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1996 Major League Baseball season

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1996 MLB season
LeagueMajor League Baseball
SportBaseball
DurationMarch 31 – October 26, 1996
Number of games162
Number of teams28
TV partner(s)Fox, ESPN, NBC[n1 1]
Draft
Top draft pickKris Benson
Picked byPittsburgh Pirates
Regular Season
Season MVPAL: Juan González (TEX)
NL: Ken Caminiti (SD)
Postseason
AL championsNew York Yankees
  AL runners-upBaltimore Orioles
NL championsAtlanta Braves
  NL runners-upSt. Louis Cardinals
World Series
ChampionsNew York Yankees
  Runners-upAtlanta Braves
World Series MVPJohn Wetteland (NYY)
MLB seasons

The 1996 Major League Baseball season was the final season of league-only play before the beginning of interleague play the following season. The season ended with the New York Yankees defeating the defending champion Atlanta Braves in six games for the World Series title, the Yankees' first championship since 1978. The record for most home runs hit in an MLB regular season, set at 4,458 in 1987,[1] was broken, as the AL and NL combined to hit 4,962 home runs.[2] Only 196 shutouts were recorded in the 2,266 MLB regular-season games.[3] This was the first season in the Divisional Series era to be played to the full 162 games, as the 1994–95 player's strike caused the first two seasons of the era to be abbreviated.

Standings

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American League

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AL East
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
New York Yankees 92 70 .568 49‍–‍31 43‍–‍39
Baltimore Orioles 88 74 .543 4 43‍–‍38 45‍–‍36
Boston Red Sox 85 77 .525 7 47‍–‍34 38‍–‍43
Toronto Blue Jays 74 88 .457 18 35‍–‍46 39‍–‍42
Detroit Tigers 53 109 .327 39 27‍–‍54 26‍–‍55
AL Central
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Cleveland Indians 99 62 .615 51‍–‍29 48‍–‍33
Chicago White Sox 85 77 .525 14½ 44‍–‍37 41‍–‍40
Milwaukee Brewers 80 82 .494 19½ 38‍–‍43 42‍–‍39
Minnesota Twins 78 84 .481 21½ 39‍–‍43 39‍–‍41
Kansas City Royals 75 86 .466 24 37‍–‍43 38‍–‍43
AL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Texas Rangers 90 72 .556 50‍–‍31 40‍–‍41
Seattle Mariners 85 76 .528 43‍–‍38 42‍–‍38
Oakland Athletics 78 84 .481 12 40‍–‍41 38‍–‍43
California Angels 70 91 .435 19½ 43‍–‍38 27‍–‍53

National League

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NL East
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Atlanta Braves 96 66 .593 56‍–‍25 40‍–‍41
Montreal Expos 88 74 .543 8 50‍–‍31 38‍–‍43
Florida Marlins 80 82 .494 16 52‍–‍29 28‍–‍53
New York Mets 71 91 .438 25 42‍–‍39 29‍–‍52
Philadelphia Phillies 67 95 .414 29 35‍–‍46 32‍–‍49
NL Central
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
St. Louis Cardinals 88 74 .543 48‍–‍33 40‍–‍41
Houston Astros 82 80 .506 6 48‍–‍33 34‍–‍47
Cincinnati Reds 81 81 .500 7 46‍–‍35 35‍–‍46
Chicago Cubs 76 86 .469 12 43‍–‍38 33‍–‍48
Pittsburgh Pirates 73 89 .451 15 36‍–‍44 37‍–‍45
NL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
San Diego Padres 91 71 .562 45‍–‍36 46‍–‍35
Los Angeles Dodgers 90 72 .556 1 47‍–‍34 43‍–‍38
Colorado Rockies 83 79 .512 8 55‍–‍26 28‍–‍53
San Francisco Giants 68 94 .420 23 38‍–‍44 30‍–‍50

Postseason

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Bracket

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Division Series
(ALDS, NLDS)
League Championship Series
(ALCS, NLCS)
World Series
         
East NY Yankees 3
West Texas 1
East NY Yankees 4
American League
WC Baltimore 1
WC Baltimore 3
Central Cleveland 1
AL NY Yankees 4
NL Atlanta 2
East Atlanta 3
WC Los Angeles 0
East Atlanta 4
National League
Central St. Louis 3
West San Diego 0
Central St. Louis 3

