1972 Major League Baseball season
Encyclopedia
The 1972 Major League Baseball season was the first to have games cancelled by a player strike. It was also the last season in which American League
pitchers
would hit
for themselves on a regular basis; the designated hitter
rule would go into effect the following season.
losing the American League East
by half a game to the Detroit Tigers
.
1972 marked the first year for the Texas Rangers
, who had moved to Arlington
from Washington, D.C.
(where they played as the Washington Senators) after the season. The team
was one of the worst ever fielded by the franchise, losing 100 games for the first time since . Manager Ted Williams
hated it in the Dallas-Fort Worth
area, and resigned at the end of the season. To make room for the Rangers in the American League West Division, one of the teams already in that division would have to switch to the East Division. Technically, both the Chicago White Sox
and the Milwaukee Brewers
were the easternmost teams in the West Division, but only one of them could move. It was decided that Milwaukee, as the newer franchise, would make the move. The Brewers and White Sox would again become divisional rivals in 1994 with the formation of the American League Central
, but this would last only through 1997, when Milwaukee transferred to the National League.
1972 would mark the Kansas City Royals
' final year at Kansas City Municipal Stadium
, as the next year they would move to Royals Stadium
at the Truman Sports Complex
in suburban Kansas City.
The World Series
was won by the Oakland Athletics
, the first of three straight behind the bats of Reggie Jackson
and Bert Campaneris
, and the pitching cadre of Catfish Hunter
, Rollie Fingers
, and Vida Blue
. The year ended on a sad note when Roberto Clemente
died in an airplane crash off the coast of San Juan, Puerto Rico
, on New Year's Eve, while participating in aid efforts after the 1972 Nicaragua earthquake
.
1 National League Triple Crown
Pitching Winner
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
pitchers
Pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
would hit
At bat
In baseball, an at bat or time at bat is used to calculate certain statistics, including batting average, on base percentage, and slugging percentage. It is a more restricted definition of a plate appearance...
for themselves on a regular basis; the designated hitter
Designated hitter
In baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
rule would go into effect the following season.
Labor strife and more moving
1972 was tainted by a players' strike over pension and salary arbitration. The strike erased the first week and a half of the season, and the Leagues decided to just excise the lost portion of the season with no makeups. As a result, an uneven number of games were lost by each team; some as few as six, some as many as nine. The lack of makeups, even when they affected the playoffs, led to the Boston Red Sox1972 Boston Red Sox season
The 1972 Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 85 wins and 70 losses...
losing the American League East
American League East
The American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
by half a game to the Detroit Tigers
1972 Detroit Tigers season
The Detroit Tigers won the American League East division championship with a record of 86-70 , finishing one-half game ahead of the Boston Red Sox. They played one more game than the Red Sox due to a scheduling quirk caused by the 1972 Major League Baseball strike -- a game which turned out to...
.
1972 marked the first year for the Texas Rangers
Texas Rangers (baseball)
The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
, who had moved to Arlington
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in Tarrant County, Texas within the Dallas–Fort Worth metropolitan area. According to the 2010 census results, the city had a population of 365,438, making it the third largest municipality in the Metroplex...
from Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
(where they played as the Washington Senators) after the season. The team
1972 Texas Rangers season
The Texas Rangers 1972 season involved the Rangers finishing sixth in the American League West with a record of 54 wins and 100 losses. This was the Rangers' first season in Texas, as well as the club's first year in the AL West, after playing their first 11 seasons in Washington, D.C., and from...
was one of the worst ever fielded by the franchise, losing 100 games for the first time since . Manager Ted Williams
Ted Williams
Theodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox...
hated it in the Dallas-Fort Worth
Dallas/Fort Worth Metroplex
The Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington Metropolitan Statistical Area, a title designated by the U.S. Census as of 2003, encompasses 12 counties within the U.S. state of Texas. The area is divided into two metropolitan divisions: Dallas–Plano–Irving and Fort Worth–Arlington. Residents of the area...
area, and resigned at the end of the season. To make room for the Rangers in the American League West Division, one of the teams already in that division would have to switch to the East Division. Technically, both the Chicago White Sox
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
and the Milwaukee Brewers
Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
were the easternmost teams in the West Division, but only one of them could move. It was decided that Milwaukee, as the newer franchise, would make the move. The Brewers and White Sox would again become divisional rivals in 1994 with the formation of the American League Central
American League Central
The American League Central Division is one of six divisions in Major League Baseball. This division was formed in the realignment in 1994, and its teams are all located in the Midwestern United States...
, but this would last only through 1997, when Milwaukee transferred to the National League.
1972 would mark the Kansas City Royals
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
' final year at Kansas City Municipal Stadium
Municipal Stadium (Kansas City)
Kansas City Municipal Stadium was a baseball and football stadium that formerly stood in Kansas City, Missouri. It hosted the minor league Kansas City Blues of the American Association from 1923 to 1954 and the Kansas City Monarchs of the Negro Leagues during the same period...
, as the next year they would move to Royals Stadium
Kauffman Stadium
Ewing M. Kauffman Stadium is a Major League Baseball stadium located in Kansas City, Missouri, and home to the Kansas City Royals of the American League. Together with Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, it is a part of the Truman Sports Complex...
at the Truman Sports Complex
Truman Sports Complex
The Harry S. Truman Sports Complex is a sports and entertainment facility located in Kansas City, Missouri, U.S.. It is home to two major sports venues- Arrowhead Stadium, home of the National Football League's Kansas City Chiefs, and Kauffman Stadium, home of Major League Baseball's Kansas City...
in suburban Kansas City.
The World Series
1972 World Series
The 1972 World Series matched the American League champion Oakland Athletics against the National League champion Cincinnati Reds, with the A's winning in seven games. These two teams would meet again in the fall classic eighteen years later...
was won by the Oakland Athletics
1972 Oakland Athletics season
The Oakland Athletics season involved the A's winning the American League West with a record of 93 wins and 62 losses. In the playoffs, they defeated the Detroit Tigers in a five-game ALCS, followed by a seven-game World Series, in which they defeated the Cincinnati Reds for their first World...
, the first of three straight behind the bats of Reggie Jackson
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
and Bert Campaneris
Bert Campaneris
Dagoberto Campaneris Blanco , nicknamed "Campy", is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for four American League teams, primarily the Kansas City and Oakland Athletics...
, and the pitching cadre of Catfish Hunter
Catfish Hunter
James Augustus "Catfish" Hunter , was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 15-year baseball career, he pitched from 1965-1979 for both the Oakland Athletics and the New York Yankees...
, Rollie Fingers
Rollie Fingers
Roland Glen Fingers is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. During his 18-year baseball career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers . He became only the second reliever to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992...
, and Vida Blue
Vida Blue
Vida Rochelle Blue Jr. is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 17-year career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , San Francisco Giants , and Kansas City Royals He won the American League Cy Young award and Most Valuable Player Award in 1971...
. The year ended on a sad note when Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in...
died in an airplane crash off the coast of San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, on New Year's Eve, while participating in aid efforts after the 1972 Nicaragua earthquake
1972 Nicaragua earthquake
The 1972 Nicaragua earthquake was an earthquake that occurred at 12:29 a.m. local time on Saturday, December 23, 1972 near Managua, the capital of Nicaragua. It had a magnitude of 6.2 and occurred at a depth of about 5 kilometers beneath the centre of the city. Within an hour after the main...
.
Major League Baseball
- World Series1972 World SeriesThe 1972 World Series matched the American League champion Oakland Athletics against the National League champion Cincinnati Reds, with the A's winning in seven games. These two teams would meet again in the fall classic eighteen years later...
MVP: Gene TenaceGene TenaceFury Gene Tenace , better known as Gene Tenace, is a former Italian-American professional baseball player and current coach in Major League Baseball. He was a catcher and first baseman from through . Tenace was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics from Valley High School in Lucasville, OH and... - All-Star Game1972 Major League Baseball All-Star GameThe 1972 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the 43rd such game, was played on July 25, 1972. The all-stars from the American League and the National League faced each other at Atlanta Stadium, home of the Atlanta Braves...
, July 25 at Atlanta-Fulton County StadiumAtlanta-Fulton County StadiumAtlanta-Fulton County Stadium, often shortened to "Fulton County Stadium," was a multi-purpose stadium that formerly stood in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.-History:...
: National League, 4–3 (10 innings); Joe MorganJoe MorganJoe Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1984. He won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and was also named the...
, MVP
Awards and honors
- Most Valuable PlayerMLB Most Valuable Player AwardThe Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award is an annual Major League Baseball award, given to one outstanding player in the American League and one in the National League. Since 1931, it has been awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America...
- Dick AllenDick AllenRichard Anthony Allen is a former Major League Baseball player and R&B singer. He played first and third base and outfield in Major League Baseball and ranked among his sport's top offensive producers of the 1960s and early 1970s...
, Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, 1B (AL) - Johnny BenchJohnny BenchJohnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame...
, Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, C (NL)
- Dick Allen
- Cy Young AwardCy Young AwardThe Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
- Gaylord PerryGaylord PerryGaylord Jackson Perry is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1962-1983 for eight different teams in his career. During a 22-year baseball career, Perry compiled 314 wins, 3,534 strikeouts, and a 3.11 earned run average...
, Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
(AL) - Steve CarltonSteve CarltonSteven Norman Carlton , nicknamed "Lefty", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1965-1988 for six different teams in his career, but it is his time with the Philadelphia Phillies where he received his greatest acclaim as a professional and won four Cy Young Awards...
, Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(NL)
- Gaylord Perry
- Rookie of the YearMLB Rookie of the Year AwardIn Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946...
- Carlton FiskCarlton FiskCarlton Ernest Fisk , nicknamed "Pudge" or "The Commander", is a former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 24-year baseball career, he played for both the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox .Fisk was known by the nickname "Pudge" due to his 6'2", 220 lb frame...
, Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, C (AL) - Jon MatlackJon MatlackJonathan Trumpbour Matlack is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher...
, New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
, P (NL)
- Carlton Fisk
Statistical leaders
EWLINE
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1 National League Triple Crown
Triple crown (baseball)
In Major League Baseball, a player earns the Triple Crown when he leads a league in three specific statistical categories. For batters, a player must lead the league in home runs, run batted in , and batting average; pitchers must lead the league in wins, strikeouts, and earned run average...
Pitching Winner
American League final standings
| American League American League The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major... |
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| Club | Wins | Losses | Win % | GB |
| East Division | ||||
| Detroit Tigers 1972 Detroit Tigers season The Detroit Tigers won the American League East division championship with a record of 86-70 , finishing one-half game ahead of the Boston Red Sox. They played one more game than the Red Sox due to a scheduling quirk caused by the 1972 Major League Baseball strike -- a game which turned out to... |
86 | 70 | .551 | – |
| Boston Red Sox 1972 Boston Red Sox season The 1972 Boston Red Sox season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Red Sox finishing 2nd in the American League East with a record of 85 wins and 70 losses... |
85 | 70 | .548 | 0.5 |
| Baltimore Orioles 1972 Baltimore Orioles season The Baltimore Orioles season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Orioles finishing third in the American League East with a record of 80 wins and 74 losses.- Offseason :... |
80 | 74 | .519 | 5 |
| New York Yankees 1972 New York Yankees season The New York Yankees season was the 70th season for the Yankees in New York, and the 72nd season overall. The team finished with a record of 79-76, finishing 6½ games behind the Detroit Tigers. New York was managed by Ralph Houk... |
79 | 76 | .510 | 6.5 |
| Cleveland Indians 1972 Cleveland Indians season The Cleveland Indians season was the 72nd in franchise history. The team finished fifth in the American League East with a record of 72-86, 14 games behind the Detroit Tigers.-George Steinbrenner offer:... |
72 | 84 | .462 | 14 |
| Milwaukee Brewers 1972 Milwaukee Brewers season The Milwaukee Brewers season involved the Brewers' finishing sixth in the American League East with a record of 65 wins and 91 losses. Because of the move of the Washington Senators to Texas, the Brewers shifted from the AL West to the AL East.- Offseason :... |
65 | 91 | .417 | 21 |
| West Division | ||||
| Oakland Athletics 1972 Oakland Athletics season The Oakland Athletics season involved the A's winning the American League West with a record of 93 wins and 62 losses. In the playoffs, they defeated the Detroit Tigers in a five-game ALCS, followed by a seven-game World Series, in which they defeated the Cincinnati Reds for their first World... |
93 | 62 | .600 | – |
| Chicago White Sox 1972 Chicago White Sox season The 1972 Chicago White Sox season was the White Sox's 73rd season overall, and 72nd in the American League. They finished with a record 87-67, good enough for second place in the American League West, 5½ games behind the first-place Oakland Athletics.... |
87 | 67 | .565 | 5.5 |
| Minnesota Twins 1972 Minnesota Twins season The Minnesota Twins finished 77-77, third in the American League West.- Offseason :* October 22, 1971: Paul Powell was traded by the Twins to the Los Angeles Dodgers for Bobby Darwin.... |
77 | 77 | .500 | 15.5 |
| Kansas City Royals 1972 Kansas City Royals season The Kansas City Royals season was a season in American baseball. It involved the Royals finishing fourth in the American League West with a record of 76 wins and 78 losses.- Offseason :... |
76 | 78 | .494 | 16.5 |
| California Angels 1972 California Angels season The California Angels season involved the Angels finishing 5th in the American League West with a record of 75 wins and 80 losses.-Offseason:* October 27, 1971: Tony González was released by the Angels.... |
75 | 80 | .484 | 18 |
| Texas Rangers 1972 Texas Rangers season The Texas Rangers 1972 season involved the Rangers finishing sixth in the American League West with a record of 54 wins and 100 losses. This was the Rangers' first season in Texas, as well as the club's first year in the AL West, after playing their first 11 seasons in Washington, D.C., and from... |
54 | 100 | .351 | 38.5 |
National League final standings
| National League National League The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional... |
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| Club | Wins | Losses | Win % | GB |
| East Division | ||||
| Pittsburgh Pirates 1972 Pittsburgh Pirates season - Offseason :* January 12, 1972: Larry Demery was drafted by the Pirates in the 7th round of the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft .* March 15, 1972: José Martínez was purchased from the Pirates by the Kansas City Royals.- Notable transactions :... |
96 | 59 | .619 | – |
| Chicago Cubs 1972 Chicago Cubs season - Offseason :* November 29, 1971: Ken Holtzman was traded by the Cubs to the Oakland Athletics for Rick Monday.* December 1, 1971: Ernie Banks was released by the Cubs.... |
85 | 70 | .548 | 11 |
| New York Mets 1972 New York Mets season The New York Mets season was the 11th regular season for the Mets, who played home games at Shea Stadium. Led by manager Yogi Berra, the team had a 83-73 record yielding a third place finish in the National League's Eastern Division.- Death of Gil Hodges :... |
83 | 73 | .532 | 13.5 |
| St. Louis Cardinals 1972 St. Louis Cardinals season The St. Louis Cardinals season was the team's 91st season in St. Louis, Missouri and its 81st season in the National League. The Cardinals went 75-81 during the season and finished fourth in the National League East, 21½ games behind the Pittsburgh Pirates.... |
75 | 81 | .481 | 21.5 |
| Montreal Expos 1972 Montreal Expos season - Offseason :* November 29, 1971: Tom Walker was drafted by the Expos from the Baltimore Orioles in the 1971 rule 5 draft.* December 6, 1971: Adolfo Phillips was purchased by the Expos from the Cleveland Indians.... |
70 | 86 | .449 | 26.5 |
| Philadelphia Phillies 1972 Philadelphia Phillies season The Philadelphia Phillies season saw the team finish with a record of 59-97, last place in the National League East.- Offseason :The Phils made perhaps the best trade in their history on February 25, when Rick Wise was having contract problems with the Phils and Steve Carlton was having the same... |
59 | 97 | .378 | 37.5 |
| West Division | ||||
| Cincinnati Reds 1972 Cincinnati Reds season The Cincinnati Reds season consisted of the Reds winning the National League West title with a record of 95-59, 10½ games over the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Dodgers. They defeated the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 1972 National League Championship Series, but lost to the Oakland Athletics in... |
95 | 59 | .617 | – |
| Houston Astros 1972 Houston Astros season The Houston Astros season was a season in American baseball. The team finished second in the National League West with a record of 84-69, 10½ games behind the Cincinnati Reds and just a percentage point ahead of the Los Angeles Dodgers.- Offseason :... |
84 | 69 | .549 | 10.5 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers 1972 Los Angeles Dodgers season The Los Angeles Dodgers finished the season 10 games back in second place in the western division of the National League.- Offseason :* October 21: Tommy Hutton was traded by the Dodgers to the Philadelphia Phillies for Larry Hisle.... |
85 | 70 | .548 | 10.5 |
| Atlanta Braves 1972 Atlanta Braves season - Offseason :* December 2, 1971: Hal King was traded by the Braves to the Texas Rangers for Paul Casanova.- Notable transactions :* May 11, 1972: Steve Barber was released by the Braves.... |
70 | 84 | .455 | 25 |
| San Francisco Giants 1972 San Francisco Giants season The San Francisco Giants season was the 90th season in franchise history. The Giants finished with a record of 69-86. It was their first losing season in San Francisco and the franchise's first losing season since 1957, which was the franchise's final year in New York.- Offseason :* November 29,... |
69 | 86 | .445 | 26.5 |
| San Diego Padres 1972 San Diego Padres season - Offseason :* January 12, 1972: Rich Troedson was drafted by the Padres in the 1st round of the secondary phase of the 1972 Major League Baseball Draft.- Regular season :As of 2010, no Padres pitcher has ever thrown a no-hitter... |
58 | 95 | .379 | 36.5 |
Events
- January 13 – Bernice GeraBernice GeraBernice Shiner Gera was the first female umpire in professional baseball.Born in Ernest, Pennsylvania, Gera loved baseball as a child, but never considered a career in baseball until she was already in her mid thirties, married, and working as a secretary...
wins a discrimination suit against organized baseball, opening the door for her to become the first female umpire in professional baseball. - January 19 – The Baseball Writers Association of AmericaBaseball Writers Association of AmericaThe Baseball Writers' Association of America is a professional association for baseball journalists writing for daily newspapers, magazines and qualifying Web sites. The BBWAA was founded on October 14, 1908, to improve working conditions for sportswriters in the early part of the 20th century...
elects Sandy KoufaxSandy KoufaxSanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...
