<Tr> <Th> Local radio </Th> <Td> WTMJ (AM) (Bob Uecker, Jim Powell) </Td> </Tr> <Tr> <Td_colspan="2"> <Previous season Next season> </Td> </Tr> <P> The Milwaukee Brewers' 1998 season was the first season for the franchise as a member of the National League . The Brewers finished in fifth in the NL Central, 28 games behind the Houston Astros, with a record of 74 wins and 88 losses . Before the 1998 regular season began, two new teams--the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays--were added by Major League Baseball . This resulted in the American League and National League having fifteen teams . However, in order for MLB officials to continue primarily intraleague play, both leagues would need to carry a number of teams that was divisible by two, so the decision was made to move one club from the AL Central to the NL Central . </P> <P> This realignment was widely considered to have great financial benefit to the club moving . However, to avoid the appearance of a conflict of interest, Commissioner (then club owner) Bud Selig decided another team should have the first chance to switch leagues . The choice was offered to the Kansas City Royals, who ultimately decided to stay in the American League . The choice then fell to the Brewers, who, on November 6, 1997, elected to move to the National League . Had the Brewers elected not to move to the National League, the Minnesota Twins would have been offered the opportunity to switch leagues . </P>

When did milwaukee move to the national league