Awards and honors

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Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards
BBWAA Award National League American League
Rookie of the Year Todd Hollandsworth (LAD) Derek Jeter (NYY)
Cy Young Award John Smoltz (ATL) Pat Hentgen (TOR)
Manager of the Year Bruce Bochy (SD) Johnny Oates (TEX)
Joe Torre (NYY)
Most Valuable Player Ken Caminiti (SD) Juan González (TEX)
Gold Glove Awards
Position National League American League
Pitcher Greg Maddux (ATL) Mike Mussina (BAL)
Catcher Charles Johnson (FLA) Iván Rodríguez (TEX)
First Baseman Mark Grace (CHC) J. T. Snow (CAL)
Second Baseman Craig Biggio (HOU) Roberto Alomar (BAL)
Third Baseman Ken Caminiti (SD) Robin Ventura (CWS)
Shortstop Barry Larkin (CIN) Omar Vizquel (CLE)
Outfielders Barry Bonds (SF) Kenny Lofton (CLE)
Marquis Grissom (ATL) Jay Buhner (SEA)
Steve Finley (SD) Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA)
Silver Slugger Awards
Pitcher/Designated Hitter Tom Glavine (ATL) Paul Molitor (MIN)
Catcher Mike Piazza (LA) Iván Rodríguez (TEX)
First Baseman Andrés Galarraga (COL) Mark McGwire (OAK)
Second Baseman Eric Young (COL) Roberto Alomar (BAL)
Third Baseman Ken Caminiti (SD) Jim Thome (CLE)
Shortstop Barry Larkin (CIN) Alex Rodriguez (SEA)
Outfielders Barry Bonds (SF) Albert Belle (CLE)
Ellis Burks (COL) Juan González (TEX)
Gary Sheffield (FLA) Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA)

Other awards

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Player of the Month

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Month American League National League
April Frank Thomas Barry Bonds
May Mo Vaughn Jeff Bagwell
June Mark McGwire Dante Bichette
July Juan González Sammy Sosa
August Alex Rodriguez Ken Caminiti
September Frank Thomas Ken Caminiti

Pitcher of the Month

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Month American League National League
April Juan Guzmán John Smoltz
May Charles Nagy John Smoltz
June Orel Hershiser Jeff Fassero
July Pat Hentgen Jeff Fassero
August Pat Hentgen Kevin Brown
September Charles Nagy Hideo Nomo

MLB statistical leaders

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Statistic American League National League
AVG Alex Rodriguez SEA .358 Tony Gwynn SD .353
HR Mark McGwire OAK 52 Andrés Galarraga COL 47
RBI Albert Belle CLE 148 Andrés Galarraga COL 150
Wins Andy Pettitte NYY 21 John Smoltz ATL 24
ERA Juan Guzmán TOR 2.93 Kevin Brown FLA 1.89
SO Roger Clemens BOS 257 John Smoltz ATL 276
SV John Wetteland NYY 43 Jeff Brantley CIN
Todd Worrell LA
44
SB Kenny Lofton CLE 75 Eric Young COL 53

Managers

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American League

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Team Manager Notes
Baltimore Orioles Davey Johnson
Boston Red Sox Kevin Kennedy
California Angels Marcel Lachemann, John McNamara, Joe Maddon
Chicago White Sox Terry Bevington
Cleveland Indians Mike Hargrove
Detroit Tigers Buddy Bell
Kansas City Royals Bob Boone
Milwaukee Brewers Phil Garner
Minnesota Twins Tom Kelly
New York Yankees Joe Torre Won World Series
Oakland Athletics Art Howe
Seattle Mariners Lou Piniella
Texas Rangers Johnny Oates
Toronto Blue Jays Cito Gaston

National League

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Team Manager Notes
Atlanta Braves Bobby Cox Won National League Pennant
Chicago Cubs Jim Riggleman
Cincinnati Reds Ray Knight
Colorado Rockies Don Baylor
Florida Marlins Rene Lachemann, Cookie Rojas, John Boles
Houston Astros Terry Collins
Los Angeles Dodgers Tommy Lasorda, Bill Russell
Montreal Expos Felipe Alou
New York Mets Dallas Green, Bobby Valentine
Philadelphia Phillies Jim Fregosi
Pittsburgh Pirates Jim Leyland
St. Louis Cardinals Tony La Russa
San Diego Padres Bruce Bochy
San Francisco Giants Dusty Baker

