1981 in baseball
Encyclopedia
Major League Baseball
- World Series1981 World SeriesThe 1981 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking their third meeting in the Series in five years as well as a record eleventh Series meeting overall and last Series meeting to date...
: Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
over New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
(4-2); Ron CeyRon CeyRonald Charles Cey |Washington]]) is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics . Cey batted and threw right-handed...
, Pedro Guerrero, and Steve YeagerSteve YeagerStephen Wayne "Steve" Yeager is an American right-handed former major league baseball catcher. Yeager spent 14 of the 15 seasons of his Major League Baseball career, from through , with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His last year, , he played for the Seattle Mariners...
, co-MVPs
NOTE: Due to a strike in mid-season, the season was divided into a first half and a second half. The division winner of the first half (denoted East 1, West 1) played the division winner of the second half (denoted East 2, West 2).
- American League Championship Series1981 American League Championship Series-Game 1:Tuesday, October 13, 1981 at Yankee Stadium in Bronx, New YorkIn Billy Martin's return to Yankee Stadium , the Yankees drew first blood in front of their old skipper...
MVP: Graig NettlesGraig NettlesGraig Nettles , nicknamed "Puff", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. During a 22-year baseball career, he played for the Minnesota Twins , Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , San Diego Padres , Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos .Nettles was one of the best... - National League Championship Series1981 National League Championship Series- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 13, 1981 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe Dodgers took the first game of the series behind the strong pitching of starter Burt Hooton. For the first seven innings the game stayed close, with the only scoring coming in the second inning when the Dodgers got...
MVP: Burt HootonBurt HootonBurt Carlton Hooton , nicknamed "Happy" , is a coach and former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball...
- All-Star GameMajor League Baseball All-Star GameThe Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, August 9 at Cleveland StadiumCleveland StadiumCleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football...
: National League, 5-4; Gary CarterGary CarterGary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...
, MVP
Other champions
- College World Series1981 College World SeriesThe 1981 College World Series was played at Johnny Rosenblatt Stadium in Omaha, NE from May 30 to June 8. The thirty-fifth tournament's champion was Arizona State University coached by Jim Brock...
: Arizona StateArizona State UniversityArizona State University is a public research university located in the Phoenix Metropolitan Area of the State of Arizona... - Japan SeriesJapan Series, or is the annual championship series in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top baseball league in Japan. It is a seven-game series between the winning clubs of the league's two circuits, the Central League and the Pacific League....
: Yomiuri GiantsYomiuri GiantsThe are a professional baseball team based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, Japan. The team competes in the Central League in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top level of professional play in Japan. They play their home games in the Tokyo Dome, opened in 1988. The English-language press occasionally calls the...
over Nippon Ham FightersHokkaido Nippon Ham FightersThe are a Japanese professional baseball team based in Sapporo, Hokkaidō. They compete in the Pacific League of Nippon Professional Baseball, playing the majority of their home games at the Sapporo Dome. The Fighters also host a select number of regional home games in cities across Hokkaidō,...
(4-2) - Little League World Series1981 Little League World SeriesThe 1981 Little League World Series took place between August 25 and August 29 in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The Taiping Little League of Taichung, Taiwan defeated the Belmont Heights Little League of Tampa, Florida in the championship game of the 35th Little League World Series.This was the fifth...
: Tai-Ping, TaichungTaichung-Demographics:Taichung’s population was an estimated 1,040,725 in August 2006. There are slightly more females in the city than males.24.32% of residents are children, while 16.63% are young people, 52.68% are middle-age, and 6.73% are elderly....
, TaiwanTaiwanTaiwan , also known, especially in the past, as Formosa , is the largest island of the same-named island group of East Asia in the western Pacific Ocean and located off the southeastern coast of mainland China. The island forms over 99% of the current territory of the Republic of China following...
Awards and honors
- Most Valuable PlayerMLB Most Valuable Player AwardThe Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award is an annual Major League Baseball award, given to one outstanding player in the American League and one in the National League. Since 1931, it has been awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America...
- Rollie FingersRollie FingersRoland Glen Fingers is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. During his 18-year baseball career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers . He became only the second reliever to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992...
, Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, P (AL) - Mike SchmidtMike SchmidtMichael Jack Schmidt is a Hall of Fame third baseman popularly considered among the greatest third basemen in the history of Major League Baseball. He played his entire career for the Philadelphia Phillies....
, Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
, 3B (NL)
- Rollie Fingers
- Cy Young AwardCy Young AwardThe Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
- Rollie Fingers, Milwaukee Brewers (AL)
- Fernando ValenzuelaFernando ValenzuelaFernando Valenzuela Anguamea is a Mexican former left-handed pitcher, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 1981, the 20-year-old Valenzuela took Los Angeles by storm, winning his first 8 decisions and leading the Dodgers to the World Championship...
, Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
(NL)
- Rookie of the YearMLB Rookie of the Year AwardIn Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is annually given to one player from each league as voted on by the Baseball Writers Association of America . The award was established in 1940 by the Chicago chapter of the BBWAA, which selected an annual winner from 1940 through 1946...
- Dave RighettiDave RighettiDavid Allan Righetti is a former left-handed pitcher for various Major League Baseball teams, primarily the New York Yankees. He is currently the pitching coach for the San Francisco Giants and was the first player in history to both pitch a no-hitter and also lead the league in saves in his career...
, New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, P (AL) - Fernando Valenzuela, Los Angeles Dodgers, P (NL)
- Dave Righetti
MLB statistical leaders
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January–March
- January 15 - In his first year of eligibility, former St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
pitcher Bob GibsonBob GibsonRobert "Bob" Gibson is a retired American professional baseball player. Nicknamed "Hoot" and "Gibby", he was a right-handed pitcher who played his entire 17-year Major League Baseball career with St. Louis Cardinals...
is the only person elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of AmericaBaseball Writers Association of AmericaThe Baseball Writers' Association of America is a professional association for baseball journalists writing for daily newspapers, magazines and qualifying Web sites. The BBWAA was founded on October 14, 1908, to improve working conditions for sportswriters in the early part of the 20th century...
, gathering 337 votes (84.04%). Players falling short of the 301 votes needed for election include Don DrysdaleDon DrysdaleDonald Scott "Don" Drysdale was a Major League Baseball player and Hall of Fame right-handed pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was one of the dominant starting pitchers of the 1960s, and became a radio and television broadcaster following his playing career...
(243), Gil HodgesGil HodgesGilbert Ray Hodges was an American Major League Baseball first baseman and manager. During an 18-year baseball career, he played in 1943 and from 1947–63, spending most of his career with the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers...
(241), Harmon KillebrewHarmon KillebrewHarmon Clayton Killebrew , nicknamed "Killer" and "Hammerin' Harmon", was an American professional baseball first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder. During his 22-year career in Major League Baseball , he played for the Washington Senators, a team which later became the Minnesota Twins, and...
(239), Hoyt WilhelmHoyt WilhelmJames Hoyt Wilhelm was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985....
(238) and Juan MarichalJuan MarichalJuan Antonio Marichal Sánchez is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. Playing for the San Francisco Giants most of his career, Marichal was known for his high leg kick, pinpoint control and intimidation tactics, which included aiming pitches directly at the opposing batters'...
(233).
- January 23 - Fred LynnFred LynnFredric Michael "Fred" Lynn is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox , California Angels , Baltimore Orioles , Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres .Fred Lynn was inducted into the Boston Red Sox Hall of Fame in and to the College Baseball Hall of Fame...
traded by the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
with Steve RenkoSteve RenkoSteve Renko, Jr. is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Montreal Expos , Chicago Cubs , Chicago White Sox , Oakland Athletics , Boston Red Sox , California Angels and Kansas City Royals .He helped the Angels win the 1982 American League Western...
to the California Angels for Frank TananaFrank TananaFrank Daryl Tanana is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He was the California Angels' 1st round draft pick in 1971....
, Jim DorseyJim Dorsey (baseball)James Edward Dorsey is a retired professional baseball player who played 3 seasons for the California Angels and Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-References:...
, and Joe RudiJoe RudiJoseph Oden Rudi is a former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City & Oakland Athletics , California Angels and Boston Red Sox . He batted and threw right-handed...
.
- February 12 - Reputedly because the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
mailed out his contract two days late, catcher Carlton FiskCarlton FiskCarlton Ernest Fisk , nicknamed "Pudge" or "The Commander", is a former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 24-year baseball career, he played for both the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox .Fisk was known by the nickname "Pudge" due to his 6'2", 220 lb frame...
is declared a free agent. He will later sign with the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
.
- February 28 - The New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
reacquire Dave KingmanDave KingmanDavid Arthur Kingman , nicknamed "Kong" and "Sky King", is a former Major League Baseball left fielder, first baseman, third baseman, and designated hitter. The towering 6' 6" Kingman was one of the most feared sluggers of the 1970s and 1980s...
from the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
for Steve HendersonSteve HendersonSteven Curtis Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who is best remembered for being one of the players the New York Mets acquired in the infamous "Midnight Massacre."-Cincinnati Reds:...
and cash. Henderson had originally been acquired by the Mets from the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
as part of the infamous "Midnight Massacre" on June 15, , the same day the Mets traded Kingman to the San Diego PadresSan Diego PadresThe San Diego Padres are a Major League Baseball team based in San Diego, California. They play in the National League Western Division. Founded in 1969, the Padres have won the National League Pennant twice, in 1984 and 1998, losing in the World Series both times...
for Paul SiebertPaul SiebertPaul Edward Siebert is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched parts of five seasons in the majors, from until . Paul's father was former major league first baseman Dick Siebert....
and Bobby ValentineBobby ValentineRobert John "Bobby V" Valentine is an American professional baseball manager and former player who is currently the manager of the Boston Red Sox. He previously managed the Texas Rangers and New York Mets as well as the Chiba Lotte Marines in Japan...
.
- March 11 - Johnny MizeJohnny MizeJohn Robert "Johnny" Mize was a baseball player who was a first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants, and New York Yankees...
and Rube Foster are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee. Mize hit .312 with 359 home runs in 15 seasons for the Cardinals and New York GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
, while Foster was a star pitcher, manager and pioneer of the Negro LeaguesNegro league baseballThe Negro leagues were United States professional baseball leagues comprising teams predominantly made up of African Americans. The term may be used broadly to include professional black teams outside the leagues and it may be used narrowly for the seven relatively successful leagues beginning in...
during the first quarter of the 20th century.
