The 2005 Major League Baseball season was notable for the league's new steroid policy in the wake of the BALCO scandal, which enforced harsher penalties than ever before for steroid use in Major League Baseball. Several players, including veteran Rafael Palmeiro, were suspended under the new policy. Besides the cracking down on steroids, it was also notable that every team in the NL East finished the season with at least 81 wins (at least half of the 162 games played). Additionally it was the first season featuring a baseball team in Washington, D.C. since the second iteration of the Washington Senators last played there in 1971; the Washington Nationals had moved from Montreal, the first relocation of a team in 33 years.
The Anaheim Angels changed their name to the Los Angeles Angels.
The season ended when the Chicago White Sox defeated the Houston Astros in a four-game sweep in the World Series, winning their first championship since 1917.
This was the last season in which no no-hit games were pitched until 2025; 2005 was also only the 6th year since 1949 in which no such games were thrown.
This was the first season since 1993 that all teams played at least 162 games with no cancellations.
Standings
American League
National League
Postseason
Bracket
Note: Two teams in the same division could not meet in the division series.
Statistical leaders Batting Team Statistic American League National League Runs scored Boston Red Sox 910 Cincinnati Reds 820 Hits Boston Red Sox 1579 Chicago Cubs 1506 Home runs Texas Rangers 260 Cincinnati Reds 222 Batting average Boston Red Sox .272 San Francisco Giants .281 Stolen bases Los Angeles Angels 161 New York Mets 153
Individual Statistic American League National League Batting average Michael Young (Texas) .331 Derrek Lee (Chicago) .335 Runs scored Alex Rodriguez (New York) 124 Albert Pujols (St. Louis) 129 Hits Michael Young (Texas) 221 Derrek Lee (Chicago) 199 Home runs Alex Rodriguez (New York) 48 Andruw Jones (Atlanta) 51 Runs batted in David Ortiz (Boston) 148 Andruw Jones (Atlanta) 128 Stolen bases Chone Figgins (Los Angeles) 62 José Reyes (New York) 60
Pitching Team Statistic American League National League Runs allowed Cleveland Indians 642 Houston Astros 609 Earned run average Chicago White SoxCleveland Indians 3.61 St. Louis Cardinals 3.49 Hits allowed Oakland Athletics 1315 Houston Astros 1336 Home runs allowed Oakland Athletics 154 New York Mets 135 Strikeouts Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 1126 Chicago Cubs 1256
Individual Statistic American League National League Earned run average Kevin Millwood (Cleveland) 2.86 Roger Clemens (Houston) 1.87 Wins Bartolo Colón (Los Angeles) 21 Dontrelle Willis (Florida) 22 Saves Francisco Rodríguez (Los Angeles)Bob Wickman (Cleveland) 45 Chad Cordero (Washington) 47 Strikeouts Johan Santana (Minnesota) 238 Jake Peavy (San Diego) 216
Managers American League Team Manager CommentsLos Angeles Angels Mike Scioscia Baltimore Orioles Sam PerlozzoBoston Red SoxTerry Francona Chicago White SoxOzzie Guillén Won the World SeriesCleveland Indians Eric Wedge Detroit Tigers± Alan Trammell Kansas City Royals Tony Peña Replaced during the season by Bob SchaeferMinnesota Twins Ron Gardenhire New York Yankees Joe Torre Oakland Athletics Ken Macha Seattle Mariners Mike Hargrove Tampa Bay Devil Rays Lou PiniellaTexas Rangers Buck ShowalterToronto Blue Jays John Gibbons
