Champions
Major League Baseball
National League: Pittsburgh Pirates
American League: Baltimore Orioles
1971 World Series: Pittsburgh (NL) def. Baltimore (AL), 4 games to 3.
Inter-league playoff: Pittsburgh (NL) declined challenge by Tokyo Yomiuri Giants.
*
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, contested since 1903 between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winner of the World ...
MVP:
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker (; August 18, 1934 – December 31, 1972) was a Puerto Rican professional baseball right fielder who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates. After his early death, he was pos ...
*
All-Star Game
An all-star game is an exhibition game that purports to showcase the best players (the "stars") of a sports league. The exhibition is between two teams organized solely for the event, usually representing the league's teams based on region or div ...
, July 13 at
Tiger Stadium: American League, 6–4;
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson (August 31, 1935 – February 7, 2019) was an American professional baseball outfielder and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played for five teams, from to . The only player to be named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of bot ...
, MVP
Other champions
*
Amateur World Series
The Baseball World Cup was an international tournament where national baseball teams from around the world competed. It was sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF). Along with the World Baseball Classic, it was one of two activ ...
:
Cuba
Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...
*
College World Series
The College World Series (CWS), officially the NCAA Men's College World Series (MCWS), is an annual baseball tournament held in June in Omaha, Nebraska. The MCWS is the culmination of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) Divisi ...
:
USC
USC most often refers to:
* University of South Carolina, a public research university
** University of South Carolina System, the main university and its satellite campuses
**South Carolina Gamecocks, the school athletic program
* University of ...
*
Japan Series
The Japan Series ( , officially the Japan Championship Series, ), also the Nippon Series, :File:2014_JS_logo.png is the annual championship series in Nippon Professional Baseball, the top baseball league in Japan. It is a best-of-seven series ...
:
Yomiuri Giants
The are a Japanese professional baseball team competing in Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League. Based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, they are one of two professional baseball teams based in Tokyo, the other being the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. They ...
over
Hankyu Braves
The are a Nippon Professional Baseball team formed as a result of the 2004 Nippon Professional Baseball realignment by the merger of the Orix BlueWave of Kobe, Hyōgo Prefecture, Japan, and the Osaka Kintetsu Buffaloes of Osaka, Osaka Prefectur ...
(4–1)
*
Big League World Series: District 44 LL, Cupertino, California
*
Little League World Series
The Little League World Series is an annual baseball tournament for children—typically boys—aged 10 to 12 years old, held in the Eastern United States. Originally called the National Little League Tournament, it was later renamed for the Wor ...
:
Tainan
Tainan (), officially Tainan City, is a Special municipality (Taiwan), special municipality in southern Taiwan facing the Taiwan Strait on its western coast. Tainan is the oldest city on the island and also commonly known as the "Capital City" ...
, Taiwan
*
Senior League World Series
The Senior League World Series is a baseball tournament for adolescence aged 13 to 16 years old that began in 1961. In 2017, the tournament was moved from Bangor, Maine to Easley, South Carolina. (Easley was the site of the Big League World Seri ...
:
La Habra
La Habra (archaic spelling of ''La Abra'', ) is a city in the northwestern corner of Orange County, California, United States. In the 2010 census, the city had a population of 60,239. A related city, La Habra Heights, is located to the north o ...
,
California
California is a U.S. state, state in the Western United States, located along the West Coast of the United States, Pacific Coast. With nearly 39.2million residents across a total area of approximately , it is the List of states and territori ...
*
Pan American Games
The Pan American Games (also known colloquially as the Pan Am Games) is a continental multi-sport event in the Americas featuring summer sports, in which thousands of athletes participate in a variety of competitions. The competition is held ...
:
Cuba
Cuba ( , ), officially the Republic of Cuba ( es, República de Cuba, links=no ), is an island country comprising the island of Cuba, as well as Isla de la Juventud and several minor archipelagos. Cuba is located where the northern Caribbea ...
over
United States
The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...
Winter Leagues
*
1971 Caribbean Series:
Tigres del Licey
Tigres del Licey (English: Licey Tigers) is a professional baseball team in the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM). The team was founded in 1907 and based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It is one of two LIDOM franchises based in ...
*
Dominican Republic League:
Tigres del Licey
Tigres del Licey (English: Licey Tigers) is a professional baseball team in the Dominican Professional Baseball League (LIDOM). The team was founded in 1907 and based in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic. It is one of two LIDOM franchises based in ...
*
Mexican Pacific League
The Mexican Pacific League (), known as Liga ARCO Mexicana del Pacífico for sponsorship reasons or simply LMP for its acronym in Spanish, is a professional baseball winter league based in Northern Mexico. The ten-team regular season schedule run ...
:
Naranjeros de Hermosillo
The Naranjeros de Hermosillo ( en, Hermosillo Orange Growers) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican Pacific League based in Hermosillo, Sonora. The Naranjeros are one of the most successful teams in the league with 16 titles and they we ...
*
Puerto Rican League
Puerto, a Spanish word meaning ''seaport'', may refer to:
Places
* El Puerto de Santa María, Andalusia, Spain
*Puerto, a seaport town in Cagayan de Oro City, Philippines
* Puerto Colombia, Colombia
* Puerto Cumarebo, Venezuela
* Puerto Galera, O ...
:
Cangrejeros de Santurce
*
Venezuelan League
The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League or Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional (LVBP) is the professional baseball league in Venezuela. The league's champion takes part in the Caribbean Series each year.
History Early years
Baseball exp ...
:
Tiburones de La Guaira
The Tiburones de La Guaira ( en, La Guaira Sharks) are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in the city of La Guaira, they play their home games in Estadio Fórum La Guaira and have won seven national champions ...
Awards and honors
*
Baseball Hall of Fame
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by private interests. It serves as the central point of the history of baseball in the United States and displays baseball-r ...
**
Dave Bancroft
David James Bancroft (April 20, 1891 – October 9, 1972) was an American professional baseball shortstop and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Giants, Boston Braves and the Brooklyn Robi ...
**
Jake Beckley
Jacob Peter Beckley (August 4, 1867 – June 25, 1918), nicknamed "Eagle Eye", was an American professional baseball first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Alleghenys, Pittsburgh Burghers, Pittsburgh Pirates, New Y ...
**
Chick Hafey
Charles James "Chick" Hafey (February 12, 1903 – July 2, 1973) was an American player in Major League Baseball (MLB). Playing for the St. Louis Cardinals (1924–1931) and Cincinnati Reds (1932–1935, 1937), Hafey was a strong line-drive hitt ...
**
Harry Hooper
Harry Bartholomew Hooper (August 24, 1887 – December 18, 1974) was an American professional baseball right fielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB). Hooper batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Hooper was born in Bell Station, Ca ...
**
Joe Kelley
Joseph James Kelley (December 9, 1871 – August 14, 1943) was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) who starred in the outfield of the Baltimore Orioles teams of the 1890s. Making up the nucleus of the Orioles along with Joh ...
**
Rube Marquard
Richard William "Rube" Marquard (October 9, 1886 – June 1, 1980) was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball in the 1910s and early 1920s. He achieved his greatest success with the New York Giants. He was inducted into the Ba ...
**
Satchel Paige
Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige (July 7, 1906 – June 8, 1982) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Negro league baseball and Major League Baseball (MLB). His career spanned five decades and culminated with his induction in ...
**
George Weiss
*
Most Valuable Player
In team sports, a most valuable player award, abbreviated 'MVP award', is an honor typically bestowed upon an individual (or individuals, in the instance of a tie) whose individual performance is the greatest in an entire league, for a particu ...
**
Vida Blue
Vida Rochelle Blue Jr. (born July 28, 1949) is a former American professional baseball player. He was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball between and , most notably as an integral member of the Oakland Athletics dynasty that won thr ...
(AL)
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
**
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre (; born July 18, 1940) is an American professional baseball executive, serving as a special assistant to the Commissioner of Baseball since 2020. He previously served in the capacity of Major League Baseball's (MLB) chief baseb ...
(NL)
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Since the 2006 season, the Cardinals ha ...
*
Cy Young Award
The Cy Young Award is given annually to the best pitchers in Major League Baseball (MLB), one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL). The award was first introduced in 1956 by Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick in honor of Hall ...
**
Vida Blue
Vida Rochelle Blue Jr. (born July 28, 1949) is a former American professional baseball player. He was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball between and , most notably as an integral member of the Oakland Athletics dynasty that won thr ...
(AL)
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
**
Ferguson Jenkins
Ferguson Arthur "Fergie" Jenkins CM (born December 13, 1942) is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher and coach. He played Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1965 to 1983 for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers and ...
(NL)
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
*
Rookie of the Year
**
Chris Chambliss
Carroll Christopher Chambliss (born December 26, 1948) is an American professional baseball player and coach (baseball), coach. He played in Major League Baseball from to for the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves. He served ...
(AL)
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. Since , they have played at Progressive F ...
**
Earl Williams (NL)
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...
*
Gold Glove Award
The Rawlings Gold Glove Award, usually referred to as simply the Gold Glove, is the award given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) players judged to have exhibited superior individual fielding performances at each fielding position in bo ...
**
George Scott (1B) (AL)
**
Davey Johnson
David Allen Johnson (born January 30, 1943) is an American former professional baseball player and manager. He played as a second baseman from through , most notably as a member of the Baltimore Orioles dynasty that won four American League ...
(2B) (AL)
**
Brooks Robinson (3B) (AL)
**
Mark Belanger
Mark Henry Belanger (June 8, 1944 – October 6, 1998), nicknamed "The Blade," was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball as a shortstop from through , most notably as a member of the Bal ...
(SS) (AL)
**
Paul Blair (OF) (AL)
**
Amos Otis
Amos Joseph Otis (born April 26, 1947) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a center fielder from to , most prominently as an integral member of the Kansas City Royals team that won t ...
(OF) (AL)
**
Carl Yastrzemski
Carl Michael Yastrzemski ( ; nicknamed "Yaz"; born August 22, 1939) is an American former Major League Baseball player. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1989. Yastrzemski played his entire 23-year Major League career with the Bost ...
(OF) (AL)
**
Ray Fosse
Raymond Earl Fosse (April 4, 1947 – October 13, 2021) was an American professional baseball player and television sports color commentator. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a catcher from 1967 to 1979, most prominently as an All-Sta ...
(C) (AL)
**
Jim Kaat
James Lee Kaat (; born November 7, 1938) is an American former professional baseball player and television sports commentator. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a left-handed pitcher for the Washington Senators / Minnesota Twins (–), ...
(P) (AL)
**
Wes Parker
Maurice Wesley Parker III (born November 13, 1939) is a former first baseman in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers from to . He also played one season in Japan for the Nankai Hawks in .
As of 2009, Parker has been a me ...
(1B) (NL)
**
Tommy Helms
Tommy Vann Helms (born May 5, 1941) is an American former professional baseball player and manager. Over a 14-year Major League Baseball career (–), Helms played for four teams, including eight seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, four with the Ho ...
(2B) (NL)
**
Doug Rader
Douglas Lee Rader (born July 30, 1944), nicknamed "The Red Rooster", is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who was known primarily for his defensive ability, winning five straight Gold Glove Awards from 1970 to 1974.
Rader's career ...
(3B) (NL)
**
Bud Harrelson
Derrel McKinley "Bud" Harrelson (born June 6, 1944) is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. He is a coach and part-owner of the Long Island Ducks of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He played for the New York Mets, Philadelphia ...
(SS) (NL)
**
Bobby Bonds (OF) (NL)
**
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker (; August 18, 1934 – December 31, 1972) was a Puerto Rican professional baseball right fielder who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates. After his early death, he was pos ...
(OF) (NL)
**
Willie Davis (OF) (NL)
**
Johnny Bench
John Lee Bench (born December 7, 1947) is an American former professional baseball player. He played his entire Major League Baseball career, which lasted from through , with the Cincinnati Reds, primarily as a catcher. Bench was the leader of t ...
(C) (NL)
**
Bob Gibson
Robert Gibson (born Pack Robert Gibson; November 9, 1935October 2, 2020) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals (1959–1975). Nicknamed "Gibby" and "Hoot" ( ...
(P) (NL)
Statistical leaders
Major league baseball final standings
American League final standings
National League final standings
Events
January–February
*January 7 – The ruptured Achilles tendon of Reds centerfielder
Bobby Tolan
Robert Tolan (born November 19, 1945) is an American former professional baseball center fielder / right fielder, and coach, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals (–), Cincinnati Reds (–), San Diego Padres (–, ...
brings an end to two sports seasons. Tolan suffers the injury while playing basketball for the Reds offseason squad. He misses the baseball season because of the injury and the Cincinnati front office orders the basketball team to be disbanded as a result.
*January 11 – Tigers pitcher
John Hiller
John Frederick Hiller (born April 8, 1943) is a Canadian former baseball relief pitcher who played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers between 1965 and 1980. A native of Toronto, he joined the Tigers in 1965 and w ...
suffers a heart attack at age 27. he'll miss this season but will make a remarkable comeback.
*January 18 – The Pittsburgh Pirates sign
Tony Armas
Antonio Rafael Armas Machado (born July 2, 1953) is a Venezuelan former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder from 1976 to 1989. He is the father of pitcher Tony Armas Jr. and the older brother o ...
as a free agent.
*January 31 – The new ''Special Veterans Committee'' selects seven men for enshrinement to the
Hall of Fame
A hall, wall, or walk of fame is a list of individuals, achievements, or other entities, usually chosen by a group of electors, to mark their excellence or Wiktionary:fame, fame in their field. In some cases, these halls of fame consist of actu ...
: former players
Dave Bancroft
David James Bancroft (April 20, 1891 – October 9, 1972) was an American professional baseball shortstop and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, New York Giants, Boston Braves and the Brooklyn Robi ...
,
Jake Beckley
Jacob Peter Beckley (August 4, 1867 – June 25, 1918), nicknamed "Eagle Eye", was an American professional baseball first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Alleghenys, Pittsburgh Burghers, Pittsburgh Pirates, New Y ...
,
Chick Hafey
Charles James "Chick" Hafey (February 12, 1903 – July 2, 1973) was an American player in Major League Baseball (MLB). Playing for the St. Louis Cardinals (1924–1931) and Cincinnati Reds (1932–1935, 1937), Hafey was a strong line-drive hitt ...
,
Harry Hooper
Harry Bartholomew Hooper (August 24, 1887 – December 18, 1974) was an American professional baseball right fielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB). Hooper batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Hooper was born in Bell Station, Ca ...
