | HOME | AWAY |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brewers Y | 93 | 69 | .574 | – | L1 | 47-34 | 46-35 |
Cubs | 83 | 79 | .512 | 10.0 | L1 | 44-37 | 39-42 |
Cardinals | 83 | 79 | .512 | 10.0 | W1 | 44-37 | 39-42 |
Reds | 77 | 85 | .475 | 12.0 | W1 | 39-42 | 38-43 |
Pirates | 76 | 86 | .469 | 17.0 | L1 | 39-42 | 37-44 |
National League West
W: Win | L: Losses | %: Winning Percentage | GB: Games Behind | STRK: Current Streak | HOME: Record at Home | AWAY: Record when Away | X: Clinched Playoff Berth | Y: Clinched Division | W: Clinched Wild Card
^MLB History
As claimed by Major League Baseball, the sport in the United States began its first steps with the National League in 1876.
According to MLB’s official historian, John Thorn, the first race in history took place in a game between the Boston Red Stockings (Braves) and the Philadelphia Athletics on April 22, 1876.
Catcher Tim McGinley of the Red Stockings scored that first run.
This great sport was established in 1860, thanks to the soldiers who played it during the Civil War. This sport has had different circumstances that have transformed it into what we know today.
Here are some important details about the evolution of the game:
- 1876: The National League is created.
- 1900-1919: This stage is known as the “dead ball” for different reasons, one of them was the poor scoring in the games, dominated by the pitchers of those years. It also refers to the way baseballs were made, since their thread and conditions affected their travel because they had the necessary attributes that today’s balls have.
- 1901: The American League is born.
- 1903: Both conferences have a cooperative agreement, with MLB being the oldest professional sports league in the world..
- 1903: Championship Series and World Series to be played for the first time.
- 1920: National Commission replaced by powerful Baseball Commissioner.
- 1920: The Negro leagues were created for baseball organizations to introduce African-American players to the United States..
- 1920-1930: Popularity increases due to several factors, among them, the Yankees and Babe Ruth, who was a star capable of breaking his own record of 29 home runs, and of course the Great Depression, making teams innovative in their attempts to survive, creating night games, broadcasting games live on the radio and launching promotions such as free admission for women..
- 1940: Thanks to Branch Rickey, president and general manager of the Brooklyn Dodgers, the sport’s exclusivity to white people was broken due to his efforts to introduce a black baseball player, getting Jackie Robinson drafted..
- 1939-1945: During World War II, more than 500 men went to war, leaving the MLB with a shortage of players..
- 1942: In this year, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, Commissioner of Baseball, wrote to President Roosevelt asking for the continuation of baseball during the war. Roosevelt replied: “I sincerely believe it would be better for the country to keep baseball. There will be fewer people unemployed and everyone will be working longer hours and harder than ever before. And that means they should have the opportunity to have fun and be distracted from work even more than before.”
The war interrupted the careers of stars such as Stan Musial, Bob Feller, Ted Williams and Joe DiMaggio, but baseball clubs continued to field teams. - 1946: Jackie Robinson is officially introduced as the first black player in MLB, joining the Montreal Royals on a $600 per month contract..
- 1952: The participation of women is prohibited by MLB..
- 1960’s: The American League and National League add eight clubs, including the first non-U.S. team, the Montreal Expos..
- 1969-1993: Each league consisted of an East Division and a West Division..
- 1992: The ban on women’s participation in the game is lifted, but to date, there have been no female players in the MLB..
- 1994: The Central Division is born.
- 1996: Until this year, the two leagues met on the field only during the World Series and the All-Star Game..
- 1997: The All-Star Game is implemented.
- 2000: Both conferences merge into a single organization, headed by Major League Baseball’s Executive Director or Commissioner of Baseball..
- 2020: Hawk-Eye is used in MLB to assess the accuracy of pitches, hits, players and skills that are prone to analysis in order to improve each team’s statistics.
- 2023: Oakland Athletics relocation to Las Vegas approved.
- 2024: The expansion of teams in the league has been promoted, with the possibility of competing for a franchise in Major League Baseball.
Winners Who Have Won the Most Games in a Season
- 1. 1906 Cubs: 116-36 (.763)
- 2. 2001 Mariners: 116-46 (.716)
- 3. 1998 Yankees: 114-48 (.704)
- 4. 1954 Cleveland: 111-43 (.721)
- 5. 2022 Dodgers: 111-51 (.685)
- 6. 1909 Pirates: 110-42 (.724)
- 7. 1927 Yankees: 110-44 (.714)
- 8. 1969 Orioles: 109-53 (.673)
- 9. 1961 Yankees: 109-53 (.673)
Discover the Greatest Moments: Lines on World Series History Revealed!
