2011-1a History - A Unique Look at Big League Baseball

Transcription

-1Brief Baseball History
1845 - 2010
The Founding of the Game of Baseball and the Baseball Hall of Fame
Baseball Eras & Rules Changes
Image source: www.wikipedia.org/wiki/baseball
Section 1
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Page 1
Photo Use Permissions, Acknowledgements, Credits for Section 1
The Founding of Baseball & the National Baseball Hall of Fame, 1845-1939 (page 6)
Photos by © Joe Taxiera: 7 photos - Taken at the National Baseball Hall-of-Fame (HOF).
Public Domain Photos: 8 photos - All non-HOF photos on page 6, with most of them first published prior to 1923.
19th Century Era, 1871-1900 & The Dead Ball Era, 1901-1919 (pages 8 & 10)
Public Domain Photos: 32 photos - All photos from these 2 sections, with most of them first published prior to 1923.
Most of these photos were available from more than one source, which included the Library of Congress, Baseball Fever,
Wikipedia, Wikimedia and numerous other websites, as well as photos by U.S. Government related entities .
The Live Ball Era, 1920-1941 (see credits/players on page 12)
National Baseball Hall of Fame Library: 14 photos
Public Domain Photos: 2 photos
The War Era & Integration Era, 1942-1960 (see credits/players on page 14)
The Expansion Era, 1961-1976 (see credits/players on page 16)
Photos courtesy of © Steve's Baseball Photography Pages, Steve Dewing, www.thatsmyboy03.com: 16 photos
The Free Agency Era, 1977-1993 (see credits/players on page 18)
Photos courtesy of © Steve's Baseball Photography Pages, Steve Dewing, www.thatsmyboy03.com: 10 photos
Photos by © Greg Eichelberger/[email protected]: 2 photos
The Long Ball Era, 1994-2007 (see credits/players on pages 20 & 22)
Photos by © KeithAllisonPhoto.com: 11 photos
Photos by © Michael G. Baron: 6 photos
Photos by © Xiaolei Li: 3 photos
Photos by © Peggy Hughes: 5 photos
Photo by © Christopher Ebdon: 1 photo
Photo by © Andy Monfried: 1 photo
Photos by © Greg Eichelberger/[email protected]: 4 photos
Public domain photo: 1 photo - Rafael Palmeiro
A Transition to a New Era of Stronger Pitching & Defense, 2008-2010 (see credits/players on page 24)
Photos by © KeithAllisonPhoto.com: 8 photos
Photo by © Adam P. Fagan: 1 photo
Photo by © Greg Eichelberger/[email protected]: 1 photo
Public domain photo: 1 photo - Chris Carpenter
Photos by © Michael G. Baron: 4 photos
Photo by © Brock Fleeger: 1 photo
Player photos will only be used in this book under the following circumstances:
1) Photos taken by the author of this book.
2) Photos with written permission from the original photographers and/or copyright holders.
3) Photos with written permission from websites verifying they are the original photographers and/or copyright holders.
4) Public Domain - photos first published prior to January 1, 1923 in the United States.
5) Public Domain - unpublished photos (created anywhere) where the author died before 1936.
6) Puplic Domain - published in the U.S. between 1923 and 1977 without a copyright notice.
7) Public Domain - published in the U.S. between 1923 and 1963 with a copyright notice, but copyright not renewed.
8) Public Domain - published outside the U.S. before 1923 (or before July 1, 1909 in the 9th Federal Court District).
9) Public Domain - published outside the U.S. between 1923 and 1977 and that are in the public domain.
10) Public Domain - photos taken by many U.S. Government related entities and designated as public domain.
11) Public Domain - newer photos released to the public domain by the photographers and/or copyright holders.
12) Photos from public libraries, with specific permission for use in this book.
13) Photos on public websites such as Flickr, Wikipedia, Wikimedia, etc., identified as "free use with no restrictions" or
"free use with attribution" to the author/photographer, in which case the photographer is identified. Even in this case,
most of the original photographers were contacted and they've provided written permission to use their photographs.
Section 1
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Page 2
Brief Baseball History
Contents - Section 1
Page
What Makes Baseball Unique
4
Baseball Eras & Player Photos, 1845 - 2009
6
The Founding of Baseball & the Hall of Fame
1845 - 1939
7
The 19th Century Era
1871 - 1900
9
The Dead Ball Era
1901 - 1919
11
The Live Ball Era
1920 - 1941
13
The War Era & Integration Era
1942 - 1960
15
The Expansion Era
1961 - 1976
17
The Free Agency Era
1977 - 1993
19
The Long Ball Era
1994 - 2007
21
A transition to a new era of stronger Pitching & Defense
2008 - 2010
25
2008 Year in Review
2008
25
2009 Year in Review
2009
26
2010 Year in Review
2010
27
1996 - 2010
28
Home Runs - Average # of HR Hit in 30 Current Ballparks
Home Runs - Home vs. Away - Top 15 Single Season HR Hitters
29
Home Ball Parks - Biggest Hitters' Advantages
1871 - 2010
30
Home Ball Parks - Biggest Pitchers' Advantages
1871 - 2010
31
Year-by-Year MLB-wide Comparison, Pitching & Hitting
1901 - 2010
32
Pitchers with 2.99 ERA, 20 W, 200 SO all in the same season
34
Pitchers with 2.99 ERA, 300 W, 3000 SO in career
Hitters with .300 AVG, 100 R, 100 RBI, 40 HR all in the same season
35
Hitters with .300 AVG, 2000 R, 2000 RBI, 500 HR in career
Annual Salary Progression
1901 - 2010
36
Highest Career Earnings - Players
1901 - 2010
38
Largest Single Contracts - Players
1901 - 2010
38
2010 Opening Day Team Payrolls vs. 2009
2010
39
MLB Umpires - Most Games & HOF Umpires
1871 - 2010
40
First Night Games at 16 Ballparks, pre-expansion
1935 - 1988
40
Section 1
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Page 3
What makes Baseball Unique, compared to other Major Sports
Baseball has its origination from games such as cricket, rounders and town ball in the early 1800's (see pages 6 & 7) ,
which makes it very different from other major American team sports, such as football, basketball, ice hockey & soccer.
Some of the differences include the shape of the playing field, the lack of a clock or time limit to a game, the fact that the
defense is in control of the ball, and that the ball doesn't change hands after each score.
But the appeal to baseball fans is also about the subtleties or nuances of the game, such as the almost limitless ways
of calculating statistics, the vast differences from ballpark to ballpark, situational defenses, and the pitch sequences
based on a given batter or circumstance. A team can also choose to not face a batter, simply by intentionally walking him,
minimizing the damage he could cause. They allow him to reach first base, but with no further immediate damage.
In what other sport can you choose whether to face a strong opposing player, or to just "skip" him?
In baseball, the length of the game isn't determined by a clock.
Instead of quarters or halves based on a fixed amount of playing time, baseball plays a game with 9 innings per team.
Since a team can continue to score runs until 3 outs are recorded, this means that they can both build up a big lead or
make up a large deficit in just one inning, before the other team has a chance to respond.
In other sports, the ball either changes hands automatically after each score, or at a minimum, there's an opportunity for
for some type of face-off or kick-off to regain possession. A large deficit becomes very difficult to make up, because it
requires scoring on multiple (separate) possessions with the ball, while keeping the other team to minimal or no scoring.
And of course, all of these possessions take time. Players on a team in the lead can draw out each of their possessions
to kill time off the clock, holding a lead simply by having the clock run out…in other sports.
In baseball, until the last out of the last inning, no matter how many runs a team is behind, there's still a chance to win.
The field dimensions vary by ball park, and the shape isn't rectangular like other sports
Instead of the rectangular shaped field or playing area seen in other team sports, with offensive teams pushing through
the defensive team, trying to make it from one end to the other to score "goals," baseball has it's infield diamond shape.
And there is a single focal point, home plate, from which everything happens (no "goals" on each end like other sports).
The batter starts at home plate, and scores a run after reaching 1st, 2nd and 3rd bases, and touching home safely.
As mentioned before, the team that controls the ball (the defense) actually has no way to score. And the offensive players
never touch the ball except with the bat, unless they're hit by a pitch or tagged out with the ball.
Most sports have in-bounds and out-of-bounds areas.
In baseball, a ball hit in foul territory is out of play for the hitter,
but in play for the fielder if they can catch it on the fly. A fielder
can even reach into the stands to catch a fly ball for an out.
A ball hit over the outfield fence in fair territory is a home run, but
even that's fair game if an outfielder can catch it above the fence.
The 90 degree angle from home plate to the outfield fences in
right and left field is consistent throughout all ball parks. But the
distance from home plate to the fences vary by ball park, and
the curvature of the fence around the outfield varies as well.
And on top of that (no pun intended) the fence height and shape
varies as it wraps around the outfield. Many ball parks also have
non-symetrical outfield fences between the left and right sides.
The amount of foul territory between the foul lines and seats is
also different in every ball park. The newer ball parks have less
foul territory, to bring the fans closer to the "action" on the field.
This means that more foul pop flies make it safely to the stands
without being caught. This gives the batter another chance for
a hit, but also adds a strike, increasing chances for a strikeout.
Section 1
Image source: www.wikipedia.org/wiki/baseball
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Page 4
Besides the infield dimensions, baseball parks don't follow a strict set of guidelines
Could you imagine one of the NFL teams shortening their home field to 95 yards? Or lowering their goal posts?
Or maybe building a 10° hill along the back of the end zone for wide receivers to run up as they're catching a touchdown?
Baseball parks have this kind of flexibility. They move their fences and change the heights, with archways, bricks, corners
and built-in scoreboards causing unpredictable bounces when balls hit against them.
Boston's Fenway Park has outfield walls that are 37' high in left field, 18' high in center field, 5' high in right field (see page 51) .
Houston's Minute Maid Park has a wide 10° grass covered incline sloping up against the center field fence (see page 59) .
Los Angeles Dodger Stadium has fences down the foul lines that are only 4 feet high, allowing low line drive HR (see page 62) .
Many parks have changed their outfield dimensions multiple times over the years.
New York's Yankee Stadium (1923-2008) in Babe Ruth's days was much more spacious, except down the foul lines,
as the left-handed Ruth was a strong pull-hitter to right field, and thus could take advantage of the short right field fence:
1923
2008
Left
280'
318'
LC
500'
399'
Center
487'
408'
RC
429'
385'
Right
294'
314'
(1923 was the first season in use for Yankee Stadium)
(2008 was the final season; a new Yankee Stadium opened in 2009)
Kansas City's Municipal Stadium made both Top Lists (see pages 30 & 31) for the biggest "Hitters Park" (1958, 1964) &
"Pitchers Park" (1966, 1967). 239 HR were hit there in 1964 (147 in road games), and 45 HR in 1966 (131 in road games).
In 1965, they moved the fences further out by 39' in left field, 45' in left center field and 11' in center field. Then in 1966, the
10' fence/screen heights were raised to 22' in left & center, and 40' in right. After 1967, the K.C. A's moved to Oakland…
Adjustments to fence distances might also be made in the first few years of new ballparks. San Francisco's Candlestick
Park opened in 1960, and the Giants hit & allowed 80 HR at home and 157 HR in their road games (see page 31) .
After the season, they moved their fences 32' closer in left center and right center fields, and 10' closer in center field.
In 1961, the Giants hit & allowed 174 HR at home, and hit & allowed 161 HR in their road games (much more balanced).
Changes are sometimes made to the fences by the home team to leverage the strengths of current players.
An example of this is Boston's Fenway Park in Ted Williams' first 2 MLB seasons (left-handed pull hitter to right field):
Williams' first season, 1939: right center 405' & right 332'...In his second season, 1940: right center 382' & right 304'.
None of the other fence dimensions at Fenway Park were modified in 1940.
Other parks have other circumstances that impact the flight and distance of a batted ball. 2 examples:
Denver's Coors Field, has an altitude of 1 mile, where the ball carries further in the thin air (see pages 28 & 30) .
Chicago's Wrigley Field has strong winds off of Lake Michigan, which varies by day and even time of day. This determines
whether it's a "pitcher's park" that day (the wind is blowing in toward home plate), or a "hitter's park" (wind blowing out).
It's batter vs. pitcher, then batter vs. 9 defenders, until runners start reaching base
In most team sports, it's an equal number of players on offense and defense facing each other on a field or court.
In baseball, it's the pitcher versus the batter initially. The catcher's job is to "call" the pitches to throw, and to catch them.
Since hitting is about timing, the pitcher tries to change the location and speeds of pitches, to keep the batter guessing
and off-balance. If the batter strikes out, the other defenders don't get involved.
Defensive players prepare for each batter by changing their position on the field, based on their knowledge of both the
pitcher's and batter's tendencies, and they get more actively involved as batters make contact with the ball, or reach base.
So each batter is playing against 9 defensive players, hoping to place a hit in between or over the defenders.
Once runners start reaching base, they can serve as distractions to the pitcher and fielders, as threats to steal, or advance
around the bases in other ways. Pitchers often change their windup with runners on base, pitching out of a "stretch"
position instead of a windup. They can pitch the ball to the plate more quickly from this position, reducing the possibility of
a stolen base. But many pitchers don't pitch as effectively when they're not using the windup, which benefits the batter.
But ultimately, there will always be 9 defenders on the field, and there can be at most 4 offensive players, if all 3 bases
are occupied with runners.
So all things aren't "equal" in baseball, but that doesn't really matter. It just adds to the appeal of the game.
In the end, the numbers are the numbers, and baseball fans do love comparing them.
Section 1
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Page 5
Rounders
Alexander Cartwright
Town Ball / "Massachusetts game"
Henry Chadwick
Al Spalding
Ford Frick
Cricket field
Judge Kenesaw
Mountain Landis
(All photos above were in the Public Domain, see Page 2 for more details)
National Baseball Hall of Fame, Cooperstown, N.Y., established in 1939
Hall of Fame plaques of the first 5 players elected in 1936 (3 years before the official opening of the HOF):
Walter Johnson **** Christy Mathewson **** Babe Ruth **** Honus Wagner **** Ty Cobb
(National Baseball Hall of Fame photos above by © Joe Taxiera)
Section 1
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Page 6
Pre-Major League Baseball Era - The Founding of Baseball
Early 1800's
1845
Baseball evolved from many games being played in America (some that originated in England), such
as rounders, crickett, town ball (AKA the "Massachusetts game"), stool ball, poison ball, bat and ball,
goat ball, and the "New York game" of base ball.
Alexander Cartwright, a New York bank teller, organized the Knickerbocker Base Ball Club in 1845,
with many former members of the New York Base Ball Club, who played the "New York game."
Cartwright and Daniel "Doc" Adams formalized the first set of 20 rules, which included:
1) Bases shall be from "home" to second base, 42 paces; from first to third base, 42 paces.
2) The field shall be divided into fair and foul territories.
3) "Soaking" will no longer be allowed (throwing the ball at baserunners to put them out).
4) 3 hands out, all out (3 outs to a half-inning).
Also established the following year: 9 players to a side on offense and defense.
Some early baseball expressions from the mid-1800's, and what they're called today:
Aces (runs), Behind (catcher), Club Nine (team), Cranks (fans), Dew Drop (slow pitch), Foul Tick
(foul ball), Hands out (outs), Hurler (pitcher), Match (game), Muff (error), Striker (batter), Tally (score).
1857
National Association of Base Ball Players was formed by 22 clubs, with "Doc" Adams from the
Knickerbocker BB Club voted President and Chairman of the Committee on Rules & Regulations.
New rules: 9 inning games, called strikes, 90' between bases & 45' to the pitchers mound.
1864
Henry Chadwick, one of baseball's first sportswriters, introduced his boxscore scoring system in 1864
(adapted from the Cricket scorecard), and the "batting average" (1865) and ERA statistics.
1905
Henry Chadwick wrote an article claiming the origin of baseball was rounders (an English game).
Al Spalding (former CWS pitcher), a sporting goods store owner, was outraged and spearheaded
the forming of the 7-member Mills Commission, (run by Colonel A.G. Mills, former N.L. President)
to determine the true (American) origin. They posted public advertisements requesting information.
1907
In response to the Mills Commission ad, 73-year-old Abner Graves gave testimony that he was a
schoolmate and playmate of Abner Doubleday in Cooperstown, N.Y., when in 1839, Graves (5 years old)
saw Doubleday use a stick to draw a baseball diamond in the dirt, including the locations of the players.
Abner Doubleday coincidentally happened to be someone that A.G. Mills knew. Doubleday was a
cadet at West Point in 1839, later became a General and Civil War hero… this was the perfect story …
baseball invented in a rural American town by a future war hero. Doubleday, who had passed away
in 1893, never mentioned baseball in his 67 diaries, or in his many newspaper & magazine articles
after retiring from the Army. Nor did he ever mention it to his friend of 30 years, Colonel A.G. Mills...
The result? The Mills Commission wrongly credited Abner Doubleday with inventing baseball.
1935
Steven Clark, a wealthy Cooperstown resident, decided to build a national baseball museum in the
"founding town" of baseball, as he felt that tourism was the way to boost the economy of this village.
He contacted Ford Frick, the President of the National League, and offered to personally pay all
construction costs of the building. The new Baseball Hall of Fame was planned for opening in 1939.
1936
The first 5 players were elected by the Baseball Writers Association of America, into the yet-to-beopened Hall of Fame: Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson and Walter Johnson.
1938
Baseball Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis received a letter from Bruce Cartwright, who
provided documentation that it was his grandfathe r, Alexander Cartwright, who in 1845 drew the first
baseball diamond, and created the new rules. A committee confirmed this, and named Cartwright
into the HOF as a "Father of Modern Baseball." No mention was made of the Doubleday "error."
In reality, there was no one single inventor of baseball, as it was a sport that evolved over time.
Abner Graves' identification in 1907 of Abner Doubleday may have been a case of mistaken identity.
Graves was only 5 years old in 1839, while Abner Doubleday would have been 20. Doubleday had
a younger cousin also named Abner Doubleday who lived in Cooperstown, close to Graves' age, and
therefore could have been his "schoolmate." Maybe two 5-year-olds, drawing a game in the dirt,
evolved into the story of a famous war hero who was the inventor of baseball, who wasn't…
1939
The official National Baseball Hall of Fame dedication in Cooperstown, New York, on the 100-year
anniversary of what was originally thought to be the "invention" of baseball by Abner Doubleday in 1839.
