The 1988 Major League Baseball season ended with the underdog Los Angeles Dodgers shocking the Oakland Athletics, who had won 104 games during the regular season, in the World Series. The most memorable moment of the series came in Game 1, when injured Dodger Kirk Gibson hit a dramatic pinch-hit walk-off home run off Athletics closer Dennis Eckersley to win the game for Los Angeles. The Dodgers went on to win the Series in five games.
This would also be the final full season for Peter Ueberroth as MLB commissioner.
Overview
One of the American League's best players in 1988 was Athletics outfielder José Canseco, who became the first player in history to hit 40 home runs and steal 40 bases in a single season, unanimously garnering league MVP honors. The A's surrounded him with a stellar supporting cast, led by fellow slugger Mark McGwire (with whom Canseco formed the famed "Bash Brothers" duo). Aided by strong pitching from Dave Stewart and Bob Welch and the lights-out Eckersley securing 45 saves, Oakland ran away with the American League West and swept the Boston Red Sox of Boggs, Rice, and Clemens in the playoffs before falling to the Dodgers in the World Series.
Speaking of the Dodgers, nobody expected them even to contend for the National League West title in 1988, let alone win the World Championship. However, the intensity and clutch hitting of Gibson (named the NL MVP at season's end) and the solid pitching of Orel Hershiser (who won a league-leading 23 games) spearheaded L.A. to a division championship by seven games over the Cincinnati Reds. In addition to his 23 victories, Hershiser led the National League with 267 innings pitched and 8 shutouts, and also set a record of 59 consecutive scoreless innings (formerly held by Dodger great Don Drysdale). These accomplishments, combined with his 2.26 ERA, earned him the National League Cy Young Award. However, it was in the postseason that Hershiser really distinguished himself – he started Games 1 and 3 of the NLCS against the tough New York Mets, saved Game 4 in relief, and threw a complete-game shutout in Game 7. He hurled another complete-game shutout in Game 2 of the World Series and also helped his own cause, going 3-for-3 at the plate with a run scored and an RBI, and again went the distance in the clinching Game 5. Hershiser was named MVP of both the NLCS and the World Series, capping off arguably one of the greatest seasons a starting pitcher has ever had.
Awards and honors Baseball Hall of Fame Willie Stargell
+Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie of the YearChris Sabo (CIN)Walt Weiss (OAK)Cy Young AwardOrel Hershiser (LAD)Frank Viola (MIN)Manager of the YearTommy Lasorda (LAD)Tony La Russa (OAK)Most Valuable PlayerKirk Gibson (LAD)Jose Canseco (OAK)Gold Glove AwardsPositionNational LeagueAmerican LeaguePitcherRon Darling (NYM)Mark Langston (SEA)CatcherBenito Santiago (SD)Bob Boone (CAL)First BasemanAndrés Galarraga (MON)Don Mattingly (NYY)Second BasemanRyne Sandberg (CHC)Harold Reynolds (SEA)Third BasemanTerry Pendleton (STL)Gary Gaetti (MIN)ShortstopOzzie Smith (STL)Tony Fernández (TOR)OutfieldersEric Davis (CIN)Gary Pettis (DET)Andre Dawson (CHC)Kirby Puckett (MIN)Andy Van Slyke (PIT)Devon White (CAL)Silver Slugger AwardsPitcher/Designated HitterTim Leary (LAD)Paul Molitor (MIL)CatcherBenito Santiago (SD)Carlton Fisk (CWS)First BasemanAndrés Galarraga (MON)George Brett (KC)Second BasemanRyne Sandberg (CHC)Julio Franco (CLE)Third BasemanBobby Bonilla (PIT)Wade Boggs (BOS)ShortstopBarry Larkin (CIN)Alan Trammell (DET)OutfieldersKirk Gibson (LAD)Jose Canseco (OAK)Darryl Strawberry (NYM)Mike Greenwell (BOS)Andy Van Slyke (PIT)Kirby Puckett (MIN)
Other awards Outstanding Designated Hitter Award: Harold Baines (CWS) Roberto Clemente Award (Humanitarian): Dale Murphy (ATL). Rolaids Relief Man Award: Dennis Eckersley (OAK, American); John Franco (CIN, National).
