1971 Major League Baseball season

This article is about the 1971 Major League Baseball season only. For information on all of baseball, see 1971 in baseball.
1971 MLB season
LeagueAmerican League (AL)
National League (NL)
SportBaseball
DurationRegular season:
  • April 5 – September 30, 1971
Postseason:
  • October 2–17, 1971
Number of games162
Number of teams24 (12 per league)
TV partner(s)NBC
Draft
Top draft pickDanny Goodwin
Picked byChicago White Sox
Regular season
Season MVPAL: Vida Blue (OAK)
NL: Joe Torre (STL)
Postseason
AL championsBaltimore Orioles
  AL runners-upOakland Athletics
NL championsPittsburgh Pirates
  NL runners-upSan Francisco Giants
World Series
ChampionsPittsburgh Pirates
  Runners-upBaltimore Orioles
World Series MVPRoberto Clemente (PIT)
Locations of teams for the 1970–1971 American League seasons
West   East
Locations of teams for the 1971–1976 National League seasons
West   East

The 1971 major league baseball season began on April 5, 1971, while the regular season ended on September 30. The postseason began on October 2. The 68th World Series began with Game 1 on October 9 and ended with Game 7 on October 17, with the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League defeating the Baltimore Orioles of the American League, four games to three, capturing their fourth championship in franchise history, since their previous in 1960. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the Baltimore Orioles from the 1970 season.

The 42nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game, was held on July 13 at Tiger Stadium in Detroit, Michigan, home of the Detroit Tigers. The American League won, 6–4, and was the first American League win since the second game of 1962, and their last until 1983.

This was the final season that the Washington Senators would play in Washington, D.C., as the team would relocate to the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex city of Arlington, Texas as the Texas Rangers the following season. Washington would remain vacant of a major league team for 33 seasons until the Montreal Expos relocated there as the Washington Nationals in 2005.

This was the final season the majority of MLB teams wore wool flannel uniforms. The Pirates and Cardinals wore double knit uniforms of nylon and rayon throughout 1971, and the Orioles gradually phased out flannels, going all-double knit in time for the ALCS. By 1973, flannel uniforms completely disappeared from the MLB scene.

Schedule

See also: Major League Baseball schedule

The 1971 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 1969 and would be used until 1977 in the American League and 1993 in the National League.

Opening Day took place on April 5, featuring six teams. The final day of the regular season was on September 30, featuring 18 teams. The National League Championship Series took place between October 2 and October 6, while the American League Championship Series took place between October 3 and October 5. The World Series took place between October 9 and October 17.

Rule changes

The 1971 season saw the following rule changes:

  • Players on the current hitting team are now required to wear a batting helmet.[1] Players who previously used a cap liner in 1970 could continue to do so.[2]
  • Rules regarding players interacting fans were relaxed, as previously, players could not talk or give autographs once batting practice started. Now, players could interact with players up to 30 minutes before the start of a game.[2]
  • Rule 5.09B was amended to prohibit baserunners from advancing if the home-plate umpire interfered with a catcher.[2]
  • The disabled list was expanded. Previously, a team could have as many as three players disabled at a time — two for 21 days and one for 60. Now, a team could also disable a nonpitcher for 15 days, making it permissible to have a total of four at a time.[2]

Teams

League Division Team City Stadium Capacity Manager[3]
American League East Baltimore Orioles Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore Memorial Stadium 52,137 Earl Weaver
Boston Red Sox Boston, Massachusetts Fenway Park 33,379 Eddie Kasko
Cleveland Indians Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland Stadium 76,966 Alvin Dark
Johnny Lipon
Detroit Tigers Detroit, Michigan Tiger Stadium 54,226 Billy Martin
New York Yankees New York, New York Yankee Stadium 65,010 Ralph Houk
Washington Senators Washington, D.C. Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium 45,016 Ted Williams
West California Angels Anaheim, California Anaheim Stadium 43,202 Lefty Phillips
Chicago White Sox Chicago, Illinois White Sox Park 46,550 Chuck Tanner
Kansas City Royals Kansas City, Missouri Municipal Stadium 35,561 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 Dick Williams
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 Veterans Stadium 56,371 Frank Lucchesi
Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Three Rivers Stadium 50,235 Danny Murtaugh
St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis, Missouri Civic Center Busch Memorial Stadium 50,126 Red Schoendienst
West Atlanta Braves Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta Stadium 51,383 Lum Harris
Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati, Ohio Riverfront Stadium 51,744 Sparky Anderson
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 Charlie Fox