,
Joe Kelley
Joseph James Kelley (December 9, 1871 – August 14, 1943) was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) who starred in the outfield of the Baltimore Orioles teams of the 1890s. Making up the nucleus of the Orioles along with Joh ...
, and
Rube Marquard
Richard William "Rube" Marquard (October 9, 1886 – June 1, 1980) was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball in the 1910s and early 1920s. He achieved his greatest success with the New York Giants. He was inducted into the Ba ...
, and executive
George Weiss.
*February 9 – Former
Negro leagues
The Negro leagues were United States professional baseball leagues comprising teams of African Americans and, to a lesser extent, Latin Americans. The term may be used broadly to include professional black teams outside the leagues and it may be ...
pitcher
Satchel Paige
Leroy Robert "Satchel" Paige (July 7, 1906 – June 8, 1982) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played in Negro league baseball and Major League Baseball (MLB). His career spanned five decades and culminated with his induction in ...
is nominated for the Hall of Fame. On June 10, the Hall's new Veterans Committee will formally select Paige for induction.
*February 10 – The
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
acquire pitcher
Al Downing from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for outfielder
Andy Kosco
Andrew John Kosco (born October 5, 1941) is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball for the Minnesota Twins, New York Yankees, Los Angeles Dodgers, Milwaukee Brewers, California Angels, Boston Red Sox, and ...
. Downing would later be a part of history as the pitcher who surrendered
Hank Aaron
Henry Louis Aaron (February 5, 1934 – January 22, 2021), nicknamed "Hammer" or "Hammerin' Hank", was an American professional baseball right fielder who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 1954 through 1976. One of the gre ...
's 714th career home run, which broke the all-time record set by
Babe Ruth
George Herman "Babe" Ruth Jr. (February 6, 1895 – August 16, 1948) was an American professional baseball player whose career in Major League Baseball (MLB) spanned 22 seasons, from 1914 through 1935. Nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Su ...
.
March–April
*March 6 – Charlie Finley persuaded American League president
Joe Cronin
Joseph Edward Cronin (October 12, 1906 – September 7, 1984) was an American professional baseball player, manager and executive. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a shortstop, most notably as a member of the Boston Red Sox. Cronin spe ...
to have a preseason game in which a walk was allowed on three pitches rather than four. The Athletics bested the Milwaukee Brewers by a 13–9 tally. Nineteen total walks were issued in the game, and a collective six home runs were hit.
*April 5 – The
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Since the 2006 season, the Cardinals ha ...
return first baseman
Cecil Cooper
Cecil Celester Cooper (born December 20, 1949) is an American former professional baseball player, coach, manager and sports agent. He played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman from 1971 to 1987 for the Boston Red Sox and the Milwaukee ...
to the
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
. The Cardinals had selected Cooper in the Rule 5 draft in November 1970.
*April 10:
**The
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...
defeat the
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos (french: link=no, Les Expos de Montréal) were a Canadian professional baseball team based in Montreal, Quebec. The Expos were the first Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located outside the United States. They played in t ...
, 4–1, in the first game played at Philadelphia's
Veterans Stadium
Veterans Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. The seating capacities were 65,358 for footb ...
.
**
Willie Stargell
Wilver Dornell Stargell (March 6, 1940 – April 9, 2001), nicknamed "Pops" later in his career, was an American professional baseball left fielder and first baseman who spent all of his 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) ( 1962– 1982 ...
hits three home runs, including his 200th career homer.
**
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays Jr. (born May 6, 1931), nicknamed "the Say Hey Kid" and "Buck", is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Regarded as one of the greatest players ever, Mays ranks second behind only Babe Ruth on most all-tim ...
of the
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Yor ...
becomes the first player to hit a home run in each of his team's first four games of a season. The shot comes off
Jerry Reuss
Jerry Reuss (born June 19, 1949)—pronounced "royce"—is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, best known for his years with the Los Angeles Dodgers.
Reuss played for eight teams in his major league career; along with the Dodge ...
in the third inning of Giants' 6-4 victory over the
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Since the 2006 season, the Cardinals ha ...
at
Busch Memorial Stadium
Busch Memorial Stadium, also known as Busch Stadium II, was a multi-purpose sports facility in St. Louis, Missouri, that operated for 40 years, from 1966 through 2005.
The stadium served as the home of the St. Louis Cardinals National League ...
. Mays had also homered in each of the first three games of the season, against the
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penna ...
.
*April 16 – The
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...
sign free agent pitcher
Luis Tiant
Luis Clemente Tiant Vega () (born November 23, 1940) is a Cuban former Major League Baseball (MLB) right-handed starting pitcher. He pitched in MLB for 19 years, primarily for the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox.
Tiant compiled a 22 ...
.
*April 27 –
Hank Aaron
Henry Louis Aaron (February 5, 1934 – January 22, 2021), nicknamed "Hammer" or "Hammerin' Hank", was an American professional baseball right fielder who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 1954 through 1976. One of the gre ...
becomes the third player in Major League history to hit his 600th home run.
May–June
*May 6 – Commissioner
Bowie Kuhn
Bowie Kent Kuhn (; October 28, 1926 – March 15, 2007) was an American lawyer and sports administrator who served as the fifth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from February 4, 1969, to September 30, 1984. He served as legal counsel for Ma ...
signs
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major professional sports league in the world. MLB is composed of 30 total teams, divided equally between the National League (NL) and the American League (AL), ...
to a $72 million television contract with
NBC
The National Broadcasting Company (NBC) is an American English-language commercial broadcast television and radio network. The flagship property of the NBC Entertainment division of NBCUniversal, a division of Comcast, its headquarters are l ...
.
*May 15 –
Billy Williams hits the 300th home run of his career during a 6–4 win over the
San Diego Padres
The San Diego Padres are an American professional baseball team based in San Diego. The Padres compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1969, the club has won two NL penna ...
at
Wrigley Field
Wrigley Field is a Major League Baseball (MLB) stadium on the North Side of Chicago, Illinois. It is the home of the Chicago Cubs, one of the city's two MLB franchises. It first opened in 1914 as Weeghman Park for Charles Weeghman's Chicago Wh ...
. The milestone homer was hit off
Tom Phoebus
Thomas Harold Stephen Phoebus (April 7, 1942 – September 5, 2019) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher from through , most notably as a member of the Baltimore Orioles dynas ...
.
** Luis Tiant, signed by the Braves just one month earlier, is released by Atlanta. Two days later, he signs with the
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
, for whom he'd have multiple 20 win seasons for.
*May 17:
**
Johnny Bench
John Lee Bench (born December 7, 1947) is an American former professional baseball player. He played his entire Major League Baseball career, which lasted from through , with the Cincinnati Reds, primarily as a catcher. Bench was the leader of t ...
hits his 100th career home run.
**The
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. Since , they have played at Progressive F ...
are involved in a bizarre play against the
Washington Senators at
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium
Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium, commonly known as RFK Stadium and originally known as District of Columbia Stadium, is a defunct multi-purpose stadium in Washington, D.C. It is located about due east of the U.S. Capitol building, near the ...
. The Senators'
Tommy McCraw
Tommy may refer to:
People
* Tommy (given name)
* Tommy Atkins, or just Tommy, a slang term for a common soldier in the British Army
Arts and entertainment Film and television
* ''Tommy'' (1931 film), a Soviet drama film
* ''Tommy'' (1975 fil ...
leads off the bottom of the fourth inning with a 140-foot pop fly (some sources say it was 250 feet) into short left-center for what should be an out. Instead, Indians shortstop
Jack Heidemann
Jack Seale Heidemann (born July 11, 1949 in Brenham, Texas) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop between and for the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets and Milwa ...
, left fielder
John Lowenstein
John Lee Lowenstein (born January 27, 1947) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and designated hitter, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, and Baltimore Orioles.
Playing caree ...
and center fielder
Vada Pinson
Vada Edward Pinson Jr. (August 11, 1938 – October 21, 1995) was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played as a center fielder in Major League Baseball for 18 years (1958–1975), most notably for the Cincinnati Reds, for who ...
collide into each other going for the ball, which falls amongst the three players. Before the ball can be recovered, McCraw circles the bases for an
inside-the-park home run
In baseball, an inside-the-park home run is a play where a batter hits a home run without hitting the ball out of the field of play. It is also known as an "inside-the-parker", "in-the-park home run", or "in-the-park homer".
Discussion
To score a ...
; meanwhile, Heidemann, Lowenstein and Pinson are all injured and have to be replaced. Despite their embarrassing moment, the Indians defeat the Senators 6–3.
*June 3 – Pitcher
Ken Holtzman
Kenneth Dale Holtzman (born November 3, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher from through , most notably as a member of the Chicago Cubs for whom he pitche ...
of the
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
throws the second
no-hitter
In baseball, a no-hitter is a game in which a team was not able to record a hit. Major League Baseball (MLB) officially defines a no-hitter as a completed game in which a team that batted in at least nine innings recorded no hits. A pitcher wh ...
of his career, victimizing the hosts
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...
1–0. Holtzman scores the only run, unearned, in the third inning, to beat Reds pitcher
Gary Nolan.
*June 6 –
Willie Mays
Willie Howard Mays Jr. (born May 6, 1931), nicknamed "the Say Hey Kid" and "Buck", is a former center fielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). Regarded as one of the greatest players ever, Mays ranks second behind only Babe Ruth on most all-tim ...
hits his major league-leading 22nd and last career extra-inning
home run
In baseball, a home run (abbreviated HR) is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to circle the bases and reach home plate safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team. A home run i ...
against
Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has been Citize ...
reliever
Joe Hoerner
Joseph Walter Hoerner (November 12, 1936 – October 4, 1996) was an American professional baseball relief pitcher, who played 14 years in Major League Baseball (MLB), for seven different teams.
A native of Dubuque, Iowa he grew up in nearby Key ...
.
*June 8 – The Major League amateur draft is held. The featured many notable players going in the first round:
Burt Hooton
Burt Carlton Hooton (born February 7, 1950), nicknamed "Happy", is an American former right-handed starting pitcher and former coach in Major League Baseball. He won 151 games over a 15-year career, mostly with the Chicago Cubs and Los Angeles Dod ...
went to the
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
,
Jim Rice
James Edward Rice (born March 8, 1953), nicknamed "Jim Ed", is a former Major League Baseball left fielder and designated hitter. He was inducted into the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum, Baseball Hall of Fame on July 26, 2009 Baseball ...
, went to the
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) East division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight ...
,
Frank Tanana
Frank Daryl Tanana (born July 3, 1953) is an American former professional baseball left-handed pitcher. In a Major League Baseball career that stretched from 1973 to 1993, he pitched for the California Angels, Boston Red Sox, Texas Rangers, De ...
went to the
California Angels
The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team ha ...
, while
George Brett
George Howard Brett (born May 15, 1953) is an American former professional baseball player who played all of his 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a third baseman for the Kansas City Royals.
Brett's 3,154 career hits are second-mo ...
went to the
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...
and
Mike Schmidt
Michael Jack Schmidt (born September 27, 1949) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who played his entire 18-season career in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies. Schmidt was a 12-time All-Star and a ...
went to the
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...
in the second round.
*June 23 – In a singular performance, pitcher
Rick Wise
Richard Charles Wise (born September 13, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher between and for the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Re ...
of the
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...
no-hits the Cincinnati Reds, 4–0, and bangs two home runs in the game. Wise joins
Wes Ferrell
Wesley Cheek Ferrell (February 2, 1908 – December 9, 1976) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball from 1927 through 1941. Primarily a starting pitcher, Ferrell played for the Cleveland Indians (192 ...
(),
Jim Tobin
James Anthony Tobin (December 27, 1912 – May 19, 1969), known as "Abba Dabba", was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Bees/ Braves and Detroit Tigers from 1937 to 1945. With the Boston Brav ...
() and
Earl Wilson () as the only pitchers to pitch a no-hitter and hit a home run in the same game. It is the second no-hitter against Cincinnati this month, both in
Riverfront Stadium
Riverfront Stadium, also known as Cinergy Field from 1996 to 2002, was a multi-purpose stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, United States that was the home of the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball from 1970 through 2002 and the Cincinnati Bengals o ...
.
*June 25 –
Willie Stargell
Wilver Dornell Stargell (March 6, 1940 – April 9, 2001), nicknamed "Pops" later in his career, was an American professional baseball left fielder and first baseman who spent all of his 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) ( 1962– 1982 ...
of the
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
hits what will be the longest home run ever hit at
Veterans Stadium
Veterans Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, United States, at the northeast corner of Broad Street and Pattison Avenue, part of the South Philadelphia Sports Complex. The seating capacities were 65,358 for footb ...
. In the second inning of the Pirates' 14–4 victory over the
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...
, his shot off
Jim Bunning
James Paul David Bunning (October 23, 1931 – May 26, 2017) was an American professional baseball pitcher and politician who represented Kentucky in both chambers of the United States Congress. He was the sole Major League Baseball athlete to ha ...
strikes above an exit in the 600 level in the upper deck. The spot where the ball struck will eventually be marked with a yellow star with a black "S" inside a white circle until Stargell's 2001 death, after which the white circle will then be painted black. The star will remain until the stadium's 2004 demolition.
*June 29 – The Atlanta Braves release 48 year old pitcher
Hoyt Wilhelm
James Hoyt Wilhelm (July 26, 1922 – August 23, 2002), nicknamed "Old Sarge", was an American Major League Baseball pitcher with the New York Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Cleveland Indians, Baltimore Orioles, Chicago White Sox, California Angel ...
. he would later sign with the
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are an American professional baseball team based in Los Angeles. The Dodgers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Established in 1883 in the city of Brooklyn ...
and finish his Hall of Fame career.
July–August
*July 7 – Commissioner Kuhn announces that players from the Negro leagues elected to the Hall of Fame will be given full membership in the museum. It had been previously announced that they would be honored in a separate wing.
*July 9:
**The
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
beat the
California Angels
The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team ha ...
1–0 in 20 innings – the longest shutout in
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league ...
history.
Vida Blue
Vida Rochelle Blue Jr. (born July 28, 1949) is a former American professional baseball player. He was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball between and , most notably as an integral member of the Oakland Athletics dynasty that won thr ...
strikes out 17 batters in 11 innings for Oakland, while the Angels'
Billy Cowan
Billy Rolland Cowan (born August 28, 1938) is an American former professional baseball player. Appearing primarily as an outfielder, Cowan totalled 493 games played
Games played (GP) is a statistic used in team sports to indicate the total num ...
ties a major league record by fanning six times. Both teams combine for 43 strikeouts, a new major league record.
