The 1999 Major League Baseball season ended with the New York Yankees sweeping the Atlanta Braves in the World Series.
The previous record of most home runs hit in a season, set at 5,064 in 1998, was broken once again as the American League and National League combined to hit 5,528 home runs. Moreover, it was the first season in 49 years to feature a team that scored 1,000 runs in a season, as the Cleveland Indians led the Majors with 1,009 runs scored. Only 193 shutouts were recorded in 2,427 regular-season games. The 1999 season was the first season in which the two current New York City-area MLB teams, the Yankees and Mets, qualified for the playoffs together in the same season. The following season, both teams reached the World Series and the Yankees won four games to one.
Standings
American League
National League
The New York Mets defeated the Cincinnati Reds in a one-game playoff to earn the NL Wild Card.
Postseason
Bracket
Note: Two teams in the same division could not meet in the division series.
Awards and honors Baseball Hall of Fame George Brett Orlando Cepeda Nestor Chylak Nolan Ryan Frank Selee Joe Williams Robin Yount
+Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie of the YearScott Williamson (CIN)Carlos Beltrán (KC)Cy Young AwardRandy Johnson (AZ)Pedro Martínez (BOS)Manager of the YearJack McKeon (CIN)Jimy Williams (BOS)Most Valuable PlayerChipper Jones (ATL)Iván Rodríguez (TEX)Gold Glove AwardsPositionNational LeagueAmerican LeaguePitcherGreg Maddux (ATL)Mike Mussina (BAL)CatcherMike Lieberthal (PHI)Iván Rodríguez (TEX)First BasemanJ. T. Snow (SF)Rafael Palmeiro (TEX)Second BasemanPokey Reese (CIN)Roberto Alomar (CLE)Third BasemanRobin Ventura (NYM)Scott Brosius (NYY)ShortstopRey Ordonez (NYM)Omar Vizquel (CLE)OutfieldersSteve Finley (AZ)Bernie Williams (NYY)Larry Walker (COL)Shawn Green (TOR)Andruw Jones (ATL)Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA)Silver Slugger Awards Pitcher/Designated HitterMike Hampton (HOU)Rafael Palmeiro (TEX)CatcherMike Piazza (NYM)Iván Rodríguez (TEX)First BasemanJeff Bagwell (HOU)Carlos Delgado (TOR)Second BasemanEdgardo Alfonzo (NYM)Roberto Alomar (CLE)Third BasemanChipper Jones (ATL)Dean Palmer (DET)ShortstopBarry Larkin (CIN)Alex Rodriguez (SEA)OutfieldersSammy Sosa (CHC)Shawn Green (TOR)Vladimir Guerrero (MON)Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA)Larry Walker (COL)Manny Ramirez (CLE)
Other awards Outstanding Designated Hitter Award: Rafael Palmeiro (TEX) Hank Aaron Award: Manny Ramirez (CLE, American); Sammy Sosa (CHC, National). Roberto Clemente Award (Humanitarian): Tony Gwynn (SD). Rolaids Relief Man Award: Mariano Rivera (NYY, American); Billy Wagner (HOU, National). Warren Spahn Award (Best left-handed pitcher): Randy Johnson (AZ)
Player of the Month Month American League National League April Manny Ramirez Matt Williams May Nomar Garciaparra Sammy Sosa June Rafael Palmeiro Jeromy Burnitz July Joe Randa Mark McGwire August Rafael PalmeiroIván Rodríguez Vladimir Guerrero September Albert Belle Greg Vaughn
Pitcher of the Month Month American League National League April Pedro Martínez John Smoltz May Pedro Martínez Curt Schilling June Pedro Martínez Al Leiter July Hideki Irabu Randy Johnson August Mariano Rivera Greg Maddux September Pedro Martínez Denny Neagle
MLB statistical leaders Statistic American League National League AVG Nomar Garciaparra BOS .357 Larry Walker COL .379 HR Ken Griffey Jr. SEA 48 Mark McGwire STL 65 RBI Manny Ramírez CLE 165 Mark McGwire STL 147 Wins Pedro Martínez1 BOS 23 Mike Hampton HOU 22 ERA Pedro Martínez1 BOS 2.07 Randy Johnson AZ 2.48 SO Pedro Martínez1 BOS 313 Randy Johnson AZ 364 SV Mariano Rivera NYY 45 Ugueth Urbina MON 41 SB Brian Hunter DET/SEA 44 Tony Womack AZ 72 1American League Triple Crown Pitching Winner