Standings

American League

AL East
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
(1) Baltimore Orioles 101 57 .639 — 53‍–‍24 48‍–‍33
Detroit Tigers 91 71 .562 12 54‍–‍27 37‍–‍44
Boston Red Sox 85 77 .525 18 47‍–‍33 38‍–‍44
New York Yankees 82 80 .506 21 44‍–‍37 38‍–‍43
Washington Senators 63 96 .396 38½ 35‍–‍46 28‍–‍50
Cleveland Indians 60 102 .370 43 29‍–‍52 31‍–‍50
AL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
(2) Oakland Athletics 101 60 .627 — 46‍–‍35 55‍–‍25
Kansas City Royals 85 76 .528 16 44‍–‍37 41‍–‍39
Chicago White Sox 79 83 .488 22½ 39‍–‍42 40‍–‍41
California Angels 76 86 .469 25½ 35‍–‍46 41‍–‍40
Minnesota Twins 74 86 .463 26½ 37‍–‍42 37‍–‍44
Milwaukee Brewers 69 92 .429 32 34‍–‍48 35‍–‍44

National League

NL East
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
(1) Pittsburgh Pirates 97 65 .599 — 52‍–‍28 45‍–‍37
St. Louis Cardinals 90 72 .556 7 45‍–‍36 45‍–‍36
Chicago Cubs 83 79 .512 14 44‍–‍37 39‍–‍42
New York Mets 83 79 .512 14 44‍–‍37 39‍–‍42
Montreal Expos 71 90 .441 25½ 36‍–‍44 35‍–‍46
Philadelphia Phillies 67 95 .414 30 34‍–‍47 33‍–‍48
NL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
(2) San Francisco Giants 90 72 .556 — 51‍–‍30 39‍–‍42
Los Angeles Dodgers 89 73 .549 1 42‍–‍39 47‍–‍34
Atlanta Braves 82 80 .506 8 43‍–‍39 39‍–‍41
Cincinnati Reds 79 83 .488 11 46‍–‍35 33‍–‍48
Houston Astros 79 83 .488 11 39‍–‍42 40‍–‍41
San Diego Padres 61 100 .379 28½ 33‍–‍48 28‍–‍52

Postseason

See also: 1971 Major League Baseball postseason

The postseason began on October 2 and ended on October 17 with the Pittsburgh Pirates defeating the Baltimore Orioles in the 1971 World Series in seven games.

Bracket

League Championship Series
(ALCS, NLCS)		World Series
EastBaltimore3
WestOakland0
ALBaltimore3
NLPittsburgh4
EastPittsburgh3
WestSan Francisco1

Managerial changes

Off-season

Team Former Manager New Manager
Detroit Tigers Mayo Smith Billy Martin
Oakland Athletics John McNamara Dick Williams

In-season

Team Former Manager New Manager
Cleveland Indians Alvin Dark Johnny Lipon

League leaders

American League

Hitting leaders[4]
Stat Player Total
AVG Tony Oliva (MIN) .337
OPS Bobby Murcer (NYY) .969
HR Bill Melton (CWS) 33
RBI Harmon Killebrew (MIN) 119
R Don Buford (BAL) 99
H César Tovar (MIN) 204
SB Amos Otis (KC) 52
Pitching leaders[5]
Stat Player Total
W Mickey Lolich (DET) 25
L Denny McLain (WSH) 22
ERA Vida Blue (OAK) 1.82
K Mickey Lolich (DET) 308
IP Mickey Lolich (DET) 376.0
SV Ken Sanders (MIL) 31
WHIP Vida Blue (OAK) 0.952

National League

Hitting leaders[6]
Stat Player Total
AVG Joe Torre (STL) .363
OPS Hank Aaron (ATL) 1.079
HR Willie Stargell (PIT) 48
RBI Joe Torre (STL) 137
R Lou Brock (STL) 126
H Joe Torre (STL) 230
SB Lou Brock (STL) 64
Pitching leaders[7]
Stat Player Total
W Ferguson Jenkins (CHC) 24
L Steve Arlin (SD) 19
ERA Tom Seaver (NYM) 1.76
K Tom Seaver (NYM) 289
IP Ferguson Jenkins (CHC) 325.0
SV Dave Giusti (PIT) 30
WHIP Tom Seaver (NYM) 0.946

Regular season recap

Three of the four division races were anticlimactic; the only race was in the NL West between old rivals Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. The Giants led by 8.5 games on September 1 but the Dodgers chipped away. In mid September, the Dodgers won 8 in a row, including 5 over the Giants to narrow the gap to one game. But they could get no closer; ultimately both teams won on the final day of the season and the Giants won the division by 1 game.