National League Team Manager CommentsArizona Diamondbacks Bob MelvinAtlanta Braves Bobby CoxChicago Cubs Dusty BakerCincinnati Reds Dave Miley Replaced during the season by Jerry NarronColorado Rockies Clint HurdleFlorida Marlins Jack McKeonHouston AstrosPhil GarnerWon the National League pennantLos Angeles Dodgers Jim TracyMilwaukee Brewers Ned YostNew York Mets Willie RandolphPhiladelphia Phillies Charlie ManuelPittsburgh Pirates Lloyd McClendonReplaced during the season by Pete MackaninSt. Louis Cardinals Tony La Russa San Diego Padres Bruce BochySan Francisco Giants Felipe AlouWashington Nationals Frank Robinson ±hosted the MLB All Star Game
Awards and honors Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie of the YearRyan Howard (PHI)Huston Street (OAK)Cy Young AwardChris Carpenter (STL)Bartolo Colón (LAA)Manager of the YearBobby Cox (ATL)Ozzie Guillén (CWS)Most Valuable PlayerAlbert Pujols (STL)Alex Rodriguez (NYY)Gold Glove AwardsPositionNational LeagueAmerican LeaguePitcherGreg Maddux (CHC)Kenny Rogers (MIN)CatcherMike Matheny (SF)Jason Varitek (BOS)1st BaseDerrek Lee (CHC)Mark Teixeira (TEX)2nd BaseLuis Castillo (FLA)Orlando Hudson (TOR)3rd BaseMike Lowell (FLA)Eric Chavez (OAK)ShortstopOmar Vizquel (SF)Derek Jeter (NYY)OutfieldBobby Abreu (PHI)Jim Edmonds (STL)Andruw Jones (ATL)Torii Hunter (MIN)Ichiro Suzuki (SEA)Vernon Wells (TOR)Silver Slugger AwardsPositionNational LeagueAmerican LeaguePitcher/Designated HitterJason Marquis (STL) David Ortiz (BOS)CatcherMichael Barrett (CHC)Jason Varitek (BOS)1st BaseDerrek Lee (CHC)Mark Teixeira (TEX)2nd BaseJeff Kent (LAD)Alfonso Soriano (TEX)3rd BaseMorgan Ensberg (HOU)Alex Rodriguez (NYY)ShortstopFelipe López (CIN)Miguel Tejada (BAL)OutfieldMiguel Cabrera (FLA)Andruw Jones (ATL)Carlos Lee (MIL)Vladimir Guerrero (LAA)Manny Ramirez (BOS)Gary Sheffield (NYY)
Other awards Comeback Players of the Year: Jason Giambi (Designated hitter/first baseman, NYY, American); Ken Griffey Jr. (Center fielder, CIN, National). Edgar Martínez Award (Best designated hitter): David Ortiz (BOS) Hank Aaron Award: David Ortiz (BOS, American); Andruw Jones (ATL, National). Roberto Clemente Award (Humanitarian): John Smoltz (ATL). Rolaids Relief Man Award: Mariano Rivera (NYY, American); Chad Cordero (WSH, National). Delivery Man of the Year (Best Reliever): Mariano Rivera (NYY). Warren Spahn Award (Best left-handed pitcher): Dontrelle Willis (FLA)
Player of the Month Month American League National League April Brian Roberts Derrek Lee May Alex Rodriguez Bobby Abreu June Travis Hafner Andruw Jones July Jason Giambi Adam Dunn August Alex Rodriguez Andruw Jones September David Ortiz Randy Winn
Pitcher of the Month Month American League National League April Jon Garland Dontrelle Willis May Kenny Rogers Trevor Hoffman June Mark Buehrle Chad Cordero July Barry Zito Andy Pettitte August Bartolo Colón Noah Lowry September José Contreras Andy Pettitte
Rookie of the Month Month American League National League April Gustavo Chacín Clint Barmes May Damon Hollins Ryan Church June Joe Blanton Garrett Atkins July Gustavo Chacín Zach Duke August Joe Blanton Zach Duke September Robinson Canó Ryan Howard