Home field attendance and payroll

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Team name Wins Home attendance Per game Est. payroll
Colorado Rockies[4] 83 7.8% 3,891,014 14.8% 48,037 $40,324,823 18.1%
Baltimore Orioles[5] 88 23.9% 3,646,950 17.7% 44,475 $54,599,315 24.3%
Cleveland Indians[6] 99 -1.0% 3,318,174 16.7% 41,477 $48,216,360 26.7%
Los Angeles Dodgers[7] 90 15.4% 3,188,454 15.3% 39,364 $35,355,000 -10.0%
Atlanta Braves[8] 96 6.7% 2,901,242 13.2% 35,818 $49,698,500 5.2%
Texas Rangers[9] 90 21.6% 2,889,020 45.5% 35,667 $39,041,528 12.9%
Seattle Mariners[10] 85 7.6% 2,723,850 65.8% 33,628 $41,328,501 13.3%
St. Louis Cardinals[11] 88 41.9% 2,654,718 51.1% 32,774 $40,269,667 8.5%
Toronto Blue Jays[12] 74 32.1% 2,559,573 -9.4% 31,600 $30,555,083 -39.6%
Boston Red Sox[13] 85 -1.2% 2,315,231 7.0% 28,583 $42,393,500 30.6%
New York Yankees[14] 92 16.5% 2,250,877 32.0% 28,136 $54,191,792 10.9%
Chicago Cubs[15] 76 4.1% 2,219,110 15.7% 27,396 $33,081,000 12.1%
San Diego Padres[16] 91 30.0% 2,187,886 110.0% 27,011 $28,348,172 7.5%
Houston Astros[17] 82 7.9% 1,975,888 44.9% 24,394 $28,487,000 -16.6%
Cincinnati Reds[18] 81 -4.7% 1,861,428 1.3% 22,981 $42,526,334 -1.4%
California Angels[19] 70 -10.3% 1,820,521 4.1% 22,476 $28,847,000 -7.6%
Philadelphia Phillies[20] 67 -2.9% 1,801,677 -11.8% 22,243 $34,314,500 12.3%
Florida Marlins[21] 80 19.4% 1,746,767 2.7% 21,565 $31,132,000 27.0%
Chicago White Sox[22] 85 25.0% 1,676,403 4.1% 20,696 $45,289,500 -3.6%
Montreal Expos[23] 88 33.3% 1,616,709 23.4% 19,959 $16,264,500 30.4%
New York Mets[24] 71 2.9% 1,588,323 24.8% 19,609 $24,479,500 -11.5%
Minnesota Twins[25] 78 39.3% 1,437,352 35.9% 17,529 $23,117,000 -9.0%
Kansas City Royals[26] 75 7.1% 1,435,997 16.4% 17,950 $20,281,250 -31.3%
San Francisco Giants[27] 68 1.5% 1,413,922 13.9% 17,243 $37,144,725 1.9%
Pittsburgh Pirates[28] 73 25.9% 1,332,150 47.1% 16,652 $23,017,500 25.4%
Milwaukee Brewers[29] 80 23.1% 1,327,155 22.0% 16,385 $21,730,000 22.1%
Detroit Tigers[30] 53 -11.7% 1,168,610 -1.0% 14,427 $23,438,000 -36.7%
Oakland Athletics[31] 78 16.4% 1,148,380 -2.2% 14,178 $21,243,000 -43.7%

Television coverage

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This was the first season under new five-year rights agreements with ESPN, Fox, and NBC. ESPN continued to air Sunday Night Baseball and Wednesday Night Baseball. Fox basically reinstated the Saturday afternoon Game of the Week with its own Fox Saturday Baseball broadcasts, initially offering up to four regionalized telecasts per week. NBC declined to broadcast any regular season games, and instead agreed to a limited deal in which the network aired the All-Star Game and the American League Championship Series in even-numbered years, the World Series and National League Championship Series in odd-numbered years, and three Division Series games in each of these five years. Fox handled the All-Star Game and the American League Championship Series in odd-numbered years, the World Series and National League Championship Series in even-numbered years, and five Division Series games each year. ESPN then aired any Division Series games not picked up by either Fox or NBC.

Network Day of week Announcers
ESPN Sunday nights
Wednesday nights
Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
Fox Saturday afternoons Joe Buck, Tim McCarver, Thom Brennaman, Bob Brenly
NBC None[n1 1] Bob Costas, Joe Morgan, Bob Uecker

Events

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January–June

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  • January 8 – For only the seventh time in history, and the first time since 1971, the Baseball Writers' Association of America fails to select a player for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
  • March 5 – The Veterans Committee elects four new members to the Hall of Fame, and just misses naming a fifth. The group elected includes Earl Weaver, Baltimore Orioles manager for 17 seasons; pitcher Jim Bunning, who won 100 games in each league; 19th-century manager Ned Hanlon, who won pennants in Baltimore and Brooklyn, and Bill Foster, the Negro leagues' pitcher with most wins. Second baseman Nellie Fox receives the necessary 75% of the Committee's votes, but the rules allow for election of only one modern player, and Bunning has more votes.
  • April 1 – Seven pitches into the first game of the season, at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, home plate umpire John McSherry collapses on the field and dies of a massive heart attack. The game between the Cincinnati Reds and Montréal Expos is postponed, along with the rest of the games scheduled for that day. Reds owner Marge Schott later comes under fire for wanting the game in Cincinnati to continue despite the tragedy (and against the wishes of the players on both teams), saying that she felt "cheated" when it was canceled.
  • April 6 – Cleveland Indians player Albert Belle hits Sports Illustrated photographer Tony Tomsic in the hand prior to a game between the Indians and Toronto Blue Jays at Jacobs Field. The angry Indians outfielder had told the photographer to stop taking pictures of him doing pre-game stretches and Tomsic complied. Belle then throws a ball from the outfield that breaks the skin of the photographer's hand in two places and draws blood.[32]
  • May 14 – New York Yankee pitcher Dwight Gooden pitches the first Yankee Stadium no-hitter in 3 years as his Yankees beat the Seattle Mariners 3–0.
  • May 17 – Baltimore Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles hits a walk-off grand slam against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the ninth, down by three, with two outs and a full count. This is only the second occurrence of this cliché ultimate game ending event in the history of professional baseball; during the 1988 season, Alan Trammell became the first to accomplish this feat in a 7-6 comeback win over the Yankees.
  • June 1 – Major League Baseball games begin to be broadcast on Fox.
  • June 6 – The Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago White Sox 7–4, as John Valentin of Boston hits for the cycle and the White Sox complete a triple play. It marks the first time since July 1, 1931, that both events occur in the same game.

