Louisville
Two prominent cities with a massive connection to the sport of baseball — Louisville and Cooperstown — are without an MLB team. Home to the Louisville Slugger Museum & Factory, it seems a bit off that the bustling city doesn’t have a team to call its own. Under the leadership of manager Dan McDonnell, the Louisville Cardinals have become the city’s de facto pro team. The program has reached the College World Series five times since 2007 and has the support of one of the most passionate fan bases in the nation. Based off the support for the local college team, we can only imagine how beloved an MLB team would be.
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Las Vegas
Why not? After years of concern about whether a professional team could survive in Vegas, both the Aces (WNBA) and Golden Knights (NHL) have proved it can work. Furthermore, one of the NFL’s most prominent teams — the Raiders — is making the move to Sin City in time for the 2020 season. With plenty of room near the strip to build a stadium, it makes too much sense for the MLB to expand into the market. And if you have any lingering doubts about whether fans would watch baseball in Vegas, the Las Vegas Aviators led Minor League Baseball in attendance last season.
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Memphis
The state of Tennessee has multiple cities that could accommodate a baseball team. One of those cities, Memphis, has housed an NBA team — the Grizzlies — since 2001. While there have been a few questions about the Grizzlies’ long-term outlook in the city, the fans have shown that they can be a loud, rambunctious group when the team performs well. Memphis may not be the top option in the state, but it could work.
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Portland
If Russell Wilson has his say, Portland will have an MLB team sooner rather than later. Wilson is part of a team — Portland Diamond Project — that is working hard to bring a franchise to the city. At this point, Portland should be one of the first two cities considered when MLB expands. Not only is PDX a top-25 market, but putting a team in Oregon would expand the game in the Pacific Northwest and give the Seattle Mariners a natural rival. As evidenced by the support garnered by the Blazers, Timbers and Thorns, Portland is definitely a sports town.
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Montreal
Montreal has seen its fair share of screwjobs — sorry, Bret Hart. In addition to the cowardly acts of Shawn Michaels and Vince McMahon, Montreal saw the Expos flee to Washington D.C. following the 2004 season. 16 years later, it is time for baseball to return. A new stadium would surely help the cause — as the city’s inability to agree on a new venue partially led to the team’s exit — but they could likely survive without one for a few years. The fans remain, now it’s time for the higher-up’s to make it happen.
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Omaha
Yes, Omaha is Omaha…but that doesn’t mean a professional team wouldn’t thrive in the city. Beginning in 1950, the College World Series has taken place in Omaha, Nebraska. For 60 years, the name Rosenblatt was synonymous with collegiate baseball. While putting a professional franchise in Nebraska would certainly be a change, the reasoning wouldn’t be all that difficult to see. The College World Series is always packed to the gills with fans, and the Nebraska football team has historically been a top-tier program. Why not give the city a chance?
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New Orleans
New Orleans may not jump off the page as a potential baseball haven, but there is reason to believe in the viability of a team calling the famed city home. The New Orleans Saints have enjoyed a 15-year run of success and are backed by a phenomenal fanbase. Yes, baseball isn’t exactly as popular as football nationwide — particularly in the South — but that doesn’t mean there isn’t a place for the game. The baseball program at LSU routinely draws the nation’s largest crowd, which would only seem to bode well for an MLB team. Additionally, with only three teams in the region (Atlanta, Miami, Tampa Bay), a New Orleans-based team could gain the support of a vast area.
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San Antonio
I know what you’re thinking…do we really need a third team in Texas? Maybe, maybe not. However, there is no denying that it would be a boon for Major League Baseball. San Antonio is one of the largest television markets in the United States, and the city itself is thriving. The Spurs of the NBA often play in front of a sellout crowd. The state is also large enough that a potential franchise in San Antonio would likely have a solid support base from Day 1.
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Mexico City
If Major League Baseball decides to make the move south of the border, Mexico City is the likely landing spot — at least initially. Three of the major sports leagues — MLB, NBA, NFL — have committed to playing games in Mexico City in recent years. As the league looks to expand its reach and overall growth, Mexico City stands out as a clear front-runner. The city has a massive population and would undoubtedly be a feather in MLB’s cap.
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Indianapolis
Although Indianapolis may not be as big as some of its fellow Midwestern cities like Chicago, it does have a strong passion for sports. Both the Pacers (NBA) and Colts (NFL) have devout followings. As a city, Indianapolis is a top-40 market and has plenty of room to climb. When it comes to a new team, an Indianapolis franchise would have many natural rivals — Cubs, White Sox, Tigers, Reds, Indians, Brewers.
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Vancouver
The Grizzlies may not have lasted long above the border, but Vancouver has plenty of passion for its sports teams. The Canucks have called Vancouver home since 1945, while the Whitecaps of Major League Soccer have become a popular team over the past decade. Imagine a brand new stadium along the waterfront — who wouldn’t want to play in that ballpark? If Vancouver were to join the league at the same time as a Portland expansion team, Seattle would have two immediate rivals. All in favor of the Vancouver Squatch say ‘I’.