See page 369 for additional photos and information on the Baseball Hall of Fame inductees.
Section 1
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Page 7
Denton "Cy" Young (P)
30 Wins x 5; 20 Wins x 15
Records: 511 W, 749 CG
Thomas "Tommy" Bond (P)
Won 40 games 3 cons. yrs.
234 W career, 2.31 ERA
Michael "Mickey" Welch (P)
44 W & 1.66 ERA in 1885
307 Wins, 2.71 ERA
John Clarkson (P)
30 Wins x 6; 53 W in 1885
328 Wins, 2.81 ERA
Timothy "Tim" Keefe (P)
James "Pud" Galvin (P)
41 W, 68 CG, 361 SO in 1883
46 W in 1883 & 1884
30 W x 6 cons., 342 W, 2.62 ERA
20 W x 10; 364 W, 2.86
Charles "Kid" Nichols (P)
30 Wins x 7; 20 Wins x 11
361 Wins, 2.95 ERA, 531 CG
Charles "Hoss" Radbourn (P)
59 W, 73 CG, 1.38 in 1884
20 W x 9; 309 W, 2.67 ERA
"Wee Willie" Keeler (RF)
329 Hits & .424 Avg in 1897
2,932 Hits & .341 Avg
Adrian "Cap" Anson (1B)
2,076 RBI, 3,418 H, .333 Avg
Record 27 Seasons
Dennis "Dan" Brouthers (1B)
.350 x 6; .300 x 14
2,296 Hits, .342 Avg
Ed Delahanty (LF)
238 Hits & .410 in 1899
.400 x 3; .300 x 11; .346 Avg
"Sir" Hugh Duffy (CF)
160 R, 237 H, .440 in 1894
.300 x 10, .324 Avg
Jesse "Crab" Burkett (LF)
160 R, 240 H, .410 in 1896
.400 x 2; .300 x 11, .338 Avg
All photos on this page were in the Public Domain, see Page 2 for more details
Section 1
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Page 8
Billy Hamilton (CF)
192 R, .404 Avg in 1894
912 SB, .344 Avg
John McGraw (3B, MGR)
.547 OBP, .391 in 1899
.466 OBP & .334 Avg
19th Century Era (excluded from post-1900 "modern" records), 1871-1900
Constant rules changes during this era made it very difficult to compare statistics with future post-1900 records.
When the National League started in 1876, teams played from 57 to 70 games, and all the players played everyday.
There was often only 1 pitcher per team. George Bradley (STL) started all 64 games for his team and completed 63.
Jim Devlin had 68 GS and 66 CG. Of the 520 games started by pitchers league-wide, 473 were complete games.
The game changed quickly during the late 1800's, evolving into 3-man starting pitching rotations and relief pitchers.
Other leagues came & went: American Assoc. (1882-1891), Union Assoc. (1884 only), Players League (1890 only).
During this era, starting pitchers completed 90% of their games, and the season HR record was 27.
1871
National Association, the first professional league, was formed with 9 teams and grew to 13 teams, but
was plagued by financial solvency and gambling problems, ultimately disbanding at the end of 1875.
1876
National League was formed with 8 teams, predominantly with players from the National Association.
1879
Base on Balls - reduced to 9 "called balls"
Tommy Bond won 40+ games for his third consecutive season.
1880
Base on Balls - reduced to 8 "called balls." A baserunner was ruled out if hit by a batted ball.
It is now a strikeout when a catcher catches a foul or foul tip on the fly on the third strike.
1881
Base on Balls - reduced to 7 "called balls." The pitcher's rubber moved from 45' to 50' from home plate.
1884
Base on Balls - reduced to 6 "called balls"
1884
Huge HR season. Lakefront Park II in Chicago, with very short outfield fences (LF 180', CF 300', RF 196')
was only used for 2 years. In 1883, balls hit over the short outfield fences were ground rule doubles, but
in 1884 they were home runs. The top 4 HR marks from 1871-1898 were all hit in 1884, with all 4 being
the following Chicago players: Ned Williamson (27 HR, 25 at home), Fred Pfeffer (25 HR, all at home),
Abner Dalrymple (22 HR, 18 at home), and Cap Anson (21 HR, 20 at home).
Home Runs hit by:
1883
1884
1885
- League Leader
10
27
11
- Ned Williamson
3
27
2
- Chicago White Stockings team
13
142
54
- 8 National League teams combined
124
322
174
Larry Corcoran, (Chicago White Stockings) , won 35 games, and allowed a NL record 35 HR (he had only
allowed 7 HR in 1883). This record of 35 HR allowed won't be broken for 64 years (1948).
"Old Hoss" Radbourn won a record 59 games (with 12 losses) which still stands today. In 678 IP,
he had 73 CG in 73 starts, with 11 shutouts, 441 strikeouts, and an ERA of 1.38. He allowed 18 HR.
Pud Galvin won 46 games for the second consecutive year, with a 1.99 ERA. He allowed 23 HR.
MLB record 8 no-hitters were pitched (4 in AA, 2 in NL and 2 in UA in their only season of existence)
1885
One side of the baseball bat could now be flat (this only lasted one year).
John Clarkson went 53-16 as a pitcher, with 623 IP, 1.85 ERA, 10 SHO, and 68 CG in 70 starts.
1887
Base on Balls - reduced to 5 "called balls." A strikeout was 4 "called" strikes, for this season only.
Pitcher's box reduced to 4 feet by 5 1/2 feet. A batter was awarded first base when hit by a pitch.
1888
Pud Galvin became baseballs' first career 300 game winner.
1889
Base on Balls - reduced to 4 "called balls" where it remains today.
1893
Pitcher's box replaced by a pitcher's rubber slab 12" x 4", and moved from 50' to 60'6" from home plate.
1894
Big offensive season. Highest runs scored totals ever recorded in the National League.
Hugh Duffy won the NL Triple Crown (.440 AVG, 18 HR, 145 RBI), set other records (.694 SLG, 85 XBH, 374 TB).
Billy Hamilton set records with 192 Runs and 355 TOB, and Heinie Reitz hit a record 31 Triples.
Amos Rusie led the NL with an unusually high ERA of 2.78. Only 4 pitchers had an ERA under 4.00.
1895
Pitcher's rubber slab size increased to 24" x 6." New 2 3/4" maximum diameter for a baseball bat.
Section 1
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Page 9
Grover "Pete" Alexander (P)
20 W x 9, 373 W, 2.56 ERA
Record 16 Shutouts in 1916
Christy Mathewson (P)
Mordecai "3-Finger" Brown (P)
Walter Johnson (P)
20 W x 13; 373 W, 2.13 ERA
20 W x 6; 239 W; 2.06 ERA
20 W x 12; 417 W, 2.17 ERA
1.14 ERA in 1909
1.04 ERA in 1906
Record 110 Shutouts
Charles "Chief" Bender (P)
212 Wins, 2.46 ERA
Joe McGinnity (P)
20 W x 8; 246 W, 2.66 ERA
Sam Crawford (RF)
.300 x 10; 309 3B, .309. Avg
Record 309 Triples
Ty Cobb (CF)
"The Georgia Peach"
897 SB, 4,189 H, .366 Avg
.300 x 23 cons.; .400 x 3
"Happy Jack" Chesbro (P)
41 W, 48 CG, 1.82 ERA in 1904
Ed Walsh (P)
40 Wins, 1.42 ERA in 1908
Record 1.82 ERA
Napolean "Nap" Lajoie (2B)
1901 Triple Crown & .426 Avg
.300 x 15; 3,242 H, .338 Avg
Eddie Plank (P)
20 W x 8; 326 W, 2.35 ERA
Rube Waddell (P)
193 Wins, 2.16 ERA
27 W, 1.48 ERA in 1905
Tris Speaker (CF)
.300 x 18; 3,514 Hits, .345
Record 792 Doubles
John "Honus" Wagner (SS)
723 SB, 3,420 H, .327 Avg
.300 Avg x 15 cons.
Joe Jackson (OF)
"Shoeless Joe"
1911-.408 Avg. & 233 Hits
.356 Career Avg
All photos on this page were in the Public Domain, see Page 2 for more details
Section 1
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Page 10
The Dead Ball Era (The Dirty Ball Era), 1901-1919
Pitchers dominated this era, with the exceptions of 1901, 1911 & 1912. 9 pitchers won the Triple Crown (page 361).
"Doctored" Baseballs were commonly used during this 19 year era. Spitballs were legal, with pitchers using
saliva mixed with tobacco juice, slippery elm, chewing gum, etc. Mud, resin, talcum powder & paraffin were also
used, and the baseball was cut, roughed and misshapen with tools, spikes, sanding & filing with an emery board.
The same baseball would often be used for an entire game during this era, because of their high cost ($3 each).
Foul balls were redeemed by fans for free admission to other games, and returned balls were put back in play.
By the ninth inning, this ball would often become a dark greenish brown color, making it difficult for hitters to see
on the onset of twilight. The stitching would sometimes start unraveling, leaving the horsehide ragged or loose.
During this time, emphasis was placed on the hit-and-run, singles, bunts, sacrifices and stolen bases.
The dead ball and large open parks made for fewer home runs, and more doubles, triples and inside-the-park HR.
Batters used heavy bats, choked up on the handle, and didn't attack the pitch aggressively. Managers relied on
pitching and defensive strategy much more than offensive strategy. This was referred to as the "scientific method."
Foul strike rule for the first 2 strikes was applied in 1901 in the NL and 1903 in the AL, adding to hitting difficulties.
The Dead Ball Era had outstanding batting averages by the best players, but low league-wide batting averages:
NL AVG in 1908 was .239, Honus Wagner's .354 led NL
AL AVG in 1910 was .243, Nap Lajoie's .384 led AL
During this era, starting pitchers completed 67% of their games, and the season HR record was 29.
1901
American League was formed, competing with the National League for available players, and taking
advantage of the NL 4-team contraction after 1900. Hitters flourished, as 41 hit for a .300 AVG.
Nap Lajoie won the first AL Triple Crown (.426 AVG, 14 HR, 125 RBI). His .426 AVG remains the MLB record.
1904
The pitcher's mound had a new height limit of 15". Hitters struggled, as only 9 hit for a .300 AVG.
Jack Chesbro, an exceptional spitballer, set still-current records with 51 GS, 48 CG and 41 Wins.
A record 17 pitchers won 20 games. This record will only be matched once in the future.
1906
Mordecai "Three-Finger" Brown had a MLB record 1.04 ERA, which will be the 2nd lowest in history.
1908
Addie Joss had an ERA of 1.16, as 18 pitchers had < 2.00 ERA and 64 pitchers had < 3.00 ERA.
Incredibly, only 5 pitchers had > 3.00 ERA with a min. 154 IP, with the highest at 3.60 (see page 32).
Chicago Cubs won the World Series over the Detroit Tigers. The Cubs haven't won a W.S. since.
1909
Ty Cobb won the AL Triple Crown (.377 AVG, 9 HR, 107 RBI) & led Detroit to their 3rd straight AL pennant.
1911
A peak offensive season in this era.
New "cork center" baseball (used in the 1910 World Series) was introduced as the MLB standard.
Ty Cobb hit for a .420 AVG, and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson finished second in the AL with a .408 AVG.
(80 games into the 1911 season, Ty Cobb had a .450 AVG, a 70 point lead over Joe Jackson and his .380 AVG)
Cy Young retired with the following MLB career pitching records: 511 W, 316 L, 815 GS, 749 CG.
1912
A peak offensive season in this era.
Ty Cobb hit for a .409 AVG, and "Shoeless" Joe Jackson finished second in the AL with a .395 AVG.
"Chief" Wilson (PIT) hit a still current MLB record 36 Triples. His next best season: 14 Triples in 1913.
1913
Philadelphia Athletics won their 3rd World Championship in 4 years, led by Frank "Home Run" Baker.
1914
Dutch Leonard set a MLB season record 0.96 ERA, a record that still stands.
Federal League was formed, but lasted only 2 seasons before disbanding.
1916
Grover Cleveland "Pete" Alexander set a MLB record with 16 SHO, & had a 1.55 ERA, 38 CG, 33 Wins.
1917
Sam Crawford retired with MLB career records of 309 Triples and 51 Inside-the-Park Home Runs.
Ed Walsh retired with a MLB record 1.82 career ERA.
6 No-Hitters were pitched, matching the 1908 & 1915 seasons (this won't happen again until 1969).
1918
With World War I, the season was shortened to 128 games. Led by pitcher / hitter Babe Ruth, the
Boston Red Sox won their 4th World Championship in the last 7 years (but won't win again until 2004).
1919
World War I continued, and the season was shortened to 140 games.
Babe Ruth hit a MLB record 29 HR in his last season with the Red Sox (he will be sold to the Yankees).
Black Sox Scandal, with 8 Chicago White Sox players "throwing" the World Series in a gambling scandal.
The most famous player "questionably" implicated in this scandal was "Shoeless" Joe Jackson.
Section 1
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Page 11
George Herman "Babe" Ruth (RF); 1 MVP
714 HR, 2,213 RBI, .342 Avg; W94-L46, 2.28 ERA
.300 Avg x 14; 40 HR x 11; 100 RBI x 13
Jimmie Foxx (1B); 3 MVP
534 HR, 1,922 RBI, .325 Avg
.300 Avg x 11; 100 RBI x 13
Lou Gehrig (1B); 2 MVP
40 HR x 5; 100 R & RBI x 13
.300 x 12; .340 Avg, 493 HR
Mel Ott (RF)
511 HR, 1,860 RBI, .304 Avg
100 R & RBI x 9
Chuck Klein (RF); 1 MVP
250 H, 170 RBI, .386 in 1930
1 Triple Crown; .320 Avg
Al Simmons (LF)
253 H, .387 in 1925
100 RBI x 12; .300 x 13; .334
Bill Terry (1B)
254 Hits, .401 Avg in 1930
200 H x 6; .300 x 10; .341
Joe DiMaggio (CF); 3 MVP
56 game hitting streak in 1941
.300 Avg x 10; 100 RBI x 9; .325 Avg
Rogers Hornsby (2B); 2 MVP
2 Triple Crowns; .424 in 1924
.300 x 14; .400 x 3; .358 Avg
Joe Medwick (LF); 1 MVP
237 H, 154 RBI, .374 in 1937
1 Triple Crown; .324 Avg
Carl Hubbell (P); 2 MVP
Record 24 cons. Wins
20 W x 5; 253 W, 2.98 ERA
George Sisler (1B); 1 MVP
.420-1922; 257 Hits-1920
.300 x 13; .400 x 2; .340
Lewis "Hack" Wilson (CF)
56 HR, 191 RBI, .356 in 1930
100 RBI x 6; .307 Avg
Robert "Lefty" Grove (P); 1 MVP
31 W, 27 CG, 2.06 in 1931
20 Wins x 8; 300 W, 3.06 ERA
Burleigh Grimes (P)
20 Wins x 5; 270 Wins
Photos courtesy of National Baseball Hall of Fame Library: All photos on this page except Babe Ruth (both public domain photos).
Section 1
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Page 12
The Live Ball Era (The Clean Ball Era), 1920-1941
Hitters dominated this era, with MLB "tweaking" the baseball's construction to make it livelier and increase offense.
The home run feats of Babe Ruth in the early 1920's influenced hitting, as bunting & base stealing both declined.
The New York Yankees dominated this era as a team, with 9 World Series Championships & 12 AL Pennants.
1920-1939 were strong offensively with the number of .300 hitters per season ranging from 36 to 62 players.
During this era, starting pitchers completed 47% of their games, & 8 players hit 50+ HR in a season.
1920
New baseball was introduced, with a higher grade wool yarn used to wrap around the cork core center,
and the cores were wound by machine rather than by hand. This new ball was also less expensive.
Babe Ruth's HR's jumped from 29 in 1919, to a MLB record 54 in 1920, with a MLB record .847 SLG.
George Sisler hit for a .407 AVG with a MLB record 257 Hits (a record that won't be broken until 2004).
The spitball was banned for fear of seriously injuring batters, but a "grandfather clause" allowed teams
to register designated spitball pitchers. 17 pitchers were registerd by the end of 1921.
Ray Chapman was killed by a ball pitched by Carl Mays (not a spitballer), reportedly by a "dirty" ball that
was hard to see. Umpires were directed to put new cleaner baseballs in play more frequently.
Other "freak deliveries" and other forms of "ball doctoring" were also outlawed.
The Negro Leagues were formed in answer to racial discrimination in the major leagues.
1921
Babe Ruth hit a MLB record 59 HR, breaking his own record of 54 set the prior year.
Umpires started rubbing a special mud into baseballs, reducing gloss and slickness without dirtying.
1922
Rogers Hornsby won the NL Triple Crown (.401 AVG, 42 HR, 152 RBI). George Sisler won the AL Batting
Title (.420 AVG), with Ty Cobb finishing 2nd (.401 AVG). Cobb also hit for a .400 AVG in 1911 & 1912.
1924
Rogers Hornsby won NL Batting Title (.424 AVG), second only to Nap Lajoie (.426 AVG in 1901) since 1901.
1925
Rogers Hornsby won his second NL Triple Crown in 4 years (.403 AVG, 39 HR, 143 RBI).
1926
New "cushioned cork center" baseball was introduced, which was slighly deadened.
1927
Babe Ruth hit a MLB record 60 HR, breaking his own record of 59 HR set in 1921.
1928
Ty Cobb retired with a MLB record career .367 AVG; Tris Speaker retired with a MLB record 792 doubles.
1930
The peak offensive season during this era. Record 62 players had a .300 AVG & 36 scored 100 runs.
NL hit 892 HR league-wide, with a .303 AVG (only time over .300 in history). AL hit 673 HR with .288 AVG.
Bill Terry hit .401, Hack Wilson had MLB record 191 RBI, Lou Gehrig 174 RBI, Al Simmons 165 RBI,
Chuck Klein had .386 AVG, 158 R, 250 H, 40 HR, 107 XBH, 170 RBI, 445 TB & MLB record 44 OF Assists.
4 players hit 40 HR in the same season for the first time. Many players had career years offensively, but
no batters had 100 SO. Hack Wilson's 84 SO led NL; Jimmie Foxx & Ed Morgan led AL with 66 SO.
1931
New baseball was introduced with raised seams , giving pitchers a better grip and improved curveballs.