July–December

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Movies

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Deaths

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  • February 8 – Del Ennis, 70, All-Star left fielder for the Phillies who had seven 100-RBI seasons, leading the NL for the 1950 "Whiz Kids" team, and was the team's career home run leader (259) until 1980
  • February 19 – Charles O. Finley, 77, owner of the Athletics from 1960 to 1981 who moved the team from Kansas City to Oakland, and was known for numerous gimmicks and controversies; won three straight World Series from 1972–74
  • March 8 – Bill Nicholson, 81, 5-time All-Star right fielder for the Cubs and Phillies who twice led the NL in home runs and RBI
  • April 1 – John McSherry, 51, National League umpire since 1971 who worked in eight NLCS and two World Series
  • May 3 – Alex Kellner, 71, an All-Star pitcher who played for the Athletics, Reds and Cardinals between 1948 and 1959
  • May 19 – Johnny Berardino, 79, infielder for the Browns and Indians who topped 80 RBI in 1940 and 1941; became an actor, best known for the soap opera General Hospital
  • May 26 – Mike Sharperson, 34, All-Star infielder for the Dodgers who batted .300 in 1992
  • June 16 – Mel Allen, 83, broadcaster who spent over 35 years with the Yankees, also on national broadcasts and This Week in Baseball
  • July 8 – Jim Busby, 69, All-Star center fielder for six teams who batted .312 for 1953 Senators, led AL in putouts twice; later a coach
  • August 4 – Willard Brown, 81, All-Star outfielder of the Negro leagues who became the first black player to hit a home run in the American League
  • September 4 – Babe Dahlgren, 84, All-Star first baseman best remembered for replacing Lou Gehrig to end his 2,130 consecutive games streak, hitting a home run in the game
  • September 6 – Barney McCosky, 79, outfielder for the Tigers and Athletics who batted .312 lifetime, led AL in hits in 1940
  • October 4 – Joe Hoerner, 59, All-Star reliever for seven teams who averaged 15 saves for 1966–69 Cardinals
  • October 29 – Ewell Blackwell, 74, six-time All-Star pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds who came within two outs of throwing consecutive no-hitters in 1947; led NL in wins and strikeouts that season
  • November 11 – Lum Harris, 81, manager who won 1969 NL West title with the Braves; previously a pitcher for the Athletics, and Houston manager
  • December 27 – Gene Brabender, 55, pitcher who led the Seattle Pilots with 13 wins in their only season

Notes

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  1. ^ a b NBC did not broadcast any regular season games. They only broadcast the All-Star Game, three divisional playoff games in prime time, and the ALCS.

References

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  1. ^ "1987 Major League Baseball Standard Batting".
  2. ^ "1996 Major League Baseball Standard Batting".
  3. ^ "1996 Major League Baseball Standard Pitching".
  4. ^ "Colorado Rockies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  5. ^ "Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  6. ^ "Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  7. ^ "Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  8. ^ "Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  9. ^ "Texas Rangers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  10. ^ "Seattle Mariners Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  11. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  12. ^ "Toronto Blue Jays Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  13. ^ "Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  14. ^ "New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  15. ^ "Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  16. ^ "San Diego Padres Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  17. ^ "Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  18. ^ "Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  19. ^ "Los Angeles Angels Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  20. ^ "Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  21. ^ "Florida Marlins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  22. ^ "Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  23. ^ "Washington Nationals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  24. ^ "New York Mets Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  25. ^ "Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  26. ^ "Kansas City Royals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  27. ^ "San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  28. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  29. ^ "Milwaukee Brewers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  30. ^ "Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  31. ^ "Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  32. ^ "Albert Belle, Photographer Settle Thrown-ball Lawsuit". Chicago Tribune. November 16, 1998. Retrieved December 13, 2014.
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