The 1995 Major League Baseball season was the first season to be played under the expanded postseason format, as the League Division Series (LDS) was played in both the American and National leagues for the first time, since the 1981 strike-split season. However, due to the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike which carried into the 1995 season, a shortened 144-game schedule commenced on April 25, when the Florida Marlins played host to the Los Angeles Dodgers.
The Atlanta Braves became the first franchise to win World Series championships for three cities. Along with their 1995 title, the Braves won in 1914 as the Boston Braves, and in 1957 as the Milwaukee Braves.
Regular season After the 1994 season was ended due to the players' strike, there was still a deal that had to be worked out. However, it wasn't until major league owners parlayed plans to have replacement players play in 1995 that the players got into serious negotiations. Due to the strike, there was no official defending champion for the year. However, the negotiations pushed the start of the season back to late April, already 18 games into a regular season.
Despite the strike, which alienated many fans, Baltimore Orioles shortstop Cal Ripken Jr. surpassed Lou Gehrig's consecutive games played streak when he played in his 2,131st straight game on September6. Games during the playoffs were also broadcast simultaneously, meaning that games were broadcast only regionally. Despite the oddities, the 1995 season is now considered a financial success where the two best teams in baseball (in their leagues) met up in the World Series, the Cleveland Indians and Atlanta Braves. For the first time since 1954, the Indians were the AL representatives in the World Series. This came on the heels of dominating the AL Central (beating second place Kansas City by 30 games).
They met the Boston Red Sox, who had AL MVP Mo Vaughn (39 home runs, 126 RBI) and got home-field advantage in the series. Regardless, Cleveland swept the Red Sox. Meanwhile, in the other ALDS series between Seattle and the Yankees, the Yankees stormed out to a quick 2–0 series lead at Yankee Stadium, winning game2 on a 15th inning walk-off home run by Jim Leyritz. However, as the series shifted to The Kingdome in Seattle, the Mariners, who had made a 13-game comeback on the California Angels to force a one-game playoff (in which the Mariners' ace Randy Johnson got the win), the Mariners won games3 and4 to cause a classic game5, in which the Mariners came back three times to win on Edgar Martínez's famous double that scored Joey Cora and Ken Griffey Jr. In the ALCS, the Mariners surprised the Indians by taking game1, however on the power of pitchers Dennis Martínez and Orel Hershiser, the Indians managed to knock off Seattle in 6.
In the NLDS, it was the near-opposite to the New York/Seattle series. The Cincinnati Reds, who'd run away with the NL Central, swept the Dodgers while the Atlanta Braves took both games vs. Colorado at Coors Field before the Rockies finally won a game in Game3. The Braves, however, finished off the Rockies at home in Game4. Then, in the NLCS, after taking both games at Riverfront Stadium, the Braves finished the sweep of the Reds at home.
In the 1995 World Series, the Braves took the first two at home vs. Cleveland. Then, during the three games at Jacobs Field, the Indians won games3 and5 but those wins were sandwiched around the Braves 5–2 Game4 victory. In Game6, the Braves, on the power of an 8-inning one-hitter thrown by Tom Glavine, and David Justice hitting a solo home run in the sixth inning, won 1–0 and won the World Series. The victory made the Braves the first team to win World Series in three home cities (Boston (1914), Milwaukee (1957), and Atlanta (1995)).
Statistical leaders Statistic American League National League AVG Edgar Martínez SEA .356 Tony Gwynn SD .368 HR Albert Belle CLE 50 Dante Bichette COL 40 RBI Albert Belle CLEMo Vaughn BOS 126 Dante Bichette COL 128 Wins Mike Mussina BAL 19 Greg Maddux ATL 19 ERA Randy Johnson SEA 2.48 Greg Maddux ATL 1.63 SO Randy Johnson SEA 294 Hideo Nomo LAD 236 SV José Mesa CLE 46 Randy Myers CHC 38 SB Kenny Lofton CLE 54 Quilvio Veras FLA 56
Standings
American League
National League
The Seattle Mariners defeated the California Angels in a one-game playoff to earn the AL West division title.
