1977 Major League Baseball season
Sports season
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The 1977 major league baseball season began on April 6 while the regular season ended on October 2. The postseason began on October 4. In the ninth iteration of this World Series matchup, the 74th World Series then began on October 11 and concluded on October 18 with the New York Yankees of the American League defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers of the National League, four games to two, to win their 21st title in franchise history, since their previous in 1962. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the Cincinnati Reds from the 1976 season.
National League (NL)
- April 6 – October 2, 1977
- October 4–18, 1977
| 1977 MLB season | |
|---|---|
| League | American League (AL) National League (NL) |
| Sport | Baseball |
| Duration | Regular season:
|
| Games | 162 |
| Teams | 26 (14 AL, 12 NL) |
| TV partner(s) | ABC, NBC |
| Draft | |
| Top draft pick | Harold Baines |
| Picked by | Chicago White Sox |
| Regular season | |
| Season MVP | AL: Rod Carew (MIN) NL: George Foster (CIN) |
| Postseason | |
| AL champions | New York Yankees |
| AL runners-up | Kansas City Royals |
| NL champions | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| NL runners-up | Philadelphia Phillies |
| World Series | |
| Venue | |
| Champions | New York Yankees |
| Runners-up | Los Angeles Dodgers |
| World Series MVP | Reggie Jackson (NYY) |
The 48th All-Star Game was held on July 13 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York, home of the New York Yankees. The National League won, 7–5, and was the sixth win in what would be a 10-win streak that lasted until 1983.
The season saw the fourth round of expansion (and third for the American League) since the beginning of the expansion era in 1961. Expansion saw the return of the American League to Seattle, Washington following a seven-year hiatus (with the departure of the Seattle Pilots turned Milwaukee Brewers in 1970) and the expansion of the league into Canada, with the enfranchisement of the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays, respectively, thus increasing the size of the league to 14 teams.
While the National League voted at the same time as the American League to expand over the 1976 off-season, the National League did not have the necessary unanimous results to expand.[1] The league would not expand to 14 teams until 1993 when the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins were enfranchised.
Schedule
The 1977 schedule consisted of 162 games for all 14 teams in the American League and 12 teams in the National League. For the first time since 1961, the two leagues saw different schedule formats. The American League was split into two seven-team divisions. Each team was scheduled to play 15 games against their six division rivals, totaling 90 games, and 10 games against five opponents and 11 games against two opponents, totaling 72 interdivision games. This format would be used until 1979. Meanwhile, the National League was split into two six-team divisions. Each team was scheduled to play 18 games against their five division rivals, totaling 90 games, and 12 games against six interdivision opponents, totaling 72 games. This continued the format put in place since the 1969 and would continue to be the format in use until 1993.
Opening Day took place on April 6, featuring four teams. The final day of the regular season was on October 2, featuring all 26 teams. The National League Championship Series took place between October 4 and October 8, while the American League Championship Series took place between October 5 and October 9. The World Series took place between October 11 and October 18.