April–May
- April 9 - After pitcher Jerry ReussJerry ReussJerry Reuss -- pronounced "royce" -- is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the Los Angeles Dodgers in the United States, who had a 22-year career from to ....
pulls a muscle, rookie Fernando ValenzuelaFernando ValenzuelaFernando Valenzuela Anguamea is a Mexican former left-handed pitcher, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 1981, the 20-year-old Valenzuela took Los Angeles by storm, winning his first 8 decisions and leading the Dodgers to the World Championship...
is given his first starting assignment. His first Major League start results in a five-hit shutout. It is the beginning of what will be called "Fernandomania" in Southern California.
- April 10 - Carlton FiskCarlton FiskCarlton Ernest Fisk , nicknamed "Pudge" or "The Commander", is a former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 24-year baseball career, he played for both the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox .Fisk was known by the nickname "Pudge" due to his 6'2", 220 lb frame...
debuts with the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
, coincidentally in Fenway ParkFenway ParkFenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
against his former team, the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. Fisk hits a three-run home runHome runIn baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
in the eighth to secure a 5-3 win for Chicago.
- April 18 - Tom SeaverTom SeaverGeorge Thomas "Tom" Seaver , nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and "The Franchise", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1967-1986 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the New York Mets...
of the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
records his 3000th career strikeout. Keith HernandezKeith HernandezKeith Barlow Hernandez is a former Major League Baseball first baseman. He is currently a baseball analyst working for the New York Mets, for whom he played from –, on SportsNet New York and WPIX television broadcasts...
is the victim.
- April 27 - Just 18 days after his first start, Fernando ValenzuelaFernando ValenzuelaFernando Valenzuela Anguamea is a Mexican former left-handed pitcher, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 1981, the 20-year-old Valenzuela took Los Angeles by storm, winning his first 8 decisions and leading the Dodgers to the World Championship...
has grabbed the attention of the baseball world. In just his fifth start, he pitches his fourth complete game shutout running his record to 5-0 with a microscopic 0.20 ERA. He is also battingBatting averageBatting average is a statistic in both cricket and baseball that measures the performance of cricket batsmen and baseball hitters. The two statistics are related in that baseball averages are directly descended from the concept of cricket averages.- Cricket :...
over 0.400 to help his own cause.
- April 29 - Steve CarltonSteve CarltonSteven Norman Carlton , nicknamed "Lefty", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1965-1988 for six different teams in his career, but it is his time with the Philadelphia Phillies where he received his greatest acclaim as a professional and won four Cy Young Awards...
of the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
records his 3000th career strikeout. April 1981 is the only month in history to have two pitchers reach this milestone. He is the first left-handed pitcher in Major League history to reach that mark.
- May 10 - In the second game of a doubleheader, Charlie LeaCharlie LeaCharles William Lea was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From through , Lea played for the Montreal Expos and Minnesota Twins...
of the Montreal ExposMontreal ExposThe Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
no-hitsNo-hitterA no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
the San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
4-0. The no-hitter is the first in the history of Olympic StadiumOlympic Stadium (Montreal)The Olympic Stadium is a multi-purpose stadium in the Hochelaga-Maisonneuve district of Montreal, Quebec, Canada built as the main venue for the 1976 Summer Olympics...
, which will witness only one other no-hitter, by PhiladelphiaPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
's Tommy GreeneTommy GreeneIra Thomas Greene , is a former Major League Baseball player who pitched from 1989 to 1995 and 1997. He pitched for the Atlanta Braves, Philadelphia Phillies and Houston Astros.-Pro career:...
in .
- May 15 - Len BarkerLen BarkerLeonard Harold Barker III , better known as Lenny Barker or Len Barker, is a former Major League Baseball right-handed starting pitcher. He pitched the tenth perfect game in baseball history. Barker pitched for the Texas Rangers , Cleveland Indians , Atlanta Braves and Milwaukee Brewers...
of the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
pitches a perfect gamePerfect gameA perfect game is defined by Major League Baseball as a game in which a pitcher pitches a victory that lasts a minimum of nine innings and in which no opposing player reaches base. Thus, the pitcher cannot allow any hits, walks, hit batsmen, or any opposing player to reach base safely for any...
against the Toronto Blue JaysToronto Blue JaysThe Toronto Blue Jays are a professional baseball team located in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The Blue Jays are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball 's American League ....
, 3-0, at Cleveland Municipal Stadium. He struck out 11, all swinging, after the third inning and never had a 3-ball count on any batter on a misty, rain-soaked night where only 7,290 fans took in the game. Current Indians broadcaster Rick ManningRick ManningRichard Eugene Manning is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians and Milwaukee Brewers...
caught the 27th out of the night on a fly ball to center field. Barker's catcher, Ron HasseyRon HasseyRonald William Hassey is a retired Major League Baseball catcher. Hassey began his career with the Cleveland Indians after the Indians drafted him in the 18th round of the 1976 MLB amateur draft...
will later catch Dennis Martinez'sDennis MartínezJosé Dennis Martínez Emilia , nicknamed "El Presidente" , is a former Major League Baseball pitcher...
19911991 in baseball-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Minnesota Twins over Atlanta Braves ; Jack Morris, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: Kirby Puckett*National League Championship Series MVP: Steve Avery...
perfect game making him the first catcher in history to catch two perfect games.
- May 21 - Ron DarlingRon DarlingRonald Maurice Darling, Jr. is an American former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets, Oakland Athletics and Montreal Expos...
of Yale UniversityYale UniversityYale University is a private, Ivy League university located in New Haven, Connecticut, United States. Founded in 1701 in the Colony of Connecticut, the university is the third-oldest institution of higher education in the United States...
pitches a no-hitterNo-hitterA no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
through eleven innings against St. John's UniversitySt. John's University (New York City)St. John's University is a private, Roman Catholic, coeducational university located in New York City, United States. Founded by the Congregation of the Mission in 1870, the school was originally located in the borough of Brooklyn in the neighborhood of Bedford–Stuyvesant...
. In the 12th inning, St. John's broke up the no-hitter and then scored on a double-stealStolen baseIn baseball, a stolen base occurs when a baserunner successfully advances to the next base while the pitcher is delivering the ball to home plate...
to beat Yale 1-0. Darling's performance remains the longest no-hitter in NCAA history and the game is considered by some to be the best in college baseball history. Frank ViolaFrank ViolaFrank John Viola, Jr. is a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Minnesota Twins , New York Mets , Boston Red Sox , Cincinnati Reds and Toronto Blue Jays . A three-time All-Star, he was named World Series MVP with the Twins in 1987 and won the AL Cy Young Award in 1988...
was the opposing pitcher for St. John's.
- May 25 - Carl YastrzemskiCarl YastrzemskiCarl Michael Yastrzemski is a former American Major League Baseball left fielder and first baseman. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year baseball career with the Boston Red Sox . He was primarily a left fielder, with part of his later career...
plays in his 3,000th major league game, scoring the winning run in BostonBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
's 8–7 triumph over ClevelandCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. Yaz joins Ty CobbTy CobbTyrus Raymond "Ty" Cobb , nicknamed "The Georgia Peach," was an American Major League Baseball outfielder. He was born in Narrows, Georgia...
, Stan MusialStan MusialStanley Frank "Stan" Musial is a retired professional baseball player who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals . Nicknamed "Stan the Man", Musial was a record 24-time All-Star selection , and is widely considered to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball...
and Hank Aaron as the fourth major leaguer to appear in 3,000 games.
- May 27 - While visiting the Seattle KingdomeKingdomeThe Kingdome was a multi-purpose stadium located in Seattle's SoDo neighborhood. Owned and operated by King County, the Kingdome opened in 1976 and was best known as the home stadium of the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League , the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball , and the...
, Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
centerfielder Amos OtisAmos OtisAmos Joseph Otis is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Mets , Kansas City Royals and Pittsburgh Pirates . He batted and threw right-handed....
hits a slow roller down the third base line in the sixth inning. Seattle MarinersSeattle MarinersThe Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
third basemanThird basemanA third baseman, abbreviated 3B, is the player in baseball whose responsibility is to defend the area nearest to third base — the third of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run...
Lenny RandleLenny RandleLeonard Shenoff Randle is a former Major League Baseball player. He was the first-round pick of the Washington Senators in the secondary phase of the June 1970 Major League Baseball Draft, tenth overall.-Early years:...
gets on his hands and knees and tries unsuccessfully to blow the ball foulFoul ballIn baseball, a foul ball is a batted ball that:* Settles on foul territory between home and first base or between home and third base, or* Bounds past first or third base on or over foul territory, or...
.
June–July
- June 5 - Nolan RyanNolan RyanLynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
issues the 1,777th walk in his career, breaking the record previously held by Early WynnEarly WynnEarly Wynn Jr. , nicknamed "Gus", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 25-year baseball career, he pitched for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox...
.
- June 8 - With their twelfth pick in the June amateur draft1981 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1981 Major League Baseball draft.- Other notable players :*John Elway was drafted by the New York Yankees in the 2nd round of the 1981 amateur draft...
, the New York MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
select Roger ClemensRoger ClemensWilliam Roger Clemens , nicknamed "Rocket", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who broke into the league with the Boston Red Sox, whose pitching staff he would help anchor for 12 years. Clemens won seven Cy Young Awards, more than any other pitcher. He played for four different teams over...
. He declines, deciding instead to attend the University of Texas at AustinUniversity of Texas at AustinThe University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
. He is drafted by the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
in the first round (19th overall) of the 1983 Major League Baseball Draft1983 Major League Baseball Draft-First round selections:The following are the first round picks in the 1983 Major League Baseball draft.* Did not sign- Other notable players :*Kevin Ward, 6th round...
.
- June 10 - Pete RosePete RosePeter Edward Rose , nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", is a former Major League Baseball player and manager. Rose played from 1963 to 1986, and managed from 1984 to 1989....
hits a Nolan RyanNolan RyanLynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
pitch for the 3,630th safe hit of his career; tying Stan Musial'sStan MusialStanley Frank "Stan" Musial is a retired professional baseball player who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals . Nicknamed "Stan the Man", Musial was a record 24-time All-Star selection , and is widely considered to be one of the greatest hitters in baseball...
National LeagueNational LeagueThe National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
record for career hits.