MLB Format for the Regular Season & Postseason
As of the 2023 season, teams play as follows in the Regular Season:
- Thirteen matches against each of the other four teams in its own division (52 matches in total).
- Six or seven games against each of the other ten teams in their own league (64 games in total).
- Four matches against a “geographic rival” from the other league.
- Three games against each of the other fourteen teams in the other league, for a total of 46 interleague games.
Aaron Judge and Juan Soto are the first pair of teammates with 40+ HR and 120+ walks each in a season in MLB history https://t.co/BN5dzshIlB
— Sarah Langs (@SlangsOnSports) September 18, 2024
Now that you know why there are so many games in the league, it is time to see how the playoffs work, the second most important part of this Tournament that had its last modification in 2022, expanding the group of teams in the Wild Card Round.
The event is held in bracket format, with 12 teams, six from each league and including the three league division winners and three Wild Card teams per league. This is how they qualify:
- 1st seed: Best league record
- 2nd seed: Winner of the second best division
- 3rd seed: Winner of the third best division
- 4th seed: Best record among Wild Card teams
- 5th seed: Second best record among Wild Card teams
- 6th seed: Third best record among Wild Card teams
Thus, the first and second place teams will advance directly to the Divisional Series. For the Wild Card Series, the #3 seed will face the #6 seed, and the #4 seed will face the #5 seed.
Wild Card Series
The winners of each Wild Card Series advance to the Divisional Series and the losers are eliminated from the postseason.
Each game is played at the home stadium of the higher ranked team, in this case #3 and #4 serve as hosts.
MLB’s rule changes for 2024
What should you know about the organization’s regulations? As we have already seen, Major League Baseball has been evolving in different aspects, the rules of the game being one of them.
What has changed? Let’s take a look at what is in effect as of Season 2024.
Runner’s Lane Widening: The runner’s lane has been widened to include the land between the foul line and the turf of the infield. The lane is marked with chalk to prevent runners from straying into foul territory.
Pitch Timer Reduction: The pitch timer has been reduced from 20 seconds to 18 seconds with runners on base. It will remain 15 seconds with the bases empty, and pitchers retain the ability to step off the plate and reset the clock twice per plate appearance without penalty.
Base Blocking Guideline: This is a guideline to the existing rule, and grants the runner the base when it is determined that the fielder has impeded the runner’s progress while not in possession of the ball and was not in the act of fielding the ball.
Pace Adjustments: There are a few other changes intended to tighten things up:
1. Pitching Changes: The clock will be reset to 2 minutes, instead of 2:15 if a new pitcher enters the warning zone with less than 2 minutes left on the inning break clock.
2. Mound visits: Reduced from five to four visits, with one additional visit to the mound in the ninth inning if the defensive team has no visits left at the end of the eighth inning.
3. Avoidance: The Field Timing Coordinator will now reset the clock after a dead ball when the pitcher has the ball and play is ready to resume.
4. Batter faced requirement: A pitcher sent to warm up for an inning must face at least one batter.
^MLB News, Analysis & Predictions
Not as normal information, you could use the latest team news during the regular season, postseason and World Series.
The betting analysis make an exceptional support when making your short, medium and long term plans, as each article comes with relevant information such as injuries, pitchers’ streaks, featured players, last minute transfers, strengths and weaknesses of the rivalries.
New York is favored on the MLB odds with Gerrit Cole to force Game 6 against the Dodgers
Dodgers at Yankees 2024 World Series Game 4 Odds, Preview & Expert Pick – L.A. lead 3-0
World Series Game 3 Odds: Los Angeles Dodgers at New York Yankees, 2024 Fall Classic Expert Analysis
Fan’s Corner
Currently, according to figures from Nielsen Sports Sponsorlink, Major League Baseball has more than 170 million fans in the United States and 10 million in Canada.
Tremendous, isn’t it? With such a large number, the sport is much more than just betting.
Movies are a proof of this, and here in MyBookie, we mention and recommend to you the best ones that you should not miss:
- 1. The Sandlot
- 2. The Fan
- 3. Field of Dreams
- 4. Major League
- 5. Major League 2
- 6. For Love of the Game
- 7. The Rookie
- 8. 42
- 9. Moneyball
- 10. A League of Their Own
Bet and Win Now! with the Betting News that MyBookie has for you in your betting lines from your favorites sports.
MLB Betting Center
MLB Odds and Lines
MLB Betting |
Make the Playoffs |
World Series Odds |
AL Pennant Odds |
NL Pennant Odds |
MLB Must-Know
Top Players in the History |
The Forgotten Champions |
Latest MLB Betting Predictions:
- New York is favored on the MLB odds with Gerrit Cole to force Game 6 against the Dodgers
- Dodgers at Yankees 2024 World Series Game 4 Odds, Preview & Expert Pick – L.A. lead 3-0
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