OOTP Developments Forums - View Single Post - Angels in the Southland (Los Angeles baseball)

Sctvman · 03-28-2025, 12:55 PM

The announcement of possible expansion (at the 1946 Winter Meetings) has placated cities wanting to become big league.

The American League has wanted to expand the pie and become a ten team league, and will do so for the 1948 season. After that, the National League could expand for the 1949 season.

All expansion requires an unanimous vote of the other 8 American League teams, or the 8 in the National League.

The vote will be announced June 12 in New York.

More than 15 cities have expressed interest in expansion teams. 33 of the 34 metropolitan districts in the US (all but Scranton-Wilkes Barre) have expanded population since 1940.

The cities which are interested in the expansion range from obvious choices such as Los Angeles and San Francisco to places like Memphis and Seattle who just want to gauge interest for a possibility later on. Each team will cost about $1.2 million. With as many as four cities being picked, this expansion could have impact for decades. I will go over the cities and analyze their chances.

Expected favorites

Los Angeles

1947 civilian population: 3,916,875

The City of Angels has been looked at as a possible Major League city for years now. There have been several false starts. The St. Louis Browns came within a day of moving there, but the start of World War II six years ago scuttled that.

Still, with a fast growing population, Hollywood + television, and the chance to tap into the largest market on the West Coast and the 3rd largest in the country, it looks to be an odds-on favorite. A problem is the two Pacific Coast League teams in the area (the Angels and Hollywood) which would likely have to move, which could cause a lot of issues with that league, who wants to be a 3rd major league. There is also a question on where the team would play. The cavernous LA Coliseum looks to be the only major league quality ballpark.

San Francisco

1947 population: 1,989,891

Being what Los Angeles is for northern California, a well-supported sports city with a lot of corporate money, plus many of the same benefits as Los Angeles, the Bay Area looks like a very good option to pair with Los Angeles in the same league, creating an instant rivalry.

The Bay Area is also a cosmopolitan region that would quickly adopt a team with its large, growing population. There is the same problem with the PCL as in Los Angeles, but Oakland would keep its PCL team.

Contenders

Baltimore

1947 population: 1,306,040

Baltimore has already proved itself as a city which will support almost any sports team, no matter what level. The AAA Orioles got crowds north of 50,000 for Little World Series games a couple of seasons ago, outdrawing the all St. Louis World Series. Baltimore is virgin pro sports territory, with well over a million people, but due to Washington being so close, they haven't had a Major League team since the early 1900s.

The Senators might look to be an obstacle to this because of Baltimore possibly cutting into their ticket and media revenue.

Kansas City

1947 population: about 800,000

Kansas City's population is understated, because of its position as a transportation hub for the Midwest and the gateway to the West. They also have a large stadium near downtown which can be expanded to Major League specifications and a AAA Yankees farm team which draws very well.

The Cardinals though might have an issue with a team here because of being in the same state as sharing some of the same territory.

Milwaukee

1947 population: about 850,000

The Brew City has had a legacy in baseball almost since the sport started, dating back to before 1900 with the Brewers. Much like the Green Bay Packers a couple hours up the road, the entire state of Wisconsin would support a baseball team in Milwaukee.

A problem is the only stadium that is large enough in Milwaukee is just 13,000 seats (Borchert Field). That could be a problem even for just a year as a temporary stadium.

Montreal

1947 population: 1,300,000

This is a definite option if MLB wants to expand into Canada for its first entry. Montreal is the major city in the country, and bringing a team here would bring a whole new market, possibly the entire nation of Canada into the fold. They also support the Dodgers AAA farm, where Jackie Robinson played last year before his entrance onto the Dodgers this year breaking the color barrier. An issue may be the difference in Canadian money and trying to find a large enough facility.

Minneapolis-St. Paul

1947 population: 1,006,278

Another virgin market, the Twin Cities has a well-educated population which would support a major league team very well. It would also have no competition except for University of Minnesota sports and hockey + pro basketball. One issue: where do you place the stadium? In Minneapolis or St. Paul. That is the big question.