- June 12 - After meeting with major league owners for most of the previous day, players' union chief Marvin MillerMarvin MillerMarvin Julian Miller is a former executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association , from 1966 to 1982. Under Miller's direction, the players' union was transformed into one of the strongest unions in the United States...
announces, "We have accomplished nothing. The strike is on," thus beginning the longest labor action to date in baseball history. By the time the season resumes on August 10, 706 games (38 percent of the season schedule) will have been canceled.
- June 16 - In the midst of the players' strike, William Wrigley IIIWilliam Wrigley IIIWilliam Wrigley III, known as William Wrigley, was President of the Wm. Wrigley Jr. Company, founded by his grandfather William Wrigley, Jr. from 1961 until his death from pneumonia in March 1999. His father P.K. Wrigley preceded him as president. He was succeeded by his son Bill Wrigley, Jr. as...
announces the sale of the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
to the Tribune CompanyTribune CompanyThe Tribune Company is a large American multimedia corporation based in Chicago, Illinois. It is the nation's second-largest newspaper publisher, with ten daily newspapers and commuter tabloids including Chicago Tribune, Los Angeles Times, Hartford Courant, Orlando Sentinel, South Florida...
for $20 million. This ends the decades long association between the Wrigley family and the Cubs.
- June 23 - Minor league teams from Pawtucket and Rochester clash in a 33 inning game that extends eight hours and 25 minutes; the longest professional baseball game up to that time. Future Hall of Famers Wade BoggsWade BoggsWade Anthony Boggs is an American former professional baseball third baseman. He spent his 18-year baseball career primarily with the Boston Red Sox, but also played for the New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Devil Rays...
and Cal Ripken, Jr.Cal Ripken, Jr.Calvin Edwin "Cal" Ripken, Jr. , nicknamed "Iron Man", is a former Major League Baseball shortstop and third baseman. He played his entire 21-year baseball career for the Baltimore Orioles ....
go a combined 6-for-25 in the game.
August–September
- August 6 - As a result of the nearly two-month interruption in play because of the strike, major league owners elect to split the 1981 season into two halves, with the first-place teams from each half in each division (or a wild cardWild card (sports)The term wild card refers broadly to a tournament or playoff berth awarded to an individual or team that has not qualified through normal play.-International sports:...
team if the same club wins both halves) meeting in a best-of-five divisional playoff seriesDivision SeriesIn baseball, the Division Series is the official name for the first round of the Major League Baseball playoffs. Currently, a total of four series are played in this opening round, two each for both the American League and the National League.-1981 season:...
. The last time the major leagues played a split season was 18921892 in baseball-Champions:*National League: Boston Beaneaters defeated Cleveland Spiders, 5 games to 0 - First half of season :-Second half of season:-Overall record:-Events:...
. The Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
and Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
suddenly find themselves guaranteed playoff spots as first-half champions (a problem noted at this time is that those teams will not have much left to play for in the rest of that year's regular season).
- August 9 - At Cleveland StadiumCleveland StadiumCleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football...
, the National LeagueNational LeagueThe National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
wins its tenth consecutive All-Star GameMajor League Baseball All-Star GameThe Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
over the American LeagueAmerican LeagueThe American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
, 5-4. Gary CarterGary CarterGary Edmund Carter , nicknamed "Kid" and "Kid Carter", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher. During a 19-year baseball career, mostly with the Montreal Expos and the New York Mets, Carter established himself as one of the premier catchers in the National League, winning three Gold...
hits two home runs and is selected the MVP. The 1981 Midsummer Classic becomes the second All-Star Game ever played during the month of August, the first having taken place on August 3, 19591959 in baseball-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Los Angeles Dodgers over Chicago White Sox ; Larry Sherry, MVP*All-Star Game , July 7 at Forbes Field: National League, 5-4*All-Star Game , August 3 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum: American League, 5-3...
.
- September 4 - In the conclusion of the longest game in Fenway ParkFenway ParkFenway Park is a baseball park near Kenmore Square in Boston, Massachusetts. Located at 4 Yawkey Way, it has served as the home ballpark of the Boston Red Sox baseball club since it opened in 1912, and is the oldest Major League Baseball stadium currently in use. It is one of two "classic"...
history, the Seattle MarinersSeattle MarinersThe Seattle Mariners are a professional baseball team based in Seattle, Washington. Enfranchised in , the Mariners are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Safeco Field has been the Mariners' home ballpark since July...
beat the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
8–7 in 20 innings. The game began on September 3, but was suspended after 19 innings with the score tied 7-7.
- September 6 - Despite having won the first-half American League East title, New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
manager Gene Michael is replaced by Bob LemonBob LemonRobert Granville Lemon was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976....
, who managed the club in 19781978 in baseball-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Indios de Mayagüez *College World Series: USC*Japan Series: Yakult Swallows over Hankyu Braves *Little League World Series: Pin-Kuang, Pin-Tung, Taiwan-Awards and honors:*Most Valuable Player...
-791979 in baseball-Major League Baseball:*World Series: Pittsburgh Pirates over Baltimore Orioles ; Willie Stargell, MVP*American League Championship Series MVP: None.*National League Championship Series MVP: Willie Stargell...
. The Yankees are under .500 in the second half of the season.
- September 6 - The Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
' Fernando ValenzuelaFernando ValenzuelaFernando Valenzuela Anguamea is a Mexican former left-handed pitcher, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 1981, the 20-year-old Valenzuela took Los Angeles by storm, winning his first 8 decisions and leading the Dodgers to the World Championship...
beats the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
5-0 to tie the National League record of seven shutouts by a rookie pitcher.
- September 26 - Nolan RyanNolan RyanLynn Nolan Ryan, Jr. , nicknamed "The Ryan Express", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He is currently principal owner, president and CEO of the Texas Rangers....
of the Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
breaks the record of four no hitters by pitcher Sandy KoufaxSandy KoufaxSanford "Sandy" Koufax is a former left-handed baseball pitcher who played his entire 12-year Major League Baseball career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers...
by pitching his fifth career no hitter in the Astrodome against, coincidentally, Koufax's former team, the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
.
- September 30 - The Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
defeat the Minnesota TwinsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, 5-2, to clinch the second half of the American League Western Division title. More importantly, it is the last Major League game to be played at Metropolitan StadiumMetropolitan StadiumMetropolitan Stadium was a sports stadium that once stood in Bloomington, Minnesota, just outside Minneapolis. The area where the stadium once stood is now the site of the Mall of America...
, as the Twins prepare to move into the new Hubert H. Humphrey MetrodomeHubert H. Humphrey MetrodomeThe Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome, commonly called the Metrodome, is a domed sports stadium in downtown Minneapolis, Minnesota, United States. Opened in 1982, it replaced Metropolitan Stadium, which was on the current site of the Mall of America in Bloomington and Memorial Stadium on the University...
.
October–December
- October 3 - Bob Horner hits two home runs and scores the winning run to give the Atlanta BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
a 4–3 win over the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
, and give the Houston AstrosHouston AstrosThe Houston Astros are a Major League Baseball team located in Houston, Texas. They are a member of the National League Central division. The Astros are expected to join the American League West division in 2013. Since , they have played their home games at Minute Maid Park, known as Enron Field...
the second-half title in the NL West division. Cincinnati, which lost the first-half title to the DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
by one-half game, will finish with the best overall record (66-42) in the major leagues, but will miss the playoffs due to not winning either half's division title.
- October 3 - The Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
(playing since 19701970 in baseball-Major Leagues:*World Series MVP: Brooks Robinson*All-Star Game, July 14 at Riverfront Stadium: National League, 5-4 ; Carl Yastrzemski, MVP-Other champions:*Caribbean World Series: Navegantes del Magallanes *College World Series: USC...
) and Montreal ExposMontreal ExposThe Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
(since 19691969 in baseball-Expansion:Four expansion teams joined Major League Baseball for this season: the San Diego Padres, the Kansas City Royals, the Seattle Pilots, and the first MLB team in Canada, the Montreal Expos. To accommodate the additional teams, the two leagues were split into two divisions of East and West...
) clinch their first-ever postseason appearances. Milwaukee beats DetroitDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
2–1 to wrap up the second-half title in the AL East division, while Montréal edges the MetsNew York MetsThe New York Mets are a professional baseball team based in the borough of Queens in New York City, New York. They belong to Major League Baseball's National League East Division. One of baseball's first expansion teams, the Mets were founded in 1962 to replace New York's departed National League...
5–4 to win the NL East division's second playoff spot. (St. Louis finishes with the best overall record in the NL East but misses the playoffs for the same reason as the Cincinnati Reds.)
- October 5 - The Kansas City RoyalsKansas City RoyalsThe Kansas City Royals are a Major League Baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals are a member of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From 1973 to the present, the Royals have played in Kauffman Stadium...
shut out ClevelandCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
9–0 in the first game of a scheduled doubleheader to clinch the second-half title in the AL West division. The second game is canceled as irrelevant. This was a make-up game after the scheduled season ended the day before.
- October 19 - Rick MondayRick MondayRobert James "Rick" Monday, Jr. is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball and is currently a broadcast announcer. From 1966 through 1984, Monday, a center fielder for most of his career, played for the Kansas City/Oakland Athletics , Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dodgers...
of the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
hits a ninth inning home runHome runIn baseball, a home run is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to reach home safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team in the process...
to break a 1-1 tie, and secure a Game five victory in the National League Championship Series1981 National League Championship Series- Game 1 :Tuesday, October 13, 1981 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles, CaliforniaThe Dodgers took the first game of the series behind the strong pitching of starter Burt Hooton. For the first seven innings the game stayed close, with the only scoring coming in the second inning when the Dodgers got...
. The losing Montréal ExposMontreal ExposThe Montreal Expos were a Major League Baseball team located in Montreal, Quebec from 1969 through 2004, holding the first MLB franchise awarded outside the United States. After the 2004 season, MLB moved the Expos to Washington, D.C. and renamed them the Nationals.Named after the Expo 67 World's...
had been leading the series 2 games-to-one in what would be their only post season appearance.