Managers American League Team Manager Comments Anaheim Angels Terry Collins, Joe Maddon Collins (51–82, .383), Maddon (19–10, .655) Baltimore Orioles Ray Miller Boston Red Sox Jimy Williams Chicago White Sox Jerry Manuel Cleveland Indians Mike Hargrove Detroit Tigers Larry Parrish Kansas City Royals Tony Muser Minnesota Twins Tom Kelly New York Yankees Joe Torre Won the World Series Oakland Athletics Art Howe Seattle Mariners Lou Piniella Tampa Bay Devil Rays Larry Rothschild Texas Rangers Johnny Oates Toronto Blue Jays Jim Fregosi
National League Team Manager Comments Arizona Diamondbacks Buck Showalter Atlanta Braves Bobby Cox Won National League pennant Chicago Cubs Jim Riggleman Cincinnati Reds Jack McKeon Colorado Rockies Jim Leyland Florida Marlins John Boles Jr. Houston Astros Larry Dierker, Matt Galante Dierker (84–51, .622), Galante (13–14, .481) Los Angeles Dodgers Davey Johnson Milwaukee Brewers Phil Garner, Jim Lefebvre Garner (52–60, .464), Lefebvre (22–27, .449) 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 Team nameWinsHome attendanceEst. payrollColorado Rockies72 −6.5%3,481,065 −8.2%42,976$61,935,83722.7%Cleveland Indians979.0%3,468,4560.0%42,820$73,679,96219.4%Baltimore Orioles78 −1.3%3,433,150 −6.8%42,385$80,805,86311.4%New York Yankees98 −14.0%3,292,73611.4%40,651$86,934,35930.1%Atlanta Braves103 −2.8%3,284,897 −2.3%40,554$73,341,00019.9%St. Louis Cardinals75 −9.6%3,225,3340.9%40,317$49,988,195 −8.6%Los Angeles Dodgers77 −7.2%3,095,3460.2%38,214$81,062,45366.0%Arizona Diamondbacks10053.8%3,019,654 −16.4%37,280$68,703,999112.4%Seattle Mariners793.9%2,916,34610.0%36,004$54,125,003 −1.2%Chicago Cubs67 −25.6%2,813,8547.3%34,739$62,343,00022.6%Texas Rangers958.0%2,771,469 −5.3%34,216$76,709,93135.2%New York Mets9710.2%2,725,66819.1%33,650$68,852,09231.8%Houston Astros97 −4.9%2,706,01710.1%33,000$55,114,00030.1%San Diego Padres74 −24.5%2,523,538 −1.3%31,155$49,768,1796.2%Boston Red Sox942.2%2,446,1625.7%30,200$64,097,50012.6%Anaheim Angels70 −17.6%2,253,123 −10.6%27,816$55,633,16633.1%Toronto Blue Jays84 −4.5%2,163,464 −11.9%26,709$45,444,333 −11.5%San Francisco Giants86 −3.4%2,078,3997.9%25,659$46,798,0579.5%Cincinnati Reds9624.7%2,061,22214.9%25,137$33,962,76147.6%Detroit Tigers696.2%2,026,44143.8%25,018$36,689,66651.2%Philadelphia Phillies772.7%1,825,3376.4%22,535$31,897,500 −12.1%Milwaukee Brewers740.0%1,701,796 −6.1%21,272$43,377,39527.1%Pittsburgh Pirates7813.0%1,638,0234.9%20,223$25,047,66666.3%Tampa Bay Devil Rays699.5%1,562,827 −37.6%19,294$38,870,00042.5%Kansas City Royals64 −11.1%1,506,0680.7%18,826$26,660,000 −30.0%Oakland Athletics8717.6%1,434,61016.4%17,711$24,831,83315.6%Florida Marlins6418.5%1,369,421 −20.9%17,118$21,085,000 −49.6%Chicago White Sox75 −6.3%1,338,851 −3.8%16,529$25,820,000 −35.2%Minnesota Twins63 −10.0%1,202,8293.2%14,850$22,107,500 −21.3%Montreal Expos684.6%773,277 −15.5%9,547$17,903,00068.2% The Seattle Mariners played their home games at The Kingdome from the start of the season until June 27. They then played the remainder of the season at T-Mobile Park (then Safeco Field)
Television coverage This was the fourth season under the five-year rights agreements with ESPN, Fox and NBC. ESPN continued to air Sunday Night Baseball and Wednesday Night Baseball. Fox's coverage included Fox Saturday Baseball broadcasts, Thursday night games on Fox Sports Net, Saturday primetime games on FX and 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 January–March January 5 – Nolan Ryan, George Brett and Robin Yount are elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. It is the first time since 1936 that three players are elected simultaneously on their first try. Carlton Fisk finishes 4th in the voting, missing election by 43 votes. February 15 – The Cincinnati Reds announce that they are dropping their long-standing