AL kept the new ball as is, but the NL decided to "deaden" their baseballs after high 1930 offense.
NL hit 493 HR (45% decrease), with a .277 AVG. The AL surpassed the NL with 576 HR. It will take
until the 1942 season before the NL catches back up to the AL offensively.
Earl Webb hit a still current MLB record 67 Doubles. His next best season: 30 Doubles in 1930.
Balls that bounced over the outfield fence were now considered "ground-rule doubles" instead of HR.
1933
2 Triple Crown Winners: Jimmie Foxx, AL (.356, 48 HR, 163 RBI); Chuck Klein, NL (.368, 28 HR, 120 RBI).
The first All-Star Game was played at Comiskey Park in Chicago, won by the National League, 4-2.
1934
Lou Gehrig won the AL Triple Crown (.363 AVG, 49 HR, 165 RBI), but Mickey Cochrane won the AL MVP .
1935
Babe Ruth retired at age 40, one week after hitting 3 home runs in a game on May 25.
The first night game was played under the lights in Cincinnati's Crosley Field (see more on page 40) .
1937
Joe Medwick became the last NL player to win the Triple Crown (.374 AVG, 31 HR, 154 RBI) & won NL MVP .
Carl Hubbell set MLB record with a 24-game winning streak, from July 1936 through May 1937.
1938
Jimmie Foxx won his 3rd AL MVP (.349, 50 HR, 175 RBI); Catcher Ernie Lombardi won the NL MVP (.342 AVG).
1939
Lou Gehrig retired 8 games into the season, after learning he had ALS. He will pass away June 2, 1941.
1941
Ted Williams hit .406, the 13th and final .400 hitter since 1901. He missed the Triple Crown by 5 RBI.
Joe DiMaggio had a MLB record 56 game hit streak, and edged Ted Williams for the AL MVP Award.
Section 1
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Page 13
Ted Williams (LF)
2 MVP; 2 Triple Crowns
521 HR, .344 Avg, .406-1941
Stan Musial (LF)
3 MVP; 3,630 Hits, .331 Avg
.300 Avg x 17; 475 HR
Mickey Mantle (CF)
3 MVP; 1 Triple Crown; 1 GG
40 HR x 4; 536 HR, .298 Avg
Willie Mays (CF)
2 MVP; 12 GG; .302 Avg
40 HR x 6; 660 HR
Roberto Clemente (RF)
1 MVP; 12 GG; .317 Avg
.300 Avg x 13; 3,000 Hits
Henry "Hank" Aaron (RF)
1 MVP; 1 GG; .305 Avg
40 HR x 8; 755 HR, 2,297 RBI
Frank Robinson (RF)
586 HR, .294 Avg
Roy Campanella (C)
3 MVP; .276 Avg
41 HR, 142 RBI in 1953
Jackie Robinson (2B)
1 MVP; .311 career Avg
Yogi Berra (C)
3 MVP; 358 HR, .285 Avg
Bob Feller (P)
26 W, 348 SO, 2.18 ERA-1946
3 no-hitters, 12 one-hitters
Ernie Banks (SS)
2 MVP; 1 GG; 512 HR, .274
Robin Roberts (P)
286 Wins, 3.41 ERA
20 Wins x 6 cons. seasons
Early Wynn (P)
1 CYA, 300 Wins
20 Wins x 5 seasons
All photos on this page courtesy of National Baseball Hall of Fame Library
Section 1
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Page 14
Al Kaline (RF)
10 GG; 3,007 Hits, .297 Avg
Warren Spahn (P)
1 CYA, 362 Wins
20 Wins x 13 seasons
2 no-hitters
The War Era & Integration Era, 1942-1960
During the early 1940's, almost 500 major and minor league players served in World War II. Considering there
were only 8 AL and 8 NL teams, this was a significant number of unavailable players during a 4-year period.
Replacement players were hired (some classified "4F" that couldn't serve) and the play was consequently "diluted."
Ted Williams, at ages 25-27, served in WW II from 1943-1945, but managed to win Triple Crowns both before & after.
Joe DiMaggio missed the 1943-1945 seasons to serve in WW II, while Bob Feller missed almost 4 full seasons.
Hoyt Wilhelm, Warren Spahn, Enos Slaughter, Hank Greenberg and Yogi Berra were amongst the many other
players missing 3 of their "prime" baseball years to serve in the war.
During the early 1950's, over 120 major and minor league, and college players served during the Korean War.
Ted Williams, Willie Mays, Whitey Ford, Don Newcombe, and Don Larsen, were amongst these players.
In 1947, Jackie Robinson became the first black MLB player since 1884. The integration that followed with players
such as Willie Mays, Henry Aaron, Roberto Clemente and Ernie Banks led to the demise of the Negro Leagues.
Teams started relocating to other cities for the first time since 1903. 5 teams moved between 1953 - 1958.
The most balanced period in MLB history between pitching & hitting may have been from 1947 to 1959, excluding
the 1952 season (Korean War). But the New York Yankees dominated this era, with 9 World Championships.
During this era, starting pitchers completed 37% of their games, & 5 players hit 50+ HR in a season.
1942
Ted Williams won the AL Triple Crown (.356 AVG, 36 HR, 137 RBI), but Joe Gordon won the AL MVP .
1943
Temporary change in baseball construction during World War II, due to rubber shortages. A lower grade
rubber was used in the balls' core, and they called it a "balatta ball" that felt "dead" when hit.
1945
Snuffy Stirnweiss (.30854), edged Tony Cuccinello (.30845) for AL Batting Title, the smallest margin ever.
1946
With WW II over, standard baseballs were back in use, and some of the stars came back strong, but
overall offense barely improved. This wasn't suprising, as many players were "rusty" from 3 years away.
Bob Feller had a spectacular season upon returning from serving almost 4 years in WW II, with
36 CG out of 42 starts, 10 SHO, an ERA of 2.18, 26 Wins and 348 SO.
Stan Musial returned from serving in the Navy, batting .365 to win the NL MVP , with 22 of 24 first votes.
Ted Williams also returned from WW II, batting .342 with 38 HR and 123 RBI to win the AL MVP .
1947
Integration began this season, with Jackie Robinson (NL) and Larry Doby (AL) the first black MLB players.
Johnny Mize and Ralph Kiner co-led the NL with 51 HR. Joe DiMaggio won the AL MVP (.315, 20 HR, 97 RBI).
Ted Williams won his 2nd AL Triple Crown (.343 AVG, 32 HR, 114 RBI), but lost the MVP by 1 vote (202-201).
Williams only received 3 out of 24 first place MVP votes, hurt by his poor relationship with sportwriters.
Jackie Robinson won the first annual Rookie of the Year award given to one player in MLB in 1947.
1948
Stan Musial won his second NL MVP in 3 years (.376 AVG, 39 HR, 131 RBI), 1 HR short of the Triple Crown .
Satchel Paige, a long-time star in the Negro Leagues past his prime, made his MLB debut at age 42.
In 72 IP, he had 6 wins and 1 loss, 3 complete games and 2 consecutive shutouts, with an ERA of 2.48.
1949
Jackie Robinson was the first black player to win a NL MVP . Eight of the next 10 NL MVP's will be black.
Ted Williams won the AL MVP and just missed winning a third Triple Crown (.343 AVG, 43 HR, 159 RBI),
losing the Battle Title by .0001 (.3429 to .3428) on the last day of the season to George Kell.
Ralph Kiner led the NL with 54 HR. The AL set a MLB record with 4.55 walks per team, per game.
1950
A peak offensive season during this era. Strike zone expanded after AL record walks/game in 1949.
Stan Musial, Jackie Robinson, Ralph Kiner, Duke Snider all had big offensive seasons in the NL, but
Jim Konstanty (Phillies relief pitcher), won the MVP with 16 Wins in 74 games of relief, with 22 Saves.
1952
With the Korean War, there was a big drop in offense for one season, as many players served in the war.
The number of pitchers with an ERA under 3.00:
5 in 1951
22 in 1952
6 in 1953
1955
Yogi Berra (AL) and Roy Campanella (NL) each won his 3rd MVP in 5 years. Both were catchers.
Willie Mays hit 51 HR, as 6 players hit 40+ HR for the third consecutive season. The previous high was
4 players with 40+ HR (1930). From 1955-1959, annual HR were in a consistent 2,202 to 2,294 range.
1956
Mickey Mantle won his first of 2 consecutive AL MVP 's, and the Triple Crown (.353 Avg, 52 HR, 130 RBI).
1959
Ernie Banks won his 2nd cons. NL MVP (.304, 45 HR, 143 RBI) and Nellie Fox the AL MVP (.306, 2 HR, 70 RBI).
1960
Ted Williams retired with a MLB record .482 OBP. He hit 521 HR, despite losing 5 years to military service.
Roger Maris (225 votes) edged out teammate Mickey Mantle (222 votes) for the AL MVP Award.
Section 1
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Page 15
Sandy Koufax (P)
3 CYA; 1 MVP; 2.76 ERA
20 Wins x 3; 4 no-hitters
Juan Marichal (P)
243 W, 2.89 ERA
20 Wins x 6; 1 no-hitter
Jim Palmer (P)
3 CYA; 4 GG; 2.86 ERA
Ferguson Jenkins (P)
1 CYA; 3,192 SO
Denny McLain (P)
1 MVP, 2 CYA; 20 Wins x 3
1968 - 31 W, 280 SO, 1.96
Lou Brock (LF)
938 SB, .300 x 8; .293 Avg
200 H x 4; 3,023 Hits
Carl Yastrzemski (LF)
3,419 H, 452 HR, 1,844 RBI
Rod Carew (2B, 1B)
1 MVP; .300 x 15; .328 Avg
200 H x 4; 3,053 Hits
Johnny Bench (C)
2 MVP; 10 GG; 389 HR
Brooks Robinson (3B)
1 MVP; 16 GG; 2,848 H
Pete Rose (OF, 1B, 2B)
1 MVP; 2 GG; 4,256 H, .303
.300 x 15; 200 H x 10
Willie McCovey (1B)
1 MVP; 40 HR x 2; 521 HR
Bob Gibson (P)
2 CYA; 1 MVP; 9 GG; 2.91 ERA
Harmon Killebrew (1B, 3B)
1 MVP; 40 HR x 8; 573 HR
Gaylord Perry (P)
2 CYA; 314 W, 3.11 ERA
20 Wins x 5; 1 no-hitter
Joe Morgan (2B)
2 MVP; 5 GG; .271 Avg
689 SB, 268 HR, 2,517 H
All photos on this page courtesy of © Steve's Baseball Photography Pages, Steve Dewing, www.thatsmyboy03.com
Section 1
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Page 16
The Expansion Era, 1961-1976
MLB expanded beyond 8 teams per league for the first time this century. In 1961 (AL) & 1962 (NL), the leagues
grew to 10 teams each, and in 1969, expanded again to 12 teams per league (with 2 x 6 team divisions).
The threat of a new 8-team "Continental League" announced in 1959, to start in 1961, forced MLB into its first
expansion in 60 years (since 1901). The Continental League disbanded without ever playing a game, with the
agreement that 4 of its franchises would join Major Leage Baseball, with 2 teams in 1961, and 2 teams in 1962.
During this era, starting pitchers completed 26% of their games, and 3 players hit 50+ HR
1961
AL expansion season, with 2 teams added: The Washington Senators and Los Angeles Angels.
Roger Maris hit 61 HR to break Babe Ruth's record, and the NY Yankees hit a MLB record 240 HR.
Mickey Mantle was second with 54 HR. Maris (202 votes) edged out Mantle (198 votes) for the AL MVP .
AL HR increased 41%, from 1,086 in 1960 to 1,534 HR. 8 players hit 40 HR, a single season record.
Dick Donovan led the AL with a 2.40 ERA. Only 3 AL & no NL pitchers had an ERA under 3.00.
1962
NL expansion season, with 2 teams added: The Houston Colt .45's and New York Mets.
NL HR increased 21%, from 1,196 in 1961 to 1,449. MLB hit a record 3,001 HR.
Mickey Mantle won his 3rd AL MVP , while Maury Wills (record 104 SB) edged Willie Mays for NL MVP .
1963
Start of 6 years of pitching dominance, as MLB reacted to the 1961-1962 expansion offensive surge.
24 pitchers had <3.00 ERA with the widened strike zone and enforcement "relaxed" on 15" mound height.
1966
Frank Robinson won the AL MVP & Triple Crown (.316, 49 HR, 122 RBI). Roberto Clemente was NL MVP .
Sandy Koufax won his 3rd Cy Young Award in 4 years, and had 4 no-hitters in 4 seasons (1962-1965).
1967
Carl Yastrzemski became the last Triple Crown winner, and won the AL MVP (.326 AVG, 44 HR, 121 RBI).
1968
"The Year of the Pitcher." An amazing 49 pitchers had an ERA under 3.00, with 7 being under 2.00.
The expanded strike zone and higher mounds gave pitchers an unprecedented advantage over hitters.
The "regulation" mound height was supposed to be 15" (set in 1904), but this wasn't strictly enforced in
the mid-1960's, and mounds were rumored to be as high as 20" for teams that emphasized pitching
(the reputed mound height at LA Dodger Stadium). Only 1,995 HR hit in MLB, the fewest since 1952.
Bob Gibson won the NL MVP & CYA (22-9, post-1919 record 1.12 ERA, 268 SO, 34 GS, 28 CG, 13 SHO).
Denny McLain won the AL MVP & CYA (31-6, 1.96 ERA, 280 SO, 28 CG), the first 30-game winner since 1934.
Juan Marichal had 30 CG but received 0 CYA votes (26-9, 2.43 ERA). Many other pitchers had career years.
On offense, Carl Yastrzemski's .301 AVG was the lowest to win a Batting Title in MLB history.
The AL set a MLB record low with a .230 AVG, while the NL hit .243. Only 6 MLB players had a .300 AVG.
No MLB players scored 100 runs in 1968. The last time this happened was in 1919 (The Dead Ball Era) .
1969
Expansion season, 4 teams: AL - Seattle Pilots, KC Royals; NL - San Diego Padres, Montreal Expos.
Big jump in offense. MLB HR increased 56% from 1,995 to 3,119. In reaction to the pitching dominance
in 1968, the strike zone was reduced, and the pitchers mound lowered to 10", where it remains today.
Saves added as an official statistic. The way Saves are calculated will change over the next few years.
6 No-Hitters are pitched, tying a post-1900 record set in the years 1908, 1915 and 1917.
1971
Pitchers dominated. 34 pitchers had ERA's under 3.00. Ron Hunt had post-1900 MLB record 50 HBP.
1972
Players' Strike for 8 games at the start of season. Pitchers dominated again, with 44 sub-3.00 ERA's.
1973
Nolan Ryan set MLB record with 383 Strikeouts, a record that still stands, but Jim Palmer won the AL CYA .
Designated Hitter used in AL for a 3 year trial period. AL AVG increased from .239 in 1972 to .259 in 1973.
1974
Hank Aaron hit his 715th HR to break Babe Ruth's record. Oakland A's won 3rd straight World Series.
5-man pitching rotations started being used by some teams (all teams will switch to 5-man by 1980).
1975
Baseball switched to a cowhide cover because of increasing shortages of horsehide.
Fred Lynn was the first MLB player to win the MVP award and Rookie of the Year in the same season.
1976
Hank Aaron retired with a record 755 HR, and many still-standing records (1,477 XBH, 2,297 RBI, 6,856 TB).
Joe Morgan won his 2nd consecutive NL MVP Award (.320, 27 HR, 111 RBI) for the Cincinnati Reds, as the
"Big Red Machine" won their 2nd consecutive World Series Championship, sweeping the NYY, 4-0.
Designated Hitter in AL made permanent. Going forward, AL league-wide offensive stats will exceed NL.
Section 1
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Page 17
Tom Seaver (P); 3 CYA
311 W, 3,640 SO, 2.86 ERA
20 Wins x 5; 61 SHO
Nolan Ryan (P)
324 W, 5,714 SO, 3.19 ERA
20 Wins x 2; 300 SO x 6
7 no-hitters, 12 one-hitters
Steve Carlton (P); 4 CYA
329 W, 4,136 SO, 3.22 ERA
1 GG; 20 Wins x 6; 55 SHO
1972 - 27 W, 310 SO, 1.97
Phil Niekro (P); 5 GG
318 W, 3,342 SO, 3.35 ERA
20 Wins x 3, 1 no-hitter
121 Wins after age 40
Jim "Catfish" Hunter (P)
1 CYA; 20 Wins x 5; 224 W
1 no-hitter (perfect game)
Don Sutton (P)
324 W, 3,574 SO, 3.26 ERA
5 one-hitters; 20 Wins x 1
Wade Boggs (3B)
2 GG; 3,010 H, .328 Avg
200 H x 7 cons.; .300 x 13
Mike Schmidt (3B); 3 MVP
10 GG; 548 HR, 1,595 RBI
40 HR x 3; 30 HR x 13
George Brett (3B)
1 MVP; 1 GG; 3,154 Hits
.300 x 11; .305 Avg
Kirby Puckett (CF)
6 GG; 200 Hits x 5
.300 x 8; .318 Avg
Tony Gwynn (OF)
5 GG; 3,141 Hits
.300 x 19; .338 Avg
Paul Molitor (DH)
3,319 Hits, .306 Avg
Reggie Jackson (RF); 1 MVP
563 HR; 40 HR x 2; 100 RBI x 6
Robin Yount (SS)
2 MVP; 1 GG; 3,142 Hits
Rickey Henderson (OF)
1 MVP, 1 GG; 3,055 Hits
1,406 SB, 2,295 R, .279
Cal Ripken, Jr. (SS); 2 MVP
2 GG; 3,184 H, 431 HR
© Steve's Baseball Photography Pages: Seaver, Ryan, Carlton, P. Niekro, Hunter, Sutton, Boggs, Schmidt, R. Jackson, Yount.
National Baseball Hall of Fame Library: Brett, Puckett, Molitor, Ripken. Photos by © Greg Eichelberger: Gwynn, Henderson.
Section 1
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Page 18
The Free Agency Era, 1977-1993
Free agency was introduced in 1977, which resulted in increased player movement between teams and increased
player salaries. Players became entitled to file for "free agency" after their sixth major league season.
During this 17 year era, 13 different teams/franchises won World Series Championships (see pages 84-85)
Stolen Bases increased dramatically. Both Rickey Henderson and Vince Coleman stole over 100 bases 3 times.
