Now just four leagues have eight. Minor league classifications were different. Farm systems were much larger. The greatest number of farm clubs was 280 in 1948, of which 125 were owned by major league teams. Today most organizations have six farm clubs and few are owned outright.
Schedules are different, too.
In 1950 the majors started on April 18 and closed on October 1. In 2000 they closed on the same day but started on April 3 to accommodate the greater number of games and the off days for increased travel. Fifty years ago, when each minor league could pick its own opening and closing date, usually dictated by climate, most leagues opened in late April. Closing dates ranged from Labor Day to mid-September. Unsustainable Mood Baseball boomed in the immediate post-war years, as did all forms of entertainment.