, Yogi BerraYogi BerraLawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
and Early WynnEarly WynnEarly Wynn Jr. , nicknamed "Gus", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 25-year baseball career, he pitched for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox...
to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Koufax makes it in his first try and, at age of 36, is the youngest honoree in history. - February 8 – CommissionerCommissioner of BaseballThe Commissioner of Baseball is the chief executive of Major League Baseball and its associated minor leagues. Under the direction of the Commissioner, the Office of the Commissioner of Baseball hires and maintains the sport's umpiring crews, and negotiates marketing, labor, and television contracts...
Bowie KuhnBowie KuhnBowie Kent Kuhn was an American lawyer and sports administrator who served as the fifth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from February 4, , to September 30,...
announces that the Special Committee on the Negro LeaguesNegro league baseballThe Negro leagues were United States professional baseball leagues comprising teams predominantly made up of African Americans. The term may be used broadly to include professional black teams outside the leagues and it may be used narrowly for the seven relatively successful leagues beginning in...
has selected Josh GibsonJosh GibsonJoshua Gibson was an American catcher in baseball's Negro leagues. He played for the Homestead Grays from 1930 to 1931, moved to the Pittsburgh Crawfords from 1932 to 1936, and returned to the Grays from 1937 to 1939 and 1942 to 1946...
and Buck LeonardBuck LeonardWalter Fenner "Buck" Leonard was an American first baseman in Negro league baseball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in along with his long-time teammate Josh Gibson.-Biography:...
for the Hall of FameNational Baseball Hall of Fame and MuseumThe National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is an American history museum and hall of fame, located at 25 Main Street in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests serving as the central point for the study of the history of baseball in the United States and beyond, the display of...
. - March 16 – Reigning American League Cy Young and MVP award winner Vida BlueVida BlueVida Rochelle Blue Jr. is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. During a 17-year career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , San Francisco Giants , and Kansas City Royals He won the American League Cy Young award and Most Valuable Player Award in 1971...
announces his retirement. It will be a short one as he will rejoin the Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
in May. - April 1 – 13 – The first players' strike in baseball history wipes 6–8 games off the schedule of each MLB team. It is agreed that the missed games will be canceled altogether and not made up; this results in teams not being scheduled for the same number of games in the 1972 season. The schedule imbalance would lead to the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
edging the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
by only one-half gameCurse of the BambinoThe Curse of the Bambino was a superstition cited as a reason for the failure of the Boston Red Sox baseball team to win the World Series in the 86-year period from 1918 to 2004...
to win the American League East Division championship. The strike results in the team owners adding salary arbitrationArbitrationArbitration, a form of alternative dispute resolution , is a legal technique for the resolution of disputes outside the courts, where the parties to a dispute refer it to one or more persons , by whose decision they agree to be bound...
to the collective bargaining agreement, and increasing pension fund payments. - April 2 – With the sudden death of Gil HodgesGil HodgesGilbert Ray Hodges was an American Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. During an 18-year baseball career, he played in 1943 and from 1947–63, spending most of his career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers...
, Yogi BerraYogi BerraLawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra is a former American Major League Baseball catcher, outfielder, and manager. He played almost his entire 19-year baseball career for the New York Yankees...
is named manager of the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. - April 16 – Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
pitcher Burt HootonBurt HootonBurt Carlton Hooton , nicknamed "Happy" , is a coach and former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball...
pitches a 4-0 no-hitterNo-hitterA no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
over the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
at Chicago's Wrigley FieldWrigley FieldWrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
. - April 21 – At Arlington StadiumArlington StadiumArlington Stadium was a baseball stadium located in Arlington, Texas, United States, located between Dallas and Fort Worth, Texas. It served as the home for the Texas Rangers from 1972 until 1993, when the team moved into The Ballpark in Arlington .-1960s:The stadium was built in 1965 as Turnpike...
, Frank Howard hits the first home runHome runIn baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
in Texas RangersTexas Rangers (baseball)The Texas Rangers are a professional baseball team in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, based in Arlington, Texas. The Rangers are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League, and are the reigning A.L. Western Division and A.L. Champions. Since , the Rangers have...
history, a solo shot off Clyde WrightClyde WrightClyde Wright , nicknamed "Skeeter", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched for the California Angels , Milwaukee Brewers and Texas Rangers . He also pitched three seasons in Japan for the Yomiuri Giants...
of the California AngelsLos Angeles Angels of AnaheimThe Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim are a professional baseball team based in Anaheim, California, United States. The Angels are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The "Angels" name originates from the city in which the team started, Los Angeles...
. - May 11 – The San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
trade Willie MaysWillie MaysWillie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...
to the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
for minor league pitcher Charlie Williams and cash. - May 14 – In front of a Mother's DayMother's DayMother's Day is a celebration honoring mothers and celebrating motherhood, maternal bonds, and the influence of mothers in society. It is celebrated on various days in many parts of the world, yet most commonly in March, April, or May...
crowd of 35,000 in New York's Shea StadiumShea StadiumWilliam A. Shea Municipal Stadium, usually shortened to Shea Stadium or just Shea , was a stadium in the New York City borough of Queens, in Flushing Meadows–Corona Park. It was the home baseball park of Major League Baseball's New York Mets from 1964 to 2008...
, Willie MaysWillie MaysWillie Howard Mays, Jr. is a retired American professional baseball player who played the majority of his major league career with the New York and San Francisco Giants before finishing with the New York Mets. Nicknamed The Say Hey Kid, Mays was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1979, his...
makes a triumphant return to New York with the Mets, hitting a game-winning home run against his old teammates (the Giants). He scores in the first inning on Rusty StaubRusty StaubDaniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...
's grand slam and his solo homer in the fifth inning snaps a 4–4 tie. The final score: Mets 5, Giants 4. - May 28 – The Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
fire manager Dave BristolDave BristolJames David Bristol is a former manager in Major League Baseball in the 1960s and 1970s. He managed the Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brewers, Atlanta Braves, and San Francisco Giants during this period....
, replacing him with Del CrandallDel CrandallDelmar Wesley Crandall is a former professional baseball catcher and manager in Major League Baseball who played most of his career with the Boston & Milwaukee Braves...
. Coach Roy McMillanRoy McMillanRoy David McMillan was a shortstop, coach and manager in Major League Baseball. From 1951 through 1966, McMillan played for the Cincinnati Reds , Milwaukee Braves and New York Mets . He batted and threw right-handed...
takes over until Crandall arrives and guides the team to a 4–1 loss to the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. - June 18 – The U.S. Supreme Court rules 5–3 in favor of Major League Baseball in the lawsuit brought by Curt FloodCurt FloodCurtis Charles Flood was a Major League Baseball player who spent most of his career as a center fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals. A defensive standout, he led the National League in putouts four times and in fielding percentage twice, winning Gold Glove Awards in his last seven full seasons...
. - June 24 – In the first game of a doubleheader between the visiting Auburn Phillies and Geneva Senators of the Class A New York-Pennsylvania LeagueNew York - Penn LeagueThe New York – Penn League is a minor league baseball league which operates in the northeastern United States. It is classified as a "Short-Season A" league; its season starts in June, after major-league teams have signed their amateur draft picks to professional contracts, and ends in early...
, Bernice Gera becomes the first woman to umpire a professional baseball game. She resigns between games after being verbally abused by some spectators and by some involved in the game. - July 2 – San Francisco's Willie McCoveyWillie McCoveyWillie Lee McCovey , nicknamed "Mac", "Big Mac", and "Stretch", is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He played nineteen seasons for the San Francisco Giants, and three more for the San Diego Padres and Oakland Athletics, between and...
hits his 14th career grand slam home run to pace the Giants' 9–3 win over the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
. Pitcher Randy MoffittRandy MoffittRandall James Moffitt is a former American baseball pitcher for the San Francisco Giants, Houston Astros and Toronto Blue Jays. Born in Long Beach, California, he is the younger brother of tennis star Billie Jean Moffitt King....
wins his first major league game and receives a congratulatory telegram from his sister Billie Jean KingBillie Jean KingBillie Jean King is a former professional tennis player from the United States. She won 12 Grand Slam singles titles, 16 Grand Slam women's doubles titles, and 11 Grand Slam mixed doubles titles. King has been an advocate against sexism in sports and society...
