Champions
Major League Baseball
Other champions
*
Minor League Baseball
**AAA
***''
Championship
In sport, a championship is a competition in which the aim is to decide which individual or team is the champion.
Championship systems
Various forms of competition can be referred to by the term championship.
Title match system
In this system ...
'':
Memphis Redbirds
The Memphis Redbirds are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They are located in Memphis, Tennessee, and are named for their Major League Baseball affiliate. The Redbir ...
(St. Louis Cardinals)
****
International League
The International League (IL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the United States. Along with the Pacific Coast League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A level, which is one grade below Major League Baseball ...
:
Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They are located in Durham, North Carolina, and play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, which opened in ...
(Tampa Bay Rays)
****
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Western United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade bel ...
:
Memphis Redbirds
The Memphis Redbirds are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the St. Louis Cardinals. They are located in Memphis, Tennessee, and are named for their Major League Baseball affiliate. The Redbir ...
(St. Louis Cardinals)
***
Mexican League
The Mexican League (, ) is a professional baseball league based in Mexico and the oldest running professional league in the country.
The league has 18 teams organized in two divisions, North and South. Teams play 114 games each season. Five te ...
:
****
Leones de Yucatán
The Leones de Yucatán (English: Yucatán Lions) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League. The team play its home games at Parque Kukulcán Alamo in Mérida, Yucatán. The Leones have won the Mexican League title five times in , , , ...
(first season)
****
Sultanes de Monterrey
The Sultanes de Monterrey ( en, Monterrey Sultans) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican League based in Monterrey, Mexico. They compete in the Northern Division. The team also joined the Mexican Pacific League for the 2019–20 season f ...
(second season)
**AA
***
Eastern League;
New Hampshire Fisher Cats
The New Hampshire Fisher Cats are a Minor League Baseball team based in Manchester, New Hampshire. The team, which plays in the Eastern League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Toronto Blue Jays major league club.
During the team's first seas ...
(Toronto Blue Jays)
***
Southern League:
Jackson Generals
The Jackson Generals were a professional baseball team located in Jackson, Tennessee. From 1998 to 2020, they were a part of Minor League Baseball's Southern League (1964–2020), Southern League (SL) as the Double-A (baseball), Double-A affiliat ...
(Arizona Diamondbacks)
***
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 ...
:
Tulsa Drillers
The Tulsa Drillers are a minor league baseball team based in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The team, which plays in the Texas League, is the Double-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers major-league club.
Stadium
The Drillers play at ONEOK Field (pronounc ...
(Los Angeles Dodgers)
**High A
***
California League
The California League is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in California. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following Major Leag ...
:
Rancho Cucamonga Quakes
The Rancho Cucamonga Quakes are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. They are located in Rancho Cucamonga, California, and play their home games at LoanMart Field.
The franc ...
(Los Angeles Dodgers)
[
***]Carolina League
The Carolina League is a Minor League Baseball league which has operated along the Atlantic Coast of the United States since 1945. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 unti ...
: Buies Creek Astros
The Fayetteville Woodpeckers are a Minor League Baseball team of the Carolina League and the Single-A affiliate of the Houston Astros. They are located in Fayetteville, North Carolina, and play their home games at Segra Stadium. From 2017 to ...
(Houston Astros)
***Florida State League
The Florida State League (FSL) is a Minor League Baseball league based in the state of Florida. Having been classified at various levels throughout its existence, it operated at Class A-Advanced from 1990 until its demotion to Single-A following ...
: Fort Myers Miracle
The Fort Myers Mighty Mussels are a Minor League Baseball team of the Florida State League and the Single-A affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. They are located in Fort Myers, Florida, and play their home games at the Lee County Sports Complex a ...
(Minnesota Twins)
**A
***Midwest League
The Midwest League is a Minor League Baseball league established in 1947 and based in the Midwestern United States. A Class A league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Major League Baseball's 2021 reorganizat ...
: Bowling Green Hot Rods
The Bowling Green Hot Rods are a Minor League Baseball team of the South Atlantic League and the High-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They are located in Bowling Green, Kentucky, and play their home games at Bowling Green Ballpark, which open ...
(Tampa Bay Rays)
***South Atlantic League
The South Atlantic League, often informally called the Sally League, is a Minor League Baseball league with teams predominantly in states along the Atlantic coast of the United States from New York to Georgia. A Class A league for most of its ...
: Lexington Legends
The Lexington Legends are an American professional baseball team based in Lexington, Kentucky. They are a member of the South Division of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball, a "partner league" of Major League Baseball. The Legends have ...
(Kansas City Royals)
**Short Season A
***New York–Penn League
The New York–Penn League (NYPL) was a Minor League Baseball league that operated in the northeastern United States from 1939 to 2020. Classified as a Class A Short Season league, its season started in June, after major-league teams signed th ...
: Tri-City ValleyCats
The Tri-City ValleyCats (often shortened to Cats) are a professional independent baseball team based in Troy, New York. The Tri-City name refers to the three nearby cities of Albany, Schenectady, and Troy which make up New York State's Capital D ...
(Houston Astros)
***Northwest League
The Northwest League is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Pacific Northwest, Northwestern United States and Western Canada. A Class A Short Season league for most of its history, the league was promoted to High-A as part of Maj ...
: Eugene Emeralds
The Eugene Emeralds (nicknamed the Ems) are a Minor League Baseball team in the northwest United States, based in Eugene, Oregon. The Emeralds are members of the Northwest League and are affiliated with the San Francisco Giants. Eugene plays their ...
(Chicago Cubs)
**Advanced Rookie
***Appalachian League
The Appalachian League is a collegiate summer baseball league that operates in the Appalachian regions of Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, and North Carolina. Designed for rising freshmen and sophomores using wood bats, its season runs from ...
: Elizabethton Twins
The Elizabethton Twins were a Minor League Baseball team of the Appalachian League and a Rookie-level affiliate of the Minnesota Twins. They were located in Elizabethton, Tennessee, and were named for their major league affiliate. The team playe ...
(Minnesota Twins)
*** Pioneer League: Great Falls Voyagers
The Great Falls Voyagers are an independent baseball team of the Pioneer League, which is not affiliated with Major League Baseball (MLB) but is an MLB Partner League. They are located in Great Falls, Montana, and play their home games at Cente ...
(Chicago White Sox)
**Rookie
***Arizona League
The Arizona Complex League (ACL) is a rookie-level Minor League Baseball league that operates in and around Phoenix, Arizona, since 1988. Prior to 2021, it was known as the Arizona League (AZL). Along with the Florida Complex League (FCL), it f ...
: AZL Dodgers
The Arizona Complex League Dodgers are a Rookie-level affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers, competing in the Arizona Complex League of Minor League Baseball. The team plays its home games at Camelback Ranch in Phoenix, Arizona. The team is compos ...
(Los Angeles Dodgers)
***Dominican Summer League
The Dominican Summer League (DSL) is a branch of affiliated Minor League Baseball which is played in the Dominican Republic. The league was founded in 1985. After the demise of the Venezuelan Summer League after the 2015 season, it is the only L ...
: DSL Rays 1 (Tampa Bay Rays)
***Gulf Coast League
The Florida Complex League (FCL) is a rookie-level Minor League Baseball league that operates in Florida, United States. Before 2021, it was known as the Gulf Coast League (GCL). Together with the Arizona Complex League (ACL), it forms the lo ...
: GCL Tigers West (Detroit Tigers)
**Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is an off-season sports league owned and operated by Major League Baseball (MLB) which operates during the autumn in Arizona, United States, at six different baseball complexes. Arizona Fall League rosters are fill ...
: Peoria Javelinas
The Peoria Javelinas are a baseball team that plays in the West Division of the Arizona Fall League. The Javelinas play their home games in the Peoria Sports Complex in Peoria, Arizona. The ballpark is also the spring training facility for the Sa ...
*Independent baseball league
An independent baseball league is a professional baseball organization in the United States or Canada that is not overseen by Major League Baseball and is outside the Minor League Baseball clubs affiliated to it.
The Northern League and Frontie ...
s
**American Association American Association may refer to:
Baseball
* American Association (1882–1891), a major league active from 1882 to 1891
* American Association (1902–1997), a minor league active from 1902 to 1962 and 1969 to 1997
* American Association of Profe ...
: Kansas City T-Bones
The Kansas City Monarchs are a professional baseball team based in Kansas City, Kansas. Formerly known as the Kansas City T-Bones, they are members of the American Association of Professional Baseball; which, in 2020, became designated as a Majo ...
** Atlantic League: Sugar Land Skeeters
The Sugar Land Space Cowboys are a Minor League Baseball team of the Pacific Coast League (PCL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Houston Astros Major League Baseball club. They are located in Sugar Land, Texas, part of the Greater Houston metr ...
**Can-Am League
The Canadian American Association of Professional Baseball, commonly known as the Can-Am League, was a professional, independent baseball league with teams in the Northeast United States and Eastern Canada, founded in 2005 as a reorganization ...
: Sussex County Miners
The Sussex County Miners are a professional independent league baseball team based in the Augusta section of Frankford Township in Sussex County, New Jersey, United States. The Miners are members of the East Division of the Frontier League, an ...
**Empire League
The Empire League is a high school athletic league that is part of the CIF Southern Section. It serves large public schools in the Orange County, California area.
Members
Teams for the 2018–2019 season are:
* Crean Lutheran High School
* Cypre ...
: Puerto Rico Islanders
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, Orient ...
**Frontier League
The Frontier League is a professional independent baseball league with teams in the Northeastern and Midwestern United States and Eastern Canada. Formed in 1993, it is the oldest currently running independent league in the United States. The le ...
: Joliet Slammers
The Joliet Slammers are a professional baseball team based in Joliet, Illinois, that play in the independent Frontier League. They play their home games at Duly Health and Care Field. They replaced the Joliet JackHammers of the Northern League ...
**Pacific Association
The Pacific Association of Professional Baseball Clubs was an independent baseball league based in Northern California. The league was founded in 2013 by four former North American League teams.
History
During the initial season, two Hawaii- ...
: San Rafael Pacifics
The San Rafael Pacifics are a professional baseball team based in San Rafael, California, United States. They play in the Pecos League, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major or Minor League Baseball. Prior to joining ...
**Pecos League Pecos may refer to:
Places
* Pecos River, rises near Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States
* Pecos, Texas, a city in Reeves County, Texas, United States
* Pecos County, Texas, named for the Pecos River
** Pecos Spring, a spring
* Pecos, New Mexico, ...
: Bakersfield Train Robbers
The Bakersfield Train Robbers are a professional baseball team based in Bakersfield, California. The team is a member of the Pecos League, an independent baseball league which is not affiliated with Major or Minor League Baseball.
History
...
** United Shore League: Birmingham Bloomfield Beavers
*Amateur
**College
***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 ...
: Oregon State
Oregon State University (OSU) is a public land-grant, research university in Corvallis, Oregon. OSU offers more than 200 undergraduate-degree programs along with a variety of graduate and doctoral degrees. It has the 10th largest engineering col ...
***NCAA Division II
NCAA Division II (D-II) is an intermediate-level division of competition in the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA). It offers an alternative to both the larger and better-funded Division I and to the scholarship-free environmen ...
: Augustana
***NCAA Division III
NCAA Division III (D-III) is a division of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) in the United States. D-III consists of athletic programs at colleges and universities that choose not to offer athletic scholarships to their stu ...
: University of Texas at Tyler
The University of Texas at Tyler (UT Tyler) is a public research university in Tyler, Texas. Founded in 1971, it is a part of the University of Texas System.
UT Tyler consists of five professional colleges and one traditional college of arts and ...
*** NAIA: Southeastern
The points of the compass are a set of horizontal, radially arrayed compass directions (or azimuths) used in navigation and cartography. A compass rose is primarily composed of four cardinal directions—north, east, south, and west—each se ...
*** Junior College Baseball World Series: Chipola College
Chipola College is a public college in Marianna, Florida. It is part of the Florida College System.
History
The school was founded in 1947 as Chipola Junior College; its name was changed in 2003 after the college developed several bachelor's ...
***Cape Cod League
The Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL or Cape League) is a collegiate summer baseball wooden bat league located on Cape Cod in the U.S. state of Massachusetts. One of the nation's premier collegiate summer leagues, the league boasts over one thousan ...
: Wareham Gatemen
The Wareham Gatemen are a collegiate summer baseball team based in Wareham, Massachusetts. The team is a member of the Cape Cod Baseball League (CCBL) and plays in the league's West Division. The Gatemen play their home games at Clem Spillane Fie ...
**Youth
***Intermediate League World Series
:''See: Intermediate League Baseball''
The Intermediate League World Series is a baseball tournament for children aged 11 to 13 years old that began in 2013. It is patterned after the Little League World Series, which was named for the World Series ...
: West Seoul Little League (Seoul, South Korea
Seoul (; ; ), officially known as the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea.Before 1972, Seoul was the ''de jure'' capital of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) as stated iArticle 103 of ...
)
***Junior League World Series
The Junior League World Series is a baseball tournament for children aged 12, 13, and 14 years old. The tournament is held annually at Heritage Park in Taylor, Michigan. It is patterned after the Little League World Series, which was named fo ...
: Shing-Ming Junior Little League ( Taoyuan, Chinese Taipei)
***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 ...
: Honolulu Little League (Honolulu, Hawaii
Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...
)
***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 ...
: Pariba Little League ( Willemstad, Curacao)
International competition
*National Teams
**Asian Games
The Asian Games, also known as Asiad, is a continental multi-sport event held every four years among athletes from all over Asia. The Games were regulated by the Asian Games Federation (AGF) from the first Games in New Delhi, India, until t ...
: South Korea
South Korea, officially the Republic of Korea (ROK), is a country in East Asia, constituting the southern part of the Korea, Korean Peninsula and sharing a Korean Demilitarized Zone, land border with North Korea. Its western border is formed ...
**U-15 Baseball World Cup
The U-15 Baseball World Cup is the 15-and-under baseball world championship that features national teams as authorized ("sanctioned") by the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC). It began in 1989 as the World Youth Baseball Championship. I ...
: USA
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 territori ...
**U-23 Baseball World Cup
The U-23 Baseball World Cup is a biennial, professional-level, National Team, baseball world championship of the World Baseball Softball Confederation (WBSC), replacing Baseball World Cup.
The inaugural tournament was held in November 2014, in T ...
: Mexico
Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...
**Central American and Caribbean Games
The Central American and Caribbean Games (CAC or CACGs) are a multi-sport regional championship event, held quadrennial (once every four years), typically in the middle (even) year between Summer Olympics. The games are for countries in Cent ...
: Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico (; abbreviated PR; tnq, Boriken, ''Borinquen''), officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ( es, link=yes, Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, lit=Free Associated State of Puerto Rico), is a Caribbean island and Unincorporated ...
**Haarlem Baseball Week
The Haarlem Baseball Week ( nl, Honkbalweek Haarlem, before 2016 known as ) is an international invitation baseball tournament at the in Haarlem, Netherlands. It was first held in and has been held every other year in even-numbered years since ...
: Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
** Super 6 Tournament: Netherlands
)
, anthem = ( en, "William of Nassau")
, image_map =
, map_caption =
, subdivision_type = Sovereign state
, subdivision_name = Kingdom of the Netherlands
, established_title = Before independence
, established_date = Spanish Netherl ...
**Women's Baseball World Cup
The Women's Baseball World Cup is an international tournament in which national women's baseball teams from around the world compete. Through its 2012 edition, it was sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation; following the 2013 merger ...
: Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
**World University Baseball Championship
The World University Baseball Championship is an under-23 international college baseball competition sponsored by the International University Sports Federation (FISU) and was first held in 2002 in Italy. Until 2013, it was sanctioned by the then- ...
: Japan
Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...
*International club team competitions
**Caribbean Series
The Caribbean Series (''Spanish'': ''Serie del Caribe''), also called Caribbean World Series, is the highest tournament for professional baseball teams in Latin America. The tournament location is rotated annually among the countries and is norma ...
: Criollos de Caguas
**European Cup
The UEFA Champions League (abbreviated as UCL, or sometimes, UEFA CL) is an annual club football competition organised by the Union of European Football Associations (UEFA) and contested by top-division European clubs, deciding the competit ...
: Curaçao Neptunus
Neptunus is a baseball and softball club in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Following its 2014 championship season, the club signed a sponsorship contract for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons with Curaçao and competes under the name Curaçao Neptun ...
**Latin American Series
The Latin American Series (''Spanish: Serie Latinoamericana'') was a baseball competition that annually gathers the champions of the professional winter baseball leagues (summer in the case of Curaçao) from the countries that are part of the Lat ...
: Tigres del Chinandega
*Domestic Summer Leagues
**British League
The British League was the main motorcycle speedway league in Britain from its formation in 1965 until 1995 when British speedway was restructured. It initially had a single division, with a second division starting in 1968 (which was renamed the ...
: London Mets
The London Meteorites, better known as the London Mets, are a British baseball team who play in the southern section of the BBF National League.
History
The club began as an adult softball team in 1988 and were initially called the London Milli ...
** Dutch Baseball League: Curaçao Neptunus
Neptunus is a baseball and softball club in Rotterdam, the Netherlands. Following its 2014 championship season, the club signed a sponsorship contract for the 2015, 2016 and 2017 seasons with Curaçao and competes under the name Curaçao Neptun ...
** French League: Huskies de Rouen
The Rouen Baseball 76 is a French professional baseball team. Founded in 1986, the team competes in the top league in France. The Huskies home stadium is Terrain Pierre Rolland, located in the capital city of Normandy, Rouen. Rouen has won 15 ...
** Finnish Baseball Championship: Helsinki Mets
** German League: Bonn Capitals
**Irish Baseball League
The Irish Baseball League (IBL) is the men's league in Ireland. It started play in 1997. The season runs from March to October and are played on the weekends.
Club sides and fields
The O'Malley Fields at Corkagh Park in Clondalkin, West Dublin ...
: Dublin City Hurricanes
**Italian Baseball League
The Italian Baseball League (IBL; Italian: ') is a professional baseball league that is governed by FIBS (Italian Baseball & Softball Federation), which has its headquarters in Rome. The IBL is a wood bat league in which both composite and alumi ...
: UnipolSai Bologna
**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 ...
: Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
The are a Japanese professional baseball team based in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture. They compete in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) as a member of the Pacific League.
The team was formerly known as the Nankai Hawks and was based in Osaka. ...
***Pacific League
The or is one of the two professional baseball leagues constituting Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship competes against the winner in the Central League for the annual Japan Series. It currently consis ...
: Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
The are a Japanese professional baseball team based in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture. They compete in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) as a member of the Pacific League.
The team was formerly known as the Nankai Hawks and was based in Osaka. ...
***Central League
The or is one of the two professional baseball leagues that constitute Nippon Professional Baseball in Japan. The winner of the league championship plays against the winner of the Pacific League in the annual Japan Series. It currently consist ...
: Hiroshima Toyo Carp
The is a professional baseball team based in Hiroshima, Japan. They compete in the Central League of Nippon Professional Baseball. The team is primarily owned by the Matsuda family, led by , who is a descendant of Mazda founder Jujiro Matsuda ...
**Korean Series
The Korean Series is the final championship series of the KBO League. It has been held since the KBO League's first season in and is the final series of the post-season play-offs. From to 2013, the winner of the Korean Series went on to play in ...
: SK Wyverns
SSG Landers () are a South Korean professional baseball team. The team was originally established as the SK Wyverns but was renamed as the SSG Landers in 2021 after Shinsegae acquired the team from SK Group. They are a member of the KBO League. B ...
** Spanish League: Tenerife Marlins
** Swedish League: Leksand Lumberjacks
**Taiwan Series
Taiwan Series () is the championship series of the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). It is usually played in late October or early November, after the regular season. It was formerly known as the ''CPBL Seasonal Championship Series'' () ...
: Lamigo Monkeys
The Rakuten Monkeys (), formerly First Financial Holdings Agan (, abbreviated ), La New Bears () and then the Lamigo Monkeys (), are a professional baseball team in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL) in Taiwan. Owned and administer ...
*Domestic Winter Leagues
**Australian Baseball League
The Australian Baseball League (ABL) is a professional baseball league in Australia. The league is governed by the Australian Baseball Federation (ABF). It uses the same name as a now-defunct competition held during the 1990s, and though it sh ...
: Brisbane Bandits
The Brisbane Bandits are a professional baseball team in Brisbane, Queensland that plays in the Australian Baseball League and is one of the six founding teams of the league. From the 2010/11 season till the 2012/13 season their home ballpark w ...
** Colombian League: Leones de Montería
**Cuban National Series
The Cuban National Series (, SNB) is the primary domestic professional baseball competition in Cuba. Formed after the dissolution of the Cuban League in the wake of the Cuban Revolution, the Series is a part of the Cuban baseball league system.
...
: Alazanes de Granma
** Dominican League: Águilas Cibaeñas
The Águilas Cibaeñas (English lit. ''Cibaoan Eagles'') is a professional baseball team in the Dominican Republic's Dominican Professional Baseball League, winter baseball league. Founded on January 28, and based in Santiago de los Caballeros, S ...
**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 ...
: Tomateros de Culiacán
The Tomateros de Culiacán ( en, Culiacán Tomato Growers) are a professional baseball team in the Mexican Pacific League based in Culiacán, Sinaloa. The ''Tomateros'' have won thirteen league titles and two Caribbean World Series in and . The ...
** Nicaraguan League: Tigres del Chinandega[
** Panamanian League: Caballos de Coclé
**]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 ...
: Criollos de Caguas
**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 ...
: Caribes de Anzoátegui
The Caribes de Anzoátegui ( en, Anzoátegui Caribs) is a baseball team in the Venezuelan Professional Baseball League based in Puerto la Cruz, Anzoátegui.
Franchise history
In January 1987, a local businessmen group based in Puerto la Cruz, ...
Awards and honors
Major League Baseball
*Baseball Hall of Fame honors
*Major Awards
* MVP Award
**American League: Mookie Betts
Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts (born October 7, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Boston Red Sox. In 2018, while with the Red Sox, he became ...
(BOS)
**National League: Christian Yelich
Christian Stephen Yelich (born December 5, 1991) is an American professional baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Miami Marlins.
The Marlins selected Yelich in the first r ...
(MIL)
*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 ...
**American League: Blake Snell
Blake Ashton Snell (born December 4, 1992), is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Tampa Bay Rays selected Snell in the first round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. ...
(TB)
**National League: Jacob deGrom
Jacob Anthony deGrom (born June 19, 1988), is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the New York Mets. Prior to playing professionally, deGrom attend ...
(NYM)
*Manager of the Year Award
In Major League Baseball, the Manager of the Year Award is an honor given annually since 1983 to two outstanding managers, one each in the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winner is voted on by 30 members of the Baseball Write ...
**American League: Bob Melvin
Robert Paul Melvin (born October 28, 1961) is an American former professional baseball player and coach, who is the manager of the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has been named Manager of the Year three times.
Selected in t ...
(OAK)
**National League: Brian Snitker
Brian Gerald Snitker (born October 17, 1955) is an American professional baseball coach and former player who is the manager of the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). Snitker has been in the Braves organization in different roles si ...
(ATL)
*Rookie of the Year Award
A rookie is a person new to an occupation, profession, or hobby. In sports, a ''rookie'' is a professional athlete in their first season (or year).
In contrast with a veteran who has experience and expertise, a rookie is usually inexperienced ...
**American League: Shohei Ohtani
, nicknamed "Shotime", is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher, designated hitter and outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional B ...
(LAA)
**National League: Ronald Acuña Jr.
Ronald José Acuña Blanco Jr. (born December 18, 1997) is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). After signing with the Braves as an international free agent in 2014, Acuña made hi ...
(ATL)
*Postseason awards
*World Series MVP
The Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award is given to the Major League Baseball (MLB) player deemed to have the most impact on his team's performance in the World Series, which is the final round of the MLB postseason. The aw ...
: Steve Pearce (BOS)
* League Championship Series MVP
**American League: Jackie Bradley Jr.
Jackie Bradley Jr. (born April 19, 1990), nicknamed "JBJ", is an American professional baseball right fielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Toronto Blue Jays. List ...
(BOS)
**National League: Cody Bellinger
Cody James Bellinger (born July 13, 1995) is an American professional baseball center fielder and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was selected ...
(LAD)
*Babe Ruth Award
The Babe Ruth Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) player with the best performance in the postseason. The award, created in honor of Babe Ruth, was first awarded in 1949 to New York Yankee pitcher, Joe Page, the MVP of the W ...
: David Price (BOS)
*Regular season awards
* All-Star Game MVP: Alex Bregman (HOU)
* Comeback Player of the Year Award
**American League: David Price (BOS)
**National League: Jonny Venters
Jonathan William Venters (born March 20, 1985) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Tampa Bay Rays and Washington Nationals.
Career Minor leagues
Venters was ...
(ATL)
* Reliever of the Year Award
**American League: Edwin Díaz
Edwin Orlando Díaz Laboy (born March 22, 1994) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Seattle Mariners.
Within two months of his MLB debut, Díaz brok ...
(SEA)
**National League: Josh Hader
Joshua Ronald Hader (born April 7, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Milwaukee Brewers. Hader is a four-time All-Star and three-t ...
(MIL)
*Edgar Martínez Award
The Edgar Martínez Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, commonly referred to as the Edgar Martínez Award and originally known as the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award, has been presented annually to the most outstanding designated hitter (DH) ...
: Khris Davis
Khristopher Adrian Davis (born December 21, 1987), nicknamed “Khrush”, is an American professional baseball left fielder and designated hitter who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Bre ...
(OAK)
*Hank Aaron Award The Hank Aaron Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) players selected as the top hitter in each league, as voted on by baseball fans and members of the media. It was introduced in 1999 to commemorate the 25th anniversary of Hank ...
**American League: J. D. Martinez (BOS)
**National League: Christian Yelich
Christian Stephen Yelich (born December 5, 1991) is an American professional baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Miami Marlins.
The Marlins selected Yelich in the first r ...
(MIL)
*Luis Aparicio Award
The Luis Aparicio Award is given annually to a Venezuelan player in Major League Baseball (MLB) who is judged to have recorded the best individual performance in that year. The winner of the award is determined by a vote conducted by Venezuela ...
**Ronald Acuña Jr.
Ronald José Acuña Blanco Jr. (born December 18, 1997) is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). After signing with the Braves as an international free agent in 2014, Acuña made hi ...
(ATL)
**Jesús Aguilar
Jesús Alexander Aguilar (born June 30, 1990) is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Ba ...
(MIL)
*Roberto Clemente Award
The Roberto Clemente Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) player who "best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team", as voted on by baseball fans a ...
: Yadier Molina
Yadier Benjamín Molina (; born July 13, 1982), nicknamed "Yadi", is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball catcher who played his entire career with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Widely considered one of the great ...