Rule changes
The 1977 saw the following rule changes:
- While previously, an umpire was required to warn a pitcher who had intentionally hit a batter, the umpire is now able to warn both managers and both active pitchers simultaneously, while also ejecting the retaliatory pitcher immediately.[2]
- Official scorers are now required to have within 24 hours after a game, decisions regarding judgement calls.[2]
- If a pitcher throws ball four in an at bat and the throw is wide to the catcher outside the catcher's box, an intentional base on balls shall be scored.[3]
Teams
Standings
American League
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (2) New York Yankees | 100 | 62 | .617 | — | 55–26 | 45–36 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 97 | 64 | .602 | 2½ | 54–27 | 43–37 |
| Boston Red Sox | 97 | 64 | .602 | 2½ | 51–29 | 46–35 |
| Detroit Tigers | 74 | 88 | .457 | 26 | 39–42 | 35–46 |
| Cleveland Indians | 71 | 90 | .441 | 28½ | 37–44 | 34–46 |
| Milwaukee Brewers | 67 | 95 | .414 | 33 | 37–44 | 30–51 |
| Toronto Blue Jays | 54 | 107 | .335 | 45½ | 25–55 | 29–52 |
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) Kansas City Royals | 102 | 60 | .630 | — | 55–26 | 47–34 |
| Texas Rangers | 94 | 68 | .580 | 8 | 44–37 | 50–31 |
| Chicago White Sox | 90 | 72 | .556 | 12 | 48–33 | 42–39 |
| Minnesota Twins | 84 | 77 | .522 | 17½ | 48–32 | 36–45 |
| California Angels | 74 | 88 | .457 | 28 | 39–42 | 35–46 |
| Seattle Mariners | 64 | 98 | .395 | 38 | 29–52 | 35–46 |
| Oakland Athletics | 63 | 98 | .391 | 38½ | 35–46 | 28–52 |
National League
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (1) Philadelphia Phillies | 101 | 61 | .623 | — | 60–21 | 41–40 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 96 | 66 | .593 | 5 | 58–23 | 38–43 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 83 | 79 | .512 | 18 | 52–31 | 31–48 |
| Chicago Cubs | 81 | 81 | .500 | 20 | 46–35 | 35–46 |
| Montreal Expos | 75 | 87 | .463 | 26 | 38–43 | 37–44 |
| New York Mets | 64 | 98 | .395 | 37 | 35–44 | 29–54 |
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| (2) Los Angeles Dodgers | 98 | 64 | .605 | — | 51–30 | 47–34 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 88 | 74 | .543 | 10 | 48–33 | 40–41 |
| Houston Astros | 81 | 81 | .500 | 17 | 46–35 | 35–46 |
| San Francisco Giants | 75 | 87 | .463 | 23 | 38–43 | 37–44 |
| San Diego Padres | 69 | 93 | .426 | 29 | 35–46 | 34–47 |
| Atlanta Braves | 61 | 101 | .377 | 37 | 40–41 | 21–60 |
Postseason
The postseason began on October 4 and ended on October 18 with the New York Yankees defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1977 World Series in six games.
Bracket
| League Championship Series (ALCS, NLCS) | World Series | |||||||
| East | NY Yankees | 3 | ||||||
| West | Kansas City | 2 | ||||||
| AL | NY Yankees | 4 | ||||||
| NL | Los Angeles | 2 | ||||||
| East | Philadelphia | 1 | ||||||
| West | Los Angeles | 3 | ||||||
Managerial changes
Off-season
In-season
League leaders
American League
| Stat | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|
| W | Dave Goltz (MIN) Dennis Leonard (KC) Jim Palmer (BAL) |
20 |
| L | Vida Blue (OAK) Wayne Garland (CLE) Rick Langford (OAK) |
19 |
| ERA | Frank Tanana (CAL) | 2.54 |
| K | Nolan Ryan (CAL) | 341 |
| IP | Jim Palmer (BAL) | 319.0 |
| SV | Bill Campbell (BOS) | 31 |
| WHIP | Bert Blyleven (TEX) | 1.065 |
National League
| Stat | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|
| AVG | Dave Parker (PIT) | .338 |
| OPS | George Foster (CIN) | 1.013 |
| HR | George Foster (CIN) | 52 |
| RBI | George Foster (CIN) | 149 |
| R | George Foster (CIN) | 124 |
| H | Dave Parker (PIT) | 215 |
| SB | Frank Taveras (PIT) | 70 |
| Stat | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|
| W | Steve Carlton (PHI) | 23 |
| L | Jerry Koosman (NYM) Phil Niekro (ATL) |
20 |
| ERA | John Candelaria (PIT) | 2.34 |
| K | Phil Niekro (ATL) | 262 |
| IP | Phil Niekro (ATL) | 330.1 |
| SV | Rollie Fingers (SD) | 35 |
| WHIP | Tom Seaver (CIN/NYM) | 1.014 |
Milestones
Batters
Cycles
- Bob Watson (HOU):
- Watson hit for his first cycle and third in franchise history, on June 24 against the San Francisco Giants.[9]
- John Mayberry (KC):
- Mayberry hit for his first cycle and second in franchise history, on August against the Chicago White Sox.[10]
- Jack Brohamer (CWS):
- Brohamer hit for his first cycle and second in franchise history, on September 24 against the Seattle Mariners.[11]
Other batting accomplishments
- Willie McCovey (SF):
- Breaks the National League grand slam record when he hits his 17th career grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds on June 27.