Prior to this, only Maury Wills (104 in 1962) and Lou Brock (118 in 1974) had 100 Stolen Bases in the 1900's.
Artificial turf fields were used by about one-third of MLB teams. Runs per game increased to pre-1960 numbers.
5-man pitching rotations now used MLB-wide. Last 2 pitchers with 40 GS: Jim Clancy (1982) & Charlie Hough (1987).
The 1980's were evenly balanced (parity) between pitchers and hitters. From 1981-1989 no more than 1 player hit
40 HR in any season, with the exception of 1987, when 4 players hit 40+ HR.
During this era, starting pitchers completed 15% their games, and 2 players hit 50+ HR
1977
AL expansion season, with 2 teams added: The Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays.
Rod Carew won the AL MVP with a .388 AVG (highest AVG since 1942). Lyman Bostock was 2nd with .336.
George Foster hit 52 HR in winning the NL MVP . AL Home Runs increased 79% from 1,122 to 2,013.
1979
Brothers Joe Niekro & Phil Niekro tied for the NL lead with 21 Wins. Phil also led the NL with 20 L & 44 GS.
Don Baylor won the AL MVP . Keith Hernandez & Willie Stargell were NL co-MVP 's (only time in history).
Stargell won all 3 MVP's in 1979 (NLCS MVP & World Series MVP ), the only player in history to do so.
1980
AL MVP George Brett hit .390 (highest AVG since 1942). NL MVP Mike Schmidt hit a career best 48 HR.
1981
Players' Strike for 52 games (June-July) resulted in first & second half pennant winners in each league.
Fernando Valenzuela was the first pitcher to win Cy Young Award & Rookie of the Year in same season.
1982
Rickey Henderson set new MLB records with 130 SB and 42 CS, but Robin Yount won the AL MVP .
Cal Ripken, Jr., won AL Rookie of the Year . On May 30, he started his (future record) cons. game streak.
1984
Jim Palmer (268 wins and 3 Cy Young Awards ) retired after 19 seasons with the Baltimore Orioles,
without ever having given up a Grand Slam Home Run, despite allowing 303 HR (see page 267) .
1985
Dwight Gooden (20 yrs. old, in his 2nd season) won the NL CYA (NL leader with 24-4, 1.53 ERA, 268 SO, 16 CG).
Pete Rose set a new MLB record in his next-to-last season with 4,192 career hits, passing Ty Cobb.
1986
Mike Schmidt won his 3rd NL MVP ; Roger Clemens won both the AL MVP & CYA (24-4, 2.48 ERA, 238 SO).
1987
Huge HR season, but a 1 year anomaly. Many suspected a "lively ball" which MLB never admitted to.
Home Runs increased by 17% over 1986, and dropped back down by 29% in 1988 (strike zone adjusted).
More than 1/3 of all "everyday" players had HR totals in 1987 that would be career best HR seasons.
Comparison of home runs by season:
MLB total
Andre Dawson, 1987 NL MVP
George Bell, 1987 AL MVP
Dale Murphy, 1987 NL HR runner-up
Mark McGwire, 1987 AL HR champ
1986
1987
1988
1989
3,813
20
31
29
3
4,458
49
47
44
(r) 49
3,180
24
24
24
32
3,083
21
18
20
33
Don Mattingly hit a MLB record 6 Grand Slams in 1987 (he had 0 GSHR in his other 13 seasons).
1988
Strike zone expanded after all the 1987 HR. New Balk Rule (1988 only) caused a huge increase in Balks.
1990
7 No-Hitters were pitched in MLB, breaking the post-1900 record of 6 set in 1908, 1915, 1917 & 1969.
1991
7 No-Hitters were pitched again in MLB in 1991. Nolan Ryan had a record 7th career No-Hitter at age 44.
1992
St. Louis Cardinals set new MLB record with 16 consecutive errorless games (CIN had 15 in 1975)
1993
NL expansion season, with 2 teams added: The Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins.
Scoring increased, and MLB Home Runs increased by 33%, from 3,038 in 1992 to 4,030.
Barry Bonds won his 3rd NL MVP in 4 yrs. (.336, 46 HR, 123 RBI); Frank Thomas won the AL MVP (41 HR).
Nolan Ryan retired at age 46 with 0 CYA won, despite setting the following all-time MLB pitching records:
Career: 7 No-hitters, 12 One-hitters, 2,795 BB, 5,714 SO, 277 WP, .204 Opp BA, 6.56 Hits / 9 IP
Single Season: 383 Strikeouts (1973), Fewest Hits Allowed per 9 IP with 5.26 (1972).
Section 1
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Page 19
Barry Bonds (LF); 7 MVP
8 GG; 762 HR, 1,996 RBI, .298
40 HR x 8; 73 HR-2001
100 R & RBI x 12; .300 x 11
Mark McGwire (1B)
1 GG; 583 HR; 40 HR x 6
Frank Thomas (1B); 2 MVP
521 HR, 1,704 RBI, .301
40 HR x 5; 43 HR-2000
100 R x 9; 100 RBI x 11
Alex Rodriguez (3B); 3 MVP
2 GG; 613 HR, 1,831 RBI
40 HR x 8; 30 HR x 14, .303
100 R x 13; 100 RBI x 14
Rafael Palmeiro (1B, DH)
3 GG; 569 HR, 1,835 RBI, .288
Ken Griffey, Jr. (CF); 1 MVP
10 GG; 630 HR, 1,836 RBI
40 HR x 7; 56 HR-1997 & 98
100 RBI x 8; .300 x 8; .284
Sammy Sosa (RF); 1 MVP
Jeff Bagwell (1B); 1 MVP
40 HR x 7; 609 HR, .273 1 GG; 40 HR x 3; 449 HR, .297
Manny Ramirez (OF)
40 HR x 5; 555 HR, .313
100 RBI x 12; 1,830 RBI
Vladimir Guerrero (RF); 1 MVP
40 HR x 2; 436 HR, .320
100 RBI x 10; .300 Avg x 13
John Smoltz (P); 1 CYA
15 W x 6, 213 W; 154 SV
3,084 SO, 3.33 ERA
Randy Johnson (P); 5 CYA
20 W x 3; 15 W x 11; 303 W
37 SHO, 4,875 SO, 3.29 ERA
Greg Maddux (P); 4 CYA
20 W x 2; 15 W x 18; 355 W
18 GG; 35 SHO, 3.16 ERA
Roger Clemens (P); 7 CYA
20 W x 6; 15 W x 12; 354 W
46 SHO, 4,672 SO, 3.12 ERA
Tom Glavine (P); 2 CYA
20 W x 5; 15 W x 10; 305 W
25 SHO, 2,607 SO, 3.54 ERA
Pedro Martinez (P); 3 CYA
20 W x 2; 15 W x 7; 219 W
.687 WPCT.; 2.93 ERA
Photos by © Peggy Hughes: Thomas, Guerrero, Johnson. Photos by © Michael G. Baron: Rodriguez, Smoltz, Glavine, P. Martinez.
Photos by © KeithAllisonPhoto.com: Griffey, Ramirez, Clemens. Photos by © Greg Eichelberger: McGwire, Maddux.
Photo by © Christopher Ebdon: Bagwell. Photo by © Andy Monfried: Sosa. Public domain photo: Rafael Palmeiro.
Section 1
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Page 20
The Long Ball Era (The Juiced-Ball Era, The P.E.D.'s Era), 1994-2007
Home Runs and Strikeouts both increased dramatically during this era, as did the use of relief pitchers per game.
Single season HR records were broken by Mark McGwire (70 HR in 1998) and Barry Bonds (73 HR in 2001).
In just these 14 years, 141 players hit 40 HR in a season. In the 93 years from 1901-1993, 152 players hit 40 HR.
This power surge has been attributed to many factors, such as:
The use of illegal Performance Enhancing Drugs / Steroids (but not all power hitters or pitchers were known to use PED's).
Increased strength training by players, and increased use of various legal supplements.
Several new ballparks opened which were favorable to hitters (see page 28 for HR comparison by ballparks) .
Availability of baseball bats made of maple which doesn't "soften" and the grain doesn't separate compared to ash.
Maple bats were previously too heavy, but high-tech kilns in the 1990's reduced enough moisture to make them viable.
But in 2007 & 2008, maple bats were shattering more frequently, causing safety issues for players and fans.
Corked baseball bats, the most famous incident/player being Sammy Sosa and a single corked bat in 2003.
The yarn in the baseball changed (Sports Illustrated, 2001). In a baseball, the rubber core/pill is tightly wrapped
with 220 yards of 3 different types of wool yarn. Then 150 yards of fine white polyester-cotton blend yarn is used,
which is a recycled product produced from discarded carpeting. Over the last few decades, carpet manufacturers
increased the proportion of polyester being used. Polyester is water resistant and less affected by humidity.
During this era, starting pitchers completed 6% of their games, and 23 players hit 50+ HR
1994
Started 3-Division format in both the NL and AL, with a "Wild Card" team, and a 3-round postseason.
Players' Strike on August 12 ended the season at 115 games, with no playoffs or World Series.
There was no League Champion for the first time since professional baseball begain in 1871.
Until the strike, 1994 was on-pace to be a record-setting season offensively (10 players on a 40-HR pace).
Tony Gwynn hit .394, the highest Avg in MLB since 1942. Matt Williams had 43 HR, on-pace for 61 HR.
Jeff Bagwell won the NL MVP in a "career year" (110 G, 104 R, 39 HR, 116 RBI, .368 Avg, .451 OBP, .750 SLG).
Frank Thomas won his 2nd consecutive AL MVP (113 G, 106 R, 38 HR, 101 RBI, .353 Avg, .487 OBP, .729 SLG).
Greg Maddux (ATL) had a NL leading 1.56 ERA. The Montreal Expos led the NL with a 3.56 team ERA.
This was the first time in history that the leading individual was a full 2 points below the leading team ERA.
1995
Players' Strike continued from last season into late April. 1995 season shortened to 144 games.
Cal Ripken, Jr. broke Lou Gehrig's record, with 2,131 consecutive games played.
Cleveland Indians (100-44) became the first 100 game-winners in a season under 154 games.
Atlanta Braves won their first W.S. Championship in 38 years, and 3rd overall since 1901 (1914, 1957)
as their star pitcher, Greg Maddux, won his 4th consecutive NL CYA (19-2, 1.63 ERA, 181 SO, 23 BB).
1996
Strike zone expanded, but huge HR season, as 17 players hit 40 HR, breaking the record of 8 set in 1961.
Monterey, Mexico, August 16, first MLB game (SDP vs. NYM) ever played outside the U.S. or Canada.
1997
Inter-league regular season games between AL and NL teams started. The Florida Marlins, in just their
5th year in MLB, won a World Series (first "wild card" team in a W.S.) over the Cleveland Indians.
1998
Expansion season, with 2 teams added: NL - Arizona Diamondbacks; AL - Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
MLB HR total increases to 5,064 HR, exceeding 5,000 for the first time. 13 players hit 40+ HR.
Mark McGwire's 70 HR broke Roger Maris' HR record of 61. Sammy Sosa hit 66 HR & won the NL MVP .
Cal Ripken, Jr. ended his record at 2,632 consecutive games played. Roger Clemens won the AL CYA .
Tom Glavine was the 5th Atlanta Braves pitcher in 6 yrs. to win the CYA (Maddux, 1993-95; Smoltz, 1996).
1999
Mark McGwire hit 65 HR and Sammy Sosa hit 63 HR, but Chipper Jones hit 45 HR and won the NL MVP .
Pedro Martinez won AL CYA and Triple Crown (23-4; 2.07 ERA, 313 SO); Randy Johnson won the NL CYA .
New York Mets with only 68 errors committed, smashed the Baltimore Orioles' 1998 record of 81 errors.
2000
MLB peak HR season, with 5,693. Sammy Sosa hit 50 HR, leading 16 players with 40+ HR in 2000.
Jeff Kent, with 33 HR, won the NL MVP , edging Barry Bonds, while Jason Giambi won the AL MVP .
Pedro Martinez (1.74 ERA) set 3 MLB records (.167 Opp BA, 7.22 BR / 9 IP, .737 WHIP) & won the AL CYA .
Tokyo, Japan, site of first MLB game (CHC vs. NYM) ever played outside the North American continent.
Cincinnati Reds became the 2nd team in history (NY Yankees in 1932) to never get shut out in a season.
New York Yankees won their 4th W.S. Championship in 5 years (1996, 1998, 1999), and 26th overall.
2001
Strike zone expanded, and pitching statistics improved. MLB HR drop to 5,458, from 5,693 in 2000.
Barry Bonds won the NL MVP with 73 HR (broke Mark McGwire's record of 70 HR). Sammy Sosa hit 64 HR.
Arizona Diamondbacks won a World Series in just their 4th year of existence over the New York Yankees.
continued on next page>>>
Section 1 - Page 21
Ichiro Suzuki (OF); 1 MVP
10 GG; Record 262 H in 2004
(200 H, .300) x 10; .331; 383 SB
Derek Jeter (SS); 4 GG
100 R x 13; 200 H x 7
.300 x 11; .314 Avg
Albert Pujols (1B); 3 MVP
2 GG; 408 HR; .331 Avg
(100 RBI, 30 HR, .300) x 10
Magglio Ordonez (RF)
.300 x 9; .312 Avg
30 HR x 4; 100 RBI x 7
Chipper Jones (3B); 1 MVP
100 RBI x 9; 100 R x 8; .306
Eric Gagne (P); 1 CYA
84 cons. Saves; 3.47 ERA
Mariano Rivera (P)
40 Saves x 7; 559 Saves
<1.99 ERA x 10; 2.23 ERA
Trevor Hoffman (P)
<2.99 ERA x 13; 2.87 ERA
Todd Helton (1B); 3 GG
100 RBI x 5; 30 HR x 6
.300 x 11; .324 Avg
Jim Thome (1B, DH)
589 HR; 100 RBI x 9
30 HR x 12; 40 HR x 6
David Ortiz (DH, 1B)
40 HR x 3; 30 HR x 6
100 RBI x 6
Carlos Delgado (1B)
40 HR x 3; 30 HR x 11
100 RBI x 9; 473 HR
Andy Pettitte (P)
20 W x 2; 15 W x 8; 240 W
Mike Mussina (P); 7 GG
15 W x 11; 270 W
Johan Santana (P); 2 CYA, 1 GG
Curt Schilling (P)
20 W x 1; 15 W x 5; 133 W
20 W x 3; 15 W x 8; 216 W
1,877 SO, 3.10 ERA
20 SHO, 3,116 SO, 3.46 ERA
Photos by © KeithAllisonPhoto.com: Suzuki, Jeter, Ordonez, C. Jones, Pettitte, Mussina, Rivera, Santana.
Photos by © Michael G. Baron: Pujols, Delgado. Photos by © Greg Eichelberger: Helton, Hoffman.
Photos by © Peggy Hughes: Thome, Gagne. Photos by © Xiaolei Li (propheci flickr): Ortiz, Schilling, (prior page) Bonds
Section 1
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Page 22
The Long Ball Era, 1994-2007 - continued
2002
All-Star Game ended in a controversial 7-7 tie after 11 innings, as both teams ran out of players.
Shawn Green hit a record 7 HR over 3 consecutive games (4, 1, 2). Green hit 42 HR for the season.
Barry Bonds topped 600 HR and won his 5th NL MVP in 2002. Shortstop Miguel Tejada won the AL MVP .
Randy Johnson won his 5th CYA (4th consecutive), while Barry Zito won the AL CYA with a 23-5 record.
Johnson won 24 games with 334 SO, edging ARI teammate Curt Schilling, with 23 Wins and 316 SO.
Texas Rangers set a MLB record with HR in 26 consecutive games. Their 230 HR led MLB in 2002.
California Angels defeated San Francisco Giants in the first World Series between 2 "wild card" teams.
2003
Federal Grand Jury investigated BALCO (nutritional supplements) for distribution of illegal substances.
This will be the start of many on-going investigations by the government, the Senate & MLB itself.
Prior to 2003, there were no MLB rules that prohibited use of PED's (Performance Enhancing Drugs).
Roger Clemens became the 21st pitcher with 300 Wins & the 3rd pitcher with 4,000 Strikeouts.
Eric Gagne won the NL CYA (55 SV, 0 BS, 1.20 ERA) ; Roy Halladay won the AL CYA (22-7, 3.25 ERA, 204 SO).
Barry Bonds, during his 6th MVP season, became the first player with 500 HR & 500 SB in his career.
Albert Pujols edged out Todd Helton for the NL Batting Title, .3587 to .3585 (the closest margin in NL history).
Seattle Mariners set a new MLB record with 65 errors committed, the fewest in a non-strike season.
Florida Marlins, a "wild card" team, defeated the New York Yankees in the World Series, 4 games to 2.
2004
Barry Bonds won a record 7th Most Valuable Player Award, (4th consecutive MVP ) and set MLB records
with a .609 OBP, 1.422 OPS, 232 BB, 120 IBB. Bonds had a record 19 IBB with the bases empty.
Ichiro Suzuki set MLB records with 262 Hits (breaking George Sisler's 1920 record), and 225 Singles.
Vlad Guerrero won the AL MVP ; Roger Clemens won a record 7th CYA ; Johan Santana won the AL CYA ,
and set a MLB single season record (since 1920) with 21 cons. Quality Starts (6+ IP with < 3 runs allowed).
Eric Gagne had his record Save streak (without a Blown Save) end at 84 Saves (8/28/2002 - 7/3/2004).
Boston Red Sox won their first World Championship since 1918, sweeping the St. Louis Cardinals, 4-0.
The Red Sox were the third consecutive "wild card" team (non-Division Winner) to win the World Series.
2005
Albert Pujols won his first NL MVP award, after finishing 2nd twice to Barry Bonds earlier in the decade.
Alex Rodriguez won his 2nd MVP award. Bartolo Colon (AL) & Chris Carpenter (NL) won their first CYA .
Carlos Silva set a new MLB single season record with 0.43 walks allowed for every 9 innings pitched.
Chicago White Sox won their first World Championship since 1917, sweeping the Houston Astros, 4-0.
MLB enacted their first "respectable" drug policy with penalties/suspensions.
2006
Kevin Mench (7), Frank Thomas (6), Morgan Ensberg (6) & Jason (6), hit a HR in 6 consecutive games.
