Jump to content

1968 Major League Baseball season

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

This article is about the 1968 Major League Baseball season only. For information on all of baseball, see 1968 in baseball.
1968 MLB season
LeagueAmerican League (AL)
National League (NL)
SportBaseball
DurationRegular season:
  • April 10 – September 29, 1968
World Series:
  • October 2–10, 1968
Number of games162
Number of teams20 (10 per league)
TV partner(s)NBC
Draft
Top draft pickTim Foli
Picked byNew York Mets
Regular season
Season MVPAL: Denny McLain (DET)
NL: Bob Gibson (STL)
AL championsDetroit Tigers
  AL runners-upBaltimore Orioles
NL championsSt. Louis Cardinals
  NL runners-upSan Francisco Giants
World Series
ChampionsDetroit Tigers
  Runners-upSt. Louis Cardinals
World Series MVPMickey Lolich (DET)
MLB seasons
class=notpageimage|
Locations of teams for the 1968 American League season
American League
class=notpageimage|
Locations of teams for the 1966–1968 National League seasons
National League

The 1968 major league baseball season began on April 10, 1968. The regular season ended on September 29, with the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 65th World Series on October 2 and ended with Game 7 on October 10. In the second iteration of this World Series matchup, the Tigers defeated the Cardinals, four games to three, capturing their third championship in franchise history, since their previous in 1945. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the St. Louis Cardinals from the 1967 season.

The 39th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, was held on July 9 at the Houston Astrodome in Houston, Texas, home of the Houston Astros. The National League won, 1–0.

The 1968 season was the final year of baseball's pre-division era, in which the teams that finished in first place in each league went directly to the World Series to face each other for the "World Championship."

The Kansas City Athletics moved to Oakland, California as the Oakland Athletics, being the eighth team since 1953 to relocate, and the fourth of American League teams since them. Kansas City would be without a major league team for the 1968 season. Legal pressure from the city moved the originally planned 1971 American League expansion up to 1969, which saw the enfranchisement of the Kansas City Royals.[1]

Schedule

[edit]
See also: Major League Baseball schedule

The 1968 schedule consisted of 162 games for all teams in the American League and National League, each of which had ten 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. This would be the last season with this format, as the following season would see a new format due to expansion and the creation of divisions.

Opening Day took place on April 10, featuring all 20 teams in both leagues. The final day of the regular season was on September 29, which saw all teams play, except for the Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians. The World Series took place between October 2 and October 10.

Teams

[edit]
League Team City Stadium Capacity Manager[2]
American League Baltimore Orioles Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore Memorial Stadium 52,185 Hank Bauer
Earl Weaver
Boston Red Sox Boston, Massachusetts Fenway Park 33,375 Dick Williams
California Angels Anaheim, California Anaheim Stadium 43,202 Bill Rigney
Chicago White Sox Chicago, Illinois White Sox Park 46,550 Eddie Stanky
Les Moss
Al López
Cleveland Indians Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland Stadium 74,056 Alvin Dark
Detroit Tigers Detroit, Michigan Tiger Stadium 53,089 Mayo Smith
Minnesota Twins Bloomington, Minnesota Metropolitan Stadium 45,182 Cal Ermer
New York Yankees New York, New York Yankee Stadium 67,000 Ralph Houk
Oakland Athletics Oakland, California Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 50,000 Bob Kennedy
Washington Senators Washington, D.C. District of Columbia Stadium 43,500 Jim Lemon
National League Atlanta Braves Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta Stadium 51,383 Lum Harris
Chicago Cubs Chicago, Illinois Wrigley Field 36,644 Leo Durocher
Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati, Ohio Crosley Field 29,603 Dave Bristol
Houston Astros Houston, Texas Houston Astrodome 44,500 Grady Hatton
Harry Walker
Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles, California Dodger Stadium 56,000 Walter Alston
New York Mets New York, New York Shea Stadium 55,300 Gil Hodges
Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Connie Mack Stadium 33,608 Gene Mauch
George Myatt
Bob Skinner
Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Forbes Field 35,500 Larry Shepard
San Francisco Giants San Francisco, California Candlestick Park 42,500 Herman Franks
St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis, Missouri Civic Center Busch Memorial Stadium 49,450 Red Schoendienst

Standings

[edit]

American League

[edit]
American League
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Detroit Tigers 103 59 .636 — 56‍–‍25 47‍–‍34
Baltimore Orioles 91 71 .562 12 47‍–‍33 44‍–‍38
Cleveland Indians 86 75 .534 16½ 43‍–‍37 43‍–‍38
Boston Red Sox 86 76 .531 17 46‍–‍35 40‍–‍41
New York Yankees 83 79 .512 20 39‍–‍42 44‍–‍37
Oakland Athletics 82 80 .506 21 44‍–‍38 38‍–‍42
Minnesota Twins 79 83 .488 24 41‍–‍40 38‍–‍43
California Angels 67 95 .414 36 32‍–‍49 35‍–‍46
Chicago White Sox 67 95 .414 36 36‍–‍45 31‍–‍50
Washington Senators 65 96 .404 37½ 34‍–‍47 31‍–‍49

