1970 Major League Baseball season

This article is about the 1970 Major League Baseball season only. For information on all of baseball, see 1970 in baseball.
1970 MLB season
LeagueAmerican League (AL)
National League (NL)
SportBaseball
DurationRegular season:
  • April 6 – October 1, 1970
Postseason:
  • October 3–15, 1970
Number of games162
Number of teams24 (12 per league)
TV partner(s)NBC
Draft
Top draft pickMike Ivie
Picked bySan Diego Padres
Regular season
Season MVPAL: Boog Powell (BAL)
NL: Johnny Bench (CIN)
Postseason
AL championsBaltimore Orioles
  AL runners-upMinnesota Twins
NL championsCincinnati Reds
  NL runners-upPittsburgh Pirates
World Series
ChampionsBaltimore Orioles
  Runners-upCincinnati Reds
World Series MVPBrooks Robinson (BAL)
Locations of teams for the 1970–1971 American League seasons
West   East
Locations of teams for the 1970 National League season
West   East

The 1970 major league baseball season began on April 6, 1970, while the regular season ended on October 1. The postseason began on October 3. The 67th World Series began with Game 1 on October 10 and ended with Game 5 on October 15, with the Baltimore Orioles of the American League defeating the Cincinnati Reds of the National League, four games to one, capturing their second championship in franchise history, since their previous in 1966. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the New York Mets from the 1969 season.

The 41st Major League Baseball All-Star Game, was held on July 14 at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, Ohio, home of the Cincinnati Reds. The National League won in twelve innings, 5–4, concluding their eight-season win streak.

During spring training, the Seattle Pilots moved to Milwaukee, Wisconsin as the Milwaukee Brewers, being the ninth team since 1953 to relocate, and the fifth of American League teams since them. Due to stadium issues and the team declaring bankruptcy, the team was sold to a Milwaukee-based group and promptly relocated. After having a team for only a single season, Seattle would be without a major league team for seven seasons until the expansion in 1977, with the enfranchisement of the Seattle Mariners. The team was tied with the coincidentally named 1901 Milwaukee Brewers (modern-day Baltimore Orioles) as the shortest-tenured team of the American League.

Schedule

See also: Major League Baseball schedule

The 1970 schedule consisted of 162 games for all teams in the American League and National League, each of which had twelve teams. Each 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 previous season and would be used until 1977 in the American League and 1993 in the National League.

Opening Day took place on April 6, featuring four teams. The final day of the regular season was on October 1, featuring 22 teams. Each League Championship Series took place between October 3 and October 5. The World Series took place between October 10 and October 15.

Rule change

The 1970 season saw the following rule change:

  • A "caveat emptor" amendment was approved by both leagues, regarding player trades. Under the new rule, all trades, once agreed upon, would stand, such that a player could not elect to retire and freeze/cancel a trade as a means to stop it. Now, the trade would occur, and it was up to a team themselves to persuade their players to report to work.[1]

Teams

An asterisk (*) denotes the ballpark a team played the minority of their home games at