**
Kansas City Royals
The Kansas City Royals are an American professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Missouri. The Royals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team was founded as an expans ...
shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball or softball fielding position between second and third base, which is considered to be among the most demanding defensive positions. Historically the position was assigned to defensive specialists who ...
Freddie Patek
Freddie Joseph Patek (; born October 9, 1944), nicknamed The Flea or The Cricket, is an American former professional baseball shortstop who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals and California Angels ...
hits for the cycle in the Royals' 6–3 victory over the
Minnesota Twins
The Minnesota Twins are an American professional baseball team based in Minneapolis. The Twins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central Division. The team is named after the Twin Cities area w ...
at
Metropolitan Stadium
Metropolitan Stadium (often referred to as "the Met", "Met Stadium", or now "the Old Met" to distinguish from the Metrodome) was an outdoor sports stadium in the north central United States, located in Bloomington, Minnesota, a suburb of Minneap ...
.
*July 13 – In an
All-Star Game
An all-star game is an exhibition game that purports to showcase the best players (the "stars") of a sports league. The exhibition is between two teams organized solely for the event, usually representing the league's teams based on region or div ...
featuring home runs by future Hall of Famers
Hank Aaron
Henry Louis Aaron (February 5, 1934 – January 22, 2021), nicknamed "Hammer" or "Hammerin' Hank", was an American professional baseball right fielder who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), from 1954 through 1976. One of the gre ...
,
Johnny Bench
John Lee Bench (born December 7, 1947) is an American former professional baseball player. He played his entire Major League Baseball career, which lasted from through , with the Cincinnati Reds, primarily as a catcher. Bench was the leader of t ...
,
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker (; August 18, 1934 – December 31, 1972) was a Puerto Rican professional baseball right fielder who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates. After his early death, he was pos ...
,
Reggie Jackson
Reginald Martinez Jackson (born May 18, 1946) is an American former professional baseball right fielder who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City / Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, New York Yankees, and Cali ...
,
Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Clayton Killebrew Jr. (; June 29, 1936May 17, 2011), nicknamed "The Killer" and "Hammerin' Harmon", was an American professional baseball first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder. He was a prolific power hitter who spent most of hi ...
and
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson (August 31, 1935 – February 7, 2019) was an American professional baseball outfielder and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played for five teams, from to . The only player to be named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of bot ...
, the American League triumphs over the
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...
6–4 at
Tiger Stadium. It is the only AL All-Star victory between 1962 and 1983. Jackson's home run goes 520 feet, and Robinson is named MVP.
*August 4:
**In
Texas League
The Texas League is a Minor League Baseball league which has operated in the South Central United States since 1902. It is classified as a Double-A league. Despite the league's name, only its five South Division teams are actually based in the ...
action,
Tom Walker pitched a 15-inning
no-hitter
In baseball, a no-hitter is a game in which a team was not able to record a hit. Major League Baseball (MLB) officially defines a no-hitter as a completed game in which a team that batted in at least nine innings recorded no hits. A pitcher wh ...
for the
Dallas-Fort Worth Spurs to beat the
Albuquerque Dodgers
Albuquerque ( ; ), ; kee, Arawageeki; tow, Vakêêke; zun, Alo:ke:k'ya; apj, Gołgéeki'yé. abbreviated ABQ, is the most populous city in the U.S. state of New Mexico. Its nicknames, The Duke City and Burque, both reference its founding in ...
, 1–0, which is considered the second longest no-hitter pitched in American professional baseball history. Walker struck out 11 batters and walked four to complete the gem. His manager
Cal Ripken, Sr.
Calvin Edwin Ripken Sr. (December 17, 1935 – March 25, 1999) was an American baseball player, scout, coach and manager. who spent 36 years in the Baltimore Orioles organization. He played in the Orioles' farm system beginning in 1957, and ...
left him in the game until he finally picked the victory after throwing 176 pitches. Only
Fred Toney
Fred Toney (December 11, 1888 – March 11, 1953) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals from 1911 to 1923. His career record was 139 wins, 102 ...
, who hurled 17 no-hit innings in the
Blue Grass League
The Blue Grass League was a minor league baseball circuit at the Class D level that existed in the early 1900s. There were two incarnations of the league, one that ran from 1908 to 1912 and one that existed from 1922 to 1924. It consisted entire ...
in , has pitched a longer no-hitter in baseball history.
**
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Since the 2006 season, the Cardinals ha ...
pitcher
Bob Gibson
Robert Gibson (born Pack Robert Gibson; November 9, 1935October 2, 2020) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals (1959–1975). Nicknamed "Gibby" and "Hoot" ( ...
wins his 200th game, a 7–2 victory over the
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Yor ...
at St. Louis.
*August 10:
**
Harmon Killebrew
Harmon Clayton Killebrew Jr. (; June 29, 1936May 17, 2011), nicknamed "The Killer" and "Hammerin' Harmon", was an American professional baseball first baseman, third baseman, and left fielder. He was a prolific power hitter who spent most of hi ...
becomes the 10th player to amass 500 home runs, and adds his 501st, but the
Orioles
Oriole or Orioles may refer to:
Animals
* Old World oriole, colorful passerine birds in the family Oriolidae
* New World oriole, a group of birds in the family Icteridae
Music
* The Orioles, an R&B and doo-wop group of the late 1940s and earl ...
beat the
Twins
Twins are two offspring produced by the same pregnancy.MedicineNet > Definition of TwinLast Editorial Review: 19 June 2000 Twins can be either ''monozygotic'' ('identical'), meaning that they develop from one zygote, which splits and forms two em ...
4–3.
Mike Cuellar
Miguel Ángel Cuellar Santana (; May 8, 1937 – April 2, 2010) was a Cuban professional baseball player. He played for 15 seasons in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher in 1959 and from 1964 through 1977, most prominently as a membe ...
picks up the win.
**Sixteen baseball researchers at
Cooperstown
Cooperstown is a village in and county seat of Otsego County, New York, United States. Most of the village lies within the town of Otsego, but some of the eastern part is in the town of Middlefield. Located at the foot of Otsego Lake in the C ...
form the
Society for American Baseball Research
The Society for American Baseball Research (SABR) is a membership organization dedicated to fostering the research and dissemination of the history and record of baseball primarily through the use of statistics. Established in Cooperstown, New ...
(SABR), with founder
Robert Davids as president.
*August 14 – Ten days after his 200th victory,
St. Louis Cardinal pitcher
Bob Gibson
Robert Gibson (born Pack Robert Gibson; November 9, 1935October 2, 2020) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals (1959–1975). Nicknamed "Gibby" and "Hoot" ( ...
no-hits the
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
11–0, the first no-hitter ever pitched at
Three Rivers Stadium
Three Rivers Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium located in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1970 to 2000. It was home to the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB) and the Pittsburgh Steelers of the National Football League (NFL).
Built ...
. He strikes out 10 batters along the way; three of those are to
Willie Stargell
Wilver Dornell Stargell (March 6, 1940 – April 9, 2001), nicknamed "Pops" later in his career, was an American professional baseball left fielder and first baseman who spent all of his 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) ( 1962– 1982 ...
, including the final out. The no-hitter is the first to be pitched in
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh ( ) is a city in the Commonwealth (U.S. state), Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, United States, and the county seat of Allegheny County, Pennsylvania, Allegheny County. It is the most populous city in both Allegheny County and Wester ...
in 64 years; none had been pitched in the 62-year (mid-1909 to mid-1970) history of Three Rivers Stadium's predecessor,
Forbes Field
Forbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland (Pittsburgh), Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to June 28, 1970. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball (MLB) team, and the first home of t ...
.
*August 17 –
Billy Williams collects the 2,000th hit of his career in a 5–4 loss to the
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...
in
Atlanta
Atlanta ( ) is the capital and most populous city of the U.S. state of Georgia. It is the seat of Fulton County, the most populous county in Georgia, but its territory falls in both Fulton and DeKalb counties. With a population of 498,715 ...
.
*August 28 – Phillies pitcher
Rick Wise
Richard Charles Wise (born September 13, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher between and for the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Re ...
hits two home runs, including a
grand slam
Grand Slam most often refers to:
* Grand Slam (tennis), one player or pair winning all four major annual tournaments, or the tournaments themselves
Grand Slam or Grand slam may also refer to:
Games and sports
* Grand slam, winning category te ...
off
Don McMahon
Donald John McMahon (January 4, 1930 – July 22, 1987) was a right-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball. Born in Brooklyn, New York, he was signed by the Boston Braves before the 1950 season. He played for the Milwaukee Braves (1957 ...
, in the second game of a doubleheader, duplicating his feat in his June no-hitter. Wise beats the Giants 7–3.
September–October
*September 1 – The
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
start what is believed to be the first
All-Black
The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks ( mi, Ōpango), represents New Zealand in men's international rugby union, which is considered the country's national sport. The team won the Rugby World Cup in 1987 ...
lineup in major league history, which include several Latin American players, in a 10–7 victory over the
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...
. The lineup:
Rennie Stennett
Reinaldo Antonio Stennett Porte (April 5, 1949 – May 18, 2021) was a Panamanian professional baseball second baseman, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1971–79) and San Francisco Giants (1980–81). He b ...
(2B);
Gene Clines
Eugene Anthony Clines (October 6, 1946 – January 27, 2022) was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder from 1970 to 1979, most prominently as a member of the Pittsburgh Pir ...
(CF);
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker (; August 18, 1934 – December 31, 1972) was a Puerto Rican professional baseball right fielder who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates. After his early death, he was pos ...
(RF);
Willie Stargell
Wilver Dornell Stargell (March 6, 1940 – April 9, 2001), nicknamed "Pops" later in his career, was an American professional baseball left fielder and first baseman who spent all of his 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) ( 1962– 1982 ...
(LF);
Manny Sanguillén
Manuel De Jesus Sanguillén Magan, better known as Manny Sanguillén or "Sangy" (born March 21, 1944), is a Panamanian former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher in and from through , most notably as a ...
(C);
Dave Cash (3B);
Al Oliver
Albert Oliver Jr. (born October 14, 1946) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder and first baseman from through , most notably as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates teams that won f ...
(1B);
Jackie Hernández
Jacinto Hernández Zulueta (September 11, 1940 – October 12, 2019)Dipaola, Jerry.Ex-Pirates SS Jackie Hernandez, member of 1971 World Series champs, dies, The Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, October 16, 2019. was a Cuban professional baseball play ...
(SS), and
Dock Ellis
Dock Phillip Ellis Jr. (March 11, 1945 – December 19, 2008) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher from through , most notably as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates teams ...
(P).
Another black player,
Bob Veale, was one of three relievers in the game.
*September 3 –
Ron Cey
Ronald Charles Cey (; born February 15, 1948), nicknamed "Penguin", is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a third baseman from through , most notably as an integral member of the Los Angeles Do ...
makes his MLB debut, pinching hitter for pitcher Jose Pena in the Dodgers 6-5 win over the Cincinnati Reds. Cey would go on to be the Dodgers regular starting third baseman for the next 12 seasons.
*September 5 –
J. R. Richard tied
Karl Spooner
Karl Benjamin Spooner (June 23, 1931 – April 10, 1984) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a left-handed pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers. After a meteoric rise during which he set a Major ...
's major league record by striking out 15
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Yor ...
in his first major league game, as the
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division, having moved to the division in 2013 after ...
beat the Giants.
*September 9 – The Chicago Cubs sign
Bruce Sutter as an undrafted amateur free agent.
*September 10 –
Ferguson Jenkins
Ferguson Arthur "Fergie" Jenkins CM (born December 13, 1942) is a Canadian former professional baseball pitcher and coach. He played Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1965 to 1983 for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers and ...
breaks
Charlie Root
Charles Henry "Chinski" Root (March 17, 1899 – November 5, 1970) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher with the St. Louis Browns and the Chicago Cubs between 1923 and 1941. Root batted and threw right-handed. He holds the club record fo ...
's
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
club record for career strikeouts during an 8–7, 12-inning loss to the Cardinals at Wrigley Field.
*September 13 –
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. As one of the American L ...
right fielder
Frank Robinson
Frank Robinson (August 31, 1935 – February 7, 2019) was an American professional baseball outfielder and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played for five teams, from to . The only player to be named Most Valuable Player (MVP) of bot ...
becomes the 11th player to reach
500 career home runs.
*September 26 –
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. As one of the American L ...
pitcher
Jim Palmer
James Alvin Palmer (born October 15, 1945) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 19 years in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles (1965–1967, 1969–1984). Palmer was the winningest MLB pitcher in the ...
shuts out the host
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. Since , they have played at Progressive F ...
, 5–0, and becomes the fourth member of the Orioles 1971 pitching staff to notch his 20th victory, joining
Dave McNally
David Arthur McNally (October 31, 1942 – December 1, 2002) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher from 1962 through 1975, most notably as a member of the Baltimore Orioles dyn ...
,
Mike Cuellar
Miguel Ángel Cuellar Santana (; May 8, 1937 – April 2, 2010) was a Cuban professional baseball player. He played for 15 seasons in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher in 1959 and from 1964 through 1977, most prominently as a membe ...
and
Pat Dobson
Patrick Edward Dobson, Jr. (February 12, 1942 – November 22, 2006) was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers (1967–69), San Diego Padres (1970), Baltimore Orioles (1971–72), Atla ...
. Only one other team in ML history, the 1920
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...
, boasted four 20-game winners.
*September 28 –
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...
pitcher
Jim Bunning
James Paul David Bunning (October 23, 1931 – May 26, 2017) was an American professional baseball pitcher and politician who represented Kentucky in both chambers of the United States Congress. He was the sole Major League Baseball athlete to ha ...
announces his retirement from baseball.
*September 29 – The
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos (french: link=no, Les Expos de Montréal) were a Canadian professional baseball team based in Montreal, Quebec. The Expos were the first Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located outside the United States. They played in t ...
'
Ron Hunt
Ronald Kenneth Hunt (born February 23, 1941) is a former professional baseball second baseman. He played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1963 to 1974 for the New York Mets, Los Angeles Dodgers, San Francisco Giants, Montreal Expos and ...
is hit by a pitch for the 50th time of the season.
*September 30 – The
Washington Senators' lead 7–5 in their last home game, but forfeit the game to the
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Amer ...