, who is playing at WimbledonThe Championships, WimbledonThe Championships, Wimbledon, or simply Wimbledon , is the oldest tennis tournament in the world, considered by many to be the most prestigious. It has been held at the All England Club in Wimbledon, London since 1877. It is one of the four Grand Slam tennis tournaments, the other three Majors...
. - July 11 – At Oakland, Boston's Marty PattinMarty PattinMartin William "Marty" Pattin is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched for the California Angels , Seattle Pilots , Milwaukee Brewers , Boston Red Sox , and the Kansas City Royals...
has his no-hit bid foiled when Reggie JacksonReggie JacksonReginald Martinez "Reggie" Jackson , nicknamed "Mr. October" for his clutch hitting in the postseason with the New York Yankees, is a former American Major League Baseball right fielder. During a 21-year baseball career, he played from 1967-1987 for four different teams. Jackson currently serves as...
hits a one-out single in the ninth inning. Boston wins 4–0. - July 14 – In a game between the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
and Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
in Kansas City, the Tigers' catcher, Tom HallerTom HallerThomas Frank Haller was an American professional baseball player and baseball executive. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball with the San Francisco Giants , Los Angeles Dodgers and Detroit Tigers...
, has his older brother Bill Haller right over his shoulder, the first time brothers have served as catcher and home plate umpire in the same Major League game. The Royals win 1–0. - July 18 – Against the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
at San Diego StadiumQualcomm StadiumQualcomm Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium, in San Diego, California, in the Mission Valley area....
, San Diego PadreSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
pitcher Steve ArlinSteve ArlinSteven Ralph Arlin is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. In six major league seasons, Arlin pitched for the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians .-College Star:...
has a no-hitterNo-hitterA no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
broken up with two out in the ninth by a Denny DoyleDenny DoyleRobert Dennis Doyle is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Philadelphia Phillies , California Angels and Boston Red Sox . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
single. Doyle later advances to second on a balk, then scores on a Tommy HuttonTommy HuttonThomas George Hutton is a former Major League Baseball player and is currently the color analyst for Miami Marlins baseball broadcasts on FSN Florida and Sun Sports - a position he has held since the 1997 season...
single. Arlin comes away with a two-hitter (one of three he pitches on the season; he also hurls two one-hitters during a season in which he finishes 10–21) in a 5–1 Padre victory. To date, no Padre pitcher has hurled a no-hitter; this is the closest any has come to one. - July 25 – At Atlanta StadiumAtlanta-Fulton County StadiumAtlanta-Fulton County Stadium, often shortened to "Fulton County Stadium," was a multi-purpose stadium that formerly stood in Atlanta, Georgia, United States.-History:...
, the National LeagueNational LeagueThe National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
wins the All-Star Game1972 Major League Baseball All-Star GameThe 1972 Major League Baseball All-Star Game, the 43rd such game, was played on July 25, 1972. The all-stars from the American League and the National League faced each other at Atlanta Stadium, home of the Atlanta Braves...
over the American LeagueAmerican LeagueThe American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
4–3, behind hometown hero Hank Aaron's two-run home run and Joe MorganJoe MorganJoe Leonard Morgan is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Houston Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, Philadelphia Phillies, and Oakland Athletics from 1963 to 1984. He won two World Series championships with the Reds in 1975 and 1976 and was also named the...
's 10th-inning RBI single. Morgan is named MVP. It is the seventh time the Midsummer Classic has gone into extra innings. - August 29 – Jim BarrJim BarrJames Leland Barr is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the San Francisco Giants and California Angels...
of the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
retires the first twenty batters in today's game. Added to the last twenty one batters he retired in his previous game, it establishes a record for consecutive batters retired. It will be tied in 20072007 in baseball-Major League Baseball:*Regular Season Champions*World Series Champion – [Boston Red Sox]*Postseason – October 2 to October 28Click on any series score to link to that series' page....
by Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
relief pitcher Bobby JenksBobby JenksRobert Scott "Bobby" Jenks is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...
. - September 2 – At Wrigley FieldWrigley FieldWrigley Field is a baseball stadium in Chicago, Illinois, United States that has served as the home ballpark of the Chicago Cubs since 1916. It was built in 1914 as Weeghman Park for the Chicago Federal League baseball team, the Chicago Whales...
, Chicago CubChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
pitcher Milt PappasMilt PappasMilton Steven "Milt" Pappas is a former professional baseball pitcher...
no-hitsNo-hitterA no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
the San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
8–0. Pappas retires the first 26 batters and comes to within one strike of a perfect gamePerfect gameA perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
with a 2–2 count to pinch-hitter Larry StahlLarry StahlLarry Floyd Stahl , is a retired professional baseball player who played outfielder in the Major Leagues from -...
, but home-plate umpire Bruce FroemmingBruce FroemmingBruce Neal Froemming is Major League Baseball Special Assistant to the Vice President on Umpiring, after having served as an umpire in Major League Baseball. He is the longest-tenured umpire in major league history in terms of the number of full seasons umpired, finishing his 37th season in 2007...
calls the next two pitches, both of which are close, balls. Undeterred, Pappas ends the game by retiring the next batter, ex-Cub Gary Jestadt. To date, the no-hitter is the last the Cubs have been involved in, either in pitching it or having it pitched against them. The perfect game bid is also the only one, to date, to be broken up on a walk to the 27th batter. - September 15 – Steve CarltonSteve CarltonSteven Norman Carlton , nicknamed "Lefty", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1965-1988 for six different teams in his career, but it is his time with the Philadelphia Phillies where he received his greatest acclaim as a professional and won four Cy Young Awards...
beats the Montreal ExposMontreal ExposThe Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
5–3, raising his record to 24–9. The rest of the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
pitchers have a combined record of 26–80. - September 21 – The Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
clinch the National League EastNational League EastThe National League East Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions. The Atlanta Braves and the Philadelphia Phillies are tied for the most National League East Division titles . All of Atlanta's NL East titles came during a record stretch of 14 consecutive division titles...
title with a 6–2 victory over the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
. - September 22 – The Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
clinch the National League WestNational League WestThe National League Western Division, or NL West, is one of the three divisions of Major League Baseball's National League. It was created in 1969 when the previously undivided National League expanded its membership to twelve teams, positioning half of them in an Eastern division and the other...
crown with a 4–3 roadReliant AstrodomeReliant Astrodome, also known as the Houston Astrodome or simply the Astrodome, is the world's first multi-purpose, domed sports stadium, located in Houston, Texas, USA. The stadium is part of the Reliant Park complex...
victory over the Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
. - September 30 – During the Pirates' 5–0 win over the Mets at Pittsburgh's Three Rivers StadiumThree Rivers StadiumThree Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's Major League Baseball franchise and National Football League franchise respectively.Built as a replacement to...
, Roberto ClementeRoberto ClementeRoberto Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in...
hits a double off New York's Jon MatlackJon MatlackJonathan Trumpbour Matlack is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher...
in the fourth inning to get his 3,000th and final regular season hit in the major leagues. - October 2 – Montreal ExpoMontreal ExposThe Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
pitcher Bill StonemanBill StonemanWilliam Hambly Stoneman III is a consultant for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball. From 1999 to October 15, 2007, he served as the general manager of the Angels...
no-hitsNo-hitterA no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
7–0 in the first game of a doubleheader at Jarry ParkJarry Park StadiumJarry Park Stadium is a former baseball stadium in Montreal which served as home to the Montreal Expos, Major League Baseball's first Canadian franchise, from 1969–1976. It served as a temporary home until the domed Olympic Stadium was finished and made available to the Expos...
. The no-hitter is 1) the second of Stoneman's career (the first having come on April 17, 1969—only nine games into the Expos' existence), 2) the first no-hitter ever pitched in a regular season game in CanadaCanadaCanada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
, and 3) the latest, calendar-wise, that a regular-season no-hitter has been pitched, tied with Addie JossAddie JossAdrian Joss was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched his entire nine-year baseball career for the Cleveland Bronchos/Naps .-Early life:...
' perfect gamePerfect gameA perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
in 19081908 in baseball-Statistical leaders:-American League final standings:-National League final standings:-January-March:*February 27 - The sacrifice fly rule is adopted. No time at bat is charged if a run scores after the catch of a fly ball...
. - October 3 – The Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
clinch the American League EastAmerican League EastThe American League Eastern Division is one of Major League Baseball's six divisions . This division was created before the start of the 1969 season along with the Western Division...
as Woodie FrymanWoodie FrymanWoodrow Thompson Fryman was a Major League Baseball pitcher. A two-time National League All-Star, he is best remembered as the mid-season acquisition that helped lead the Detroit Tigers to the 1972 American League Championship Series.-Pittsburgh Pirates:Fryman was 25 years old when he signed with...
beats Luis TiantLuis TiantLuis Clemente Tiant Vega , born November 23, 1940 in Marianao, Cuba, , is a former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians , Minnesota Twins , Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , Pittsburgh Pirates and California Angels...
of the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
3–1 for his 10th win. Detroit's Chuck SeelbachChuck SeelbachCharles Frederick "Chuck" Seelbach is a right-handed former pitcher in Major League Baseball.Seelbach played baseball at Dartmouth College from 1968-1970 and still ranks among Dartmouth's all time leaders in winning percentage , strikeouts , and shutouts .Drafted by the Detroit Tigers in the 1st...
picks up his 14th save and Al KalineAl KalineAlbert William "Al" Kaline is a former Major League Baseball right fielder. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame. Kaline played his entire 22-year baseball career with the Detroit Tigers. Kaline still works for the Tigers as a front office official. Because of his lengthy career and...
singles in the winning run for Detroit. - October 8 – In the seventh inning of Game 2 of the ALCS1972 American League Championship Series-Game 1:Saturday, October 7, 1972 at Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum in Oakland, CaliforniaGame 1 pitted ace pitchers Catfish Hunter for the A's and Mickey Lolich for the Tigers, and, as expected, both were brilliant...
, Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
shortstop Bert CampanerisBert CampanerisDagoberto Campaneris Blanco , nicknamed "Campy", is a former shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for four American League teams, primarily the Kansas City and Oakland Athletics...
is hit in the ankle by a pitch thrown by the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
' Lerrin LaGrowLerrin LaGrowLerrin Harris LaGrow was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played 10 seasons in the major leagues with the Detroit Tigers , St...
. An enraged Campaneris throws his bat at LaGrow, sparking a bench-clearing brawl in which Tiger manager Billy MartinBilly MartinAlfred Manuel "Billy" Martin, Jr. was an American Major League Baseball second baseman and manager. He is best known as the manager of the New York Yankees, a position he held five different times...
has to be restrained from going after Campaneris. Both Campaneris and LaGrow are suspended for the rest of the series, with Campaneris being tagged with a fine as well. The Athletics win the game 6-0. - October 11 – The Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
carry a lead into the bottom of the ninth inning of the final game of the NLCS1972 National League Championship Series-Game 1:Saturday, October 7, 1972 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaThe Reds got a first-inning homer from second baseman Joe Morgan to take a short-lived 1–0 lead. But Pittsburgh bounced back with three in the bottom of the inning, highlighted by an RBI triple from Al Oliver and...
. However, the Reds'Cincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
Johnny BenchJohnny BenchJohnny Lee Bench is a former professional baseball catcher who played in the Major Leagues for the Cincinnati Reds from 1967 to 1983 and is a member of the National Baseball Hall of Fame...
homers to tie the game. After some runners reach base, the Pirates' pitcher, Bob MooseBob MooseRobert Ralph Moose Jr. was a Major League Baseball pitcher from 1967 to 1976. Moose spent his entire career with the Pittsburgh Pirates. His best season came in 1969 when he posted a 14-3 won-loss record and a 2.91 Earned Run Average working equally as a starter and reliever...
, unleashes a wild pitch, permitting the pennant-clinching run to score. - October 22 – The Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
win the World Series1972 World SeriesThe 1972 World Series matched the American League champion Oakland Athletics against the National League champion Cincinnati Reds, with the A's winning in seven games. These two teams would meet again in the fall classic eighteen years later...
with a 3–2 victory in Game 7 over the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
. Gene TenaceGene TenaceFury Gene Tenace , better known as Gene Tenace, is a former Italian-American professional baseball player and current coach in Major League Baseball. He was a catcher and first baseman from through . Tenace was drafted by the Kansas City Athletics from Valley High School in Lucasville, OH and...
, who had only five home runs in the regular season but hit four in the Series, is named MVP. - November 8 – The St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
bring Tim McCarverTim McCarverJames Timothy "Tim" McCarver is an American former Major League Baseball catcher, and a current sportscaster in residence for Fox Sports.-Playing career:...
back to the Gateway City, sending Jorge RoqueJorge RoqueJorge Roque Vargas is a former Major League Baseball center fielder. Roque played for the St. Louis Cardinals from to and the Montreal Expos in .-External links:*...
to the Montreal ExposMontreal ExposThe Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
in exchange. - November 27 – The New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
send catcher John EllisJohn Ellis (baseball)John Charles Ellis , is a former professional baseball player who played first base and catcher in the Major Leagues from 1969-81. He played for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, and Texas Rangers....
, infielder Jerry KenneyJerry KenneyGerald Tennyson Kenney is a retired American Major League Baseball infielder. He is from Beloit, Wisconsin.-Baseball career:...
, and outfielders Charlie SpikesCharlie SpikesLeslie Charles Spikes was a Major League Baseball player from 1972 to 1980 for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, and Atlanta Braves. He also played 26 games for the Chunichi Dragons in Japan in . He mostly played the outfield...
and Rusty TorresRusty TorresRosando "Rusty" Torres Hernández is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played all or part of nine season in Major League Baseball for five different teams...
to the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in return for third baseman Graig NettlesGraig NettlesGraig Nettles , nicknamed "Puff", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. During a 22-year baseball career, he played for the Minnesota Twins , Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , San Diego Padres , Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos .Nettles was one of the best...
and catcher Jerry MosesJerry MosesGerald Braheen Moses is a retired American professional baseball player. A catcher, he signed a bonus contract with the Boston Red Sox in and spent his early Major League Baseball career with the Bosox, but over the course of his nine years in MLB Moses would play for seven different teams...
. It proves to be a great trade for the Yankees, as Nettles would become a stalwart on the Bronx Bombers' championship teams later in the decade. - December 10 – The American LeagueAmerican LeagueThe American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
votes unanimously to adopt the designated hitterDesignated hitterIn baseball, the designated hitter rule is the common name for Major League Baseball Rule 6.10, an official position adopted by the American League in 1973 that allows teams to designate a player, known as the designated hitter , to bat in place of the pitcher each time he would otherwise come to...
rule on a three-year experimental basis. The DH will replace the pitcher in the lineup unless otherwise noted before the start of the game. In the December 19751975 in baseball-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Cincinnati Reds over Boston Red Sox ; Pete Rose, MVP*All-Star Game, July 15 at County Stadium: National League, 6-3; Bill Madlock and Jon Matlack, MVPs-Other champions:...
meeting, the AL will vote to permanently adopt the DH. The National League declines to follow suit.
January–March
- January 9 – Jay PowellJay PowellJames Willard "Jay" Powell , is a former American baseball pitcher, who last played for the Atlanta Braves. He graduated from West Lauderdale Knights in 1990Mississippi State University....
- January 13 – Akinori OtsukaAkinori Otsukais a currently inactive Japanese Major League Baseball player. He was formerly the set-up man for the San Diego Padres and the Texas Rangers...
- January 17 – Walt McKeelWalt McKeelWalter Thomas McKeel is a former professional baseball player. He played parts of three seasons in Major League Baseball, between 1996 and 2002, for the Boston Red Sox and Colorado Rockies , primarily as a catcher...
- January 18 – Mike LieberthalMike LieberthalMichael Scott "Mike" Lieberthal , nicknamed Lieby, is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He batted and threw right-handed....
- January 21 – Alan BenesAlan BenesAlan Paul Benes, , was a Major League Baseball pitcher who pitched for three teams over the course of eight seasons....
- January 25 – José MacíasJosé MacíasJosé Prado Macías Salazar is a Major League Baseball player. He currently plays for the Piratas de Campeche in the Mexican League...
- January 28 – Tsuyoshi ShinjoTsuyoshi Shinjois a former Japanese professional baseball outfielder.-Career:Born in Tsushima, Nagasaki Prefecture, Japan and raised in Minami-ku, Fukuoka, he played for the Hanshin Tigers in Japan from until , then for Major League Baseball's New York Mets and San Francisco Giants...
- January 29 – Morgan BurkhartMorgan BurkhartMorgan Burkhart is a former first baseman/designated hitter in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals...
- February 1 – Rich BeckerRich BeckerRichard "Richie" Godhard Becker was a Major League Baseball player between 1993-2000.Born in Aurora, Illinois, Becker was selected in the third round of the 1990 Major League Baseball amateur draft out of West Aurora High School by the Minnesota Twins. In high school Becker, excelled at football...
- February 2 – Jared FernandezJared FernandezJared Wade Fernández is a former Major League Baseball knuckleball pitcher who last pitched in for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Japan's Central League....
- February 2 – Melvin MoraMelvin MoraMelvin Mora , affectionately nicknamed Melmo or Melvy, is a Venezuelan professional baseball infielder who is a free agent...
- February 11 – Brian DaubachBrian DaubachBrian Michael Daubach is a retired Major League Baseball player and current minor league baseball manager. During his playing career Daubach served as a first baseman, outfielder, and designated hitter...
- February 20 – Shane SpencerShane SpencerMichael Shane Spencer is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. In Major League Baseball, he played a total of 538 games for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, and New York Mets, compiling 438 hits, 59 home runs, and 242 RBI...
- February 22 – John HalamaJohn HalamaJohn Thadeuz Halama is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently playing for the Lancaster Barnstormers of the Atlantic League. During his major league career, Halama played with the Houston Astros , Seattle Mariners , Oakland Athletics , Tampa Bay Devil Rays , Boston Red Sox , Washington...
