Query: major leagues in the united states

Relevant passages:
1972 Major League Baseball strike <=SEP=> The 1972 Major League Baseball strike was the first players' strike in Major League Baseball history. The strike occurred from April 1, 1972 to April 13, 1972.

1981 Major League Baseball strike <=SEP=> The 1981 Major League Baseball strike was the fourth work stoppage in Major League Baseball since the 1972 Major League Baseball strike. The strike began on June 12 and forced the cancellation of 713 games (or 38 percent of the Major League schedule) in the middle of the regular season.

1985 Major League Baseball strike <=SEP=> The 1985 Major League Baseball strike was the fifth work stoppage in Major League Baseball since the 1972 Major League Baseball strike. The strike ran only two days, August 6 and 7.  The 25 games which were scheduled for those days were all made up later in the season.

1990 Major League Baseball lockout <=SEP=> The 1990 Major League Baseball lockout was the seventh work stoppage in baseball since 1972. Beginning in February, it lasted 32 days and as a result, virtually wiped out all of spring training. Also because of the lockout, Opening Day was moved back a week to April 9. In addition to this, the season had to be extended by three days in order to accommodate the normal 162-game schedule.

1994–95 Major League Baseball strike <=SEP=> The 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike was the eighth work stoppage in baseball history, as well as the fourth in-season work stoppage in 22 years. The strike began on August 12, 1994 and resulted in the remainder of that season being cancelled, including the postseason and, for the first time since 1904, the World Series. The strike was suspended on April 2, 1995 after 232 days, making it the longest such stoppage in MLB history, breaking the record set by the 1981 strike.

2010 Major League Soccer lockout/strike <=SEP=> In 2010, Major League Soccer players threatened to go on strike.The union had voted in favor of a strike if a new deal was not reached before the beginning of the season.

Al Rosen <=SEP=> Albert Leonard "Al" Rosen (February 29, 1924 – March 13, 2015), nicknamed "Flip" and "The Hebrew Hammer", was an American baseball third baseman and right-handed slugger in the Major Leagues for ten seasons in the 1940s and 1950s.After serving for four years in the U.S. Navy during World War II, Rosen played his entire ten-year career (from 1947 to 1956) with the Cleveland Indians in the American League.

Albert Pujols <=SEP=> José Alberto Pujols Alcántara (born January 16, 1980), better known as Albert Pujols (Spanish pronunciation: [ˈalβert puˈxols]), is a Dominican-American first baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball. Pujols previously played with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he received three National League (NL) MVP awards and was a nine-time MLB All-Star.Pujols was born in the Dominican Republic and moved to the United States in 1996.

American Association (20th century) <=SEP=> The American Association was a minor league baseball league at the Triple-A level of baseball in the United States from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997. Together with the International League, it contested the Junior World Series which determined the championship team in minor league baseball, at least for the eastern half of the United States. Later, its teams would also compete in the Triple-A World Series, and its players in the Triple-A All-Star Game.

American Association of Independent Professional Baseball <=SEP=> The American Association of Independent Professional Baseball, based in Durham, North Carolina, is a professional baseball league founded in 2005 and independent of Major League Baseball (MLB). It operates in the states of Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, North Dakota, South Dakota, and Texas, along with the Canadian province of Manitoba, mostly in cities not served by MLB teams or their minor league affiliates.  Miles Wolff is the league's commissioner.

American Indoor Soccer League <=SEP=> The American Indoor Soccer League was a semi-professional indoor soccer league founded in 2003 and folded in 2008.

American League <=SEP=> The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League (AL), is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major league status.

American League Central <=SEP=> The American League Central is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and  its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States. The Central is currently the only division in the Major Leagues in which all of its members have won the World Series at least once.

American League East <=SEP=> The American League East is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions (An East, Central, and West Division for each of the two leagues). This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the American League West Division. Before that time the American League had existed as a single league of 10 teams.Four of its five teams are located in the Eastern United States, with the other in Central Canada.

American Professional Soccer League <=SEP=> The American Professional Soccer League (APSL) was a professional men's soccer league with teams from the United States and later Canada. It was formed in 1990 by the merger of the third American Soccer League with the Western Soccer League.It was the first outdoor soccer league to feature teams from throughout the United States since the demise of the original North American Soccer League in 1984. Between 1990 and 1995 it was the de facto top professional soccer league in the United States.

Arizona League <=SEP=> The Arizona League is a minor league baseball league that operates in and around Phoenix, Arizona.  It is a Rookie-level league run by Major League Baseball since 1989.  Along with the Gulf Coast League, it forms the lowest rung of the minor-league system. Games are played at the spring training complexes of the team's parent organizations from mid-June until the end of August. Night games are commonly played in the spring training stadium, but this is not always the case.

Atlanta United FC <=SEP=> Atlanta United FC is a Major League Soccer expansion franchise in Atlanta, Georgia that plans to begin play in 2017. The team, which was announced by the league on April 16, 2014, will be owned and operated by Home Depot co-founder and Atlanta Falcons owner Arthur Blank, and will play in the new Mercedes-Benz Stadium, currently under construction. Following Orlando City SC, United will be the second MLS expansion team in the southeastern United States.