- October 28 - Pedro Guerrero drives in five runs, and pitcher Burt HootonBurt HootonBurt Carlton Hooton , nicknamed "Happy" , is a coach and former right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball...
and the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
beat the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
, 9–2, to win the 1981 World Series1981 World SeriesThe 1981 World Series matched the New York Yankees against the Los Angeles Dodgers, marking their third meeting in the Series in five years as well as a record eleventh Series meeting overall and last Series meeting to date...
in six games. In a remarkable postseason, the Dodgers rallied from a 2-0 deficit against the Astros in the division series, they rallied from a 2 games to 1 deficit against the Expos in the National League Championship series, and they rallied from a 2-0 deficit against the Yankees in the World Series. Guerrero, Ron CeyRon CeyRonald Charles Cey |Washington]]) is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers , Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics . Cey batted and threw right-handed...
and Steve YeagerSteve YeagerStephen Wayne "Steve" Yeager is an American right-handed former major league baseball catcher. Yeager spent 14 of the 15 seasons of his Major League Baseball career, from through , with the Los Angeles Dodgers. His last year, , he played for the Seattle Mariners...
are named co-MVPs.
- November 11 - Fernando ValenzuelaFernando ValenzuelaFernando Valenzuela Anguamea is a Mexican former left-handed pitcher, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 1981, the 20-year-old Valenzuela took Los Angeles by storm, winning his first 8 decisions and leading the Dodgers to the World Championship...
of the Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
wins the National LeagueNational LeagueThe National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
Cy Young AwardCy Young AwardThe Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
, becoming the first rookie to win the award.
- November 20 - In a blockbuster three team trade, the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
send catcherCatcherCatcher is a position for a baseball or softball player. When a batter takes his turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. This is a catcher's primary duty, but he is also called upon to master many other skills in order to...
Bo DiazBo DiazBaudilio José Díaz Seijas was a Venezuelan professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Philadelphia Phillies and the Cincinnati Reds between and...
to the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
; the Phillies sent Lonnie SmithLonnie SmithLonnie Smith is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He made his debut for the Philadelphia Phillies on September 2, 1978 and later played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Kansas City Royals, Atlanta Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Baltimore Orioles...
to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
; the Cardinals sent pitchers Silvio MartinezSilvio MartínezSilvio Ramón Martínez Cabrera is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Martínez pitched all or part of five seasons in the majors, from until , for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Cardinals.-Sources:...
and Lary SorensenLary SorensenLary Alan Sorensen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Milwaukee Brewers , St...
to the Indians, and the Phillies sent a player to be named later to the Indians. The Phillies sent Scott MunninghoffScott MunninghoffScott Andrew Munninghoff is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played briefly for the Philadelphia Phillies during the season. Listed at 6' 0", 175 lb., he batted and threw right-handed....
to the Indians on December 9 to complete the trade.
- November 25 - Rollie FingersRollie FingersRoland Glen Fingers is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. During his 18-year baseball career, he pitched for the Oakland Athletics , San Diego Padres and Milwaukee Brewers . He became only the second reliever to be elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame in 1992...
of the Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee BrewersThe Milwaukee Brewers are a professional baseball team based in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, currently playing in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
becomes the first relief pitcher ever to win the American League MVP Award, edging Rickey HendersonRickey HendersonRickey Henley Henderson is a former Major League Baseball left fielder who played for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four stints with his original team, the Oakland Athletics. Nicknamed The Man of Steal, he is widely regarded as the sport's greatest leadoff hitter and baserunner...
of the Oakland AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
, 319 to 308. Fingers saved 28 games while posted a significant 1.04 ERA.
- December 2 - Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles DodgersThe Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
pitcher Fernando ValenzuelaFernando ValenzuelaFernando Valenzuela Anguamea is a Mexican former left-handed pitcher, most notably with the Los Angeles Dodgers.In 1981, the 20-year-old Valenzuela took Los Angeles by storm, winning his first 8 decisions and leading the Dodgers to the World Championship...
became the third consecutive Dodgers player to be named National League Rookie of the Year. The Mexican left-hander posted a 13-7 record with a 2.48 ERA and led the NL in strikeouts (180), games started (25), complete games (11), shutouts (eight) and innings pitched (192 1/3). His 13 wins tied him with Steve CarltonSteve CarltonSteven Norman Carlton , nicknamed "Lefty", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1965-1988 for six different teams in his career, but it is his time with the Philadelphia Phillies where he received his greatest acclaim as a professional and won four Cy Young Awards...
in second place behind Tom SeaverTom SeaverGeorge Thomas "Tom" Seaver , nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and "The Franchise", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1967-1986 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the New York Mets...
, who finished with 14. Valenzuela also made his first All-Star appearance and received both the Cy Young AwardCy Young AwardThe Cy Young Award is an honor given annually in baseball to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball , one each for the American League and National League . The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young, who died in 1955...
and TSN Rookie of the Year.
January
- January 2 - Ryan GarkoRyan GarkoRyan Francis Garko is a professional baseball outfielder, first baseman, and designated hitter, who plays for the Samsung Lions of the Korean Baseball Organization. In college, he was a catcher. He has played for the Cleveland Indians, the San Francisco Giants, and the Texas Rangers in Major...
- January 4 - Jailen PegueroJailen PegueroJailen Lorenzo Peguero is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher in the Houston Astros organization. His uncle, Leo Peguero, was a minor league player in the Yankees organization...
- January 5 - Andy CavazosAndy CavazosAndres "Andy" Cavazos is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He made his major league debut for the St. Louis Cardinals on June 7, 2007, against the Cincinnati Reds....
- January 8 - Daniel DavidsonDaniel DavidsonDaniel Davidson is a pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization.Davidson is 6 ft 4in tall and weighs 225 lbs.-Education:...
- January 8 - Jeff FrancisJeff FrancisJeffrey William Francis is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Early life:...
- January 8 - Derek ThompsonDerek Thompson (baseball)Derek Ryan Thompson is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.He was drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 1st round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft and pitched in the Indians minor league system for the Burlington Indians , Columbus Indians and Kinston Indians...
- January 13 - José Capellán
- January 13 - Darrell RasnerDarrell RasnerDarrell Wayne Rasner is a starting pitcher for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Japanese Pacific League.Rasner attended the University of Nevada, where he was a health ecology major...
- January 16 - Mitch StetterMitch StetterMitchel Blake Stetter is an American professional baseball pitcher.-College:Stetter attended Indiana State University where he was a pitcher. He was then drafted in the 16th round by the Milwaukee Brewers in the 2003 Major League Baseball Draft...
- January 20 - John BakerJohn Baker (baseball)John David Baker is an American professional baseball catcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball.-Personal:...
- January 20 - Brandon FaheyBrandon FaheyBrandon Michael Fahey is a Major League Baseball utility player and is a free agent. He played high school baseball for Marshfield High School in Marshfield, Wisconsin...
- January 20 - Freddy GuzmánFreddy GuzmánFreddy Antonio Guzmán is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.-Baseball career:...
- January 21 - Wilfredo LedezmaWilfredo LedezmaWilfredo Jose Ledezma is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is with the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. He has previously played for the Detroit Tigers, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Arizona Diamondbacks, Washington Nationals, and Pittsburgh Pirates...
- January 25 - Andy Machado
- January 26 - Juan LaraJuan LaraJuan Manuel Lara is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher in the Cleveland Indians organization...
- January 26 - Josh SharplessJosh SharplessJoshua David Sharpless is a Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. Sharpless grew up in the greater Pittsburgh area, attending Freedom High School in Freedom, Pennsylvania...
- January 28 - Doug WaechterDoug WaechterDouglas Michael Waechter is a former American professional baseball pitcher for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, Florida Marlins and Kansas City Royals in Major League Baseball. He graduated from Northeast High School and was then drafted by the Devil Rays in the 3rd round of the 1999 Major League...
February
- February 4 - Ben HendricksonBen HendricksonBenjamin John Hendrickson is a free-agent baseball pitcher.Hendrickson originally signed with the Milwaukee Brewers in the tenth round of the 1999 First-Year Player Draft...
- February 4 - Tom MastnyTom MastnyThomas Raymond Mastny is a Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher who plays in the Florida Marlins organization. He is pitching with Class AAA New Orleans Zephyrs. He stands 6 feet, 6 inches in height and weighs 220 pounds...
- February 7 - Seth McClungSeth McClungMichael Seth McClung , nicknamed Big Red, is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. In his career, he has pitched as a starting pitcher and as a relief pitcher....
- February 12 - Chris SnyderChris SnyderChristopher Cornelius Snyder is a catcher in Major League Baseball who is a Free Agent. He has played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and the Arizona Diamondbacks. He bats and throws right-handed.-High school and college:...
- February 14 - Brad HalseyBrad HalseyBradford Alexander Halsey is currently a pitcher in the New York Yankees organization.-Amateur career:Halsey attended the University of Texas at Austin, where he was the No...
- February 16 - Sergio MitreSergio MitreSergio Armando Mitre is a American professional baseball pitcher.-Background:Mitre is of Mexican American descent. He grew up in Tijuana, Mexico, where he trained in the arts of kenpo, boxing and wrestling due to frequent street fights.Mitre graduated from Montgomery High School in San Diego,...
- February 16 - Jerry OwensJerry OwensJerry Lee Owens is a Major League Baseball center fielder who is currently a free agent. He played most of the season with the Triple-A Charlotte Knights of the International League, but was called up and made his major league debut as a pinch runner on September 11...
- February 17 - Andrew Brown
- February 18 - Alex RíosAlex RíosAlexis Israel "Alex" Ríos is a Puerto Rican-American Major League Baseball outfielder who plays for the Chicago White Sox. He bats and throws right-handed.-Professional career:...
- February 18 - Alex SerranoAlex SerranoAlex Eleazar Serrano Hernandez is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently playing for the Rimini Baseball Club in the Italian Serie A1 baseball league....
- February 21 - Adam Greenberg
- February 24 - Paul McAnultyPaul McAnultyPaul Michael McAnulty is a Major League Baseball infielder. He played college baseball at Long Beach State.-San Diego Padres:...
- February 28 - Brian BannisterBrian BannisterBrian Patrick Bannister is a former baseball starting pitcher who most recently pitched for the Yomiuri Giants of Nippon Professional Baseball.-Personal:...
- February 28 - Rob BowenRob BowenRobert McClure Bowen is a former Major League Baseball catcher.Bowen spends the regular season living in San Diego, California, but spends his offseasons in a suburb of Atlanta, Georgia. He also has a baseball camp each winter back in Fort Wayne, Indiana.-High school years:Bowen attended Homestead...
March
- March 5 - Francisley BuenoFrancisley BuenoFrancisley Trueba Bueno is a Korea Baseball Organization pitcher for the Hanwha Eagles. He bats and throws left-handed. He is a childhood friend of Braves shortstop Yunel Escobar and Royals catcher Brayan Pena....
