Definition of American league

The American League (or formally the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs) is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States of America and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, that eventually aspired to major league status. The A.L. is often called the Junior Circuit because it was elevated to Major League status in 1901, 25 years after the formation of the National League. Initially in 1903, and then annually from 1905, the regular season champions of the two leagues have met in the World Series. (There was also no World Series in 1994, when a strike curtailed the season with no League champion decided.) Through the 2006 season, American League teams have won 60 of the 102 World Series played.