(STL)
Others
*Ford C. Frick Award
The Ford C. Frick Award is presented annually by the National Baseball Hall of Fame in the United States to a broadcaster for "major contributions to baseball". It is named for Ford C. Frick, former Commissioner of Major League Baseball. Before h ...
: Bob Costas
Robert Quinlan Costas (born March 22, 1952) is an American sportscaster who is known for his long tenure with NBC Sports, from 1980 through 2019. He has received 28 Emmy awards for his work and was the prime-time host of 12 Olympic Games from 19 ...
(Sportscaster)
*J. G. Taylor Spink Award
The BBWAA Career Excellence Award, formerly the J. G. Taylor Spink Award, is the highest award given by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). It is given "for meritorious contributions to baseball writing" and voted on annually by ...
: Jayson Stark
Jayson Stark (born July 19, 1951) is an American sportswriter and author who covers baseball for ''The Athletic''. He is most known for his time with ''The Philadelphia Inquirer'' and ESPN.
Biography
Stark grew up in Northeast Philadelphia and ...
(Sportswriter)
* Roy Campanella Award: Chase Utley
Chase Cameron Utley (born December 17, 1978), nicknamed "The Man" and "Silver Fox", is an American former professional baseball second baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 16 seasons, primarily for the Philadelphia Phillies. He ...
(LAD)
*Warren Spahn Award
The Warren Spahn Award is presented each season by the Oklahoma Sports Museum to the best left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). The award is named after Warren Spahn, who holds the MLB record in wins for a left-handed pitcher with ...
: Blake Snell
Blake Ashton Snell (born December 4, 1992), is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Tampa Bay Rays selected Snell in the first round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. ...
(TB)
*Willie Mac Award
The Willie Mac Award is named in honor of Willie McCovey. It has been presented annually since 1980 to the most inspirational player on the San Francisco Giants, as voted upon by Giants players, coaches, training staff, and more recently, Giants ...
: Will Smith
Willard Carroll Smith II (born September 25, 1968), also known by his stage name The Fresh Prince, is an American actor and rapper. He began his Will Smith filmography, acting career starring as Will Smith (The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air), a ...
(SFG)
Baseball America awards
* MLB Player of the Year: Mike Trout
Michael Nelson Trout (born August 7, 1991) is an American professional baseball center fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). Trout is a ten-time MLB All-Star, three-time American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) ...
(LAA)
*MLB Rookie of the Year
In Major League Baseball, the Rookie of the Year Award is given annually to two outstanding rookie players, one each for the American League (AL) and National League (NL), as voted on by the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA). The aw ...
: Shohei Ohtani
, nicknamed "Shotime", is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher, designated hitter and outfielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Hokkaido Nippon-Ham Fighters of Nippon Professional B ...
(LAA)
* MLB Manager of the Year: Bob Melvin
Robert Paul Melvin (born October 28, 1961) is an American former professional baseball player and coach, who is the manager of the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has been named Manager of the Year three times.
Selected in t ...
(OAK)
* MLB Executive of the Year: Dave Dombrowski
David Dombrowski (born July 27, 1956) is an American baseball executive who serves as the President of Baseball Operations for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). Dombrowski also previously served as the general manager of ...
(BOS)
* MLB Organization of the Year: Milwaukee Brewers
The Milwaukee Brewers are an American professional baseball team based in Milwaukee. They compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) National League Central, Central division. The Brewers are named for t ...
* MiLB Player of the Year Award: Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero Ramos Jr. (born March 16, 1999) is a Canadian-Dominican professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He is the son of former MLB player and Hall of Famer ...
(New Hampshire / Buffalo OR
* MiLB Team of the Year Award: Bowling Green
A bowling green is a finely laid, close-mown and rolled stretch of turf for playing the game of bowls.
Before 1830, when Edwin Beard Budding of Thrupp, near Stroud, UK, invented the lawnmower, lawns were often kept cropped by grazing sheep on ...
(Midwest B
Baseball Digest Awards
*Player of the Year Award
Several sports leagues honour their best player with an award called Player of the Year (POY) . In the United States, this type of award is usually called a Most Valuable Player award.
Association football
In association football, this award is h ...
: Mookie Betts
Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts (born October 7, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Boston Red Sox. In 2018, while with the Red Sox, he became ...
(BOS)
* Pitcher of the Year Award: Jacob deGrom
Jacob Anthony deGrom (born June 19, 1988), is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the New York Mets. Prior to playing professionally, deGrom attend ...
(NYM)
Sporting News awards
*Player of the Year Award
Several sports leagues honour their best player with an award called Player of the Year (POY) . In the United States, this type of award is usually called a Most Valuable Player award.
Association football
In association football, this award is h ...
: Mookie Betts
Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts (born October 7, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Boston Red Sox. In 2018, while with the Red Sox, he became ...
(BOS)
* Starting pitcher of the Year Award
**American League: Chris Sale
Christopher Allen Sale (born March 30, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox, with whom he made his major league debut ...
(BOS)
**National League: Jacob deGrom
Jacob Anthony deGrom (born June 19, 1988), is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the New York Mets. Prior to playing professionally, deGrom attend ...
(NYM)
* Relief pitcher of the Year Award
**American League: Edwin Díaz
Edwin Orlando Díaz Laboy (born March 22, 1994) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Seattle Mariners.
Within two months of his MLB debut, Díaz brok ...
(SEA)
**National League: Josh Hader
Joshua Ronald Hader (born April 7, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Milwaukee Brewers. Hader is a four-time All-Star and three-t ...
(MIL)
*Rookie of the Year Award
A rookie is a person new to an occupation, profession, or hobby. In sports, a ''rookie'' is a professional athlete in their first season (or year).
In contrast with a veteran who has experience and expertise, a rookie is usually inexperienced ...
**American League: Miguel Andújar
Miguel Enrique Andújar (born March 2, 1995) is a Dominican professional baseball third baseman and left fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the New York Yankees in 2017 and played for the ...
(NYY)
**National League: Ronald Acuña Jr.
Ronald José Acuña Blanco Jr. (born December 18, 1997) is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). After signing with the Braves as an international free agent in 2014, Acuña made hi ...
(ATL)
* Comeback Player of the Year Award
**American League: David Price (BOS)
**National League: Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan Kemp (born September 23, 1984) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He began his professional career in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in 2003, and played in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Dodgers fr ...
(LAD)
*Manager of the Year Award
In Major League Baseball, the Manager of the Year Award is an honor given annually since 1983 to two outstanding managers, one each in the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winner is voted on by 30 members of the Baseball Write ...
**American League: Bob Melvin
Robert Paul Melvin (born October 28, 1961) is an American former professional baseball player and coach, who is the manager of the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has been named Manager of the Year three times.
Selected in t ...
(OAK)
**National League: Craig Counsell
Craig John Counsell (born August 21, 1970) is an American former professional baseball player who is the manager for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Counsell became the Brewers' manager in May 2015; he became the longest-te ...
(MIL) / Brian Snitker
Brian Gerald Snitker (born October 17, 1955) is an American professional baseball coach and former player who is the manager of the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). Snitker has been in the Braves organization in different roles si ...
(ATL)
*Players Choice Awards
The Players Choice Awards are annual Major League Baseball awards, given by the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA).
The Players Choice Awards are given following a secret ballot by players. Four awards go to a player in each league, ...
*Outstanding Players
**American League: Mookie Betts
Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts (born October 7, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Boston Red Sox. In 2018, while with the Red Sox, he became ...
(BOS)
**National League: Christian Yelich
Christian Stephen Yelich (born December 5, 1991) is an American professional baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Miami Marlins.
The Marlins selected Yelich in the first r ...
(MIL)
*Outstanding Pitchers
**American League: Blake Snell
Blake Ashton Snell (born December 4, 1992), is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Tampa Bay Rays selected Snell in the first round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. ...
(TB)
**National League: Jacob deGrom
Jacob Anthony deGrom (born June 19, 1988), is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the New York Mets. Prior to playing professionally, deGrom attend ...
(NYM)
*Outstanding Rookies
**American League: Miguel Andújar
Miguel Enrique Andújar (born March 2, 1995) is a Dominican professional baseball third baseman and left fielder for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the New York Yankees in 2017 and played for the ...
(NYY)
**National League: Ronald Acuña Jr.
Ronald José Acuña Blanco Jr. (born December 18, 1997) is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). After signing with the Braves as an international free agent in 2014, Acuña made hi ...
(ATL)
*Comeback Players of the Year
**American League: Michael Brantley
Michael Charles Brantley Jr. (born May 15, 1987) is an American professional baseball left fielder for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cleveland Indians. The son of former MLB player an ...
(CLE)
**National League: Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan Kemp (born September 23, 1984) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He began his professional career in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in 2003, and played in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Dodgers fr ...
(LAD)
*Choice Man of the Year: Curtis Granderson
Curtis Granderson Jr. (born March 16, 1981), nicknamed the "Grandyman", is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, New York Mets, Los Ang ...
(TOR/MIL)
*Choice Player of the Year: J. D. Martinez (BOS)
*Silver Slugger Award
The Silver Slugger Award has been awarded annually since 1980 to the best offensive player at each position in both the American League and the National League, as determined by the coaches and managers of Major League Baseball.
These voters cons ...
s
*Gold Glove Awards
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 ...
* '' Platinum Glove Award Winner''
: ''Sources
2018 MLB Awards
'
Minor League Baseball
*International League MVP
The International League Most Valuable Player Award (MVP) is an annual award given to the best player in Minor League Baseball's International League based on their regular-season performance as voted on by league managers. Broadcasters, Minor Le ...
:
**Joey Meneses
Joey Meneses Ramirez (born May 6, 1992), nicknamed "CabaJoey", is a Mexican professional baseball first baseman and outfielder for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in Nippon Professional Baseball ...
(Lehigh Valley IronPigs HI
* Pacific Coast League MVP :
** Josh Fuentes (Albuquerque Isotopes OL
*Eastern League MVP
Eastern may refer to:
Transportation
*China Eastern Airlines, a current Chinese airline based in Shanghai
* Eastern Air, former name of Zambia Skyways
* Eastern Air Lines, a defunct American airline that operated from 1926 to 1991
* Eastern Air ...
:
**Cavan Biggio
Cavan Thomas Biggio ( '; born April 11, 1995) is an American professional baseball utility player for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He is the son of former MLB player and Hall of Famer Craig Biggio.
High school and coll ...
(New Hampshire Fisher Cats OR
* Southern League MVP :
** Corey Ray (Biloxi Shuckers IL
* Texas League Player of the Year :
** Joey Curletta (Arkansas Travelers EA
* Texas League Pitcher of the Year :
**Logan Allen
Logan Shane Allen (born May 23, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Colorado Rockies organization. He previously played for the San Diego Padres, Cleveland Indians/Guardians and the Baltimore Orioles.
Early life
Allen was ...
(San Antonio Missions DP
*Joe Bauman Home Run Award
The Joe Bauman Home Run Award, formerly known as the Round-Tripper-Award, is given to the Minor League Baseball player who hit the most regular season home runs that year. The award, first given in 2002, is named after Joe Bauman, who set a the ...
:
**A. J. Reed
Andrew Joseph Reed (born May 10, 1993) is an American former professional baseball first baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros and the Chicago White Sox. He played college baseball at Kentucky. He was drafted ...
(Fresno Grizzlies OU
*All-Star Futures Game
The All-Star Futures Game is an annual baseball exhibition game hosted by Major League Baseball (MLB) in conjunction with the mid-summer MLB All-Star Game. A team of American League-affiliated prospects competes against a team of National League ...
:
** Larry Doby Award – Taylor Trammell
Taylor Walter-Lee Trammell ( ; born September 13, 1997) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2021.
Early life
Trammell was born in Powder Springs, Geor ...
(Daytona Tortugas IN
*Arizona Fall League
The Arizona Fall League (AFL) is an off-season sports league owned and operated by Major League Baseball (MLB) which operates during the autumn in Arizona, United States, at six different baseball complexes. Arizona Fall League rosters are fill ...
:
** Joe Black Award: Keston Hiura
Keston Wee Hing Natsuo Hiura (born August 2, 1996) is an American professional baseball first baseman and second baseman for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Hiura was born in Santa Clarita, California and attended Valenci ...
(Peoria Javelinas EA
** Dernell Stenson Sportsmanship Award: Cole Tucker (Surprise Saguaros IT
* USA Today MiLB Player of the Year :
**Vladimir Guerrero Jr.
Vladimir Guerrero Ramos Jr. (born March 16, 1999) is a Canadian-Dominican professional baseball first baseman and designated hitter for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He is the son of former MLB player and Hall of Famer ...
(New Hampshire / Buffalo OR
Events
January
*January 12 – 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 ...
and Kris Bryant
Kristopher Lee Bryant (born January 4, 1992), nicknamed "KB", is an American professional baseball third baseman and outfielder for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Chicago Cubs and San ...
avoid salary arbitration Free agency in Major League Baseball (MLB) concerns players whose contracts with a team have expired and who are therefore eligible to sign with another team. Free agents may be eligible for pendulum arbitration, also called "salary arbitration" or ...
, agreeing to a $10.85 million salary for the 2018 season, setting a new record for a first-time arbitration eligible player.
*January 24 – Chipper Jones
Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones Jr. (born April 24, 1972) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves from 1993 to 2012. The Braves chose Jones with the first overall p ...
, Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Alvino Guerrero Sr. (born February 9, 1975), nicknamed "Vlad the Impaler", is a Dominican former professional baseball player who spent 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a right fielder and designated hitter. He played for ...
, Jim Thome
James Howard Thome (; born August 27, 1970) is an American former professional baseball corner infielder and designated hitter, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 22 seasons (1991–2012). He played for six different teams during th ...
, and Trevor Hoffman
Trevor William Hoffman (born October 13, 1967) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher who played 18 years in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1993 to 2010. A long-time closer, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego P ...
are elected Elected may refer to:
* "Elected" (song), by Alice Cooper, 1973
* ''Elected'' (EP), by Ayreon, 2008
*The Elected, an American indie rock band
See also
*Election
An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population ...
into 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 ...
by the Baseball Writers' Association of America
The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) is a professional association for journalists writing about Major League Baseball for daily newspapers, magazines and qualifying websites. The organization was founded in 1908, and is known fo ...
.
*January 31 – Mookie Betts
Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts (born October 7, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Boston Red Sox. In 2018, while with the Red Sox, he became ...
prevailed in his arbitration case against the Boston Red Sox, as he will earn $10.5 million in 2018, the largest salary won in a hearing by a first-year arbitration-eligible player.
February
*February 23 – Spring training
Spring training is the preseason in Major League Baseball (MLB), a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for Schedule (workplace), roster and position spo ...
begins for all 30 Major League Baseball clubs in the warm climates of Florida and Arizona. Of the 30 teams, 15 spend spring training in Florida while the other 15 do it in Arizona.
March
*March 6 – The Arizona Diamondbacks
The Arizona Diamondbacks (colloquially known as the D-backs) are an American professional baseball team based in Phoenix. The Diamondbacks compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) West division. The f ...
announced the introduction of a bullpen car
The bullpen car, also known as a bullpen cart, is used in professional baseball to bring relief pitchers into the game from the bullpen to the pitcher's mound during a pitching change. Bullpen cars were used in Major League Baseball from 1950 thro ...
, the first in MLB since 1995.
*March 15- Augie Garrido
August Edmun "Augie" Garrido Jr. (February 6, 1939 – March 15, 2018) was an American professional baseball player and coach in NCAA Division I college baseball, best known for his stints with the Cal State Fullerton Titans baseball, Cal State ...
the all-time winningest head coach in NCAA baseball history dies at the age of 79 in Garrido's 47 year coaching career he retired as the all-time winningest head coach in college baseball history with 1,975 career victories.
*March 29 – The Major League Baseball regular season began with 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 ...
and the Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The club's home ballpark is LoanDepot Park.
The franc ...
playing at Marlins Park
LoanDepot Park is a retractable roof stadium located in Miami, Florida. It is the home of Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins. It is located on on the site of the former Miami Orange Bowl in Little Havana about west of Downtown Miam ...
. In the game, the Cubs' Ian Happ
Ian Edward Happ (born August 12, 1994) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball at the University of Cincinnati for the Cincinnati Bearcats baseball team. The ...
hit a home run on the first pitch of the season, off the Marlins' José Ureña
José Miguel Ureña Rodriguez (born September 12, 1991) is a Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played MLB for the Miami Marlins, Detroit Tigers, and Milwaukee ...
as the Cubs defeated Miami 8–4. Happ became the first player since Dwight Evans Dwight Evans may refer to:
* Dwight Evans (baseball) (born 1951), American former baseball player
* Dwight Evans (politician) (born 1954), American politician
{{hndis, Evans, Dwight ...
in to hit a home run on the first pitch of a regular season.
April
* April 5- Prior to 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 ...
- Mariners game at Target Field
Target Field is a baseball stadium in the historic warehouse district of downtown Minneapolis. Since its opening in 2010, the stadium has been the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Minnesota Twins. The stadium hosted the 2014 Major Leag ...
, Seattle Mariners pitcher James Paxton is attacked by a bald eagle
The bald eagle (''Haliaeetus leucocephalus'') is a bird of prey found in North America. A sea eagle, it has two known subspecies and forms a species pair with the white-tailed eagle (''Haliaeetus albicilla''), which occupies the same niche as ...
during the national anthem
A national anthem is a patriotic musical composition symbolizing and evoking eulogies of the history and traditions of a country or nation. The majority of national anthems are marches or hymns in style. American, Central Asian, and European n ...
.
*April 8 – New York Yankees outfielder Giancarlo Stanton
Giancarlo Cruz-Michael Stanton (born November 8, 1989), formerly known as Mike Stanton, is an American professional baseball designated hitter and outfielder for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2010 a ...
strikes out five times in an 8–7 loss against the Baltimore Orioles. Coupled with an earlier five strike-out game on April 3 against the same Orioles, Stanton becomes the first major leaguer ever to accomplish the dubious feat twice in a season and the second after Alex Rios
Alex is a given name. It can refer to a shortened version of Alexander, Alexandra, Alexis.
People
Multiple
*Alex Brown (disambiguation), multiple people
* Alex Gordon (disambiguation), multiple people
*Alex Harris (disambiguation), multiple pe ...
to do so in a career.
*April 10 – Roberto Osuna
Roberto Osuna Quintero Jr. (born February 7, 1995) is a Mexican professional baseball pitcher for the Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Toronto Blue Jays and Hous ...
of the Toronto Blue Jays became the youngest pitcher to record his 100th career save at age 23, surpassing Francisco Rodriguez to reach that milestone mark.
*April 12 – Joe Mauer
Joseph Patrick Mauer (born April 19, 1983) is an American former professional baseball catcher and first baseman, who spent his entire 15-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career with the Minnesota Twins. A six-time All-Star, Mauer is the only ca ...
of the Minnesota Twins recorded his 2,000th career hit against the Chicago White Sox, becoming the 287th player in major league history to reach that mark.
*April 19 – The Cincinnati Reds dismissed manager Bryan Price
Bryan Roberts Price (born June 22, 1962) is an American former professional baseball coach and manager. Price was the manager of the Cincinnati Reds of MLB, from 2014 through 2018.
After pitching in the minor leagues, Price has served as the p ...
following a poor 3–15 start to begin the season, which is its worst start since a 2–16 record in their 1931 season. Price, who also coached for Cincinnati between 2010 and 2013, posted a managerial record of 279 wins and 387 losses from 2014 to 2018. Bench coach Jim Riggleman
James David Riggleman (born November 9, 1952) is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) manager and bench coach who coached with several teams between 1989 and 2019. He is currently the manager for the Billings Mustangs of the independent ...
was appointed to finish out the remainder of the season as the interim manager.
*April 21 – At Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum
Oakland Coliseum, currently branded as RingCentral Coliseum, is a stadium in Oakland, California. It is part of the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum Complex, with the adjacent Oakland Arena, near Interstate 880. The Coliseum is the home ba ...
, Oakland Athletics pitcher Sean Manaea
Sean Anthony Manaea ( ; born February 1, 1992) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padres. He played co ...
no-hit
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 ...
the Boston Red Sox, 3–0, striking out 10 batters along the way. The no-hitter was the first by an Athletic pitcher since Dallas Braden hurled a perfect game against the Tampa Bay Rays in the 2010 season. Besides, the Red Sox entered the game with a winning percentage of .894, making them the team with the highest winning percentage ever to be no-hit.
May
*May 4 – Los Angeles Angels slugger Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara () (); born January 16, 1980) is a Dominican-American former professional baseball first baseman, designated hitter and third baseman who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed "The Machine", ...
joined the 3,000 hit club
The 3,000 hit club is the group of 33 Batter (baseball), batters who have collected 3,000 or more regular-season Hit (baseball), hits in their careers in Major League Baseball (MLB), achieving a milestone "long considered the greatest measure of s ...
with a single off Seattle Mariners pitcher Mike Leake
Michael Raymond Leake (born November 12, 1987) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, San Francisco Giants, St. Louis Cardinals, Seattle Mariners, and Arizona Diamo ...
in the fifth inning during the Angels' 5–0 win over Seattle. Pujols already has surpassed 600 home runs, two accomplishments reached only by 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 ...
, 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 ...
and Alex Rodriguez
Alexander Emmanuel Rodriguez (born July 27, 1975), nicknamed "A-Rod", is an American former professional baseball shortstop and third baseman, businessman and philanthropist. Rodriguez played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the ...
.
*May 6 – Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer
Maxwell Martin Scherzer (born July 27, 1984) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, and L ...
recorded 15 outs via strikeout in 6 1/3 innings of work against the Philadelphia Phillies, becoming the first pitcher ever to accomplish the feat.
*May 8 – At the Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre (originally SkyDome) is a multi-purpose retractable roof stadium in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated at the base of the CN Tower near the northern shore of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989 on the former Railway Lands, it ...
, Seattle Mariners pitcher James Paxton no-hit
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 ...
the Toronto Blue Jays, 5–0. A native of Ladner, British Columbia
Ladner is a part of the City of Delta, British Columbia, Canada, and a suburb of Vancouver, British Columbia. It was created as a fishing village on the banks of the Fraser River.
Named for Thomas and William Ladner, who came to the area in 1868 ...
, Paxton became the first Canadian to pitch a Major League Baseball no-hitter in his home country. In addition, Paxton is the second Canadian to throw a no-hitter in Major League Baseball history. The first was Toronto's Dick Fowler, who led the Philadelphia Athletics
The Philadelphia Athletics were a Major League Baseball team that played in Philadelphia from 1901 to 1954, when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and became the Kansas City Athletics. Following another move in 1967, the team became the Oaklan ...
to a 1–0 victory over the St. Louis Browns
The St. Louis Browns were a Major League Baseball team that originated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the Milwaukee Brewers. A charter member of the American League (AL), the Brewers moved to St. Louis, Missouri, after the 1901 season, where they p ...
at Shibe Park
Shibe Park, known later as Connie Mack Stadium, was a ballpark located in Philadelphia. It was the home of the Philadelphia Athletics of the American League (AL) and the Philadelphia Phillies of the National League (NL). When it opened April 12, 1 ...
on September 9, 1945.
*May 11 – Former Pittsburgh Pirates outfielder Andrew McCutchen
Andrew Stefan McCutchen (born October 10, 1986) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, New York Yankees, Philadelphia ...
is greeted with a standing ovation
A standing ovation is a form of applause where members of a seated audience stand up while applauding after extraordinary performances of particularly high acclaim. In Ancient Rome returning military commanders (such as Marcus Licinius Crassus a ...
in his first game at Pirates' PNC Park
PNC Park is a baseball stadium on the North Shore (Pittsburgh), North Shore of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). It was opened during the 2001 Major League Baseball season, ...
since being traded to the San Francisco Giants. McCutchen hit a double in five at-bats, and the Pirates won 11–2.
*May 19 – The Tampa Bay Rays reintroduced the concept of the opener
Opener, Open'er or Openers may refer to:
* ''Opener'' (album), an album by 8mm
* Opener (baseball), a baseball strategy to use a relief pitcher to start a game
* Open'er Festival, a contemporary music festival held in Gdynia, Poland
* Bottle opene ...
in Major League Baseball when they gave pitcher Sergio Romo his first career start
Start can refer to multiple topics:
*Takeoff, the phase of flight where an aircraft transitions from moving along the ground to flying through the air
* Starting lineup in sports
*Standing start, and rolling start, in an auto race
Acronyms
*St ...
, after his first 588 games came in relief
Relief is a sculptural method in which the sculpted pieces are bonded to a solid background of the same material. The term ''relief'' is from the Latin verb ''relevo'', to raise. To create a sculpture in relief is to give the impression that the ...
duties. Romo struck out
In baseball or softball, a strikeout (or strike-out) occurs when a batter accumulates three strikes during a time at bat. It usually means that the batter is out. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters, and is denote ...
Zack Cozart
Zachary Warren Cozart (born August 12, 1985) is an American former professional baseball shortstop. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Angels.
The Reds selected Cozart in the second round of the 200 ...
, Mike Trout
Michael Nelson Trout (born August 7, 1991) is an American professional baseball center fielder for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). Trout is a ten-time MLB All-Star, three-time American League (AL) Most Valuable Player (MVP) ...
, and Justin Upton
Justin Irvin Upton (born August 25, 1987) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. Nicknamed "J-Up", he has previously played in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves, San Diego Padres, Detroit Tig ...
in a perfect inning in that first start, as the Rays went on to win the Angeles Angels, 5–3, at Angel Stadium
Angel Stadium of Anaheim is a baseball stadium located in Anaheim, California. Since its opening in 1966, it has served as the home ballpark of the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB), and was also the home stadium to the Los An ...
. The next day, Romo would open again, throwing a second scoreless inning, though the Rays lost, 5–2. Romo only made three more starts for the remaining of the season, but the Rays finished up using the opener dozens of times and continued to do so in 2019. Afterwards, several other clubs ended up trying out the strategy.
June
*June 4 :
**Auburn University
Auburn University (AU or Auburn) is a public land-grant research university in Auburn, Alabama. With more than 24,600 undergraduate students and a total enrollment of more than 30,000 with 1,330 faculty members, Auburn is the second largest uni ...
pitcher Casey Mize
Casey A. Mize (born May 1, 1997) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was selected by the Tigers with the List of first overall Major League Baseball draft picks, first overall pick ...
is selected first overall by the Detroit Tigers in the 2018 MLB Draft.
**New York Yankees outfielder Aaron Judge
Aaron James Judge (born April 26, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). Judge was unanimously selected as the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year in 2017, and finishe ...
sets a major league record by striking out
''Striking Out'' is an Irish television legal drama series, broadcast on RTÉ, that first aired on 1 January 2017. Produced by Bl!nder F!lms for RTÉ Television, ''Striking Out'' stars Amy Huberman as Dublin-based solicitor Tara Rafferty, who is ...
eight times in a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers, including a five-strikeout game in the nightcap.