- March 9 - Clay RapadaClay RapadaClayton Anthony Rapada is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball.-Career:...
- March 12 - Carlos MuñizCarlos MuñizCarlos Javier Muñiz is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the New York Mets organization.Muñiz made his major league debut on September 25, . He threw 1.1 innings and gave up 2 earned runs....
- March 13 - Mike AvilésMike AvilesMichael Anthony Avilés [ah-ve-les' ] is a Puerto Rican professional baseball infielder with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball.-Education and college career:Avilés was born in New York City, to a Puerto Rican family...
- March 14 - Bobby JenksBobby JenksRobert Scott "Bobby" Jenks is an American professional baseball relief pitcher with the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball...
- March 16 - Curtis GrandersonCurtis GrandersonCurtis Granderson is an American Major League Baseball player for the New York Yankees. Before joining the Yankees in 2010, he played with the Detroit Tigers . A center fielder, Granderson is known for being a five-tool player...
- March 18 - Darren ClarkeDarren Clarke (baseball)Darren Lawrence Clarke is a free agent Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who most recently played for the Colorado Rockies...
- March 19 - José Castillo
- March 23 - Anderson GarcíaAnderson GarcíaAnderson Garcia is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent....
- March 23 - Tony Peña
- March 24 - Dirk HayhurstDirk HayhurstDirk Von Hayhurst is a Major League Baseball pitcher.-Early life:Hayhurst played college baseball for four seasons from – for Kent State University and played with the Bethesda Big Train in .-San Diego Padres:...
- March 26 - Josh Wilson
- March 27 - Brian SlocumBrian SlocumBrian John Slocum is a right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. After high school, he was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 14th round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft, but chose to attend Villanova University...
- March 28 - Edwar RamírezEdwar RamírezEdwar Emilio Ramírez is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim: 2002–2005:...
April
- April 2 - Brian BardenBrian BardenBrian David Barden is an American professional baseball infielder for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp of Nippon Professional Baseball. He has played as a second baseman, third baseman, and shortstop.-Early life:...
- April 3 - Ryan DoumitRyan DoumitRyan Matthew Doumit is an American professional baseball catcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball. He played the first seven years of his career for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Professional career:...
- April 4 - Casey DaigleCasey DaigleSean Casey Daigle is a Minor League Baseball pitcher for the Fresno Grizzlies, the AAA affiliate of the San Francisco Giants.- Arizona Diamondbacks :...
- April 5 - Jorge de la RosaJorge de la RosaJorge Alberto de la Rosa Gonzalez is a starting pitcher for the Colorado Rockies.-Minor leagues:...
- April 8 - Brian BurresBrian BurresBrian Burres is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates. Burres' best pitch is his changeup, which is highly regarded...
- April 8 - Matt FordMatt FordMatthew Lee "Matt" Ford is an American left-handed professional baseball pitcher.-High school:Ford attended J. P. Taravella High School in Coral Springs, Florida. Ford was named Broward County High School player of the year in 1998–99...
- April 9 - A. J. EllisA. J. EllisAndrew James Ellis is a catcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Los Angeles Dodgers.-High school:...
- April 9 - Dennis SarfateDennis SarfateDennis Scott Sarfate is a Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher for the Baltimore Orioles organization.-High school career:...
- April 9 - Chris SmithChris Smith (pitcher)Christopher Michael Smith is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He is a 1999 graduate of Hesperia High School in Hesperia, California, and attended the University of California, Riverside.-College:While attending the University of California, Riverside, Smith posted a...
- April 17 - Ryan RaburnRyan RaburnRyan Neil Raburn is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Detroit Tigers. Though primarily an outfielder, Raburn can also play third base, second base, first base, and catcher....
- April 18 - Brian BuscherBrian BuscherBrian Phillip Buscher , nicknamed "The Urban Legend", is a retired Major League Baseball third baseman and served in 2011 as the undergraduate assistant coach for the South Carolina Gamecocks baseball team....
- April 21 - Ronny PaulinoRonny PaulinoRonny Leonel Paulino is a professional baseball player. He currently plays catcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball...
- April 23 - Sean HennSean HennSean Michael Henn is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball...
- April 25 - Sean WhiteSean WhiteSean Thomas White is an American Major League Baseball relief pitcher. A right-handed pitcher, White made his Major League Baseball debut with the Mariners in...
- April 27 - Joey GathrightJoey GathrightJoey Renard Gathright is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He was born in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.-Early life:...
- April 28 - Yoslan HerreraYoslan HerreraYoslan Herrera is a baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He is well known for his defection from Cuba.Herrera earned the nickname "The Pinata" from WPGB radio's Rocco Demaro.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
- April 28 - Shawn HillShawn HillShawn Richard Hill is a Canadian Major League Baseball pitcher in the Florida Marlins organization...
- April 28 - Chad SantosChad SantosChad Roque Santos is a Major League Baseball first baseman who is currently a free agent. He bats and throws right-handed....
- April 29 - Omir SantosOmir SantosOmir Santos Rios is a Major League Baseball catcher. Santos has played for the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets and Detroit Tigers.-Career:...
May
- May 1 - Manny AcostaManny AcostaManuel Alcides "Manny" Acosta Molina is a Panamanian professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball.-Professional career:...
- May 5 - Chris DuncanChris DuncanChristopher Edwin Duncan is a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman who is currently a free agent.He is the youngest son of Dave Duncan, a former catcher and current pitching coach for the St. Louis Cardinals...
- May 6 - Dustin NippertDustin NippertDustin David Nippert is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Doosan Bears of the Korean Baseball Organization. He previously played for the Arizona Diamondbacks and Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball...
- May 8 - John MaineJohn MaineJohn Kevin Maine is an American professional baseball pitcher. He has played for the Baltimore Orioles and New York Mets. He bats and throws right-handed.-Early life and college:Maine was born in Fredericksburg, Virginia...
- May 8 - Alfredo SimónAlfredo SimónAlfredo Simón Cabrera is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher with the Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball. From 2001 through part of 2004 he pitched under the name Carlos Cabrera.-Minor leagues:...
- May 9 - Bill Murphy
- May 11 - Daniel Ortmeier
- May 15 - Justin MorneauJustin MorneauJustin Ernest George Morneau is a Canadian Major League Baseball first baseman for the Minnesota Twins. At 6 feet 4 inches and 225 lbs, Morneau was originally drafted as a catcher by the Twins in 1999. He converted to first base in the minor leagues and made his MLB debut in 2003...
- May 21 - Josh Hamilton
- May 26 - Ben ZobristBen ZobristBenjamin Thomas "Ben" Zobrist is an American baseball player currently with Major League Baseball's Tampa Bay Rays. A switch-hitter who throws right-handed, he has exhibited a versatility to play most positions with the exception of pitcher and catcher. He has been the Rays' starting second...
- May 28 - Daniel CabreraDaniel CabreraDaniel Alberto Cabrera Cruz is a Major League Baseballright-handed starting pitcher who is currently a free agent. He is one of the taller pitchers in the league, standing at 6' 9" and 270 lb....
- May 28 - Leo RosalesLeo RosalesLeonel Rosales is a free agent Major League Baseball relief pitcher.-Baseball career:Before and during his time at California State University, Northridge Rosales played with the East L.A. Dodgers, a SCC baseball team, his number 11 was retired on December 15, 2008Rosales graduated from Reseda...
- May 30 - Reggie WillitsReggie WillitsReggie Gene Willits is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent.-Early life:...
- May 31 - Jake PeavyJake PeavyJacob Edward Peavy is a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who plays for the Chicago White Sox. He bats and throws right-handed...
- May 31 - Ray OlmedoRay OlmedoRainer Gustavo "Ray" Olmedo is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently in the Tampa Bay Rays organization. He is a switch-hitter who throws right-handed....
June
- June 1 - Carlos ZambranoCarlos ZambranoCarlos Alberto Zambrano is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball. Zambrano, who stands 6' 5" and weighs 260 pounds, was signed by the Cubs as a free agent in 1997 and made his debut in 2001...
- June 2 - Jared BurtonJared BurtonLevi Jared Burton is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball....
- June 2 - Chin-hui TsaoChin-hui TsaoChin-Hui Tsao is a former Major League Baseball and CPBL pitcher. He is the second major league player and the first major league pitcher of Republic of China nationality, and like the first, former Los Angeles Dodgers outfielder Chin-Feng Chen, he is a Taiwanese aborigine...
- June 3 - Rich RundlesRich RundlesRichard Lambert Rundles is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals organization. From to , Rundles played in minor league baseball with six different organizations....
- June 6 - Eddie BonineEddie BonineEddie Keith Bonine is Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies system.- College career :...
- June 7 - Tyler JohnsonTyler JohnsonTyler James Johnson is a left-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Professional career:...
- June 8 - Kevin MaharKevin MaharKevin Eric Mahar is a professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He has played part of one season in Major League Baseball for the Texas Rangers in 2007, and most recently played in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.Mahar made his major league debut on May 16, 2007, in a...
- June 9 - Drew Anderson
- June 11 - Jason WaddellJason WaddellJason Robert Waddell is a former left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher. Waddell played baseball at La Sierra High School in Riverside, California before moving on to the minor leagues....
- June 15 - Jeremy ReedJeremy ReedJeremy Thomas Reed is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent.Reed graduated from Bonita High School in 1999, and went on to play college baseball at Long Beach State University...
- June 16 - Joe SaundersJoe SaundersJoseph Francis Saunders is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher for the Arizona Diamondbacks.-College and minor league career:...
- June 18 - Ben Johnson
- June 19 - Val MajewskiVal MajewskiWalter Val Majewski is an American professional baseball outfielder. He has played part of one season in Major League Baseball for the Baltimore Orioles in 2004, and currently plays in the Texas Rangers organization.-Early life:Majewski grew up in Freehold Township, New Jersey, where he went to...
- June 21 - Jeff Baker
- June 21 - Garrett JonesGarrett JonesGarrett Thomas Jones is a Major League Baseball outfielder/first baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates.In 1999, Jones graduated from Victor J. Andrew High School in Tinley Park, Illinois....
- June 28 - Brandon PhillipsBrandon PhillipsBrandon Emil Phillips is a second baseman for Major League Baseball's Cincinnati Reds. The Raleigh, North Carolina native was selected in the second round of the 1999 draft by the former Montreal Expos after signing a letter of intent to play both baseball and football at the University of Georgia...