Postseason
Bracket
Awards and honors Baseball Hall of Fame Richie Ashburn Leon Day William Hulbert Mike Schmidt Vic Willis
Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie of the YearHideo Nomo (LA)Marty Cordova (MIN)Cy Young AwardGreg Maddux (ATL)Randy Johnson (SEA)Manager of the YearDon Baylor (COL)Lou Piniella (SEA)Most Valuable PlayerBarry Larkin (CIN)Mo Vaughn (BOS)Gold Glove AwardsPositionNational LeagueAmerican LeaguePitcherGreg Maddux (ATL)Mark Langston (CAL)CatcherCharles Johnson (FLA)Iván Rodríguez (TEX)First BasemanMark Grace (CHC)J. T. Snow (CAL)Second BasemanCraig Biggio (HOU)Roberto Alomar (TOR)Third BasemanKen Caminiti (SD)Robin Ventura (CWS)ShortstopBarry Larkin (CIN)Omar Vizquel (CLE)OutfieldersMarquis Grissom (ATL)Kenny Lofton (CLE)Raúl Mondesí (LAD)Devon White (TOR)Steve Finley (SD)Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA)Silver Slugger AwardsPitcher/Designated HitterTom Glavine (ATL)Edgar Martínez (SEA)CatcherMike Piazza (LAD)Iván Rodríguez (TEX)First BasemanEric Karros (LAD)Mo Vaughn (BOS)Second BasemanCraig Biggio (HOU)Chuck Knoblauch (MIN)Third BasemanVinny Castilla (COL)Gary Gaetti (KC)ShortstopBarry Larkin (CIN)John Valentin (BOS)OutfieldersSammy Sosa (CHC)Albert Belle (CLE)Dante Bichette (COL)Tim Salmon (CAL)Tony Gwynn (SD)Manny Ramirez (CLE)
Other awards Outstanding Designated Hitter Award: Edgar Martínez (SEA) Roberto Clemente Award (Humanitarian): Ozzie Smith (STL) Rolaids Relief Man Award: José Mesa (CLE, American); Tom Henke (STL, National)
Player of the Month Month American League National League May Manny Ramirez Matt Williams June Edgar Martínez Jeff Conine July Garret Anderson Dante Bichette August Albert Belle Mike Piazza September Albert Belle Dante Bichette
Pitcher of the Month Month American League National League May Kenny Rogers Heathcliff Slocumb June Kevin Appier Hideo Nomo July Tim Wakefield Greg Maddux August Erik Hanson Sid Fernandez September Norm Charlton Greg Maddux
Managers American League Team Manager Notes Baltimore Orioles Phil Regan Boston Red Sox Kevin Kennedy California Angels Marcel Lachemann Chicago White Sox Gene Lamont, Terry Bevington Cleveland Indians Mike Hargrove Won American League Pennant Detroit Tigers Sparky Anderson Kansas City Royals Bob Boone Milwaukee Brewers Phil Garner Minnesota Twins Tom Kelly New York Yankees Buck Showalter Oakland Athletics Tony La Russa Seattle Mariners Lou Piniella AL Manager of the Year Texas Rangers Johnny Oates Toronto Blue Jays Cito Gaston
National League Team Manager Notes Atlanta Braves Bobby Cox Won World Series Chicago Cubs Jim Riggleman Cincinnati Reds Davey Johnson Colorado Rockies Don Baylor NL Manager of the Year Florida Marlins Rene Lachemann Houston Astros Terry Collins Los Angeles Dodgers Tommy Lasorda Montreal Expos Felipe Alou New York Mets Dallas Green Philadelphia Phillies Jim Fregosi Pittsburgh Pirates Jim Leyland St. Louis Cardinals Joe Torre, Mike Jorgensen San Diego Padres Bruce Bochy San Francisco Giants Dusty Baker
Home field attendance and payroll Team nameWinsHome attendanceEst. payrollColorado Rockies7745.3%3,390,0373.3%47,084$34,154,71743.0%Baltimore Orioles7112.7%3,098,47522.2%43,034$43,942,52113.1%Cleveland Indians10051.5%2,842,74542.5%39,483$38,057,83524.8%Toronto Blue Jays561.8%2,826,483 −2.8%39,257$50,590,00016.5%Los Angeles Dodgers7834.5%2,766,25121.4%38,420$39,273,2013.4%Atlanta Braves9032.4%2,561,8310.9%35,581$47,235,445 −4.3%Boston Red Sox8659.3%2,164,41021.9%30,061$32,455,518 −14.3%Philadelphia Phillies6927.8%2,043,598 −10.8%28,383$30,555,945 −3.3%Texas Rangers7442.3%1,985,910 −20.7%27,582$34,581,4514.9%Chicago Cubs7349.0%1,918,2654.0%26,643$29,505,834 −18.7%Cincinnati Reds8528.8%1,837,649 −3.2%25,523$43,144,6705.0%St. Louis Cardinals6217.0%1,756,727 −5.9%24,399$37,101,00026.7%California