1967 Major League Baseball season
Sports season
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The 1967 major league baseball season began on April 10, 1967. The regular season ended on October 1, with the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 64th World Series on October 4 and ended with Game 7 on October 12. In the second iteration of this World Series matchup, the Cardinals defeated the Red Sox, four games to three, capturing their eighth championship in franchise history, since their previous in 1964. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the Baltimore Orioles from the 1966 season.
National League (NL)
- April 10 – October 1, 1967
- October 4–12, 1967
| 1967 MLB season | |
|---|---|
| League | American League (AL) National League (NL) |
| Sport | Baseball |
| Duration | Regular season:
|
| Games | 162 |
| Teams | 20 (10 per league) |
| TV partner | NBC |
| Draft | |
| Top draft pick | Ron Blomberg |
| Picked by | New York Yankees |
| Regular season | |
| Season MVP | AL: Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) NL: Orlando Cepeda (STL) |
| AL champions | Boston Red Sox |
| AL runners-up | Detroit Tigers |
| NL champions | St. Louis Cardinals |
| NL runners-up | San Francisco Giants |
| World Series | |
| Venue | |
| Champions | St. Louis Cardinals |
| Runners-up | Boston Red Sox |
| World Series MVP | Bob Gibson (STL) |
The 38th All-Star Game was held on July 11 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California, home of California Angels. The National League won, 2–1.
It was the final season for the Kansas City Athletics, before relocating to Oakland, California and becoming the Oakland Athletics for the 1968 season.
The season was filled with historic seasons from multiple players. Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox had tied for the most home runs in MLB with Harmon Killebrew, giving him the elusive triple crown. He led the American League in batting average (.326), home runs due to the tie with Killebrew (44) and runs batted in (121) (This feat would not be accomplished again until Miguel Cabrera earned the triple crown in 2012 with the Detroit Tigers).[1] Yastrzemski also won the AL MVP and led the Red Sox to the AL pennant for the first time in two decades. They would ultimately lose to the St. Louis Cardinals 7–2 in Game 7 of the World Series.[2]
The Cardinals had standout players as well, with first baseman Orlando Cepeda becoming the first unanimously voted NL MVP. Cepeda finished the season with 25 home runs, 111 RBIs and a .325 batting average. He did however, struggle in the World Series, hitting only .103 with one RBI.[3]
Schedule
The 1967 schedule consisted of 162 games for all teams in the American League and National League, each of which had 10 teams. Each team was scheduled to play 18 games against the other nine teams of their respective league. This continued the format put in place by the American League since the 1961 season and by the National League since the 1962 season, and would be used until 1969.
Opening Day took place on April 10, featuring two teams from each league. The final day of the regular season was on October 1, which saw all 20 teams play, continuing the trend from 1965. The World Series took place between October 4 and October 12.
Rule changes
The 1967 season saw the following rule changes:
- Rules surrounding drafting college athletes were amended, with the adoption of the "four-year college rule". While previously, players could be drafted in the summer after their sophomore or junior years, players could now only be drafted following their senior year, with exceptions to 21-year-olds (before August 1 of their senior year), were considered to have met athletic eligibility, were dropped from their team because of academic reasons, or had spent at least 120 days out of school after quitting.[4]
- The National League adopted the American League rule previously adopted in 1956, requiring a pitcher to be removed if the manager visited the pitcher's mound twice in the same inning.[4][5]
- The American League adopted the National League rule that required a pitcher to be standing on the rubber to receive signs from the catcher.[4][5]
- The minimum time a player must stay on the disabled list (now injured list) was increased from 15 to 21 days.[4]
- If a ball is touched by a fielder, then makes contact with an umpire or a member of the offensive team, then is caught by another fielder, the result is a live ball, not a catch.[5]
- If it is clear to the scorer, when a batter is bunting for a base hit and not for the purpose of advancing runners, the batter will be charged with a time at bat.[5]
- Mental errors, unless specified in the rule book, or not scored as errors.[5]
Teams
Standings
American League
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Boston Red Sox | 92 | 70 | .568 | — | 49–32 | 43–38 |
| Detroit Tigers | 91 | 71 | .562 | 1 | 52–29 | 39–42 |
| Minnesota Twins | 91 | 71 | .562 | 1 | 52–29 | 39–42 |
| Chicago White Sox | 89 | 73 | .549 | 3 | 49–33 | 40–40 |
| California Angels | 84 | 77 | .522 | 7½ | 53–30 | 31–47 |
| Washington Senators | 76 | 85 | .472 | 15½ | 40–40 | 36–45 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 76 | 85 | .472 | 15½ | 35–42 | 41–43 |
| Cleveland Indians | 75 | 87 | .463 | 17 | 36–45 | 39–42 |
| New York Yankees | 72 | 90 | .444 | 20 | 43–38 | 29–52 |
| Kansas City Athletics | 62 | 99 | .385 | 29½ | 37–44 | 25–55 |
National League
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Cardinals | 101 | 60 | .627 | — | 49–32 | 52–28 |
| San Francisco Giants | 91 | 71 | .562 | 10½ | 51–31 | 40–40 |
| Chicago Cubs | 87 | 74 | .540 | 14 | 49–34 | 38–40 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 87 | 75 | .537 | 14½ | 49–32 | 38–43 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 82 | 80 | .506 | 19½ | 45–35 | 37–45 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 81 | 81 | .500 | 20½ | 49–32 | 32–49 |
| Atlanta Braves | 77 | 85 | .475 | 24½ | 48–33 | 29–52 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 73 | 89 | .451 | 28½ | 42–39 | 31–50 |
| Houston Astros | 69 | 93 | .426 | 32½ | 46–35 | 23–58 |
| New York Mets | 61 | 101 | .377 | 40½ | 36–42 | 25–59 |
Tie games
3 tie games (2 in AL, 1 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again) occurred throughout the season.