Bob Feller <=SEP=> Robert William Andrew Feller (November 3, 1918 – December 15, 2010), nicknamed "The Heater from Van Meter", "Bullet Bob", and "Rapid Robert", was an American baseball pitcher who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians. Feller pitched from 1936 to 1941 and from 1945 to 1956, interrupted only by a four-year sojourn in the Navy.

Bobby Convey <=SEP=> Robert Francis "Bobby" Convey (/ˈkɒnvi/; born May 27, 1983) is an American soccer player who most recently played for New York Red Bulls in Major League Soccer.In addition to several MLS clubs, Convey spent five years in England with Reading, whom he helped into the Premier League for the first time. He played in 46 international matches for the United States, and made their squads for the 2003 Gold Cup and 2006 World Cup.

Brad Guzan <=SEP=> Bradley Edwin "Brad" Guzan /ɡuːˈzæn/ (born September 9, 1984) is an American soccer player who plays as a goalkeeper for English Premier League club Aston Villa and the United States national team.

Brek Shea <=SEP=> Dane Brekken "Brek" Shea (born February 28, 1990) is an American soccer player who plays as a left back for Orlando City, and the United States national team.Shea began his career with Major League Soccer team FC Dallas after playing in the IMG Academy. He made his debut during the 2008 season and helped Dallas reach the MLS Cup Playoffs in 2010 and 2011. In January 2013, Shea joined English Premier League side Stoke City for a fee of £2.5 million.

Canadian Football League in the United States <=SEP=> The Canadian Football League (CFL), the sole major professional sports league in the United States and Canada to feature only teams from Canada, has made efforts to gain further audience in the United States, most directly through expansion into the country from 1993 to 1995.  The CFL plays Canadian football, which is somewhat different from the American football usual in the United States.The first American team, the Sacramento Gold Miners, joined in 1993.

Carlos Bocanegra <=SEP=> Carlos Manuel Bocanegra (born May 25, 1979) is a retired American professional soccer player. A two-time MLS Defender of the Year, Bocanegra also played professionally in England, Scotland, France, and Spain. He earned over 100 caps with the United States, serving as captain for six years. He currently is serving as technical director for the Atlanta MLS team that will join Major League Soccer in 2017.

Central Baseball League <=SEP=> The Central Baseball League, formerly the Texas-Louisiana League, was a minor league whose member teams were independent of any Major League Baseball affiliations.In 1991, potential owners, Dallas businessman Byron Pierce and U. S. Congressman John Bryant, became frustrated that the Texas League had no plans to expand into other Texas locations, and formed The Texas-Louisiana League. The league began play in 1994.

Chicago Brown Bombers <=SEP=> The Chicago Brown Bombers played in the Negro Major Baseball League of America and later the United States League.The Brown Bombers played in Minnesota in July, 1942 against the Twin Cities Gophers in Negro Major Baseball League of America games.  In 1945 the Brown Bombers were members of The United States League for one season before the league folded.The United States League was started by Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers (Major League Baseball) in 1945.

Chicago Cubs <=SEP=> The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball franchise located on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois.

Christy Mathewson <=SEP=> Christopher "Christy" Mathewson (August 12, 1880 – October 7, 1925), nicknamed "Big Six", "The Christian Gentleman", "Matty", or "The Gentleman's Hurler" was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who played 17 seasons with the New York Giants. He was among the most dominant pitchers of his (or any) era and ranks in the all-time top-10 in major pitching categories including wins, shutouts, and ERA.

Commissioner of Baseball <=SEP=> The Commissioner of Baseball is the chief executive of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the associated Minor League Baseball (MiLB) – a constellation of leagues and clubs known as organized baseball. Under the direction of the Commissioner, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball hires and maintains the sport's umpiring crews, and negotiates marketing, labor, and television contracts.

Continental League <=SEP=> The Continental League of Professional Baseball Clubs (known as the Continental League or CL) was a proposed third major league for baseball in the United States and Canada, announced in 1959 and scheduled to begin play in the 1961 season. Unlike predecessor competitors such as the Players League and the Federal League, it sought membership within organized baseball's existing organization and acceptance within Major League Baseball.

Dan Shannon <=SEP=> Daniel Webster "Dan" Shannon (March 23, 1865 – October 24, 1913) was an American Major League Baseball player and manager.  He began his Major League career in 1889 with the Louisville Colonels as their second baseman.  During the season, he became player-manager for a total of 56 games, of which only 10 were victories.  In 1890, he jumped to the Players League and played for the Philadelphia Athletics and the New York Giants that season.

David Beckham <=SEP=> David Robert Joseph Beckham, OBE (/ˈbɛkəm/; born 2 May 1975) is a retired English professional footballer. He played for Manchester United, Preston North End, Real Madrid, Milan, LA Galaxy, Paris Saint-Germain, and the England national team for which he holds the appearance record for an outfield player. He is the only English player to win league titles in four countries, England, Spain, the United States and France.

Earl Mack Major League All-Stars <=SEP=> The Earl Mack Major League All-Stars were a baseball team in the 1930s.  After the end of the 1934 season the team included Jimmie Foxx, Heinie Manush, Pinky Higgins, Doc Cramer, Ted Lyons and Earl Whitehill.