From 2001-2006, this happened 10 times. From 1901-2000 (100 years) this happened only 13 times.
Barry Bonds hit HR # 715 to pass Babe Ruth for second in all time HR, finishing the year with 734.
The number of pitchers with an ERA under 3.00 dropped from 9 pitchers in 2005, to 2 pitchers in 2006.
Ryan Howard hit 58 HR & won his first NL MVP , and Justin Morneau won his first MVP in the AL.
Brandon Webb won the NL CYA , while Johan Santana won his 2nd AL CYA & the pitching Triple Crown .
Boston Red Sox had MLB record 17 consecutive errorless games (St. Louis Cardinals had 16 in 1992).
St. Louis Cardinals won their first World Series since 1982, beating the Detroit Tigers, 4 games to 1.
2007
The Year of the Milestones. Barry Bonds broke Hank Aaron's career HR mark of 755 HR, with 762 HR.
Sammy Sosa hit HR # 600, and Alex Rodriguez, Jim Thome and Frank Thomas all hit HR # 500.
Ken Griffey, Jr. passed Frank Robinson for 6th on the all-time HR list with 593 HR.
Tom Glavine became the 23rd pitcher with 300 Wins, while Roger Clemens was the 8th with 350 Wins.
Jake Peavy dominated the NL in winning the CYA and the pitching Triple Crown (19-6, 2.54 ERA, 240 SO).
Prince Fielder, at 23 yrs. 139 days, was youngest to hit 50 HR in a season (Willie Mays, 24 yrs. 137 days).
Ryan Howard earned the dubious distinction of setting a new Strikeout record, as he "fanned" 199 times.
Jimmy Rollins and Curtis Granderson hit 20 Doubles, 20 Triples & 20 Home Runs in the 2007 season.
Prior to 2007, 5 hitters in MLB history had accomplished this feat in a single season (see page 175) .
Jimmy Rollins won his first NL MVP , while C.C. Sabathia won his first AL CYA (19-7, 3.21 ERA, 209 SO).
And last but not least, Alex Rodriguez had a "monster" year, starting with an AL record 14 HR in April.
He led the AL with 54 HR, 156 RBI, 143 R, 376 TB, 1.067 OPS & .645 SLG, earning his 3rd MVP award.
MLB pitchers had an all-time low 112 Complete Games in 4,862 GS. Previous low was 144 CG in 2006.
Florida Marlins, Washington Nationals, Texas Rangers set new MLB record with 0 Complete Games.
Boston Red Sox won their second World Series in 4 years, sweeping the Colorado Rockies, 4-0.
Even with all of these HR milestones accomplished, 2007 was a "down year" for Home Runs.
Only 5 MLB players hit 40 HR, the fewest since 1995. By comparison, 17 in 1996 & 16 in 2000 hit 40 HR.
Some might speculate that this was the result of reduced steroids / performance enhancing drug use…?
Section 1
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Page 23
Tim Lincecum (P); 2 CYA
250 SO x 2; 10.1 SO/9 IP
3.04 ERA, 1.182 WHIP
Francisco Rodriguez (P)
40 SV x 4; 268 SV, 2.50 ERA
62 SV, 2.24 ERA in 2008
Chris Carpenter (P); 1 CYA
15 W x 5; <2.99 ERA x 2
133 Wins, 1,494 SO, 3.80 ERA
Joe Nathan (P)
<1.99 ERA x 4; 2.75 ERA
C.C. Sabathia (P); 1 CYA
15 W x 6; 200 SO x 2
157 Wins, 3.57 ERA
Dan Haren (P)
14 W x 5; 200 SO x 3
91 Wins, 3.66 ERA
Roy Halladay (P); 2 CYA
15 W x 7; 169 Wins
58 CG, 19 SHO, 3.32 ERA
Cliff Lee (P); 1 CYA
22 W - 3 L, 2.54 in 2008
102 Wins, 3.85 ERA, 20 CG
Ryan Howard (1B); 1 MVP
100 RBI x 5; 40 HR x 4
58 HR, 149 RBI, .313 in 2006
Miguel Cabrera (1B, 3B)
100 RBI x 7; 30 HR x 6
.300 x 5; .313 AVG
Carlos Beltran (OF); 3 GG
100 RBI x 8; 100 R x 7
289 SB; 88.1% SB Pct.
Jimmy Rollins (SS); 1 MVP
3 GG; 100 R x 5; 30 SB x 8
326 SB; 83.1% SB Pct.
Prince Fielder (1B)
100 RBI x 3; 30 HR x 4; .279
Joe Mauer (C); 1 MVP
3 GG; .365 in 2009; .327 AVG
Mark Teixeira (1B); 3 GG
(30 HR & 100 RBI) x 7; .286
David Wright (3B); 2 GG
(100 RBI & 25 HR) x 5; .305
Photos by © KeithAllisonPhoto.com: Sabathia, Halladay, F. Rodriguez, Nathan, Cabrera, Beltran, Mauer, Teixeira.
Photos by © Michael G. Baron: Lee, Howard, Rollins, Wright. Photo by © Greg Eichelberger: Fielder.
Photo by © Adam P. Fagan: Haren. Photo by © Brock Fleeger: Lincecum. Public domain photo: Carpenter.
Section 1
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Page 24
A Transition to a New Era of Stronger Pitching & Defense, 2008-2010
Home Runs decreased significantly during this 3-year period, and other offensive numbers declined as well (page 33).
Stronger drug testing for performance enhancing drugs (PED's), along with an infusion of many young new pitchers
with strong arms in the last few years are amongst the potential reasons for this transition from The Long Ball Era .
This new era is seeing a renewed emphasis on Player Development, Pitching & Fielding not seen since the 1960's.
The 2008, 2009 & 2010 Years in Review in the next 3 pages reinforce this significant shift backed up by the numbers.
In the final 2 years of The Long Ball Era , from 2006-2007, just 3 pitchers had an ERA < 3.00 (2 in 2006 & 1 in 2007).
This tied 1929-1930 for the fewest ever for a 2 year period since 1901. (see pages 32-33)
By contrast, in the 2 years from 2009-2010, 26 pitchers had an ERA < 3.00 (11 in 2009 & 15 in 2010).
From 2008-2010, 35 pitchers had 200+ Strikeouts (10 each in 2008 & 2009, and 15 in 2010). This total of 35 pitchers
over a 3 year period has only been exceeded once since 1901, when 39 pitchers from 1967-1969 had 200+ SO.
More emphasis placed on defense. Prior to 1999, the fewest errors committed by a team was 81 (in a non-strike season).
In the 10 years from 1999-2008, 10 teams had less than 79 errors in a season (3 teams in 2003 & 2 teams in 2007) .
In just 2 years from 2009-2010, 10 teams had less than 79 errors in a season (a record 5 teams each in 2009 & 2010).
Many superstars retired after the 2007 & 2008 seasons who began playing from the mid-1980's to the early 1990's.
Retiring hitters included: Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, Craig Biggio, Frank Thomas, Mike Piazza & Richie Sexson
Retiring pitchers included: Greg Maddux, Tom Glavine, Roger Clemens, with Randy Johnson & John Smoltz in 2009.
This should make the 2013 and 2014 induction years at the Baseball Hall of Fame in Cooperstown very exciting.
The next wave of rising stars has been coming on strong over the last 4-5 years, with many of the season-ending
awards going to first and second time winners. For example, the Gold Glove Award for fielding excellence is awarded
annually to 9 NL and 9 AL players, one for each defensive position (3 for outfielders, regardless of LF, CF, RF).
In the 4 seasons from 2007-2010, the number of first or second time winners averaged 12 out of 18 players.
In the prior 4 seasons from 2003-2006, the average number of first or second time winners was only 6.75 out of 18.
During this era, starting pitchers completed 3% of their games, and 1 player hit 50+ HR
The 2008 Season in Review
Philadelphia Phillies won their second World Series (first in 1980), defeating first-timers Tampa Bay Rays.
Both the Phillies and Rays were Division winners, ending 6 consecutive W.S. with a "wild card" team.
Florida Marlins had all 4 infielders hit at least 25 HR in a season, a new MLB record (see page 109).
Oakland A's had 5 players (w/500+ TPA) hit below a .240 AVG (.218-.237) for the first time in history.
Only 2 other teams since 1901 had 5 players hit below a .250 AVG: SFG in 1985 and CWS in 1967.
Florida Marlins set a MLB record with 0 Complete Games in 301 consecutives games, 9/2006-8/2008.
Chicago Cubs became the first MLB team to go 100 years without a World Series Championship (1908).
Instant Replay was instituted for umpires late in the season, and the first use took place on 9/3/2008.
Pitching
in 2008
Pitching improves: 8 pitchers had ERA under 3.00 (1 in 2007); 4 pitchers had 20 Wins (1 in 2007).
Francisco Rodriguez had a record 62 Saves, breaking Bobby Thigpen's 1990 record of 57 SV.
Tim Lincecum won the NL CYA (18-5, 2.62 ERA, 265 SO); Cliff Lee won his first AL CYA (22-3, 2.54 ERA).
Brad Ziegler set a MLB record with 39 consecutive scoreless innings to start a career (all in relief).
Greg Maddux became the 9th pitcher to reach 350 career Wins, retiring with 355 at the end of 2008.
John Smoltz was the 16th pitcher to reach 3,000 SO; Trevor Hoffman had a record 554 career Saves.
Batting
in 2008
Active Career HR Leaders: Ken Griffey, Jr. reached 611 HR (5th all-time), Alex Rodriguez, 553 HR (12th),
Jim Thome, 541 HR (14th), Manny Ramirez, 527 HR (17th), and Frank Thomas, 521 HR (19th).
Mark Reynolds set a new MLB record with 204 SO, and Jack Cust set a new AL record with 197 SO, as
a record 90 hitters had 100+ SO in a season, eclipsing the old record of 89 hitters set in 2007.
Ryan Howard had 48 HR & 146 RBI. Only 2 players hit 40 HR, the fewest since the 1994 strike season.
Albert Pujols won his 2nd NL MVP (37 HR, .357 AVG); Dustin Pedroia won the AL MVP (213 H, .326 AVG).
Fielding
in 2008
Jason Veritek became the first catcher to catch 4 different no-hitters (2001, 2002, 2007, 2008).
New records: Kevin Youkilis, 1B (238 cons. errorless games); Placido Polanco, 2B (186 cons. errorless games).
Rookies
in 2008
NL ROY - Geovany Soto (c, CHC, .285, 23 HR, 86 RBI); AL ROY - Evan Longoria (3b, TBR, .272, 27 HR, 85 RBI).
Other NL Rookies: Joey Votto (1b, CIN, .297, 24 HR, 84 RBI); Jair Jurrjens (p, ATL, 13-10, 3.68 ERA);
Jay Bruce (of, CIN, .254, 21 HR, 52 RBI); Johnny Cueto (p, CIN, 9-14, 4.81 ERA, 158 SO).
Other AL Rookies: Armando Galarraga (p, DET, 13-7, 3.73 ERA); Jose Aredondo (rp, LAA, 10-2, 1.62 ERA);
Alexei Ramierz (2b, CWS, .290, 21 HR, 77 RBI, rookie record 4 GS HR); Brad Ziegler (rp, OAK, 3-0, 1.06 ERA)
Section 1
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Page 25
New York Yankees had the highest MLB payroll for the 13th consecutive year (page 39) , and they ended
8 years of W.S. futility (2000) by winning the World Series over the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-2 (page 85).
New York Yankees had a 100-Win season for a MLB record 19th time (see page 95 for all teams rankings) .
Two new ballparks opened in 2009. Of the 30 MLB parks, the new Yankee Stadium had the most HR
hit in that stadium with 237, while the new Citifield (NY Mets) was 25th with 130 HR.
NY Yankees hit 244 total HR: 136 HR in a MLB record 73 of 81 home games, and 108 HR on the road.
The 2009 season began with a new record streak, as the Los Angeles Dodgers opened with a MLB
record 13 consecutive home wins to start a season (see page 96).
All-Star Game was won by the American League for the 12th consecutive year (+ 1 tie game).
All-Time Wins by a Manager: (3rd) Tony LaRussa, 2,552; (4th) Bobby Cox, 2,413; (5th) Joe Torre, 2,246.
Pitching
in 2009
Randy Johnson became the 24th pitcher with 300 Wins, finishing his injury-shortened season with 303.
Trevor Hoffman extended his MLB career record to 591 SV; Mariano Rivera was a distant 2nd with 526.
Brad Lidge started 2009 with 3 SV, extending his streak to 47 Saves without a BS since late 2007, but
finished the season with 31 SV and a MLB leading 11 Blown Saves, almost tying the MLB record of 12 BS.
Tim Lincecum (15-7, 2.48 ERA, 261 SO) won his 2nd consecutive NL Cy Young Award in only his second
full season, over Chris Carpenter and Adam Wainwright in one of the closest CYA votes ever (page 344) .
Zack Greinke (16-8, 2.16 ERA, 242 SO) won his first AL CYA over Felix Hernandez (19-5, 2.49 ERA, 217 SO).
2 No-hitters pitched in 2009: Mark Buehrle pitched the 17th perfect game in history on July 23, and
Jonathan Sanchez (SFG) just missed a perfect game, as a runner reached base on an 8th inning error.
Batting
in 2009
Active Career HR Leaders: (5th) Ken Griffey, Jr., 630; (8th) Alex Rodriguez, 583; (12th) Jim Thome, 564
(15th) Manny Ramirez, 546; (24th) Gary Sheffield, 509 (see page 132 & pages 220-224 for all 500 HR hitters)
Andre Eithier tied the MLB record of 4 Walk-off HR in a season (Jimmie Foxx, 1940 & Roy Sievers, 1957).
Ian Kinsler (TEX) became the 5th player in history to hit a Lead-off HR & Walk-off HR in the same game.
Josh Willingham (WSN) was the 3rd NL player in history to hit 2 Grand Slam Home Runs in 1 game.
Joe Maurer won his first AL MVP (28 HR, 96 RBI, and AL-leading .365 AVG, .444 OBP & .587 SLG).
Albert Pujols won his 3rd NL MVP award (.327 AVG, 135 RBI, and NL-leading 47 HR, .443 OBP, .658 SLG, 5 GSHR).
Pujols, in his 9th season, had a .300+ AVG, 30+ HR and 100+ RBI for the 9th consecutive year.
Ichiro Suzuki had a .300+ AVG, 200+ Hits, and won a Gold Glove Award for the 9th consecutive year.
Alex Rodriguez started 2009 with streaks of 11 consecutive seasons with 100 RBI & 30 HR that seemed
to be over, as he started his final game in 2009 still 2 HR and 7 RBI short of those marks. But in a 10-run
6th inning he hit a 3-run HR, and a GS HR, giving him the improbable 2 HR and 7 RBI he needed.
Mark Reynolds set new MLB season records with 223 SO, and SO in 33.7% of his Plate Appearances.
Seth Smith (COL) had the 2nd best single season PH AVG ever with a .472 (17-36), behind only
Ed Kranepool in 1974, .486 (17-35). Smith was at .500 until making outs in his last 2 PH appearances.
Ichiro Suzuki extended his MLB career record with the Lowest GIDP ratio with 1 GIDP every 141 AB.
Carlos Beltran improved his MLB career record SB% to 88.3%, with 286 SB & only 38 CS.
Carl Crawford tied a MLB record with 6 SB in a game, and started 2009 with 30 consecutive SB before
being CS (May 30), including 8 consecutive games with a SB. He had 60 SB & 16 CS in 2009.
Jayson Werth became the 49th player (first since 1996) to steal 2nd, 3rd & Home in one inning (page 135).
Season HR records tied: NY Yankees, 7 players with 20+ HR; Phillies, 4 players with 30+ HR (page 108) .
Fielding
in 2009
Albert Pujols had 185 assists at 1B, breaking Bill Buckner's 1985 MLB record of 184 assists at 1B.
Kevin Kouzmanoff (SDP) set MLB records for Third Basemen with only 3 errors & .990 FPCT (page 331).
Kouzmanoff's errors (all as a 3B) in his first 3 full MLB seasons were: 22 (2007); 11 (2008); 3 (2009).
In April, the Philadelphia Phillies had a team record 12 consecutive errorless games, 8th best in history.
In May, the New York Yankees set a new MLB record with 18 consecutive errorless games (see page 122) .
5 teams committed < 79 errors (PIT-73; PHI-76; TOR- 76; MIN-76; HOU-78) setting a new MLB record.
The previous record was 3 teams in 2003.
Rookies
in 2009
NL ROY - Chris Coghlan (of, FLA, .321, 9 HR, 84 R; Aug-47 H, Sep-47 H, most in 1 month by NL rookie since 1954).
Other NL Rookies: Garrett Jones (1b, PIT, .293, 21 HR, 49 RBI); Casey McGehee (2b, MlL, .301, 16 HR, 66 RBI);
Andrew McCutchen (of, PIT, .286, 74 R, 26 2B, 22 SB); Tommy Hansen (p, ATL, 11-4, 2.89 ERA, 116 SO);
J. A. Happ (p, PHI, 12-4, 2.93 ERA, 119 SO); Randy Wells (p, CHC, 12-10, 3.05 ERA, 104 SO).
AL ROY - Andrew Bailey (rp, OAK, 6-3, 1.84 ERA, 26 SV; was the only AL rookie selected to 2009 All-Star Game).
Other AL Rookies: Gordon Beckham (3b, CWS, .270, 14 HR, 63 RBI); Elvis Andrus (ss, TEX, .267, 72 R, 33 SB);
Rick Porcello (p, DET, 14-9, 3.96 ERA); Jeff Niemann (p, TBR, 13-6, 3.94 ERA); Nolan Reimold (of, BAL, 15 HR)
Section 1
-
Page 26
MLB Pitching took another leap forward, from the start of the 2010 season through the World Series.
San Francisco Giants won their first W.S. Championship since 1954, and their 6th overall since 1901.
SFG were 11-4 with a 2.47 ERA in the postseason. Their 4 starting pitchers ranged from 21-27 yrs. old.
Texas Rangers won their first AL Pennant since joining the AL in 1961 as the Washington Senators.
SFG pitchers had an amazing September, with the 6th best single-month (> 20 games) ERA since 1920.
