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1997 Major League Baseball season

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1997 MLB season
LeagueMajor League Baseball
SportBaseball
DurationApril 1 – October 26, 1997
Number of games162
Number of teams28
TV partner(s)Fox/FSN/FX, ESPN, NBC
Draft
Top draft pickMatt Anderson
Picked byDetroit Tigers
Regular Season
Season MVPAL: Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA)
NL: Larry Walker (COL)
Postseason
AL championsCleveland Indians
  AL runners-upBaltimore Orioles
NL championsFlorida Marlins
  NL runners-upAtlanta Braves
World Series
ChampionsFlorida Marlins
  Runners-upCleveland Indians
World Series MVPLiván Hernández (FLA)
MLB seasons

The 1997 Major League Baseball season was the inaugural season for Interleague play, as well as the final season in the American League for the Milwaukee Brewers before moving to the NL the following season. The California Angels changed their name to the Anaheim Angels. The Florida Marlins ended the season (their fifth season in the majors) as the World Champions defeating the Cleveland Indians in a seven-game World Series, four games to three.

Standings

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American League

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AL East
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Baltimore Orioles 98 64 .605 46‍–‍35 52‍–‍29
New York Yankees 96 66 .593 2 47‍–‍33 49‍–‍33
Detroit Tigers 79 83 .488 19 42‍–‍39 37‍–‍44
Boston Red Sox 78 84 .481 20 39‍–‍42 39‍–‍42
Toronto Blue Jays 76 86 .469 22 42‍–‍39 34‍–‍47
AL Central
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Cleveland Indians 86 75 .534 44‍–‍37 42‍–‍38
Chicago White Sox 80 81 .497 6 45‍–‍36 35‍–‍45
Milwaukee Brewers 78 83 .484 8 47‍–‍33 31‍–‍50
Minnesota Twins 68 94 .420 18½ 35‍–‍46 33‍–‍48
Kansas City Royals 67 94 .416 19 33‍–‍47 34‍–‍47
AL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Seattle Mariners 90 72 .556 45‍–‍36 45‍–‍36
Anaheim Angels 84 78 .519 6 46‍–‍36 38‍–‍42
Texas Rangers 77 85 .475 13 39‍–‍42 38‍–‍43
Oakland Athletics 65 97 .401 25 35‍–‍46 30‍–‍51

National League

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NL East
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Atlanta Braves 101 61 .623 50‍–‍31 51‍–‍30
Florida Marlins 92 70 .568 9 52‍–‍29 40‍–‍41
New York Mets 88 74 .543 13 50‍–‍31 38‍–‍43
Montreal Expos 78 84 .481 23 45‍–‍36 33‍–‍48
Philadelphia Phillies 68 94 .420 33 38‍–‍43 30‍–‍51
NL Central
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Houston Astros 84 78 .519 46‍–‍35 38‍–‍43
Pittsburgh Pirates 79 83 .488 5 43‍–‍38 36‍–‍45
Cincinnati Reds 76 86 .469 8 40‍–‍41 36‍–‍45
St. Louis Cardinals 73 89 .451 11 41‍–‍40 32‍–‍49
Chicago Cubs 68 94 .420 16 42‍–‍39 26‍–‍55
NL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
San Francisco Giants 90 72 .556 48‍–‍33 42‍–‍39
Los Angeles Dodgers 88 74 .543 2 47‍–‍34 41‍–‍40
Colorado Rockies 83 79 .512 7 47‍–‍34 36‍–‍45
San Diego Padres 76 86 .469 14 39‍–‍42 37‍–‍44

Postseason

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Bracket

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Division Series
(ALDS, NLDS)
League Championship Series
(ALCS, NLCS)
World Series
         
Central Cleveland 3
WC NY Yankees 2
Central Cleveland 4
American League
East Baltimore 2
East Baltimore 3
West Seattle 1
AL Cleveland 3
NL Florida 4
East Atlanta 3
Central Houston 0
East Atlanta 2
National League
WC Florida 4
West San Francisco 0
WC Florida 3

