The American League adopted the designated hitter rule in 1973 prior to being dissolved as an entity and merged to form which organization?
History of the American League: The History of the American League, officially known as the American League of Professional Baseball Clubs and often abbreviated AL, stretched back into the late-19th century. History of the American League:  Prior to 2000, when the AL and NL were dissolved as separate entities and merged into the organization called Major League Baseball, the American League was one of the two leagues that made up major league baseball. Designated hitter: In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 5.11, adopted by the American League in 1973.
Major League Baseball