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What is the American League?

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The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica
Encyclopaedia Britannica's editors oversee subject areas in which they have extensive knowledge, whether from years of experience gained by working on that content or via study for an advanced degree....
The Editors of Encyclopaedia Britannica

The American League is one of the two associations of professional baseball teams in the United States and Canada that constitute Major League Baseball. It was founded as a minor league association in 1893 and was initially called the Western League. The Western League changed its name to the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs after the 1899 season, declared itself a major league in 1901 (the year now recognized as the league’s first official season), and was granted equal status by the older National League in 1903. Beginning in 1903 the champions of the American and National leagues have engaged in a World Series contest, held annually except in 1904 and 1994, to decide the championship of MLB.