July
- July 9 - Tommy HottovyTommy HottovyThomas L. Hottovy is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Kansas City Royals organization. He was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the fourth round of the 2004 Major League Baseball draft...
- July 2 - Angel PagánAngel PagánÁngel Anthony Pagán is a Puerto Rican professional baseball player. He currently plays outfield for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball. Pagan's original contract in Major League Baseball was with the Mets, but he was transferred to the Chicago Cubs when they bought his contract...
- July 3 - Dan MeyerDan Meyer (pitcher)Daniel Livingston Meyer is a left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher, who is currently in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization....
- July 4 - Francisco CrucetaFrancisco CrucetaFrancisco Alberto Cruceta is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher and former starting pitcher for the Samsung Lions in the Korea Baseball Organization.-Los Angeles Dodgers:...
- July 5 - Jesse CrainJesse CrainJesse Alan Crain is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher with the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball.-High school and college:...
- July 7 - Jon HuberJon HuberJonathon Lloyd "Jon" Huber is a professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. Huber has played in professional baseball since 2000. Huber has played in the San Diego Padres organization, the Seattle Mariners organization, the Atlanta Braves organization, and the Los Angeles Dodgers...
- July 11 - Blaine BoyerBlaine BoyerBlaine Thomas Boyer is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played for the Atlanta Braves, Arizona Diamondbacks, and New York Mets.-Baseball career:...
- July 12 - Phil DumatraitPhil DumatraitPhillip Anthony Dumatrait is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Early life:Born in Bakersfield, California, Dumatrait played for Bakersfield College before he was drafted by the Boston Red Sox in the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft.-Cincinnati Reds:On July 30, 2003,...
- July 12 - Sam NarronSam Narron (pitcher)Samuel Franklin Narron is a professional baseball pitcher. He pitched in one game for the Texas Rangers in the season. He was selected by the Texas Rangers in the 15th round of the amateur draft. On April 28, 2008, Narron hit a home run for the Huntsville Stars, the first home run on the season...
- July 19 - Jimmy GobbleJimmy GobbleBilly James Gobble is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently in the Colorado Rockies organization.-High school career:...
- July 22 - Angel ChávezÁngel ChávezÁngel Aristedes Chávez is a Panamanian professional baseball infielder with the Bridgeport Bluefish of the independent Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He made his Major League Baseball debut as an infielder with a late-season call up in for the San Francisco Giants...
- July 23 - Hong-Chih KuoHong-Chih KuoHong-Chih Kuo is a Major League Baseball pitcher with the Los Angeles Dodgers. When Kuo made his debut in , he became the fourth MLB player from Taiwan ....
- July 25 - Kevin KouzmanoffKevin KouzmanoffKevin Kouzmanoff is an American professional baseball third baseman who is a free agent.Kouzmanoff had trouble with various sports in high school. He got special help for batting practice, just to learn how to swing a bat for three years, implementing a swing...
August
- August 3 - Travis BowyerTravis BowyerTravis Charlton Bowyer is a relief pitcher in the Florida Marlins organization. He is listed at 6 foot, 3 inches and 210 pounds. He bats and throws right-handed....
- August 3 - Félix SánchezFélix Sánchez (baseball)Félix Antonio Sánchez is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played in the major leagues briefly with the Chicago Cubs as a September callup in ....
- August 5 - Carl CrawfordCarl CrawfordCarl Demonte Crawford is an American professional baseball outfielder who plays for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball. He bats and throws left-handed...
- August 8 - Eddy RodríguezEddy RodríguezEddy Rodríguez is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. In , Rodríguez pitched for the Florida Marlins organization....
- August 10 - Fernando CortezFernando CortezFernando Cortez is a Major League Baseball infielder who is currently with the Somerset Patriots in the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. His most recent Major League Baseball team was the Kansas City Royals.Cortez was selected by the Tampa Bay Devil Rays in the 9th round of the 2001 Major...
- August 13 - Cory DoyneCory DoyneMichael Cory Doyne is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently in the Washington Nationals organization. He spent most of the season with the Triple-A Norfolk Tides. He made his major league debut on June 16, 2007,...
- August 13 - Randy MessengerRandy MessengerRandall Jerome Messenger is a right-handed relief pitcher for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball. He is tall and weighs , and made his Major League debut on June 22, , for the Florida Marlins. Messenger graduated from Sparks High School in 1999.Messenger is nicknamed Big Mess...
- August 14 - Chris SáenzChris SáenzChristopher Andrew Sáenz is a former professional baseball pitcher. Sáenz appeared in one Major League Baseball game with the Milwaukee Brewers in 2004....
- August 15 - Oliver PérezOliver PérezÓliver Pérez Martínez is a left-handed pitcher currently in the Washington Nationals organization.-San Diego Padres:...
- August 18 - Pat MischPat MischPatrick "Pat" Theodore Joseph Misch is an American Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently in the Philadelphia Phillies organization.-Early life:Misch was born in Northbrook, Illinois...
- August 24 - Omar BeltréOmar BeltréOmar Beltre is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-Early years:...
- August 28 - Yuniesky Maya
- August 29 - Drew MeyerDrew MeyerDrew Edward Meyer is a Major League Baseball player in the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim organization. Meyer made his major league debut on April 21, , for the Texas Rangers in a game against the Tampa Bay Devil Rays...
- August 30 - Adam WainwrightAdam WainwrightAdam Parrish Wainwright is a right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball for the St. Louis Cardinals. He was drafted 29th overall by the Atlanta Braves in the 2000 amateur draft. He made his major league debut for the St...
- August 31 - Dennis DoveDennis DoveDennis A. Dove is an American pitcher who is currently a free agent.-External links:*...
- August 31 - Ramón Ramírez
September
- September 3 - Jake WoodsJake WoodsJacob Thomas Woods is a Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher who is a free agent.After attending Bakersfield College, a junior college, Woods was drafted by the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in the 3rd round of the 2001 Major League Baseball Draft...
- September 6 - Mark TeahenMark TeahenMark Thomas Teahen is an American-Canadian professional baseball infielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball....
- September 10 - Kameron LoeKameron LoeKameron David Loe is a professional baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers.He previously pitched in Major League Baseball for the Texas Rangers. At 6' 9" tall, Loe is one of the tallest players in the game, and also has a 7 foot boa constrictor named Angel which he keeps in the clubhouse...
- September 10 - Connor RobertsonConnor RobertsonJames Connor Robertson is a currently inactive right-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher...
- September 12 - Franquelis OsoriaFranquelis OsoriaFranquelis Antonio Osoria is a Major League Baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent....
- September 23 - Justin JamesJustin JamesJustin Duane James is an American professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Oakland Athletics in 2010....
- September 17 - Casey JanssenCasey JanssenRobert Casey Janssen is a right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Toronto Blue Jays.He was selected by the Blue Jays out of UCLA in the fourth round of the draft. When an injury to A.J...
- September 19 - Scott Baker
- September 20 - Jordan TataJordan TataJordan Arthur Tata is a retired major league starter/reliever. Tata made his major league debut, April 6, 2006 against the Texas Rangers in a 10-6 win. For college he attended Sam Houston State. He is 6 feet 6 inches tall and weighs 220 pounds...
- September 21 - Billy SadlerBilly SadlerWilliam Henry "Billy" Sadler IV is a right-handed relief pitcher who is currently a free agent...
- September 22 - Alexei RamírezAlexei RamírezAlexei Fernando Ramírez is a Major League Baseball second baseman and shortstop for the Chicago White Sox...
- September 25 - Rocco BaldelliRocco BaldelliRocco Dan Baldelli is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter. Because of his excellent size and speed, and in reference to his hometown, he was nicknamed, "The Woonsocket Rocket," early in his professional career...
- September 25 - Jay Bergmann
- September 27 - Mike EspositoMike Esposito (baseball)Michael Anthony Esposito is a Major League baseball starting pitcher in the Colorado Rockies organization...
- September 30 - Brandon WatsonBrandon WatsonBrandon Eric Watson is an American outfielder who is a free agent. Although he bats left-handed, Watson throws right-handed.Watson spent a portion of the and the with the Washington Nationals...
October
- October 2 - Marino SalasMarino SalasMarino Salas Ortega is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent....
- October 3 - Matt MurtonMatt MurtonMatthew Henry Murton is an outfielder for the Hanshin Tigers of Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan...
- October 4 - Joe ThatcherJoe ThatcherJoseph Andrew Thatcher is Major League Baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres. Nicknamed "The Prime Minister, and The Throw'in Kokomoan" he is 6'2" tall and weighs . In college, he pitched for Indiana State University...
- October 6 - Joel HanrahanJoel HanrahanJoel Ryan Hanrahan , nicknamed The Hammer, is a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates.-Los Angeles Dodgers:...
- October 13 - Taylor BuchholzTaylor BuchholzTaylor Buchholz is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent.-Biography:...
- October 14 - Boof BonserBoof BonserBoof Bonser is a professional American baseball player. He is currently a pitcher in the New York Mets organization of Major League Baseball.-High school career:...
- October 16 - Anthony ReyesAnthony ReyesAnthony Loza Reyes is a right-handed pitcher who is currently a free agent.Reyes has a younger brother, Erik, who pitched for Concordia University Irvine in .-High School:...
- October 17 - Brett CampbellBrett CampbellRichard Brett Campbell is a former professional baseball pitcher. He was previously assigned to the Nashville Sounds, the Triple-A affiliate of the Milwaukee Brewers. Prior to that, he played for the Washington Nationals system...
- October 17 - Edwin MaysonetEdwin MaysonetEdwin Maysonet is a professional baseball shortstop. He has played parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros in 2008-09...
- October 18 - David Murphy
- October 23 - Ben FranciscoBen FranciscoLouis Ben Francisco is a Major League Baseball outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies. He bats and throws right handed.-Early life:...
- October 24 - Beltrán PérezBeltrán PérezBeltrán Ogilbio Pérez is a former Major League Baseball pitcher.Originally signed as an undrafted free agent by the Arizona Diamondbacks in , he was traded in to the Los Angeles Dodgers with Dioner Navarro for Shawn Green...