CLE-1.42, 5/1969; LAD-1.59, 9/1965; CHC-1.63, 4/1963; BRO-1.71, 5/1920; NYY-1.76, 9/1952; SFG-1.78, 9/2010
In Opponents BA that month , SFG-.182 OBA, 9/2010, were second only to CLE-.174 OBA, 5/1968, since 1920.
All-Star Game was won by the National League for the first time in 14 years (1996).
New York Yankees had the highest MLB payroll for the 14th consecutive year (page 39).
All-Time Wins by a Manager: (3rd) Tony LaRussa, 2,638; (4th) Bobby Cox, 2,504; (5th) Joe Torre, 2,326.
Pitching
in 2010
15 pitchers had 200+ Strikeouts, tying a 41 year old record (1969). The next highest was 12 (pages 32-33).
15 pitchers had an ERA under 3.00. 9 of those pitchers were 26 years old or younger.
2010 Strikeout rate was 7.13 SO per 9 IP, a new MLB record.
There were 329 Team Shutouts, the most in 38 years (1972, 357 SHO).
There were 62 games played with a 1-0 score, the most in 34 years (1976, 72 games).
23 One-hitters were pitched, the most in a season in 22 years (1988).
MLB teams collectively allowed less than 1 HR per game for the first time in 18 years (1992).
5 No-Hitters were pitched in 2010, the most since a record 7 were pitched in 1990 and again in 1991.
For the first time since 1901, 2 Perfect Games were pitched in the same season, just 20 days apart,
on May 9 by Dallas Braden (OAK, 4 - TBR, 0), and on May 29 by Roy Halladay (PHI, 1 - CIN, 0). Then just
4 days later on June 2, Armando Galarraga (DET) retired the first 26 batters to face him, and with 2 outs
in the 9th inning, the batter was ruled safe with an infield single (that was clearly an out in TV replays).
The other 3 No-Hitters: Ubaldo Jimenez, (COL) 6 BB; Edwin Jackson, (ARI) 8 BB; Matt Garza, (TBR) 1 BB.
Roy Halladay pitched the 2nd No-Hitter in MLB post-season history (Don Larsen, NYY, 1956, Perfect Game) .
Halladay capped his season by winning the NL Cy Young Award (21-10, 2.44 ERA, 219 SO, 9 CG, 4 SHO).
Trevor Hoffman retired with MLB career record 601 SV; Mariano Rivera is 2nd with 559 SV, only 42 behind.
Josh Johnson (FLA) had 19 cons. Quality Starts (6+ IP with < 3 runs allowed), 1 off the NL record since 1920.
Felix Hernandez (SEA) won the AL CYA (with a 13-12 record, 2.27 ERA, 232 SO), despite playing for the
Seattle Mariners, the worst team in the AL with 101 losses. His 13 wins were the lowest ever by a
CYA winner, breaking the AL (Zack Greinke, 16 W) and ML (Tim Lincecum, 15 W) records set in 2009.
This further reinforced the decreased emphasis now placed on Wins in determining the CYA winner.
Batting
in 2010
Active Career HR Leaders: (5th) Ken Griffey, Jr., 630; (6th) Alex Rodriguez, 613; (8th) Jim Thome, 589.
Jose Bautista (TOR) hit 54 HR (one of only 2 hitters with 40 HR). His previous high over 7 years was 16 HR.
Albert Pujols hit 42 HR in his 10th season, with 10 year streaks for: .300+ AVG, 30+ HR, 100+ RBI
Ichiro Suzuki had a .300+ AVG, 200+ Hits, and won a Gold Glove Award for the 10th consecutive year.
Alex Rodriguez extended his MLB record streaks to 13 consecutive years with 100+ RBI & 30+ HR.
Joey Votto won the NL MVP (.324, 37 HR, 113 RBI); Josh Hamilton won the AL MVP (.359, 32 HR, 100 RBI).
Matt Stairs set a new career record with 23 PH HR; Jim Thome, tied MLB record 12 career Walk-off HR.
3 batters had < .205 AVG (also happened in 1937, 1968) & 2 batters had < .199 AVG (also happened in 1940).
Fielding
in 2010
Defense keeps improving, as well-positioned & better-informed fielders "take away" hits from batters.
5 teams had < 79 errors (NYY-69; SDP-72; CIN- 72; SFG-73; MIN-78) tying the MLB record set in 2009.
Only 1 of these 5 (MIN) was amongst the teams to accomplish this same record the prior year.
NYY had a 12 game errorless streak in 2010 (CIN, MIN, SFG, PHI & SDP all had 11 game errorless streaks).
Chris Snyder set MLB fielding record for Catchers (733 cons. errorless Chances Accepted over 242 games).
Mike Redmond set MLB fielding record for Catchers (253 cons. errorless games).
Casey Kotchman set 2 MLB fielding records for First Basemen (274 cons. errorless games & 2,379 cons. CA) .
Franklin Gutierrez set season MLB fielding record for Outfielders (most OF Putouts, 413, with 0 E, 1.000 FPCT) .
Rookies
in 2010
NL ROY - Buster Posey (c, SFG, 108 G, .305, 18 HR, 67 RBI; NL July Player of Month, 21-Game Hit Streak in July).
Other Top NL Rookies: Gaby Sanchez (1b, FL, .273, 19 HR; 85 RBI); Jaime Garcia (p, STL, 13-8, 2.70, 132 SO);
Stephen Strasburg (p, WSN, 5-3, 2.91 ERA, 68 IP, 92 SO; In first MLB game: 7 IP, 14 SO, 0 BB, 7 consecutive SO);
Jason Heyward (of, ATL, .277, 18 HR, 72 RBI, HR in 1st AB) ; Aroldis Chapman (p, CIN, fastball up to 105 MPH);
Madison Bumgarner (p, SFG, 7-6, 3.00); Daniel Hudson (p, ARI, 8-2, 2.45); Mike Stanton (of, FLA, 22 HR).
AL ROY - Neftali Feliz (rp, TEX, 4-3, 2.73 ERA, MLB Rookie Record 40 SV; helped Rangers get to the World Series).
Other AL Rookies: John Axford (rp, SEA, 8-2, 2.48 ERA, 24 SV); Austin Jackson (of, DET,.293, 103 R, 181 Hits).
Section 1
-
Page 27
Average # of HR Hit in 30 Current Ballparks - in last 15 years
1996-2010
Did the newer ballparks built since 1992 contribute to the increase in Home Runs since 1993?
The "Long Ball Era" started in 1994, but because the Players Strike in 1994-1995 shortened those seasons, this
comparison starts with the 1996 season, as a "stable" period with full seasons played in the last 15 years.
This is not a comparison of teams, but of their home ballparks relative to the number of home runs hit there by the
home and visting teams combined . The highlighted column shows the average # of HR hit per year in that park.
This is comparing only the 30 ballparks currently in use through the 2010 season.
Of the 8 pre-1992 built ballparks still used in MLB, only the Chicago Cubs' Wrigley Field is in the Top 10 below.
Home Team
Current Ballpark
Year
Park
Opened
# Years
HR hit in
used for
that Park
HR Avg Annual Avg.
1
New York Yankees (AL)
Yankee Stadium
2009
2
230
237
223
223
2
3
4
Colorado Rockies (NL)
Cincinnati Reds (NL)
Philadelphia Phillies (NL)
Coors Field
Great American Ball Park
Citizens Bank Park
1995
2003
2004
15
8
7
219
217
211
303
246
241
168
184
177
187
184
177
5
6
Chicago White Sox (AL)
Texas Rangers (AL)
U.S. Cellular Field
Ameriquest Field
1991
1994
15
15
209
206
272
245
151
167
190
174
7
8
Milwaukee Brewers (NL)
Baltimore Orioles (AL)
Miller Park
Oriole Park Camden Yards
2001
1992
10
15
191
190
232
229
149
152
196
178
9
10
11
12
Chicago Cubs (NL)
Houston Astros (NL)
Toronto Blue Jays (AL)
Arizona Diamondbacks (NL)
Wrigley Field
Minute Maid Park
Rogers Centre / Skydome
Chase Field
1916
2000
1989
1998
15
11
15
13
188
188
186
183
233
266
233
228
153
129
125
158
161
129
233
201
13
Cleveland Indians (AL)
Progressive Field
1994
15
172
219
134
134
14
15
16
17
18
19
Los Angeles Angels (AL)
Tampa Bay Devil Rays (AL)
Boston Red Sox (AL)
Oakland A's (AL)
Kansas City Royals (AL)
Detroit Tigers (AL)
Angel Stadium of Anaheim
Tropicana Field
Fenway Park
Oakland Coliseum
Kauffman Stadium
Comerica Park
1966
1998
1912
1968
1973
2000
15
13
15
15
15
11
169
168
167
163
162
162
243
199
214
203
209
202
129
152
143
108
123
122
137
162
169
108
142
141
20
21
22
23
Atlanta Braves (NL)
Los Angeles Dodgers (NL)
Washington Nationals (NL)
Seattle Mariners (AL)
Turner Field
Dodger Stadium
Nationals Park
SAFECO Field
1997
1962
2008
1999
14
15
3
*11.5
158
155
153
151
195
194
162
179
124
111
148
104
134
128
150
104
24
25
26
Pittsburgh Pirates (NL)
Florida Marlins (NL)
St. Louis Cardinals (NL)
PNC Park
Sun Life Stadium
Busch Stadium II
2001
1987
2006
10
15
5
144
142
142
161
189
176
130
109
120
130
122
122
27
28
San Francisco Giants (NL)
San Diego Padres (NL)
AT&T Park
PETCO Park
2000
2004
11
7
137
132
171
167
114
117
139
125
29
New York Mets (NL)
Citi Field
2009
2
120
130
110
110
30
Minnesota Twins (AL)
Target Field
2010
1
116
116
116
116
In the last 15 seasons:
High
Low
2010
* The Seattle Mariners moved into SAFECO Field halfway through the 1999 season
The two New York ballparks that opened in 2009 ranked at the very top and bottom of this list.
These numbers are not necessarily a reflection of a single dominant HR hitter skewing the totals.
San Francisco's AT&T Park is ranked 27th out of 30, in spite of this being Barry Bonds' home park from 2000-2007.
See next page for additional examples
Section 1
-
Page 28
Home Runs - Home vs. Away - by the Top 15 Single Season HR Hitters
In 2006, Ryan Howard led MLB with 58 HR for the Phillies.
His home park, Citizens Bank Park, was ranked 3rd out of 30 MLB ballparks for HR hit-and-allowed (233) in 2006.
Does that make this ballpark a " hitters' park" or was this because of Ryan Howard's home runs skewing the total ?
2006 at home:
2006 on road:
The Phillies hit 112 HR and their pitchers allowed 121 HR (233 home HR).
The Phillies hit 104 HR and their pitchers allowed 90 HR (194 road HR).
39 more HR hit at home
Howard hit 29 HR at home and 29 HR on the road , so the home-to-road differences weren't influenced by him at all,
and his home ballpark didn't seem to be the same advantage for him that it was for other hitters.
In 2001, Barry Bonds set a MLB record with 73 HR for the Giants.
His home park, Pac Bell Park, was ranked 29th out of 30 MLB ballparks for HR hit-and-allowed (146) in 2001.
This was in spite of the fact that he had just set a MLB record with 73 Home Runs in the 2001 season.
Does that make this ballpark a " pitchers' park" and if so, was Barry Bonds at a disadvantage in his home games ?
2001 at home: The Giants hit 97 HR and their pitchers allowed 49 HR (146 home HR).
2001 on road:
The Giants hit 138 HR and their pitchers allowed 96 HR (234 road HR).
88 more HR hit on road
(see page 29 for more details on AT&T Park / Pac Bell Park's 2001 season, ranked 9th best pitcher's park in MLB history.
Bonds hit 37 HR at home and 36 HR on the road, so the home-to-road differences weren't influenced by him at all,
and his home ballpark didn't seem to be the same disadvantage for him that it was for other hitters.
Comparing the Top 15 all-time single-season HR hitters, and their home vs. away home run totals:
All-Time Top 15 Single Season HR Hitters
Player
Team
LG
Year
HR
Home
Road
Diff.
Total HR hit in parks at:
Home Road
Diff.
1
2
Barry Bonds
Mark McGwire
SFG
STL
NL
NL
2001
1998
73
70
37
38
36
32
+1
+6
146
196
234
178
-88
+18
3
4
5
6
7
8
Sammy Sosa
Mark McGwire
Sammy Sosa
Sammy Sosa
Roger Maris
Babe Ruth
CHC
STL
CHC
CHC
NYY
NYY
NL
NL
NL
NL
AL
AL
1998
1999
2001
1999
1961
1927
66
65
64
63
61
60
35
37
34
33
30
28
31
28
30
30
31
32
+4
+9
+4
+3
-1
-4
199
187
170
222
171
113
193
168
188
188
206
87
+6
+19
-18
+34
-35
+26
AL
NL
AL/NL
AL
AL
AL
NL
1921
2006
1997
1938
1932
2002
2001
59
58
58
58
58
57
57
32
29
30
39
31
34
26
27
29
28
19
27
23
31
+5
0
+2
+20
+4
+11
-5
117
233
330
142
189
245
228
68
194
332
105
95
179
175
+49
+39
-2
+37
+94
+66
+53
AL
2010
54
33
21
+12
233
174
+59
9
10
10
10
10
14
14
Babe Ruth
Ryan Howard
Mark McGwire
Hank Greenberg
Jimmie Foxx
Alex Rodriguez
Luis Gonzalez
19
Jose Bautista
NYY
PHI
OAK/STL
DET
PHA
TEX
ARI
TOR
MLB records in yellow
The only players with a significantly positive home park impact amongst these 15 were:
Hank Greenberg in 1938, who had twice as many home runs at home as on the road (+20)
Alex Rodriguez in 2002 (+11).
Mark McGwire in 1999 (+9) and in 1998 (+6)
Jose Bautista, who led the AL in home runs in 2010 with 54, was also impacted positively by his home ballpark (+12).
There were also 59 more HR hit & allowed by the Blue Jays in their home games than in their road games in 2010.
See the next two pages, for a comparison of all MLB ballparks since 1871, with the biggest single season differences
between home runs at home ballparks vs. on the road.
See Section 5 - Page 170, for the biggest individual batter HR disparities for home vs. road games.
Section 1
-
Page 29
Biggest Single Season HR Differences (home vs. road parks)
1871-2010
Comparing the number of HR hit & allowed by a team in their home park,
to the number of HR hit & allowed by that same team in their road games
Biggest Hitters' Advantages at Home Ball Parks
Home Ballpark
Home
Team
Year
HR in
Home
Park
HR in
Road
Parks
Home
vs. Road
Difference
1
Lake Front Park II
CHC
1884
197
29
168
See page 9 for more details
2
Coors Field
COL
1999
303
157
146
Coors Field is on this list 6 times
3
4
5
6
Los Angeles Wrigley Field
Cleveland Municipal Stadium
Coors Field
Coors Field
LAA
CLE
COL
COL
1961
1970
1996
1995
248
236
271
241
121
110
148
119
127
126
123
122
Only used in first season by LAA
First season in use
7
Polo Grounds IV
NYG
1944
161
48
113
Polo Grounds IV is on this list 9 times
8
8
10
11
Coors Field
Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium
Shibe Park
Baker Bowl
COL
ATL
PHA
PHI
2000
1977
1922
1922
245
208
162
155
137
100
56
50
108
108
106
105
12
13
14
15
15
17
17
19
20
Wrigley Field
Polo Grounds IV
Shibe Park
Baker Bowl
Kansas City Muni. Stadium
Los Angeles Mem. Coliseum
Polo Grounds IV
CHC
ATL
NYM
PHA
PHI
KCA
LAD
NYG
ATL
1985
1978
1962
1932
1923
1964
1960
1942
1982
202
176
213
189
153
239
186
147
181
104
79
118
95
59
147
94
56
91
98
97
95
94
94
92
92
91
90
21
22
23
24
25
25
27
27
27
27
27
27
33
33
33
36
36
Polo Grounds IV
Coors Field
Baker Bowl
Coors Field
Kingdome
Sportsman's Park III
Wrigley Field
Crosley Field
Polo Grounds IV
Polo Grounds IV
Polo Grounds IV
Polo Grounds IV
Polo Grounds IV
Briggs Stadium
Shibe Park
Wrigley Field
NYG
COL
PHI
COL
SEA
SLB
CHC
CIN
NYG
NYG
NYG
NYG
NYG
DET
PHA
CHC
KCA
1941
2002
1932
2001
1980
1925
1976
1954
1952
1939
1938
1931
1951
1946
1921
1970
1958
137
232
157
268
173
146
155
199
177
142
147
127
204
143
124
201
184
48
145
72
184
90
63
73
117
95
60
65
45
123
62
43
121
104
89
87
85
84
83
83
82
82
82
82
82
82
81
81
81
80
80
38
39
39
39
U.S. Cellular Field
Wrigley Field
Baker Bowl
CWS
CHC
ATL
PHI
2004
1984
1970
1925
272
156
211
147
194
79
134
70
78
77
77
77
A-FC Stadium is on this list 4 times
Baker Bowl is on this list 4 times
Wrigley Field is on this list 4 times
Only used in first 2 seasons by NYM
Fence adjustments made after 1964
Only used in first 4 seasons by LAD
Kansas City's Municipal Stadium made both lists twice: "Hitters Park" (1958, 1964) and "Pitchers Park" (1966, 1967).