, when, with two outs in the top of the ninth, fans storm the field. The Senators moved to
Arlington, Texas
Arlington is a city in the U.S. state of Texas, located in Tarrant County. It forms part of the Mid-Cities region of the Dallas–Fort Worth–Arlington metropolitan statistical area, and is a principal city of the metropolis and region. ...
, and became the Texas Rangers for the 1972 season.
The Nation's Capital would not have another MLB team until the 2005 relocation of the
Montreal Expos
The Montreal Expos (french: link=no, Les Expos de Montréal) were a Canadian professional baseball team based in Montreal, Quebec. The Expos were the first Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise located outside the United States. They played in t ...
, to become the
Washington Nationals
The Washington Nationals are an American professional baseball team based in Washington, D.C.. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. From 2005 to 2007, the team played in RFK Stadiu ...
.
*October 17 – Pitcher
Steve Blass
Stephen Robert Blass (born April 18, 1942) is an American former professional baseball player and television sports color commentator. He played his entire career in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates in a ...
throws a four-hitter and
Roberto Clemente
Roberto Enrique Clemente Walker (; August 18, 1934 – December 31, 1972) was a Puerto Rican professional baseball right fielder who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates. After his early death, he was pos ...
homers as the
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
win Game Seven of the
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, contested since 1903 between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winner of the World ...
over the
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. As one of the American L ...
, 2–1, becoming World Champions for the first time since 1960. Clemente is named the Series MVP. Game Four, played on October 13, was the first
night game
A night game, also called a nighter, is a sporting event that takes place, completely or partially, after the local sunset. Depending on the sport, this can be done either with floodlights or with the usual low-light conditions. The term "night ...
in World Series history.
November –December
*November 2 –
Pat Dobson
Patrick Edward Dobson, Jr. (February 12, 1942 – November 22, 2006) was an American right-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers (1967–69), San Diego Padres (1970), Baltimore Orioles (1971–72), Atla ...
of the
Baltimore Orioles
The Baltimore Orioles are an American professional baseball team based in Baltimore. The Orioles compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East division. As one of the American L ...
pitches a
no-hitter
In baseball, a no-hitter is a game in which a team was not able to record a hit. Major League Baseball (MLB) officially defines a no-hitter as a completed game in which a team that batted in at least nine innings recorded no hits. A pitcher wh ...
against the
Yomiuri Giants
The are a Japanese professional baseball team competing in Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League. Based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, they are one of two professional baseball teams based in Tokyo, the other being the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. They ...
, winning 2–0. It is the first no-hitter in
Japanese
Japanese may refer to:
* Something from or related to Japan, an island country in East Asia
* Japanese language, spoken mainly in Japan
* Japanese people, the ethnic group that identifies with Japan through ancestry or culture
** Japanese diaspor ...
-American baseball exhibition history. The Orioles compile a record of 12–2–4 on the tour.
*November 10:
**
Joe Torre
Joseph Paul Torre (; born July 18, 1940) is an American professional baseball executive, serving as a special assistant to the Commissioner of Baseball since 2020. He previously served in the capacity of Major League Baseball's (MLB) chief baseb ...
of the
St. Louis Cardinals
The St. Louis Cardinals are an American professional baseball team based in St. Louis. The Cardinals compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Since the 2006 season, the Cardinals ha ...
, who led the
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League (NL), is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada, and the world's oldest extant professional team s ...
in
batting average
Batting average is a statistic in cricket, baseball, and softball that measures the performance of batters. The development of the baseball statistic was influenced by the cricket statistic.
Cricket
In cricket, a player's batting average is ...
(.363) and
runs batted in
A run batted in (RBI; plural RBIs ) is a statistic in baseball and softball that credits a batter for making a play that allows a run to be scored (except in certain situations such as when an error is made on the play). For example, if the bat ...
(137) while hitting 24
home run
In baseball, a home run (abbreviated HR) is scored when the ball is hit in such a way that the batter is able to circle the bases and reach home plate safely in one play without any errors being committed by the defensive team. A home run i ...
s, is named the Most Valuable Player over
Willie Stargell
Wilver Dornell Stargell (March 6, 1940 – April 9, 2001), nicknamed "Pops" later in his career, was an American professional baseball left fielder and first baseman who spent all of his 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) ( 1962– 1982 ...
of the
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) Central division. Founded as part of the American Associati ...
(.295/125/48). Torre receives 318 points to 222 for Stargell.
**
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
pitcher
Vida Blue
Vida Rochelle Blue Jr. (born July 28, 1949) is a former American professional baseball player. He was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball between and , most notably as an integral member of the Oakland Athletics dynasty that won thr ...
adds the American League MVP Award to his list of awards for 1971, easily outpointing teammate
Sal Bando
Salvatore Leonard Bando (born February 13, 1944) is an American former professional baseball player and general manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a third baseman from to , most prominently as the team captain for the Oakland Athletic ...
268–182.
*November 14 – In
Venezuelan Winter League
The Venezuelan Professional Baseball League or Liga Venezolana de Béisbol Profesional (LVBP) is the professional baseball league in Venezuela. The league's champion takes part in the Caribbean Series each year.
History Early years
Baseball exp ...
,
Luis Tiant
Luis Clemente Tiant Vega () (born November 23, 1940) is a Cuban former Major League Baseball (MLB) right-handed starting pitcher. He pitched in MLB for 19 years, primarily for the Cleveland Indians and the Boston Red Sox.
Tiant compiled a 22 ...
of the
Tiburones de la Guaira
The Tiburones de La Guaira ( en, La Guaira Sharks) are a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. Based in the city of La Guaira, they play their home games in Estadio Fórum La Guaira and have won seven national champions ...
hurled a 3–0
no-hitter
In baseball, a no-hitter is a game in which a team was not able to record a hit. Major League Baseball (MLB) officially defines a no-hitter as a completed game in which a team that batted in at least nine innings recorded no hits. A pitcher wh ...
against his former team
Leones del Caracas
The Caracas Base Ball Club C.A. or better known by its commercial name as the ''Leones del Caracas'', is a professional baseball team of the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League. In its creation, its headquarters are the University Stadium of C ...
. Tiant became the fourth pitcher in league's 26-year history to achieve the feat, joining
Len Yochim (1955),
Mel Nelson (1963) and
Howie Reed
Howard Dean Reed (December 21, 1936 – December 7, 1984) was an American professional baseball player, a right-handed pitcher who appeared in 229 Major League games over ten seasons (1958–60; 1964–67; 1969–71) for the Kansas City Athleti ...
(1968).
*November 17 – At age 22,
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
pitcher
Vida Blue
Vida Rochelle Blue Jr. (born July 28, 1949) is a former American professional baseball player. He was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball between and , most notably as an integral member of the Oakland Athletics dynasty that won thr ...
becomes the youngest player ever to win the Most Valuable Player Award and only the fourth to capture both the Cy Young Award and the MVP in the same season.
*November 22 –
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. Since , they have played at Progressive F ...
first baseman
Chris Chambliss
Carroll Christopher Chambliss (born December 26, 1948) is an American professional baseball player and coach (baseball), coach. He played in Major League Baseball from to for the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves. He served ...
receives 11 of 24 first place votes to win the American League Rookie of the Year Award.
*November 24 – Catcher-infielder
Earl Williams, who hit 33 home runs and 87 RBI for the
Atlanta Braves
The Atlanta Braves are an American professional baseball team based in the Atlanta metropolitan area. The Braves compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. The Braves ...
, wins the National League Rookie of the Year honors. Williams gets 18 of 24 first place votes, with the others going to
Willie Montañez
Guillermo Montañez Naranjo (born April 1, 1948) is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball first baseman, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the California Angels (), Philadelphia Phillies (–, ), San Francisco Giants (–), ...
of the
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) National League East, East division. Since 2004, the team's home sta ...
.
*November 29:
**The
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division and were a charter member of ...
sends 1B
Lee May
Lee Andrew May (March 23, 1943 – July 29, 2017) was an American professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a first baseman and designated hitter from to for the Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros, Baltimo ...
, 2B
Tommy Helms
Tommy Vann Helms (born May 5, 1941) is an American former professional baseball player and manager. Over a 14-year Major League Baseball career (–), Helms played for four teams, including eight seasons with the Cincinnati Reds, four with the Ho ...
and OF
Jimmy Stewart
James Maitland Stewart (May 20, 1908 – July 2, 1997) was an American actor and military pilot. Known for his distinctive drawl and everyman screen persona, Stewart's film career spanned 80 films from 1935 to 1991. With the strong morality h ...
to the
Houston Astros
The Houston Astros are an American professional baseball team based in Houston, Texas. The Astros compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division, having moved to the division in 2013 after ...
, in exchange for 2B
Joe Morgan
Joe Leonard Morgan (September 19, 1943 – October 11, 2020) was an American professional baseball second baseman who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Colt .45s / Astros, Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, ...
, OF
César Gerónimo and P
Jack Billingham
John Eugene Billingham (born February 21, 1943) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher from through , most notably as a member of the Cincinnati Reds dynasty th ...
. This trade, criticized in the Cincinnati, Ohio press, will be one of the best in Reds history, and puts the wheels on the big Red Machine, as future Hall of Fame member Morgan will win two MVP awards.
**The
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
trade P
Ken Holtzman
Kenneth Dale Holtzman (born November 3, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher from through , most notably as a member of the Chicago Cubs for whom he pitche ...
to the
Oakland Athletics
The Oakland Athletics (often referred to as the A's) are an American professional baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. The te ...
for OF
Rick Monday
Robert James "Rick" Monday Jr. (born November 20, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player who now serves as a broadcaster. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a center fielder from 1966 to 1984, most notably as a member ...
, and the
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are an American professional baseball team based in San Francisco, California. The Giants compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. Founded in 1883 as the New Yor ...
deal P
Gaylord Perry
Gaylord Jackson Perry (September 15, 1938 – December 1, 2022) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a right-handed pitcher for eight different teams from 1962 to 1983. During a 22-year baseb ...
and SS
Frank Duffy to the
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. Since , they have played at Progressive F ...
for P
Sam McDowell
Samuel Edward Thomas McDowell (born September 21, 1942), is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a starting pitcher from 1961 to 1975, most notably for the Cleveland Indians. A six-time All-Star, ...
.
*November 30 – The
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Central division. The team is owned by Jerry Reinsdorf, and p ...
purchase the contract of
Jorge Orta
Jorge Orta Núñez (born November 26, 1950) is a Mexican former professional baseball second baseman and outfielder. He played fifteen seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1972 to 1987 for the Chicago White Sox, Cleveland Indians, Los An ...
from Mexicali of the Mexican Northern League.
*December 1 – The
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as part of the National League (NL) Central division. The club plays its home games at Wrigley Field, which is located ...
release longtime star and future Hall of Famer
Ernie Banks
Ernest Banks (January 31, 1931 – January 23, 2015), nicknamed "Mr. Cub" and "Mr. Sunshine", was an American professional baseball player who starred in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a shortstop and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs between ...
, ending his 19-year major league career. The Cubs also announce that Banks will serve as a coach on manager
Leo Durocher
Leo Ernest Durocher (French spelling Léo Ernest Durocher) (; July 27, 1905 – October 7, 1991), nicknamed "Leo the Lip" and "Lippy", was an American professional baseball player, manager (baseball), manager and coach (baseball), coach. He playe ...
's staff in the 1972 season. Mr. Cub finishes his illustrious playing career with 512 home runs and 1,636 RBI.
*December 10 – The
California Angels
The Los Angeles Angels are an American professional baseball team based in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. The Angels compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) West division. Since 1966, the team ha ...
send star shortstop
Jim Fregosi
James Louis Fregosi (April 4, 1942 – February 14, 2014) was an American professional baseball shortstop and manager, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from to , primarily for the Los Angeles / California Angels. He also played for the ...
to the
New York Mets
The New York Mets are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City borough of Queens. The Mets compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member of the National League (NL) East division. They are one of two major league ...
in return for four players, one of whom is
Nolan Ryan
Lynn Nolan Ryan Jr. (born January 31, 1947), nicknamed "the Ryan Express", is an American former professional baseball pitcher and sports executive. Over a record 27-year playing career in Major League Baseball (MLB) spanning four decades, Ryan ...
.
Births
January
*January 2 –
Rick Greene
*January 4 –
Chris Michalak
Christian Matthew Michalak (born January 4, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) left-handed pitcher who played for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, and Cincinnati Reds between 1998 and 2006, and a c ...
*January 5 –
Jason Bates
*January 6 –
Eric Moody
{{Eric Lane Moody (born January 6, 1971) is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during one season at the major league level for the Texas Rangers. He was drafted by the Rangers in the 24th round of the 1993 amateur draft. Moody ...
*January 7 –
Frank Menechino
*January 7 –
Jorge Toca
Jorge Luis Toca (born January 7, 1975) is a former professional baseball player.
Career
He played with the New York Mets from 1999 to 2001. He is tall and weighs . He plays first base and outfield. He bats and throws right-handed. He is mostly ...
*January 8 –
Jason Giambi
Jason Gilbert Giambi (; born January 8, 1971) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter. In his Major League Baseball (MLB) career, which began in 1995, Giambi played for the Oakland Athletics, New York Yank ...
*January 11 –
Alex Delgado
Alexander Delgado (born January 11, 1971) is a former Venezuelan catcher in Major League Baseball who played with the Boston Red Sox in their 1996 Boston Red Sox season, 1996 season. Listed at 6' 0", 160 lb., Delgado batted and threw right-handed ...
*January 11 –
Rey Ordóñez
Reynaldo Ordóñez Pereira (born January 11, 1971) is a former professional baseball shortstop. He played nine seasons in Major League Baseball for the New York Mets, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, and Chicago Cubs.
Early life
Ordóñez defected from ...
*January 12 –
Andy Fox
Andrew Junipero Fox (born January 12, 1971) is an American professional baseball coach and a former infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1996 to 2004 for five different teams. He currently serves on the coaching staff of th ...
*January 13 –
Elmer Dessens
Elmer Dessens Jusaino eh-SENZ(born January 13, 1971) is a Mexican former professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Personal life
Elmer Dessens was born on January 13, 1971, in Hermosillo, Mexico. At age 10, he worked as a ne ...
*January 17 –
Tyler Houston
*January 19 –
Jeff Juden
Jeffrey Daniel Juden (born January 19, 1971) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Houston Astros, Philadelphia Phillies, San Francisco Giants, Montreal Expos, Cleveland Indians, Milwauke ...