League Division Team City Stadium Capacity Manager[2]
American League East Baltimore Orioles Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore Memorial Stadium 52,137 Earl Weaver
Boston Red Sox Boston, Massachusetts Fenway Park 33,375 Eddie Kasko
Cleveland Indians Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland Stadium 76,966 Alvin Dark
Detroit Tigers Detroit, Michigan Tiger Stadium 54,226 Mayo Smith
New York Yankees New York, New York Yankee Stadium 67,000 Ralph Houk
Washington Senators Washington, D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium 43,500 Ted Williams
West California Angels Anaheim, California Anaheim Stadium 43,202 Lefty Phillips
Chicago White Sox Chicago, Illinois White Sox Park 46,550 Don Gutteridge
Bill Adair
Chuck Tanner
Kansas City Royals Kansas City, Missouri Municipal Stadium 34,164 Charlie Metro
Bob Lemon
Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee County Stadium 45,768 Dave Bristol
Minnesota Twins Bloomington, Minnesota Metropolitan Stadium 45,914 Bill Rigney
Oakland Athletics Oakland, California Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 50,000 John McNamara
National League East Chicago Cubs Chicago, Illinois Wrigley Field 36,644 Leo Durocher
Montreal Expos Montreal, Quebec Jarry Park Stadium 28,456 Gene Mauch
New York Mets New York, New York Shea Stadium 55,300 Gil Hodges
Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Connie Mack Stadium 33,608 Frank Lucchesi
Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Forbes Field 35,500 Danny Murtaugh
Three Rivers Stadium* 50,500*
St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis, Missouri Civic Center Busch Memorial Stadium 49,450 Red Schoendienst
West Atlanta Braves Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta Stadium 51,383 Lum Harris
Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati, Ohio Crosley Field* 29,603* Sparky Anderson
Riverfront Stadium 51,500
Houston Astros Houston, Texas Houston Astrodome 44,500 Harry Walker
Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles, California Dodger Stadium 56,000 Walter Alston
San Diego Padres San Diego, California San Diego Stadium 50,000 Preston Gómez
San Francisco Giants San Francisco, California Candlestick Park 42,500 Clyde King
Charlie Fox

Standings

American League

AL East
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
(1) Baltimore Orioles 108 54 .667 — 59‍–‍22 49‍–‍32
New York Yankees 93 69 .574 15 53‍–‍28 40‍–‍41
Boston Red Sox 87 75 .537 21 52‍–‍29 35‍–‍46
Detroit Tigers 79 83 .488 29 42‍–‍39 37‍–‍44
Cleveland Indians 76 86 .469 32 43‍–‍38 33‍–‍48
Washington Senators 70 92 .432 38 40‍–‍41 30‍–‍51
AL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
(2) Minnesota Twins 98 64 .605 — 51‍–‍30 47‍–‍34
Oakland Athletics 89 73 .549 9 49‍–‍32 40‍–‍41
California Angels 86 76 .531 12 43‍–‍38 43‍–‍38
Kansas City Royals 65 97 .401 33 35‍–‍44 30‍–‍53
Milwaukee Brewers 65 97 .401 33 38‍–‍42 27‍–‍55
Chicago White Sox 56 106 .346 42 31‍–‍53 25‍–‍53

National League

NL East
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
(2) Pittsburgh Pirates 89 73 .549 — 50‍–‍32 39‍–‍41
Chicago Cubs 84 78 .519 5 46‍–‍34 38‍–‍44
New York Mets 83 79 .512 6 44‍–‍38 39‍–‍41
St. Louis Cardinals 76 86 .469 13 34‍–‍47 42‍–‍39
Philadelphia Phillies 73 88 .453 15½ 40‍–‍40 33‍–‍48
Montreal Expos 73 89 .451 16 39‍–‍41 34‍–‍48
NL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
(1) Cincinnati Reds 102 60 .630 — 57‍–‍24 45‍–‍36
Los Angeles Dodgers 87 74 .540 14½ 39‍–‍42 48‍–‍32
San Francisco Giants 86 76 .531 16 48‍–‍33 38‍–‍43
Houston Astros 79 83 .488 23 44‍–‍37 35‍–‍46
Atlanta Braves 76 86 .469 26 42‍–‍39 34‍–‍47
San Diego Padres 63 99 .389 39 31‍–‍50 32‍–‍49

Postseason

See also: 1970 Major League Baseball postseason

The postseason began on October 3 and ended on October 15 with the Baltimore Orioles defeating the Cincinnati Reds in the 1970 World Series in five games.