Expansion of Major League Soccer <=SEP=> The expansion of Major League Soccer has occurred several times since the league began play in 1996. Major League Soccer was established as the top level of professional soccer in the United States in 1993 with 10 teams and began play in 1996. It has expanded several times since 1998 into new markets across the United States, and since 2006, into Canada.MLS is currently at 20 teams, and the league plans to expand to 24 teams by 2020.

Federal League <=SEP=> The Federal League of Base Ball Clubs, known simply as the Federal League, was an American professional baseball league that played its first season in 1913 and operated as a "third major league", in competition with the established National and American Leagues, from 1914 to 1915.The Federal League came together in early 1913 through the work of John T. Powers, and immediately challenged the operations of organized baseball.

Fox Major League Baseball <=SEP=> Fox Major League Baseball (shortened to Fox MLB and also known as Major League Baseball on Fox or MLB on Fox) is the branding used for broadcasts of Major League Baseball (MLB) games produced by Fox Sports, the sports division of the Fox Broadcasting Company (Fox). The first MLB games broadcast by Fox Sports began airing on the Fox network on June 1, 1996.

Frank Robinson <=SEP=> Frank Robinson (born August 31, 1935) is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. He played for five teams from 1956 to 1976, and became the only player to win league MVP honors in both the National and American Leagues.  He won the Triple crown, was a member of two teams that won the World Series (the 1966 and 1970 Baltimore Orioles), and amassed the fourth-most career home runs at the time of his retirement (he is currently ninth).

Fraser v. Major League Soccer <=SEP=> Fraser v. Major League Soccer, 284 F.3d 47 (1st Cir. 2002), was an antitrust suit filed by eight Major League Soccer players against MLS, the league's investors, and the United States Soccer Federation. The Court found that Major League Soccer was a single entity and therefore legally incapable of conspiring with itself.

Freddy Adu <=SEP=> Fredua Koranteng "Freddy" Adu (born June 2, 1989) is an American soccer player who plays for Tampa Bay Rowdies of the North American Soccer League. Adu plays primarily as an attacking midfielder, but he is also used as a winger or forward.At the age of 14, he became the youngest athlete ever to sign a professional contract in the United States, after he was selected by D.C. United in the 2004 MLS SuperDraft on January 16, 2004.

Gulf States League <=SEP=> The Gulf States League was a Class A American minor baseball league that existed for one season — 1976 — and was based in the American states of Texas and Louisiana. Although its teams were not affiliated with any Major League Baseball farm systems, the GSL was an "official" minor circuit and a member of the National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues.

History of Major League Soccer <=SEP=> The History of Major League Soccer began in 1988, when the United States Soccer Federation pledged to create a Division 1 professional soccer league as a condition to FIFA awarding the 1994 FIFA World Cup to the United States.  Major League Soccer was officially formed in 1995. The league began play in 1996 with 10 teams, and in 1998 grew to 12 teams.

History of baseball in the United States <=SEP=> The history of baseball in the United States can be traced to the 18th century, when amateurs played a baseball-like game by their own informal rules using improvised equipment. The popularity of the sport inspired the semipro national baseball clubs in the 1860s.

Jackie Moore (baseball) <=SEP=> Jackie Spencer Moore (born February 19, 1939) is a former Major League Baseball catcher, coach and manager. He spent all or parts of 12 years over five separate terms as a Texas Rangers coach, and 32 years in all as a coach for eight different MLB teams. Moore managed in the Majors for the Oakland Athletics (1984–86), and played part of one season with the Detroit Tigers as a third-string catcher in 1965.

Jackie Robinson <=SEP=> Jack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson (January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) second baseman who became the first African American to play in the major leagues in the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when the Brooklyn Dodgers started him at first base on April 15, 1947. The Dodgers, by playing Robinson, ended racial segregation that had relegated black players to the Negro leagues since the 1880s.

Jeff Agoos <=SEP=> Jeffrey Alan "Jeff" Agoos (born May 2, 1968) is a retired Swiss-born American soccer defender, and one of the all-time appearance leaders for the United States national team. Agoos served as the Sporting Director for New York Red Bulls and currently is the Vice President of Competition for Major League Soccer.Agoos won a record five MLS championships: three with D.C. United and two with the San Jose Earthquakes. He also won the 1996 U.S. Open Cup and was the 2001 MLS Defender of the Year.

Jerry Coleman <=SEP=> For the radio disc jockey from Lubbock, Texas, see Jerry "Bo" Coleman.Gerald Francis "Jerry" Coleman (September 14, 1924 – January 5, 2014) was a Major League Baseball (MLB) second baseman for the New York Yankees and manager of the San Diego Padres for one year. Coleman was named the rookie of the year in 1949 by Associated Press, and was an All-Star in 1950 and later that year was named the World Series most valuable player.

Jim Bunning <=SEP=> James Paul David "Jim" Bunning (born October 23, 1931) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher and politician.During his baseball career, he pitched from 1955 to 1971, most notably with the Detroit Tigers and the Philadelphia Phillies. In 1959, the right-hander struck out the side, throwing the minimum nine pitches as a reliever in the top of the ninth inning of Detroit's 5–4 loss to Boston at Briggs Stadium.