*January 19 –
Phil Nevin
Phillip Joseph Nevin (born January 19, 1971) is an American professional baseball player, coach, and manager. He is the manager for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for 12 seasons, appearing in 1,217 gam ...
*January 20 –
Brian Giles
Brian Stephen Giles (; born January 20, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. During his career he played for the Cleveland Indians, Pittsburgh Pirates and San Diego Padres. The left-handed Giles was a two-time All-Star and had a ...
*January 21 –
Johnny Guzmán
*January 23 –
Charlie Greene
*January 24 –
Cory Bailey
*January 25 –
Kerry Taylor
*January 27 –
Ken Huckaby
Kenneth Paul Huckaby (born January 27, 1971) is an American former professional baseball catcher, and minor league coach. Huckaby attended Manteca High School, and played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Toronto Blue Ja ...
*January 28 –
Kevin Tolar
February
*February 3 –
Scott Klingenbeck
Scott Edward Klingenbeck (born February 3, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher who played in parts of four seasons with the Baltimore Orioles, Minnesota Twins, and Cincinnati Reds.
A native of Cincinnati, Ohio, Klingenbeck ...
*February 3 –
Eric Owens
*February 4 –
Dennis Konuszewski
*February 8 –
James Hoye
James Patrick Hoye (born February 8, 1971) is an American umpire in Major League Baseball. He wears number 92. Hoye worked as an MLB reserve umpire from to for both the American and National Leagues. He was hired to the full-time Major League ...
*February 10 –
Kevin Sefcik
*February 13 –
Todd Williams
Todd Michael Williams (born February 13, 1971) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He attended East Syracuse-Minoa High School graduating in 1989. He then attended Onondaga Community College before signing a professional ...
*February 15 –
Terry Jones
Terence Graham Parry Jones (1 February 1942 – 21 January 2020) was a Welsh comedian, director, historian, actor, writer and member of the Monty Python comedy team.
After graduating from Oxford University with a degree in English, Jones and ...
*February 16 –
Mike Hubbard
*February 17 –
Danny Patterson
Danny Shane Patterson (born February 17, 1971) is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Texas Rangers (1996–1999) and the Detroit Tigers (2000–2004).
In his career, he is 24–22 with a 4.14 ERA, 250 strikeouts, ...
*February 19 –
Miguel Batista
Miguel Descartes Batista Jerez (born February 19, 1971) is a Dominican former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Montreal Expos, Kansas City Royals, Ari ...
*February 21 –
Jeff Schmidt
*February 26 –
Matt Luke
*February 26 –
Danny Perez
Danny Perez is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. Perez was drafted by the Milwaukee Brewers in the twenty-first round of the 1992 Major League Baseball Draft. He played at the Major League level with the team in 1996.
Perez played at ...
March
*March 3 –
José Oliva
José Oliva (March 3, 1971 – December 22, 1997) was a professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues primarily as a third baseman from 1994 to 1995. Oliva had three daughters, Laura Oliva, Tiana Oliva, and Yeika Oliva. On Decembe ...
*March 4 –
Nerio Rodríguez
Nerio Rodríguez Delgado (born March 4, 1971) is a former Dominican Republic, Dominican baseball player. A pitcher, Rodríguez played Major League Baseball from to for the Baltimore Orioles and Toronto Blue Jays. In , he played for the St. Lou ...
*March 5 –
Chad Fonville
Chad Everette Fonville (born March 5, 1971) is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball for the Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, and Boston Red Sox between 1995 and 1999.
Career ...
*March 5 –
Jeffrey Hammonds
Jeffrey Bryan Hammonds (born March 5, 1971) is an American former professional baseball player. Hammonds was an outfielder and played for the Baltimore Orioles (1993–1998), Cincinnati Reds (1998–1999), Colorado Rockies (2000), Milwaukee ...
*March 5 –
Brian Hunter
*March 5 –
Brian Lesher
Brian Herbert Lesher (born March 5, 1971) is a Belgian former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, and Toronto Blue Jays.
Lesher was born in Belgium where his fath ...
*March 5 –
José Mercedes
*March 6 –
Roger Salkeld
*March 10 –
Bobby Hughes
*March 10 –
Shad Williams
*March 11 –
Rod Henderson
Rodney Wood Henderson (born March 11, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for the Montreal Expos in 1994 and the Milwaukee Brewers in 1998, and who is currently a scout for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
Playing ca ...
*March 11 –
Lee Sang-hoon
*March 12 –
Greg Hansell
Gregory Michael Hansell (born March 12, 1971) is a former baseball pitcher.
Career
Hansell played for four different major league ballclubs during his career: the Los Angeles Dodgers (1995), Minnesota Twins (1996), Milwaukee Brewers (1997), and P ...
*March 12 –
Raúl Mondesí
Raúl Ramón Mondesí Avelino (born March 12, 1971) is a Dominican former politician and baseball player. Mondesí played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 13 seasons, primarily for the Los Angeles Dodgers, and made his MLB debut with them in ...
*March 13 –
Scott Sullivan
*March 17 –
Bill Mueller
William Richard Mueller ( ; born March 17, 1971) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB). Mueller's MLB playing career was spent with the San Francisco Giants (1996–2000, 2002), Chic ...
*March 19 –
D. T. Cromer
*March 20 –
Manny Alexander
Manuel De Jesús Alexander (born March 20, 1971) is a Dominican former professional baseball infielder. He has played for the Baltimore Orioles (–, –), New York Mets (), Chicago Cubs (1997–), Boston Red Sox (), Texas Rangers () and San Dieg ...
*March 26 –
Frank Lankford
*March 26 –
Jesús Tavárez
*March 29 –
Sean Lowe
April
*April 1 –
José Martínez
*April 3 –
Quilvio Veras
Quilvio Alberto Veras Perez (born April 3, 1971) is a Dominican former professional baseball second baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Florida Marlins, San Diego Padres, and Atlanta Braves. Veras has coached in the minor le ...
*April 5 –
Andrés Berumen
Andres Berumen (born April 5, 1971) is a Mexican former professional baseball pitcher. He played parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball for the San Diego Padres.
Career
Berumen was drafted 27th overall by the Kansas City Royals in 1989. Sa ...
*April 6 –
Lou Merloni
Louis William Merloni (born April 6, 1971), nicknamed "Sweet Lou", is an American radio personality and a former Major League Baseball player. Merloni played for his hometown Boston Red Sox from – and again for part of 2003. He also played for t ...
*April 7 –
Mark Thompson
*April 12 –
Matt Williams
*April 13 –
Kevin Ohme
*April 14 –
Carlos Pérez
*April 14 –
Gregg Zaun
*April 16 –
Marc Sagmoen
*April 17 –
Keith Johnson
*April 19 –
Sean Whiteside
*April 25 –
Brad Clontz
John Braddock Clontz (born April 25, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) relief pitcher who played for the Atlanta Braves, Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Mets, and Pittsburgh Pirates between and .
Amateur career
Clontz was bor ...
*April 29 –
Sterling Hitchcock
Sterling Alex Hitchcock (born April 29, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He played from to , mostly with the New York Yankees and San Diego Padres.
Early life
Hitchcock was born in Fayetteville, North Caro ...
*April 30 –
Ryan Hawblitzel
Ryan Wade Hawblitzel (born April 30, 1971) is an American former professional baseball right-handed pitcher.
Drafted by the Chicago Cubs in the 2nd round of the 1990 Major League Baseball draft. Hawblitzel would make his Major League Baseball (ML ...
May
*May 2 –
Brent Bowers
Brent Raymond Bowers (born May 2, 1971) is an American former professional baseball player. Bowers played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder for the Baltimore Orioles in the 1996 season. He also played in the Korea Baseball Organization i ...
*May 4 –
Joe Borowski
*May 4 –
Brian Maxcy
*May 5 –
Mike Redmond
Michael Patrick Redmond (born May 5, 1971) is an American former professional baseball catcher and manager. He is currently the bench coach for the Colorado Rockies. He played for 13 seasons in Major League Baseball with the Florida Marlins, ...
*May 8 –
Todd Greene
*May 10 –
Glen Barker
Glen F. Barker (born May 10, 1971, in Albany, New York) is a former outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played three seasons for the Houston Astros. He was a leadoff hitter who was known for his defensive skills and was used mainly as ...
*May 11 –
Kerry Ligtenberg
Kerry Dale Ligtenberg (born May 11, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher and coach.
Early life
Ligtenberg was born in Rapid City, South Dakota. He graduated from Park High School in Cottage Grove, Minnesota.
Playing career
After att ...
*May 13 –
Mike Sirotka
Michael Robert Sirotka (born May 13, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He is an alumnus of Louisiana State University.
Drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 15th round of the 1993 Major League Baseball Draft, Sirotka ...
*May 14 –
Takashi Kashiwada
*May 18 –
Rich Garcés
*May 21 –
Chris Widger
Christopher Jon Widger (born May 21, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) catcher and current minor league manager. He played for the Seattle Mariners (-, ), Montreal Expos (-2000), New York Yankees (), St. Louis Cardinals (), C ...
*May 22 –
Steve Reich
Stephen Michael Reich ( ; born October 3, 1936) is an American composer known for his contribution to the development of minimal music in the mid to late 1960s. Reich's work is marked by its use of repetitive figures, slow harmonic rhythm, a ...
*May 23 –
Marshall Boze
*May 24 –
Todd Rizzo
*May 25 –
Angel Echevarria
Angel Santos Echevarria (May 25, 1971 – February 7, 2020) was an American professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues from 1996 to 2002. He also played in the Japanese Pacific League, from 2003 to 2004.
Amateur caree ...
*May 25 –
Sean Maloney
*May 26 –
Jason Bere
Jason Phillip Bere (born May 26, 1971) is an American former professional baseball pitcher and bullpen coach. He played in Major League Baseball for parts of 11 seasons from 1993 to 2003, for the Chicago White Sox, Cincinnati Reds, Milwaukee Brew ...
*May 31 –
José Malavé
June
*June 3 –
Carl Everett
Carl Edward Everett III (born June 3, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder. A switch hitter, he played for eight teams over the course of a 14-year career.
He was a member of the Chicago White Sox when they won the 2005 Wor ...
*June 3 –
Aaron Ledesma
*June 3 –
Izzy Molina
*June 7 –
Roberto Petagine
Roberto Antonio Petagine Hernandez (; born June 2, 1971) is a retired professional baseball player of Italian descent. His Major League Baseball career includes brief stints with the Houston Astros (1994), San Diego Padres (1995), New York Met ...
*June 8 –
Matt Whisenant
*June 12 –
Ryan Klesko
Ryan Anthony Klesko (born June 12, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball first baseman and corner outfielder who played for the Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants. He attended Westminster High School in Westminster, Calif ...
*June 13 –
Jason Thompson
*June 16 –
Chris Gomez
Christopher Cory Gomez (born June 16, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball infielder. He bats and throws right-handed.
College career
He played park league baseball in Lakewood for Mike Fahey. After playing baseball at Lakewood High School i ...
*June 16 –
Fernando Hernández
*June 22 –
Brant Brown
Brant Michael Brown (born June 22, 1971) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and current hitting coach for the Miami Marlins.
Brown played in Major League Baseball from 1996 through 2000 for the Chicago Cubs, Pittsburgh Pi ...
*June 22 –
Brian Sackinsky
*June 22 –
Hunter Wendelstedt
Harry Hunter Wendelstedt III (born June 22, 1971) is an American baseball umpire who has worked in the National League in 1998–1999 and throughout both major leagues since 2000. His father Harry Hunter Wendelstedt, Jr. was an NL umpire from ...
*June 25 –
Michael Tucker
*June 26 –
Greg Blosser
*June 28 –
Greg Keagle
Gregory Charles Keagle (born June 28, 1971) is an American former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played for the Detroit Tigers from to . He attended Horseheads High School in Horseheads, New York before attending Florid ...
*June 28 –
Ron Mahay
Ronald Matthew Mahay (; born June 28, 1971) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Boston Red Sox, Oakland Athletics, Florida Marlins, Chicago Cubs, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, Kansas City Royals, and Minne ...
July
*July 1 –
Jamie Walker
*July 2 –
Joel Adamson
Joel Lee Adamson (born July 2, 1971) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played for the Florida Marlins, Milwaukee Brewers and Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Career
Left handed pitcher Joel Adamson, ha ...
*July 4 –
Brendan Donnelly
Brendan Kevin Donnelly (born July 4, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball relief pitcher. A right-hander, Donnelly pitched for twenty-one teams (two of them independents), twelve organizations, two independent leagues, eleven organized minor ...
*July 13 –
Rich Aude
*July 15 –
James Baldwin
James Arthur Baldwin (August 2, 1924 – December 1, 1987) was an American writer. He garnered acclaim across various media, including essays, novels, plays, and poems. His first novel, '' Go Tell It on the Mountain'', was published in 1953; de ...
*July 15 –
Tim Harikkala
*July 19 –
Gus Gandarillas
*July 19 –
Keith Johns
*July 20 –
Charles Johnson
*July 20 –
Ray McDavid
Ray Darnell McDavid (born July 20, 1971) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest ...
*July 25 –
Billy Wagner
William Edward Wagner (born July 25, 1971), nicknamed "Billy the Kid", is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He pitched for the Houston Astros (1995–2003), Philadelphia Ph ...
*July 27 –
Shane Bowers
*July 29 –
Johnny Ruffin
Johnny Renando Ruffin (born July 29, 1971) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played six seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks and Miami Marlins, Florida Marlins. He also played o ...
*July 30 –
Ron Blazier
*July 30 –
Calvin Murray
Calvin Duane Murray (born July 30, 1971) is a former baseball player who played outfield in the major leagues from 1999 to 2004 for the San Francisco Giants, Texas Rangers, and Chicago Cubs. He is a 1989 graduate of Dallas' W. T. White High Sc ...
August
*August 1 –
Travis Driskill
Travis Corey Driskill (born August 1, 1971) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He is tall and weighs . He bats and throws right-handed. He attended Texas Tech University, where he played for the Red Raiders, and is currently t ...
*August 2 –
Steve Sinclair
Steven Scott Sinclair (born August 2, 1971 in Victoria, British Columbia) is a former pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners.
Sinclair made his major league debut for the Blue Jays on April 25, 1998, against the Chicago White Sox ...
*August 3 –
Chris Sexton
*August 5 –
Carlos Pulido
*August 9 –
Scott Karl
Randall Scott Karl (born August 9, 1971), is a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1995–2000. Karl played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies, and Anaheim Angels
The Los Angeles Angels are ...