National League

[edit]
National League
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
St. Louis Cardinals 97 65 .599 — 47‍–‍34 50‍–‍31
San Francisco Giants 88 74 .543 9 42‍–‍39 46‍–‍35
Chicago Cubs 84 78 .519 13 47‍–‍34 37‍–‍44
Cincinnati Reds 83 79 .512 14 40‍–‍41 43‍–‍38
Atlanta Braves 81 81 .500 16 41‍–‍40 40‍–‍41
Pittsburgh Pirates 80 82 .494 17 40‍–‍41 40‍–‍41
Los Angeles Dodgers 76 86 .469 21 41‍–‍40 35‍–‍46
Philadelphia Phillies 76 86 .469 21 38‍–‍43 38‍–‍43
New York Mets 73 89 .451 24 32‍–‍49 41‍–‍40
Houston Astros 72 90 .444 25 42‍–‍39 30‍–‍51

Postseason

[edit]

The postseason began on October 2 and ended on October 10 with the Detroit Tigers defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1968 World Series in seven games.

Bracket

[edit]
World Series
   
AL Detroit 4
NL St. Louis 3

Managerial changes

[edit]

Off-season

[edit]
Team Former Manager New Manager
Atlanta Braves Ken Silvestri Lum Harris
Cleveland Indians Joe Adcock Alvin Dark
New York Mets Salty Parker Gil Hodges
Oakland Athletics Luke Appling
(Kansas City Athletics) 		Bob Kennedy
Pittsburgh Pirates Danny Murtaugh Larry Shepard
Washington Senators Gil Hodges Jim Lemon

In-season

[edit]
Team Former Manager New Manager
Baltimore Orioles Hank Bauer Earl Weaver
Chicago White Sox Eddie Stanky Les Moss
Les Moss Al López
Houston Astros Grady Hatton Harry Walker
Philadelphia Phillies Gene Mauch George Myatt
George Myatt Bob Skinner

League leaders

[edit]

American League

[edit]
Hitting leaders[3]
Stat Player Total
AVG Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) .301
OPS Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) .922
HR Frank Howard (WSH) 44
RBI Ken Harrelson (BOS) 109
R Dick McAuliffe (DET) 95
H Bert Campaneris (OAK) 177
SB Bert Campaneris (OAK) 62
Pitching leaders[4]
Stat Player Total
W Denny McLain (DET) 31
L George Brunet (CAL) 17
ERA Luis Tiant (CLE) 1.60
K Sam McDowell (CLE) 283
IP Denny McLain (DET) 336.0
SV Al Worthington (MIN) 18
WHIP Dave McNally (BAL) 0.842

National League

[edit]
Hitting leaders[5]
Stat Player Total
AVG Pete Rose (CIN) .335
OPS Willie McCovey (SF) .923
HR Willie McCovey (SF) 36
RBI Willie McCovey (SF) 105
R Glenn Beckert (CHC) 98
H Felipe Alou (ATL)
Pete Rose (CIN) 		210
SB Lou Brock (STL) 62
Pitching leaders[6]
Stat Player Total
W Juan Marichal (SF) 26
L Claude Osteen (LA)
Ray Sadecki (SF) 		18
ERA Bob Gibson (STL) 1.12
K Bob Gibson (STL) 268
IP Juan Marichal (SF) 325.2
SV Phil Regan (CHC/LA) 25
WHIP Bob Gibson (STL) 0.853

Awards and honors

[edit]

Regular season

[edit]
Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards
BBWAA Award National League American League
Rookie of the Year Johnny Bench (CIN) Stan Bahnsen (NYY)
Cy Young Award Bob Gibson (STL) Denny McLain (DET)
Most Valuable Player Bob Gibson (STL) Denny McLain (DET)
Babe Ruth Award
(World Series MVP) 		Mickey Lolich (STL) —
Gold Glove Awards
Position National League American League
Pitcher Bob Gibson (STL) Jim Kaat (MIN)
Catcher Johnny Bench (CIN) Bill Freehan (DET)
1st Base Wes Parker (LA) George Scott (BOS)
2nd Base Glenn Beckert (CHC) Bobby Knoop (CAL)
3rd Base Ron Santo (CHC) Brooks Robinson (BAL)
Shortstop Dal Maxvill (STL) Luis Aparicio (CWS)
Outfield Roberto Clemente (PIT) Reggie Smith (BOS)
Curt Flood (STL) Mickey Stanley (DET)
Willie Mays (SF) Carl Yastrzemski (BOS)