*June 18 – Florida State University announced that Seminoles
The Seminole are a Native American people who developed in Florida in the 18th century. Today, they live in Oklahoma and Florida, and comprise three federally recognized tribes: the Seminole Nation of Oklahoma, the Seminole Tribe of Florida, and ...
' head baseball coach Mike Martin will retire at the end of the 2019 season, his 40th at the helm. The 74-year old Martin, who became the all-time winningest baseball coach in college history after surpassing Augie Garrido
August Edmun "Augie" Garrido Jr. (February 6, 1939 – March 15, 2018) was an American professional baseball player and coach in NCAA Division I college baseball, best known for his stints with the Cal State Fullerton Titans baseball, Cal State ...
in May, has posted a 1,987–713–4 record and .736 winning percentage.
*June 22 – Joe Jordano
Joe Jordano is an American college baseball coach and former collegiate baseball player. He most recently served as head coach of the Pittsburgh Panthers baseball team. He held that position from 1998 NCAA Division I baseball season, 1998 season t ...
, the winningest head baseball coach in University of Pittsburgh history, announces his resignation after 11 years of service with for the Pittsburgh Panthers
The Pittsburgh Panthers, commonly also referred to as the Pitt Panthers, are the athletic teams representing the University of Pittsburgh, although the term is colloquially used to refer to other aspects of the university such as alumni, facu ...
and an overall record of 826–638–2 (.530).
July
*July 3 – Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw (born March 19, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) . He has played for the Dodgers for the entirety of his MLB career. A left-handed starting p ...
earned his first win since April 15, leading his team to an 8–3 victory over the visiting Pittsburgh Pirates. The Dodgers belted five home runs, including a pair by Max Muncy. As a result, Muncy reached 20 home runs in his 183rd at-bat
In baseball, an at bat (AB) or time at bat is a batter's turn batting against a pitcher. An at bat is different from a plate appearance. A batter is credited with a plate appearance regardless of what happens during their turn at bat, but a bat ...
s of 2018, making him the fastest player to get there in Dodgers season history, while breaking the record set by Cody Bellinger
Cody James Bellinger (born July 13, 1995) is an American professional baseball center fielder and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was selected ...
who did it in 189 at-bats in 2017, according to ''Elias Sports Bureau The Elias Sports Bureau is a privately held company providing historical and current statistical information for the major professional sports leagues operating in the United States and Canada.
Elias is the official statistician for Major League Ba ...
'' research.
*July 14 – The St Louis Cardinals dismissed manager Mike Matheny
Michael Scott Matheny (born September 22, 1970) is an American former professional baseball player and former manager of the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for 13 seasons as a catcher ...
after seven seasons despite taking them to a collective record of 591–474 and four playoff appearances from 2012 to 2015, including the 2013 World Series
The 2013 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2013 season. The 109th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the American League (AL) champion Boston Red Sox and the National Lea ...
, even though the team have had no playoff appearances since 2016. Matheny was replaced by bench coach Mike Shildt
Michael Timothy Shildt (born August 9, 1968) is an American baseball coach for the San Diego Padres, where he is the team's interim third base coach.
After serving as a scout and manager in the St. Louis Cardinals minor league system, he serv ...
, who will serve as interim manager for the rest of the season. In addition, the Cardinals relieved hitting coach John Mabry
John Steven Mabry (born October 17, 1970) is an American former professional baseball player, broadcaster, and coach. He is a coach for the Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He had 898 career hits in 3,409 at-bats (for a battin ...
and assistant hitting coach 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 ...
of their duties.
*July 17 – Houston Astros teammates Alex Bregman and George Springer
George Chelston Springer III (born September 19, 1989) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Houston Astros from 2014 to 2020.
The Astros selected Springer i ...
hit back-to-back home runs in the top of the 10th inning, to lead the American League to an 8–6 victory over the National League in the 89th All-Star Game played at Nationals Park
Nationals Park is a baseball stadium
A ballpark, or baseball park, is a type of sports venue where baseball is played. The playing field is divided into the infield, an area whose dimensions are rigidly defined, and the outfield, where dimen ...
in Washington D.C. There were a game-record 10 home runs hit by both teams, four more than the previous mark set in 1971, and as many as the previous six All-Star Games combined. Bregman, a first-time All-Star, earned MVP honors.
*July 20 – St. Louis Cardinals infielder Matt Carpenter hit three home runs and two doubles in just six innings, tying the major league record for the most extra-base hit
In baseball, an extra-base hit (EB, EBH or XBH), also known as a long hit, is any base hit on which the batter is able to advance past first base without the benefit of a fielder either committing an error or opting to make a throw to retire anot ...
s in a game, and the Cardinals crushed the Chicago Cubs, 18–5, 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 ...
. Overall, Carpenter went 5 for 5 and drove in seven runs at Wrigley Field, becoming the 14th player in major league history to collect five extra bases in a game, as well as the first to do it for the Cardinals.
*July 26 – The Philadelphia Phillies tied the franchise record for home runs in a game, and overpowered the host Cincinnati Reds, 9–4, in the opener of a four-game series. Nick Williams, Rhys Hoskins
Rhys Dean Hoskins ( ; born March 17, 1993), is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). Hoskins played college baseball for the Sacramento State Hornets. He was drafted by the ...
and Maikel Franco
Maikel Antonio Franco (pronounced MY-kehl FRAHN-koh; born August 26, 1992), is a Dominican professional baseball third baseman for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has played in the MLB. He made his MLB ...
each hit two of Philadelphia's record-tying seven home runs, while Carlos Santana
Carlos Humberto Santana Barragán (; born July 20, 1947) is an American guitarist who rose to fame in the late 1960s and early 1970s with his band Santana, which pioneered a fusion of Rock and roll and Latin American jazz. Its sound featured ...
added a two-run homer as the NL East leaders tied the mark set on September 8, 1998, against the New York Mets.
*July 29 – Former Major League Baseball players Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Alvino Guerrero Sr. (born February 9, 1975), nicknamed "Vlad the Impaler", is a Dominican former professional baseball player who spent 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a right fielder and designated hitter. He played for ...
, Trevor Hoffman
Trevor William Hoffman (born October 13, 1967) is an American former professional baseball relief pitcher who played 18 years in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1993 to 2010. A long-time closer, he pitched for the Florida Marlins, San Diego P ...
, Chipper Jones
Larry Wayne "Chipper" Jones Jr. (born April 24, 1972) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves from 1993 to 2012. The Braves chose Jones with the first overall p ...
, Jack Morris
John Scott Morris (born May 16, 1955) is an American former professional baseball starting pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 1977 and 1994, mainly for the Detroit Tigers. Morris won 254 games throughout his career.
Armed ...
, Jim Thome
James Howard Thome (; born August 27, 1970) is an American former professional baseball corner infielder and designated hitter, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for 22 seasons (1991–2012). He played for six different teams during th ...
and Alan Trammell were enshrined into the Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, New York
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 ...
.
*July 31 – The Washington Nationals set a franchise-record for most runs scored in their 25–4 victory over the New York Mets at Nationals Park
Nationals Park is a baseball stadium
A ballpark, or baseball park, is a type of sports venue where baseball is played. The playing field is divided into the infield, an area whose dimensions are rigidly defined, and the outfield, where dimen ...
. The Nationals set the franchise scoring mark dating to their days when they started as the Montreal Expos in 1969. For the Mets, it was the most-lopsided loss in their 57-season history, worse than a 26–7 pounding by the Philadelphia Phillies in 1985. Former Met Daniel Murphy hit two home runs and drove in six runs and Ryan Zimmerman
Ryan Wallace Zimmerman (born September 28, 1984) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and third baseman who played 16 seasons for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Zimmerman graduated from Kellam High ...
added a two-run homer, while Anthony Rendon
Anthony Michael Rendon (, ; born June 6, 1990) is an American baseball third baseman for the Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played for the Washington Nationals and was a member of the Nationals' 2019 World S ...
collected four RBI and pitcher Tanner Roark
Tanner B. Roark ( ; born October 5, 1986) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball for the Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, and Toronto Blue Jays. ...
cleared the bases with a three-run double. Steven Matz got only two outs and allowed seven runs in the shortest start of his career. Matz was followed by six relievers, including infielder José Reyes in the first pitching appearance of his career, in which he allowed six runs and two homers in just one inning of work.
August
*August 1 – New York Mets infielder José Reyes hit two home runs in a 5–3 loss to the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park
Nationals Park is a baseball stadium
A ballpark, or baseball park, is a type of sports venue where baseball is played. The playing field is divided into the infield, an area whose dimensions are rigidly defined, and the outfield, where dimen ...
, after allowing two homers as an emergency pitcher in his previous game. With his feat, Reyes became the first player in modern Major League Baseball history to allow multiple home runs and then hit multiple homers in his team's next game. According to the ''Elias Sports Bureau The Elias Sports Bureau is a privately held company providing historical and current statistical information for the major professional sports leagues operating in the United States and Canada.
Elias is the official statistician for Major League Ba ...
'', the only other player in major league history to accomplish this feat is Hall of Famer Cap Anson
Adrian Constantine Anson (April 17, 1852 – April 14, 1922), nicknamed "Cap" (for "Captain") and "Pop", was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman. Including his time in the National Association (NA), he played a record 27 c ...
, who allowed two homers for the Chicago White Stockings on August 5, 1884, and then hit three home runs on August 6 of that season.
*August 4 – Minnesota Twins pitcher Oliver Drake made history by pitching for his fifth team of the season. According to ''Elias Sports Bureau The Elias Sports Bureau is a privately held company providing historical and current statistical information for the major professional sports leagues operating in the United States and Canada.
Elias is the official statistician for Major League Ba ...
'' research, Drake, who also pitched for the Milwaukee Brewers, Cleveland Indians, Anaheim Angels and Toronto Blue Jays in 2018, is the first pitcher in major league history to pitch for five teams in the same season.
*August 7 :
**In defeating the Seattle Mariners 11–4 at Globe Life Park in Arlington
Choctaw Stadium, formerly Globe Life Park, is an American multi-purpose stadium in Arlington, Texas, between Dallas and Fort Worth. Originally built as a baseball stadium, it was home to the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball and the Texa ...
, Texas Rangers pitcher Bartolo Colón
Bartolo Colón (born May 24, 1973), nicknamed "Big Sexy," is a Dominican-American professional baseball pitcher. He has played for 11 different Major League Baseball (MLB) teams: the Cleveland Indians (1997–2002), Montreal Expos (2002), Chicago ...
, in his sixth try, set the Major League record for wins by a Latin American pitcher, the 246th of his career. After surviving back-to-back second-inning home runs by Nelson Cruz
Nelson Ramón Cruz Martínez Jr. (born July 1, 1980) is a Dominican-American professional baseball designated hitter and right fielder who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Milwaukee Brewers, Texas ...
and Kyle Seager
Kyle Duerr Seager (born November 3, 1987) is an American former professional baseball third baseman who played his entire career for the Seattle Mariners of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 2011 to 2021. He was selected by the Mariners in the thi ...
, Colón was aided by home runs from Jurickson Profar
Jurickson Barthelomeus Profar (born February 20, 1993) is a Curaçaoan professional baseball infielder and outfielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padr ...
, Rougned Odor
Rougned Roberto Odor () (born February 3, 1994), nicknamed "Rougie", is a Venezuelan professional baseball second baseman who is a free agent. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and Balt ...
and Adrián Beltré
Adrián Beltré Pérez (born April 7, 1979) is a Dominican former professional baseball third baseman. During his career, Beltré played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and Texas Rangers (baseball), Texas Rangers ...
. Moreover, Colón pitched seven innings for the victory breaking a tie he had shared with Dennis Martínez
José Dennis Martínez Ortiz (born May 14, 1955), nicknamed "El Presidente" (The President), is a Nicaraguan professional baseball pitcher. Martínez played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Montreal Expos, Cleveland India ...
. His last victory had been on June 30 against the Chicago White Sox.
**In Minor League Baseball action, Pittsburgh Pirates prospects Kevin Newman and Jacob Stallings
Jacob Daniel Stallings (born December 22, 1989) is an American professional baseball catcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut with the Pittsburgh Pirates in 2016. In 2021, Stallings won the Gold Glove ...
both hit for the cycle
In baseball, hitting for the cycle is the accomplishment of one batter who hits a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a "natural cycle". Cycles are rare in Major League Ba ...
for the Triple-A Indianapolis Indians
The Indianapolis Indians are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Pittsburgh Pirates. They are located in Indianapolis, Indiana, and play their home games at Victory Field, which open ...
in a 12–5 win over the Lehigh Valley IronPigs
The Lehigh Valley IronPigs are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League (IL) and the Triple-A affiliate of the Philadelphia Phillies. They are located in Allentown, Pennsylvania, and are named in reference to pig iron, used in the ...
. The feat marked the second time in baseball history in which teammates have hit for the cycle in the same game.[Newman, Stallings complete Indy bi-cycle]
''MiLB.com''. Retrieved on August 8, 2018. The other time also happened this season when San Francisco Giants prospects Gio Brusa and Jalen Miller Jalen is both a surname and given name. Notable people with the name include:
Given name
A
* Jalen Adams (born 1995), American basketball player
B
*Jalen Beeks (born 1993), American baseball player
*Jalen Billups (born 1992), American basketbal ...
did it for Class-A San Jose Giants
The San Jose Giants are a Minor League Baseball team of the California League and the Single-A affiliate of the San Francisco Giants. Located in San Jose, California, the Giants play their home games at Excite Ballpark.
Games
San Jose Giants ga ...
on April 12. The feat has never been accomplished in Major League Baseball. Just twice have two players hit for the cycle on the same day in the majors: Bobby Veach
Robert Hayes Veach (June 29, 1888 – August 7, 1945) was an American baseball player from 1910 to 1930 including 14 seasons in the major leagues. He was the starting left fielder for the Detroit Tigers from 1912 to 1923 and also played for the B ...
of the Detroit Tigers and George Burns
George Burns (born Nathan Birnbaum; January 20, 1896March 9, 1996) was an American comedian, actor, writer, and singer, and one of the few entertainers whose career successfully spanned vaudeville, radio, film and television. His arched eyebr ...
of the New York Giants on September 17, 1920,[ and ]Stephen Drew
Stephen Oris Drew (born March 16, 1983) is an American former professional baseball infielder. He played 12 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees and Washington Na ...
of the Arizona Diamondbacks and Adrián Beltré
Adrián Beltré Pérez (born April 7, 1979) is a Dominican former professional baseball third baseman. During his career, Beltré played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Seattle Mariners, Boston Red Sox, and Texas Rangers (baseball), Texas Rangers ...
of the Seattle Mariners on September 1, 2008.[
*August 9 – ]Mookie Betts
Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts (born October 7, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Boston Red Sox. In 2018, while with the Red Sox, he became ...
of the Boston Red Sox hit for the cycle
In baseball, hitting for the cycle is the accomplishment of one batter who hits a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a "natural cycle". Cycles are rare in Major League Ba ...
for first time in his career in an 8–5 loss to the Toronto Blue Jays at Rogers Centre
Rogers Centre (originally SkyDome) is a multi-purpose retractable roof stadium in Downtown Toronto, Ontario, Canada, situated at the base of the CN Tower near the northern shore of Lake Ontario. Opened in 1989 on the former Railway Lands, it ...
. Besides, Betts became the 21st player to hit a cycle in Red Sox history and the first to do it in this season. Betts singled and scored a run in the first inning, tripled in the second and doubled in the fourth against Blue Jays starter Ryan Borucki
Ryan Joseph Borucki (born March 31, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher in the Chicago Cubs organization. He previously played in MLB for the Toronto Blue Jays and Seattle Mariners.
High school
Borucki attended Mundelein High Sch ...
. After walking
Walking (also known as ambulation) is one of the main gaits of terrestrial locomotion among legged animals. Walking is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined by an 'inverted pendulum' gait in which the body vaults o ...
in the sixth, Betts hit a one-out drive off reliever Ken Giles
Kenneth Robert Giles (born September 20, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, and Seattle Mariners.
Exposed to b ...
in the ninth for his 27th 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 ...
of the season.
*August 12 – David Bote of the Chicago Cubs hits an "ultimate walk-off 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 ...
home run" (with two outs, two strikes on batter, and his team down by three runs in the bottom of the final inning) to defeat 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 ...
4–3 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 ...
. Bote is the first to accomplish this feat as a pinch hitter
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute Batting (baseball), batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the dead ball (baseball), ball is dead (not in active play); the manager (baseball), manager may use any player who has not yet ...
since Roger Freed
Roger Vernon Freed (June 2, 1946 – January 9, 1996), was an American professional baseball outfielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Phillies, Cincinnati Reds, Montreal Expos, and St. Louis C ...
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 ...
did it in 1979.
*August 13 – At SunTrust Park
Truist Park (originally SunTrust Park) is a baseball stadium in the Atlanta metropolitan area, approximately 10 miles (16 km) northwest of downtown Atlanta in the unincorporated community of Cumberland, in Cobb County, Georgia. Opened in ...
, 20-year-old rookie Ronald Acuña
Ronald is a masculine given name derived from the Old Norse ''Rögnvaldr'', Hanks; Hardcastle; Hodges (2006) p. 234; Hanks; Hodges (2003) § Ronald. or possibly from Old English '' Regenweald''. In some cases ''Ronald'' is an Anglicised form o ...
hit leadoff
In baseball, a lead or lead off is the short distance that a player stands away from their current base.
On the bases
In baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batti ...
home runs in both games of a day-night doubleheader to lead the Atlanta Braves to a sweep of the Miami Marlins, 9–1 and 6–1, respectively, while hitting three of his four career leadoff homers in a span of three days.[ Furthermore, Acuña became just the fourth player in Major League Baseball history to accomplish the feat, and certainly the youngest. Before that, ]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 ...
of the Boston Red Sox did it during a pair of games against the Washington Senators on May 20, 1913, Oakland Athletics' Rickey Henderson
Rickey Nelson Henley Henderson (born December 25, 1958) is an American retired professional baseball left fielder who played his 24 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for nine teams from 1979 to 2003, including four separate tenures with hi ...
against the Cleveland Indians on July 5, 1993, and Baltimore Orioles' Brady Anderson
Brady Kevin Anderson (born January 18, 1964) is an American former baseball outfielder and executive who played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball (1988–2002) for the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians. He spent the majori ...
on August 21, 1999.[Acuna leads off both games of twin bill with HRs]
''MLB.com.'' Retrieved on August 14, 2018.
*August 14 – Ronald Acuña
Ronald is a masculine given name derived from the Old Norse ''Rögnvaldr'', Hanks; Hardcastle; Hodges (2006) p. 234; Hanks; Hodges (2003) § Ronald. or possibly from Old English '' Regenweald''. In some cases ''Ronald'' is an Anglicised form o ...
became the youngest player in Major League Baseball history to hit home runs in five consecutive games, hitting a leadoff
In baseball, a lead or lead off is the short distance that a player stands away from their current base.
On the bases
In baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batti ...
homer on the first pitch and adding a three-run long ball in the seventh inning, helping the Atlanta Braves beat the Miami Marlins 10–6 at SunTrust Park
Truist Park (originally SunTrust Park) is a baseball stadium in the Atlanta metropolitan area, approximately 10 miles (16 km) northwest of downtown Atlanta in the unincorporated community of Cumberland, in Cobb County, Georgia. Opened in ...
. Besides hitting his third consecutive leadoff home run, Acuña became only the second player in major league history to lead off three consecutive games with home runs since Brady Anderson
Brady Kevin Anderson (born January 18, 1964) is an American former baseball outfielder and executive who played 15 seasons in Major League Baseball (1988–2002) for the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians. He spent the majori ...
of the Baltimore Orioles led off four consecutive games with home runs in 1996.
*August 16 – The New York Mets set a franchise record for runs, defeating the Philadelphia Phillies, 24–4, in the first game of a doubleheader at Citizens Bank Park
Citizens Bank Park is a baseball stadium located in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in the city's South Philadelphia Sports Complex. It is the home playing field of the Philadelphia Phillies, the city's Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise. The stad ...
. José Bautista
José Antonio Bautista Santos (born October 19, 1980), nicknamed "Joey Bats", is a Dominican special advisor for the general manager of the Leones del Escogido and former professional baseball right fielder and third baseman. He played in Majo ...
led the offensive, going 4-for-5 with 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 ...
and a career-high seven 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 ...
. In addition, the Mets scored more than 15 runs in consecutive games for the first time in the team's 57-year history. They beat the Baltimore Orioles, 16–5, in their previous game. On July 31, the Mets were crushed by the Washington Nationals, 25–4. The last time a major league team scored 24+ runs and allowed 24+ runs in the same season was in 1894, done by the Boston Beaneaters, Chicago Colts, Philadelphia Phillies and Pittsburgh Pirates, according to the ''Elias Sports Bureau The Elias Sports Bureau is a privately held company providing historical and current statistical information for the major professional sports leagues operating in the United States and Canada.
Elias is the official statistician for Major League Ba ...
''.
*August 17 – At PNC Park
PNC Park is a baseball stadium on the North Shore (Pittsburgh), North Shore of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. It is the fifth home of the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major League Baseball (MLB). It was opened during the 2001 Major League Baseball season, ...
, the Chicago Cubs tie a Major League record by turning seven double play
In baseball and softball, a double play (denoted as DP in baseball statistics) is the act of making two outs during the same continuous play. Double plays can occur any time there is at least one baserunner and fewer than two outs.
In Major Leag ...
s in defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates, 1–0. Aided by Kyle Schwarber
Kyle Joseph Schwarber (born March 5, 1993) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Indiana Hoosiers and was a first-round selection in the 20 ...
's second-inning home run, Cole Hamels
Colbert Michael Hamels (born December 27, 1983), nicknamed "Hollywood", is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies (2006–2015), Texas Rangers ( ...
pitch seven innings for the victory and induces a double play in each of the first four innings and one more in the sixth. The seventh double play ends the game as David Bote fields David Freese
David Richard Freese (born April 28, 1983) is an American former professional baseball Infielder, infielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). He began his MLB career with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he was a key player during the 2011 Major Leag ...
's ground ball to force Corey Dickerson
McKenzie Corey Dickerson (born May 22, 1989) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies (2013–2015), Tampa Bay Rays (2016–2017), ...
at third base, then throws to first for the final out. According to the ''Elias Sports Bureau The Elias Sports Bureau is a privately held company providing historical and current statistical information for the major professional sports leagues operating in the United States and Canada.
Elias is the official statistician for Major League Ba ...
'', the Cubs became only the third team to turn seven double plays in a nine-inning game, joining the 1942 New York Yankees and the 1969 Houston Astros.
*August 22 – Ryan Zimmerman
Ryan Wallace Zimmerman (born September 28, 1984) is an American former professional baseball first baseman and third baseman who played 16 seasons for the Washington Nationals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Zimmerman graduated from Kellam High ...
hit his 11th career walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. For a home run to end the game, it must be hit in the bottom of the final inning of the game and generate enough runs to exceed the opponent's score. Because the opponent will not ...
in the bottom of ninth inning, leading the Washington Nationals to an 8–7 come from behind victory over the Philadelphia Phillies at Nationals Park
Nationals Park is a baseball stadium
A ballpark, or baseball park, is a type of sports venue where baseball is played. The playing field is divided into the infield, an area whose dimensions are rigidly defined, and the outfield, where dimen ...
. The homer off Phillies right-hander Seranthony Domínguez
Seranthony Ambioris Domínguez Taveras (born November 25, 1994) is a People of the Dominican Republic, Dominican professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He signed with the Phillies as an interna ...
moved Zimmerman into a tie with David Ortiz and Tony Pérez
Atanasio "Tony" Pérez Rigal (born May 14, 1942) is a Cuban-American former professional baseball player, coach and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a first baseman and third baseman from through , most notably as a member of the ...
for the eighth-most walk-off home runs in MLB history, according to ''Elias Sports Bureau The Elias Sports Bureau is a privately held company providing historical and current statistical information for the major professional sports leagues operating in the United States and Canada.
Elias is the official statistician for Major League Ba ...
'' research. Only Albert Pujols
José Alberto Pujols Alcántara () (); born January 16, 1980) is a Dominican-American former professional baseball first baseman, designated hitter and third baseman who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed "The Machine", ...
(12) has more walk-off homers than Zimmerman among active players.
*August 25 :
**Edwin Díaz
Edwin Orlando Díaz Laboy (born March 22, 1994) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Seattle Mariners.
Within two months of his MLB debut, Díaz brok ...
became the youngest pitcher to collect 50 saves in a season, preserving yet one-run lead in the Seattle Mariners 4–3, 10-inning victory over the host Arizona Diamondbacks at Chase Field
Chase Field, formerly Bank One Ballpark, is a retractable roof stadium in Downtown Phoenix, Arizona. It is the home of Major League Baseball's Arizona Diamondbacks. It opened in 1998 Arizona Diamondbacks season, 1998, the year the Diamondbacks ...
. At 24 years of age, Díaz surpassed Craig Kimbrel
Craig Michael Kimbrel (born May 28, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Chicag ...
who was 25 when posted 50 saves for the Atlanta Braves in 2013. Besides, Díaz joined an exclusive group of pitchers with his 50th save, becoming the 14th pitcher in Major League history to reach that milestone in a season and only the 2nd pitcher ever with at least 50 saves and 100 strikeouts
In baseball or softball, a strikeout (or strike-out) occurs when a batter accumulates three strikes during a time at bat. It usually means that the batter is out. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters, and is deno ...
. In addition, he set a Mariners' single-season saves record and, with 32 games remaining on the team's schedule, is 12 saves shy of equaling the single-season Major League record of 62 saves, established by Francisco Rodríguez in 2008 while pitching for the Los Angeles Angels.
** Linda Goldbloom, a California woman, is struck in the head by a foul ball during a game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres. She dies on August 29, 2018.
*August 26 – Blake Snell
Blake Ashton Snell (born December 4, 1992), is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Tampa Bay Rays selected Snell in the first round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. ...
continued to build his American League 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 ...
candidacy, as he led the Tampa Bay Rays to a 9–1 win over the Boston Red Sox at Tropicana Field
Tropicana Field (commonly known as the Trop) is a Multi-purpose stadium, multi-purpose domed stadium located in St. Petersburg, Florida, United States. The stadium has been the home of the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB) since the ...
. Snell allowed one run on only two hits, while striking out eight and walking two in six innings, to improve his record to 16–5 and lowering his ERA to 2.05. In addition, the Rays extended their winning streak to eight and became the first team this season to sweep the Red Sox, owners of the best record in the majors at 90–42.
*August 28 – The St. Louis Cardinals announced that interim manager Mike Shildt
Michael Timothy Shildt (born August 9, 1968) is an American baseball coach for the San Diego Padres, where he is the team's interim third base coach.