- Willie Stargell (PIT):
- Became the 17th player in Major League history to hit 400 home runs in the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 29.[12]
- Sets the National League grand slam record when he hits his 18th career grand slam against the Montreal Expos on August 1.
- Toby Harrah / Bump Wills (TEX):
- Become the first players in Major League history to hit back-to-back inside the park home runs in a game against the New York Yankees on August 27.
- Lou Brock (STL):
- Breaks the modern major league stolen base record when he steals his 898th career stolen base in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 7, breaking the record previously set by Ty Cobb in 1928. Due to historical discrepancies in recording stolen bases, Brock breaking Cobb's record is celebrated when he stole his 893rd career stolen base, in a game against the San Diego Padres on August 29.[13]
- Recorded his 900th career stolen base in the fifth inning against the New York Mets in game one of a doubleheader on September 30. He became the second player to reach this mark.[14][15][16]
Pitchers
No-Hitters
- Jim Colborn (KC):
- Colborn threw his first career no-hitter and third no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Texas Rangers 6–0 on May 14. He walked one, hit one by pitch, and struck out six.[17]
- Dennis Eckersley (CLE):
- Eckersley threw his first career no-hitter and 13th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the California Angels 1–0 on May 30. He walked one and struck out 12.[18]
- Bert Blyleven (TEX):
- Blyleven threw his first career no-hitter and second no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the California Angels 6–0 on September 22. He walked one and struck out seven.[19]
Other pitching accomplishments
- Wilbur Wood (CWS)
- Tied a Major League record by becoming the fourth pitcher to hit three consecutive batters by pitch, the first since 1974, in a game against the California Angels on September 10.[20][21]
Miscellaneous
- Dave Kingman (NYY/CAL/SD/NYM):
- Became the only player in major league history to play in all four divisions in one season when the California Angels trade him to the New York Yankees for pitcher Randy Stein. He previously started the season with the New York Mets, before being traded to the San Diego Padres on June 15 for Paul Siebert and Bobby Valentine. He was selected off waivers by the Angels on September 6.
Awards and honors
Regular season
| Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| BBWAA Award | National League | American League |
| Rookie of the Year | Andre Dawson (MON) | Eddie Murray (BAL) |
| Cy Young Award | Steve Carlton (PHI) | Sparky Lyle (NYY) |
| Most Valuable Player | George Foster (CIN) | Rod Carew (MIN) |
| Babe Ruth Award (World Series MVP) |
— | Reggie Jackson (NYY) |
| Gold Glove Awards | ||
| Position | National League | American League |
| Pitcher | Jim Kaat (PHI) | Jim Palmer (BAL) |
| Catcher | Johnny Bench (CIN) | Jim Sundberg (TEX) |
| 1st Base | Steve Garvey (LAD) | Jim Spencer (CWS) |
| 2nd Base | Joe Morgan (CIN) | Frank White (KC) |
| 3rd Base | Mike Schmidt (PHI) | Graig Nettles (NYY) |
| Shortstop | Dave Concepción (CIN) | Mark Belanger (BAL) |
| Outfield | César Gerónimo (CIN) | Juan Beníquez (TEX) |
| Garry Maddox (PHI) | Al Cowens (KC) | |
| Dave Parker (PIT) | Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) | |
Other awards
- Roberto Clemente Award (Humanitarian): Rod Carew (MIN)
- Hutch Award: Willie McCovey (SF)
- National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award: Dusty Baker (LAD)
- Outstanding Designated Hitter Award: Jim Rice (BOS)
- Rolaids Relief Man Award: Rollie Fingers (SD, National); Bill Campbell (BOS, American)
- Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award: Reggie Jackson (NYY)
Monthly awards
Player of the Month
| Month | National League | American League |
|---|---|---|
| April | Ron Cey (LAD) | Otto Vélez (TOR) |
| May | Ken Reitz (STL) | Frank Tanana (CAL) |
| June | George Foster (CIN) | Rod Carew (MIN) |
| July | Greg Luzinski (PHI) | Jim Rice (BOS) |
| August | George Foster (CIN) | Graig Nettles (NYY) |
| September | César Cedeño (HOU) | Rod Carew (MIN) |
Pitcher of the Month
| Month | National League |
|---|---|
| April | Tom Seaver (NYM) |
| May | Bruce Sutter (CHC) |
| June | Rick Reuschel (CHC) |
| July | Rick Reuschel (CHC) |
| August | Tom Seaver (CIN) |
| September | Larry Christenson (PHI) |
Baseball Hall of Fame
Home field attendance
| Team name | Wins | %± | Home attendance | %± | Per game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Los Angeles Dodgers[30] | 98 | 6.5% | 2,955,087 | 23.8% | 36,483 |
| Philadelphia Phillies[31] | 101 | 0.0% | 2,700,070 | 8.9% | 33,334 |
| Cincinnati Reds[32] | 88 | −13.7% | 2,519,670 | −4.2% | 31,107 |
| New York Yankees[33] | 100 | 3.1% | 2,103,092 | 4.5% | 25,964 |
| Boston Red Sox[34] | 97 | 16.9% | 2,074,549 | 9.4% | 25,932 |
| Kansas City Royals[35] | 102 | 13.3% | 1,852,603 | 10.3% | 22,872 |
| Toronto Blue Jays[36] | 54 | 1,701,052 | 21,263 | ||
| St. Louis Cardinals[37] | 83 | 15.3% | 1,659,287 | 37.5% | 19,991 |
| Chicago White Sox[38] | 90 | 40.6% | 1,657,135 | 81.1% | 20,458 |
| Chicago Cubs[39] | 81 | 8.0% | 1,439,834 | 40.3% | 17,776 |
| Montreal Expos[40] | 75 | 36.4% | 1,433,757 | 121.7% | 17,701 |
| California Angels[41] | 74 | −2.6% | 1,432,633 | 42.3% | 17,687 |
| San Diego Padres[42] | 69 | −5.5% | 1,376,269 | −5.6% | 16,991 |
| Detroit Tigers[43] | 74 | 0.0% | 1,359,856 | −7.3% | 16,788 |
| Seattle Mariners[44] | 64 | 1,338,511 | 16,525 | ||
| Texas Rangers[45] | 94 | 23.7% | 1,250,722 | 7.4% | 15,441 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates[46] | 96 | 4.3% | 1,237,349 | 20.6% | 15,276 |
| Baltimore Orioles[47] | 97 | 10.2% | 1,195,769 | 13.0% | 14,763 |
| Minnesota Twins[48] | 84 | −1.2% | 1,162,727 | 62.5% | 14,534 |
| Milwaukee Brewers[49] | 67 | 1.5% | 1,114,938 | 10.2% | 13,765 |
| Houston Astros[50] | 81 | 1.3% | 1,109,560 | 25.2% | 13,698 |
| New York Mets[51] | 64 | −25.6% | 1,066,825 | −27.4% | 13,504 |
| Cleveland Indians[52] | 71 | −12.3% | 900,365 | −5.1% | 11,116 |
| Atlanta Braves[53] | 61 | −12.9% | 872,464 | 6.6% | 10,771 |
| San Francisco Giants[54] | 75 | 1.4% | 700,056 | 11.7% | 8,643 |
| Oakland Athletics[55] | 63 | −27.6% | 495,599 | −36.5% | 6,119 |
Venues
The 1977 season saw two new teams in the American League, and with it, two new venues:
- The Seattle Mariners played at the Kingdome, where they would play for 23 seasons through the middle of 1999.
- The Toronto Blue Jays played at Exhibition Stadium, where they would play for 13 seasons through the middle of 1989.
The Montreal Expos leave Jarry Park Stadium (where they played for eight seasons) and opened Olympic Stadium, where they would go on to play for 28 seasons through 2004.
Media
Television
ABC aired Monday Night Baseball and the World Series. NBC televised the weekend Game of the Week, the All-Star Game, and both League Championship Series.
Retired numbers
- Danny Murtaugh had his No. 40 retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates on April 7. This was the fifth number retired by the team.
- Hank Aaron had his No. 44 retired by the Atlanta Braves on April 15. This was the third number retired by the team.
- Walter Alston had his No. 24 retired by the Los Angeles Dodgers on June 5. This was the fourth number retired by the team.