Bracket

League Championship Series
(ALCS, NLCS)		World Series
EastBaltimore3
WestMinnesota0
ALBaltimore4
NLCincinnati1
EastPittsburgh0
WestCincinnati3

Managerial changes

Off-season

Team Former Manager New Manager
Boston Red Sox Eddie Popowski Eddie Kasko
Cincinnati Reds Dave Bristol Sparky Anderson
Kansas City Royals Joe Gordon Charlie Metro
Milwaukee Brewers Joe Schultz Jr.
(Seattle Pilots) 		Dave Bristol
Minnesota Twins Billy Martin Bill Rigney
Philadelphia Phillies George Myatt Frank Lucchesi
Pittsburgh Pirates Alex Grammas Danny Murtaugh

In-season

Team Former Manager New Manager
Chicago White Sox Don Gutteridge Bill Adair
Bill Adair Chuck Tanner
Kansas City Royals Charlie Metro Bob Lemon
San Francisco Giants Clyde King Charlie Fox

League leaders

American League

Hitting leaders[3]
Stat Player Total
AVG Alex Johnson (CAL) .329
OPS Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) 1.044
HR Frank Howard (WSH) 44
RBI Frank Howard (WSH) 126
R Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) 125
H Tony Oliva (MIN) 204
SB Bert Campaneris (OAK) 42
Pitching leaders[4]
Stat Player Total
W Mike Cuellar (BAL)
Dave McNally (BAL)
Jim Perry (MIN) 		24
L Mickey Lolich (DET) 19
ERA Diego Seguí (OAK) 2.56
K Sam McDowell (CLE) 304
IP Sam McDowell (CLE)
Jim Palmer (BAL) 		305.0
SV Ron Perranoski (MIN) 34
WHIP Fritz Peterson (NYY) 1.102

National League

Hitting leaders[5]
Stat Player Total
AVG Rico Carty (ATL) .366
OPS Willie McCovey (SF) 1.056
HR Johnny Bench (CIN) 45
RBI Johnny Bench (CIN) 148
R Billy Williams (CHC) 137
H Pete Rose (CIN)
Billy Williams (CHC) 		205
SB Bobby Tolan (CIN) 57
Pitching leaders[6]
Stat Player Total
W Bob Gibson (STL)
Gaylord Perry (SF) 		23
L Steve Carlton (STL) 19
ERA Tom Seaver (NYM) 2.82
K Tom Seaver (NYM) 283
IP Gaylord Perry (SF) 328.2
SV Wayne Granger (CIN) 35
WHIP Ferguson Jenkins (CHC) 1.038

Awards and honors

Regular season

Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards
BBWAA Award National League American League
Rookie of the Year Carl Morton (MTL) Thurman Munson (NYY)
Cy Young Award Bob Gibson (STL) Jim Perry (MIN)
Most Valuable Player Johnny Bench (CIN) Boog Powell (BAL)
Babe Ruth Award
(World Series MVP) 		— Brooks Robinson (BAL)
Gold Glove Awards
Position National League American League
Pitcher Bob Gibson (STL) Jim Kaat (MIN)
Catcher Johnny Bench (CIN) Ray Fosse (CLE)
1st Base Wes Parker (LA) Jim Spencer (CAL)
2nd Base Tommy Helms (CIN) Davey Johnson (BAL)
3rd Base Doug Rader (HOU) Brooks Robinson (BAL)
Shortstop Don Kessinger (CHC) Luis Aparicio (CWS)
Outfield Tommie Agee (NYM) Ken Berry (CWS)
Roberto Clemente (PIT) Paul Blair (BAL)
Pete Rose (CIN) Mickey Stanley (DET)

Other awards

The Sporting News Awards
Award National League American League
Player of the Year[7] Johnny Bench (CIN) —
Pitcher of the Year[8] Bob Gibson (STL) Sam McDowell (CLE)
Fireman of the Year[9]
(Relief pitcher) 		Wayne Granger (CIN) Ron Perranoski (MIN)
Rookie Player of the Year[10] Bernie Carbo (CIN) Roy Foster (CLE)
Rookie Pitcher of the Year[11] Carl Morton (MTL) Bert Blyleven (MIN)
Comeback Player of the Year[12] Jim Hickman (CHC) Clyde Wright (CAL)
Manager of the Year[13] Danny Murtaugh (PIT) —
Executive of the Year[14] — Harry Dalton (BAL)