- February 23 – Rondell WhiteRondell WhiteRondell Bernard White is an outfielder and designated hitter in Major League Baseball. His career batting average currently stands at .284 and his career slugging percentage is .462....
- March 1 – Omar DaalOmar DaalOmar Jesús Daal Cordero is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for 11 seasons, from through . Daal played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Montreal Expos , Toronto Blue Jays , Arizona Diamondbacks , Philadelphia Phillies and Baltimore Orioles...
- March 10 – Rob StaniferRob StaniferRobert Wayne Stanifer is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played between and for the Florida Marlins and Boston Red Sox . He also pitched one season for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp in Japan in...
- March 11 – Salomón TorresSalomón TorresSalomón Torres Ramirez is a former Major League Baseball player. He began his career in with the San Francisco Giants, and also played for the Seattle Mariners, Montreal Expos, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Milwaukee Brewers.-San Francisco Giants:Torres is best known for starting the last game of the...
- March 22 – Cory LidleCory LidleCory Fulton Lidle was an Americanright-handed baseball pitcher who spent nine seasons in the major leagues with seven different teams. His twin brother Kevin Lidle also played baseball, as a catcher for several minor league teams...
- March 24 – José Cabrera
- March 24 – Steve KarsaySteve KarsayStefan Andrew Karsay is a former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher for the Oakland Athletics , Cleveland Indians , Atlanta Braves , New York Yankees , and Texas Rangers .Karsay grew up in the College Point neighborhood in Queens, New York City, just a few miles from Shea...
- March 27 – Adam MelhuseAdam MelhuseAdam Michael Melhuse is a former Major League Baseball catcher.-High school, college years:...
- March 29 – Alex OchoaAlex OchoaAlex Ochoa is a former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder. He is a Cuban American and is currently an assistant coach for the Boston Red Sox....
April–June
- April 11 – Robin JenningsRobin JenningsRobin Christopher Jennings is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He is the only person born in Singapore to play Major League Baseball....
- April 11 – Bobby M. Jones
- April 11 – Jason VaritekJason VaritekJason Andrew Varitek is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. After being traded as a minor league prospect by the Seattle Mariners, Varitek has played his entire major league career for the Boston Red Sox...
- April 12 – Paul Lo DucaPaul Lo DucaPaul Anthony Lo Duca is a television personality and a former Major League Baseball catcher. Previously, Lo Duca played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Florida Marlins , New York Mets , and Washington Nationals...
- April 14 – Roberto MejíaRoberto MejiaRoberto Antonio Mejía Díaz is a professional baseball second baseman who is currently a free agent. He played all or part of four seasons in Major League Baseball between 1993–97, and one season in the Korea Baseball Organization in 2003...
- April 16 – Antonio AlfonsecaAntonio AlfonsecaAntonio Alfonseca is a relief pitcher for the Bridgeport Bluefish of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He last pitched in Major League Baseball for the Philadelphia Phillies, and is also known for having an extra digit on each hand and foot. Alfonseca has also played for the Florida...
- April 17 – Gary Bennett
- April 24 – Chipper JonesChipper JonesLarry Wayne "Chipper" Jones, Jr. is a Major League baseball player for the National League's Atlanta Braves. Although initially a shortstop, he has spent most of his career as the starting third baseman for the Braves...
- April 26 – Brian AndersonBrian Anderson (pitcher)Brian James Anderson is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher, who played 13 season for five teams, as well as a sports broadcaster and coach. Currently, Anderson is the color commentator on the Rays TV crew on Sun Sports....
- April 26 – Francisco CórdovaFrancisco CordovaFrancisco Córdova is a former Major League Baseball left-handed starting pitcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates from - and who is currently playing in the Mexican Triple-A League for the Petroleros de Minatitlán.-Career:On January 18, 1996, Córdova was signed by the Pittsburgh Pirates as...
- April 26 – Felipe LiraFelipe LiraAntonio Felipe Lira is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Detroit Tigers , Seattle Mariners and Montreal Expos . He batted and threw right-handed.- Career :...
- May 1 – Bobby ChouinardBobby ChouinardRobert William Chouinard is a retired Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He is the only person born in The Philippines to play Major League Baseball....
- May 3 – Darren DreifortDarren DreifortDarren James Dreifort is a former Major League Baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers whose career was cut short by numerous injuries.-Early career:...
- May 4 – Manny AybarManny AybarManuel Antonio Aybar is a retired pitcher who has played in Major League Baseball and Korean Baseball Organization. He bats and throws right-handed....
- May 10 – Marino SantanaMarino SantanaMarino Santana Castro was a professional pitcher for two years in Major League Baseball. Santana was 26 years old when he made his major league debut on September 4, 1998, with the Detroit Tigers....
- May 19 – Scott McClainScott McClainScott Michael McClain is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who is a scout in Nippon Professional Baseball....
- May 24 – Danny BautistaDanny BautistaDaniel Bautista Alcántara is a former MLB baseball outfielder. He is more commonly known as Danny Bautista....
- May 28 – Tilson BritoTilson BritoTilson Manuel Brito Jiminez is a Dominican third baseman who is currently a free agent. From -, he played for the Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions of Chinese Professional Baseball League in Taiwan....
- May 30 – Scott EyreScott EyreScott Alan Eyre is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball.-Career:Eyre attended the College of Southern Idaho in Twin Falls, Idaho and was drafted by the Texas Rangers in the 9th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft...
- May 30 – Manny RamírezManny RamírezManuel "Manny" Arístides Ramírez Onelcida is a retired Dominican-American professional baseball outfielder. He was recognized for great batting skill and power, a nine-time Silver Slugger and one of 25 players to hit 500 career home runs. Ramirez's 21 grand slams are third all-time, and his 28...
- May 31 – Dave Roberts
- June 2 – Raúl IbáñezRaúl IbáñezRaúl Javier Ibáñez is an American Major League Baseball outfielder.Over his career, Ibáñez, who did not make 500 plate appearances until the age of thirty, has batted .280 with 377 doubles, 252 home runs and 1054 runs batted in over sixteen Major League seasons...
- June 2 – Chance SanfordChance SanfordChance Steven Sanford was a Major League Baseball infielder.Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in the 27th round of the 1992 MLB amateur draft, Sanford made his Major League Baseball debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 30, 1998, and appeared in his final major league game on June 9,...
- June 3 – Bryan RekarBryan RekarBryan Robert Rekar was a pitcher for the Major League Baseball Colorado Rockies, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and Kansas City Royals.- External links :...
- June 6 – Tony GraffaninoTony GraffaninoAnthony Joseph Graffanino is a former American Major League Baseball second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop. Though he never officially retired, Graffanino has not played since .-Career:...
- June 6 – Brooks KieschnickBrooks KieschnickMichael Brooks Kieschnick is a former Major League Baseball player. He was primarily a relief pitcher and left-handed pinch hitter...
- June 13 – Darrell MayDarrell MayDarrell Kevin May is a former Major League Baseball starting pitcher who last played for the New York Yankees. May stands at 6'2" tall and weighs 190 pounds...
- June 15 – Tony ClarkTony ClarkAnthony Christopher Clark, known as Tony , is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and current MLB Network studio analyst....
- June 15 – Ramiro MendozaRamiro MendozaRamiro Mendoza , nicknamed "El Brujo" , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Mendoza played with the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed. Although Mendoza made 62 starts in his major league career, he was primarily known as a middle relief pitcher...
- June 15 – Andy PettitteAndy PettitteAndrew Eugene Pettitte is a retired American left-handed Major League Baseball starting pitcher.In his major league career, he played for the New York Yankees from 1995–2003. He then signed with the Houston Astros, and played for them from 2004 through 2006. In 2007, Pettitte rejoined the Yankees...
- June 20 – Paul BakoPaul BakoGabor Paul Bako II is a catcher in Major League Baseball who is currently a free agent. Bako is an example of a baseball "journeyman", having played for 11 different major league teams during his 12-year career...
- June 20 – Juan CastroJuan CastroJuan Gabriel Castro is a former Mexican professional baseball infielder. He played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Cincinnati Reds, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, and Philadelphia Phillies, during his career...
- June 25 – Carlos DelgadoCarlos DelgadoCarlos Juan Delgado Hernández is a retired Puerto Rican professional baseball player. With 473 home runs and 1,512 RBI, he holds the all-time home run and RBI records among Puerto Rican players....
- June 30 – Garret AndersonGarret AndersonGarret Joseph Anderson is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played most of his career with the California/Anaheim/Los Angeles Angels...
July–September
- July 6 – Greg Norton
- July 11 – Mark LittleMark Little (baseball)Mark Travis Little is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball. Little retired after the season, after playing for the Florida Marlins Triple-A affiliate, the Albuquerque Isotopes...
- July 12 – Kelly WunschKelly WunschKelly Douglas Wunsch is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He is an alumnus of Texas A&M University....
- July 15 – Wilson DelgadoWilson DelgadoWilson Delgado Duran is a former professional baseball player who played shortstop in the major leagues from -.-Suspension from MLB:...
