Houston Astros sale, move to American League approved by MLB
Houston Astros were sold to businessman Jim Crane by Drayton McLane. In 2013, the Houston Astros will move to the American League West Division.
Jim Crane addresses the media during a news conference after the baseball owner's meeting Thursday, Nov. 17, in Milwaukee. Baseball owners unanimously approved the sale of the Houston Astros from Drayton McLane to Crane. The Astros will move from the NL Central to the AL West beginning in the 2013 season, giving each league 15 teams.
Morry Gash/AP
Major League Baseball (MLB) owners have approved the sale of the Houston Astros as part of a deal that will see the National League Central Division club move to the American League West for the 2013 season.
Financial terms of the deal were not disclosed but a report on the Astros website on Thursday said Drayton McLane, who has owned the club since 1992, sold the team to a group headed by Houston businessman Jim Crane for $610 million.
"I welcome Jim Crane and his group as they prepare to become the new stewards of the Astros," MLB Commissioner Bud Selig said in a statement.
"I thank them for their patience and determination throughout a long but necessary process, which allowed us to accomplish our due diligence."
Under McLane, who put the team up for sale last November, the Astros have experienced some of the greatest moments in the franchise's history, including winning the NL pennant in 2005 and the opening of Minute Maid Park in 2000.
Houston's eventual move to the AL West will put them in a division with cross-state rival Texas Rangers, the Oakland Athletics, Los Angeles Angels and Seattle Mariners.
It will also mark MLB's first realignment since the Milwaukee Brewers moved from the AL Central to the NL Central before the 1998 season.
When the Astros switch divisions, MLB will have 15 clubs in each league and five clubs in each of its six divisions for the first time.