*August 9 –
Ryan Radmanovich
*August 9 –
Ben Van Ryn
Benjamin Ashley Van Ryn (born August 9, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for two seasons. He played for the California Angels in 1996 and the Chicago Cubs, San Diego Padres, and Toronto Blue Jays
The Toronto Blue J ...
*August 10 –
Sal Fasano
*August 14 –
Mark Loretta
Mark David Loretta (born August 14, 1971) is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 1995 and 2009 for the Milwaukee Brewers, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, ...
*August 17 –
Jim Converse
James Daniel Converse (born August 17, 1971) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from - for the Seattle Mariners
The Seattle Mariners are an American professional baseball team based i ...
*August 17 –
Jorge Posada
Jorge Rafael Posada Villeta (born August 17, 1970) is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball catcher who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees. Posada recorded a .273 batting average, 275 home runs, and ...
*August 18 –
Albie López
*August 20 –
Chris Clapinski
*August 21 –
Lou Pote
Louis William Pote (born August 21, 1971) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Anaheim Angels and Cleveland Indians.
Early career
Pote was originally drafted by the San Francisco ...
*August 22 –
Carl Schutz
*August 23 –
Allen McDill
*August 24 –
Everett Stull
Everett James Stull (born August 24, 1971) is a former American professional baseball pitcher.
Career
Stull was drafted in the 3rd round of the 1992 Major League Baseball Draft by the Montreal Expos and made his major league debut with them in . ...
*August 28 –
Shane Andrews
Darrell Shane Andrews (born August 28, 1971) is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball. He graduated from Carlsbad New Mexico High School in 1990. Andrews began his minor-league career in 1990 with the Gulf Coast Expos. In 1992, he led ...
*August 29 –
Henry Blanco
Henry Ramón Blanco (born August 29, 1971) is a Venezuelan professional baseball coach and former player. He is currently the catching and strategy coach for the Washington Nationals. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball from 1997 to ...
*August 29 –
Bronson Heflin
Bronson Wayne Heflin (born August 29, 1971) is an American former professional baseball pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the 1996 Philadelphia Phillies.
Heflin was drafted by the Phillies in the 37th round (1,038th overall) ...
September
*September 1 –
Derek Wallace
*September 2 –
Rich Aurilia
Richard Santo Aurilia (; born September 2, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball shortstop who played for several teams between 1995 and 2009.
Amateur career
Aurilia was born in Brooklyn, New York. Before being drafted by Texas, Aurilia was a ...
*September 5 –
Brian Bevil
Brian Scott Bevil (born September 5, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of ...
*September 7 –
Sid Roberson
*September 9 –
Robinson Checo
Robinson Pérez Checo (born September 9, 1971, in Santiago de los Caballeros, Dominican Republic) is a former pitcher who played in Major League Baseball from through . He batted and threw right-handed.
A well-traveled pitcher, Checo never was ...
*September 13 –
Brent Brede
Brent David Brede (born September 13, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseball outfielder.
Drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 5th round of the 1990 Major League Baseball draft, Brede made his MLB debut with the Twins on September 8, . ...
*September 13 –
Armando Ríos
Armando Ríos (born September 13, 1971) is a left-handed outfielder who played in Major League Baseball from 1998 through 2003.
Career
Rios played center field for Louisiana State University from 1991 to 1993.
Armando Ríos first reached the m ...
*September 15 –
Jason Hardtke
Jason Robert Hardtke (born September 15, 1971 in Milwaukee, Wisconsin) is an American former professional baseball second baseman.
Drafted by the Cleveland Indians in the 3rd round of the 1990 MLB draft. Hardtke made his MLB debut with the New Y ...
*September 18 –
Chris Holt
*September 19 –
Joey Dawley
Joseph Thomas Dawley (born September 19, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseball player. As a pitcher, Dawley played for the Atlanta Braves (-) and Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball tea ...
*September 23 –
Willie Greene
Willie Louis Greene (born September 23, 1971) is an American former professional baseball player in Major League Baseball (MLB). During his nine-year stint in the major leagues, Greene played for four teams: the Cincinnati Reds (1992–1998), th ...
*September 24 –
Jamie Burke
James Eugene Burke (born September 24, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball catcher. He attended Oregon State University, where, along with baseball, he played for the school's football team as the kicker. He now resides in his hometown of Ro ...
*September 24 –
Kevin Millar
Kevin Charles Millar (; born September 24, 1971) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) and is a current analyst for MLB Network. He played in MLB for the Florida Marli ...
*September 28 –
Jamie Brewington
Jamie Chancellor Brewington (born September 28, 1971) is an American former professional baseball player. The right-handed pitcher played for the San Francisco Giants in 1995 and the Cleveland Indians in 2000. He stood tall and weighed during ...
*September 29 –
Eddy Díaz
Eddy Javier Díaz (born September 29, 1971) is a former second baseman and right-handed batter who played in Major League Baseball for the Milwaukee Brewers in 1997.
In a season as a backup with the Brewers, Díaz went 11-for-50 for a .220 bat ...
October
*October 3 –
Wil Cordero
Wilfredo Cordero Nieva (born October 3, 1971) is a former shortstop, first baseman, and outfielder in Major League Baseball. He was best known as a member of the Montreal Expos (1992–1995, 2002–2003). Cordero made his Major League Baseball d ...
*October 3 –
Tim Hyers
Timothy James Hyers (born October 3, 1971) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and current hitting coach for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, and F ...
*October 4 –
Carlos Crawford
Carlos Lamonte Crawford (born October 4, 1971) is an American former professional baseball right-handed pitcher, who played in one game for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB) in .
Crawford made his Major League debut on Ju ...
*October 8 –
Joe Ayrault
*October 11 –
Joe Roa
Joe or JOE may refer to:
Arts
Film and television
* ''Joe'' (1970 film), starring Peter Boyle
* ''Joe'' (2013 film), starring Nicolas Cage
* ''Joe'' (TV series), a British TV series airing from 1966 to 1971
* ''Joe'', a 2002 Canadian animated ...
*October 12 –
Tony Fiore
Anthony James Fiore (born October 12, 1971) is an American former right-handed Major League Baseball pitcher. In his career, he pitched for the Tampa Bay Devil Rays (-) and the Minnesota Twins (2001-). He was originally drafted by the Philadelp ...
*October 14 –
Midre Cummings
Midre Almeric Cummings (born October 14, 1971) is an American former professional baseball outfielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates (-), Philadelphia Phillies (1997), Boston Red Sox ( and ), Minnesota Tw ...
*October 15 –
Chad Mottola
Charles Edward "Chad" Mottola (born October 15, 1971) is an American professional baseball player and coach for the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Mottola played in MLB for five years as an outfielder. Considered a journeyman, Mott ...
*October 16 –
Larry Mitchell
*October 25 –
Pedro Martínez
Pedro Jaime Martínez (born October 25, 1971) is a Dominican-American former professional baseball starting pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from to , for five teams—most notably the Boston Red Sox from to .
At the time o ...
*October 27 –
Scott Forster
November
*November 3 –
Danny Young
*November 4 –
Melvin Bunch
*November 6 –
Bubba Trammell
Thomas Bubba Trammell (born November 6, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and designated hitter who played for the Detroit Tigers, Tampa Bay Devil Rays, New York Mets, San Diego Padres, and the New York Yankees. During his seven ...
*November 7 –
Todd Ritchie
Todd Everett Ritchie (born November 7, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played in the major leagues from -.
Ritchie was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the 1st round (12th overall) of the 1990 Major League Baseball draft and ...
*November 9 –
Jon Nunnally
Jonathan Keith Nunnally (born November 9, 1971) is a former professional baseball outfielder. He played in the major leagues from 1995-2000. He also played part of 2000 with the Orix BlueWave in Japan.
Playing career
Nunnally's major-league caree ...
*November 9 –
Scott Sauerbeck
Scott William Sauerbeck (born November 9, 1971) is a retired left-handed Major League Baseball relief pitcher.
High school career
Sauerbeck attended Northwest High School in Cincinnati, and played baseball, basketball, and soccer graduating in ...
*November 10 –
Butch Huskey
Robert Leon "Butch" Huskey (born November 10, 1971), is an American former professional baseball player who played in the major leagues primarily as an outfielder in 1993 and from 1995 to 2000.
Early life
Huskey was raised in Lawton, Oklahoma al ...
*November 10 –
Terry Pearson
*November 11 –
Roland de la Maza
Roland Robert de la Maza (born November 11, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball player who played one game for the Kansas City Royals in 1997.
His father, Rolando, was a Cuban immigrant. He attended St. Genevieve High School in California a ...
*November 11 –
Ryan Hancock
Ryan Lee Hancock (born November 11, 1971) is a retired professional baseball player who played one season for the California Angels of Major League Baseball. On June 9, 1996, he was one of two American League pitchers to get a hit during the 1996 ...
*November 15 –
Ryan Jackson
*November 15 –
Todd Steverson
Todd Anthony Steverson (born November 15, 1971) is an American professional baseball coach, and a former left and right fielder. He played for the Detroit Tigers and San Diego Padres and coached for the Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox, al ...
*November 17 –
Billy McMillon
*November 19 –
Andy Sheets
*November 20 –
Kevin Lomon
*November 20 –
Gabe White
Gabriel Allen White (born November 20, 1971) is a former American professional baseball player who pitched in Major League Baseball (MLB) from to . White gave up Hall of Famer Tony Gwynn's final hit of his career, on October 6, 2001, while pitchi ...
*November 21 –
John Roper
*November 23 –
Ryan McGuire
Ryan Byron McGuire (born November 23, 1971) is an American retired professional baseball player. He played six seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1997–2002, as a first baseman and outfielder. In his MLB career, he played for the Montreal Exp ...
*November 23 –
Matt Miller
*November 23 –
Eddie Oropesa
Edilberto Oropesa (born November 23, 1971), is a Cubans, Cuban former professional baseball pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies (), Arizona Diamondbacks (–), and San Diego Padres (). On April 8, 2004 ...
*November 23 –
Aaron Small
Aaron James Small (born November 23, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher.
Small played for the Toronto Blue Jays, Florida Marlins, Oakland Athletics, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees and Atlanta Braves. Regarded as a ...
*November 25 –
Tavo Álvarez
*November 27 –
Iván Rodríguez
Iván Rodríguez Torres (born November 27, 1971), nicknamed "Pudge" and "I-Rod", is a Puerto Rican former Major League Baseball catcher. He played for the Texas Rangers (in two separate stints, comprising the majority of his career), Florida ...
*November 28 –
Bill Simas
*November 30 –
Ray Durham
Ray Durham (born November 30, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball second baseman. He is a 14-year major league veteran owning a .277 lifetime batting average with 1,249 runs scored, 2,054 hits, 440 doubles, 79 triples, 192 home runs, 875 ...
*November 30 –
Matt Lawton
Matthew Lawton, Jr. (born November 30, 1971) is an American former professional baseball player whose career spanned 15 seasons, including 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Lawton, an outfielder, made his major league debut September 5, ...
December
*December 6 –
José Contreras
José Ariel Contreras Camejo (born December 6, 1971), is a Cuban former professional baseball pitcher, who played in the Cuban National Series (CNS), Major League Baseball (MLB), and internationally for the Cuban national baseball team.
Contr ...
*December 6 –
Adam Hyzdu
Adam Davis Hyzdu (; born December 6, 1971) is an American former professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) and Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He batted and threw right-handed.
In Major League Baseball, he pl ...
*December 8 –
Garvin Alston
Garvin James Alston Sr. (born December 8, 1971) is an American professional baseball right-handed pitcher who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies in 1996. After retiring from playing, he entered coaching and previously ...
*December 9 –
Todd Van Poppel
Todd Matthew Van Poppel (born December 9, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Oakland Athletics (, –), Detroit Tigers (1996), Texas Rangers (, –), Pittsburgh Pirates (1998), Chicago Cubs (–), and Cincinn ...
*December 11 –
Willie Cañate
Emisael William Cañate Librada (born December 11, 1971) is a former Major League Baseball left fielder and right-handed batter who played for the Toronto Blue Jays in 1993. The Blue Jays went on to win the World Series that season.
Cañate was ...
*December 13 –
Greg Mullins
*December 14 –
Eric Ludwick
Eric David Ludwick (born December 14, 1971) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher who played for the Oakland Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals, Florida Marlins, and Toronto Blue Jays between 1996 and 1999. He also played two seas ...
*December 15 –
Héctor Ramírez
*December 16 –
Jeff Granger
Jeffery Adam Granger (born December 16, 1971) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played for the Kansas City Royals and the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB).
High school
Granger was a star quarterback and pi ...
*December 17 –
Bret Hemphill
Bret Ryan Hemphill (born December 17, 1971) is an American former professional baseball player who played one season for the Los Angeles Angels, Anaheim Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He also played 11 seasons in the minor leagues in the A ...
*December 20 –
Marc Valdes
*December 22 –
Jon Ratliff
*December 24 –
Alex Cabrera
Alexander Alberto Cabrera (born December 24, 1971) is a Venezuelan first baseman and right-handed batter who played in 2000 for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball and for 12 seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball. Also played sev ...
*December 26 –
Jay Tessmer
*December 26 –
Carlos Valdéz
*December 28 –
Benny Agbayani
Benny Peter Agbayani, Jr. (; born December 28, 1971) is an Americans, American retired professional baseball player. He attended Saint Louis School, Hawaii Pacific University and the Oregon Institute of Technology. He played in Major League Baseb ...
*December 28 –
Melvin Nieves
Melvin Nieves Ramos (born December 28, 1971) is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball outfielder. He played all or part of seven seasons in Major League Baseball from 1992 until 1998, and two seasons in Nippon Professional Baseball in 1999 ...
*December 30 –
Travis Baptist
*December 31 –
Esteban Loaiza
*December 31 –
Brian Moehler
Brian Merritt Moehler (born December 31, 1971) is a former starting pitcher.
Moehler pitched for the University of North Carolina at Greensboro. He was selected by the Detroit Tigers in the sixth round of the 1993 draft, and assigned to the Ni ...
Deaths
January
*January 1 –
Luis Aparicio Sr., 58, legendary Venezuelan shortstop and father of Hall of Famer
Luis Aparicio
Luis Ernesto Aparicio Montiel (born April 29, 1934), nicknamed "Little Louie", is a Venezuelan former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a shortstop from 1956 to 1973 for three American League (AL) teams, m ...