Junior ice hockey <=SEP=> Junior hockey is ice hockey competition generally for players between 16 and 20 years of age. Junior hockey leagues in the United States and Canada are considered amateur (with some exceptions) and operate within regions of each country.In Canada, the highest level is major junior, and is governed by the Canadian Hockey League, which itself has three constituent leagues: the Ontario Hockey League, Quebec Major Junior Hockey League and the Western Hockey League.

Klondike Douglass <=SEP=> William Bingham "Klondike" Douglass (May 10, 1872 – December 13, 1953) was an American Major League Baseball player born in Boston, Pennsylvania, who split his time between first base, and at catcher for the St. Louis Browns and the Philadelphia Phillies from 1896 to 1904.  A good hitter, he had a career batting average of .274, including a high of .329 in 1897.

Landon Donovan <=SEP=> Landon Timothy Donovan (born March 4, 1982) is an American retired professional soccer player. A member of the inaugural class of the U.S. Soccer residency program in Bradenton, Florida, Donovan was declared player of the tournament for his role in the United States U17 squad that finished fourth in the 1999 FIFA U-17 World Championship. Donovan later signed with the German team Bayer Leverkusen.

List of American and Canadian cities by number of major professional sports franchises <=SEP=> This is a list of metropolitan areas in the United States and Canada categorized by the number of professional sports franchises in their metropolitan areas.

List of American and Canadian soccer champions <=SEP=> Despite each receiving FIFA-affiliated status in 1913, both the United States and Canada have lacked a consistent, multi-division soccer system until recently. Consequently, the determination of champions has been problematic at times. The United States did not have a truly national league until the North American Soccer League in the late 1960s. Before that, there were several regional and city leagues of various levels of quality.

List of D.C. United seasons <=SEP=> D.C. United is an American professional soccer club based in Washington, D.C. that competes in Major League Soccer (MLS), the top tier professional soccer league in the United States of America and Canada. It is one of the ten charter clubs of MLS, having competed in the league since its inception, in 1996. Over the club's history, D.C. United has been considered to be the flagship franchise of MLS winning 13 international and domestic titles. Domestically, United has won the U.S.

List of Major League Baseball All-Star Game venues <=SEP=> The first All-Star Game was held as part of the 1933 World's Fair in Chicago, Illinois, at Comiskey Park and was the brainchild of Arch Ward, then sports editor for the Chicago Tribune. Initially intended to be a one-time event, its great success resulted in making the game an annual one. Ward's contribution was recognized by Major League Baseball in 1962 with the creation of the "Arch Ward Trophy," given to the All-Star Game's most valuable player each year.

List of Major League Baseball players from the United States Virgin Islands <=SEP=> This is a chronological list of baseball players from the United States Virgin Islands who played in Major League Baseball between 1959 and 2008.Joe Christopher (1959–1966)Al McBean (1961–1970)Elmo Plaskett (1962–1963)Horace Clarke (1965–1974)Elrod Hendricks (1968–1979)José Morales (1973–1984)Henry Cruz (1975–1978)Jerry Browne (1986–1995)Midre Cummings (1993–2005)Calvin Pickering (1998–2005)Callix Crabbe (2008)Akeel Morris (2015-)

List of Major League Soccer seasons <=SEP=> Major League Soccer is the premier professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. As of 2012, it consists of 19 teams: 16 in the United States and 3 in Canada. The league has played since 1996. Each year, it plays a league which determines entry into the playoffs. The league is divided into two conferences, the Eastern Conference and Western Conference. In 2000 and 2001, there was also a Central Conference.

List of Major League Soccer stadiums <=SEP=> Major League Soccer (MLS) is the premier professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. The league has 20 teams in 20 stadiums as of the 2015 season: 17 in the United States and 3 in Canada. At the time of the league's inauguration in 1996, MLS teams used multi-purpose stadiums, often shared with National Football League (NFL) or college football teams. Because of lower attendance, these stadiums had parts tarped off to artificially reduce capacity.

List of baseball players who went directly to Major League Baseball <=SEP=> This is a list of baseball players who went directly to the major leagues.

List of lieutenant governors of Missouri <=SEP=> The lieutenant governor of Missouri is the first person in the order of succession of Missouri's executive branch, thus serving as governor in the event of the death, resignation, removal, impeachment, absence from the state, or incapacity due to illness of the governor of Missouri. The Lt. Governor is elected separately and can be of a different party than the governor.

List of years in the United States <=SEP=> This is a list of years in the United States.

Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–92) <=SEP=> For usages of the name, see Major Indoor Soccer League.The Major Indoor Soccer League, known in its final two seasons as the Major Soccer League, was an indoor soccer league in the USA from fall 1978 to spring 1992. After the folding of the North American Soccer League (NASL) in 1984, the MISL was the Division I soccer league for the United States.The MISL was one of the few "non-major" (NFL, NBA, MLB, NHL) leagues to actually have a video game of its sport created.

Major Indoor Soccer League (2001–08) <=SEP=> The Major Indoor Soccer League  was the top professional indoor soccer league in the USA. The league was a member of both the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA. The MISL had replaced the NPSL which folded in 2001. According to MISL.net, the league ceased operations as of May 31, 2008.