policy of no facial hair for players. The change is the result of a talk between outgoing Reds owner Marge Schott and newly acquired outfielder Greg Vaughn. February 18 – The U.S. Postal Service issues a Jackie Robinson stamp as part of their "Celebrate the Century" program. Robinson was selected to represent the 1940s, and is the second baseball player chosen. Babe Ruth, in May 1998, represented the 1920s. February 18 – The Yankees end the trade rumors by acquiring Cy Young Award winner Roger Clemens from the Toronto Blue Jays in exchange for pitchers David Wells and Graeme Lloyd, and infielder Homer Bush. February 21 – Florida Marlins rookie third baseman Mike Lowell, acquired from the New York Yankees on February 1, undergoes surgery for testicular cancer after a small mass is found during a routine exam. March 2 – Orlando Cepeda, Frank Selee, Smokey Joe Williams and Nestor Chylak are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. March 7 – In a historic agreement, it is announced that the Baltimore Orioles will travel to Cuba for a March 28 exhibition game against the Cuba national team in Havana. The Cuban team will travel to the US for a return contest at a future date. It is the first time in 40 years that Americans will play a professional game in Cuba. March 8 – Joe DiMaggio passes away at the age of 84. March 10 – Yankees manager Joe Torre is diagnosed with prostate cancer. While he is undergoing treatment, the team will be run by coach Don Zimmer. March 28 – The Orioles make the first visit to Cuba by major leaguers since 1959, and defeat a team of Cuban amateurs by a score of 3–2 in 11 innings. Pitcher José Contreras hurls eight innings of 2–hit, 10–K ball in relief for the Cubans, while catcher Charles Johnson hits a two–run home run, and DH Harold Baines drives in the winning run for the Orioles. The two teams will play a rematch at Camden Yards in Baltimore on May 3.
April–June April 4 – In the first regular-season game ever played outside of the United States or Canada, the Colorado Rockies open the season by defeating the San Diego Padres 8–2, before an overflow crowd of 27,104 in Monterrey, Mexico. Outfielder Dante Bichette has four hits, including a home run, and four RBI for the winners. Local hero Vinny Castilla also has four hits for the Rockies, while Darryl Kile picks up the victory. April 19 – The Baltimore Orioles' Cal Ripken Jr. is placed on the disabled list for the first time in his 19-year career because of irritation in his lower back. Ripken's record consecutive game streak ended in September 1998 at 2,632. April 20 – Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott agrees to sell her controlling interest in the Reds to a group headed by Carl H. Lindner, ending her 14-year tenure. The group will pay a total of $67 million. April 20 – The Nolan Ryan Museum opens in Alvin, Texas. April 23 – The St. Louis Cardinals defeat the Los Angeles Dodgers 12–5, as third baseman Fernando Tatís sets a major league record by hitting two grand slams in a single inning. His two homers come in St. Louis' 11–run third inning. He also sets a record with eight RBI in the inning, while Dodgers pitcher Chan Ho Park becomes the first 20th century pitcher – and only the second ever – to surrender two grand slams in a single frame (Bill Phillips of the Pittsburgh Pirates did so in 1890). Park became the 36th major-leaguer to serve up two slams to the same player in his career. April 23 – The Brewers sink the Pirates 9–1, as pitcher Steve Woodard hurls the complete game victory. The win ends Milwaukee's NL record streak of 113 games without a complete game. May 3 – In a 12–11, 10-inning loss to the Oakland Athletics, Boston Red Sox rookie Creighton Gubanich becomes only the fourth player to hit a grand slam for his first major league hit.