American League
The Minnesota had two tie games. The Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees had one tie each.
- June 21, Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins, tied at 5 in the middle of the ninth inning due to rain.[7]
- July 25, New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins, tied at 1 after nine innings due to rain.[8]
National League
The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates had one tie each.
- August 7, Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, tied at 3 after 14 innings on account of darkness. Game replayed on August 9.[9]
Postseason
The postseason began on October 4 and ended on October 12 with the St. Louis Cardinals defeating the Boston Red Sox in the 1967 World Series in seven games.
Bracket
| World Series | ||||
| AL | Boston Red Sox | 3 | ||
| NL | St. Louis Cardinals | 4 | ||
Managerial changes
Off-season
| Team | Former Manager | New Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Boston Red Sox | Pete Runnels | Dick Williams |
| Cleveland Indians | George Strickland | Joe Adcock |
| Detroit Tigers | Frank Skaff | Mayo Smith |
In-season
League leaders
American League
| Stat | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|
| AVG | Carl Yastrzemski1 (BOS) | .326 |
| OPS | Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) | 1.040 |
| HR | Harmon Killebrew (MIN) Carl Yastrzemski1 (BOS) |
44 |
| RBI | Carl Yastrzemski1 (BOS) | 121 |
| R | Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) | 112 |
| H | Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) | 189 |
| SB | Bert Campaneris (KCA) | 55 |
1 American League Triple Crown batting winner
| Stat | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|
| W | Jim Lonborg (BOS) Earl Wilson (DET) |
22 |
| L | George Brunet (CAL) | 19 |
| ERA | Joe Horlen (CWS) | 2.06 |
| K | Jim Lonborg (BOS) | 246 |
| IP | Dean Chance (MIN) | 283.2 |
| SV | Minnie Rojas (CAL) | 27 |
| WHIP | Joe Horlen (CWS) | 0.953 |
National League
| Stat | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|
| AVG | Roberto Clemente (PIT) | .357 |
| OPS | Dick Allen (PHI) | .970 |
| HR | Hank Aaron (ATL) | 39 |
| RBI | Orlando Cepeda (STL) | 111 |
| R | Hank Aaron (ATL) Lou Brock (STL) |
113 |
| H | Roberto Clemente (PIT) | 209 |
| SB | Lou Brock (STL) | 52 |
| Stat | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|
| W | Mike McCormick (SF) | 22 |
| L | Jack Fisher (NYM) | 18 |
| ERA | Phil Niekro (ATL) | 1.87 |
| K | Jim Bunning (PHI) | 253 |
| IP | Jim Bunning (PHI) | 302.1 |
| SV | Ted Abernathy (CIN) | 28 |
| WHIP | Dick Hughes (STL) | 0.954 |
Milestones
Batters
- Mickey Mantle (NYY):
- Became the sixth player in Major League history to hit 500 home runs in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles on May 14.[14][15]
- Eddie Mathews (DET/HOU):
- Became the seventh player in Major League history to hit 500 home runs as a part of the Houston Astros in the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants on July 14.[16][17]
- Frank Robinson (BAL):
- Became the 13th player in Major League history to hit 400 home runs in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins on September 9.[18][19]
Pitchers
No-hitters
- Steve Barber / Stu Miller (BAL):
- The two pitchers combined to throw the sixth no-hitter in franchise history in a 2–1 loss to the Detroit Tigers on April 30. It was accomplished with three strikeouts, 10 walks, and two hit by pitch. Barber pitched the first eight and two-thirds innings. It is the second combined no-hitter in league history. This was the second instance of a team throwing a no-hitter but still losing a game.[20]
- Don Wilson (HOU):
- Wilson threw his first career no-hitter and third no-hitter in franchise history, defeating the Atlanta Braves 2–0 on June 18. He walked three and struck out 15.[21]