Major Indoor Soccer League (2008–14) <=SEP=> The Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), formerly known as the National Indoor Soccer League, was a professional indoor soccer league which began play in 2008. It was the third league to be known as the Major Indoor Soccer League after the MISL I and MISL II. The MISL name is arguably the most recognizable name in indoor soccer due to its history dating back to 1978. The league name and assets are currently owned by the United Soccer Leagues.

Major League Baseball <=SEP=> Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization that is the oldest of the four major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada. A total of 30 teams now play in the American League (AL) and National League (NL), with 15 teams in each league. The AL and NL operated as separate legal entities from 1901 and 1876 respectively. In 2000, the leagues merged into a single organization led by the Commissioner of Baseball.

Major League Baseball All-Century Team <=SEP=> In 1999, the Major League Baseball All-Century Team was chosen by popular vote of fans. To select the team, a panel of experts first compiled a list of the 100 greatest Major League Baseball players from the past century. Over two million fans then voted on the players using paper and online ballots.The top two vote-getters from each position, except outfielders (nine), and the top six pitchers were placed on the team.

Major League Baseball All-Star Game <=SEP=> The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual professional baseball game sanctioned by Major League Baseball (MLB) contested between players from the American League (AL) and the National League (NL), currently selected by fans for starting fielders, by managers for pitchers, and by managers and players for reserves.The game usually occurs on either the second or third Tuesday in July, and is meant to mark a symbolic halfway-point in the MLB season (though not the mathematical halfway-point which, for most seasons, is usually found within the previous calendar week). @en <http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Major_League_Baseball_All-Star_Game?oldid=682124197> .
<http://dbpedia.org/resource/Oscar_Levant> <http://www.w3.org/2000/01/rdf-schema#comment> Oscar Levant (December 27, 1906 – August 14, 1972) was an American pianist, composer, author, comedian, and actor. He was as famous for his mordant character and witticisms, on the radio and in movies and television, as for his music.

Major League Baseball Players Association <=SEP=> The Major League Baseball Players Association (or MLBPA) is the union of professional major-league baseball players.

Major League Baseball television contracts <=SEP=> The following is a detailed description of the various television networks (both broadcast and cable), rights fees, and announcers who have called Major League Baseball games throughout the years (from the late 1930s through the present).

Major League Cricket <=SEP=> Major League Cricket, or MLC, is a New York based company dedicated to running a  professional cricket competition within the United States, as well as developing and promoting the sport to raise its profile in North America.

Major League Hacking <=SEP=> Major League Hacking (MLH) is a collegiate hackathon league. MLH sanctions, sponsors, and promotes student hackathons in the United States, Mexico, Canada, and the United Kingdom.

Major League Lacrosse <=SEP=> Major League Lacrosse (MLL) is a professional men's field lacrosse league consisting of nine teams in the United States.  Founded in 1999, the league's inaugural season was in 2001. MLL averaged 6,356 spectators per game during the 2013 season.

Major League Roller Hockey <=SEP=> Major League Roller Hockey (MLRH) is a limited liability company which operates multiple inline hockey leagues and tournaments.

Major League Soccer <=SEP=> Major League Soccer (MLS) is a professional soccer league, sanctioned by U.S. Soccer, that represents the sport's highest level in both the United States and Canada. MLS constitutes one of the major professional sports leagues of the United States and Canada. The league is composed of 20 teams—17 in the U.S. and 3 in Canada. The MLS regular season runs from March to October, with each team playing 34 games; the team with the best record is awarded the Supporters' Shield.

Major League Soccer Players Union <=SEP=> The Major League Soccer Players Union, also referred to as MLS Players Union or MLSPU, is the union of professional Major League Soccer players.  The Players Union serves as the exclusive collective bargaining representative for all current players in MLS.

Major League Soccer attendance <=SEP=> Major League Soccer is the premier professional soccer league in the United States and Canada. Founded in 1996, the 2014 season saw an average 19,151 spectators between the 19 teams, the highest average attendance in league history. MLS has the third-highest average attendance among U.S.-based major professional sports leagues — higher than professional basketball (NBA) or ice hockey (NHL), and behind only football (NFL) and baseball (MLB). MLS attendance has grown since the early 2000s.

Major League Ultimate <=SEP=> Major League Ultimate (MLU) is one of two semi-professional Ultimate leagues in North America, the other being the American Ultimate Disc League.  It is composed of 8 member clubs: 7 in the United States and 1 in Canada. It was formed in 2012, and began its inaugural season in April 2013. The season concludes with a championship game, the most recent champion being the Boston Whitecaps in 2015.

Major Leagues (EP) <=SEP=> Major Leagues EP is Pavement's final EP, although two more singles were released afterwards. It features seven tracks in total: A radio edit of the Terror Twilight version of "Major Leagues." Two "Spiral Stairs" songs: "Your Time to Change," and "Stub Your Toe," which were recorded by Pavement's original drummer, Gary Young (lead singer Stephen Malkmus most likely did not attend these sessions due to his feud with Young). A demo of "Major Leagues" recorded alone by Malkmus.

Major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada <=SEP=> The major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada are the highest professional competitions of team sports in the United States and Canada. The four leagues universally included in the definition are Major League Baseball (MLB), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Football League (NFL), and the National Hockey League (NHL).