Angels7866.0%1,748,68015.6%24,287$31,223,17124.1%New York Yankees7912.9%1,705,2631.8%23,360$48,874,8516.2%Florida Marlins6731.4%1,700,466 −12.2%23,950$24,515,78113.3%Seattle Mariners7961.2%1,643,20348.8%22,510$36,481,31124.8%Chicago White Sox681.5%1,609,773 −5.2%22,358$46,961,28219.8%Houston Astros7615.2%1,363,801 −12.6%18,942$34,169,8343.2%Montreal Expos66 −10.8%1,309,6182.6%18,189$12,473,000 −34.7%New York Mets6925.5%1,273,18310.6%17,683$27,674,992 −10.6%San Francisco Giants6721.8%1,241,500 −27.2%17,243$36,462,777 −14.5%Kansas City Royals709.4%1,233,530 −11.9%17,132$29,532,834 −27.2%Detroit Tigers6013.2%1,180,979 −0.3%16,402$37,044,168 −10.6%Oakland Athletics6731.4%1,174,310 −5.5%16,310$37,739,22510.4%Milwaukee Brewers6522.6%1,087,560 −14.3%15,105$17,798,825 −26.9%Minnesota Twins565.7%1,057,667 −24.4%14,690$25,410,500 −10.6%San Diego Padres7048.9%1,041,8059.2%14,470$26,382,33476.9%Pittsburgh Pirates589.4%905,517 −25.9%12,577$18,355,345 −24.2%
Television coverage This was the second and final season of The Baseball Network, the joint venture between MLB, ABC and NBC. Meanwhile, ESPN continued to air Sunday Night Baseball and Wednesday Night Baseball.
The long-term plans for The Baseball Network began to crumble after the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike began on August 12, 1994, forcing the cancellation of the rest of the 1994 regular season, the postseason, and that year's World Series, Both networks elected to dissolve the partnership with Major League Baseball on June 22, 1995. Both networks figured that as the delayed 1995 baseball season opened without a labor agreement, there was no guarantee against another strike. Under the terms of the agreement, it could be voided by any party if the venture did not produce a minimum of $330 million in revenue over the first two years.
ABC and NBC were able to air their full respective slates of 1995 Baseball Night in America regular season games. To salvage the remains of the partnership, ABC and NBC elected to share coverage of the 1995 postseason including the World Series. MLB would then replace The Baseball Network with new deals with NBC and Fox beginning in 1996.
Domestic Network Day of week Announcers ABC Saturday nightsMonday nights Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver, Brent Musburger, Jim Kaat NBC Friday nights Bob Costas, Joe Morgan, Bob Uecker, Greg Gumbel ESPN Sunday nightsWednesday nights Jon Miller, Joe Morgan
International Country Network Asia Prime Sports Nine Network CBC, CTV, TSN, SRC, RDS NHK Latin America ESPN MBC Sky Sports
Events January–June April 2 – After 232 days, the 1994–95 Major League Baseball strike comes to an end. April 8 – The Colorado Rockies sign free agent outfielder Larry Walker. April 25 – Major League Baseball begins its strike-shortened 144-game season. Opening day games see fan protests regarding the strike spill onto the field. In addition, there were boos at opening day games. April 26 – The Colorado Rockies open Coors Field with an 11–9 victory over the New York Mets in 14 innings. June 30 – Eddie Murray of the Cleveland Indians became the 20th member of the 3,000-hit club with a single in the sixth inning against the Minnesota Twins.
July–September July 11 – The National League defeats the American League in the All-Star Game 3–2, on an 8th-inning pinch-hit home run by Jeff Conine. Conine becomes the 10th player to homer in his first All-Star at bat, and is named the Game's MVP. Frank Thomas, Craig Biggio and Mike Piazza also connect for home runs. August 10 – The Los Angeles Dodgers are forced to forfeit to the visiting St. Louis Cardinals when inebriated fans react to several close calls by throwing souvenir baseballs onto the field. No Major League Baseball game has resulted in a forfeit since.