- October 24 - Omar QuintanillaOmar QuintanillaOmar Quintanilla is an American professional baseball infielder who is a free agent.-Early life:He attended Socorro High School in El Paso, Texas, where he led the city of El Paso in home runs, RBI, and was elected to the Texas All-State shortstop...
- October 28 - Nate McLouthNate McLouthNathan Richard McLouth is a Major League Baseball player. Primarily a center fielder, McLouth bats from the left side and throws from the right. He is 5' 11" tall and weighs 185 pounds...
- October 30 - Ian SnellIan SnellIan Dante Snell is an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers organization. From -, he went by the name Ian Oquendo, adopting the last name of his wife, and during the 2009 World Baseball Classic he went by Ian Davila-Snell, adopting his stepfather's surname...
- October 31 - Mike NapoliMike NapoliMichael Anthony Napoli is a Major League Baseball catcher/first baseman with the Texas Rangers.-Early career:Napoli attended Charles Flanagan High School in Pembroke Pines, Florida...
- October 31 - Jared WellsJared WellsJared Linn Wells is a Major League Baseball pitcher currently with the Houston Astros organization.-San Diego Padres:...
November
- November 2 - Wilson BetemitWilson BetemitWilson Betemit is a Dominican professional baseball infielder. He is 6'2" and weighs 220 pounds...
- November 4 - Erick ThreetsErick ThreetsErick Morgan Threets is an American Major League Baseball currently a free agent. Threets made his Major League Baseball debut with the San Francisco Giants in...
- November 7 - Dave KrynzelDave KrynzelDavid Benjamin Krynzel , is a Major League Baseball outfielder. He made his major league debut on September 1, ....
- November 9 - Chuck JamesChuck JamesCharles Hamilton "Chuck" James is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins.-Atlanta Braves:...
- November 10 - Tony BlancoTony BlancoTony Hemiphere Blanco is a professional baseball player , He last played in Major League Baseball for the Washington Nationals...
- November 10 - Tony BlancoTony BlancoTony Hemiphere Blanco is a professional baseball player , He last played in Major League Baseball for the Washington Nationals...
- November 10 - Merkin ValdezMerkin ValdézMerkin R. Valdéz Mola is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. Valdez graduated from Escuela Rural Palenque High School in his native Dominican Republic.-Atlanta Braves:...
- November 16 - Fernando Cabrera
- November 19 - Jeff GrayJeff Gray (2000s pitcher)Jeffrey Michael Gray is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball. He graduated from Lafayette High School in Chesterfield, Missouri, and attended Southwest Missouri State University...
- November 20 - Sam FuldSam FuldSamuel Babson "Sam" Fuld is an American professional baseball outfielder with the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball....
- November 21 - Enrique CruzEnrique CruzEnrique Manuel Cruz is Dominican baseball player currently playing for the Edmonton Capitals of the Golden Baseball League. He has spent two seasons at the major league level, playing for the Milwaukee Brewers and the Cincinnati Reds. He was signed as an undrafted free agent by the New York Mets in...
- November 22 - Oscar VillarrealÓscar VillarrealÓscar Eduardo Villarreal is a Major League Baseball relief pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has played in the majors for the Arizona Diamondbacks , Atlanta Braves , and Houston Astros .-Arizona Diamondbacks:...
- November 29 - Guillermo QuirózGuillermo QuirozGuillermo Antonio Quiroz [gee-YARE-mo kee-ROZE] is a Major League Baseball catcher who is currently in the San Diego Padres organization.-Biography:...
- November 30 - Rich HardenRich HardenJames Richard Harden is a Canadian professional baseball pitcher.-Early years:Harden attended Claremont Secondary School in Victoria, British Columbia. He was drafted by the Seattle Mariners in the 38th round of the 1999 Major League Baseball Draft...
December
- December 3 - Chris SnellingChris SnellingChristopher Doyle Snelling is a former Major League Baseball outfielder of Christopher Doyle Snelling is a former [[Major League Baseball]] [[outfielder]] of Christopher Doyle Snelling is a former [[Major League Baseball]]...
- December 4 - Jerome WilliamsJerome Williams (baseball)Jerome Lee Williams is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball...
- December 8 - Kory CastoKory CastoKory C. Casto is a former Major League Baseball player. Casto began his career with the Washington Nationals. He made his Major League debut April 3, , in a game against the Florida Marlins...
- December 10 - Víctor DíazVíctor DíazVíctor Israel Díaz is a Major League Baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent....
- December 12 - Shane CostaShane CostaShane Jeremy Costa is a professional baseball player who is currently with the St. Paul Saints. At 6'0" and 220 lbs. from California State University, Fullerton, Costa made his Major League debut on June 2, , against the New York Yankees...
- December 14 - Ángel GuzmánÁngel GuzmánÁngel Moisés Guzmán is a professional baseball pitcher. Listed at 6-3 , 195 pounds , Guzmán bats and throws right-handed. He made his major league debut on April 26, .-Career:...
- December 14 - Shaun MarcumShaun MarcumShaun Michael Marcum is an American professional baseball starting pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball.-Early life:...
- December 15 - Andy González
- December 15 - Luis Montañez
- December 18 - Jeremy AccardoJeremy AccardoJeremy Lee Accardo is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent.-San Francisco Giants:...
- December 20 - Chris NarvesonChris NarvesonChristopher Gregg Narveson is a Major League Baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers. He won a World Series Championship in his rookie year as a brief member of the 2006 St. Louis Cardinals...
- December 20 - James Shields
- December 25 - Willy TaverasWilly TaverasWilly Taveras is a Major League Baseball center fielder.-Houston Astros:Taveras played in 10 games at the end of the Astros season, mostly as a pinch runner....
- December 26 - Alvin ColinaAlvin ColinaAlvin Enrique Colina is a Major League Baseball catcher currently with the independent Lancaster Barnstormers....
- December 26 - Dustin MoseleyDustin MoseleyDustin Aaron Moseley is an American Major League Baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres.-Career:Moseley was selected by the Cincinnati Reds in the first round of the 2000 Major League Baseball Draft. Prior to the season, he was ranked by Baseball America as the fourth best prospect in the...
- December 26 - Omar InfanteOmar InfanteOmar Rafael Infante [in-FAHN-tay] is a Major League Baseball utility player who is currently on the Miami Marlins...
- December 27 - David AardsmaDavid AardsmaDavid Allan Aardsma is an American professional baseball pitcher with the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball. He is the first player alphabetically in the list of all-time Major League Baseball players, having displaced Hank Aaron upon his MLB debut....
January
- January 3 - Lou FetteLou FetteLouis Henry William Fette was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Boston Bees , Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Braves . Fette batted and threw right-handed...
, 73, All-Star pitcher who posted a 41-40 record and a 3.15 ERA in 109 games with the Boston Braves and Brooklyn Dodgers, leading the National League for the most shutouts in 1937 and 1939.
- January 6 - Fred StielyFred StielyFred Warren "Lefty" Stiely was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the St. Louis Browns from to .-External links:*...
, 79, pitcher who played from 1929 through 1931 for the St. Louis Browns of the American League.
- January 7 - Irv SteinIrv SteinIrvin Michael Stein was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played in with the Philadelphia Athletics. He batted and threw right-handed.-External links:...
, 69, pitcher for the 1932 Philadelphia Athletics of the American League.
- January 17 - Owen KahnOwen KahnOwen Earle Kahn was a Major League Baseball player. He played in one game for the Boston Braves in , serving as a pinch runner and scoring a run in his only major league appearance....
,75, pinch-hitter in one game for the 1930 Boston Braves.
- January 26 - Ray OylerRay OylerRaymond Francis Oyler was an American Major League Baseball shortstop. He played for the Detroit Tigers , Seattle Pilots , and California Angels...
, 42, shortstop known for excellent glovework with the Detroit Tigers' 1968 champions, afterwards taken in the expansion draft by the Seattle Pilots.
- January 27 - Huck GearyHuck GearyEugene Francis Joseph "Huck" Geary is a former Major League Baseball player...
, 64, shortstop for the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1942 to 1943.
- January 30 - Marino PierettiMarino PierettiMarino Paul Pieretti , was a Major League Baseball player who played pitcher from -. He would play for the Washington Senators, Chicago White Sox, and Cleveland Indians....
, 60, Italian pitcher who posted 30-38 record and a 4.53 ERA for the Washington Senators, Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians from 1945 to 1950.
February
- February 2 - Al Van CampAl Van CampAlbert Joseph Van Camp was a backup first baseman/left fielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox . Listed at 5' 10", 175 lb., Van Camp batted and threw right-handed...
, 77, first baseman/left fielder who played from 1928 to 1932 for the Cleveland Indians and Boston Red Sox.
- February 4 - Grant GillisGrant GillisGrant Gillis was an utility infielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1927 through 1929 for the Washington Senators and Boston Red Sox . Listed at 5' 10", 165 lb., Gillis batted and threw right-handed...
, 70, utility infielder for the Washington Senators and Boston Red Sox between 1927 and 1929.
- February 6 - Cactus KeckCactus KeckFrank Joseph "Cactus" Keck was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the Cincinnati Reds.-External links:...
, 82, pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds from 1922 to 1923.
- February 15 - Cotton PippenCotton PippenHenry Harold "Cotton" Pippen was a 6'2" Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher for three years with St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Athletics , and Detroit Tigers . Pippen was born in Cisco, Texas , where his father was a rancher...
, 69, pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Athletics and Detroit Tigers from 1936 to 1940, better known as the pitcher that struck out Ted WilliamsTed WilliamsTheodore Samuel "Ted" Williams was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year Major League Baseball career as the left fielder for the Boston Red Sox...
in his first major league at-bat.
- February 19 - Sam BarnesSam BarnesSamuel Thomas Barnes was a Major League Baseball player. Barnes played for the Detroit Tigers in the 1921 season.Barnes was born in Suggsville, Alabama and died in Montgomery, Alabama....
, 81, second baseman for the Detroit Tigers in the 1921 season.
- February 22 - Andy HighAndy HighAndrew Aird High , is a former professional baseball player who played third base in the Major Leagues from 1922-1934. He would play for the Brooklyn Robins, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, Boston Braves, and Philadelphia Phillies.-External links:...
, 83, National League third baseman who hit a .284 average in 1314 games for five different teams, and a member of the St. Louis Cardinals 1931 World Series Champions.
- February 23 - Myrl Brown, 86, pitcher who posted a 3-1 record in seven games for the 1922 Pittsburgh Pirates.