Awards and honors

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Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards
BBWAA Award National League American League
Rookie of the Year Scott Rolen (PHI) Nomar Garciaparra (BOS)
Cy Young Award Pedro Martínez (MTL) Roger Clemens (TOR)
Manager of the Year Dusty Baker (SF) Davey Johnson (BAL)
Most Valuable Player Larry Walker (COL) Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA)
Gold Glove Awards
Position National League American League
Pitcher Greg Maddux (ATL) Mike Mussina (BAL)
Catcher Charles Johnson (FLA) Iván Rodríguez (TEX)
First Baseman J. T. Snow (SF) Rafael Palmeiro (BAL)
Second Baseman Craig Biggio (HOU) Chuck Knoblauch (MIN)
Third Baseman Ken Caminiti (SD) Matt Williams (CLE)
Shortstop Rey Ordóñez (NYM) Omar Vizquel (CLE)
Outfielders Barry Bonds (SF) Jim Edmonds (ANA)
Raúl Mondesí (LA) Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA)
Larry Walker (COL) Bernie Williams (NYY)
Silver Slugger Awards
Pitcher/Designated Hitter John Smoltz (ATL) Edgar Martínez (SEA)
Catcher Mike Piazza (LA) Iván Rodríguez (TEX)
First Baseman Jeff Bagwell (HOU) Tino Martinez (NYY)
Second Baseman Craig Biggio (HOU) Chuck Knoblauch (MIN)
Third Baseman Vinny Castilla (COL) Matt Williams (CLE)
Shortstop Jeff Blauser (ATL) Nomar Garciaparra (BOS)
Outfielders Barry Bonds (SF) Juan González (TEX)
Tony Gwynn (SD) Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA)
Larry Walker (COL) David Justice (CLE)

Other awards

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Player of the Month

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Month American League National League
April Ken Griffey Jr. Larry Walker
May Frank Thomas Tony Gwynn
June Jeff King Mike Piazza
July Tim Salmon Barry Bonds
August Bernie Williams Mike Piazza
September Juan González Mark McGwire

Pitcher of the Month

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Month American League National League
April Andy Pettitte Tom Glavine
May Roger Clemens Bobby Jones
June Randy Johnson Kent Mercker
July Chuck Finley
Brad Radke
Darryl Kile
August Roger Clemens Pedro Martínez
September Jeff Fassero Jeff Shaw

MLB statistical leaders

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Statistic American League National League
AVG Frank Thomas CWS .347 Tony Gwynn SD .372
HR Ken Griffey Jr. SEA 56 Larry Walker COL 49
RBI Ken Griffey Jr. SEA 147 Andrés Galarraga COL 140
Wins Roger Clemens1 TOR 21 Denny Neagle ATL 20
ERA Roger Clemens1 TOR 2.05 Pedro Martínez MTL 1.90
SO Roger Clemens1 TOR 292 Curt Schilling PHI 319
SV Randy Myers BAL 45 Jeff Shaw CIN 42
SB Brian Hunter DET 74 Tony Womack PIT 60

1 American League Triple Crown Pitching Winner

Managers

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American League

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Team Manager Notes
Anaheim Angels Terry Collins
Baltimore Orioles Davey Johnson
Boston Red Sox Jimy Williams
Chicago White Sox Terry Bevington
Cleveland Indians Mike Hargrove Won American League Pennant
Detroit Tigers Buddy Bell
Kansas City Royals Bob Boone, Tony Muser
Milwaukee Brewers Phil Garner
Minnesota Twins Tom Kelly
New York Yankees Joe Torre
Oakland Athletics Art Howe
Seattle Mariners Lou Piniella
Texas Rangers Johnny Oates
Toronto Blue Jays Cito Gaston, Mel Queen

National League

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Team Manager Notes
Atlanta Braves Bobby Cox
Chicago Cubs Jim Riggleman
Cincinnati Reds Ray Knight, Jack McKeon
Colorado Rockies Don Baylor
Florida Marlins Jim Leyland Won World Series
Houston Astros Larry Dierker
Los Angeles Dodgers Bill Russell
Montreal Expos Felipe Alou
New York Mets Bobby Valentine
Philadelphia Phillies Terry Francona
Pittsburgh Pirates Gene Lamont
St. Louis Cardinals Tony La Russa
San Diego Padres Bruce Bochy
San Francisco Giants Dusty Baker