- July 24 – Shawn WootenShawn WootenWilliam Shawn Wooten is a retired Major League Baseball catcher. Previously, Wooten played in the majors with the Anaheim Angels , Philadelphia Phillies , and Boston Red Sox...
- August 5 – John WasdinJohn WasdinJohn Truman Wasdin is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played in Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball. He was born in Fort Belvoir, Virginia and raised in Tallahassee, Florida....
- August 7 – Kerry LacyKerry LacyKerry Ardeen Lacy is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Red Sox...
- August 15 – Chris SingletonChris Singleton (baseball)Christopher Verdell Singleton is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball. During his six-year major league career , he played for the Chicago White Sox , Baltimore Orioles , Oakland Athletics and Tampa Bay Devil Rays . During his playing career, his listed height and weight were 6'2",...
- August 17 – Jeff AbbottJeff Abbott (baseball)Jeffrey William Abbott is a retired professional baseball player who played outfielder in the major leagues from -. He played for the Chicago White Sox and Florida Marlins.-External links:...
- August 22 – Steve Kline
- August 23 – Raul CasanovaRaul CasanovaRaul Casanova was a Major League Baseball catcher from 1996 to 2008 with the exception of 1999 and 2006.-Minor leagues:He was drafted 220th overall, in the eighth round of the draft by the New York Mets....
- August 28 – Jay WitasickJay WitasickGerald Alphonse "Jay" Witasick, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. He was drafted by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 2nd round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his major league debut on July 7, as a member of the A's versus the California Angels...
- August 30 – José Herrera
- September 7 – Jason IsringhausenJason IsringhausenJason Derik Isringhausen is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher.-New York Mets:Isringhausen was chosen as a draft-and-follow prospect by the New York Mets in the 44th round of the 1991 Major League Baseball Draft...
- September 9 – Mike HamptonMike HamptonMichael William Hampton is a left-handed former Major League Baseball pitcher. During his career, Hampton was well known for being one of the best hitting pitchers of his time, as well as for his large contract and frequent injuries.-Early career:Mike Hampton was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in...
- September 9 – Félix RodríguezFélix Rodríguez (baseball)Félix Antonio Rodríguez is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the Camden Riversharks....
- September 14 – David BellDavid Bell (baseball)David Michael Bell is a former Major League Baseball third baseman who is currently the manager of the Triple-A Louisville Bats...
- September 15 – Marc NewfieldMarc NewfieldMarc Alexander Newfield is a former Major League Baseball player from to for the Seattle Mariners, San Diego Padres, and Milwaukee Brewers....
- September 21 – Scott SpiezioScott SpiezioScott Edward Spiezio is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He is currently an infielder for the Newark Bears of the independent Atlantic League . He is well known for his time as a member of the Anaheim Angels, when he hit a 3-run home run in Game Six of the 2002 World Series against the...
- September 30 – José LimaJosé LimaJosé Desiderio Rodriguez Lima was a Dominican right-handed pitcher who spent thirteen seasons in Major League Baseball with the Detroit Tigers , Houston Astros , Kansas City Royals , Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets...
October–December
- October 5 – Aaron GuielAaron GuielAaron Colin Guiel is a professional baseball outfielder for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Japan's Nippon Professional Baseball. He has also played in Major League Baseball for the Kansas City Royals and New York Yankees .-Minor leagues and Mexico:...
- October 6 – Valerio de los SantosValerio de los SantosValerio Lorenzo de los Santos is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently playing for the independent Long Island Ducks....
- October 6 – Benji GilBenji GilRomar Benjamin Gil Aguilar is a former Major League Baseball utility player.Gil made his Major League Baseball debut with the Texas Rangers on April 5, 1993...
- October 10 – Ramón MartínezRamón Martínez (baseball infielder)Ramón E. Martínez is a Major League Baseball utility infielder. He is the cousin of Chicago Cubs catcher Geovany Soto.-Early career:...
- October 19 – Keith FoulkeKeith Foulke-Career:After graduating from Hargrave High School in Huffman, Texas in 1991, he attended Galveston College and Lewis-Clark State College in Idaho. He began his career in the minor-league system of the San Francisco Giants, but was traded to the Chicago White Sox in 1997 with five other prospects...
- October 19 – Joe McEwingJoe McEwingJoseph Earl McEwing is a former Major League Baseball player who spent most of his career with the New York Mets, where he played from through . Nicknamed "Super Joe", he was the prototypical utility player who could play any position on the field well...
- October 23 – Giomar GuevaraGiomar GuevaraGiomar Antonio Guevara Diaz [gay-VAH-rah] is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and switch-hitter who played for the Seattle Mariners ....
- October 26 – Armando AlmanzaArmando AlmanzaArmando N. Almanza is a former left-handed relief pitcher, who last played for the Arizona Diamondbacks. He also played for the Florida Marlins and the Atlanta Braves in his career....
- October 27 – Brad RadkeBrad RadkeBrad William Radke is a former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who played his entire 12 season career with the Minnesota Twins. Radke won 148 career games and was one of the most consistent pitchers in the Twins organization during the late 90's...
- November 3 – Armando BenítezArmando BenítezArmando Germán Benítez is a relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Baltimore Orioles:...
- November 6 – Deivi CruzDeivi CruzDeivi Cruz Garcia , is a former baseball shortstop who last played for the Bridgeport Bluefish of the independent Atlantic League.He was released by the St...
- November 10 – Shawn GreenShawn GreenShawn David Green is a former Major League Baseball player.Green was a 1st round draft pick and a two-time major league All-Star...
- November 12 – Homer BushHomer BushHomer Giles Bush is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the New York Yankees, Toronto Blue Jays and Florida Marlins. He was a part of the Yankees 1998 World Championship....
- November 22 – Jay PaytonJay PaytonJason Lee "Jay" Payton is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He has played for the New York Mets , Colorado Rockies , San Diego Padres , Boston Red Sox , Oakland Athletics Baltimore Orioles and the Colorado Rockies in 2010. He bats and throws right-handed. Payton is an opposite-field...
- November 25 – Ramón FermínRamón FermínRamón Antonio Fermín Ventura is a former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in one game in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics during the 1995 season...
- December 5 – Cliff FloydCliff FloydCornelius Clifford Floyd, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder.-Early years:Floyd was born to parents Cornelius Clifford Floyd, Sr. and Olivia Floyd. After spending 13 years as an only child, Floyd was joined by brother Julius...
- December 8 – Jolbert CabreraJolbert CabreraJolbert Alexis Cabrera [HOLE-bert kah-BRER-rah] is a Major League Baseball Utility player who is currently playing in the Mexican League. Cabrera played with the Fukuoka Softbank Hawks in Japan's Pacific League for two years...
- December 16 – Charles GipsonCharles GipsonCharles Wells Gipson Jr. is a former Major League Baseball outfielder for the Seattle Mariners , New York Yankees , Tampa Bay Devil Rays , and Houston Astros ....
- December 21 – LaTroy HawkinsLaTroy HawkinsLaTroy Hawkins is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher. Through 2011, he was third of all active pitchers in career games pitched.-Minnesota Twins:...
- December 21 – Dustin HermansonDustin HermansonDustin Michael Hermanson is an American former right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball.After being selected in the 1st round of the amateur draft by, and playing for, the San Diego Padres, he bounced around the majors, playing for the Montreal Expos, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Red...
- December 28 – Einar DíazEinar DiazEinar Antonio Díaz is a former Major League Baseball catcher.Díaz was called up in by the Cleveland Indians to back up then-starting catcher Sandy Alomar, Jr. He played sparingly from 1996-, and in he got his first starting job with the Indians due to an injury to Alomar...
- December 29 – Jim BrowerJim BrowerJames Robert Brower is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for 8 MLB teams: Cleveland Indians , Cincinnati Reds , Montreal Expos , San Francisco Giants , Atlanta Braves , Baltimore Orioles , San Diego Padres , and New York Yankees...
January–March
- January 2 – Glenn CrawfordGlenn CrawfordGlenn Martin Crawford was a Major League Baseball player. He played in and one game in in the majors for the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies. Crawford played at least seven games at four different positions: 34 at shortstop, 32 in right field, 14 at second base, and 7 in left...
, 58, outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Phillies in the 1940s - January 21 – Dick LoftusDick LoftusRichard Joseph Loftus , is a former professional baseball player who played outfield from for the Brooklyn Robins in the 1924 & 1925 seasons.-External links:...
, 70, outfielder for the Brooklyn Robins from 1924–25 - February 9 – Chico RuizChico RuizHiraldo Ruiz Sablon , was a professional baseball player who played as an infielder in the Major Leagues from -. He would play for the Cincinnati Reds and California Angels .He is the only Major League player ever to pinch-hit for Johnny Bench...
, 33, infielder for the Cincinnati Reds and California Angels - February 28 – Dizzy TroutDizzy TroutPaul Howard "Dizzy" Trout was a Major League Baseball pitcher primarily for the Detroit Tigers. Born in Sandcut, Indiana, he first played professionally in 1935 with the Terre Haute Tots in the Three-I League before signing with Detroit in 1939.Trout played for the Tigers for fourteen seasons,...