- Dean Chance (MIN):
- Chance threw his first career no-hitter and fourth no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Cleveland Indians 2–1 in game two of a doubleheader on August 25. He walked five and struck out eight.[22]
- Joel Horlen (CWS):
- Horlen threw his first career no-hitter and 12th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Detroit Tigers 6–0 in game one of a doubleheader on September 10. He walked none, hit one by pitch, and struck out four.[23]
Awards and honors
Regular season
| Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| BBWAA Award | National League | American League |
| Rookie of the Year | Tom Seaver (NYM) | Rod Carew (MIN) |
| Cy Young Award | Mike McCormick (SF) | Jim Lonborg (BOS) |
| Most Valuable Player | Orlando Cepeda (STL) | Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) |
| Babe Ruth Award (World Series MVP) |
Lou Brock (STL) | — |
| Gold Glove Awards | ||
| Position | National League | American League |
| Pitcher | Bob Gibson (STL) | Jim Kaat (MIN) |
| Catcher | Randy Hundley (CHC) | Bill Freehan (DET) |
| 1st Base | Wes Parker (LAD) | George Scott (BOS) |
| 2nd Base | Bill Mazeroski (PIT) | Bobby Knoop (CAL) |
| 3rd Base | Ron Santo (CHC) | Brooks Robinson (BAL) |
| Shortstop | Gene Alley (PIT) | Jim Fregosi (CAL) |
| Outfield | Roberto Clemente (PIT) | Paul Blair (BAL) |
| Curt Flood (STL) | Al Kaline (DET) | |
| Willie Mays (SF) | Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) | |
Other awards
- Hutch Award: Carl Yastrzemski (BOS)
- Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award: Bob Gibson (STL)
Monthly awards
Player of the Month
| Month | National League |
|---|---|
| May | Roberto Clemente (PIT) |
| June | Hank Aaron (ATL) |
| July | Jim Ray Hart (SF) |
| August | Orlando Cepeda (STL) |
Baseball Hall of Fame
- Red Ruffing
- Lloyd Waner
- Branch Rickey (executive)
Home field attendance
| Team name | Wins | %± | Home attendance | %± | Per game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Cardinals[32] | 101 | 21.7% | 2,090,145 | 22.0% | 25,804 |
| Boston Red Sox[33] | 92 | 27.8% | 1,727,832 | 113.0% | 21,331 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers[34] | 73 | −23.2% | 1,664,362 | −36.4% | 20,548 |
| New York Mets[35] | 61 | −7.6% | 1,565,492 | −19.0% | 20,070 |
| Minnesota Twins[36] | 91 | 2.2% | 1,483,547 | 17.8% | 18,315 |
| Detroit Tigers[37] | 91 | 3.4% | 1,447,143 | 28.7% | 17,648 |
| Atlanta Braves[38] | 77 | −9.4% | 1,389,222 | −9.8% | 17,151 |
| Houston Astros[39] | 69 | −4.2% | 1,348,303 | −28.0% | 16,646 |
| California Angels[40] | 84 | 5.0% | 1,317,713 | −5.9% | 15,876 |
| New York Yankees[41] | 72 | 2.9% | 1,259,514 | 12.0% | 15,360 |
| San Francisco Giants[42] | 91 | −2.2% | 1,242,480 | −25.0% | 15,152 |
| Chicago White Sox[43] | 89 | 7.2% | 985,634 | −0.4% | 12,020 |
| Chicago Cubs[44] | 87 | 47.5% | 977,226 | 53.7% | 11,634 |
| Cincinnati Reds[45] | 87 | 14.5% | 958,300 | 29.0% | 11,831 |
| Baltimore Orioles[46] | 76 | −21.6% | 955,053 | −20.6% | 12,403 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates[47] | 81 | −12.0% | 907,012 | −24.2% | 11,198 |
| Philadelphia Phillies[48] | 82 | −5.7% | 828,888 | −25.2% | 10,361 |
| Washington Senators[49] | 76 | 7.0% | 770,868 | 33.8% | 9,636 |
| Kansas City Athletics[50] | 62 | −16.2% | 726,639 | −6.1% | 8,971 |
| Cleveland Indians[51] | 75 | −7.4% | 662,980 | −26.6% | 8,185 |
Venues
The Kansas City Athletics would play their final two games at Municipal Stadium on September 27 in a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, relocating to Oakland, California at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum for the start of the 1968 season.
Media
Television
NBC was the exclusive national TV broadcaster of MLB, airing the weekend Game of the Week, the All-Star Game, and the World Series.