Home field attendance and payroll

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Team name Wins Home attendance Per game Est. payroll
Colorado Rockies[1] 83 0.0% 3,888,453 -0.1% 48,006 $43,559,667 8.0%
Baltimore Orioles[2] 98 11.4% 3,711,132 1.8% 45,816 $58,516,400 7.2%
Atlanta Braves[3] 101 5.2% 3,464,488 19.4% 42,771 $52,278,500 5.2%
Cleveland Indians[4] 86 -13.1% 3,404,750 2.6% 42,034 $56,802,460 17.8%
Los Angeles Dodgers[5] 88 -2.2% 3,319,504 4.1% 40,982 $45,380,304 28.4%
Seattle Mariners[6] 90 5.9% 3,192,237 17.2% 39,410 $41,540,661 0.5%
Texas Rangers[7] 77 -14.4% 2,945,228 1.9% 36,361 $53,448,838 36.9%
St. Louis Cardinals[8] 73 -17.0% 2,634,014 -0.8% 32,519 $45,456,667 12.9%
Toronto Blue Jays[9] 76 2.7% 2,589,297 1.2% 31,967 $47,079,833 54.1%
New York Yankees[10] 96 4.3% 2,580,325 14.6% 32,254 $62,241,545 14.9%
Florida Marlins[11] 92 15.0% 2,364,387 35.4% 29,190 $48,692,500 56.4%
Boston Red Sox[12] 78 -8.2% 2,226,136 -3.8% 27,483 $43,558,750 2.7%
Chicago Cubs[13] 68 -10.5% 2,190,308 -1.3% 27,041 $42,155,333 27.4%
San Diego Padres[14] 76 -16.5% 2,089,333 -4.5% 25,794 $37,363,672 31.8%
Houston Astros[15] 84 2.4% 2,046,781 3.6% 25,269 $34,777,500 22.1%
Chicago White Sox[16] 80 -5.9% 1,864,782 11.2% 23,022 $57,740,000 27.5%
Cincinnati Reds[17] 76 -6.2% 1,785,788 -4.1% 22,047 $49,768,000 17.0%
Anaheim Angels[18] 84 20.0% 1,767,330 -2.9% 21,553 $31,135,472 7.9%
New York Mets[19] 88 23.9% 1,766,174 11.2% 21,805 $39,800,400 62.6%
San Francisco Giants[20] 90 32.4% 1,690,869 19.6% 20,875 $35,592,378 -4.2%
Pittsburgh Pirates[21] 79 8.2% 1,657,022 24.4% 20,457 $10,771,667 -53.2%
Kansas City Royals[22] 67 -10.7% 1,517,638 5.7% 18,970 $34,810,000 71.6%
Montreal Expos[23] 78 -11.4% 1,497,609 -7.4% 18,489 $19,295,500 18.6%
Philadelphia Phillies[24] 68 1.5% 1,490,638 -17.3% 18,403 $36,656,500 6.8%
Milwaukee Brewers[25] 78 -2.5% 1,444,027 8.8% 18,050 $23,655,338 8.9%
Minnesota Twins[26] 68 -12.8% 1,411,064 -1.8% 17,421 $34,072,500 47.4%
Detroit Tigers[27] 79 49.1% 1,365,157 16.8% 16,854 $17,272,000 -26.3%
Oakland Athletics[28] 65 -16.7% 1,264,218 10.1% 15,608 $24,018,500 13.1%

Television coverage

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This was the second season under the five-year rights agreements with ESPN, Fox, and NBC. ESPN continued to air Sunday Night Baseball and Wednesday Night Baseball. In addition to Fox Saturday Baseball broadcasts, Fox's coverage extended to Thursday night games on sister network Fox Sports Net, and selected Monday and Tuesday primetime games on sister network FX. Fox also aired the All-Star Game. During the postseason, ESPN, Fox, and NBC split the four Division Series. Fox then televised the American League Championship Series while NBC aired both the National League Championship Series and the World Series.