Major professional sports teams of the United States and Canada <=SEP=> The following is a list of teams that play in one of the six major sports leagues in the United States and Canada: the Canadian Football League (CFL), Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Football League (NFL), and the National Hockey League (NHL).

Major women's sport leagues in North America <=SEP=> Major women's sport leagues in North America  (or simply in the United States and in Canada) represent the top level competitions of women's team sports. The two most prominent women's leagues in North America (in terms of television and overall media coverage) are the Women's National Basketball Association and the National Women's Soccer League.

Manny Ramirez <=SEP=> Manuel Arístides "Manny" Ramírez Onelcida (born May 30, 1972) is a Dominican-American professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for parts of 19 seasons. He played with the Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, and Tampa Bay Rays before playing one season in the Chinese Professional Baseball League. Ramirez is recognized for having had great batting skill and power.

Maurice Edu <=SEP=> Edu Maurice Edu, Jr. (born April 18, 1986) is an American soccer player who plays for the Philadelphia Union.A highly touted prospect, Edu was the first overall pick in the 2007 MLS SuperDraft and won the MLS Rookie of the Year Award with Toronto FC. His performances for Toronto earned him international call ups to the United States national team and the attention of clubs in Europe. He signed with Scottish powers Rangers, winning the Scottish Premier League three times.

Minor League Baseball <=SEP=> Minor League Baseball is a hierarchy of professional baseball leagues in the Americas that compete at levels below Major League Baseball (MLB) and provide opportunities for player development and a way to prepare for the major leagues. All of the minor leagues are operated as independent businesses. Most are members of the umbrella organization known as Minor League Baseball (MiLB), which operates under the Commissioner of Baseball within the scope of organized baseball.

National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum <=SEP=> The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, and operated by private interests. It serves as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, displays baseball-related artifacts and exhibits, and honors those who have excelled in playing, managing, and serving the sport.

National Hockey League <=SEP=> The National Hockey League (NHL; French: Ligue nationale de hockey—LNH) is a professional ice hockey league composed of 30 member clubs: 23 in the United States and 7 in Canada. Headquartered in New York City, the NHL is widely considered to be the premier professional ice hockey league in the world, and one of the major professional sports leagues in the United States and Canada.

National Lacrosse League <=SEP=> The National Lacrosse League (NLL) is a men's professional box lacrosse league in North America. It currently has 9 teams with 5 in the United States and 4 in Canada. Unlike other lacrosse leagues which play in the summer, the NLL plays its games in the winter and spring. Each year, the playoff teams battle for the Champion's Cup. The NLL has averaged between 9,400 and 10,700 spectators per game each year since 2004.

National League Central <=SEP=> The National League Central is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. This division was created in 1994, by moving two teams from the National League West (the Cincinnati Reds and the Houston Astros) and three teams from the National League East (the Chicago Cubs, the Pittsburgh Pirates, and the St. Louis Cardinals).When the division was created in 1994, the Pirates were originally supposed to stay in the East while the Atlanta Braves were to be moved to the Central from the West.

National League West <=SEP=> The National League West is one of the three divisions of the National League of Major League Baseball in North America (including Canada). This Division was formed for the 1969 season when the National League expanded to 12 teams by adding the San Diego Padres and the Montreal Expos. For purpose of keeping a regular-season of 162 games, half of the teams were put into the new East Division and half into the new West Division.

National Sales Center <=SEP=> The Major League Soccer's National Sales Center (NSC) is a ticket sales training program in Blaine, Minnesota.  The NSC began in 2010, and was the first ticket sales training program operated by a professional sports league in the United States.

Negro Southern League <=SEP=> The Negro Southern League, also referred to as the Southern Negro League, was a Negro baseball league organized in 1920 that lasted into the 1940s.  Negro leagues in Southern United States were far less organized and lucrative than those in the north due to Jim Crow laws. Tom Wilson organized the Negro Southern League in 1920.For most of its existence, the NSL was considered a minor league.

Negro league baseball <=SEP=> The Negro leagues were United States professional baseball leagues comprising teams predominantly made up of African Americans and, to a lesser extent, Latin Americans. The term may be used broadly to include professional black teams outside the leagues and it may be used narrowly for the seven relatively successful leagues beginning in 1920 that are sometimes termed "Negro Major Leagues".In 1885 the Cuban Giants formed the first black professional baseball team.

New York Liberties <=SEP=> The New York Liberties were one of six teams in the Major League Volleyball franchise.  The league began in 1987 and ended short of completing a full season in 1989.  Players consisted of former collegiate All Americans and Olympians.

North American Lacrosse League <=SEP=> The North American Lacrosse League (NALL) was a professional indoor lacrosse league based in the United States. It was founded in 2011 as North America's fourth professional lacrosse league, after American Lacrosse League (field lacrosse, 1987) Major League Lacrosse (a field lacrosse league) and the National Lacrosse League (the established professional indoor lacrosse organization).

North American Soccer League <=SEP=> The North American Soccer League (NASL) is a professional men's soccer league with 11 teams — nine in the United States and two in Canada. It is sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation (U.S. Soccer) as the Division II league in the American league system, under Major League Soccer (MLS) and above the USL (formerly, USL Pro). It is headquartered in New York City.The league is named for, but has no connection to, the original North American Soccer League.