Awards and honors

Regular season

Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards
BBWAA Award National League American League
Rookie of the Year Chris Chambliss (CLE) Earl Williams (ATL)
Cy Young Award Ferguson Jenkins (CHC) Vida Blue (OAK)
Most Valuable Player Joe Torre (STL) Vida Blue (OAK)
Babe Ruth Award
(World Series MVP) 		Roberto Clemente (PIT) —
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) George Scott (BOS)
2nd Base Tommy Helms (CIN) Davey Johnson (BAL)
3rd Base Doug Rader (HOU) Brooks Robinson (BAL)
Shortstop Bud Harrelson (NYM) Mark Belanger (BAL)
Outfield Bobby Bonds (SF) Paul Blair (BAL)
Roberto Clemente (PIT) Amos Otis (KC)
Willie Davis (LA) Carl Yastrzemski (BOS)

Other awards

The Sporting News Awards
Award National League American League
Player of the Year[8] Joe Torre (STL) —
Pitcher of the Year[9] Ferguson Jenkins (CHC) Vida Blue (OAK)
Fireman of the Year[10]
(Relief pitcher) 		Dave Giusti (PIT) Ken Sanders (MIL)
Rookie Player of the Year[11] Earl Williams (ATL) Chris Chambliss (CLE)
Rookie Pitcher of the Year[12] Reggie Cleveland (STL) Bill Parsons (MIL)
Comeback Player of the Year[13] Al Downing (LA) Norm Cash (DET)
Manager of the Year[14] Charlie Fox (SF) —
Executive of the Year[15] — Cedric Tallis (KC)

Monthly awards

Player of the Month

Main article: Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award
Month National League
April Willie Stargell (PIT)
May Lou Brock (STL)
June Willie Stargell (PIT)
July Ferguson Jenkins (CHC)
August Joe Torre (STL)

Baseball Hall of Fame

Main article: National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Further information: 1971 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting

Home field attendance

Team name Wins %± Home attendance %± Per game
New York Mets[16] 83 0.0% 2,266,680 −16.0% 27,984
Los Angeles Dodgers[17] 89 2.3% 2,064,594 21.7% 25,489
Boston Red Sox[18] 85 −2.3% 1,678,732 5.2% 20,984
Chicago Cubs[19] 83 −1.2% 1,653,007 0.6% 20,407
St. Louis Cardinals[20] 90 18.4% 1,604,671 −1.5% 19,569
Detroit Tigers[21] 91 15.2% 1,591,073 6.0% 19,643
Philadelphia Phillies[22] 67 −8.2% 1,511,223 113.4% 18,657
Pittsburgh Pirates[23] 97 9.0% 1,501,132 11.9% 18,764
Cincinnati Reds[24] 79 −22.5% 1,501,122 −16.8% 18,532
Montreal Expos[25] 71 −2.7% 1,290,963 −9.4% 16,137
Houston Astros[26] 79 0.0% 1,261,589 0.6% 15,575
San Francisco Giants[27] 90 4.7% 1,106,043 49.3% 13,655
New York Yankees[28] 82 −11.8% 1,070,771 −5.8% 13,219
Baltimore Orioles[29] 101 −6.5% 1,023,037 −3.2% 13,286
Atlanta Braves[30] 82 7.9% 1,006,320 −6.7% 12,272
Minnesota Twins[31] 74 −24.5% 940,858 −25.4% 11,910
California Angels[32] 76 −11.6% 926,373 −14.0% 11,437
Oakland Athletics[33] 101 13.5% 914,993 17.6% 11,296
Kansas City Royals[34] 85 30.8% 910,784 31.4% 11,244
Chicago White Sox[35] 79 41.1% 833,891 68.3% 10,295
Milwaukee Brewers[36] 69 6.2% 731,531 −21.7% 8,921
Washington Senators[37] 63 −10.0% 655,156 −20.6% 8,088
Cleveland Indians[38] 60 −21.1% 591,361 −19.0% 7,301
San Diego Padres[39] 61 −3.2% 557,513 −13.4% 6,883

Venues

The Philadelphia Phillies leave Connie Mack Stadium from which they played 33 season and opened Veterans Stadium (with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles), where they would go on to play for 33 seasons through 2003.

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.

See also

References

  1. ^ "MLB Rule Changes | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d Armour, Mark. "1970 Winter Meetings: Kuhn Thwarted – Society for American Baseball Research". Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  3. ^ "1971 Major League Managers". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 20, 2025.
  4. ^ "1971 American League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  5. ^ "1971 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  6. ^ "1971 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  7. ^ "1971 National League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  8. ^ "Major League Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  9. ^ "Pitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  10. ^ "Fireman of the Year Award / Reliever of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  11. ^ "Rookie Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  12. ^ "Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  13. ^ "The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  14. ^ "Manager of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  15. ^ "MLB Executive of the Year Award | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 25, 2025.
  16. ^ "New York Mets 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. ^ "Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  19. ^ "Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  20. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals 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. ^ "Philadelphia Phillies 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. ^ "Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  25. ^ "Washington Nationals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  26. ^ "Houston Astros 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. ^ "New York Yankees 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. ^ "Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  31. ^ "Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  32. ^ "Los Angeles Angels Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  33. ^ "Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  34. ^ "Kansas City Royals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  35. ^ "Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  36. ^ "Milwaukee Brewers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  37. ^ "Texas Rangers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  38. ^ "Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  39. ^ "San Diego Padres Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
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