, 56, All-Star pitcher for the Detroit Tigers who led the AL in wins in 1943 and was MVP runnerup the following year - March 11 – Zack WheatZack WheatWheat played his first full season in . He played every game for the Superbas that season as the regular left fielder, leading the league in games played. He batted .284 that season, the second-lowest average of his career, which led the team, and was among the league leaders in hits, doubles, and...
, 83, Hall of Fame left fielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers who held team career records for games, hits, doubles and triples, a lifetime .317 hitter who retired with the 10th-most hits in history - March 16 – Pie TraynorPie TraynorHarold Joseph "Pie" Traynor was an American professional baseball player, manager, scout and radio broadcaster. He played his entire Major League Baseball career as a third baseman with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He batted and threw right-handed...
, 72, Hall of Fame third baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates who batted .320 lifetime and established a record for career games at third base; was named the best ever at his position in 1969 - March 19 – Gordie HinkleGordie HinkleDaniel Gordon Hinkle was a backup catcher in Major League Baseball who played briefly for the Boston Red Sox during the 1934 season. Listed at 6' 0", 185 lb., Hinkle batted and threw right-handed...
, 66, catcher for the 1934 Boston Red Sox - March 28 – Donie BushDonie BushOwen Joseph "Donie" Bush , was a Major League Baseball shortstop in the American League for the Detroit Tigers and the Washington Senators...
, 84, shortstop of the Detroit Tigers for 14 seasons who led AL in walks five times and was a superlative bunter; later managed Pittsburgh to the 1927 NL pennant - March 30 – Davy JonesDavy Jones (baseball)David Jefferson "Davy" Jones , nicknamed "Kangaroo", was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played fifteen seasons with the Milwaukee Brewers, St. Louis Browns, Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, and Pittsburgh Rebels...
, 91, outfielder with the Detroit Tigers who organized a 1912 walkout to protest Ty CobbTy CobbTyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
's suspension for attacking a heckler
April–June
- April 2 – Gil HodgesGil HodgesGilbert Ray Hodges was an American Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. During an 18-year baseball career, he played in 1943 and from 1947–63, spending most of his career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers...
, 47, 8-time All-Star first baseman for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers who drove in more runs than any other player during the 1950s and managed the "Miracle Mets" to the 1969 World Series title - April 3 – Alvin CrowderAlvin CrowderAlvin Floyd Crowder , nicknamed "General," was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played eleven seasons in the American League with the Washington Senators, the St. Louis Browns, and the Detroit Tigers...
, 73, pitcher who had three 20-win seasons with the Browns and Senators, known for his mastery against the Yankees - May 15 – John MilliganJohn Milligan (baseball)John Alexander Milligan was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Senators . Listed at 5' 10", 172 lb., Milligan batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
, 68, pitcher who played from 1928 through 1934 for the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Senators - May 20 – Hoge WorkmanHoge WorkmanHarry Hallworth "Hoge" Workman was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball and a player-coach in the National Football League. Listed at 5' 11", 170 lb., Workman batted and threw right-handed...
, 72, pitcher for the 1924 Boston Red Sox, who also played and coached for Cleveland teams of the National Football League - May 22 – Dick FowlerDick FowlerRichard John Fowler was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Philadelphia Athletics . Fowler batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Toronto, Ontario, Canada....
, 51, Canadian pitcher who won 66 games with the Philadelphia Athletics, including a no-hitter - May 24 – Bill MooreBill Moore (catcher)William Henry Moore [Willie] was a backup catcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Red Sox. Listed at 5 11", 170 lb., Moore batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
, 68, catcher for the 1927 Boston Red Sox - May 29 – Moe BergMoe BergMorris "Moe" Berg was an American catcher and coach in Major League Baseball who later served as a spy for the Office of Strategic Services during World War II...
, 70, catcher who served as a spy for the U.S. government both during and after his playing career - June 9 – Del BissonetteDel BissonetteAdelphia Louis Bissonette was an American first baseman, manager and coach in Major League Baseball.Born in Winthrop, Maine, Bissonette attended Westbrook Seminary, the University of New Hampshire and Georgetown University before signing a professional baseball contract with Valleyfield-Cap de la...
, 72, first baseman who twice batted .300 for the Brooklyn Dodgers
July–September
- July 31 – Rollie HemsleyRollie HemsleyRalston Burdett Hemsley was a professional baseball catcher. Born in Syracuse, Ohio, he played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball. He was nicknamed "Rollicking Rollie".-Major League career:...
, 65, All-Star catcher for seven teams, later a coach and minor league manager - August 13 – George WeissGeorge Weiss (baseball)George Martin Weiss was an American baseball executive. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1971.Weiss was one of Major League Baseball's most successful farm system directors and general managers...
, 77, executive who solidified the New York Yankees dynasty as the club's farm director and general manager from 1932 to 1960, then became the Mets' first team president - August 24 – J. Roy Stockton, 79, St. Louis sportswriter from the 1910s to the 1950s, also a sportscaster and author of books on baseball
- September 2 – Jim BrillheartJim BrillheartJames Benson Brillheart was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played between 1922 and 1931 for the Washington Senators , Chicago Cubs and Boston Red Sox . Brillheart batted right-handed and threw left-handed...
, 68, who pitched for the Senators, Cubs and Red Sox, and one of the few pitchers in baseball history to appear in over 1,000 games - August 29 – Clem HausmannClem HausmannClemens Raymond Hausmann was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played between 1944 and 1949 for the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Athletics . Listed at 5' 9", 165 lb., Hausmann batted and threw right-handed...
, 53, pitcher for the Boston Red Sox and Philadelphia Athletics between 1944 and 1949 - September 6 – Charlie BerryCharlie BerryCharles Francis Berry was an American athlete and sports official who enjoyed careers as a catcher and umpire in Major League Baseball and as an offensive end and official in the National Football League...
, 69, American League catcher for eleven seasons, later an AL umpire from 1942 to 1962 who worked in five World Series and five All-Star Games; also played in the NFL and officiated numerous NFL Championship Games - September 16 – Eddie WaitkusEddie WaitkusEdward Stephen Waitkus was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who had an 11-year career . He played for the Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies in the National League and for the Baltimore Orioles of the American League...
, 53, All-Star first baseman who was shot in 1949 by a teenaged female admirer who lured him to her hotel room
October–December
- October 9 – Dave BancroftDave BancroftDavid James "Beauty" Bancroft was an American baseball player who played Major League Baseball from 1915 to 1930. He is a member of the Baseball Hall of Fame....
, 81, Hall of Fame shortstop for four NL teams, known for his defensive skill and also batting over .300 five times; captain of the New York Giants' pennant winners from 1921–1923 - October 24 – Jackie RobinsonJackie RobinsonJack Roosevelt "Jackie" Robinson was the first black Major League Baseball player of the modern era. Robinson broke the baseball color line when he debuted with the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947...
, 53, Hall of Fame second baseman for the Brooklyn Dodgers who broke baseball's color line in 1947 after starring in the Negro Leagues; he became the NL's 1949 MVP and batted .311 in a 10-year major league career - November 2 – Freddy ParentFreddy ParentFrederick Alfred Parent was a professional baseball player. He played all or part of eleven seasons in Major League Baseball, between 1899 and 1911, for the St. Louis Perfectos , Boston Americans and Chicago White Sox , primarily as a shortstop. Parent batted and threw right-handed...
, 96, shortstop in the Red Sox' first seven seasons, and the last surviving participant of the inaugural 1903 World Series - November 26 – Wendell SmithWendell SmithWendell Smith was a noted African American sportswriter was influential in the choice of Jackie Robinson to become the first African American player in Major League Baseball in the 20th century....
, 58, sportswriter for Pittsburgh and Chicago newspapers since 1937 who became the BBWAA's first black member and helped ease Jackie Robinson's entry into the major leagues; also a Chicago sportscaster since 1964 - December 20 – Gabby HartnettGabby HartnettCharles Leo "Gabby" Hartnett was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played almost his entire career in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Chicago Cubs. Until the career of Johnny Bench, Hartnett was considered the greatest catcher in the history of the National League...
, 72, Hall of Fame catcher for the Chicago Cubs who virtually clinched the 1938 pennant with a home run, he established career records for games and home runs as a catcher and was the NL's 1935 MVP - December 31 – Roberto ClementeRoberto ClementeRoberto Clemente Walker was a Puerto Rican Major League Baseball right fielder. He was born in Carolina, Puerto Rico, the youngest of seven children. Clemente played his entire 18-year baseball career with the Pittsburgh Pirates . He was awarded the National League's Most Valuable Player Award in...
, 38, right fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates since 1955; a lifetime .317 hitter, 12-time All-Star and winner of 12 Gold Gloves who was a 4-time batting champion and the NL's 1966 MVP, he collected his 3000th base hit in September