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Oklahoma City
Minor League Baseball has thrived in Oklahoma City for decades, so there is likely little chance an MLB franchise would flounder in the market. If the Oklahoma City Thunder are any indication, it may be a very smart idea to bring baseball to OKC. With the Rangers nearby, an OKC ball club wouldn’t have to look far for a natural rival. A baseball team would fit in perfectly with Oklahoma Sooner football and Thunder basketball.
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Salt Lake City
As currently constituted, the Colorado Rockies are alone by themselves in the middle of nowhere. If you were to look at a map of all 30 teams, the Rockies stick out like a sore thumb. So, how about giving them a regional rival? Putting a team in Salt Lake City would create a fascinating dynamic. Teams would certainly hope to avoid back-to-back series in high altitude. The city has avid — albeit testy — fans. The Jazz, Real Salt Lake and the Triple-A Bees enjoy rowdy environments at home.
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Charlotte
The Charlotte Knights — the White Sox’s Triple-A affiliate — are a very popular team within the city. After leading the Minor’s in attendance in 2018 — for the fourth time in five years — with almost 9,000 people per game, the Knights averaged roughly 8,500 fans in ’19. It is clear there is a demand for the sport, so let’s give the city a new team to cheer for. After all, it must be hard rooting for the Hornets.
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Nashville
A main candidate to receive an expansion team, Nashville would make for a great baseball city. As it stands, Nashville supports three professional teams — Titans (NFL), Predators (NHL), Nashville SC (MLS). Like Louisville, Nashville is home to one of college baseball’s premier programs — Vanderbilt. The Commodores have won two National Championships since 2014 and routinely play for sold-out crowds. If Major League Baseball places a franchise in Tennessee, Nashville would likely have a leg up on Memphis as the first choice.
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Calgary
Continuing the theme of growing baseball in the Pacific Northwest, we now move on to Calgary. One of the largest cities in Canada, Calgary would be a perfect fit geographically. The Flames of the National Hockey League have called Calgary home since 1980, while the Calgary Stampeders (Canadian Football) are an institution in the city. If Major League Baseball were to expand into Canada in a big way — Calgary, Vancouver, Montreal — the game could reach new heights.
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Orlando
Orlando has long been a city that has clamored for an MLB franchise. The city represents the No. 25 market, and already claim two major franchises as its own — Orlando Magic (NBA), Orlando City SC (MLS). While Orlando is often thought of as strictly a tourist destination thanks to Disney World, there is a genuine passion for sports in the region. Hell, if the Rays continue to struggle in Tampa Bay, maybe they can take a permanent trip to Disney World.
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Sacramento
California is home to over 15-percent of Major League Baseball’s teams — the Dodgers, Angels, Padres, Giants, Athletics. So, why not add a sixth California team to the mix? Sacramento would be a good fit if it were to happen. With the Dodgers, Angels and Padres grouped in Southern California, the Giants and A’s are alone in Northern California — Sacramento would make it even amongst the California rivals. In addition to the Kings, who have a sparkling new arena, Sacramento is home to Sacramento Republic FC. Republic FC will be joining MLS in 2022 — in a new stadium of their own. With the city committing to two new stadiums, it is clear California’s capital would support an MLB team with tremendous passion.
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Monterrey
Approximately a 90 minute flight away from Houston, Monterrey has become a realistic option for MLB expansion. MLB traversed to Monterrey three times in 2019 — once in Spring Training and twice during the regular season. And while soccer will likely always be king in Mexico, the country has certainly shown its love for baseball. A Monterrey franchise could be pitted in a division with the Rangers and Astros, as well as potential teams in Mexico City, New Orleans or Oklahoma City. If you have some time, look up the stadium of C.F. Monterrey and picture your favorite team playing a series in that location.
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Albuquerque
A city that has recently been associated with the legendary television show Breaking Bad, Albuquerque has a lot to offer besides RV tours. One of the country’s most populated cities, Albuquerque doesn’t currently house a major sports team. However, since 2003, the city has been the home of the Isotopes — the current Triple-A affiliate of the Colorado Rockies, and formerly the Los Angeles Dodgers and Miami Marlins. Last season, the Isotopes drew an average of 7,983 fans per game. While Albuquerque may not scream ‘baseball’, the fictional home of Walter White could be a nice landing spot for a new team.
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London
In 2019, Major League Baseball traveled across the pond and staged a two-game series between the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox. The turnout was stellar, as both games drew over 59,000 fans. As the league looks to expand its reach, London has been pegged as a potential international landing spot. While expanding into Mexico would likely be MLB’s first move, the prospect of putting a team in London is enticing. The European market is an untapped resource for the league — but as the NFL has proved, the UK fans are energized by American sports.
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