239 HR were hit there in 1964 (147 HR in road games), and only 45 HR in 1966 (131 HR in road games).
In 1965, they moved the fences further out by 39' in left field, 45' in left center field and 11' in center field. Then in 1966, the
10' fence/screen heights were raised to 22' in left & center, and 40' in right. After 1967, the K.C. A's moved to Oakland…
Section 1
-
Page 30
Biggest Single Season HR Differences (home vs. road parks)
1871-2010
Comparing the number of HR hit & allowed by a team in their home park,
to the number of HR hit & allowed by that same team in their road games
Biggest Pitchers' Advantages at Home Ball Parks
Year
HR in
Home
Park
HR in
Road
Parks
Home
vs. Road
Difference
HOU
PIT
MLN
1965
1957
1954
57
73
72
163
177
173
-106
-104
-101
Griffith Stadium
Forbes Field
Griffith Stadium
Forbes Field
WAS
PIT
WAS
PIT
1953
1958
1949
1966
41
81
34
96
140
176
126
187
-99
-95
-92
-91
8
9
10
11
11
13
13
13
16
16
Griffith Stadium
AT&T Park / Pac Bell Park
Astrodome
AT&T Park / Pac Bell Park
Astrodome
Chavez Ravine (Dodgers)
Griffith Stadium
Comerica Park
WAS
SFG
HOU
SFG
KCA
HOU
LAD
WAS
KCA
DET
1955
2001
1967
2002
1966
1983
1962
1950
1967
2000
45
146
63
114
45
54
86
46
57
137
134
234
150
200
131
137
169
129
137
217
-89
-88
-87
-86
-86
-83
-83
-83
-80
-80
18
19
20
21
21
21
21
25
25
27
28
28
Chavez Ravine (Angels)
Astrodome
Candlestick Park
Astrodome
Chavez Ravine (Angels)
Griffith Stadium
Forbes Field
San Diego Stadium
Milwaukee County Stadium
Crosley / Redlands Field
Chavez Ravine (Dodgers)
LAA
HOU
SFG
HOU
LAA
WSA
PIT
SDP
MLN
CIN
LAD
MLN
1963
1977
1960
1984
1964
1961
1954
1970
1953
1932
1965
1957
68
73
80
47
63
87
64
124
95
22
67
126
147
151
157
123
139
163
140
197
168
94
138
197
-79
-78
-77
-76
-76
-76
-76
-73
-73
-72
-71
-71
30
30
30
34
34
34
34
38
38
40
40
40
43
Astrodome
Forbes Field
Braves Field
Progressive Field
Anaheim Stadium
Griffith Stadium
Forbes Field
Crosley / Redlands Field
Kauffman Stadium
Astrodome
Griffith Stadium
Target Field
HOU
PIT
BSN
CLE
CAL
MLN
WAS
PIT
CIN
KCR
HOU
WAS
MIN
1987
1955
1950
2009
1970
1955
1951
1969
1930
2004
1991
1952
2010
97
82
104
138
100
126
48
74
41
146
71
31
116
166
151
173
206
168
194
116
141
108
212
137
97
181
-69
-69
-69
-68
-68
-68
-68
-67
-67
-66
-66
-66
-65
Home Ballpark
Home
Team
1
2
3
Astrodome
Forbes Field
4
5
6
7
Astrodome is on this list 7 times
Forbes Field is on this list 6 times
Griffith Stadium is on this list 7 times
Second season in use
First season in use
First season in use
First season in use
Only used in first season by WSA
LF fence moved back 30' in 1954
First season in use
Adjustments to fence distances are sometimes made in the first 2 seasons after a ballpark is opened.
An example of this is San Francisco's Candlestick Park which opened in 1960. In that first season, the Giants
hit and allowed 80 HR at home and 157 HR in their road games (ranked 20th above).
After the season, they moved their fences 32' closer in left center and right center fields, and 10' closer in center field.
In 1961, the Giants hit & allowed 174 HR at home, and hit & allowed 161 HR in their road games (much more balanced).
Section 1
-
Page 31
Year-to-Year MLB-wide Comparison
Year
#
# Pitchers with:
<2.99 ERA 20 W 200 SO
Teams Grouped by baseball era
1901
1902
1903
1904
1905
1906
1907
1908
1909
1910
1911
1912
1913
1914
1915
1916
1917
1918
1919
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
140 Game schedule
1920
1921
1922
1923
1924
1925
1926
1927
1928
1929
1930
1931
1932
1933
1934
1935
1936
1937
1938
1939
1940
1941
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
New machine-wound baseball
58.6 HR/team; Ruth hit record 59 HR
1942
1943
1944
1945
1946
1947
1948
1949
1950
1951
1952
1953
1954
1955
1956
1957
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
16
WWII, many players leave for war
WWII, ball w/lower-grade rubber
154 Game schedule
Only 12
Only 9
Only 5
Only 9
ERA
ERA
ERA
ERA
over
over
over
over
3.00,
3.00,
3.00,
3.00,
highest
highest
highest
highest
4.12
3.97
3.60
3.73
New "livelier" baseball
(Federal League stats excluded)
(Federal League stats excluded)
128 Games played/team - WWI
140 Games played/team - WWI
HR up 30%
New "cork center" baseball
57.6 HR/team; Ruth hit record 60 HR
NL Record .303 AVG
NL "deadened" their baseball
HR up 27%
HR down 27%
HR up 26%
Standard baseball returned
Integration started; HR up 29%
> 100 HR/team for first time
Korean War
Section 1
# Hitters with:
.300 Avg 100 R 40 HR
Total
MLB HR
HR /
Team
21
37
35
54
49
60
60
64
56
48
29
35
42
51
49
58
59
46
43
15
14
16
17
16
16
16
11
9
10
15
14
13
12
10
8
10
6
11
4
2
2
*6
4
0
2
3
2
4
*5
3
1
2
2
1
1
0
0
41
37
26
9
10
11
9
11
11
15
30
27
17
16
12
15
15
12
23
23
8
8
1
6
2
4
4
4
4
13
12
7
4
5
4
3
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
455
356
335
331
338
263
245
267
260
361
514
443
469
415
385
383
335
235
447
28.4
22.3
20.9
20.7
21.1
16.4
15.3
16.7
16.3
22.6
32.1
27.7
29.3
25.9
24.1
23.9
20.9
14.7
27.9
24
7
7
3
9
4
8
12
13
1
2
6
6
12
6
6
3
12
4
10
7
8
17
9
9
12
8
7
6
7
11
4
7
5
7
7
8
9
7
6
4
8
5
4
0
0
0
0
1
1
0
0
1
0
1
0
0
0
0
0
1
0
2
1
1
2
39
54
52
45
45
46
39
48
44
57
62
43
36
36
44
37
43
41
38
41
30
26
11
22
19
17
15
19
9
15
16
*34
*36
21
26
12
24
21
*35
26
23
20
18
12
1
1
1
2
1
0
1
2
1
3
4
2
2
1
2
0
3
2
2
0
2
0
630
937
1,055
980
896
1,169
863
922
1,093
1,349
1,565
1,069
1,358
1,067
1,344
1,325
1,364
1,430
1,475
1,445
1,571
1,331
39.4
58.6
65.9
61.3
56.0
73.1
53.9
57.6
68.3
84.3
97.8
66.8
84.9
66.7
84.0
82.8
85.3
89.4
92.2
90.3
98.2
83.2
24
37
20
18
21
12
8
9
2
5
22
6
16
7
7
11
4
5
6
6
7
6
5
7
5
13
6
8
6
2
9
3
0
0
0
1
2
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
0
2
1
0
14
11
18
13
15
22
20
23
26
17
15
27
23
20
22
14
9
3
7
8
5
13
14
13
23
11
6
20
16
15
9
8
0
0
0
0
1
2
2
2
1
2
0
*6
*6
*6
2
4
1,071
905
1,034
1,007
1,215
1,565
1,555
1,704
2,073
1,863
1,701
2,076
1,937
2,224
2,294
2,202
66.9
56.6
64.6
62.9
75.9
97.8
97.2
106.5
129.6
116.4
106.3
129.8
121.1
139.0
143.4
137.6
-
Page 32
Year
#
# Pitchers with:
<2.99 ERA 20 W 200 SO
Teams Grouped by baseball era
1958
1959
1960
16
16
16
1961
1962
1963
1964
1965
1966
1967
1968
1969
1970
1971
1972
1973
1974
1975
1976
18
20
20
20
20
20
20
20
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
24
1977
1978
1979
1980
1981
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986
1987
1988
1989
1990
1991
1992
1993
26
26
26
26
26
26
26
26
26
26
26
26
26
26
26
26
28
1994
1995
1996
1997
1998
1999
2000
2001
2002
2003
2004
2005
2006
2007
28
28
28
28
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
30
2008
2009
2010
30
30
30
# Hitters with:
.300 Avg 100 R 40 HR
Total
MLB HR
HR /
Team
10
11
5
4
4
3
1
3
2
23
20
10
6
11
6
3
4
3
2,240
2,250
2,128
140.0
140.6
133.0
3
9
24
20
27
20
32
49
24
6
34
44
17
20
13
20
4
8
10
5
9
7
5
7
15
11
14
10
13
11
7
8
4
5
6
11
11
11
12
12
15
9
10
10
11
8
6
7
18
23
15
21
13
12
16
6
18
27
20
18
16
22
30
24
15
13
8
10
10
6
7
0
6
18
4
6
8
6
5
6
8
3
4
2
1
3
2
1
7
6
2
1
4
0
0
0
2,732
3,001
2,704
2,761
2,688
2,743
2,299
1,995
3,119
3,429
2,863
S 2,534
151.8
150.1
135.2
138.1
134.4
137.2
115.0
99.8
130.0
142.9
119.3
3,102
2,649
2,698
2,235
129.3
110.4
112.4
93.1
12
21
7
10
25
7
8
12
15
11
4
20
21
15
15
21
8
9
8
5
7
0
1
4
3
6
5
2
6
3
6
4
5
5
6
5
5
2
0
4
3
4
5
12
8
5
6
7
4
5
3
33
16
29
33
32
23
26
25
18
23
27
22
18
22
25
23
36
17
6
18
10
0
13
11
13
17
11
21
12
9
10
15
13
22
2
2
3
3
0
0
1
1
1
1
4
1
1
2
2
2
5
3,644
2,956
3,433
3,087
S 1,781
140.2
113.7
132.0
118.7
3,379
3,301
3,258
3,602
3,813
4,458
3,180
3,083
3,317
3,383
3,038
4,030
130.0
127.0
125.3
138.5
146.7
171.5
122.3
118.6
127.6
130.1
116.8
143.9
0
0
3
4
4
3
4
7
6
5
3
4
0
1
1
3
12
10
11
6
8
10
7
7
9
8
6
8
47
44
48
35
49
55
54
46
35
40
36
33
38
40
3
13
41
25
39
60
51
37
27
27
39
25
35
30
2
4
17
12
13
13
16
12
8
10
9
9
11
5
S 3,306
S 4,081
No 20 game winners**
Fewest HR in 10 yrs., 1 sub-3.00 ERA
7
5
6
13
8
4
4
2
10
8
7
9
2
1
4,962
4,640
5,064
5,528
5,693
5,458
5,017
5,059
5,451
5,017
5,386
4,957
177.2
165.7
168.8
184.3
189.8
181.9
167.2
168.6
181.7
167.2
179.5
165.2
HR down again, pitching on the rise
Pitching dominance increases
"Year of the Pitcher" (see page 27)
8
11
15
4
0
3
10
10
15
34
42
23
28
22
17
2
5
2
4,876
5,042
4,613
162.5
168.1
153.8
Between 2,202-2,294 HR past 5 years
AL Expansion, 162 Game schedule
NL Expansion, 162 Game schedule
Strike zone widened
"Year of the Pitcher" - 7 ERA < 1.99
Expansion, 2 Division format/LG
HR up 10%
HR down 17%
155 Games played/team - Strike
Designated Hitter (DH) in AL
93.1 HR/team, lowest in 30 years
Expansion; HR up 67%
106 Games played/team - Strike
HR up 17%, 1-year "spike"
HR down 29%
Expansion; HR up 33%.
115 G/team - Strike; 3 Div/LG
144 G/team - Strike
Record 17 players with 40 HR
Expansion; McGwire hit record 70 HR
Bonds hit record 73 HR
Record best seasons in yellow
Next 4 best seasons in blue
* Best seasons relative to MLB having 16 teams
** For the first time in a non-strike season
Section 1
-
Page 33
S-Strike
Season
Pitchers with < 2.99 ERA, 20 Wins, 200 SO - all in the same season
LG
# Seasons
Accomplished
Pitcher
Years
Pitched Seasons Accomplished
AL
Walter Johnson
7
21
1910-16
NL
Juan Marichal
6
16
1963-66, 1968-69
AL
NL
NL
Roger Clemens
Christy Mathewson
Tim Keefe
5
5
5
24
17
14
1986-87, 1990, 1997-98
1901, 1903-05, 1908
1883-86, 1888
NL
NL (3); AL (1)
NL
AL
AL
NL
Tom Seaver
Ferguson Jenkins
Grover "Pete" Alexander
Ed Walsh
Rube Waddell
John Clarkson
4
4
4
4
4
4
20
19
20
14
13
12
1969, 1971-72, 1975
1967-68, 1971, 1974
1911, 1914-15, 1917
1907-08, 1911-12
1902-1905
1885-86, 1888-89
NL (2); AL (1)
NL (1); AL (2)
NL
NL
AL
NL
NL
NL (1); AA (2)
AA
NL
NL
NL
NL
Randy Johnson
Gaylord Perry
Bob Gibson
Sandy Koufax
Bob Feller
Amos Rusie
Bill Hutchison
Gus Weyhing
Ed Morris
Mickey Welsh
Charley Radbourn
Larry Corcoran
Jim McCormick
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
22
22
17
12
18
10
9
14
7
13
11
8
10
1997, 2001-02
1966, 1972, 1974
1966, 1968-69
1963, 1965-66
1939-40, 1946
1890-92
1890-92
1888-89, 1892
1884-86
1884-86
1882-84
1880, 1883-84
1880, 1882, 1884
Pedro Martinez
Nolan Ryan
Steve Carlton
Mickey Lolich
Dean Chance
Jim Maloney
Don Drysdale
Hal Newhouser
Dazzy Vance
Joe Wood
Eddie Plank
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
18
27
24
16
11
12
14
17
16
11
17
AL
AL
NL
AL
AL
NL
NL
AL
NL
AL
AL
(7 from 1800's tied with 2)
1999, 2002
1973-74
1972, 1980
1971-72
1964, 1967
1963, 1965
1962, 1965
1945-46
1924, 1928
1911-12
1904-05
Total times accomplished:
197
First done in 1879 by Monte Ward & Will White
Total times that 200 SO accomplished:
550
First done in 1879 by Monte Ward & Will White
36% of all pitchers with 200 SO also had an ERA < 2.99 and 20 Wins in the same season
Pitchers with < 2.99 ERA, 300 Wins, 3,000 SO - in career
Games
Pitched
Years Seasons
Played Played
Pitcher
ERA
W
SO
802
Walter Johnson
2.17
417
3,509
21
1907-1927
656
Tom Seaver
2.86
311
3,640
20
1967-1986
Section 1
-
Page 34
Hitters with .300 AVG, 100 R, 100 RBI, 40 HR - all in the same season
LG
Player
# Seasons
Accomplished
Years
Played
11
22
1920-21, 1923-24, 1926-32
Seasons Accomplished
AL
Babe Ruth
AL
NL
NL
Alex Rodriguez
Barry Bonds
Albert Pujols
6
6
6
17
22
10
1998, 2000-02, 2005, 2007
1993, 1996, 2000-02, 2004
2003-06, 2009-2010
NL
AL
AL
Willie Mays
Jimmie Foxx
Lou Gehrig
5
5
5
22
20
17
1954-55, 1961-62, 1965
1932-34, 1936, 1938
1927, 1930-31, 1934, 1936
AL
Frank Thomas
4
19
1993, 1995-96, 2000
NL
NL
AL
AL
NL
NL
NL
AL
Sammy Sosa
Andres Galarraga
Albert Belle
Ken Griffey, Jr.
Hank Aaron
Duke Snider
Ralph Kiner
Hank Greenberg
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
3
18
19
12
22
23
18
10
13
1998, 2000-01
1996-98
1995-96, 1998
1993, 1996-97
1957, 1962-63
1953-55
1947, 1949, 1951
1937-38, 1940
AL
AL
NL
AL
NL
NL
NL
NL
AL
AL
AL
AL
NL
NL
NL
NL
Carlos Delgado
Jason Giambi
Todd Helton
Manny Ramirez
Vladimir Guerrero
Jeff Bagwell
Mike Piazza
Gary Sheffield
Mo Vaughn
Juan Gonzalez
Carl Yastrzemski
Mickey Mantle
Ted Kluszewski
Eddie Mathews
Johnny Mize
Chuck Klein
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
2
17
16
14
18
15
15
16
22
12
17
23
18
15
17
15
17
2000, 2003
2000, 2002
2000-01
1999, 2004
1999-2000
1999-2000
1997, 1999
1996, 2000
1996, 1998
1993, 1998
1967, 1970
1956, 1961
1954-55
1953, 1959
1940, 1947
1929-30
(41 players tied with 1)
1
Total times accomplished:
145
First done in 1920 by Babe Ruth
Total times that 40 HR accomplished:
302
First done in 1920 by Babe Ruth
48% of all players with 40 HR also had a .300 AVG, 100 Runs & 100 RBI in the same season
Hitters with .300 AVG, 2,000 R, 2,000 RBI, 500 HR - in career
Games
Played
Player
AVG
R
2,503
Babe Ruth
.342
2,174
2,213
3,298
Hank Aaron
.305
2,174
2,297
Section 1
-
RBI
Page 35
Years
Played
Seasons
Played
714
22
1914-1935
755
23
1954-1976
HR
MLB Players' Annual Salary Progression
Average
Player Salary
(Highest Salaries - partial progression)
Year
Minimum
Salary
MLB Record
Highest Salary
1907
$0
$10,000
1911
$0
1913
$0
1916
Highest Salaried Player
Team
Honus Wagner
PIT
10,000
Ty Cobb
DET
20,000
Frank Chance
NYY
$0
20,000
Ty Cobb
DET
1920
$0
20,000
Babe Ruth
NYY
1921
$0
30,000
32,500
Babe Ruth
Ty Cobb
NYY
DET
1922
$0
5 yrs x 52,000
Babe Ruth
NYY
1927
$0
(approx.)
$6,000
3 yrs x 70,000
80,000
Babe Ruth
Ty Cobb
NYY
PHA
1930
$0
(approx.)