Home field attendance and payroll Team nameWinsHome attendanceEst. payrollNew York Yankees95 −5.9%4,090,6968.4%50,502$208,306,81713.1%Los Angeles Dodgers71 −23.7%3,603,6463.3%44,489$83,039,000 −10.6%St. Louis Cardinals100 −4.8%3,538,98816.1%43,691$92,106,8339.2%Los Angeles Angels953.3%3,404,6860.9%42,033$94,867,822 −5.6%San Francisco Giants75 −17.6%3,181,023 −2.3%39,272$90,199,50010.0%Chicago Cubs79 −11.2%3,099,992 −2.2%38,272$87,032,933 −3.9%San Diego Padres82 −5.7%2,869,787 −4.9%35,429$63,290,83314.3%Boston Red Sox95 −3.1%2,847,8880.4%35,159$123,505,125 −3.0%New York Mets8316.9%2,829,92922.0%34,937$101,305,821 −0.7%Houston Astros89 −3.3%2,804,760 −9.2%34,627$76,779,0001.8%Washington Nationals8120.9%2,731,993264.5%33,728$48,581,50017.9%Seattle Mariners699.5%2,725,459 −7.3%33,648$87,754,3347.7%Philadelphia Phillies882.3%2,665,304 −18.0%32,905$95,522,0002.5%Baltimore Orioles74 −5.1%2,624,740 −4.3%32,404$73,914,33343.2%Texas Rangers79 −11.2%2,525,2210.5%31,176$55,849,0001.5%Atlanta Braves90 −6.3%2,521,1678.3%31,126$86,457,302 −4.1%Chicago White Sox9919.3%2,342,83321.4%28,924$75,178,00015.3%Milwaukee Brewers8120.9%2,211,0237.2%27,297$39,934,83345.1%Oakland Athletics88 −3.3%2,109,118 −4.2%26,038$55,425,762 −6.7%Arizona Diamondbacks7751.0%2,059,424 −18.3%25,425$62,629,166 −10.2%Minnesota Twins83 −9.8%2,034,2436.4%25,114$56,186,0004.3%Detroit Tigers71 −1.4%2,024,4315.6%24,993$69,092,00047.5%Toronto Blue Jays8019.4%2,014,9956.1%24,876$45,719,500 −8.6%Cleveland Indians9316.3%2,013,76311.0%24,861$41,502,50020.9%Cincinnati Reds73 −3.9%1,943,067 −15.0%23,696$61,892,58331.9%Colorado Rockies67 −1.5%1,914,389 −18.1%23,634$47,839,000 −26.9%Florida Marlins830.0%1,852,6087.5%22,872$60,408,83443.3%Pittsburgh Pirates67 −6.9%1,817,24515.0%22,435$38,133,00018.3%Kansas City Royals56 −3.4%1,371,181 −17.5%16,928$36,881,000 −22.5%Tampa Bay Devil Rays67 −4.3%1,141,669 −10.5%14,095$29,679,067 −0.6%
Television coverage This was the fifth season that national television coverage was split between ESPN and Fox Sports. ESPN and ESPN2 aired selected weeknight and Sunday night games, and selected Division Series playoff games. Fox televised Saturday baseball, the All-Star Game, selected Division Series games, both League Championship Series, and the World Series.
Events March 24 – a spring training game between the Arizona Diamondbacks and the Colorado Rockies was abandoned after five innings because of a swarm of bees which settled over the field. April 29 – The highly anticipated matchup of Roger Clemens of the Houston Astros vs. Greg Maddux of the Chicago Cubs took place at Minute Maid Park, two of the most acclaimed pitchers of the modern era (between them are 11 Cy Young awards—7 and 4, respectively). Both Clemens and Maddux had 300 career wins at this point in their careers, a feat that is arguably impossible for modern era pitchers to achieve since the advent of middle and closing relief rosters. The Cubs went on to win the game 3–2. June 18 – Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees hits the first grand slam of his 11-year major league career, as the Yankees defeat the Chicago Cubs 8–1. July 15 – Rafael Palmeiro of the Baltimore Orioles became the 26th member of the 3,000-hit club with a double in the fifth inning against the Seattle Mariners. July 26 – Greg Maddux of the Chicago Cubs recorded his 3,000th career strikeout by striking out Omar Vizquel of the San Francisco Giants in the third inning. Maddux became the 13th to reach this mark in Major League history.
See also 2005 Nippon Professional Baseball season
Notes Major League Baseball seasons since 1901 without a no-hitter pitched are 1909, 1913, 1921, 1927–1928, 1932–1933, 1936, 1939, 1942–1943, 1949, 1959, 1982, 1985, 1989, 2000, 2005 and 2025.
References
External links 2005 Major League Baseball season schedule at Baseball Reference