After serving as a scout and manager in the St. Louis Cardinals minor league system, he serv ...
is going to stay in the job beyond the present season. Shildt is slated to receive a three-year contract in addition to having the interim label removed. Since taking the helm of a club that was sitting just one game over .500 (47–46) under Mike Matheny
Michael Scott Matheny (born September 22, 1970) is an American former professional baseball player and former manager of the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for 13 seasons as a catcher ...
, Shildt guided the Cardinals to a 26–12 record, as the club returned firmly back in contention.
*August 29 – Christian Yelich
Christian Stephen Yelich (born December 5, 1991) is an American professional baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Miami Marlins.
The Marlins selected Yelich in the first r ...
became the eighth Milwaukee Brewers player to hit for the cycle
In baseball, hitting for the cycle is the accomplishment of one batter who hits a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a "natural cycle". Cycles are rare in Major League Ba ...
and tied a club record with six hits, in the 13–12, 10-inning victory over the host Cincinnati Reds at Great American Ball Park
Great American Ball Park is a baseball stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio. It served as the home stadium of the Cincinnati Reds of Major League Baseball (MLB), and opened on March 31, 2003, replacing Cinergy Field (formerly Riverfront Stadium), the R ...
. Jesús Aguilar
Jesús Alexander Aguilar (born June 30, 1990) is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Ba ...
then broke an 11–11 tie with a two-run homer in the top of the 12th inning. Yelich completed his feat by hitting singles
Singles are people not in a committed relationship.
Singles may also refer to:
Film and television
* ''Singles'' (miniseries), a 1984 Australian television series
* ''Singles'' (1992 film), written and directed by Cameron Crowe
* ''Singles'' ...
in the first and third innings, a go-ahead, two-run 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 ...
in the fifth, one double
A double is a look-alike or doppelgänger; one person or being that resembles another.
Double, The Double or Dubble may also refer to:
Film and television
* Double (filmmaking), someone who substitutes for the credited actor of a character
* Th ...
in the sixth, a tying RBI triple
Triple is used in several contexts to mean "threefold" or a " treble":
Sports
* Triple (baseball), a three-base hit
* A basketball three-point field goal
* A figure skating jump with three rotations
* In bowling terms, three strikes in a row
* ...
in the seventh, and another single in the ninth to push his batting average up to .319, which leads the National League.
*August 30 – The Houston Astros agreed to a contract extension with manager A. J. Hinch
Andrew Jay Hinch (born May 15, 1974) is an American professional baseball coach and former player who is the manager of the Detroit Tigers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Hinch played catcher for the Oakland Athletics (–), Kansas City Royals ...
, signing him a four-year extension that is guaranteed through the 2022 season. Hinch, 44, guided the Houston franchise to its first World Series title last season. His contract had been set to expire after this year with a club option for 2019.
September
*September 2 – Ronald Acuña
Ronald is a masculine given name derived from the Old Norse ''Rögnvaldr'', Hanks; Hardcastle; Hodges (2006) p. 234; Hanks; Hodges (2003) § Ronald. or possibly from Old English '' Regenweald''. In some cases ''Ronald'' is an Anglicised form o ...
belted his seventh leadoff
In baseball, a lead or lead off is the short distance that a player stands away from their current base.
On the bases
In baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batti ...
home run of the season and scored the tie-breaking run in a four-run eighth inning, to propel the Atlanta Braves to a 5–1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates at SunTrust Park
Truist Park (originally SunTrust Park) is a baseball stadium in the Atlanta metropolitan area, approximately 10 miles (16 km) northwest of downtown Atlanta in the unincorporated community of Cumberland, in Cobb County, Georgia. Opened in ...
. The first-inning shot was his 23rd overall and tied the franchise record for leadoff homers that Marquis Grissom
Marquis Deon Grissom (born April 17, 1967) is an American former professional baseball center fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Montreal Expos, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and ...
set in 1996. The homer also moved Acuña into a tie for the second-most leadoff homers in a rookie season, joining Nomar Garciaparra
Anthony Nomar Garciaparra (; born July 23, 1973) is an American retired Major League Baseball player and current SportsNet LA analyst. After playing parts of nine seasons as an All-Star shortstop for the Boston Red Sox, he played shortstop, third ...
(1997) and Hanley Ramírez
Hanley Ramírez (born December 23, 1983) is a Dominican-American former professional baseball shortstop. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Florida / Miami Marlins, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Cleveland Indians. Ram ...
(2006). Chris Young holds the single-season record for a rookie with nine leadoff homers in 2007.
*September 5 :
**The Boston Red Sox rallied from a 7–1 deficit after seven innings to beat the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park
Truist Park (originally SunTrust Park) is a baseball stadium in the Atlanta metropolitan area, approximately 10 miles (16 km) northwest of downtown Atlanta in the unincorporated community of Cumberland, in Cobb County, Georgia. Opened in ...
, 9–8, and swept the three-game series in a matchup of division leaders. Boston scored six times in the eight, sending 12 batters to the plate in the inning and batting about 40 minutes against four Atlanta's relievers. Despite of that, Freddie Freeman
Frederick Charles Freeman (born September 12, 1989) is an American-Canadian professional baseball first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Previously, Freeman played for the Atlanta Braves for 12 seasons. He mad ...
hit a tie-breaking home run in the bottom of the inning. And then Brandon Phillips
Brandon Emil Phillips (born June 28, 1981) is an American professional baseball second baseman and partial owner of the Lexington Legends of the Atlantic League of Professional Baseball. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland ...
stepped on the plate at the top of the ninth. Phillips, who was playing his first game with the Red Sox, waited little time and belted a two-out, two-run homer on the first pitch he saw. Phillips had already scored two runs earlier in the game, and also made a nice catch at second base. This season, MLB teams were 487–0 when leading by six runs or more in the eight inning.
**Ronald Acuña
Ronald is a masculine given name derived from the Old Norse ''Rögnvaldr'', Hanks; Hardcastle; Hodges (2006) p. 234; Hanks; Hodges (2003) § Ronald. or possibly from Old English '' Regenweald''. In some cases ''Ronald'' is an Anglicised form o ...
hit his eighth leadoff
In baseball, a lead or lead off is the short distance that a player stands away from their current base.
On the bases
In baseball
Baseball is a bat-and-ball sport played between two teams of nine players each, taking turns batti ...
home run of the season in the Atlanta Braves 9–8 loss to the Boston Red Sox, setting a Braves franchise record for single-season leadoff home runs. Acuña was tied with Marquis Grissom
Marquis Deon Grissom (born April 17, 1967) is an American former professional baseball center fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Montreal Expos, Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers, and ...
, who hit seven leadoff homers for Atlanta in 1996. Acuña also moved within one homer of the Major League Baseball rookie record, set by Chris Young with the 2007 Arizona Diamondbacks. New York Yankees' Alfonso Soriano
Alfonso Guilleard Soriano (born January 7, 1976) is a Dominican former professional baseball left fielder and second baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Texas Rangers, Washington Nationals, and Chicago C ...
set the MLB record with 13 leadoff homers in 2003.
**Trevor Story
Trevor John Story (born November 15, 1992) is an American professional baseball second baseman and shortstop for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Colorado Rockies. He made his MLB debut ...
hit three home runs in his first three at-bats, including one projected at 505 feet (153.924 m), and the Colorado Rockies beat the San Francisco Giants, 5–3, at Coors Field
Coors Field is a baseball stadium in downtown Denver, Colorado. It is the home field of Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies. Opened in 1995, the park is located in Denver's Lower Downtown neighborhood, two blocks from Union Station. The ...
. Story, an All-Star shortstop, became the first player to hit the longest home run according to Statcast
Statcast is a high-speed, high-accuracy, automated tool developed to analyze player movements and athletic abilities in Major League Baseball (MLB).
Statcast was introduced to all thirty MLB stadiums in 2015, a year now considered the beginning ...
since the tracking technology was introduced to all thirty MLB stadiums in 2015. Overall, Story finished with a combined 1,380 feet (420.824 m) of homer distance, setting another Statcast record for a three-home run game.
*September 12 :
** David Price pitched seven innings of shutout ball to beat the Toronto Blue Jays 1–0 at Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball stadium located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, near Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home of the Boston Red Sox, the city's American League baseball team, and since 1953, its only Major League Base ...
, leading the Boston Red Sox to a milestone victory while collecting its 100th victory of the season. A night after becoming the first major league team this year to clinch a playoff spot, Boston moved a season-high 54 games above .500 for the first time since 1946. Rafael Devers
Rafael Devers Calcaño ( ; born October 24, 1996) is a Dominican professional baseball third baseman for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2017, and was an All-Star in 2021 and 2022.
Career
The Red Sox ...
scored the lone run of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning on a wild pitch by Aaron Sanchez. Price allowed just three singles
Singles are people not in a committed relationship.
Singles may also refer to:
Film and television
* ''Singles'' (miniseries), a 1984 Australian television series
* ''Singles'' (1992 film), written and directed by Cameron Crowe
* ''Singles'' ...
with no walks and seven strikeout
In baseball or softball, a strikeout (or strike-out) occurs when a batter accumulates three strikes during a time at bat. It usually means that the batter is out. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters, and is deno ...
s. He was replaced by Steven Wright
Steven Alexander Wright (born December 6, 1955) is an American stand-up comedian, actor, writer, and film producer. He is known for his distinctly lethargic voice and slow, deadpan delivery of ironic, philosophical and sometimes nonsensical jok ...
to start the eighth inning and Craig Kimbrel
Craig Michael Kimbrel (born May 28, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Chicag ...
closed in the ninth and was credited for the save. Furthermore, Alex Cora
Jose Alexander Cora (born October 18, 1975) is a Puerto Rican baseball manager and former infielder who is the manager of the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for 14 seasons with the Red Sox, Los Angele ...
became the first rookie manager to win 100 games in a season since Dusty Baker
Johnnie B. "Dusty" Baker Jr. (born June 15, 1949) is an American baseball manager and former player who is the manager of the Houston Astros in Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in the MLB for 19 seasons, most notably with the L ...
did it with the 1993 Giants. The Red Sox now need only to go 6–10 the rest of the season, to break the franchise record of 105 wins, set in 1912. Boston also won 101 games in its 1915 season.
**Houston Astros third baseman Alex Bregman notched his 50th double, 100th run scored and 100th RBI of the season, during the fifth inning of a 5–4 victory that completed a sweep of the Detroit Tigers at Comerica Park
Comerica Park is a baseball stadium located in Downtown Detroit. It has been the home of Major League Baseball's Detroit Tigers since 2000, when the team left Tiger Stadium.
History Construction
Founded in 1894, the Tigers had played at the ...
. In addition, Bregman, who belted his 30th homer of the year against the Chicago White Sox on September 8, became the first third baseman in Major League history to hit 50 doubles and 30 home runs in a season.
*September 15 :
**The Cleveland Indians clinched its third straight American League Central title with a 15–0 rout of the Detroit Tigers at Progressive Field
{{Infobox stadium
, name = Progressive Field
, nickname = ''"The Jake"''
, logo_image = Progressive_Field_Logo.svg
, logo_caption =
, image =
, caption = Progressive Fiel ...
. Cleveland starter Mike Clevinger
Michael Anthony Clevinger (born December 21, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cleveland Indians and San Diego Padres. Clevinger ma ...
combined with four relievers for the two-hit shutout, while all regulars scored at least one run on 18 hits, including home runs of Francisco Lindor
Francisco Miguel Lindor Serrano (born November 14, 1993), nicknamed "Paquito" and "Mr. Smile", is a Puerto Rican professional baseball shortstop for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Cleveland Indian ...
, Michael Brantley
Michael Charles Brantley Jr. (born May 15, 1987) is an American professional baseball left fielder for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cleveland Indians. The son of former MLB player an ...
and Yonder Alonso
Yonder Alonso (born April 8, 1987) is a Cuban former professional baseball first baseman and current MLB Network analyst. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics, Seattle Mariners, Cl ...
.
** Yasiel Puig posted career highs with three home runs and seven runs batted in, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 17–4 defeat over the St. Louis Cardinals at Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium (also referred to informally as "New Busch Stadium" or "Busch Stadium III") is a baseball stadium located in St. Louis, Missouri. The stadium serves as the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, the city's Major League Baseball (MLB) f ...
. It was a significant follow-up to the night before, when he belted two homers against the Cardinals. In addition, Puig became the first Dodger player to hit five home runs in two games since Shawn Green
Shawn David Green (born November 10, 1972) is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder. Green was a 1st round draft pick and a two-time major league All-Star. He drove in 100 runs four times and scored 100 runs four times, hit ...
did it in 2002.
*September 18 :
**The Baltimore Orioles lost to the Toronto Blue Jays at Oriole Park
Oriole Park, often referred to as Terrapin Park, opened in 1914 and closed after a fire on July 3–4, 1944. "Oriole Park" was the name of multiple baseball parks in Baltimore, Maryland, all built within a few blocks of each other.
Oriole Par ...
, 6–4, as the Orioles lost their 108th game, the most in the club's 65-year history since moving to Baltimore in 1954. The 1988 Orioles opened the season 0–21, setting a major league for the most consecutive losses, and held the previous team's record for losses with a 54–107 finish. The overall franchise record for defeats is 111, set by the 1939 St. Louis Browns in its 1939 season, which could also be eclipsed by this year's team. During the game, the Orioles also became the first American professional sports team to wear specially designed jerseys with all lettering in Braille in their National Federation of the Blind
The National Federation of the Blind (NFB) is an organization of blind people in the United States. It is the oldest and largest organization led by blind people in the United States. Its national headquarters are in Baltimore, Maryland.
Overvie ...
night, in recognition of the organization moving its headquarters to Baltimore 40 years ago.
**Blake Snell
Blake Ashton Snell (born December 4, 1992), is an American professional baseball pitcher for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Tampa Bay Rays selected Snell in the first round of the 2011 Major League Baseball draft. ...
pitched five scoreless inning to become the major leagues’ first 20-game winner in two seasons, combining with three relievers to shutout the Texas Rangers, 4–0, at Globe Life Park. Snell allowed only one hit along with five strikeouts and two walks, while recording his 200th strikeout of the season and an overall ERA of 1.97. Besides, Snell (20–5) tied the Tampa Bay record for victories in a season, set by David Price in 2012, and has at least two more starts to set a new team's record.
*September 20 :
**Mookie Betts
Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts (born October 7, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Boston Red Sox. In 2018, while with the Red Sox, he became ...
was 4 for 5 with two doubles, a home run and three runs scored, driving in five runs as the Boston Red Sox came back to beat the host New York Yankees, 11–6, wrapping up its third consecutive AL East Division for the first time in franchise history. At 104–49, led by first year manager Alex Cora
Jose Alexander Cora (born October 18, 1975) is a Puerto Rican baseball manager and former infielder who is the manager of the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for 14 seasons with the Red Sox, Los Angele ...
, the Sox need at least to go 2–7 over their final nine games to set a franchise record with 106 victories. The 1912 Boston team, which was led by Hall of Fame outfielders Tris Speaker
Tristram Edgar Speaker (April 4, 1888 – December 8, 1958), nicknamed "the Gray Eagle", was an American professional baseball player. Considered one of the greatest players in the history of Major League Baseball (MLB), he compiled a career bat ...
and 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 ...
and 34-game winning pitcher Smoky Joe Wood
Howard Ellsworth "Smoky Joe" Wood (October 25, 1889 – July 27, 1985) was an American professional baseball player for 14 years. He played for the Boston Red Sox from 1908 to 1915, where he was primarily a pitcher, and for the Cleveland Indi ...
, went 105–47 en route to the 1912 World Series championship. The Yankees go deep twice in the loss giving them 247 home runs on the season, breaking the franchise record of 245 home runs set back in 2012.
**Down 8–2 entering the bottom of the 9th inning, the Toronto Blue Jays score 7 runs, capped off by back-to-back 2-out home runs by Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Lourdes Yunielki Gurriel Castillo Jr. (born October 10, 1993) is a Cuban professional baseball left fielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Toronto Blue Jays where he debuted ...
and Justin Smoak
Justin Kyle Smoak (born December 5, 1986) is an American professional baseball first baseman who is currently a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Seattle Mariners, Toronto Blue Jays, Milwaukee Brewer ...
to stun the Tampa Bay Rays 9–8. The comeback tied the largest 9th inning rally in Blue Jays history.
*September 21 :
**The Texas Rangers announced that manager Jeff Banister
Jeffery Todd Banister (born January 15, 1964) is an American former professional baseball player and manager. He is the bench coach for the Arizona Diamondbacks. Before that, he was a special assistant for the Pittsburgh Pirates of Major Lea ...
was relieved of his duties. Bench coach Don Wakamatsu
Wilbur Donald Wakamatsu (born February 22, 1963) is an American former professional baseball player, scout, coach, and manager. Wakamatsu was drafted in the 11th round of the 1985 Major League Baseball draft by the Cincinnati Reds. He played as ...
was appointed to finish out the remainder of the season as the interim manager. The decision came with 10 games remaining in the season and less than three years since Banister replaced Ron Washington
Ronald Louis Washington (born April 29, 1952) is an American former professional baseball shortstop. He played Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Minnesota Twins, Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians, and Houston Astros.
W ...
. Banister was named the American League Manager of the Year in his first season for managing the Rangers to the first of back-to-back AL West Division titles in both 2015 and 2016. Nevertheless, after two consecutive losing seasons the team went backward, traded several veterans, and entered a rebuilding phase. Banister, who posted a 325–312 overall record, is under contract for the next season, but he will earn his reported $950K salary while someone else takes the helm for the Rangers. Banister became the third manager in the major leagues to be dismissed this season, along with Mike Matheny
Michael Scott Matheny (born September 22, 1970) is an American former professional baseball player and former manager of the St. Louis Cardinals and Kansas City Royals of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for 13 seasons as a catcher ...
of the St. Louis Cardinals and Bryan Price
Bryan Roberts Price (born June 22, 1962) is an American former professional baseball coach and manager. Price was the manager of the Cincinnati Reds of MLB, from 2014 through 2018.
After pitching in the minor leagues, Price has served as the p ...
of the Cincinnati Reds.
**Yuli Gurriel
Yulieski Gourriel Castillo (born June 9, 1984), commonly known as Yuli Gurriel and nicknamed "La Piña", is a Cuban professional baseball first baseman who is a free agent. He previously played for Sancti Spiritus in the Cuban National Serie ...
belted two home runs, including a first-inning 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 ...
and a career-high seven runs batted in, as the Houston Astros clinched their third playoff spot in four seasons with an 11–3 win over the Los Angeles Angels at Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is a retractable roof stadium in Houston, Texas, United States. It opened in 2000 as the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Houston Astros. It has a seating capacity of 41,168, which includes 5,197 club seats and 63 ...
. Besides, it was a special night for the Gurriel brothers, who starred for the Cuban National team before defecting to the United States in February 2016, as Yuli's younger brother, Lourdes Gurriel Jr.
Lourdes Yunielki Gurriel Castillo Jr. (born October 10, 1993) is a Cuban professional baseball left fielder for the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Toronto Blue Jays where he debuted ...
, hit two home runs for the Toronto Blue Jays in an 11–3 loss to the Tampa Bay Rays.[Meadows drives in 3, Rays stay alive by routing Jays 11–3]
''ESPN''. Retrieved on September 22, 2018. According to the ''Elias Sports Bureau The Elias Sports Bureau is a privately held company providing historical and current statistical information for the major professional sports leagues operating in the United States and Canada.
Elias is the official statistician for Major League Ba ...
'', Yuli and Lourdes became the first pair of brothers to hit multi-home runs on the same day in Major League Baseball history. The brothers will play one another for the first time as big leaguers next week when Houston visit Toronto.[
**The Boston Red Sox posted their 47th comeback win of the season, this one by a score of 7–5 over the Cleveland Indians at ]Progressive Field
{{Infobox stadium
, name = Progressive Field
, nickname = ''"The Jake"''
, logo_image = Progressive_Field_Logo.svg
, logo_caption =
, image =
, caption = Progressive Fiel ...
, to tie a team record with its 105th win of the season. With most of the regular roster on the bench, Rafael Devers
Rafael Devers Calcaño ( ; born October 24, 1996) is a Dominican professional baseball third baseman for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2017, and was an All-Star in 2021 and 2022.
Career
The Red Sox ...
smashed his 18th homer, while Sam Travis
Samuel John Travis (born August 27, 1993) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the Olmecas de Tabasco of the Mexican League. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox. Listed at and , he b ...
and Tzu-Wei Lin
Tzu-Wei Lin (; born February 15, 1994), is a Taiwanese baseball infielder for the Auckland Tuatara of the Australian Baseball League. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox and Minnesota Twins.
Listed at and , ...
hit their first career home runs, as the trio drove in the seven runs of the team. Besides, the 2018 Red Sox tied the record set by the 1912 Boston team in game No. 154, which was the length of a season 106 years ago.
*September 22 :
**The Atlanta Braves clinched its first National League East Division title since 2013, with Mike Foltynewicz pitching a no-hitter into the seventh inning in a 5–3 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies at SunTrust Park
Truist Park (originally SunTrust Park) is a baseball stadium in the Atlanta metropolitan area, approximately 10 miles (16 km) northwest of downtown Atlanta in the unincorporated community of Cumberland, in Cobb County, Georgia. Opened in ...
. Foltynewicz held the Phillies hitless until Odúbel Herrera
Odúbel David Herrera Jr. ( ; born December 29, 1991) is a Venezuelan professional baseball center fielder for the Kansas City Monarchs of the American Association of Professional Baseball. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for ...
singled to begin the seventh inning, allowing two runs on two hits and three walks in innings of work. Johan Camargo and Freddie Freeman
Frederick Charles Freeman (born September 12, 1989) is an American-Canadian professional baseball first baseman for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). Previously, Freeman played for the Atlanta Braves for 12 seasons. He mad ...
both hit two-RBI singles, while Ender Inciarte
Ender David Inciarte Montiel (born October 29, 1990) is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Atlanta Braves and New York Mets. He made his MLB deb ...
was 2 for 3 and scored three runs. Phillies starter Jake Arrieta
Jacob Joseph Arrieta (born March 6, 1986) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles, Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, and San Diego Padres.
Arrieta played college ...
lasted just two innings, as he allowed four runs, four hits and three walks in the shortest outing of his nine-year career.
**Aaron Hicks
Aaron Michael Hicks (born October 2, 1989) is an American professional baseball center fielder for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Minnesota Twins in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft. He made hi ...
hit a walk-off RBI-double that scored Didi Gregorius
Mariekson Julius "Didi" Gregorius (born February 18, 1990) is a Dutch professional baseball shortstop who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Arizona Diamondbacks, New York Yankees and Philadel ...
in the bottom of the eleventh inning, as the New York Yankees secured their place in the playoffs with a 3–2 win over the Baltimore Orioles at Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium is a baseball stadium located in the Bronx, New York City. It is the home field of the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball, and New York City FC of Major League Soccer.
Opened in April 2009, the stadium replaced the origi ...
. Previously, Hicks and Luke Volt both hit solo home runs in the second inning. At 95–59, the Yankees matched their most wins since 2012 and will make their 54th postseason appearance, 21 more than any other club in Major League Baseball history.
*September 24 – The Boston Red Sox beat the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball stadium located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, near Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home of the Boston Red Sox, the city's American League baseball team, and since 1953, its only Major League Base ...
, 6–2, to set a franchise season record with its 106th victory of the season, surpassing the 1912 Red Sox team, Fenway Park's inaugural season. In the process, Boston secured the best record in all of MLB, thus clinching home-field advantage throughout the postseason including the World Series, as the Sox will open the Division Series
The Division Series is the quarterfinal round of the Major League Baseball playoffs. Four series are played in this round, two each for both the American League and the National League.
1981 season
The first use of the term "Division Series" date ...
at Fenway on October 5 against the winner of the AL wild-card game. Besides, the Orioles (45–111) matched the franchise record for defeats in a season, which was posted by the 1939 St. Louis Browns (43–111).
*September 25 :
**The Houston Astros reached 100 wins for the second straight season, beating the Toronto Blue Jays 4–1. In the process, the Oakland Athletics fell short in a 10–8 loss to the Seattle Mariners and Houston clinched another American League West title, sending the second-place Oakland into a wild-card matchup with the New York Yankees. The Astros will open the AL Division Series at home against the Cleveland Indians on October 5.
**Washington Nationals pitcher Max Scherzer
Maxwell Martin Scherzer (born July 27, 1984) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Arizona Diamondbacks, Detroit Tigers, Washington Nationals, and L ...
recorded his 18th win of the season in a 9–4 victory over the Florida Marlins at Nationals Park
Nationals Park is a baseball stadium
A ballpark, or baseball park, is a type of sports venue where baseball is played. The playing field is divided into the infield, an area whose dimensions are rigidly defined, and the outfield, where dimen ...
, while striking out 10 batters that gave him an even 300 strikeouts on the season. As a result, Scherzer became just the 17th pitcher since 1901 to reach the selected 300-strikeout plateau, joining Randy Johnson
Randall David Johnson (born September 10, 1963), nicknamed "The Big Unit", is an American photographer and former professional baseball pitcher who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball (1988–2009) for six teams, primarily the Seattle M ...
(six times), 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 ...
(six), Walter Johnson
Walter Perry Johnson (November 6, 1887 – December 10, 1946), nicknamed "Barney" and "The Big Train", was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in Major League Baseball as a right-ha ...
(three), Sandy Koufax
Sanford Koufax (; born Sanford Braun; December 30, 1935) is an American former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB) who played his entire career for the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers from 1955 to 1966. He has been hailed as one of t ...
(three), Curt Schilling
Curtis Montague Schilling (born November 14, 1966) is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who is a commentator for conservative media outlet BlazeTV. He helped lead the Philadelphia Phillies to a World Series appearance ...
(three), 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, ...
(two), 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 ...
(two), J. R. Richard (two), Rube Waddell
George Edward Waddell (October 13, 1876 – April 1, 1914) was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). A left-hander, he played for 13 years, with the Louisville Colonels, Pittsburgh Pirates, and Chicago Orphans in the National Le ...
(two), 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 ...
, Steve Carlton
Steven Norman Carlton (born December 22, 1944) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher for six different teams from 1965 to 1988, most notably as a member of the Philadelphi ...
, Bob Feller
Robert William Andrew Feller (November 3, 1918 – December 15, 2010), nicknamed "the Heater from Van Meter", "Bullet Bob", and "Rapid Robert", was an American baseball pitcher who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Clevel ...
, Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw (born March 19, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) . He has played for the Dodgers for the entirety of his MLB career. A left-handed starting p ...
, Mickey Lolich
Michael Stephen Lolich (born September 12, 1940) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher from 1963 until 1979, almost entirely for the Detroit Tigers. A three-time All-Star, ...
, Mike Scott and Chris Sale
Christopher Allen Sale (born March 30, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox, with whom he made his major league debut ...
.