North Coast Soccer League <=SEP=> The North Coast Soccer League (NCSL) is a soccer league in northern Ohio recognized by the Ohio Soccer Association North (OSA-N), the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), the United States Soccer Federation and FIFA as a Division V league. The league is affiliated to the United States Adult Soccer Association and teams qualify for the U.S. Open Cup through USASA channels.

Oakland Athletics <=SEP=> The Oakland Athletics (often abbreviated to Oakland A′s) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member club of the West division of the American League (AL) in Major League Baseball (MLB). The club plays its home games at O.co Coliseum.

Opening Day <=SEP=> Opening Day is the day on which professional baseball leagues begin their regular season. For Major League Baseball and most of the minor leagues, this day typically falls during the first week of April. For baseball fans, Opening Day serves as a symbol of rebirth; writer Thomas Boswell once penned a book titled, Why Time Begins on Opening Day.

Outline of the United States <=SEP=> The following outline is provided as an overview of and topical guide to the United States of America:

Pittsburgh drug trials <=SEP=> The Pittsburgh drug trials of 1985 were the catalyst for a Major League Baseball-related cocaine scandal. Several current and former members of the Pittsburgh Pirates — Dale Berra, Lee Lacy, Lee Mazzilli, John Milner, Dave Parker, and Rod Scurry — and other notable major league players — Willie Mays Aikens, Vida Blue, Enos Cabell, Keith Hernandez, Jeffrey Leonard, Tim Raines, and Lonnie Smith — were called before a Pittsburgh grand jury.

Preki <=SEP=> Predrag Radosavljević (Serbian Cyrillic: Предраг Радосављевић), better known by the nickname Preki (/ˈprɛki/; born June 24, 1963), is a Serbian American former international association football player who most recently served as head coach of Sacramento Republic FC in the United Soccer League, having previously coached in Major League Soccer with Toronto FC and Chivas USA.During his playing career he played for English clubs Everton and Portsmouth, and was an 'MLS original' upon the formation of Major League Soccer in 1996, playing for the Kansas City Wizards (now known as Sporting Kansas City) and Miami Fusion.

Professional Referee Organization <=SEP=> Professional Referee Organization (PRO) is the organization responsible for managing the referee and assistant referee program in professional soccer leagues in the United States and Canada, working alongside the United States Soccer Federation, Major League Soccer, Canadian Soccer Association, the North American Soccer League, the United Soccer League, the National Women's Soccer League and the Lamar Hunt U.S.

Robbie Keane <=SEP=> Robert David "Robbie" Keane (born 8 July 1980) is an Irish professional footballer who plays as a striker and is captain of both Los Angeles Galaxy and the Republic of Ireland national team.Keane has scored a total of 67 goals for the Irish national team since his debut in 1998, making him the all-time record Irish scorer, while his 142 caps makes him their highest appearance-maker.

Robbie Rogers <=SEP=> Robert Hampton "Robbie" Rogers (born May 12, 1987) is an American professional soccer player who plays for LA Galaxy in Major League Soccer. He plays as a winger and as a left back. Rogers has also represented the United States men's national soccer team. In February 2013, Rogers came out as gay, becoming the second male footballer in Britain to do so after Justin Fashanu in 1990.

Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium <=SEP=> Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium (originally District of Columbia Stadium (D.C. Stadium), commonly RFK Stadium or RFK) is a multi-purpose stadium, located near the Anacostia River in Washington, D.C., United States, and the current home of Major League Soccer team D.C.

Roberto Clemente <=SEP=> Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker  (August 18, 1934 – December 31, 1972) was a Puerto Rican professional baseball player. Clemente spent eighteen Major League Baseball (MLB) seasons playing in the National League (NL) as a right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Clemente wore number 21 (later retired by the Pirates) representing the number of letters in his full name, Roberto Clemente Walker.

Roy Wegerle <=SEP=> Roy Wegerle (born March 19, 1964 in Pretoria) is a South African-born American former professional soccer player and current professional golfer.As a player he was a striker from 1984 until 1998. He notably played in the Premier League for Queens Park Rangers, Blackburn Rovers and Coventry City, as well as also playing in the Football League for Chelsea, Swindon Town and Luton Town. He made appearances in his native United States for Tampa Bay Rowdies, Tacoma Stars, Colorado Rapids, D.C.

Soccer in the United States <=SEP=> Soccer in the United States is governed by the United States Soccer Federation, commonly known as U.S. Soccer. The organization governs most levels of soccer in the country, including the national teams, professional leagues, and the amateur game with the exception of college and high school soccer.  With over 13 million Americans playing soccer in the United States, soccer is the third most played team sport in the U.S., behind only basketball and baseball/softball.

Southeastern League <=SEP=> The Southeastern League was the name of three baseball circuits in minor league baseball which operated in the Southeastern and South Central United States.  Two of these leagues were associated with organized baseball; the third and most recent incarnation was an independent league that operated for two seasons in 2002-03.

Sports in the United States <=SEP=> Sports in the United States are an important part of the country's culture.

Ted Breitenstein <=SEP=> Theodore P. "Ted" Breitenstein (June 1, 1869 – May 3, 1935) was an American Major League Baseball player from St. Louis, Missouri who pitched from 1891 to 1901 for the St. Louis Browns/Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds. He is most known today for throwing a no-hitter in his first Major League start.