- February 25 - Frank McCreaFrank McCreaFrancis William McCrea was a Major League Baseball catcher who played for one season. He played in one game for the Cleveland Indians on September 26 during the 1925 Cleveland Indians season, earning one hit in five at-bats.-External links:...
, 84, backup catcher for the 1925 Cleveland Indians.
March
- March 6 - Wade LeflerWade LeflerWade Hampton Lefler was a Major League Baseball player. He played in six games for two different major league teams in , mostly as a pinch hitter. He also played in one game as a right fielder...
, 84, backup outfielder who played for the Boston Braves and Washington Senators during the 1924 season.
- March 7 - Pee-Wee WanningerPee-Wee WanningerPaul Louis Wanninger was a backup shortstop in Major League Baseball who played from through for the New York Yankees , Boston Red Sox and Cincinnati Reds...
, 78, backup shortstop for the Yankees, Red Sox and Reds, better known as the player who replaced Everett ScottEverett ScottLewis Everett Scott , nicknamed "Deacon", was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for 12 seasons with the Boston Red Sox , New York Yankees , Washington Senators , Chicago White Sox and Cincinnati Reds . Scott batted and threw right-handed...
with the Yankees in to end his then major league record of 1,307 consecutive games.
- March 8 - Gowell ClasetGowell ClasetGowell Sylvester Claset was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Philadelphia Athletics during the season.-References:...
, 73, pitcher for the 1933 Philadelphia Athletics of the American League.
- March 10 - Bob ElsonBob ElsonRobert A. Elson was a pioneering American sportscaster.-Early life and career:Born in Chicago, Elson got into broadcasting by accident. While vacationing in St. Louis in 1928, Elson was touring KWK when a receptionist saw him among 40 men in line for an audition and thought he was going for one...
, 76, broadcaster for the Chicago White Sox from 1931 to 1970, who also worked with the Chicago Cubs and Oakland Athletics.
- March 11 - Vince GonzalesVince GonzalesWenceslao Gonzales O'Reilly was a Cuban-born professional baseball player during the 1950s and 1960s. A left-handed pitcher who stood tall and weighed , Gonzales appeared in one Major League Baseball game in 1955 as a member of the Washington Senators.Gonzales entered pro baseball in 1951 as a...
, 55, Cuban-born Mexican pitcher who played with the Washington Senators in 1955.
- March 17 - Paul DeanPaul Dean (baseball)Paul Dee "Daffy" Dean was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. Born in Lucas, Arkansas, he pitched for the St. Louis Cardinals , the New York Giants , and the St. Louis Browns ....
, 67, pitcher who joined his older brother DizzyDizzy DeanJay Hanna "Dizzy" Dean was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was the last National League pitcher to win 30 games in one season. Dean was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1953....
on the St. Louis Cardinals, winning 19 games in each of his first two seasons – the brothers each won two games in the 1934 World Series.
- March 17 - Joe GiebelJoe GiebelJoseph Henry Giebel was an American Major League Baseball catcher. He played for the Philadelphia Athletics during the season.-References:...
, 89, backup catcher in three games for the 1913 Philadelphia Athletics.
- March 19 - Zinn BeckZinn BeckZinn Bertram Beck was a Major League Baseball Third baseman, Shortstop and First Baseman also minor league manager and baseball scout. Beck played for the St. Louis Cardinals from to , and the New York Yankees in . In 290 career games, he had a .226 batting average with 204 hits in 902 At-bats....
, 95, backup infielder who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees, hitting .226 in 124 games between 1913 and 1918.
- March 19 - Frank LaneFrank LaneFrank Lane was an American executive in professional baseball, most notably serving as a general manager in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox, St...
, 85, general manager of the White Sox, Indians, Brewers and Cardinals known for his numerous trades.
- March 20 - Gee WalkerGee WalkerGerald Holmes "Gee" Walker was a Major League Baseball outfielder. During his fifteen year career, he played with the Detroit Tigers, Chicago White Sox, Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians, and Cincinnati Reds...
, 73, All-Star outfielder who played from 1931 through 1945 for the Tigers, White Sox, Senators, Indians and Reds, collecting a career batting average of .294, 1,991 hits, 223 stolen bases, and 124 home runs.
- March 25 - Red MorganRed MorganJames Edward "Red" Morgan was a professional baseball player. He played part of one season in Major League Baseball for the Boston Americans in 1906 as a third baseman...
, 97, third baseman for the 1906 Boston Americans, at the time of his death the oldest living former major leaguer.
April
- April 2 - Ben RochefortBen RochefortBennett Harold Rochefort was an American Major League Baseball infielder. He played for the Philadelphia Athletics during the season.-References:...
, 84, first baseman who appeared in two games with the Philadelphia Athletics in 1914.
- April 3 - Clayton Lambert, 64, Cincinnati Reds pitcher in the 1946 and 1947 seasons.
- April 6 - Steve MesnerSteve MesnerStephan Mathias Mesner , is a former professional baseball player who was a infielder in the Major Leagues from 1938 to 1945. He would play for the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals, and Cincinnati Reds.-External links:...
, 63, third baseman for the Cubs, Cardinals and Reds in parts of six seasons, who led the National League for the most assists in 1945.
- April 12 - Dick HooverDick Hoover (baseball)Richard Lloyd Hoover was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Braves during the 1952 season. Listed at 6' 0", 170 lb., he batted and threw left-handed....
, 55, relief pitcher for the 1952 Boston Braves of the National League.
- April 16 - Effa ManleyEffa ManleyEffa L. Manley was an American sports executive, and the first woman inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame. She co-owned the Newark Eagles baseball franchise in the Negro leagues with her husband Abe from 1935 to 1946 and was sole owner through 1948 after his death...
, 84, owner of the Negro Leagues' Newark Eagles from 1935 to 1948.
- April 27 - Emerson DickmanEmerson DickmanGeorge Emerson Dickman was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Boston Red Sox . Listed at 6' 2", 175 lb., Dickman batted and threw right-handed...
, 66, pitcher for the Boston Red Sox between 1936 and 1941, who later became a coach at Princeton University in the 1950s.
May
- May 26 - George SmithGeorge Smith (American League pitcher)George Shelby Smith was a middle relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox . Listed at 6' 1", 175 lb., Smith batted and threw right-handed...
, 79, pitcher who played from 1926 to 1930 for the Detroit Tigers and Boston Red Sox.
July
- July 1 - Dan DanielDan Daniel (sportswriter)Dan Daniel , born Daniel Margowitz, was an American sportswriter whose prolific contributions over a long period led him to be called the Dean of American Baseball Writers....
, 91, sportswriter for The Sporting News and various New York newspapers for over 50 years; also a member of baseball's Rules Committee.
- July 8 - Merl CombsMerl CombsMerrill Russell "Merl" Combs was a backup shortstop in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Red Sox , Washington Senators and Cleveland Indians . Combs batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
, 61, shortstop for the Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators and Cleveland Indians between 1947 and 1952.
August
- August 2 - Dorothy MaguireDorothy MaguireDorothy Maguire was a catcher and outfielder who played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. Maguire batted and threw right-handed...
, 62, All-Star catcher and member of two championship teams in the AAGPBL.
- August 9 - Sammy T. HughesSammy T. HughesSamuel Thomas Hughes was an American second baseman in baseball's Negro Leagues. Born in Louisville, Kentucky, he played primarily for the Elite Giants through their various stops in Nashville, Columbus, Washington and Baltimore, always in the Negro National League.He died at age 70 in Los...
, 70, 6-time All-Star second baseman of the Negro Leagues, mainly with the Elite Giants.
September
- September 2 - George LoweGeorge Lowe (baseball)George Wesley Lowe [″Doc″] was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds during the season. Listed at 6' 2", 180 lb., Lowe batted and threw right handed...
, 86, relief pitcher for the 1920 Cincinnati Reds1920 Cincinnati Reds seasonThe Cincinnati Reds season was a season in American baseball. The team finished third in the National League with a record of 82-71, 10½ games behind the Brooklyn Robins.- Regular season :...
.
October
- October 4 - Freddie LindstromFreddie LindstromFrederick Charles Lindstrom was a National League Baseball player with the New York Giants, Pittsburgh Pirates, Chicago Cubs and Brooklyn Dodgers from 1924 until 1936...
, 75, Hall of Fame third baseman for the New York Giants who batted .311 lifetime, twice collecting 230 hits and batting .333 in the 1924 World Series at age 18; later coach at Northwestern.
- October 17 - Johnny PeacockJohnny PeacockJohn Gaston Peacock was a part-time catcher in Major League Baseball who played for three different teams between and . Listed at 5' 11", 165 lb., Peacock batted left-handed and threw right-handed. He was born in Fremont, North Carolina.A light-hitting catcher, Peacock was good defensively and...
, 71, catcher for the Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Blue Jays/Phillies and Brooklyn Dodgers, between 1937 and 1945.
- October 22 - Taffy WrightTaffy WrightTaft Shedron "Taffy" Wright was an outfielder in professional baseball from 1938 to 1949. Wright made a splash in his rookie season, leading the American League in batting with a .350 average...
, 70, outfielder for the Washington Senators, Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Athletics between the 1938 and 1949 seasons.
- October 25 - Pete ReiserPete ReiserHarold Patrick "Pete" Reiser , nicknamed "Pistol Pete," was an outfielder in Major League Baseball during the 1940s and early 1950s. He played primarily for the Brooklyn Dodgers, and later for the Boston Braves, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Cleveland Indians.-Early career:A native of St...
, 62, All-Star center fielder for the Brooklyn Dodgers who led the National League in batting and four other categories in 1941 and in steals twice, but whose fearless defensive style led to numerous injuries.
December
- December 10 - John F. KieranJohn F. KieranJohn Francis Kieran was an American author, journalist, amateur naturalist and radio and television personality.-Biography:...
, 89, New York sportswriter and radio and television personality who authored books on numerous subjects.
- December 22 - Ed GallagherEd Gallagher (baseball)Edward Michael Gallagher [Lefty] was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played briefly for the Boston Red Sox during the season. Listed at 6' 2", 197 lb., Gallagher was a switch-hitter and threw left-handed...
, 71, pitcher for the 1932 Boston Red Sox.
- December 28 - John Bischoff, 87, catcher for the Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox in the 1920s, and one of the first foreign ballplayers to play in Cuban baseball.