*September 26 :
**The Milwaukee Brewers became the latest team to clinch a playoff berth with a 2–1 victory over the host St. Louis Cardinals. Travis Shaw
Travis Richard Shaw (born April 16, 1990) is an American professional baseball infielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Toronto Blue Jays—his nickname is Mayor of ...
hit a pair of RBI singles, as the Brewers completed a three-game sweep at Busch Stadium
Busch Stadium (also referred to informally as "New Busch Stadium" or "Busch Stadium III") is a baseball stadium located in St. Louis, Missouri. The stadium serves as the home of the St. Louis Cardinals, the city's Major League Baseball (MLB) f ...
, the first for St. Louis since 2009.[ ]Christian Yelich
Christian Stephen Yelich (born December 5, 1991) is an American professional baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Miami Marlins.
The Marlins selected Yelich in the first r ...
, who walked all five times he came to bat, scored both runs. Milwaukee starter Jhoulys Chacin gave up one run on just one hit over five innings, while four relievers combined for four shutout innings as the Brewers held the Cardinals to a season-low two hits. This playoff berth will be the fifth in franchise history.[ The Brewers last made the postseason in 2011, when they came within two wins of reaching the World Series before falling to the eventual champion Cardinals.][Crew returning to playoffs for first time since '11]
''MLB.com''. Retrieved on September 28, 2018.
**Boston Red Sox outfielder Mookie Betts
Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts (born October 7, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Boston Red Sox. In 2018, while with the Red Sox, he became ...
stole his 30th base of the season in a 19–3 victory over the Baltimore Orioles at Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball stadium located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, near Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home of the Boston Red Sox, the city's American League baseball team, and since 1953, its only Major League Base ...
, to become just the second player in franchise history to join the 30–30 club
In Major League Baseball (MLB), the 30–30 club is the group of batters who have collected thirty home runs and thirty stolen bases in a single season. Ken Williams was the first to achieve this, doing so in 1922. He remained the sole member ...
, being the other Jacoby Ellsbury
Jacoby McCabe Ellsbury ( ; born September 11, 1983) is an American former professional baseball center fielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox from 2007 through 2013 and then played for the New York Yankees from 2 ...
, who accomplished the feat in 2011.[Mookie Betts Becomes Second Red Sox Player Ever to Join 30–30 Club]
''MSN.com''. Retrieved on September 26, 2018. Betts, who leads the American League with a .343 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 ...
and has slugged a career-high 33 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, also became the fifth player in MLB history to hit at least .333 in a 30/30 season, joining 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 ...
(1957), Ellis Burks
Ellis is a surname of Welsh and English origin. Retrieved 21 January 2014 An independent French origin of the surname is said to derive from the phrase fleur-de-lis.
Surname
A
* Abe Ellis (Stargate), a fictional character in the TV series ''St ...
(1996), Larry Walker
Larry Kenneth Robert Walker (born December 1, 1966) is a Canadian former professional baseball right fielder. During his 17-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, he played with the Montreal Expos, Colorado Rockies, and St. Louis Cardinals. I ...
(1997) and Vladimir Guerrero
Vladimir Alvino Guerrero Sr. (born February 9, 1975), nicknamed "Vlad the Impaler", is a Dominican former professional baseball player who spent 16 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a right fielder and designated hitter. He played for ...
(2002).[
**The Toronto Blue Jays announced that ]manager
Management (or managing) is the administration of an organization, whether it is a business, a nonprofit organization, or a government body. It is the art and science of managing resources of the business.
Management includes the activities o ...
John Gibbons
John Michael Gibbons (born June 8, 1962) is an American former professional baseball player and former manager of the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Gibbons briefly played in the Major Leagues as a catcher with the New York Me ...
would not return to his position in 2019.[Blue Jays to part ways with manager John Gibbons]
''ESPN''. Retrieved on September 26, 2018. Gibbons, who recently signed an extension that included a guarantee for the 2019 campaign, guided the club to solid campaigns in 2015 and 2016, including an American League East title in the first of those years. Overall, Gibbons carries a 791–787 record in 1,578 games as the Blue Jays manager in two stints spanning 2004–2018. That places Gibbons second only to Cito Gaston
Clarence Edwin "Cito" Gaston (; born March 17, 1944) is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. His major league career as a player lasted from 1967 to 1978, most notably with the San Diego Padres and Atlanta Braves. He spent his en ...
in games managed (1,731) and wins (894) in franchise history. Furthermore, the Blue Jays added that Gibbons can decide whether to take a new role in the organization.[
**Colorado Rockies pitcher ]Germán Márquez
Germán Andres Márquez (born February 22, 1995) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Colorado Rockies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He won a Silver Slugger Award in 2018.
Career Tampa Bay Rays
Márquez signed with the Tampa Ba ...
tied a modern-day major league record with eight consecutive strikeouts to begin a game on his way to setting the franchise record for most strikeouts in a single season. Márquez, who fanned 11 Philadelphia Phillies batters in seven innings of a 14–0 victory, matched Jim Deshaies
James Joseph Deshaies (born June 23, 1960), also known as "JD", is an American former professional baseball left-handed starting pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for six teams, over the course of 12 big league seasons. He is c ...
of the Houston Astros (1986) and Jacob deGrom
Jacob Anthony deGrom (born June 19, 1988), is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the New York Mets. Prior to playing professionally, deGrom attend ...
of the New York Mets (2014) by striking out the first eight batters he faced. Previously, Mickey Welch
Michael Francis Welch (July 4, 1859 – July 30, 1941), nicknamed "Smiling Mickey", was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He stood tall and weighed . He was the third pitcher to accumulate 300 career victories. Welch was born in Brooklyn, New Y ...
of the New York Gothams
The New York Giants were a Major League Baseball team in the National League that began play in the season as the New York Gothams and were renamed in . They continued as the New York Giants until the team relocated to San Francisco, Californ ...
started a game with nine straight strikeouts on August 28, 1884. Overall, Márquez recorded his 221 strikeout of the season, breaking the franchise record set by Ubaldo Jiménez
Ubaldo Jiménez García (born January 22, 1984) is a Dominican-American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Colorado Rockies, Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles. Jiménez was an MLB All-Sta ...
in 2010.
**The Chicago Cubs secured their fourth straight playoff berth with a victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates 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 ...
, 7–6, to keep their NL Central lead.
*September 28 – The Colorado Rockies clinched a playoff spot with a 5–2 win over the Washington Nationals, making it back to back playoff appearances for the first time in franchise history.
*September 29 :
**Manny Machado
Manuel Arturo Machado (; born July 6, 1992) is an American professional baseball third baseman and shortstop for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). Very highly recruited from an early age, he was raised in Miami, where he at ...
delivered a tie-breaking, eighth-inning RBI triple, as the Los Angeles Dodgers secured at least a Wild Card berth with a 10–6 win over the San Francisco Giants at AT&T Park
Oracle Park is a Major League Baseball stadium in the SoMa neighborhood of San Francisco, California. Since 2000, it has been the home of the San Francisco Giants. Previously named Pacific Bell Park, SBC Park, and AT&T Park, the stadium's curren ...
. The victory gave Los Angeles a tie for the division lead with the Colorado Rockies, heading into the regular season finale for both teams. Afterwards, with the Milwaukee Brewers and Dodgers even with the Chicago Cubs and Rockies, respectively, the NL Central and NL West divisions will be decided on September 30.
**Gleyber Torres
Gleyber David Torres Castro (born December 13, 1996) is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop and second baseman for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut on April 22, 2018. Torres was an All-Star i ...
and Giancarlo Stanton
Giancarlo Cruz-Michael Stanton (born November 8, 1989), formerly known as Mike Stanton, is an American professional baseball designated hitter and outfielder for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2010 a ...
homered as the New York Yankees set a major league record for most home runs in a season, in way to an 8–5 victory over the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball stadium located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, near Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home of the Boston Red Sox, the city's American League baseball team, and since 1953, its only Major League Base ...
for their 100th win this year. The Yankees entered the game tied with the 1997 Seattle Mariners with 264 homers after hitting four in the previous game. Moreover, New York joined Boston and the Houston Astros to win 100 or more games this year, making the American League the first circuit to have a trio of 100-win teams in the same season.
*September 30 – The 162-game regular season calendar was not enough to decide the NL Central and NL West divisions races, as the Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Brewers, Colorado Rockies and Los Angeles Dodgers won their respective games the last day of the season. As a result, the stage was set for a pair of tiebreaker games on October 1 to determine the National League Central and NL West champions, as well as the NL Wild Card Game
The Wild Card Series (formerly known as Wild Card Game from 2012 to 2019 and in 2021) are games that serve as the opening round of the Major League Baseball (MLB) Major League Baseball postseason, postseason. A single wild card game was first ...
matchup. It is the first time in MLB history that two tiebreaker games were staged on the same day.
October
*October 1 – The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Chicago Cubs in the NL Central tiebreaker, 3–1, while the Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Colorado Rockies. 5–2, in the NL West tiebreaker. Afterwards, Colorado will travel to 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 ...
to face the Cubs in the NL playoff wild-card game.[MLB postseason schedule]
''MLB.com''. Retrieved on October 1, 2018.
*October 2 :
**The Colorado Rockies outlasted the Chicago Cubs, 2–1, in 13 innings 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 ...
, marking the longest Wild Card Game in MLB history in terms of innings and time (4:55 h). The Rockies advanced to the NL Division Series, where they will face the Milwaukee Brewers at Miller Park
American Family Field is a retractable roof stadium used primarily for baseball. It is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just southwest of the intersection of Interstate 94 and Brewers Boulevard. It is the home of Major League Baseball's Milwauk ...
.[
**The Minnesota Twins announced that manager ]Paul Molitor
Paul Leo Molitor (born August 22, 1956), nicknamed "Molly" and "the Ignitor", is an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) player and former manager of the Minnesota Twins, who is in the Baseball Hall of Fame. During his 21-year baseball car ...
was relieved of his duties after four seasons with the team. Molitor, who in the 2017 season was named the American League Manager of the Year
In Major League Baseball, the Manager of the Year Award is an honor given annually since 1983 to two outstanding managers, one each in the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winner is voted on by 30 members of the Baseball Write ...
, signed a three-year extension at the end of that season. Improving from a 59–103 record in 2016 to 85–77 in 2017, 2018 was a disappointing season for the Twins, who fell out of contention by early July and finished 78–84. With two years left on his contract, Molitor may be offered another position within the organization.
*October 3 :
**In the AL Wild Card Game, the New York Yankees posted a 7–2 victory over the Oakland Athletics. New York advanced to the AL Division Series and will face the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball stadium located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, near Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home of the Boston Red Sox, the city's American League baseball team, and since 1953, its only Major League Base ...
.[
**Following a 47–115 record in the season, the Baltimore Orioles announced that neither field manager ]Buck Showalter
William Nathaniel "Buck" Showalter III (born May 23, 1956) is an American professional baseball manager for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). Previously, he served as manager of the New York Yankees (1992–1995), Arizona Diamondb ...
and general manager
A general manager (GM) is an executive who has overall responsibility for managing both the revenue and cost elements of a company's income statement, known as profit & loss (P&L) responsibility. A general manager usually oversees most or all of ...
Dan Duquette
Dan Duquette (born May 26, 1958) is an American baseball executive. He is the former general manager of the Montreal Expos, Boston Red Sox, and Baltimore Orioles of Major League Baseball. He is also the founder of the Dan Duquette Sports Academy ...
, whose contracts expire at the end of October, will not return in 2019.[Buck Showalter and Dan Duquette out after Orioles' 115-loss season]
''The Washington Post''. Retrieved on October 4, 2018. Showalter took the helm during the 2010 season, while Duquette was hired as general manager after the 2011 campaign. Duquette, who previously worked for the Montreal Expos and the Boston Red Sox, was the architect of the rosters that Showalter guided Baltimore to playoff appearances in three seasons, being named the MLB Executive of the Year in 1992 with the Expos and 2014 with the Orioles.[ A three-time AL League Manager of the Year, Showalter was part of an Orioles turnaround that included three postseason trips between 2012 and 2016. In 2012, the Orioles won 93 games to end a streak of 14 consecutive losing seasons and earned a Wild Card berth. After missing the playoffs in 2013, the team won the AL Division title in 2014 for their first postseason victory in 17 years, sweeping the Detroit Tigers before being swept by the Kansas City Royals in the AL Championship Series. After that, Baltimore posted an 81–81 record in 2015 and earned another wild card appearance in 2016. After two subpar years, Showalter completed his 20th season as a big league manager, which includes stints with the New York Yankees (1992–1995), Arizona Diamondbacks (1998–2000) and Texas Rangers (2003–2006). In each of those cases, Showalter had a track record of turning losing franchises into winners, particularly the expansion Diamondbacks, guiding them to the ]2001 World Series
The 2001 World Series was the championship series of Major League Baseball's (MLB) 2001 season. The 97th edition of the World Series, it was a best-of-seven playoff between the National League (NL) champion Arizona Diamondbacks and the three-t ...
championship. His career record is 1,551–1,517, for a .506 winning percentage.
*October 4 :
**Mike Moustakas
Michael Christopher Moustakas (; born September 11, 1988) is an American professional baseball infielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Milwaukee Brewers, and Cincinnati Reds.
Moust ...
drove in Christian Yelich
Christian Stephen Yelich (born December 5, 1991) is an American professional baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Miami Marlins.
The Marlins selected Yelich in the first r ...
with a two-out single in the bottom of the 10th inning, as the Milwaukee Brewers beat the Colorado Rockies, 3–2, in Game 1 of the NLDS.[2018 NLDS]
''MLB.com''. Retrieved on October 5, 2018.
**The Los Angeles Dodgers shutout the Atlanta Braves, 6–0, in Game 1 of the NLDS, behind a seven-inning pitching performance from Hyun-Jin Ryu and early homers by Joc Pederson
Joc Russell Pederson ( ; born April 21, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and Atlanta Br ...
and Max Muncy.[
*October 5 :
** J. D. Martinez hit a three-run homer off ]J. A. Happ
James Anthony Happ (born October 19, 1982) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros, Toronto Blue Jays, Seattle Mariners, Pittsburgh Pirates, New Y ...
in the first inning and Chris Sale
Christopher Allen Sale (born March 30, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox, with whom he made his major league debut ...
combined with five relievers, as the Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees at Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball stadium located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, near Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home of the Boston Red Sox, the city's American League baseball team, and since 1953, its only Major League Base ...
, 5–4, in Game 1 of the AL Division Series. The Red Sox jumped out to a 5–0 lead in the third inning, only for their bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen (or simply the pen) is the area where relief pitchers warm up before entering a game. A team's roster of relief pitchers is also metonymically referred to as "the bullpen". These pitchers usually wait in the bullpen if t ...
to nearly blow it once Sale departed in the sixth. Closer Craig Kimbrel
Craig Michael Kimbrel (born May 28, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Chicag ...
was credited with the save, striking out the last three Yankees hitters after an allowing a solo home run to Aaron Judge
Aaron James Judge (born April 26, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). Judge was unanimously selected as the American League (AL) Rookie of the Year in 2017, and finishe ...
to open the inning. It was also the first postseason meeting between the historic rivals since the epic seven-game AL Championship Series matchup in 2004.[2018 ALDS]
''MLB.com''. Retrieved on October 6, 2018.
**The Houston Astros exploded in Game 1 of the ALDS in a reminiscent of their previous playoff opening contest against the Boston Red Sox in 2017. This time, Astros starter Justin Verlander
Justin Brooks Verlander ( ; born February 20, 1983) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros. From Manakin-Sabot, ...
prevailed in a pitching duel with Corey Kluber
Corey Scott Kluber (born April 10, 1986) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, New York Yankees and Tampa Bay Rays. He made his M ...
and was backed by four home runs in a 7–2 victory over and the Cleveland Indians at Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is a retractable roof stadium in Houston, Texas, United States. It opened in 2000 as the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Houston Astros. It has a seating capacity of 41,168, which includes 5,197 club seats and 63 ...
.[
**]Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw (born March 19, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) . He has played for the Dodgers for the entirety of his MLB career. A left-handed starting p ...
allowed only two hits in eight innings, as the Los Angeles Dodgers shut out the Atlanta Braves at Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium is a baseball stadium in the Elysian Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It is the home stadium of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers. Opened in 1962, it was constructed in less than three years at a cost of ( ...
, 2–0, to take a 2–0 lead in the NL Division Series.[
**Besides, the Milwaukee Brewers also took a 2–0 advantage, shutting out the Colorado Rockies 4–0 at ]Miller Park
American Family Field is a retractable roof stadium used primarily for baseball. It is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just southwest of the intersection of Interstate 94 and Brewers Boulevard. It is the home of Major League Baseball's Milwauk ...
, in Game 2 of their NLDS series.[
*October 6 :
** Gary Sánchez belted two home runs and drove in four runs, and the New York Yankees evened the AL Division Series at a game apiece with a 6–2 victory over the Boston Red Sox at ]Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball stadium located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, near Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home of the Boston Red Sox, the city's American League baseball team, and since 1953, its only Major League Base ...
. Masahiro Tanaka
is a Japanese professional baseball player for the Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles of the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). From 2007 through 2013, he played for the Eagles in NPB. Tanaka was posted by the Eagles after the 2013 season to be s ...
pitched five innings, allowing one run on three hits and earned the win. Once more, Boston starter David Price struggled in the playoffs and lasted only 1 2⁄3 innings, while dropping to 0–9 in 10 postseason starts.[
**Houston Astros starter ]Gerrit Cole
Gerrit Alan Cole (born September 8, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros. Cole played for the baseball team ...
struck out 12 and allowed just one run in seven innings, to defeat the Cleveland Indians in the ALDS Game 2 at Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is a retractable roof stadium in Houston, Texas, United States. It opened in 2000 as the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Houston Astros. It has a seating capacity of 41,168, which includes 5,197 club seats and 63 ...
, 3–1, leaving them on the brink of elimination.[
*October 7 :
**The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Colorado Rockies at ]Coors Field
Coors Field is a baseball stadium in downtown Denver, Colorado. It is the home field of Major League Baseball's Colorado Rockies. Opened in 1995, the park is located in Denver's Lower Downtown neighborhood, two blocks from Union Station. The ...
, 6–0, to sweep their NL Division Series and advance to their first NL Championship Series since the 2011 season. Milwaukee will play against the winner of the Atlanta Braves-Los Angeles Dodgers series, starting on October 12 at Miller Park
American Family Field is a retractable roof stadium used primarily for baseball. It is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just southwest of the intersection of Interstate 94 and Brewers Boulevard. It is the home of Major League Baseball's Milwauk ...
.[
**20-year-old rookie ]Ronald Acuña
Ronald is a masculine given name derived from the Old Norse ''Rögnvaldr'', Hanks; Hardcastle; Hodges (2006) p. 234; Hanks; Hodges (2003) § Ronald. or possibly from Old English '' Regenweald''. In some cases ''Ronald'' is an Anglicised form o ...
passed Mickey Mantle
Mickey Charles Mantle (October 20, 1931 – August 13, 1995), nicknamed "the Commerce Comet" and "the Mick", was an American professional baseball player. Mantle played his entire Major League Baseball (MLB) career (1951–1968) with the New York ...
to become the youngest MLB player to hit 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 ...
in the postseason, as the Atlanta Braves broke a 19-inning scoreless drought in the NL Division Series, while defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers at SunTrust Park
Truist Park (originally SunTrust Park) is a baseball stadium in the Atlanta metropolitan area, approximately 10 miles (16 km) northwest of downtown Atlanta in the unincorporated community of Cumberland, in Cobb County, Georgia. Opened in ...
, 6–5, to win Game 3 of the best-of-five set. At age 21, Mantle smashed a grand slam in the 1953 World Series
The 1953 World Series was the championship series in Major League Baseball for the 1953 season. The 50th edition of the World Series, it matched the four-time defending champions New York Yankees against the Brooklyn Dodgers in a rematch of the ...
. In addition, Acuña became the fourth rookie to homer in the postseason, joining Gil McDougald
Gilbert James McDougald (May 19, 1928 – November 28, 2010) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) infielder who spent ten major league seasons playing for the New York Yankees from 1951 through 1960.
McDougald was the 1951 American L ...
(1951), Ricky Ledee (1999) and Paul Goldschmidt
Paul Edward Goldschmidt (born September 10, 1987) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Lightly recruited out of The Woodlands High School in The Woodlands, Texas, Golds ...
(2011).[
**]Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions
The Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions, stylized as Uni-President 7-ᴇʟᴇᴠᴇn Lions, also known as Uni-Lions (), are a professional baseball team playing in the Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL). The Lions are based in Tainan City, Ta ...
pitcher Ryan Verdugo hurled a 1–0 perfect game
Perfect game may refer to:
Sports
* Perfect game (baseball), a complete-game win by a pitcher allowing no baserunners
* Perfect game (bowling), a 300 game, 12 consecutive strikes in the same game
* Perfect Game Collegiate Baseball League, New York ...
against the Chinatrust Brothers
The CTBC Brothers () or simply Brothers are a professional baseball team in Taiwan. The team was originally established as an amateur team in 1984 by the Brother Hotel located in Taipei City, and later joined the Chinese Professional Baseball Leagu ...
, to become the first pitcher to accomplish the feat in the history of the Chinese Professional Baseball League
The Chinese Professional Baseball League (CPBL; ) is the top-tier professional baseball league in Taiwan. The league was established in 1989 and played the first season in 1990. CPBL eventually absorbed the competing Taiwan Major League in 20 ...
. To make everything more interesting, the winning run came on a lead-off, walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. For a home run to end the game, it must be hit in the bottom of the final inning of the game and generate enough runs to exceed the opponent's score. Because the opponent will not ...
by third baseman Kuo Fu-Lin. Verdugo, a former Kansas City Royals prospect, retired all 27 batters he faced on 92 pitches while striking out
''Striking Out'' is an Irish television legal drama series, broadcast on RTÉ, that first aired on 1 January 2017. Produced by Bl!nder F!lms for RTÉ Television, ''Striking Out'' stars Amy Huberman as Dublin-based solicitor Tara Rafferty, who is ...
eight in the process.
*October 8 :
**Brock Holt
Brock Wyatt Holt (born June 11, 1988), nicknamed "The Brock Star", is an American former professional baseball player. Well known for his role as a utility player, Holt played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Re ...
hit for the cycle
In baseball, hitting for the cycle is the accomplishment of one batter who hits a single, a double, a triple, and a home run in the same game. Collecting the hits in that order is known as a "natural cycle". Cycles are rare in Major League Ba ...
and drove in five runs to lead the Boston Red Sox to a 16–1 rout of the host New York Yankees in pivotal Game 3 of the AL Division Series. Boston starter Nathan Eovaldi
Nathan Edward Eovaldi ( ; born February 13, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Ra ...
pitched seven innings of one-run ball, allowing five hits and striking out
''Striking Out'' is an Irish television legal drama series, broadcast on RTÉ, that first aired on 1 January 2017. Produced by Bl!nder F!lms for RTÉ Television, ''Striking Out'' stars Amy Huberman as Dublin-based solicitor Tara Rafferty, who is ...
seven without walking
Walking (also known as ambulation) is one of the main gaits of terrestrial locomotion among legged animals. Walking is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined by an 'inverted pendulum' gait in which the body vaults o ...
a batter, while Holt completed the first cycle in MLB postseason history. In the loss, Yankees backup catcher Austin Romine
Austin Allen Romine (born November 22, 1988) is an American professional baseball catcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Detroit Tigers, Chicago Cubs, Los Angeles Angels, St. Louis Ca ...
becomes just the second position player to ever pitch in a postseason game. The Sox took a 2–1 advantage in the best-of-five series.[
**The Houston Astros advanced to the AL Championship Series for the second straight year, after completing an AL Division Series sweep of the Cleveland Indians with an 11–3 win at ]Progressive Field
{{Infobox stadium
, name = Progressive Field
, nickname = ''"The Jake"''
, logo_image = Progressive_Field_Logo.svg
, logo_caption =
, image =
, caption = Progressive Fiel ...
, as Cleveland was beaten in the first round for the second year in a row. George Springer
George Chelston Springer III (born September 19, 1989) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Houston Astros from 2014 to 2020.
The Astros selected Springer i ...
homered twice, Carlos Correa
Carlos Javier Correa Oppenheimer Jr. (born September 22, 1994) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball shortstop who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, who selected him first overall in the ...
hit a three-run homer, Marwin González
Marwin Javier González (born March 14, 1989) is a Venezuelan professional baseball utility player for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). González was signed as an international free agent by the Chicago Cubs in 2005. ...
added a two-run double, and Houston's bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen (or simply the pen) is the area where relief pitchers warm up before entering a game. A team's roster of relief pitchers is also metonymically referred to as "the bullpen". These pitchers usually wait in the bullpen if t ...
combined for four scoreless innings to back a solid pitching performance by Dallas Keuchel
Dallas Keuchel (, ; born January 1, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in MLB for the Houston Astros, Atlanta Braves, Chicago White Sox, Arizona Diamondbacks, and Texas Ran ...
. The Astros will await for the winner of the Boston Red Sox-New York Yankees series for a chance to play for another AL title.[
**]Manny Machado
Manuel Arturo Machado (; born July 6, 1992) is an American professional baseball third baseman and shortstop for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). Very highly recruited from an early age, he was raised in Miami, where he at ...
hit a three-run homer and David Freese
David Richard Freese (born April 28, 1983) is an American former professional baseball Infielder, infielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). He began his MLB career with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he was a key player during the 2011 Major Leag ...
, as the Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to their third consecutive NL Championship Series with a 6–2 Game 4 victory over the Atlanta Braves at SunTrust Park
Truist Park (originally SunTrust Park) is a baseball stadium in the Atlanta metropolitan area, approximately 10 miles (16 km) northwest of downtown Atlanta in the unincorporated community of Cumberland, in Cobb County, Georgia. Opened in ...
. Los Angeles moved on to face the Milwaukee Brewers in the best-of-seven NL Championship Series. The Braves lost its nine straight playoff appearances, their last victory coming 17 years ago, a four-game sweep over the Houston Astros in the 2001 NL Division Series.[
*October 9 :
**The Boston Red Sox beat the New York Yankees, 4–3, for their second straight win at ]Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium is a baseball stadium located in the Bronx, New York City. It is the home field of the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball, and New York City FC of Major League Soccer.
Opened in April 2009, the stadium replaced the origi ...
, claiming the AL Division Series in four games and advancing to face the defending World Champions Houston Astros in AL Championship Series.[
**The Tampa Bay Rays extended the contract of manager ]Kevin Cash
Kevin Forrest Cash (born December 6, 1977) is an American professional baseball manager and former player who is the manager of the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Previously, Cash played catcher in MLB for the Toronto Blue Jays, ...
through the 2024 season, plus a club option for 2025. Cash had one year remaining on a five-year, $5 million deal he signed when he replaced Joe Maddon
Joseph John Maddon (born February 8, 1954) is an American former professional baseball manager and coach. He has managed the Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs, and Los Angeles Angels of Major League Baseball.