Ted Williams <=SEP=> Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams (August 30, 1918 – July 5, 2002) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) left fielder, and later manager. Williams played his entire 19-year major league career for the Boston Red Sox from 1939–1942 and 1946–1960.

The Baseball Network <=SEP=> The Baseball Network was a short-lived television broadcasting joint venture between ABC, NBC and Major League Baseball. Under the arrangement, beginning in the 1994 season, the league produced its own in-house telecasts of games, which were then brokered to air on ABC and NBC.

The Star-Spangled Banner <=SEP=> "The Star-Spangled Banner" is the national anthem of the United States of America.

Tony Oliva <=SEP=> Tony Pedro Oliva (born Antonio Oliva Lopez Hernandes Javique on July 20, 1938) is a former Major League Baseball (MLB) right fielder and designated hitter. A star of the first magnitude during baseball's "second deadball era", he spent his entire 15-year baseball career playing for the Minnesota Twins from 1962 through 1976.Oliva was the 1964 American League Rookie of the Year.

Tony Resch <=SEP=> Tony Resch is a retired lacrosse player, and current field and box lacrosse head coach. He is the former head coach of the Philadelphia Wings of the National Lacrosse League from 1994 to 2001, and led the Wings to four Championships. Resch was named to the NLL Hall of Fame in 2008. Resch returned to coaching as the head coach of the Philadelphia Barrage of Major League Lacrosse.

Ty Cobb <=SEP=> Tyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb (December 18, 1886 – July 17, 1961), nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder. He was born in rural Narrows, Georgia. Cobb spent 22 seasons with the Detroit Tigers, the last six as the team's player-manager, and finished his career with the Philadelphia Athletics. In 1936 Cobb received the most votes of any player on the inaugural Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, receiving 222 out of a possible 226 votes.

U.S. cities with teams from four major league sports <=SEP=> There are 12 U.S.

U.S. states without major sports teams <=SEP=> There are currently 24 U.S. states without major sports teams, when major league sports are defined as Major League Baseball (MLB), Major League Soccer (MLS), the National Basketball Association (NBA), the National Football League (NFL), and the National Hockey League (NHL).

USL First Division <=SEP=> The United Soccer Leagues First Division (usually referred to as USL-1) was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.During its existence, it formed the second tier of soccer in the United States and Canada league pyramid behind Major League Soccer.

USL Second Division <=SEP=> The United Soccer Leagues Second Division (commonly referred to as USL-2) was a professional men's soccer league in the United States, part of the United Soccer Leagues (USL) league pyramid. It was at the third tier of soccer in the United States, behind Major League Soccer (top division) and the USL First Division (second division), and one step up from the USL Premier Development League and the other leagues at Level 4.

Union Association <=SEP=> The Union Association was a league in Major League Baseball which lasted for only one season in 1884. St. Louis won the pennant and joined the National League the following season. Chicago moved to Pittsburgh in late August, and four teams folded during the season and were replaced.Although the league is conventionally listed as a major league, this status has been questioned by a number of modern baseball historians, most notably Bill James in The Bill James Historical Baseball Abstract.

United Soccer League <=SEP=> The United Soccer League (USL), formerly known as USL Pro, is a professional men's soccer league in the United States and Canada that began its inaugural season in 2011. USL is sanctioned as a Division III Professional League by United States Soccer Federation (U.S.

United Soccer Leagues <=SEP=> The United Soccer Leagues (USL) is the organizer of several soccer leagues with teams in the United States, Canada and the Caribbean. It includes men's and women's leagues, both professional and amateur. Leagues currently organized are the United Soccer League, the USL Premier Development League, the women's W-League and W-20 League and youth Super Y-League and Super-20 League.

United States soccer league system <=SEP=> The United States soccer league system, sometimes called the American soccer pyramid, is a series of professional and amateur association football leagues based, in whole or in part, in the United States. For practical and historical reasons, some teams from Antigua and Barbuda, Bermuda, Canada, and Puerto Rico (considered a separate country by FIFA) also compete in these leagues, although they are not eligible for the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, which is open only to teams affiliated with U.S.

Women's League Soccer <=SEP=> The Women's League Soccer (WLS) is a regional women's football (soccer) league in the United States that was created in 2010 and will kick off its first season 2011. The league is in the process of being sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation.Contrasting significantly from other soccer leagues in the U.S., WLS intends to be an open entry, promotion and relegation competition. The league observes all FIFA standards, rules, player transfer windows and international calendar.

World Series <=SEP=> The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB) in North America, contested since 1903 between the American League (AL) champion team and the National League (NL) champion. Prior to 1969, the team with the best win-loss record in each league automatically advanced to the World Series; since then each league has conducted a championship series (ALCS and NLCS) preceding the World Series to determine which teams will advance.

World Umpires Association <=SEP=> The World Umpires Association (WUA) is an organization of Major League Baseball (MLB) umpires. It was certified by the National Labor Relations Board on February 24, 2000 as a bargaining agent. It took over as bargaining agent for MLB umpires before the 2000 MLB season, replacing the Major League Umpires Association (MLUA), which dated back to 1970.