San Antonio ranks as the largest city in the United States without a major league team—by almost 500,000 people. According to a 2006 census estimate, more than 1.256 million people live in San Antonio, making it the seventh-largest city in the country. San Antonio has had a team in the Double-A Texas League continuously since 1968—and most years since 1888.
By contrast, Pittsburgh is the smallest city in the majors, with a population of little more than 316,000. There are 14 cities in the U.S. with populations of greater than 500,000 that do not have big league clubs.
Following are the 10 largest cities in the U.S. without major league teams. All but one fields a Double-A or Triple-A team, as noted. |
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| Top 10 Largest Cities Without Major League Baseball |
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City (Minor League Level) |
’06
Population* |
| 1. |
San Antonio (AA) |
1,256 |
| 2. |
Indianapolis (AAA) |
784 |
| 3. |
Jacksonville (AA) |
782 |
| 4. |
Columbus (AAA) |
730 |
| 5. |
Austin (AAA) |
690 |
| 6. |
Memphis (AAA) |
672 |
| 7. |
Charlotte (AAA) |
610 |
| 8. |
El Paso (independent) |
598 |
| 9. |
Louisville (AAA) |
556 |
| 10. |
Nashville (AAA) |
556 | |
| *In thousands |
| -- Allan Simpson |
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