Maddon began his coaching career in MLB ...
before the 2015 season. Cash guided the Rays to their best season since 2013, as they finished third in the American League East Division with a 90–72 record, which was good for sixth overall in the 15-team league despite setting club records with 54 players, 31 pitchers and 23 rookies. Utilizing a variety of unorthodox means of deploying the roster, Cash used relief pitcher
In baseball and softball, a relief pitcher or reliever is a pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed because of fatigue (medical), fatigue, ineffectiveness, injury, or ejection (sports), ejection, or for other strategic ...
s to begin games, setting a team record with 17 different starting pitcher
In baseball (hardball or softball), a starting pitcher or starter is the first pitcher in the game for each team. A pitcher is credited with a game started if they throw the first pitch to the opponent's first batter of a game. Starting pit ...
s, or openers, if is the case. As a result, the pitching staff ranked third in the major leagues with a 3.50 earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number ...
and also set a major league record with 824 1/3 relief innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched (IP) are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher is on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one innin ...
.
*October 12 – The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Los Angeles Dodgers at Miller Park
American Family Field is a retractable roof stadium used primarily for baseball. It is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just southwest of the intersection of Interstate 94 and Brewers Boulevard. It is the home of Major League Baseball's Milwauk ...
, 6–5, giving Milwaukee a 12th straight victory in the playoffs and a 1–0 lead in the best-of-seven National League Championship Series. Dodgers ace Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw (born March 19, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) . He has played for the Dodgers for the entirety of his MLB career. A left-handed starting p ...
lasted only three innings, allowing five runs on six hits and two walks, for the shortest post-season outing of his career. Brewers relief pitcher
In baseball and softball, a relief pitcher or reliever is a pitcher who enters the game after the starting pitcher is removed because of fatigue (medical), fatigue, ineffectiveness, injury, or ejection (sports), ejection, or for other strategic ...
Brandon Woodruff
Brandon Kyle Woodruff (born February 10, 1993) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Career
Woodruff attended Wheeler High School in Wheeler, Mississippi and was drafted by the T ...
led off the third inning with a long home run to right-center field, tying the game 1–1.[2018 NLCS]
''MLB.com''. Retrieved on October 13, 2018. Woodruff, who was credited with the win, also joined New York Giants' Rosy Ryan
Wilfred Patrick Dolan "Rosy" Ryan (March 15, 1898 – December 10, 1980) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He played ten seasons in Major League Baseball between 1919 and 1933 for the New York Giants, Boston Braves, New York Yankees, ...
( 1924 World Series Game 3) and Chicago Cubs' Travis Wood
Travis Alan Wood (born February 6, 1987) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, Kansas City Royals, and San Diego Padres.
Amateur career
Born and raise ...
( 2016 NL Division Series Game 2) as the only relievers in MLB history to hit a homer in the postseason.
*October 13 :
**Justin Verlander
Justin Brooks Verlander ( ; born February 20, 1983) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros. From Manakin-Sabot, ...
outpitched Chris Sale
Christopher Allen Sale (born March 30, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox, with whom he made his major league debut ...
to help the Houston Astros beat the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball stadium located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, near Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home of the Boston Red Sox, the city's American League baseball team, and since 1953, its only Major League Base ...
, 7–2, in Game 1 of the American League Championship Series. Verlander allowed two runs on two hits and four walks, while striking six in six innings of work. Boston reliever Joe Kelly gave up one run in innings and was charged with the loss. Sale lasted only four innings while he struggled with his control, loading the bases in the second on two walks and a hit-by-pitch, before delivering a two-out, two-run single to George Springer
George Chelston Springer III (born September 19, 1989) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Toronto Blue Jays of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the Houston Astros from 2014 to 2020.
The Astros selected Springer i ...
which to put the Astros ahead. Besides, Verlander earned his 13th career postseason victory. He is surpassed only by Andy Pettitte
Andrew Eugene Pettitte (; born June 15, 1972) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily for the New York Yankees. He also pitched for the Houston Astros. Pettitte won fiv ...
(19), John Smoltz
John Andrew Smoltz (born May 15, 1967), nicknamed "Smoltzie" and "Marmaduke", is an American former baseball pitcher who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball from 1988 to 2009, all but the last year with the Atlanta Braves. An eight-time A ...
(15) and Tom Glavine
Thomas Michael Glavine (born March 25, 1966) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 22 seasons in Major League Baseball, for the Atlanta Braves (1987–2002, 2008) and New York Mets (2003–2007).
With 164 victories durin ...
(14).[2018 ALCS]
''MLB.com''. Retrieved on October 14, 2018.
**Justin Turner
Justin Matthew Turner (born November 23, 1984) is an American professional baseball third baseman for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Baltimore Orioles, New York Mets and Los Angeles Dod ...
hit a two-run homer off Jeremy Jeffress
Jeremy Ross Jeffress (born September 21, 1987) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, and C ...
in the eighth inning to lift the Los Angeles Dodgers over the host Milwaukee Brewers for a 4–3 victory that evened the NL Championship Series at a game apiece. Seven Dodgers relievers went through the final innings of the game, allowing only a solo homer by Travis Shaw
Travis Richard Shaw (born April 16, 1990) is an American professional baseball infielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Toronto Blue Jays—his nickname is Mayor of ...
in the sixth while striking out four and giving up four walks. Brewers starter Wade Miley
Wade Allen Miley (born November 13, 1986) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Miley in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the ...
pitched strong innings of shutout ball, allowing only two singles with three strikeouts and no walks in a lost effort.[
*October 14 – ]Jackie Bradley Jr.
Jackie Bradley Jr. (born April 19, 1990), nicknamed "JBJ", is an American professional baseball right fielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Toronto Blue Jays. List ...
hit a three-run RBI double and Mookie Betts
Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts (born October 7, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Boston Red Sox. In 2018, while with the Red Sox, he became ...
delivered an RBI double and scored two runs, as the Boston Red Sox bounced back to defeat Gerrit Cole
Gerrit Alan Cole (born September 8, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Yankees of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Houston Astros. Cole played for the baseball team ...
and the Houston Astros, 7–5, while tying the ALCS at 1–1. The Boston bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen (or simply the pen) is the area where relief pitchers warm up before entering a game. A team's roster of relief pitchers is also metonymically referred to as "the bullpen". These pitchers usually wait in the bullpen if t ...
recorded the final 13 outs in relief of starter David Price. Matt Barnes
Matt Barnes (born March 9, 1980) is an American former professional basketball player who played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Barnes was drafted in the second round of the 2002 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. He ...
earned the win and Craig Kimbrel
Craig Michael Kimbrel (born May 28, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Chicag ...
was credited with the save.[
*October 15 :
**]Jhoulys Chacín
Jhoulys Jose Chacín Molina ( ; born January 7, 1988) is an American-Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padre ...
combined with four relievers on a five-hitter to shutout
In team sports, a shutout ( US) or clean sheet ( UK) is a game in which one team prevents the other from scoring any points. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball.
Shutouts are usuall ...
the Los Angeles Dodgers in Game 3 of the NL Championship Series, 4–0, as the Milwaukee Brewers took a 2–1 advantage in the best-of-seven set. Orlando Arcia
Orlando Jesús Arcia (born August 4, 1994) is a Venezuelan professional baseball shortstop for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Milwaukee Brewers signed Arcia as an international free agent in 2010. He made his MLB debut in ...
belted a two-run homer in the seventh inning, collecting his third postseason home run as well as his second in two games. Chacín scattered three hits over innings, while striking out
''Striking Out'' is an Irish television legal drama series, broadcast on RTÉ, that first aired on 1 January 2017. Produced by Bl!nder F!lms for RTÉ Television, ''Striking Out'' stars Amy Huberman as Dublin-based solicitor Tara Rafferty, who is ...
six and walking
Walking (also known as ambulation) is one of the main gaits of terrestrial locomotion among legged animals. Walking is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined by an 'inverted pendulum' gait in which the body vaults o ...
two.[ The 14 strikeouts by Brewers pitchers in this game set a franchise postseason record, topping the old mark of 13 in game 1 of this year's NLCS][Chacin, Brewers' bullpen blank Dodgers 4–0 for 2–1 NLCS lead]
''ESPN''. Retrieved on October 16, 2018. and Game 2 of the 2011 NLDS against the Arizona Diamondbacks.[
**The Atlanta Braves agreed to a two-year contract extension with ]manager
Management (or managing) is the administration of an organization, whether it is a business, a nonprofit organization, or a government body. It is the art and science of managing resources of the business.
Management includes the activities o ...
Brian Snitker
Brian Gerald Snitker (born October 17, 1955) is an American professional baseball coach and former player who is the manager of the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). Snitker has been in the Braves organization in different roles si ...
that includes a club option for the 2021 season. Snitker, who has been in the Atlanta organization in different roles since becoming a minor league player in 1977, became the team's interim manager six weeks into the 2016 season. He then posted a 72–90 record with the Braves in 2017, and led them to a 92–70 record and the National League East title this season, while guiding the club to its first playoff berth since 2013.
*October 16 :
**The Boston Red Sox posted an 8–2 victory over the Houston Astros at Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is a retractable roof stadium in Houston, Texas, United States. It opened in 2000 as the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Houston Astros. It has a seating capacity of 41,168, which includes 5,197 club seats and 63 ...
to take a 2–1 lead in this best-of-seven series. Steve Pearce drove a towering 456-foot home run to lead off
In baseball, a lead or lead off is the short distance that a player stands away from their current base.
On the bases
In baseball, to lead off, or to take a lead, refers to the position a baserunner takes just prior to a pitch, a short distance ...
the top of the sixth inning, breaking a 2–2 tie, but Jackie Bradley Jr.
Jackie Bradley Jr. (born April 19, 1990), nicknamed "JBJ", is an American professional baseball right fielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Toronto Blue Jays. List ...
laced 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 ...
in the eighth, clearing the bases for the second game in a row, while giving him seven RBI in consecutive games for the first time in his career. Boston starter Nathan Eovaldi
Nathan Edward Eovaldi ( ; born February 13, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Ra ...
walked two and struck out
In baseball or softball, a strikeout (or strike-out) occurs when a batter accumulates three strikes during a time at bat. It usually means that the batter is out. A strikeout is a statistic recorded for both pitchers and batters, and is denote ...
four in six innings, while scattering six hits and two runs.[
**]Cody Bellinger
Cody James Bellinger (born July 13, 1995) is an American professional baseball center fielder and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was selected ...
delivered a walk-off, RBI single with two outs in the bottom of the 13th-inning, lifting the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 2–1 victory over the Milwaukee Brewers, and even the NLCS at two games apiece. It took five hours and 15 minutes when Bellinger laced a full count pitch from Milwaukee reliever Junior Guerra
Junior José Guerra Maurera (born January 16, 1985) is a Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher for the Tecolotes de los Dos Laredos of the Mexican League. He previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Chicago White Sox, Milwauke ...
into right field to score Manny Machado
Manuel Arturo Machado (; born July 6, 1992) is an American professional baseball third baseman and shortstop for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). Very highly recruited from an early age, he was raised in Miami, where he at ...
. The Dodgers had scored their first run on an RBI-single by Brian Dozier
James Brian Dozier (;born May 15, 1987) is an American former professional baseball second baseman. The Minnesota Twins selected Dozier in the eighth round of the 2009 Major League Baseball Draft. He made his MLB debut in 2012 and he played in ...
in the first inning. The Brewers then tied it one-all in the fifth on a Domingo Santana
Domingo Alberto Santana (born August 5, 1992) is a Dominican professional baseball outfielder for the Tokyo Yakult Swallows of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Houston Astros, Milwaukee Bre ...
’s RBI-double.[
*October 17 :
**Boston Red Sox left fielder ]Andrew Benintendi
Andrew Sebastian Benintendi (born July 6, 1994) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals and New York Yank ...
made a sensational diving catch of an Alex Bregman line drive
In the sports of baseball and softball, a batted ball is a pitch that has been contacted by the batter's bat. Batted balls are either fair or foul, and can be characterized as a fly ball, pop-up, line drive, or ground ball. In baseball, a fou ...
with the bases loaded
B backdoor breaking ball
:A breaking pitch, usually a slider, curveball, or cut fastball that, due to its lateral motion, passes through a small part of the strike zone on the outside edge of the plate after seeming as if it would miss the p ...
and two outs in the bottom of the ninth inning, securing an 8–6 victory over the Houston Astros in Game 4 of the AL Championship Series at Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is a retractable roof stadium in Houston, Texas, United States. It opened in 2000 as the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Houston Astros. It has a seating capacity of 41,168, which includes 5,197 club seats and 63 ...
. José Altuve
José Carlos Altuve (; born May 6, 1990) is a Venezuelan professional baseball second baseman for the Houston Astros of Major League Baseball (MLB). The Astros signed Altuve as an amateur free agent in 2007, and he made his major league debut ...
hit a potential two-run homer in the first inning, but Boston right fielder Mookie Betts
Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts (born October 7, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Boston Red Sox. In 2018, while with the Red Sox, he became ...
lined up for a leaping grab and was denied the opportunity to make it when a fan who was reaching for the ball knocked his glove closed and out of the way. As a result, umpire
An umpire is an official in a variety of sports and competition, responsible for enforcing the rules of the sport, including sportsmanship decisions such as ejection.
The term derives from the Old French nonper, ''non'', "not" and ''per'', ...
Joe West called the play fan interference and ruled Altuve out. In the top of the sixth, Red Sox center fielder Jackie Bradley Jr.
Jackie Bradley Jr. (born April 19, 1990), nicknamed "JBJ", is an American professional baseball right fielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Toronto Blue Jays. List ...
hit a two-run home run that gave him nine RBI in the ALCS and Boston a lead that never relinquished. Bradley has connected just three hits in the series, but each of those hits have changed the final outcome of the games. The Red Sox, who twice came from behind, took a 3–1 lead in the best-of-seven series and put them one victory from reaching the World Series.[
**The Los Angeles Dodgers prevailed over the Milwaukee Brewers in Game 5 of the NLCS at ]Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium is a baseball stadium in the Elysian Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It is the home stadium of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers. Opened in 1962, it was constructed in less than three years at a cost of ( ...
, 5–2, as the Dodgers took a 3–2 edge in the best-of-seven series. Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw (born March 19, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) . He has played for the Dodgers for the entirety of his MLB career. A left-handed starting p ...
had his best performance of this postseason, limiting the Brewers to a run on three hits and two walks while striking out
''Striking Out'' is an Irish television legal drama series, broadcast on RTÉ, that first aired on 1 January 2017. Produced by Bl!nder F!lms for RTÉ Television, ''Striking Out'' stars Amy Huberman as Dublin-based solicitor Tara Rafferty, who is ...
nine. The Dodgers loose scored their five runs over the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.[
*October 18 – The Boston Red Sox beat the defending World Champion Houston Astros 4–1 in Game 5 of the AL Championship Series at ]Minute Maid Park
Minute Maid Park is a retractable roof stadium in Houston, Texas, United States. It opened in 2000 as the home ballpark of Major League Baseball's Houston Astros. It has a seating capacity of 41,168, which includes 5,197 club seats and 63 ...
, as they advanced to the World Series to face the winner of Dodgers-Brewers NLCS match at Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball stadium located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, near Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home of the Boston Red Sox, the city's American League baseball team, and since 1953, its only Major League Base ...
in Game 1 of the World Series. On just three days of rest, David Price pitched six solid shutout innings, allowing only three hits and walking
Walking (also known as ambulation) is one of the main gaits of terrestrial locomotion among legged animals. Walking is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined by an 'inverted pendulum' gait in which the body vaults o ...
none while striking out
''Striking Out'' is an Irish television legal drama series, broadcast on RTÉ, that first aired on 1 January 2017. Produced by Bl!nder F!lms for RTÉ Television, ''Striking Out'' stars Amy Huberman as Dublin-based solicitor Tara Rafferty, who is ...
a playoff career-high nine. Price finished his outing by retiring seven straight batters, earning his first postseason victory as a starter. He was 0–9 in 11 career postseason starts, tied with Al Leiter
Alois Terry Leiter (; born October 23, 1965) is an American former professional baseball player and current television sports commentator. He played in Major League Baseball as a left-handed pitcher from to for the New York Yankees, Toronto Blu ...
and Tim Hudson
Timothy Adam Hudson (born July 14, 1975), nicknamed "Huddy" is an American former professional baseball pitcher of Major League Baseball (MLB). After spending his college years at Chattahoochee Valley Community College and Auburn University, Hud ...
for the most consecutive playoff starts without a win. The Red Sox bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen (or simply the pen) is the area where relief pitchers warm up before entering a game. A team's roster of relief pitchers is also metonymically referred to as "the bullpen". These pitchers usually wait in the bullpen if t ...
closed out the last three innings for the victory. Justin Verlander
Justin Brooks Verlander ( ; born February 20, 1983) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Detroit Tigers and Houston Astros. From Manakin-Sabot, ...
, who carried an MLB 24-inning scoreless streak record in playoff games, surrendered a solo home run to J. D. Martinez in the third inning. Three innings later, Rafael Devers
Rafael Devers Calcaño ( ; born October 24, 1996) is a Dominican professional baseball third baseman for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2017, and was an All-Star in 2021 and 2022.
Career
The Red Sox ...
took Verlander long, for a three-run homer to put the Red Sox up 4–0. Marwin González
Marwin Javier González (born March 14, 1989) is a Venezuelan professional baseball utility player for the Orix Buffaloes of Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB). González was signed as an international free agent by the Chicago Cubs in 2005. ...
answered with a solo homer in the bottom of the seventh that made it a 4–1 game. Jackie Bradley Jr.
Jackie Bradley Jr. (born April 19, 1990), nicknamed "JBJ", is an American professional baseball right fielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Toronto Blue Jays. List ...
, who hit a 1.067 OPS
In ancient Roman religion, Ops or ''Opis'' (Latin: "Plenty") was a fertility deity and earth goddess of Sabine origin. Her equivalent in Greek mythology was Rhea.
Iconography
In Ops' statues and coins, she is figured sitting down, as Chthon ...
, belted two homers and posted two game-winning hits, earned ALCS Most Valuable Player honors. The victory also marked Red Sox manager
Management (or managing) is the administration of an organization, whether it is a business, a nonprofit organization, or a government body. It is the art and science of managing resources of the business.
Management includes the activities o ...
Alex Cora
Jose Alexander Cora (born October 18, 1975) is a Puerto Rican baseball manager and former infielder who is the manager of the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for 14 seasons with the Red Sox, Los Angele ...
's 43rd birthday.[
*October 19 – The Milwaukee Brewers beat the Los Angeles Dodgers at ]Miller Park
American Family Field is a retractable roof stadium used primarily for baseball. It is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just southwest of the intersection of Interstate 94 and Brewers Boulevard. It is the home of Major League Baseball's Milwauk ...
, 7–2, to even the best-of-seven NL Championship Series at three games apiece. Slugging first baseman Jesús Aguilar
Jesús Alexander Aguilar (born June 30, 1990) is a Venezuelan professional baseball first baseman for the Oakland Athletics of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Cleveland Indians, Milwaukee Brewers, Tampa Ba ...
sparked the Brewers offense while the relief corp silenced the Dodgers bats. David Freese
David Richard Freese (born April 28, 1983) is an American former professional baseball Infielder, infielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). He began his MLB career with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he was a key player during the 2011 Major Leag ...
hit a leadoff home run off Wade Miley
Wade Allen Miley (born November 13, 1986) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. The Arizona Diamondbacks selected Miley in the first round of the 2008 MLB draft. He made his Major League Baseball (MLB) debut with the ...
in the top of the first inning to give Los Angeles an early 1–0 lead. But Milwaukee answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning against Dodgers starter Hyun-Jin Ryu, as Aguilar started a two-out, four-run parade for the Brewers, coming through with a two-RBI double. Overall, Ryu allowed five runs and lasted just three innings. Afterwards, Aguilar also scored two runs, doubled again, and added a late RBI single. Miley allowed two runs on five hits and two walks while striking out
''Striking Out'' is an Irish television legal drama series, broadcast on RTÉ, that first aired on 1 January 2017. Produced by Bl!nder F!lms for RTÉ Television, ''Striking Out'' stars Amy Huberman as Dublin-based solicitor Tara Rafferty, who is ...
four in innings of work. He was followed by relievers Corey Knebel
Corey Andrew Knebel (born November 26, 1991) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers, Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies. ...
, Jeremy Jeffress
Jeremy Ross Jeffress (born September 21, 1987) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, and C ...
and Corbin Burnes
Corbin Brian Burnes (born October 22, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He was drafted by the Brewers in the fourth round of the 2016 Major League Baseball draft, and mad ...
, who combined to pitch no-hit, no-run innings with five strikeouts and a hit batter. Knebel was credited with the win.[
*October 20 – The Los Angeles Dodgers advanced to the World Series after defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 5–1 in Game 7 of the NLCS at ]Miller Park
American Family Field is a retractable roof stadium used primarily for baseball. It is located in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, just southwest of the intersection of Interstate 94 and Brewers Boulevard. It is the home of Major League Baseball's Milwauk ...
. Christian Yelich
Christian Stephen Yelich (born December 5, 1991) is an American professional baseball left fielder for the Milwaukee Brewers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Miami Marlins.
The Marlins selected Yelich in the first r ...
hit a home run off Dodgers starter Walker Buehler
Walker Anthony Buehler (born July 28, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores and was a member of their 2014 College W ...
in the first inning to give the Brewers an early lead. But Cody Bellinger
Cody James Bellinger (born July 13, 1995) is an American professional baseball center fielder and first baseman for the Chicago Cubs of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers. He was selected ...
responded with a two-run homer off Jhoulys Chacín
Jhoulys Jose Chacín Molina ( ; born January 7, 1988) is an American-Venezuelan professional baseball pitcher who is currently a free agent. He previously played for the Colorado Rockies, Arizona Diamondbacks, Los Angeles Angels, San Diego Padre ...
in the second and Yasiel Puig added a three-run homer off Jeremy Jeffress
Jeremy Ross Jeffress (born September 21, 1987) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Kansas City Royals, Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers, Milwaukee Brewers, and C ...
in the sixth to secure the 23rd National League pennant for the Dodgers franchise, tying them with their rival Giants for most among NL clubs. Bellinger, who also delivered a two-out, walk-off, RBI single in the bottom of the 13th-inning of Game 4, was named the NLCS Most Valuable Player
The League Championship Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award is given annually to the Major League Baseball (MLB) players deemed to have the most impact on their teams' performances in each of the two respective League Championship Series that ...
. The 2018 World Series is set to open October 23, with the first two games hosted by the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball stadium located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, near Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home of the Boston Red Sox, the city's American League baseball team, and since 1953, its only Major League Base ...
.[
*October 21 :
**The Cincinnati Reds hired David Bell as their field manager for the 2019 season. Cincinnati awarded Bell a three-year contract with a club option for a fourth season. The move represents a homecoming for Bell, a Cincinnati native with deep ties to the organization, as his grandfather ]Gus Bell
David Russell "Gus" Bell Jr. (November 15, 1928 – May 7, 1995) was an American outfielder in Major League Baseball from 1950 through 1964, who played with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets and Milwaukee Braves. He batted ...
, father Buddy Bell
David Gus "Buddy" Bell (born August 27, 1951) is an American former third baseman and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB) currently serving as vice president and senior advisor to the general manager for the Cincinnati Reds.
After an 18-year ...
and brother Mike Bell all played for the Reds. The Bell family is just one of five families to have three generations play in the Major Leagues and the only one to have produced four generations of players.
**The Los Angeles Angels announced the hiring of Brad Ausmus
Bradley David Ausmus (; born April 14, 1969) is an American former professional baseball manager and catcher in Major League Baseball (MLB). In his 18-year MLB playing career, Ausmus played for the San Diego Padres, Detroit Tigers, Houston Ast ...
as their new manager, in replacement of the recently departed Mike Scioscia
Michael Lorri Scioscia (, ; born November 27, 1958), nicknamed "Sosh" and "El Jefe", is an American former Major League Baseball catcher and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB). He managed the Anaheim / Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim / Los Ange ...
. Ausmus, who spent the 2018 season working as a special assistant to Angels general manager Billy Eppler
Billy Eppler (born September 16, 1975) is an American baseball executive who is the general manager of the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously served as the general manager of the Los Angeles Angels from 2015 to 2020. Befo ...
, received a three-year contract. Ausmus previously managed the Detroit Tigers from 2014 to 2017, guiding the team to an AL Central Division title in 2014 and a second place in 2016.
*October 23 – The Boston Red Sox beat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 8–4, in World Series opener at Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball stadium located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, near Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home of the Boston Red Sox, the city's American League baseball team, and since 1953, its only Major League Base ...
. Andrew Benintendi
Andrew Sebastian Benintendi (born July 6, 1994) is an American professional baseball outfielder who is currently a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Kansas City Royals and New York Yank ...
posted four hits and scored three runs, J. D. Martinez drove in two runs in the first inning, and Eduardo Núñez
Eduardo Michelle Núñez Méndez (born June 15, 1987) is a Dominican former professional baseball infielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees, Minnesota Twins, San Francisco Giants, Boston Red Sox, and the New ...
pinch-hit
In baseball, a pinch hitter is a substitute Batting (baseball), batter. Batters can be substituted at any time while the dead ball (baseball), ball is dead (not in active play); the manager (baseball), manager may use any player who has not yet ...
a three-run home run in the bottom of the seventh to seal the victory. An expected pitching duel between Red Sox's Chris Sale
Christopher Allen Sale (born March 30, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox, with whom he made his major league debut ...
and Dodgers' Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw (born March 19, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) . He has played for the Dodgers for the entirety of his MLB career. A left-handed starting p ...
never developed, because both were pulled out before getting an out in the fifth. Reliever Matt Barnes
Matt Barnes (born March 9, 1980) is an American former professional basketball player who played 14 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). Barnes was drafted in the second round of the 2002 NBA draft by the Memphis Grizzlies. He ...
got the win and Kershaw was charged with the loss, as the Red Sox sixman bullpen held the Dodgers to one run on three hits over five innings. Besides, Dave Roberts of the Dodgers and Alex Cora
Jose Alexander Cora (born October 18, 1975) is a Puerto Rican baseball manager and former infielder who is the manager of the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for 14 seasons with the Red Sox, Los Angele ...
of the Red Sox became the first minority managers
Management (or managing) is the administration of an organization, whether it is a business, a nonprofit organization, or a government body. It is the art and science of managing resources of the business.
Management includes the activities o ...
to face each other in the World Series. It is also the first time in World Series history that the opposing managers have played for both clubs in the Series.[2018 World Series]
''MLB.com''. Retrieved on October 24, 2018.
*October 24 – David Price held the Los Angeles Dodgers to two runs and three hits over six innings, as the Boston Red Sox won Game 2 at Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a baseball stadium located in Boston, Massachusetts, United States, near Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home of the Boston Red Sox, the city's American League baseball team, and since 1953, its only Major League Base ...