Other awards

[edit]
The Sporting News Awards
Award National League American League
Player of the Year[7] — Denny McLain (DET)
Pitcher of the Year[8] Bob Gibson (STL) Denny McLain (DET)
Fireman of the Year[9]
(Relief pitcher) 		Phil Regan (CHC) Wilbur Wood (CWS)
Rookie Player of the Year[10] Johnny Bench (CIN) Del Unser (WSH)
Rookie Pitcher of the Year[11] Jerry Koosman (NYM) Stan Bahnsen (NYY)
Comeback Player of the Year[12] Alex Johnson (CIN) Ken Harrelson (BOS)
Manager of the Year[13] — Mayo Smith (DET)
Executive of the Year[14] — Jim Campbell (DET)

Monthly awards

[edit]

Player of the Month

[edit]
Main article: Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award
Month National League
May Don Drysdale (LA)
June Bob Gibson (STL)
July Bob Gibson (STL)
August Pete Rose (CIN)
September Steve Blass (PIT)

Baseball Hall of Fame

[edit]
Main article: National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Further information: 1968 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting

Home field attendance

[edit]
Team name Wins %± Home attendance %± Per game
Detroit Tigers[15] 103 13.2% 2,031,847 40.4% 25,085
St. Louis Cardinals[16] 97 −4.0% 2,011,167 −3.8% 24,829
Boston Red Sox[17] 86 −6.5% 1,940,788 12.3% 23,960
New York Mets[18] 73 19.7% 1,781,657 13.8% 21,728
Los Angeles Dodgers[19] 76 4.1% 1,581,093 −5.0% 19,520
Houston Astros[20] 72 4.3% 1,312,887 −2.6% 16,208
New York Yankees[21] 83 15.3% 1,185,666 −5.9% 14,459
Minnesota Twins[22] 79 −13.2% 1,143,257 −22.9% 14,114
Atlanta Braves[23] 81 5.2% 1,126,540 −18.9% 13,908
Chicago Cubs[24] 84 −3.4% 1,043,409 6.8% 12,725
California Angels[25] 67 −20.2% 1,025,956 −22.1% 12,666
Baltimore Orioles[26] 91 19.7% 943,977 −1.2% 11,800
Cleveland Indians[27] 86 14.7% 857,994 29.4% 10,593
Oakland Athletics[28] 82 32.3% 837,466 15.3% 10,090
San Francisco Giants[29] 88 −3.3% 837,220 −32.6% 10,336
Chicago White Sox[30] 67 −24.7% 803,775 −18.5% 9,923
Cincinnati Reds[31] 83 −4.6% 733,354 −23.5% 8,943
Pittsburgh Pirates[32] 80 −1.2% 693,485 −23.5% 8,562
Philadelphia Phillies[33] 76 −7.3% 664,546 −19.8% 8,204
Washington Senators[34] 65 −14.5% 546,661 −29.1% 6,749

Events

[edit]
  • May 1 – Philadelphia Phillies pitcher John Boozer is ejected from a game against the New York Mets at Shea Stadium without throwing a pitch. Boozer had put spit on his hand to clean his uniform, which was in contravention of the anti-spitball rule that had been introduced that year. After calling him for that indiscretion and two further examples, umpire Ed Vargo ejected Boozer.[35]

Television coverage

[edit]

NBC was the exclusive national TV broadcaster of MLB, airing the weekend Game of the Week, the All-Star Game, and the World Series.

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Peterson, John E. (2003). The Kansas City Athletics: A Baseball History, 1954–1967. McFarland. p. 261. ISBN 9780786481439.
  2. ^ "1968 Major League Managers". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  3. ^ "1968 American League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  4. ^ "1968 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  5. ^ "1968 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  6. ^ "1968 National League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  7. ^ "Major League Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  8. ^ "Pitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  9. ^ "Fireman of the Year Award / Reliever of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  10. ^ "Rookie Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  11. ^ "Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  12. ^ "The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  13. ^ "Manager of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  14. ^ "MLB Executive of the Year Award | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 12, 2025.
  15. ^ "Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  16. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  17. ^ "Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  18. ^ "New York Mets Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  19. ^ "Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  20. ^ "Houston Astros Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  21. ^ "New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  22. ^ "Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  23. ^ "Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  24. ^ "Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  25. ^ "Los Angeles Angels Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  26. ^ "Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  27. ^ "Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  28. ^ "Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  29. ^ "San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  30. ^ "Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  31. ^ "Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  32. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  33. ^ "Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  34. ^ "Texas Rangers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  35. ^ "Ejected While Warming Up". goldenrankings.com. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
[edit]
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1968_Major_League_Baseball_season&oldid=1282320526"