Monthly awards

Player of the Month

Main article: Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award
Month National League
May Rico Carty (ATL)
June Tommie Agee (NYM)
July Bill Singer (LA)
August Bob Gibson (STL)

Baseball Hall of Fame

Main article: National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Further information: 1970 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting

Home field attendance

Team name Wins %± Home attendance %± Per game
New York Mets[15] 83 −17.0% 2,697,479 24.0% 32,896
Cincinnati Reds[16] 102 14.6% 1,803,568 82.5% 22,266
Los Angeles Dodgers[17] 87 2.4% 1,697,142 −4.9% 20,952
Chicago Cubs[18] 84 −8.7% 1,642,705 −1.9% 20,534
St. Louis Cardinals[19] 76 −12.6% 1,629,736 −3.2% 20,120
Boston Red Sox[20] 87 0.0% 1,595,278 −13.0% 19,695
Detroit Tigers[21] 79 −12.2% 1,501,293 −4.8% 18,534
Montreal Expos[22] 73 40.4% 1,424,683 17.5% 17,809
Pittsburgh Pirates[23] 89 1.1% 1,341,947 74.4% 16,365
Minnesota Twins[24] 98 1.0% 1,261,887 −6.5% 15,579
Houston Astros[25] 79 −2.5% 1,253,444 −13.1% 15,475
New York Yankees[26] 93 16.3% 1,136,879 6.4% 14,036
Atlanta Braves[27] 76 −18.3% 1,078,848 −26.0% 13,319
California Angels[28] 86 21.1% 1,077,741 42.1% 13,305
Baltimore Orioles[29] 108 −0.9% 1,057,069 −0.5% 13,050
Milwaukee Brewers[30] 65 1.6% 933,690 37.7% 11,527
Washington Senators[31] 70 −18.6% 824,789 −10.2% 10,183
Oakland Athletics[32] 89 1.1% 778,355 0.0% 9,609
San Francisco Giants[33] 86 −4.4% 740,720 −15.2% 9,145
Cleveland Indians[34] 76 22.6% 729,752 17.7% 9,009
Philadelphia Phillies[35] 73 15.9% 708,247 36.4% 8,853
Kansas City Royals[36] 65 −5.8% 693,047 −23.2% 8,773
San Diego Padres[37] 63 21.2% 643,679 25.5% 7,947
Chicago White Sox[38] 56 −17.6% 495,355 −16.0% 5,897

Venues

The 1970 season saw three teams move to three new venues.

Television coverage

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

Retired numbers

See also

References

  1. ^ Armour, Mark. "1969 Winter Meetings: Reorganization Talk". Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  2. ^ "1970 Major League Managers". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  3. ^ "1970 American League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  4. ^ "1970 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  5. ^ "1970 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  6. ^ "1970 National League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  7. ^ "Major League Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  8. ^ "Pitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  9. ^ "Fireman of the Year Award / Reliever of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  10. ^ "Rookie Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  11. ^ "Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  12. ^ "The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  13. ^ "Manager of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  14. ^ "MLB Executive of the Year Award | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 19, 2025.
  15. ^ "New York Mets Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  16. ^ "Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  17. ^ "Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  18. ^ "Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  19. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  20. ^ "Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  21. ^ "Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  22. ^ "Washington Nationals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  23. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  24. ^ "Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  25. ^ "Houston Astros Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  26. ^ "New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  27. ^ "Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  28. ^ "Los Angeles Angels Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  29. ^ "Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  30. ^ "Milwaukee Brewers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  31. ^ "Texas Rangers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  32. ^ "Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  33. ^ "San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  34. ^ "Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  35. ^ "Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  36. ^ "Kansas City Royals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  37. ^ "San Diego Padres Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  38. ^ "Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
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