, 4–2, and took a 2–0 lead in the World Series prior to heading to Dodgers Stadium
Dodger Stadium is a baseball stadium in the Elysian Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It is the home stadium of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers. Opened in 1962, it was constructed in less than three years at a cost of ...
for the next game. For the second consecutive game, J. D. Martinez drove in the go-ahead run with a two-run single in the fifth inning that provided the winning margin. Price earned his second postseason victory in a row, giving five strikeouts along with two walks, while retiring the last seven batters he faced. Three relievers combined for three perfect innings and three strikeouts, with Craig Kimbrel
Craig Michael Kimbrel (born May 28, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Chicag ...
closing out the game for his sixth save this postseason. Overall, Price and the bullpen
In baseball, the bullpen (or simply the pen) is the area where relief pitchers warm up before entering a game. A team's roster of relief pitchers is also metonymically referred to as "the bullpen". These pitchers usually wait in the bullpen if t ...
retired the final 16 batters in a row. Hyun-Jin Ryu, who was charged with the loss, allowed four runs on six hits and one walk while striking out five in innings.[
*October 25 :
**The Minnesota Twins hired ]Rocco Baldelli
Rocco Daniel Baldelli (; born September 25, 1981) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and coach who is the manager of the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). As a player, Baldelli quickly progressed through the minor ...
as their new manager. Baldelli, who has no managerial experience, spent the last four years on the staff of Tampa Bay Rays manager Kevin Cash
Kevin Forrest Cash (born December 6, 1977) is an American professional baseball manager and former player who is the manager of the Tampa Bay Rays of Major League Baseball (MLB). Previously, Cash played catcher in MLB for the Toronto Blue Jays, ...
, the first three as first base coach. His role for 2018 was a newly created position for him called major league field coordinator, helping Cash and bench coach Charlie Montoyo
José Carlos Montoyo Díaz (born October 17, 1965) is a Puerto Ricans, Puerto Rican former professional baseball second baseman and coach. He is currently the bench coach of the Chicago White Sox, and was previously the Manager (baseball), manage ...
with in-game strategy, working with the outfielders and focusing on the continued development of the team's young players. An outfielder in his playing days with the Rays, the 37-year-old Baldelli became the youngest manager in the Major Leagues.
**The Toronto Blue Jays announced the hiring of Tampa Bay Rays bench coach Charlie Montoyo
José Carlos Montoyo Díaz (born October 17, 1965) is a Puerto Ricans, Puerto Rican former professional baseball second baseman and coach. He is currently the bench coach of the Chicago White Sox, and was previously the Manager (baseball), manage ...
as their new manager, becoming the second member of the Rays’ staff to be hired the same day, as the Minnesota Twins previously named Rocco Baldelli
Rocco Daniel Baldelli (; born September 25, 1981) is an American former professional baseball outfielder and coach who is the manager of the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). As a player, Baldelli quickly progressed through the minor ...
as their new skipper for the upcoming season. Born in Puerto Rico, Montoyo had a 10-year playing career as an infielder in the minors before joining the Montreal Expos in 1993. Afterwards, he became a longtime fixture for the Rays on the player development department while managing and coaching in the minors. Montoyo received a three-year contract with a club option for a fourth season.
*October 26 – Max Muncy hit a lead-off, walk-off home run
In baseball, a walk-off home run is a home run that ends the game. For a home run to end the game, it must be hit in the bottom of the final inning of the game and generate enough runs to exceed the opponent's score. Because the opponent will not ...
against Nathan Eovaldi
Nathan Edward Eovaldi ( ; born February 13, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Miami Marlins, New York Yankees, Tampa Bay Ra ...
in the bottom of the 18th inning, to give the Los Angeles Dodgers a 3–2 victory over the Boston Red Sox in Game 3 of the World Series at Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium is a baseball stadium in the Elysian Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It is the home stadium of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers. Opened in 1962, it was constructed in less than three years at a cost of ( ...
.[ The game lasted seven hours and 20 minutes, lasting longer than the entirety of the ]1939 World Series
The 1939 World Series featured the three-time defending champion New York Yankees against the Cincinnati Reds, who were making their first Series appearance since winning the scandal-tainted 1919 World Series. The Yankees swept the Series in fou ...
, in which the New York Yankees swept the Cincinnati Reds in four games that took a combined seven hours and five minutes to play.[LA walks off on Muncy HR in 18th, trails WS 2–1]
''MLB.com''. Retrieved on October 27, 2018. The victory cut Los Angeles deficit down to 2–1 in a best-of-seven set. Dodgers rookie Walker Buehler
Walker Anthony Buehler (born July 28, 1994) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He played college baseball for the Vanderbilt Commodores and was a member of their 2014 College W ...
pitched seven scoreless innings, but Los Angeles can only score one run on a solo homer by Joc Pederson
Joc Russell Pederson ( ; born April 21, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the San Francisco Giants of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Chicago Cubs, and Atlanta Br ...
off Rick Porcello
Frederick Alfred Porcello III (born December 27, 1988) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox and New York Mets.
Selected by the Tigers in the 2007 MLB ...
in the third inning, while Jackie Bradley Jr.
Jackie Bradley Jr. (born April 19, 1990), nicknamed "JBJ", is an American professional baseball right fielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox, Milwaukee Brewers and Toronto Blue Jays. List ...
tied the score to 1–1 with a homer in the eighth off closer Kenley Jansen
Kenley Geronimo Jansen (born September 30, 1987) is a Curaçaoan professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves.
Signed by the ...
. The game featured a wild 13th inning when both teams scored on errors and the score remained at 2–2 until Muncy ended the game five innings later.[2018 World Series Game 3]
Box score and history. ''Baseball Reference''. Retrieved on October 27, 2018. Game 4 of the 2005 NLDS between the Houston Astros and Atlanta Braves and Game 2 of the 2014 NLDS between the San Francisco Giants and Washington Nationals are the only other postseason games to go 18 innings,[ but Game 3 was longer than both of those games in terms of total time. The 18 combined pitchers and 46 ]position player
In baseball, a position player is a player who on defense plays as an infielder, outfielder, or catcher. In Major League Baseball (since 1973 in the American League and since 2022 in the National League), there is also a designated hitter, who ...
s used by the two teams were the most in MLB history for a postseason game.[
**October 27 – The Boston Red Sox rallied from a four-run deficit and scored nine runs in the final three innings, to defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers, 9–6, in Game 4 of the World Series at ]Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium is a baseball stadium in the Elysian Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It is the home stadium of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers. Opened in 1962, it was constructed in less than three years at a cost of ( ...
and take a 3–1 lead in the best-of-seven set. Mitch Moreland
Mitchell Austin Moreland (born September 6, 1985), nicknamed "2-Bags", is an American professional baseball first baseman who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Boston Red Sox, San Diego Padres ...
sparked the rally with a three-run home run off reliever Ryan Madson
Ryan Michael Madson (born August 28, 1980) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies, Kansas City Royals, Oakland Athletics, Washington Nationals, and Los Angeles D ...
in the seventh inning. Afterwards, Steve Pearce connected off All-Star closer Kenley Jansen
Kenley Geronimo Jansen (born September 30, 1987) is a Curaçaoan professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Atlanta Braves.
Signed by the ...
for the tying homer in the eighth, and cleared the bases one inning later with a double
A double is a look-alike or doppelgänger; one person or being that resembles another.
Double, The Double or Dubble may also refer to:
Film and television
* Double (filmmaking), someone who substitutes for the credited actor of a character
* Th ...
off Kenta Maeda
is a Japanese professional baseball pitcher for the Minnesota Twins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers and in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) for the Hiroshima Toyo Carp. He won the 2010 E ...
. In between, Rafael Devers
Rafael Devers Calcaño ( ; born October 24, 1996) is a Dominican professional baseball third baseman for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He made his MLB debut in 2017, and was an All-Star in 2021 and 2022.
Career
The Red Sox ...
hit an RBI single off Dylan Floro
Dylan Lee Floro (born December 27, 1990) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Miami Marlins of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Tampa Bay Rays, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Los Angeles Dodgers. He pla ...
, tying the score at 4–4 before Pierce's decisive double. Xander Bogaerts
Xander Jan Bogaerts (born October 1, 1992; ), nicknamed "the X-Man" and "Bogey" or "Bogie", is an Aruban professional baseball shortstop for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the Boston Re ...
tacked on an insurance RBI single that scored Pierce to make it 9–4. Both teams were in a scoreless tie, as Rich Hill and Eduardo Rodríguez held each offense in check for the first five innings. The Dodgers chased Rodríguez in the sixth, scoring a run on a fielder's choice In baseball, fielder's choice (abbreviated FC) refers to a variety of plays involving an offensive player reaching a base due to the defense's attempt to put out another baserunner, or the defensive team's indifference to his advance. Fielder's cho ...
and throwing error
An error (from the Latin ''error'', meaning "wandering") is an action which is inaccurate or incorrect. In some usages, an error is synonymous with a mistake. The etymology derives from the Latin term 'errare', meaning 'to stray'.
In statistics ...
, before a homer by Yasiel Puig with runners on the corners and two outs put Los Angeles ahead 4–0. Hill was removed in the seventh, after pitching solid innings of one-hit, one run ball. Joe Kelly earned the win, as he delivered two scoreless innings of relief in which he gave up three hits with three strikeouts. His best moment came in the eight inning, when he fanned Yasmani Grandal
Yasmani Grandal (born November 8, 1988) is a Cuban-born American professional baseball catcher for the Chicago White Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers, and Milwaukee Bre ...
with runners on the corners and two outs to preserve a 4–4 tie. Floro charged with the loss. In the bottom of the ninth, Enrique Hernández belted a two-run homer off Boston closer Craig Kimbrel
Craig Michael Kimbrel (born May 28, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the San Diego Padres, Boston Red Sox, Atlanta Braves, Chicag ...
. Previously, the Dodgers were 54–0 when leading by four runs at any point this season, including the playoffs.[Down 4, Red Sox score 9 to take 3–1 Series lead](_blank)
''MLB.com''. Retrieved on October 28, 2018.
**Prior to the start of Game 4 a moment of silence
A moment of silence (also referred to as a minute's silence or a one-minute silence) is a period of silent contemplation, prayer, reflection, or meditation. Similar to flying a flag at half-mast, a moment of silence is often a gesture of ...
is observed for the 11 victims of the Tree of Life synagogue shooting 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 ...
that had occurred earlier that day.
*October 28 – Led by Steve Pearce and David Price, the Boston Red Sox ended the World Series in five games with a 5–1 victory over the Los Angeles Dodgers at Dodger Stadium
Dodger Stadium is a baseball stadium in the Elysian Park neighborhood of Los Angeles, California. It is the home stadium of Major League Baseball's Los Angeles Dodgers. Opened in 1962, it was constructed in less than three years at a cost of ( ...
. Winners of a franchise-record 108 games during the season, the Red Sox buried the AL East Division across six months and claimed 11 more victories in the playoffs, knocking off the 100-win New York Yankees in the ALDS, the defending World Series champion Houston Astros in the ALCS, and the two-time NL champion Dodgers in the Fall Classic, while losing just one game in each round. Pearce hit a two-run home run off Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw (born March 19, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) . He has played for the Dodgers for the entirety of his MLB career. A left-handed starting p ...
in the top of the first inning, and the Red Sox took a lead they would never give back. Solo homers by Mookie Betts
Markus Lynn "Mookie" Betts (born October 7, 1992) is an American professional baseball outfielder for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Boston Red Sox. In 2018, while with the Red Sox, he became ...
in the sixth inning and J. D. Martinez in the seventh quieted the Dodger Stadium crowd, while Pearce struck again with a solo shot off Pedro Báez to make it 5–1 in the eighth. Those homers came just a day after Pearce crushed a tying home run in the eighth inning of Game 4, followed by a three-run double that broke the game open in the ninth. Price limited the Dodgers to a solo homer by David Freese
David Richard Freese (born April 28, 1983) is an American former professional baseball Infielder, infielder in Major League Baseball (MLB). He began his MLB career with the St. Louis Cardinals, where he was a key player during the 2011 Major Leag ...
on his first pitch and otherwise shut them down over seven-plus innings, allowing just two more hits, striking out
''Striking Out'' is an Irish television legal drama series, broadcast on RTÉ, that first aired on 1 January 2017. Produced by Bl!nder F!lms for RTÉ Television, ''Striking Out'' stars Amy Huberman as Dublin-based solicitor Tara Rafferty, who is ...
five and walking
Walking (also known as ambulation) is one of the main gaits of terrestrial locomotion among legged animals. Walking is typically slower than running and other gaits. Walking is defined by an 'inverted pendulum' gait in which the body vaults o ...
two, while retiring 14 in a row before giving a leadoff walk in the eighth inning. Price was followed by Joe Kelly, who struck out three straight pinch hitters, and Chris Sale
Christopher Allen Sale (born March 30, 1989) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Boston Red Sox of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for the Chicago White Sox, with whom he made his major league debut ...
, who was originally scheduled to start an eventual Game 5. But Sale finished off the Dodgers in style, striking out the side in the ninth and Manny Machado
Manuel Arturo Machado (; born July 6, 1992) is an American professional baseball third baseman and shortstop for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). Very highly recruited from an early age, he was raised in Miami, where he at ...
swinging to end it. Pierce earned World Series MVP
The Willie Mays World Series Most Valuable Player (MVP) Award is given to the Major League Baseball (MLB) player deemed to have the most impact on his team's performance in the World Series, which is the final round of the MLB postseason. The aw ...
honors by collecting four hits— three homers and a double in 12 at bats – along with eight RBI and five runs scored. Boston manager Alex Cora
Jose Alexander Cora (born October 18, 1975) is a Puerto Rican baseball manager and former infielder who is the manager of the Boston Red Sox in Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played in MLB for 14 seasons with the Red Sox, Los Angele ...
became the first Puerto Rican to lead a team to the World Series, as well as the second Latino manager to do it in the Series. The Venezuelan Ozzie Guillén became the first when he led the 2005 World Series, Chicago White Sox to the title in 2005. With their victory in the World Series, the Red Sox secured their ninth championship title, tying the Oakland Athletics, Philadelphia/Oakland Athletics franchise for the third most in MLB history behind the New York Yankees (27) and 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 ...
(11). But the Red Sox have come on strong in recent years, winning four titles in a span of 15 seasons from 2004 through 2018. As a result, they are the first MLB club to win Boston Red Sox, four World Series titles in the 21st century.[
*October 29 :
**The Oakland Athletics, who pulled off one of the most surprising run to the playoffs this season, rewarded Front office (sports), executive vice president Billy Beane, ]general manager
A general manager (GM) is an executive who has overall responsibility for managing both the revenue and cost elements of a company's income statement, known as profit & loss (P&L) responsibility. A general manager usually oversees most or all of ...
David Forst and field manager Bob Melvin
Robert Paul Melvin (born October 28, 1961) is an American former professional baseball player and coach, who is the manager of the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has been named Manager of the Year three times.
Selected in t ...
with long-term extensions, the club announced in a statement. Despite season-ending injuries to six of their starting pitcher
In baseball (hardball or softball), a starting pitcher or starter is the first pitcher in the game for each team. A pitcher is credited with a game started if they throw the first pitch to the opponent's first batter of a game. Starting pit ...
s, the Athletics finished with a 97–65 season for the fourth-best record in the American League and a postseason berth, following Oakland Athletics#Season-by-season records, three losing seasons in which the team did not play well or make satisfactory progress. The Athletics lost to the New York Yankees in the 2018 American League Wild Card Game, AL Wild Card Game.
**New York Mets majority owner Fred Wilpon announced that the team agreed to terms with former sports agent Brodie Van Wagenen as its new general manager (baseball), front office head. Some prominent Mets players — including Jacob deGrom
Jacob Anthony deGrom (born June 19, 1988), is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Texas Rangers of Major League Baseball (MLB). He has previously played in MLB for the New York Mets. Prior to playing professionally, deGrom attend ...
, Noah Syndergaard, Yoenis Céspedes, Todd Frazier and Jason Vargas — were represented by Van Wagenen, making him a familiar figure to the organization over the last several years. This is not the first time that an agent has joined a front office, as Dave Stewart (baseball), Dave Stewart and Joe Garagiola Jr. are two recent examples of former player agents who became general managers. Both did it with the Arizona Diamondbacks.
November
* November 2 :
**Clayton Kershaw
Clayton Edward Kershaw (born March 19, 1988) is an American professional baseball pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers of Major League Baseball (MLB) . He has played for the Dodgers for the entirety of his MLB career. A left-handed starting p ...
and the Los Angeles Dodgers agreed on a three-year extension that will keep the three-time Cy Young Award and Triple Crown winner from venturing into the free-agent market. The deal will pay the 30-year-old left-hander $93 million, including incentives based on workload and performance, while receiving $4 million annually in bonuses based on starts, in four $1 million increments, as well as other incentives. The extension replaced the two years and $65 million remaining on the seven-year, $215 million extension that Kershaw signed in January 2014.
**The Chicago Cubs picked up the option on left-handed pitcher Cole Hamels
Colbert Michael Hamels (born December 27, 1983), nicknamed "Hollywood", is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Phillies (2006–2015), Texas Rangers ( ...
' contract for the 2019 season. Hamels will make $20 million next season on the team option, as he will join starters Jon Lester, Kyle Hendricks, José Quintana and Yu Darvish, giving the Cubs a very solid pitching rotation in their bid to reclaim the National League Central title. The Cubs also traded left-hander Drew Smyly and a player to be named later to the Texas Rangers in exchange for a PTBNL. The day before, the Cubs exercised their $6.25 million option for Pedro Strop and fellow reliever Brandon Kintzler picked up his $5 million player option.
* November 3 :
**The Texas Rangers officially announced the hiring of Chris Woodward as their manager for the 2019 season. Woodward signed a three-year deal with a club option for 2022 to become the 19th full-time manager in club history. Woodward, 42, built a 12-year MLB career after being taken in the 54th round of the 1994 draft, playing as a utility infielder with the Blue Jays, Mets, Braves, Mariners and Red Sox between 1999 and 2011. Afterwards, he spent two years on the Mariners' coaching staff and the past three seasons as the Dodgers' third-base coach under manager Dave Roberts. His only managerial experience has been with the New Zealand national baseball team during the 2017 World Baseball Classic qualification tournament in 2016 but did not advance to the tournament.
**The Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks
The are a Japanese professional baseball team based in Fukuoka, Fukuoka Prefecture. They compete in Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB) as a member of the Pacific League.
The team was formerly known as the Nankai Hawks and was based in Osaka. ...
defeat the Hiroshima Carp to win the 2018 Japan Series, 4–1–1. Takuya Kai, who set a Japan Series record with six consecutive caught stealings, won the Japan Series Most Valuable Player Award.
*November 15 :
**The Major League Baseball clubs voted on to extend the contract of Commissioner Rob Manfred through the 2024 regular season. The announcement was made at the conclusion of the Owners Meetings in Atlanta.
**The Japan team beat the MLB All-Stars selection in the final of their six-game exhibition series at Nagoya Dome. Japan posted a 5–1 record against an MLB squad featuring National League Rookie of the Year Ronald Acuña Jr.
Ronald José Acuña Blanco Jr. (born December 18, 1997) is a Venezuelan professional baseball outfielder for the Atlanta Braves of Major League Baseball (MLB). After signing with the Braves as an international free agent in 2014, Acuña made hi ...
, fellow nominee Juan Soto and veteran catcher and nine-time Gold Glove winner Yadier Molina
Yadier Benjamín Molina (; born July 13, 1982), nicknamed "Yadi", is a Puerto Rican former professional baseball catcher who played his entire career with the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB). Widely considered one of the great ...
. Japan was using the series to gauge the progress of its young players as it prepares for the baseball tournament at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.
*November 16 – Miami Marlins
The Miami Marlins are an American professional baseball team based in Miami. The Marlins compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East division. The club's home ballpark is LoanDepot Park.
The franc ...
CEO Derek Jeter unveiled a new logo, team colors and uniform for the 2019 MLB season. The new design replaced the one used after the club moved to Marlins Park
LoanDepot Park is a retractable roof stadium located in Miami, Florida. It is the home of Major League Baseball's Miami Marlins. It is located on on the site of the former Miami Orange Bowl in Little Havana about west of Downtown Miam ...
in 2012, and switched from the Florida Marlins to the Miami Marlins.
*November 19 – The New York Yankees acquire left-handed pitcher James Paxton from the Seattle Mariners in exchange for pitchers Justus Sheffield and Erik Swanson and outfielder Don Thompson-Williams.
December
*December 3 :
**The New York Mets and the Seattle Mariners agreed to a seven blockbuster deal that will bring eight-time All-Star second baseman Robinson Canó and closer Edwin Díaz
Edwin Orlando Díaz Laboy (born March 22, 1994) is a Puerto Rican professional baseball pitcher for the New York Mets of Major League Baseball (MLB). He previously played for the Seattle Mariners.
Within two months of his MLB debut, Díaz brok ...
to New York. The Mariners will receive veteran outfielder Jay Bruce, relievers Anthony Swarzak and Gerson Bautista and top prospects Jarred Kelenic and Justin Dunn. In addition, the Mets will receive $20 million from Seattle to help offset the remaining cost of Canó's contract.
**The Los Angeles Dodgers announced that they reached an agreement with manager Dave Roberts on a contract extension that runs through the 2022 season. Los Angeles had previously exercised his option for the 2019 season, but Roberts will now be under contract for an additional three guaranteed season.
*December 5 – The St. Louis Cardinals traded first baseman Paul Goldschmidt
Paul Edward Goldschmidt (born September 10, 1987) is an American professional baseball first baseman for the St. Louis Cardinals of Major League Baseball (MLB).
Lightly recruited out of The Woodlands High School in The Woodlands, Texas, Golds ...
to the Arizona Diamondbacks in exchange for pitcher Luke Weaver (baseball), Luke Weaver, catcher Carson Kelly, minor league infielder Andy Young and a Competitive Balance Round B selection in the 2019 MLB Draft.
*December 7 – Former Venezuelan MLB infielders Luis Valbuena and José Castillo (infielder), José Castillo were killed in a car accident in Yaracuy, Yaracuy, Venezuela. Valbuena, 33, and Castillo, 37, were playing in Venezuelan winter ball and were teammates on the Cardenales de Lara club. Former Arizona Diamondbacks infielder Carlos Rivero (baseball), Carlos Rivero, who survived the accident, was in the car when it collided with a rock that rolled on to the road. The driver of the car was unharmed. Valbuena spent 11 seasons in the majors, beginning his career in 2008 with the Seattle Mariners and then moved onto the Chicago Cubs and Houston Astros before finishing with the Los Angeles Angels in 2018. Castillo played from 2004 through 2008 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros. The Cardenales team said their vehicle overturned as they were heading to the city of Barquisimeto after a game in the capital, Caracas.
*December 9 – Chicago White Sox slugger Harold Baines and Chicago Cubs closer Lee Smith (baseball), Lee Smith, each of whom were snubbed by the BBWAA, were elected into the Baseball Hall of Fame by the 2019 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting#Today's Game Era Committee, Today's Game Era Committee. Smith was a unanimous choice for the 16-member panel, while Baines received 12 votes, which was the 75% threshold needed. Former outfielder and manager Lou Piniella fell just short with 11 votes. Besides, Albert Belle, Joe Carter, Will Clark, Orel Hershiser, Davey Johnson, Charlie Manuel and George Steinbrenner all received fewer than five votes.
*December 12 :
**In a switch of pitchers named ''Tanner-for-Tanner-trade'', the Washington Nationals sent veteran Tanner Roark
Tanner B. Roark ( ; born October 5, 1986) is an American professional baseball pitcher who is a free agent. He has previously played in Major League Baseball for the Washington Nationals, Cincinnati Reds, Oakland Athletics, and Toronto Blue Jays. ...
to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for prospect Tanner Rainey.
**Later that day, free agent pitcher Charlie Morton (pitcher), Charlie Morton signed a two-year, $30 million deal with the Tampa Bay Rays.[Charlie Morton leaving Houston Astros for Tampa Bay with two-year deal]
''ABC13.com''. Retrieved on December 13, 2018. Although Morton only pitched two seasons for the Houston Astros, he leaves a lasting legacy on the organization, as he will always be remembered as the man who shutout
In team sports, a shutout ( US) or clean sheet ( UK) is a game in which one team prevents the other from scoring any points. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketball.
Shutouts are usuall ...
the Los Angeles Dodgers for the final four innings of 2017 World Series#Game 7, Game 7 of the 2017 World Series in a 5–1 victory, winning the first World Series championship in franchise history. He also holds the distinction of being the first pitcher to win two Game 7 decisions in the same postseason.[
*December 14 – The Baltimore Orioles hired Brandon Hyde to be their new manager. Previously, Hyde served as first base coach and bench coach for the Chicago Cubs and also has managed and coached the Florida Marlins.
*December 19 – Major League Baseball and the MLB Players Association reached a historic agreement with the Cuban Baseball Federation that will allow players from the island to be scouted and signed without having to defect, an effort to eliminate the dangerous trafficking that had gone on for decades. The agreement creates a situation that is akin to that which prevailed before the Cuban Revolution in 1959, while paves the way for a cooperative, stable and non-politicized relationship between the two federations.
*December 21 :
**In a blockbuster transaction, the Cincinnati Reds acquired Los Angeles Dodgers veterans ]Matt Kemp
Matthew Ryan Kemp (born September 23, 1984) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He began his professional career in the Los Angeles Dodgers organization in 2003, and played in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the Dodgers fr ...
, Yasiel Puig and Alex Wood (baseball), Alex Wood along with utility Kyle Farmer and $7MM. Meanwhile, the Dodgers received Homer Bailey accompanied by rookies Josiah Gray and Jeter Downs. Financial factors obviously weigh heavily here, as Kemp is earning $21.5MM in the final year of his contract, while Bailey is earning $23MM in addition to a $5MM buyout on his 2020 mutual option.
**In another big transaction, the Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers, and Tampa Bay Rays came to an agreement on a three-team trade that will send infielder Jurickson Profar
Jurickson Barthelomeus Profar (born February 20, 1993) is a Curaçaoan professional baseball infielder and outfielder who is a free agent. He has played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Texas Rangers, Oakland Athletics and San Diego Padr ...
from Texas to Oakland. Relief pitcher Emilio Pagan is headed from Oakland to the Rays in the swap, as is Oakland's Competitive Balance Round A selection in the 2019 draft, while Tampa Bay obtains a supplemental 1st round pick in the draft. The Rangers will send minor league pitcher Rollie Lacy to the Rays, as well. In exchange for Profar and Lacy, Texas will receive minor league infielder Eli White from Oakland. Additionally, the Rays will send minor league pitchers Brock Burke, Kyle Bird and Yoel Espinal to the Rangers. Texas will also receive international bonus allotments in the trade.