.
*January 1 –
Joe Lotz, 79, pitcher who worked in 12 games for the 1916 St. Louis Cardinals.
*January 1 –
Harry Rice
Harry Francis Rice (November 22, 1901 – January 1, 1971), was an outfielder for the St. Louis Browns (1923–27), Detroit Tigers (1928–30), New York Yankees (1930), Washington Senators (1931) and Cincinnati Reds (1933).
At his peak, he was ...
, 69, outfielder noted for his defense who also hit .300 five times; played in 1,034 games between 1923 and 1933 for five clubs, principally the St. Louis Browns and Detroit Tigers.
*January 7 –
Dud Lee, 71, infielder for the St. Louis Browns and Boston Red Sox in the 1920s.
*January 7 –
Hal Rhyne, 71, shortstop who played from 1926 to 1933 for the Pirates, Red Sox and White Sox.
*January 9 –
Elmer Flick
Elmer Harrison Flick (January 11, 1876 – January 9, 1971) was an American professional baseball outfielder who played in Major League Baseball from 1898 to 1910 for the Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Athletics, and Cleveland Bronchos/Na ...
, 94, Hall of Fame right fielder and lifetime .313 hitter who led AL in triples three times, steals twice, and batting and runs once each.
*January 12 –
Cy Malis, 63, pitcher who threw 3
innings of relief for the Philadelphia Phillies in his only MLB game, on August 17, 1934.
*January 22 –
Dorothy Comiskey Rigney Dorothy Elizabeth Comiskey Rigney (December 26, 1916 – January 22, 1971) was an American businesswoman who owned the Chicago White Sox of the American League from through . She is one of the few women to have served as principal owner of a Major ...
, 54, principal owner of the Chicago White Sox from December 10, 1956 to February 7, 1959, when she sold her controlling interest to
Bill Veeck
William Louis Veeck Jr. ( ; February 9, 1914 – January 2, 1986), also known as "Sport Shirt Bill", was an American Major League Baseball franchise owner and promoter. Veeck was at various times the owner of the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Br ...
.
*January 27 –
Bruce Connatser
Broadus Milburn "Bruce" Connatser (September 19, 1902 – January 27, 1971) was an American Major League Baseball first baseman who played in 35 MLB games over two seasons for the Cleveland Indians (–). A right-handed batting and throwing first ...
, 68, first baseman for 1931–1932 Cleveland Indians; later a longtime scout.
*January 31 –
Steve Yerkes, 82, second baseman who played in 711 games over seven seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Pittsburgh Rebels of the "outlaw" Federal League, and Chicago Cubs between 1909 and 1916; played all eight games of the 1912 World Series for champion Boston.
*January –
Bob Clarke, 67 or 68, Negro leagues catcher whose career extended from 1923 to 1948; member, Negro National League 1940 All-Star team.
February
*February 8 –
Bobby Burke, 64, left-handed pitcher who appeared in 254 MLB games in ten seasons between 1927 and 1937, mostly for the Washington Senators; threw a no-hitter against Boston on August 8, 1931.
*February 16 –
Cedric Durst
Cedric Montgomery Durst (August 23, 1896 – February 16, 1971) was an outfielder in Major League Baseball who played between and for the St. Louis Browns (1922–23, 1926), New York Yankees (1927–30) and Boston Red Sox (1930). Listed at 5 ...
, 74, outfielder for the St. Louis Browns, New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox between 1922 and 1930; member of the 1927–1928 world–champion Yankees.
*February 18 –
Chuck Hostetler
Charles Cloyd Hostetler (September 22, 1903 – February 18, 1971) was a Major League Baseball right fielder for the Detroit Tigers in 1944 and 1945. He is remembered as baseball's oldest rookie, making his debut in 1944 at age 40, and as the pl ...
, 67, outfielder who appeared in 132 games for the Detroit Tigers after his 40th birthday during the wartime 1944 and 1945 seasons; member of Detroit's 1945 World Series champions.
*February 20 –
Vidal López
Vidal López Ascanio (April 19, 1918 – February 20, 1971) was a Venezuelan professional baseball player and manager. He batted and threw right handed. (Spanish)
López starred as a starting pitcher and Slugging percentage, slugging outfielder ...
, 52, three-time Triple Crown Pitching winner and slugging outfielder who played in the professional leagues of Cuba, México, Puerto Rico and Venezuela, throughout a career that lasted 21 years between the 1930s and 1950s.
*February 28 –
Lou Chiozza, 60, infielder-outfielder who appeared in 616 games from 1934 to 1939 for the Philadelphia Phillies and New York Giants; first player to bat in the major leagues' first night game on May 24, 1935, at Cincinnati.
March
*March 2 –
Johnny Podgajny
John Sigmund Podgajny (June 10, 1920 – March 2, 1971) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for five seasons. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1940 to 1943, the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1943 and the Cleveland Indians
The ...
, 50, pitcher in 115 games for the Philadelphia Phillies (1940–1943), Pittsburgh Pirates (1943) and Cleveland Indians (1946).
*March 8 –
Tripp Sigman, 72, outfielder who appeared in 62 games for the 1929–1930 Phillies.
*March 10 –
Bill James
George William James (born October 5, 1949) is an American baseball writer, historian, and statistician whose work has been widely influential. Since 1977, James has written more than two dozen books devoted to baseball history and statistics. ...
, 78, pitcher for the Boston Braves (1913–1915 and 1919); compiled a 26–7 won–lost record for the "Miracle Braves" of 1914 and won two games in the 1914 World Series, throwing 11 shutout innings, as Boston swept the Philadelphia Athletics.
*March 11 –
Clyde Barfoot
Clyde Raymond Barfoot (July 8, 1891 – March 11, 1971), nicknamed "Foots", was an American baseball player. He played professional baseball as a right-handed pitcher 25 years from 1914 to 1938, including three seasons in Major League Baseball ...
, 79, pitcher for the St.Louis Cardinals (1922–1923) and Detroit Tigers (1926) who worked in 86 major league contests.
*March 11 –
Pelayo Chacón
Pelayo "Cortina" Chacón Cortina (September 22, 1888 – March 11, 1971) was a Cuban baseball shortstop and manager in the Cuban League and Negro leagues.
Nicknamed "Cortina" or "The Curtain" he played from the age of 19, from 1908 to 1931 with ...
, 82, Cuban shortstop and manager in the Negro leagues whose playing career extended from 1908 to 1930.
*March 16 –
Ralph Birkofer
Ralph Joseph Birkofer (November 5, 1908 – March 16, 1971) was an American Major League Baseball pitcher
In baseball, the pitcher is the player who throws ("pitches") the baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each p ...
, 62, left-handed pitcher who appeared in 132 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Dodgers from 1933 to 1937.
*March 18 –
Tony Welzer, 71, pitcher for the Boston Red Sox from 1926 to 1927, who was the first player born in Germany to appear in an American League game.
*March 24 –
Verlon Walker Verlon Lee Walker (March 7, 1929 – March 24, 1971) was an American catcher in minor league baseball and a coach for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball from 1961 through 1970. He was also known as Rube Walker, nicknamed after his more famo ...
, 42, coach for the Chicago Cubs from 1961 until his death, and former minor-league catcher and manager; younger brother of
Rube Walker
Albert Bluford "Rube" Walker (May 16, 1926 – December 12, 1992) was an American Major League Baseball catcher and longtime pitching coach.
Career
A native of Lenoir, North Carolina, Walker batted left-handed, threw right-handed and was li ...
.
*March 31 –
Sam Post
Samuel Gilbert Post (November 17, 1896 in Richmond, Virginia – March 31, 1971 in Portsmouth, Virginia), is a former professional baseball player who played first base in nine games for the 1922 Brooklyn Robins.
He was later the manager of t ...
, 74, first baseman who appeared in nine games for the 1922 Brooklyn Robins.
April
*April 3 –
Jack Boyle
John Anthony Boyle (March 22, 1866 – January 7, 1913), nicknamed "Honest Jack", was an American catcher and first baseman in Major League Baseball. His younger brother, Eddie Boyle, played in 1896.
Baseball career
Born in Cincinnati, Boyle be ...
, 81, third baseman, shortstop and pinch hitter in 15 games for the 1912 Philadelphia Phillies.
*April 4 –
Carl Mays
Carl William Mays (November 12, 1891 – April 4, 1971) was an American baseball pitcher who played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1915 to 1929. During his career, he won over 200 games, 27 in 1921 alone, and was a member of four Wor ...
, 79, underhand pitcher who won 20 games five times with three teams, but was best remembered for his pitch which struck
Ray Chapman
Raymond Johnson Chapman (January 15, 1891 – August 17, 1920) was an American baseball player. He spent his entire career as a shortstop for the Cleveland Indians.
Chapman was hit in the head by a pitch thrown by pitcher Carl Mays and died ...
in the head for the only field fatality in major league history.
*April 9 –
Elmer Eggert
Elmer Albert Eggert ose(January 29, 1902 – April 9, 1971) was an American second baseman in Major League Baseball who played briefly for the Boston Red Sox during the 1927 season. Listed at , 160 lb., he batted and threw right-handed.
Eg ...
, 69, pitcher for the 1927 Boston Red Sox.
*April 9 –
Will Harridge
William Harridge (October 16, 1883 – April 9, 1971) was an American executive in professional baseball whose most significant role was as president of the American League (AL) from 1931 to 1959. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the ...
, 87, president of the American League from 1931 to 1958.
*April 12 –
Ed Lafitte
Edward Francis Lafitte (April 7, 1886April 12, 1971) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played with the Detroit Tigers (1909–12), Brooklyn Tip-Tops (1914–15), and Buffalo Blues (1915). Born in New Orleans, Louisiana at his family's hom ...
, 85, pitcher who worked in 33 games for the Detroit Tigers between 1909 and 1912, followed by 73 appearances for the Brooklyn Tip-Tops of the "outlaw" Federal League in 1914 and 1915.
*April 15 –
Mickey Harris
Maurice Charles "Mickey" Harris (January 30, 1917 – April 15, 1971) was an American professional baseball player. He was a pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) for nine seasons with the Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators (1901–60), Washing ...
, 54, All-Star pitcher who won 17 games for the 1946 Red Sox, led AL in saves with 1950 Senators.
*April 16 –
William Eckert
William Dole Eckert (January 20, 1909 – April 16, 1971) was a lieutenant general in the United States Air Force,
and later the fourth Commissioner of Major League Baseball from to .
Personal life, career, and death
William Eckert was born ...
, 62, Commissioner of Baseball from December 15, 1965 to February 3, 1969; retired United States Air Force general.
*April 16 –
Ron Northey
Ronald James Northey (April 26, 1920 – April 16, 1971) was an American professional baseball player and coach. He was an outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies (1942–44, 1946–47 and 1957), St. Louis Cardinals (1947–49), Cincinnati Reds ...
, 50, outfielder with a powerful arm for five MLB teams between 1942 and 1957; hit a record three pinch-hit grand slams in his career.
*April 19 –
Russ Hodges
Russell Pleasant Hodges (June 18, 1910 – April 19, 1971) was an American sportscaster who did play-by-play for several baseball teams, most notably the New York Giants / San Francisco Giants. He is perhaps best remembered for his call of Bobby ...
, 60, broadcaster for the New York and San Francisco Giants from 1946 until his 1970 retirement; previously handled play-by-play for the Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox (1935–1938) and Washington Senators (1943–1945); also teamed with Mel Allen on New York Yankees' broadcasts from 1946 until the Bombers and Giants ended their joint radio/TV arrangement after the 1948 season; known for his legendary call of
Bobby Thomson
Robert Brown Thomson (October 25, 1923 – August 16, 2010) was a Scottish Americans, Scottish-born American professional baseball player, nicknamed the "Staten Island Scot". He was an outfielder and right-handed batter for the New York Giants ( ...
's
pennant-winning home run during Game 3 of the
1951 National League tie-breaker series.
*April 26 –
Joe Agler
Joseph Abram Agler (June 12, 1887 – April 26, 1971) was a professional baseball player. He played all or part of three seasons in Major League Baseball between 1912 and 1915. He played mostly as a first baseman, but also played substantially ...
, 83, first baseman who played 232 games of his 234-game MLB career in the short-lived Federal League, with Buffalo (1914–1915) and Baltimore (1915).
May
*May 4 –
Billy Mullen, 75, third baseman who appeared in 36 total games over five seasons for the St. Louis Browns (1920–1921 and 1928), Brooklyn Robins (1923) and Detroit Tigers (1926).
*May 10 –
Eddie Edmonson, 81, first baseman/outfielder in two games for 1913 Cleveland Naps.
*May 12 –
Heinie Manush
Henry Emmett Manush (July 20, 1901 – May 12, 1971), nicknamed "Heinie", was an American baseball outfielder. He played professional baseball for 20 years from 1920 to 1939, including 17 years in Major League Baseball for the Detroit Tigers (1 ...
, 69, Hall of Fame left fielder and career .330 hitter who won 1926 batting title with Detroit, led AL in hits and doubles twice each.
*May 15 –
Goose Goslin
Leon Allen "Goose" Goslin (October 16, 1900 – May 15, 1971) was an American professional baseball left fielder. He played in Major League Baseball for the Washington Senators, St. Louis Browns, and Detroit Tigers, from until .
Goslin ...
, 70, Hall of Fame left fielder who starred for five pennant winners in Washington and Detroit, batting .316 lifetime with eleven 100-RBI seasons; one of the first ten players to hit 200 home runs, he retired with the 7th-most RBIs in history.
*May 20 –
Martín Dihigo
Martín Magdaleno Dihigo Llanos (May 25, 1906 – May 20, 1971), called The Immortal, was a Cuban professional baseball player. He played in Negro league baseball and Latin American leagues from 1923 to 1936 as a two-way player, both as a pitche ...
, 65, Cuban star in the Negro leagues who excelled at all positions, particularly as a pitcher and second baseman.
*May 24 –
Charlie Grover, 80, pitcher who worked in two games for the Detroit Tigers in September 1913.
*May 24 –
Rupert "Tommy" Thompson, 61, outfielder who appeared in 397 games for the Boston Braves, Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Browns.
*May 26 –
Judge Nagle, 91, pitched for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Boston Red Sox during the 1911 season.
*May 27 –
Jack Doscher, 90, left-handed pitcher for Chicago, Brooklyn and Cincinnati of the National League (1903–1906, 1908).