$7,000
2 yrs x 80,000
Babe Ruth
NYY
1947
$5,000
(approx.) $11,000
100,000
Hank Greenberg
PIT
1949
$5,000
Joe DiMaggio
Ted Williams
NYY
BOS
1954
$6,000
1958
$7,000
125,000
Ted Williams
BOS
1966
$7,000
2 yrs x 130,000
Willie Mays
SFG
1969
$10,000
$24,909
1970
$12,000
$29,303
1971
$12,750
$31,543
3 yrs x 166,667
2 yrs x 180,000
Carl Yastrzemski
Willie Mays
BOS
SFG
1972
$13,500
$34,092
3 yrs x 200,000
Hank Aaron
ATL
1973
$15,000
$36,566
3 yrs x 225,000
Dick Allen
CWS
1974
$15,000
$40,839
1975
$16,000
$44,676
5 yrs x 750,000
Jim "Catfish" Hunter
NYY
1976
$19,000
$51,501
1977
$19,000
$76,066
1978
$21,000
$99,876
1979
$21,000
$113,558
1980
$30,000
$143,756
4 yrs x
800,000
4 yrs x 1,000,000
1981
$32,500
$185,651
10 yrs x 2,000,000
1982
$33,500
$241,497
5 yrs x 2,040,000
1983
$35,000
$289,194
7 yrs x 2,285,715
1984
$40,000
$329,408
4 yrs x 2,100,000
1985
$60,000
$371,571
6 yrs x 2,515,362
1986
$60,000
$412,520
1987
$62,500
$412,454
5 yrs x 2,700,000
1988
$62,500
$438,729
1989
$68,000
$497,254
(approx.)
$2,000
3 yrs x 100,000
100,000
(approx.) $12,000
Section 1
1st Collective Bargaining Agreement
1st year of free agency for players
*
Pete Rose
Nolan Ryan
PHI
HOU
Dave Winfield
NYY
George Foster
NYM
Gary Carter
MON
Mike Schmidt
PHI
*
Dan Quisenberry
KCR
*
Eddie Murray
BAL
3 yrs x 2,340,000
Ozzie Smith
STL
3 yrs x 2,500,000
3 yrs x 2,633,333
3 yrs x 2,633,333
Roger Clemens
Orel Hershiser
Frank Viola
BOS
LAD
MIN
-
Page 36
Year
Minimum
Salary
Average
Player Salary
MLB Record
Highest Salary
1990
$100,000
$597,537
3
3
4
3
5
4
2
4
1991
$100,000
$851,492
1992
$109,000
1993
Highest Salaried Player
Team
Bret Saberhagen
Kirby Puckett
Rickey Henderson
Joe Carter
Mark Langston
Mark Davis
Dave Stewart
Will Clark
KCR
MIN
OAK
TOR
CAL
KCR
OAK
SFG
5 yrs x 3,860,000
5 yrs x 4,700,000
Don Mattingly
Jose Canseco
NYY
OAK
$1,028,667
4 yrs x 5,380,250
5 yrs x 5,800,000
Roger Clemens
Bobby Bonilla
BOS
NYM
$109,000
$1,076,089
4 yrs x 7,100,000
6 yrs x 7,291,666
Ryne Sandberg
Barry Bonds
CHC
SFG
1994
$109,000
$1,168,263
1995
$109,000
$1,110,766
3 yrs x 9,237,500
Cecil Fielder
DET
1996
$122,667
$1,119,981
1997
$150,000
$1,336,609
5 yrs x 11,000,000
Albert Belle
CWS
1998
$170,000
$1,398,831
6 yrs x 11,416,666
5 yrs x 11,500,000
6 yrs x 12,500,000
Gary Sheffield
Greg Maddux
Pedro Martinez
LAD
ATL
BOS
1999
$200,000
$1,611,166
7
5
4
6
7
yrs
yrs
yrs
yrs
yrs
x
x
x
x
x
13,000,000
13,000,000
13,100,000
13,333,333
15,000,000
Mike Piazza
Albert Belle
Randy Johnson
Mo Vaughn
Kevin Brown
NYM
BAL
ARI
ANA
LAD
2000
$200,000
$1,895,630
2001
$200,000
$2,138,896
8
2
4
10
yrs
yrs
yrs
yrs
x
x
x
x
15,125,000
15,450,000
17,000,000
25,200,000
Mike Hampton
Roger Clemens
Carlos Delgado
Alex Rodriguez
COL
NYY
TOR
TEX
2002
$200,000
$2,340,920
2003
$300,000
$2,555,416
2004
$300,000
$2,486,609
2005
$316,000
$2,632,655
2006
$327,000
$2,699,292
2007
$380,000
$2,944,556
2008
$390,000
$3,154,845
10 yrs x 27,500,000
Alex Rodriguez
NYY
2009
$400,000
$3,317,475
2010
$400,000
$3,340,133
2011
$414,000
yrs
yrs
yrs
yrs
yrs
yrs
yrs
yrs
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
x
2,966,667
3,000,000
3,000,000
3,116,667
3,250,000
3,250,000
3,500,000
3,750,000
*
Average Player Salary is based on Opening Day player payrolls, including players on the disabled list.
Highest Salaries = Total contract salaries + signing bonuses divided by # years of contract ( excluding incentive bonuses).
Additional contract variables add to the complexity of calculating an annual value, such as: deferred income w/o interest,
promotional services, real estate associated income, personal services after retirement, etc.
* These players had unusual contracts that could result in their annualized calculations varying by up to +/- $500,000,
depending on the source or lack of contract details made public, and how an annual salary could be calculated.
Section 1
-
Page 37
MLB Players' Highest Career Earnings
(Through 2010)
Career Earnings
1
$266,500,000
2
$223,470,000
3
$206,230,000
4
$191,490,000
5
$179,237,500
6
$173,049,000
7
$167,900,000
8
$154,542,500
9
$152,249,000
10
$151,019,000
11
$147,177,500
12
$145,114,294
13
$141,552,133
14
$138,461,661
15
$137,068,000
16
$135,702,500
17
$134,751,000
18
$133,746,500
19
$131,315,000
20
$130,890,500
21
$130,808,996
22
$129,611,125
(excludes incentive bonuses)
(Active players in bold)
Player
Pos
Alex Rodriguez
Manny Ramirez
Derek Jeter
Barry Bonds
Randy Johnson
Years
Played
Mike Mussina
Roger Clemens
Chipper Jones
Jim Thome
Mike Hampton
Tom Glavine
John Smoltz
Sammy Sosa
Todd Helton
Kevin Brown
Jason Giambi
Mariano Rivera
1994 - 2010
$192,500,000
OF
18
1993 - 2010
$2,000,000
2011
SS
16
1995 - 2010
$54,000,000
2011-2013
OF
22
1986 - 2007
Retired
P
22
1988 - 2009
Retired
1
$275,000,000
2
$252,000,000
OF
22
1989 - 2010
Retired
22
1988 - 2009
Retired
P
23
1986 - 2008
Retired
1B
17
1993 - 2009
Retired
P
18
1992 - 2009
Retired
P
18
1991 - 2008
Retired
P
24
3B
17
1984 - 2007
1993 - 2010
$28,000,000
2011-2012
1B, DH
20
1991 - 2010
$3,000,000
2011
P
15
1993 - 2010
None
P
22
1987 - 2008
Retired
P
21
1988 - 2009
Retired
OF
18
1B
14
1989 - 2007
1997 - 2010
$29,000,000
P
19
1B, DH
16
1986 - 2005
1995 - 2010
RP
16
1995 - 2010
3
$189,000,000
4
$184,000,000
5
$180,000,000
6
$161,000,000
7
$160,000,000
8
$152,300,000
9
$151,500,000
10
$142,000,000
11
$138,000,000
12
$137,500,000
13
$136,000,000
14
$126,000,000
14
$126,000,000
14
$126,000,000
17
$125,000,000
18
$121,000,000
19
$120,000,000
19
$120,000,000
19
$120,000,000
C.C. Sabathia
Manny Ramirez
Miguel Cabrera
Todd Helton
Carl Crawford
Troy Tulowitzki
Johan Santana
Alfonso Soriano
Vernon Wells
Barry Zito
Jayson Werth
Ryan Howard
Mike Hampton
Matt Holliday
Jason Giambi
Cliff Lee
Retired
Retired
2011-2013
Retired
Minor League
2011
$30,000,000
2011-2012
(excludes incentive bonuses)
(Current contracts in bold)
Contract Length
Seasons
Player
Team Years
Alex Rodriguez
Alex Rodriguez
Derek Jeter
Joe Mauer
Mark Teixeira
2011-2017
OF, 3B
MLB Players' Largest Single Contracts
Single Contract
Future Contracts 2011+
Salary + Sign Bonus
Years
17
SS, 3B
Ken Griffey, Jr.
Gary Sheffield
Greg Maddux
Carlos Delgado
Pedro Martinez
Seasons
Played
4/1/2011
4/1/2011
Type of Contract
NYY
10
2008 - 2017
TEX
10
2001 - 2010
Free agency (opted out in 2008)
NYY
10
Contract extension
Contract extension
MIN
8
2001 - 2010
2011 - 2018
NYY
8
2009 - 2016
Free agency
NYY
7
2009 - 2015
Free agency
Free agency
Contract extension
BOS
8
2001 - 2008
DET
8
2008 - 2015
Contract extension
COL
11
Contract extension
BOS
7
2001 - 2011
2011 - 2017
COL
7
2014 - 2020
Contract extension
NYM
6
2008 - 2013
Contract extension
CHC
8
2007 - 2014
Free agency
TOR
7
2008 - 2014
Contract extension
SFG
7
Free agency
WSN
7
2007 - 2013
2011 - 2017
PHI
5
2012 - 2016
Contract extension
COL
8
2001 - 2008
Free agency
STL
7
2010 - 2016
Free agency
NYY
7
5
2002 - 2008
2011 - 2015
Free agency
PHI
Section 1
-
Page 38
Free agency
Free agency
Free agency
MLB 2010 Opening Day Team Payrolls
Team
1 New York Yankees
2010 Payroll
(excluding incentive bonuses)
Difference from
2009-2010
2009 Payroll
2010 Record
W
L
11/2010
G +/.500
$206,333,389
2.4 %
$201,449,189
95
67
2 Boston Red Sox
$162,447,333
33.4 %
$121,745,999
89
73
16
3 Chicago Cubs
$146,609,000
8.8 %
$134,809,000
75
87
-12
4 Philadelphia Phillies
P
28
$141,928,379
25.6 %
$113,004,046
97
65
32
5 New York Mets
$134,422,942
- 10.0 %
$149,373,987
79
83
-4
6 Detroit Tigers
$122,864,928
6.8 %
$115,085,145
81
81
0
7 Chicago White Sox
$105,530,000
9.8 %
$96,068,500
88
74
14
P
8 Los Angeles Angels
$104,963,866
- 7.7 %
$113,709,000
80
82
-2
W
$98,641,333
19.4 %
$82,616,450
92
70
22
P
$97,559,166
49.4 %
$65,299,266
94
68
26
11 Los Angeles Dodgers
$95,358,016
- 5.0 %
$100,414,592
80
82
-2
12 St. Louis Cardinals
$93,540,751
20.5 %
$77,605,109
86
76
10
13 Houston Astros
$92,355,500
- 10.3 %
$102,996,414
76
86
-10
14 Seattle Mariners
$86,510,000
- 12.3 %
$98,904,166
61
101
-40
$84,423,666
- 12.7 %
$96,726,166
91
71
20
9 San Francisco Giants
10 Minnesota Twins
15 Atlanta Braves
P
16 Colorado Rockies
$84,227,000
12.0 %
$75,201,000
83
79
4
17 Baltimore Orioles
$81,612,500
21.6 %
$67,101,666
66
96
-30
18 Milwaukee Brewers
$81,108,278
1.2 %
$80,182,502
77
85
-8
19 Tampa Bay Rays
P
$71,923,471
13.6 %
$63,313,034
96
66
30
20 Cincinnati Reds
P
$71,761,542
- 2.4 %
$73,558,500
91
71
20
21 Kansas City Royals
$71,405,210
1.3 %
$70,519,333
67
95
-28
22 Toronto Blue Jays
$62,234,000
- 22.7 %
$80,538,300
85
77
8
23 Washington Nationals
$61,400,000
1.8 %
$60,328,000
69
93
-24
24 Cleveland Indians
$61,203,966
- 25.0 %
$81,579,166
69
93
-24
$60,718,166
- 17.4 %
$73,516,666
65
97
-32
25 Arizona Diamondbacks
26 Florida Marlins
$57,034,719
54.8 %
$36,834,000
80
82
-2
$55,250,544
- 19.0 %
$68,178,798
90
72
18
28 Oakland Athletics
$51,654,900
- 17.1 %
$62,310,000
81
81
0
29 San Diego Padres
$37,799,300
- 13.6 %
$43,734,200
90
72
18
30 Pittsburgh Pirates
$34,943,000
- 28.2 %
$48,693,000
57
105
-48
27 Texas Rangers
A
Totals:
2.3 % $2,655,395,194
$2,717,766,875
American League teams in brown
National League teams in blue
2010 World Champion:
W
2010 AL Champion:
A
2010 Playoff teams:
P
Payroll figures include salaries and pro-rated shares of signing bonuses, but exclude incentive bonuses.
The New York Yankees have had the highest annual player payroll every year since 1997 ( Baltimore Orioles, 1996).
Opening Day Payrolls:
2010 - 829 players (750 players on the Active Rosters and 79 players on the Disabled List)
2009 - 818 players (749 players on the Active Rosters and 69 players on the Disabled List)
41 players (5% of all players) on opening day in 2010 had the MLB minimum salary of $400,000.
82 players (10% of all players) in 2010 had a salary of $10 million or more. The 2010 teams with the most players
earning $10 million: New York Yankees (9), Chicago Cubs (8), New York Mets (6), Philadelphia Phillies (5)
The salaries of these 82 players equaled 43% of the total MLB player salaries in 2010.
Luxury Taxes (paid by 4 teams over payroll thresholds 2003-2010): NYY-$192 mil; BOS-$15 mil; DET-$1.3 mil; LAA-$ .9 mil
Section 1
-
Page 39
MLB Umpires with Most Games as an Umpire - career
Former MLB
Player Seasons Umpired
Umpire
1 Bill Klem
2 Bruce Froemming
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
Tommy Connolly
Doug Harvey
Joe Brinkman
Harry Wendelstedt
Mike Reilly
Bill McGowan
Jerry Crawford
Ed Montague
Larry Barnett
Derryl Cousins
Al Barlick
Bob Emslie
Bill Dinneen
Joe West
Cy Rigler
Bill Summers
Larry McCoy
20 Hank O'Day
Nestor Chylak
Jocko Conlan
Billy Evans
Cal Hubbard
Total
Years Games
Games
Called*
1871-2010
World Series All-Star
Years Games Games
1905-1941
1971-2007
37
37
5,370
5,163
3,543
1,300
18
5
103
22
1898-1932
1962-1992
1972-2006
1966-1998
1977-2010
1906-22, 1924-35
1933-1959
1970-1999
35
31
35
33
34
30
35
35
31
32
28
35
30
33
29
27
30
4,768
4,673
4,505
4,500
4,491
4,425
4,371
4,369
4,290
4,250
4,232
4,228
4,218
4,186
4,144
4,121
4,023
2,316
1,186
1,131
1,124
1,127
1,644
1,086
1,097
1,090
1,074
1,202
2,358
1,926
1,052
2,468
1,364
1,015
8
5
3
5
4
8
5
6
4
3
7
0
8
4
10
8
2
45
28
19
33
22
43
27
34
20
13
42
0
45
23
62
47
11
N/A
6
3
4
4
4
2
4
4
3
7
N/A
1
2
1
7
3
Y 1884-1911, 13, 15-27
35
3,986
2,710
10
57
N/A
1954-1978
Y 1935, 1941-1965
1906-1927
1936-1951
25
26
22
16
3,857
3,621
3,319
2,470
974
1,070
1,757
862
5
5
6
4
31
27
38
21
5
6
N/A
3
1925-1954
1976-2010
1974, 1976-2009
1969-1999
1979-2010
1940-43, 46-55, 58-71
Y 1890-1924
Y 1907, 1909-1937
1976-99, 2002-2010
2
3
* Games Called = the Home Plate Umpire for those games, calling the balls & strikes.
Hall-of-Fame Umpires in Italics (9 Umpires have been inducted into the Baseball Hall-of-Fame in Cooperstown, NY).
Active Umpires in Bold (through the 2010 season).
First Night Games "Under the Lights" - at 16 Ballparks, pre-1961 expansion
Date
Ballpark & Home Team (A.L. in Red)
Results
May 24, 1935
June 15, 1938
May 16, 1939
June 1, 1939
June 27, 1939
Aug 14, 1939
Crosley Field (Cincinnati Reds)
Ebbets Field (Brooklyn Dodgers)
Shibe Park (Philadelphia Athletics)
Shibe Park (Philadelphia Phillies)
Cleveland Stadium (Cleveland Indians)
Comiskey Park (Chicago White Sox)
Paul Derringer (CIN) beat the Phillies, 2-1. Fan attendance was 20,422.
Johnny Vander Meer (CIN) pitched his 2nd consecutive no-hitter.
The Cleveland Indians outlasted the Athletics, 8-3 in 10 innings.
The Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Phillies, 5-2.
The Indians shutout the Detroit Tigers, 5-0.
The White Sox defeated the St. Louis Browns, 5-2.
May 24, 1940
May 24, 1940
June 4, 1940
June 4, 1940
May 28, 1941
May 11, 1946
May 28, 1946
June 13, 1947
June 15, 1948
Polo Grounds (New York Giants)
Sportsman's Park (St. Louis Browns)
Sportsman's Park (St. Louis Cardinals)
Forbes Field (Pittsburgh Pirates)
Griffith Stadium (Washington Senators)
Braves Field (Boston Braves)
Yankee Stadium (New York Yankees)
Fenway Park (Boston Red Sox)
Briggs Stadium (Detroit Tigers)
Giants 8, Boston Braves 1
The Cleveland Indians edged the St. Louis Browns, 3-2.
The Brooklyn Dodgers won 10-1 over the Cardinals.
Pirates beat the Boston Braves, 14-2, Boston's 2nd "first night game" loss.
The NY Yankees edged the Senators, 6-5.
The NY Giants won, 5-1. The Braves are now 0-3 in "first night games"
The Senators payback the Yankees, 2-1, for their "first night" loss in 1941.
Red Sox 5, White Sox 3
Tigers 4, Philadelphia Athletics 1
Wrigley Field (Chicago Cubs)
The Cubs beat the NY Mets, 6-4 in the last ballpark to install lights
Shibe Park (Philadelphia)
Three Rivers Stadium (Cincinnati)
First All-Star Game at Night
First World Series Game at Night
Aug 9, 1988
July 13, 1943
Oct. 13, 1971
Section 1
-
Page 40

2011-1a History - A Unique Look at Big League Baseball

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