Events

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January–March

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  • January 5 – Boston Red Sox pitcher Tim Wakefield escapes serious injury when he is hit by a car while out jogging. He is released from the hospital after being treated for bruises.
  • January 6 – Knuckleballer Phil Niekro is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Niekro receives 80.34% of the vote. Pitcher Don Sutton falls nine votes short of election.
  • February 20 – The Philadelphia Phillies sign free agent outfielder Danny Tartabull. Tartabull broke his foot on Opening Day and sat out the year before retiring.
  • March 5 – Nellie Fox, Tommy Lasorda and Negro leaguer Willie Wells are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

April–May

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June–July

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August–September

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October–December

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Deaths

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  • January 6 – Dick Donovan, 69, All-Star pitcher, mainly with the White Sox and Indians, who led AL in ERA in 1961 and won 20 games in 1962
  • January 20 – Curt Flood, 59, All-Star center fielder who won seven Gold Gloves and batted .300 six times; challenged baseball's reserve clause all the way to the U.S. Supreme Court, unsuccessfully, after refusing a trade
  • February 7 – Manny Salvo, 83, Boston pitcher who tied for the National League lead in shutouts in 1940
  • February 13 – Bobby Adams, 75, third baseman for the Cincinnati Reds/Redlegs, Chicago White Sox, Baltimore Orioles and Chicago Cubs between 1946 and 1959
  • June 1 – Mickey Rocco, 81, Cleveland first baseman who led the American League in fielding percentage at his position in 1943 and 1945
  • June 9 – Thornton Lee, 90, All-Star pitcher who won over 100 games for the White Sox; won 22 games and led AL in ERA in 1941
  • July 31 – Eddie Miller, 80, 7-time All-Star shortstop for four NL teams who led league in fielding five times
  • August 23 – Guy Curtright, 84, White Sox outfielder who finished sixth in 1943 American League batting race with a .291 average
  • September 9 – Richie Ashburn, 70, Hall of Fame center fielder for the Phillies who batted .308 lifetime, winning two batting titles, and led NL in putouts nine times, hits three times, triples twice and steals once; retired with six of the top eight single-season putout totals in history
  • September 22 – Eddie Sawyer, 87, manager who led the Phillies' "Whiz Kids" to the 1950 pennant, later a scout
  • September 26 – Woody English, 91, All-Star infielder for the Cubs who batted .300 twice
  • October 6 – Johnny Vander Meer, 82, All-Star pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds who in 1938 became the only player to pitch two consecutive no-hitters; led NL in strikeouts three times
  • October 21 – Dolph Camilli, 90, All-Star first baseman who was the NL's MVP in 1941, leading the Brooklyn Dodgers to the pennant; had five 100-RBI seasons
  • November 2 – Roy McMillan, 68, All-Star shortstop for the Reds, Braves and Mets who won the NL's first three Gold Gloves; minor league manager, coach and scout
  • November 20 – Dick Littlefield, 71, well-traveled pitcher who played for nine teams, earning 15 of his 33 wins with the Pirates
  • November 27 – Buck Leonard, 90, Hall of Fame first baseman of the Negro leagues regularly among the league leaders in batting average and home runs

References

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  1. ^ "Colorado Rockies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  2. ^ "Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  3. ^ "Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  4. ^ "Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  5. ^ "Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  6. ^ "Seattle Mariners Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  7. ^ "Texas Rangers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  8. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  9. ^ "Toronto Blue Jays Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  10. ^ "New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  11. ^ "Florida Marlins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  12. ^ "Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  13. ^ "Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  14. ^ "San Diego Padres Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  15. ^ "Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  16. ^ "Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  17. ^ "Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  18. ^ "Los Angeles Angels Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  19. ^ "New York Mets Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  20. ^ "San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  21. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  22. ^ "Kansas City Royals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  23. ^ "Washington Nationals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  24. ^ "Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved July 16, 2024.
  25. ^ "Milwaukee Brewers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  26. ^ "Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  27. ^ "Detroit Tigers 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.
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