June
*June 3 –
Vern Spencer, 77, New York Giants outfielder who appeared in 45 games during the 1920 season.
*June 8 –
Ed Rile
Edward Rile (June 30, 1900 – June 8, 1971), nicknamed "Huck", was an American Negro league pitcher and first baseman who played for several teams from 1918 to 1936.
Early life and career
Rile was born on June 30, 1900, in Columbus, Ohio, ...
, 70, first baseman and pitcher whose career in the Negro leagues spanned 1918 to 1936; batted .306 lifetime in 454 games in the Negro National League.
*June 19 –
Gene Bremer Eugene Joseph Bremer (Bremmer) (July 18, 1916 – June 19, 1971) was an American pitcher in Negro league baseball. He played between 1932 and 1949.
Pitching style
The 5' 8" righthander pitched exclusively without a windup and utilized an overhan ...
, 54, All-Star pitcher of the Negro leagues between 1937 and 1948 who principally played for the Cleveland Buckeyes and Memphis Red Sox.
*June 19 –
Bert Graham, 85, first- and second-baseman (and pinch hitter) who got into eight games for the 1910 St. Louis Browns.
*June 24 –
Tom "Shaky" Kain
Thomas Gerald "Shaky" Kain (July 7, 1907 – June 24, 1971) was a professional baseball pitcher for 14 seasons in Minor League Baseball, a three-time championship-winning manager at that level for six seasons, a scout for Major League Basebal ...
, 63, longtime minor league manager and scout, influential to early career of
Yogi Berra
Lawrence Peter "Yogi" Berra (May 12, 1925 – September 22, 2015) was an American professional baseball catcher who later took on the roles of Manager (baseball), manager and Coach (baseball), coach. He played 19 seasons in Major League Baseball ...
.
July
*July 1 –
Walt Kinney
Walter William Kinney (September 9, 1893 – July 1, 1971) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Boston Red Sox (1918) and Philadelphia Athletics (1919–20, 1923). Kinney batted and threw left-handed. He was born in Deniso ...
, 77, left-hander who pitched in 63 career games for the Boston Red Sox (1918) and Philadelphia Athletics (1919–1920 and 1923).
*July 2 –
Chester Emerson, 81, outfielder for the 1911–1912 Philadelphia Athletics.
*July 2 –
Frank Mack, 71, pitcher who appeared in 27 games over three seasons (1922–1923, 1925) for the White Sox.
*July 7 –
Ray Phelps
Raymond Clifford Phelps (December 11, 1903 in Dunlap, Tennessee – July 7, 1971 in Fort Pierce, Florida) was a pitcher in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball organization and the oldest major profes ...
, 67, pitcher in 126 games for the Brooklyn Robins and Dodgers (1930–1932) and Chicago White Sox (1935–1936).
*July 8 –
Ed Doherty, 71, longtime baseball executive and the first general manager of the expansion Washington Senators (1960–1962).
*July 12 –
Wally Judnich, 54, center fielder who twice batted .300 for the St. Louis Browns; backup outfielder for 1948 World Series champion Cleveland Indians.
*July 12 –
Ed Weiland
Edwin Nicholas Weiland (November 26, 1914 – July 12, 1971) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for two seasons. He pitched for the Chicago White Sox for five games during the 1940 Chicago White Sox season and 1942 Chicago White Sox ...
, 56, pitcher who appeared in ten career games for the Chicago White Sox in 1940 and 1942.
*July 16 –
Earl McNeely, 73, outfielder and first baseman who played 683 games for the Washington Senators and St. Louis Browns between 1924 and 1931; his single that bounced over the head of New York Giants' third baseman Fred Lindstrom in the 12th inning of Game 7 won the 1924 World Series for Washington.
*July 16 –
Harry Pattee, 89, second baseman who played 80 games for the 1908 Brooklyn Superbas.
*July 25 –
John "Chief" Meyers, 90, catcher for New York Giants, Brooklyn Robins and Boston Braves (1909–1917); led National League catchers in put outs five straight seasons (1910–1914) and in on-base percentage (1912); batted .291 in 992 career games, enjoying three over-.300 campaigns.
*July 28 –
Myril Hoag
Myril Oliver Hoag (March 9, 1908 – July 28, 1971) was an American professional baseball player. An outfielder, Hoag played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, St. Louis Browns, Chicago White Sox, and Cleveland Indians betwee ...
, 63, outfielder for the New York Yankees, St. Louis Browns, Chicago White Sox and Cleveland Indians over 13 seasons between 1931 and 1945 who recovered from a brutal 1936 collision to become an All-Star three years later.
August
*August 4 –
Frank Lamanske, 64, left-handed pitcher who made two MLB appearances out of the bullpen for the 1935 Brooklyn Dodgers.
*August 11 –
Rusty Pence, 71, pitcher in four games for the 1921 Chicago White Sox.
*August 12 –
Shorty Dee, 81, Canadian-born shortstop who played one game in the majors on September 14, 1915 as a member of the St. Louis Browns.
*August 16 –
Walter Mueller
Walter John Mueller (December 6, 1894 – August 16, 1971) was a professional baseball player who played outfield in the Major Leagues, for the Pittsburgh Pirates, from 1922 to 1926. He is best known for becoming the first player to hit a ...
, 76, outfielder who played in 121 games for the Pittsburgh Pirates (1922–1924 and 1926); father of
Don Mueller
Donald Frederick Mueller (April 14, 1927 – December 28, 2011) was a professional baseball player who played mainly as a right fielder in Major League Baseball for 12 seasons from 1948 until 1959. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed, and ...
.
*August 18 –
Jim McCloskey, 61, southpaw who pitched in four contests for the 1936 Boston Bees.
*August 24 –
Mitch Chetkovich, 54, World War II-era pitcher for the 1945 Philadelphia Phillies who appeared in four early-season games.
*August 27 –
Bill Clarkson
William Henry Clarkson (September 27, 1898 – August 27, 1971), nicknamed "Blackie", was a pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played for the New York Giants and Boston Braves
The Atlanta Braves, a current Major League Baseball franchise, ...
, 72, pitcher who appeared in 51 games for the New York Giants and Boston Braves between 1927 and 1929.
September
*September 4 –
Joe Hassler
Joseph Frederick Hassler (1905-1917) was an American professional baseball shortstop. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Browns
The St. Louis Browns were a Major League Baseball team that orig ...
, 66, shortstop who played in 37 MLB games for the 1928 and 1929 Philadelphia Athletics and 1930 St. Louis Browns.
*September 6 –
Artie Dede
Arthur Richard Dede (July 12, 1895 – September 6, 1971) was a professional baseball player who played catcher in one game for the 1916 Brooklyn Robins. After his playing career ended, he was a scout for the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1947 to 1957 and ...
, 76, catcher in one game for the 1916 Brooklyn Robins who became a longtime scout for the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees.
*September 11 –
Rube Melton
Reuben Franklin Melton (February 27, 1917 – September 11, 1971) was an American professional baseball pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies and Brooklyn Dodgers, from 1941 to 1947.
Melton experienced ...
, 54, pitcher who worked in 162 career games for the Philadelphia Phillies (1941–1942) and Brooklyn Dodgers (1943; 1946–1947).
*September 14 –
Bill Holden, 82, outfielder who played in 79 career games for the 1913–1914 New York Yankees and the 1914 Cincinnati Reds.
*September 15 –
Roberto Ortiz
The name Robert is an ancient Germanic given name, from Proto-Germanic "fame" and "bright" (''Hrōþiberhtaz''). Compare Old Dutch ''Robrecht'' and Old High German ''Hrodebert'' (a compound of ''Hrōþ, Hruod'' ( non, Hróðr) "fame, glory ...
, 56, outfielder for the Washington Senators and Philadelphia Athletics who logged all or portions of six years in MLB between 1941 and 1950.
*September 17 –
Hack Miller, 77, outfielder who batted .323 in 349 career games, 334 of them for the Chicago Cubs of 1922–1925; played briefly for the 1916 Brooklyn Robins and 1918 Boston Red Sox.
*September 20 –
Tony Venzon, 56, National League umpire from 1957 until May 25, 1971, when he retired due to ill health; worked 2,226 league games, three World Series and three All-Star games.
October
*October 7 –
Les Barnhart, 66, pitcher who had two brief trials with the Cleveland Indians in 1928 and 1930.
*October 8 –
Murray Wall, 45, relief pitcher for the Boston Braves, Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators between 1950 and 1959.
*October 14 –
Doc Prothro
James Thompson "Doc" Prothro Sr. (July 16, 1893 – October 14, 1971) was an infielder and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB). Prothro was so nicknamed because he was a practicing dentist before signing his first professional baseball contrac ...
, 78, licensed dentist; third baseman for the Senators (1920; 1923–1924), Red Sox (1925) and Cincinnati Reds (1926); manager of Philadelphia Phillies (1939–1941); influential minor league manager and club owner; father of
Tommy Prothro
James Thompson "Tommy" Prothro Jr. (July 20, 1920 – May 14, 1995) was an American football coach. He was the head coach at Oregon State University from 1955 to 1964 and the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) from 1965 to 1970, compil ...
.
*October 16 –
Dave Coble, 58, catcher who played in 15 games for 1939 Philadelphia Phillies.
*October 17 –
Mike Massey
Michael Massey (born April 9, 1947), professionally known as Mike Massey, is an American professional pool player From 1989 to 1991 he served as a contributing editor of '' The Snap Magazine''. Massey was born in Loudon, Tennessee, and for severa ...
, 78, infielder in 31 games for the 1917 Boston Braves.
*October 21 –
William R. Daley
William R. Daley (September 26, 1892 – October 21, 1971) was a businessman and owner of two franchises in Major League Baseball's American League. He was born in Ashtabula, Ohio in 1892.
Daley was the principal owner of the Cleveland Indians fro ...
, 79, principal owner of the Cleveland Indians (1956–1962) and Seattle Pilots (1969, their only year of existence).
*October 23 –
Jesse Petty
Jesse Lee Petty (November 23, 1894 – October 23, 1971), known as the Silver Fox, was a professional baseball pitcher in the major leagues from 1921 to 1930, for the Cleveland Indians, Brooklyn Robins, Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs.
He ...
, 76, left-handed pitcher who worked in 207 games for the Cleveland Indians (1921), Brooklyn Robins (1925–1928), Pittsburgh Pirates (1929–1930) and Chicago Cubs (1930).
*October 23 –
Woody Upchurch
Jefferson Woodrow Upchurch (April 13, 1911 – October 23, 1971) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for parts of two seasons. He pitched for the Philadelphia Athletics for three games during 1935 and seven games during 1936. Upchurch ...
, 60, left-handed pitcher who appeared in ten games for the 1935–1936 Philadelphia Athletics.
November
*November 4 –
Logan Hensley, 71, ace pitcher for the St. Louis Stars of the Negro National League between 1922 and 1931; twice led NNL in games won (1926, 1930).
*November 4 –
Howard "Polly" McLarry, 80, infielder for the Chicago White Sox (1912) and Chicago Cubs (1915).
*November 4 –
Bud Messenger, 73, pitcher who won his only two decisions in five games pitched for the 1924 Cleveland Indians.
*November 5 –
Toothpick Sam Jones, 45, pitcher who began career in the Negro leagues and appeared in 322 MLB games, principally with the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals and San Francisco Giants, over 12 seasons between 1951 and 1964; led National League in strikeouts (1955, 1956, 1958), games won (21 in 1959) and earned run average (2.83 in 1959); threw a no-hitter (1955) and a seven-inning no-no (1959, in a game shortened by rain); two-time NL All-Star.
*November 5 –
Joe Palmisano, 68, backup catcher who played in 19 games for the 1931 AL champion Philadelphia Athletics.
*November 9 –
Bill Dreesen, 67, third baseman who played 48 games for 1931 Boston Braves.
*November 21 –
Norm Branch
Norman Downs (Red) Branch Sr. (March 22, 1915 – November 21, 1971) was a Major League Baseball pitcher. Branch played for the New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the New York City bo ...
, 56, relief pitcher who worked in 37 career games for 1941–1942 New York Yankees; member of 1941 World Series champions.
*November 24 –
Ed Fallenstein, 62, pitcher in 33 total games, 29 in relief, for 1931 Philadelphia Phillies and 1933 Boston Braves.
*November –
Ameal Brooks, 64, catcher/outfielder in the Negro leagues who played from 1928 to 1947.
December
*December 4 –
Walter Ockey
Walter Andrew "Footie" Ockey (January 4, 1920 – December 4, 1971) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who appeared in two games, both in relief, for the New York Giants in 1944. The , right-hander was a native of New York City.
Ockey is one ...
, 51, relief pitcher who worked in two games in May 1944 for the wartime-era New York Giants.
*December 12 –
George Dunlop, 83, infielder who appeared briefly for 1913–1914 Cleveland Naps.
*December 12 –
Bill Kellogg, 87, first- and second baseman who appeared in 75 games for the 1914 Cincinnati Reds.
*December 12 –
Nip Winters
James Henry Winters, Jr. (April 29, 1899 – December 12, 1971), nicknamed "Nip" and "Jesse", was a pitcher in Negro league baseball, playing for many top eastern teams from 1920 to 1933, and considered one of the top left-handed pitchers of hi ...
, 72, standout Negro leagues left-hander of the 1920s who led the Eastern Colored League in games won for four consecutive seasons (1923–1926).
*December 13 –
Mike Ryba
Dominic Joseph "Mike" Ryba (June 9, 1903 – December 13, 1971) was a Major League Baseball pitcher. A native of De Lancey, Pennsylvania, he attended Saint Francis University in Loretto, Pennsylvania. He was a right-hander and played for the St. ...
, 68, pitcher (in 240 games) and catcher (in ten games) who toiled for the St. Louis Cardinals (1935–1938) and Boston Red Sox (1941–1946); later a coach, minor league manager and longtime scout.
*December 16 – Ferdie Schupp, 80, pitcher who won 21 games for the 1917 New York Giants but whose career faltered after service in World War I.
*December 20 – Tom Fitzsimmons, 81, third baseman who got into four games for the 1919 Brooklyn Robins.
*December 26 – Cliff Daringer, 86, infielder who appeared in 64 games for 1914 Kansas City Packers (Federal League).
*December 30 – Tetelo Vargas, 65, Dominican All-Star outfielder who played in the Negro leagues between 1927 and 1944; batted .471 in 131 plate appearances for 1943 New York Cubans.
References
External links
{{Year in baseball, this year=1971