Deaths
January
*January 3 – Rob Picciolo, 64, versatile middle infielder for three teams in nine seasons from 1977 to 1985, who later became a longtime coach in the San Diego Padres system, working for them at both the Major and Minor league levels between 1985 and 2005.
*January 4 – Senichi Hoshino, 70, Japanese manager who led the 2003 Hanshin Tigers to their Hanshin Tigers#Season-by-season, first Central League pennant in 18 years, and also guided the 2013 Tohoku Rakuten Golden Eagles to a Pacific League#Pacific League pennant winners, Pacific League pennant and the 2013 Japan Series, Japan Series championship title.
*January 7 – Dick Young (baseball), Dick Young, 89, second baseman for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1951 to 1952.
*January 8 – Bob Bailey (baseball), Bob Bailey, 75, third baseman who played for five teams in a span of 17 seasons from 1962 through 1978, and earned a World Championship ring with the 1976 Cincinnati Reds season, 1976 Cincinnati Reds.
*January 12 – Rudy Árias, 86, Cuban pitcher for the Chicago White Sox in 1959 Chicago White Sox season, their 1959 season.
*January 12 – Keith Jackson, 89, legendary sports broadcaster best known for his long career with ABC Sports between 1966 and 2006, which included three World Series, three All-Star games, and several playoff matchups.
*January 13 – Doug Harvey (umpire), Doug Harvey, 87, Hall of Fame umpire who officiated at five World Series, nine National League Championship Series and six All-Star Games, while serving as a crew chief during 18 years.
*January 15 – Bob Barton, 76, catcher who spent five seasons with the San Francisco Giants from 1965 to 1968, and also played five more for the San Diego Padres and Cincinnati Reds between 1970 and 1974.
*January 19 – Moose Stubing, 79, pinch hitter who appeared in five games for the 1967 California Angels season, 1967 California Angels; later the Angels' third-base coach from 1985 to 1990, a scout and minor-league manager.
*January 20 – Bill Johnson (pitcher), Bill Johnson, 57, relief pitcher who posted a 1–0 record over 14 games for the Chicago Cubs from 1983 to 1984.
*January 24 – Marcos Carvajal, 33, Venezuelan relief pitcher who played with the Colorado Rockies in 2005 and the Florida Marlins in 2007.
*January 24 – Julio Navarro (baseball), Julio Navarro, 84, Puerto Rican relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Angels, Detroit Tigers, and Atlanta Braves in a span of six seasons between 1962 and 1970.
*January 25 – Glen Clark, 76, utility man who made four pinch-hitting appearances for the Atlanta Braves in its 1967 season.
*January 30 – Kevin Towers, 56, former general manager for the San Diego Padres from 1995 to 2009 and the Arizona Diamondbacks from 2010 to 2014, who led the Padres won its division in two of his first three seasons at the helm, while advancing to the 1998 World Series, World Series in 1998.
*January 31 – Oscar Gamble, 68, slugging outfielder who played for the Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies, Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees, Chicago White Sox, San Diego Padres and Texas Rangers in a span of 17 seasons from 1969 to 1985, including stints with the 1976 World Series, 1976 and 1981 World Series, 1981 American League Champion Yankees.
February
*February 3 – Roy Dietzel, 87, backup infielder who appeared in nine games for the 1954 Washington Senators season, 1954 Washington Senators.
*February 4 – Don Choate, 79, pitcher for the 1960 San Francisco Giants.
*February 4 – Laurin Pepper, 88, pitcher who played from 1954 through 1957 with the Pittsburgh Pirates, previously an All-American Halfback (American football), halfback at University of Southern Mississippi, Mississippi Southern, where he also pitched the first no-hitter in school history and two overall.
*February 7 – Ralph Lumenti, 81, Glossary of baseball (S)#spot starter, spot starter for the Washington Senators in part of three seasons from 1957 to 1959.
*February 9 – Wally Moon, 87, slugging outfielder named Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award#National League winners (1949–present), Rookie of the Year in the National League in 1954 after batting .304 for the St. Louis Cardinals, who later became a celebrated figure in the early history of the Los Angeles Dodgers, whose monstrous home runs over the short left-field screen at the legendary Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum, Memorial Coliseum helped take an aging team to a 1959 World Series title, while earning two more series rings in 1963 World Series, 1963 and 1965 World Series, 1965, two Major League Baseball All-Star Game, All-Star berths in 1957 and 1959, as well as a List of Gold Glove Award winners at outfield#National League winners, National League Gold Glove in 1960.
*February 12 – Rudy Regalado, 87, third baseman for the Cleveland Indians in part of three seasons from 1954 to 1956, including the 1954 Cleveland Indians season, 1954 American League champion Indians team who won a then league-record 111 games.
*February 13 – Tito Francona, 84, All-Star outfielder and a 15-year MLB veteran with eight teams, mainly for the Cleveland Indians between 1956 and 1970, whose son, Terry Francona, Terry, is the Indians manager.
*February 14 – Lois Barker, 94, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League player.
*February 15 – Tom Brewer, 86, All-Star pitcher who won 19 games in 1956 and had double-digit wins in seven of his eight seasons, all with the Boston Red Sox, whose promising career was derailed by diverse arm and shoulder injuries at the age of 29.
*February 22 – Jack Hamilton (baseball), Jack Hamilton, 79, pitcher for six teams in a span of eight seasons from 1962 to 1969, who was best known for accidentally hit by pitch, beaning Boston Red Sox outfielder Tony Conigliaro during the Tony Conigliaro#Baseball career, 1967 season, causing him a severe eye injury and derailing his career.
March
*March 2 – Sammy Stewart, 63, Baltimore Orioles pitcher who Sammy Stewart#Career, set a major league record by striking out
''Striking Out'' is an Irish television legal drama series, broadcast on RTÉ, that first aired on 1 January 2017. Produced by Bl!nder F!lms for RTÉ Television, ''Striking Out'' stars Amy Huberman as Dublin-based solicitor Tara Rafferty, who is ...
seven straight batters in his 1978 debut against the Chicago White Sox, had the best earned run average
In baseball statistics, earned run average (ERA) is the average of earned runs allowed by a pitcher per nine innings pitched (i.e. the traditional length of a game). It is determined by dividing the number of earned runs allowed by the number ...
in the American League in 1981 (2.32), and would later help his team win two pennant titles and the 1983 World Series, World Series championship in 1983, while collecting a perfect 0.00 ERA with one save and eight strikeouts in 12.0 innings of relief
Relief is a sculptural method in which the sculpted pieces are bonded to a solid background of the same material. The term ''relief'' is from the Latin verb ''relevo'', to raise. To create a sculpture in relief is to give the impression that the ...
over six postseason games.
*March 3 – Curt Raydon, 84, promising pitcher who posted an 8–4 record with a 3.62 ERA and a four-hit shutout as a rookie for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1958, but would never pitch again in the majors after developing a cyst on the index finger of his pitching hand and then a sore arm the next two years.
*March 5 – Bob Engel, 84, umpire who officiated in the National League from 1965 through 1990, whose 26-year career included three World Series, six NL Championship Series and four All-Star Games, as well as serving as president of the MLB umpires union.
*March 6 – Steve Stroughter, 66, outfielder and designated hitter who played for the Seattle Mariners during the 1982 season.
*March 13 – Gloria Cordes, 86, All-American Girls Professional Baseball League pitcher from 1950 to 1954.
*March 15 – Ed Charles, 84, third baseman who was a key component on the ''Miracle Mets#1969: The Miracle Mets, Miracle Mets'' team that unexpectedly defeated the highly favored Baltimore Orioles in the 1969 World Series.
*March 15 – Augie Garrido
August Edmun "Augie" Garrido Jr. (February 6, 1939 – March 15, 2018) was an American professional baseball player and coach in NCAA Division I college baseball, best known for his stints with the Cal State Fullerton Titans baseball, Cal State ...
, 79, college baseball coach who coached at Cal State Fullerton and The University of Texas, while leading Texas to two national titles and becoming college baseball's winningest coach with 1,975 wins before retiring in 2016.
*March 16 – Jane Moffet, 87, utility player who played from 1949 to 1952 in the All American Girls Professional Baseball League.
*March 18 – Jerry Schoonmaker, 84, outfielder who played for the Washington Senators from 1955 through 1957 before sustaining an eye injury that ended his playing career.
*March 19 – Dick LeMay, 79, pitcher for the New York Giants and Chicago Cubs during three seasons from 1961 to 1963.
*March 21 – Larry Miller (baseball), Larry Miller, 80, pitcher who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and New York Mets from 1964 to 1966.
*March 22 – Wayne Huizenga, 80, former owner of the MLB Florida Marlins, NFL Miami Dolphins and NHL Florida Panthers for several years, while leading the Marlins to the 1997 World Series championship.
*March 24 – Carl Scheib, 91, pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics in all or parts of 11 seasons who, in 1943 at age 16, became the youngest player to appear in an American League game.
*March 27 – Jerry Moses, 71, All-Star catcher whose career lasted from 1965 to 1975 while playing for seven clubs, who in his major league debut at age 18 became the youngest Boston Red Sox player to hit a pinch-hit home run, and in 1967 was a member of the ''1967 Boston Red Sox season, Impossible Dream'' Red Sox team during its first winning season since 1958, also reaching the World Series for the first time since 1946.
*March 29 – Ed Samcoff, 93, second baseman for the 1951 Philadelphia Athletics.
*March 29 – Rusty Staub, 73, six-time All-Star right fielder, designated hitter and first baseman nicknamed "Le Grande Orange", who played 23 major league seasons for the Houston Colt .45s/Astros, Montreal Expos, New York Mets, Detroit Tigers and Texas Rangers from 1963 to 1985, while leading the Mets to the 1973 World Series, being also the first player to have his uniform number retired by the Expos and the only player in MLB history to collect 500 or more hits with four different teams.
April
*April 12 – Len Okrie, 94, catcher who played for the Boston Red Sox and Washington Senators in all or parts of five seasons from 1948 to 1952, and later managed in the Red Sox farm system from 1954 to 1960.
*April 16 – Ken Hottman, 69, Minor League Baseball slugger whose Major League career as an outfielder was limited to six games and 17 plate appearances with the Chicago White Sox in 1971.
*April 18 – John Hope (baseball), John Hope, 47, pitcher who played from 1993 through 1996 for the Pittsburgh Pirates.
*April 19 – John Duffie, 72, starting pitcher in two games for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the 1967 season.
*April 20 – George Alusik, 83, outfielder and first baseman who played with the Detroit Tigers and the Kansas City Athletics in a span of five seasons from 1958 to 1964.
*April 21 – Ron Hayter, 81, Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame inductee, an avid sportsman as a player, coach, manager, executive and organizer of Canadian and international baseball for close to 50 years, from developing the first Canadian rulebook to organizing the inaugural national championships, and also by representing Canada in the International Baseball Federation (IBAF) for 18 years.
*April 22 – Dave Nelson, 73, All-Star second baseman who played from 1968 through 1977 for the Cleveland Indians, Washington Senators, Texas Rangers and Kansas City Royals, and later coached in the major leagues and also served as a broadcaster for the Chicago Cubs, Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Royals and Milwaukee Brewers between 1979 and 1999.
*April 23 – Sachio Kinugasa, 71, Hall of Fame NPB third baseman for the Hiroshima Carp/Hiroshima Toyo Carp from 1965 to 1987.
*April 24 – Lee Howard (baseball), Lee Howard, 94, left-handed pitcher who worked in five games for the 1946 and 1947 Pittsburgh Pirates.
*April 24 – Marv Rackley, 96, outfielder for three teams from 1947 to 1950, who at the time of his death was one of the last living History of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Brooklyn Dodgers players.
*April 30 – Frank Ernaga, 87, outfielder for the Chicago Cubs in part of two seasons from 1957 to 1958, who is best remembered for having hit one home run against Milwaukee Braves pitcher Warren Spahn List of Major League Baseball players with a home run in their first major league at bat, in his first Major League at-bat.
May
*May 5 – Roy Wright (baseball), Roy Wright, 84, pitcher who played one Major League Baseball season for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1956 and then three seasons in the minors from 1957 to 1959 before retiring in 1960.
*May 8 – Al Stanek, 74, pitcher for the 1963 San Francisco Giants.
*May 9 – Tom Fletcher (baseball), Tom Fletcher, 75, pitcher who appeared in just one game with the Detroit Tigers in its 1962 season.
*May 14 – Frank Quilici, 79, second baseman who played five seasons for the Minnesota Twins from 1965 to 1970 hitting five homers and driving in 53 runs before ending his playing career in 1971, who later served as the manager of the Twins from 1972 to 1975 and as a broadcaster for them from 1976 to 1982.
*May 22 – Dave Garcia, 97, who spent 65 years in professional baseball in different areas of the game, including stints as a major league manager with the Cleveland Indians from 1979 to 1982 and the California Angels for parts of the 1977 and 1978 seasons, posting a 310–311 record, while compiling an 890–785 managerial mark in the minors and leading teams to three championships.
*May 28 – Chuck Stevens, 99, first baseman for the St. Louis Browns in a span of three seasons between 1941 and 1948, who was recognized as the oldest living major league ballplayer at the time of his death.
*May 29 – Ray Barker (baseball), Ray Barker, 82, first baseman who played for the Baltimore Orioles, Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees in part of four seasons spanning 1960–1967.
June
*June 1 – Fred Van Dusen, 80, pinch hitter who appeared in one game for the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1955 season.
*June 2 – Mary Baumgartner, 87, catcher who played from 1949 through 1954 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League, where she shined as an All-Star and member of two championship clubs, as well as for her stellar glove work behind the plate.
*June 2 – Bruce Kison, 68, pitcher who was part of two Pittsburgh Pirates World Series-winning teams, while defeating the highly favored Baltimore Orioles in 1971 and 1979, being best remembered for his star performance as a rookie in game 4 of the 1971 World Series, the 1971 World Series#Game 4, first night game in series history.
*June 4 – Steve Kline (right-handed pitcher), Steve Kline, 70, pitcher who played for the New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves in all or part of seven seasons spanning 1970–1977.
*June 5 – Chuck Taylor (baseball), Chuck Taylor, 76, pitcher who played from 1969 through 1976 with the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Mets, Milwaukee Brewers and Montreal Expos.
*June 6 – Larry Owen, 63, backup catcher who played for the Atlanta Braves and Kansas City Royals in five seasons between 1981 and 1988.
*June 6 – Red Schoendienst, 95, Hall of Fame second baseman and a 10-time All-Star with the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants and Milwaukee Braves while winning World Series championships as a player in 1946 World Series, 1946 with the Cardinals and 1957 World Series, 1957 with the Braves, before managing the Cardinals to two National League pennants and a 1967 World Series, World Series championship in 1967.
*June 14 – Ed Roebuck, 86, relief pitcher who hurled for 1955 World Series, the only Brooklyn Dodgers club to win a World Series championship and the first Dodgers team based in Los Angeles.
*June 17 – Dutch Rennert, 88, National League umpire during 20 seasons from 1973 to 1992, who was known for his animated, booming strike calls, while working jn 2,693 regular-season games, six NLCS, three World Series and two All-Star Games.
*June 18 – Billy Connors, 76, player, coach and executive who spent more than forty years in baseball, as well as a longtime fixture for the New York Yankees, joining the club as their pitching coach in three stints between 1989 and 2000, and also working as vice president of player personnel from 1996 to 2012.
*June 22 – Tony Bartirome, 86, first baseman for the Pittsburgh Pirates in its 1952 season, who also served as a field trainer for the Pirates from 1967 to 1985.
*June 28 – Mike Kilkenny, 73, Canadian pitcher who played from 1969 through 1973 with the Detroit Tigers. Oakland Athletics, San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians, best known for giving up Frank Robinson's 500th home run in 1971, and a year later for become one of the few players in MLB history to play for four teams during the same season.
July
*July 1 – Harvey Gentry, 92, pinch hitter who appeared in five games with the New York Giants when the team captured 1954 New York Giants (MLB) season, its 1954 World Championship, also an U.S. Navy veteran honored by his service during World War II.
*July 11 – Sammy Esposito, 86, infielder for the Chicago White Sox in a span of 10 seasons from 1952 to 1963, including the 1959 Chicago White Sox season, 1959 American League champion White Sox team, who later coached at North Carolina State University, winning 513 games with the NC State Wolfpack team while leading them to four Atlantic Coast Conference Baseball Tournament, ACC baseball tournament titles and a third-place finish in the 1968 College World Series.
*July 24 – Tony Cloninger, 77, fireball pitcher who went on to have a 12-year major league career with four teams from 1961 to 1972, also one of few Braves members to play in the final year of the team in Milwaukee in 1965 and in 1966 in the Braves first season in Atlanta, earning notoriety as the first player in National League history, and the only pitcher to date, to hit List of Major League Baseball hitters with two grand slams in one game, two grand slams in the same game, while collecting nine 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 ...
, which as of 2018, stands as the Tony Cloninger#Playing career, Braves' franchise record for the most RBI in a game.
*July 24 – Vaughn Eshelman, 49, middle-relief pitcher who played from 1995 through 1997 for the Boston Red Sox.
*July 29 – Johnny Lewis (baseball), Johnny Lewis, 78, outfielder for the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Mets in four seasons spanning 1964–1967, who is probably best known for breaking up a Jim Maloney no-hitter in the 11th inning with a Jim Maloney#No-hitters, game-winning home run for the Mets over the Cincinnati Reds.
*July 31 – Daryl Robertson, 82, backup infielder for the 1962 Chicago Cubs.
August
*August 1 – Myron White, 61, corner outfielder for the 1978 Los Angeles Dodgers.
*August 9 – John Kennedy (third baseman), John Kennedy, 77, third baseman for six clubs in twelve seasons from 1965 through 1974, who hit a home run in his first major league at bat as a member of the Washington Senators, and would be part of history while playing for the Los Angeles Dodgers during the Sandy Koufax's perfect game in 1965, and later for the 1965 World Series, 1965 World Champion Dodgers.
*August 18 – Ozzie Van Brabant, 91, Canadian pitcher for the History of the Oakland Athletics#Kansas City (1955–1967), Philadelphia/Kansas City Athletics from 1954 to 1955, who 1955 Kansas City Athletics season, during the 1955 season, along with countryman Eric Mackenzie (baseball), Eric Mackenzie, formed the only all-Canadian Battery (baseball), pitcher-catcher battery to ever play in Major League Baseball history.
*August 19 – Joe Landrum, 89, pitcher who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1950 and 1952 seasons.
*August 20 – Doc Edwards, 81, backup catcher for the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Athletics, New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies over parts of five seasons spanning 1962–1970, who later coached for Cleveland, Philadelphia and the New York Mets, and went on to manage the Indians for three seasons from 1987 to 1989.
*August 21 – Dean Stone, 88, pitcher for six teams during eleven seasons between 1953 and 1964, including seven with the Washington Senators (1901–60), Washington Senators from 1951 to 1957. He was the winning pitcher of the 1954 Major League Baseball All-Star Game#Summary, 1954 MLB All-Star Game without retiring a single batter.
September
*September 9 – Paul Stuffel, 91, pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Phillies over a three-season span from 1950 to 1953.
*September 12 – Billy O'Dell, 85, two-time All-Star pitcher and one of a few players to have played for the Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves franchise, being also a member of the 1962 San Francisco Giants season, 1962 San Francisco Giants team that reached the World Series.
*September 14 – Phil Clark (pitcher), Phil Clark, 86, pitcher who played with the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1958 and 1959 seasons.
*September 21 – Lee Stange, 81, who pitched for four different teams during ten seasons from 1961 through 1970, including the 1967 Boston Red Sox season, 1967 Boston Red Sox Impossible Dream Team, which won the AL pennant race in the very last game, earning the team's first winning season 1958 Boston Red Sox season, since 1958, while reaching the World Series for the first time 1946 World Series, since 1946.
October
*October 1 – Peter C. Bjarkman, 77, author of more than 40 books on sports history, as well as the leading authority on the history of Cuban baseball throughout the years.
*October 3 – Marty Pattin, 75, All-Star pitcher who played from 1968 through 1980 for the California Angels, Seattle Pilots, Milwaukee Brewers, Boston Red Sox and Kansas City Royals.
*October 9 – José Santiago (1950s pitcher), José Santiago, 90, Puerto Rican pitcher who played in the Negro leagues for the New York Cubans from 1947 to 1948, before pitching in Major League Baseball with the Cleveland Indians and the Kansas City Athletics in three seasons between 1954 and 1956.
*October 10 – Don Eddy (baseball), Don Eddy, 71, pitcher who played for the Chicago White Sox in the 1970 and 1971 seasons.
*October 15 – Joe Stanka, 87, pitcher for the 1959 Chicago White Sox and the Nankai Hawks from 1960 to 1965 and the 1966 Taiyo Whales.
*October 16 – Dave Hill (baseball), Dave Hill, 80, pitcher who appeared in two games for the Kansas City Athletics in 1957.
*October 16 – Wayne Krenchicki, 64, former Cincinnati Reds third baseman and Minor League Baseball manager.
*October 18 – Dick Cole (baseball), Dick Cole, 92, infielder for the St. Louis Cardinals, Pittsburgh Pirates and Milwaukee Braves for parts of six seasons from 1951 to 1957.
*October 22 – Hank Greenwald, 83, longtime play-by-play broadcaster for the San Francisco Giants both before and after his stint with the New York Yankees.
*October 24 – Benny Valenzuela, 85, Mexican third baseman who played for the 1958 St. Louis Cardinals.
*October 30 – Bill Fischer (baseball), Bill Fischer, 88, who spent 71 years in baseball as a pitcher and coach (baseball), pitching coach, including pitching for six clubs in a span of nine seasons from 1956 to 1964; coaching for the Reds (1979–1983), Red Sox (1985–1991) and Devil Rays (2000–2001); coaching and managing in the Braves minor league system (2002–2006); working as the Royals’ senior pitching adviser (2007–2010) and pitching coordinator (2011–2018), winning a 2015 World Series ring, and setting an MLB record when pitching for the 1962 Kansas City Athletics season, Kansas City Athletics in 1962, when he threw consecutive innings pitched
In baseball, innings pitched (IP) are the number of innings a pitcher has completed, measured by the number of batters and baserunners that are put out while the pitcher is on the pitching mound in a game. Three outs made is equal to one innin ...
without issuing a base on balls, walk, breaking the mark of 68.0 innings set by Christy Mathewson in 1913, while establishing a List of Major League Baseball individual streaks#Pitching, pitching record that still stands.
*October 31 – Willie McCovey, 80, Hall of Fame first baseman whose career spanned 22 seasons from 1959 to 1980 and included three teams, most prominently with the San Francisco Giants, being selected to six All-Star Games, while compiling a .270/.374/.515 slash line including 2,211 hits, 521 home runs, 353 doubles, 1,345 walks and 1,555 RBI, earning the NL Rookie of the Year Award in 1959, and the NL Most Valuable Player Award in 1969 and All-Star Game MVP honors, also in 1969.
November
*November 3 – Jairo Capellán, 19, right-handed pitcher in the Cincinnati Reds minor league system, killed in a car accident in the Dominican Republic that also involved right-handed pitcher Raúl Hernández and outfielder Emilio García.
*November 4 – Katherine Herring, 85, outfielder who played for the Grand Rapids Chicks of the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
*November 8 – Ron Negray, 88, pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies and Los Angeles Dodgers over part of four seasons from 1952 to 1958.
*November 9 – Ken Howell, 57, relief pitcher for the Los Angeles Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies in a span of six seasons from 1984 to 1990, who later coached in the Dodgers Minor League system from 2003 to 2007 before joining the Dodgers Major League coaching staff between 2008 and 2015.
*November 16 – Nick Testa, 90, catcher who appeared in just one game with the San Francisco Giants in its 1958 season.
*November 30 – George H. W. Bush, 41st President of the United States who was also a first baseman and captain of the Yale Bulldogs baseball, Yale Bulldogs baseball team at Yale University in the 1940s and also participated in the first two editions of the College World Series in 1947 and 1948.
*November 30 – Fred Caligiuri, 100, pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics in part of two seasons from 1941 to 1942, who at the time of his death was the oldest living former major-leaguer.
December
*December 5 – Bobby Treviño. 73, Mexican left fielder who played briefly for the California Angels in its 1968 season.
*December 6 – José Castillo (infielder), José Castillo, 37, Venezuelan infielder who played from 2004 through 2008 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants and Houston Astros.
*December 6 – Al Gallagher, 73, nicknamed ''Dirty Al'' for his hustle and determination, as well as the first ballplayer born and raised in San Francisco to play for the Giants franchise following their 1958 move west from New York, playing for them as a third baseman from 1970 through 1973 before joining the California Angels in 1973, who later enjoyed a long career as a colorful and quirky manager in Independent leagues, managing in ten different leagues in a span of 36 years from 1976 to 2012, primarily for the legendary Durham Bulls
The Durham Bulls are a Minor League Baseball team of the International League and the Triple-A affiliate of the Tampa Bay Rays. They are located in Durham, North Carolina, and play their home games at Durham Bulls Athletic Park, which opened in ...
, becoming the inspiration for the eccentric character portrayed by actor Trey Wilson in the successful film ''Bull Durham''.Remembering a baseball character called ‘Dirty Al’
''News Observer''. Retrieved on December 12, 2018.
*December 6 – Luis Valbuena, 33, infielder for the Seattle Mariners, Cleveland Indians, Chicago Cubs, Houston Astros and Los Angeles Angels in a span of eleven seasons from 2008 to 2018.
*December 9 – Bob Giggie, 85, pitcher who made 14 appearances for the Milwaukee Braves and Kansas City Athletics over part of three seasons spanning 1959–1962.
*December 12 – Billy MacLeod, 79, pitcher who played briefly for the Boston Red Sox in its 1962 season.
*December 14 – Joan Steinbrenner, 83, Vice-chairwoman of the New York Yankees and the widow of late Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.
*December 17 – Penny Marshall, 75, TV sitcom star and filmmaker best known for ''Laverne and Shirley'', as well as the Big (film)#Box office, first woman to direct a film that grossed more than $100 million, who later made her biggest contribution to sports with ''A League of Their Own'', a charming comedy-drama film that tells a fictionalized account of the real-life All-American Girls Professional Baseball League.
*December 26 – Pete Lovrich, 76, pitcher for the 1963 Kansas City Athletics.
*December 27 – Joe Camacho (baseball), Joe Camacho, 90, a middle infielder in the minors, then the bench coach for the Washington Senators and Texas Rangers franchise over four seasons from 1969 to 1972.
*December 27 – Neale Henderson, 88, Negro league baseball shortstop who played from 1950 to 1951 for the Kansas City Monarchs.
References
External links
Major League Baseball official website
Minor League Baseball official website
Baseball Almanac – Major League Baseball Players Who Died in 2018
{{Year in baseball, this year=2018
2018 sport-related lists