Toronto

1947 population: 1,010,000

Being Canada's 2nd market, Toronto has a lot of growth potential on Lake Ontario. They also have a history of well-supported teams in the CFL and with the Maple Leafs in the NHL. But the winds blow cold off the lake in April and May. The minor league baseball team in Toronto is also not as well supported as in other nearby cities.

Buffalo

1947 population: 1,035,000

Toronto's neighbor city to the south along Lake Ontario also has a pretty good case for a MLB team. Its Bills are well supported, along with the minor league Bisons.

Long shots

New Orleans

1947 population: 601,608

New Orleans, the major city in the South, would bring a completely different vibe into the sport as the first professional team in the South. It is probably the city in the region best prepared for pro sports, but its limited population might be a deterrent, along with the segregation laws.

Houston

1947 population: 760,000

Houston, the hub of the oil industry in Texas, has been incredibly fast-growing since the war ended. The city has possible owners with deep pockets which could perhaps swing a few of the undecideds their way. But the city's hot/humid summer weather may be a deterrent.

Dallas and Fort Worth

1947 population: 930,000

The Metroplex of Dallas and Fort Worth, mostly separated during this time, could go after a team. A problem is would people drive to downtown Dallas from Fort Worth or vice versa? Or would a stadium be built in the middle between the two cities.

Denver

1947 population: 471,460

Denver, as the major city in the Mountain West, definitely has an interest in becoming a big league city, but its small size of under 500,000 might make things tough for attendance in mid-week games in this city.

Northern New Jersey

1947 population: 3,433,586

Northern New Jersey (Newark, Jersey City, and neighboring cities) has a larger population than any city on the list other than Los Angeles. The problem is there are already so many teams nearby, with the 3 New York teams plus 2 in Philadelphia. There would be a lot of territorial fees to pay.

Seattle

1947 population: 602,910

Being out there in the Pacific Northwest far away from any other population centers, Seattle is mostly using this as a feeler for possible interest for possible teams moving from other cities.

Louisville

1947 population: 550,000

Louisville, being further north than other Southern cities, has looked like an interesting possibility for a team, but it might be hemmed in market area by Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis teams.

03-28-2025, 12:55 PM	#5
Sctvman Major Leagues Join Date: Apr 2018 Posts: 402	Announcement of expansion! The announcement of possible expansion (at the 1946 Winter Meetings) has placated cities wanting to become big league. The American League has wanted to expand the pie and become a ten team league, and will do so for the 1948 season. After that, the National League could expand for the 1949 season. All expansion requires an unanimous vote of the other 8 American League teams, or the 8 in the National League. The vote will be announced June 12 in New York. More than 15 cities have expressed interest in expansion teams. 33 of the 34 metropolitan districts in the US (all but Scranton-Wilkes Barre) have expanded population since 1940. The cities which are interested in the expansion range from obvious choices such as Los Angeles and San Francisco to places like Memphis and Seattle who just want to gauge interest for a possibility later on. Each team will cost about $1.2 million. With as many as four cities being picked, this expansion could have impact for decades. I will go over the cities and analyze their chances. Expected favorites Los Angeles 1947 civilian population: 3,916,875 The City of Angels has been looked at as a possible Major League city for years now. There have been several false starts. The St. Louis Browns came within a day of moving there, but the start of World War II six years ago scuttled that. Still, with a fast growing population, Hollywood + television, and the chance to tap into the largest market on the West Coast and the 3rd largest in the country, it looks to be an odds-on favorite. A problem is the two Pacific Coast League teams in the area (the Angels and Hollywood) which would likely have to move, which could cause a lot of issues with that league, who wants to be a 3rd major league. There is also a question on where the team would play. The cavernous LA Coliseum looks to be the only major league quality ballpark. San Francisco 1947 population: 1,989,891 Being what Los Angeles is for northern California, a well-supported sports city with a lot of corporate money, plus many of the same benefits as Los Angeles, the Bay Area looks like a very good option to pair with Los Angeles in the same league, creating an instant rivalry. The Bay Area is also a cosmopolitan region that would quickly adopt a team with its large, growing population. There is the same problem with the PCL as in Los Angeles, but Oakland would keep its PCL team. Contenders Baltimore 1947 population: 1,306,040 Baltimore has already proved itself as a city which will support almost any sports team, no matter what level. The AAA Orioles got crowds north of 50,000 for Little World Series games a couple of seasons ago, outdrawing the all St. Louis World Series. Baltimore is virgin pro sports territory, with well over a million people, but due to Washington being so close, they haven't had a Major League team since the early 1900s. The Senators might look to be an obstacle to this because of Baltimore possibly cutting into their ticket and media revenue. Kansas City 1947 population: about 800,000 Kansas City's population is understated, because of its position as a transportation hub for the Midwest and the gateway to the West. They also have a large stadium near downtown which can be expanded to Major League specifications and a AAA Yankees farm team which draws very well. The Cardinals though might have an issue with a team here because of being in the same state as sharing some of the same territory. Milwaukee 1947 population: about 850,000 The Brew City has had a legacy in baseball almost since the sport started, dating back to before 1900 with the Brewers. Much like the Green Bay Packers a couple hours up the road, the entire state of Wisconsin would support a baseball team in Milwaukee. A problem is the only stadium that is large enough in Milwaukee is just 13,000 seats (Borchert Field). That could be a problem even for just a year as a temporary stadium. Montreal 1947 population: 1,300,000 This is a definite option if MLB wants to expand into Canada for its first entry. Montreal is the major city in the country, and bringing a team here would bring a whole new market, possibly the entire nation of Canada into the fold. They also support the Dodgers AAA farm, where Jackie Robinson played last year before his entrance onto the Dodgers this year breaking the color barrier. An issue may be the difference in Canadian money and trying to find a large enough facility. Minneapolis-St. Paul 1947 population: 1,006,278 Another virgin market, the Twin Cities has a well-educated population which would support a major league team very well. It would also have no competition except for University of Minnesota sports and hockey + pro basketball. One issue: where do you place the stadium? In Minneapolis or St. Paul. That is the big question. Toronto 1947 population: 1,010,000 Being Canada's 2nd market, Toronto has a lot of growth potential on Lake Ontario. They also have a history of well-supported teams in the CFL and with the Maple Leafs in the NHL. But the winds blow cold off the lake in April and May. The minor league baseball team in Toronto is also not as well supported as in other nearby cities. Buffalo 1947 population: 1,035,000 Toronto's neighbor city to the south along Lake Ontario also has a pretty good case for a MLB team. Its Bills are well supported, along with the minor league Bisons. Long shots New Orleans 1947 population: 601,608 New Orleans, the major city in the South, would bring a completely different vibe into the sport as the first professional team in the South. It is probably the city in the region best prepared for pro sports, but its limited population might be a deterrent, along with the segregation laws. Houston 1947 population: 760,000 Houston, the hub of the oil industry in Texas, has been incredibly fast-growing since the war ended. The city has possible owners with deep pockets which could perhaps swing a few of the undecideds their way. But the city's hot/humid summer weather may be a deterrent. Dallas and Fort Worth 1947 population: 930,000 The Metroplex of Dallas and Fort Worth, mostly separated during this time, could go after a team. A problem is would people drive to downtown Dallas from Fort Worth or vice versa? Or would a stadium be built in the middle between the two cities. Denver 1947 population: 471,460 Denver, as the major city in the Mountain West, definitely has an interest in becoming a big league city, but its small size of under 500,000 might make things tough for attendance in mid-week games in this city. Northern New Jersey 1947 population: 3,433,586 Northern New Jersey (Newark, Jersey City, and neighboring cities) has a larger population than any city on the list other than Los Angeles. The problem is there are already so many teams nearby, with the 3 New York teams plus 2 in Philadelphia. There would be a lot of territorial fees to pay. Seattle 1947 population: 602,910 Being out there in the Pacific Northwest far away from any other population centers, Seattle is mostly using this as a feeler for possible interest for possible teams moving from other cities. Louisville 1947 population: 550,000 Louisville, being further north than other Southern cities, has looked like an interesting possibility for a team, but it might be hemmed in market area by Cincinnati, Chicago, and St. Louis teams.