Player of the Month Month American League National League April Dave Winfield Bobby Bonilla May Carney Lansford Bobby Bonilla June Mike Greenwell Will Clark July Chili Davis Tony Gwynn August Kent Hrbek Eric Davis September Jose Canseco Kevin McReynolds
Pitcher of the Month Month American League National League April Dave Stewart Orel Hershiser May Frank Viola David Cone June Mark Gubicza Greg Maddux July Roger Clemens John Franco August Bruce Hurst Danny Jackson September Mark Langston Orel Hershiser
MLB statistical leaders Statistic American League National League AVG Wade Boggs BOS .366 Tony Gwynn SD .313 HR José Canseco OAK 42 Darryl Strawberry NYM 39 RBI José Canseco OAK 124 Will Clark SF 109 Wins Frank Viola MIN 24 Orel Hershiser LADDanny Jackson CIN 23 ERA Allan Anderson MINTeddy Higuera MIL 2.45 Joe Magrane STL 2.18 SO Roger Clemens BOS 291 Nolan Ryan HOU 228 SV Dennis Eckersley OAK 45 John Franco CIN 39 SB Rickey Henderson NYY 93 Vince Coleman STL 81
Standings
American League
National League
Postseason
Bracket
Managers
American League Team Manager Notes Baltimore Orioles Cal Ripken, Sr., Frank Robinson Boston Red Sox John McNamara, Joe Morgan Won AL East California Angels Cookie Rojas, Moose Stubing Chicago White Sox Jim Fregosi Final season as White Sox manager Cleveland Indians Doc Edwards Detroit Tigers Sparky Anderson Kansas City Royals John Wathan Milwaukee Brewers Tom Trebelhorn Minnesota Twins Tom Kelly New York Yankees Billy Martin, Lou PiniellaMartin's final season as a Major League manager Oakland Athletics Tony La Russa Won American League Pennant Seattle Mariners Dick Williams, Jim SnyderWilliams final season as a Major League manager Texas Rangers Bobby Valentine Toronto Blue Jays Jimy Williams
National League Team Manager Notes Atlanta Braves Chuck Tanner, Russ Nixon Chicago Cubs Don Zimmer Cincinnati Reds Pete Rose, Tommy Helms (acting) Houston Astros Hal Lanier Los Angeles Dodgers Tommy Lasorda Won World Series Montreal Expos Buck Rodgers New York Mets Davey Johnson Won NL East Philadelphia Phillies Lee Elia, John Vukovich Pittsburgh Pirates Jim Leyland St. Louis Cardinals Whitey Herzog San Diego Padres Larry Bowa, Jack McKeon San Francisco Giants Roger Craig
Home field attendance and payroll Team nameWinsHome attendanceEst. payrollNew York Mets1008.7%3,055,4450.7%38,193$15,401,81411.2%Minnesota Twins917.1%3,030,67245.6%37,416$13,308,96625.7%Los Angeles Dodgers9428.8%2,980,2626.5%36,793$17,141,01518.4%St. Louis Cardinals76 −20.0%2,892,799 −5.8%35,714$13,192,50012.2%New York Yankees85 −4.5%2,633,7018.5%32,921$20,371,1524.7%Toronto Blue Jays87 −9.4%2,595,175 −6.6%32,039$14,412,72533.9%Boston Red Sox8914.1%2,464,85110.5%30,430$14,687,0926.7%Kansas City Royals841.2%2,350,181 −1.8%29,377$14,850,06218.7%California Angels750.0%2,340,925 −13.2%28,900$12,249,888 −11.6%Oakland Athletics10428.4%2,287,33536.2%28,239$10,653,833 −16.3%Chicago Cubs771.3%2,089,0342.6%25,476$13,956,698 −9.8%Detroit Tigers88 −10.2%2,081,1620.9%25,693$13,432,07110.8%Cincinnati Reds873.6%2,072,528 −5.2%25,907$9,697,4094.5%Philadelphia Phillies65 −18.8%1,990,041 −5.2%24,568$13,900,50011.4%Houston Astros827.9%1,933,5051.2%23,870$12,641,167 −0.9%Milwaukee Brewers87 −4.4%1,923,2380.7%23,744$9,502,00030.3%Pittsburgh Pirates856.3%1,866,71360.8%23,046$7,128,500 −18.9%San Francisco Giants83 −7.8%1,785,297 −6.9%22,041$12,822,50050.3%Baltimore Orioles54 −19.4%1,660,738 −9.5%20,759$14,389,0751.0%Texas Rangers70 −6.7%1,581,901 −10.3%19,530$6,385,6316.6%San Diego Padres8327.7%1,506,8963.6%18,604$10,723,502 −11.1%Montreal Expos81 −11.0%1,478,659 −20.1%18,255$10,046,83314.7%Cleveland Indians7827.9%1,411,61031.0%17,427$9,261,5002.5%Chicago White Sox71 −7.8%1,115,749 −7.6%13,775$8,537,500 −29.6%Seattle Mariners68 −12.8%1,022,398 −9.9%12,622$7,754,95067.7%Atlanta Braves54 −21.7%848,089 −30.3%10,735$13,065,674 −25.1%
Television coverage Network Day of week Announcers ABC Monday nights Al Michaels, Jim Palmer, Tim McCarver, Gary Bender, Joe Morgan, Reggie Jackson NBC Saturday afternoons Vin Scully, Joe Garagiola, Bob Costas, Tony Kubek
Events January 12 – Former Pittsburgh Pirates slugger Willie Stargell is the only player elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. Stargell becomes the 17th player to be elected in his first year of eligibility. Pitcher Jim Bunning garners 317 votes (74.2%), and falls four votes shy of the 321 needed for election in his 12th year on the ballot. March 1 – For the first time since 1956, the Special Veterans Committee does not elect anyone to the Hall of Fame. Phil Rizzuto, Leo Durocher, Joe Gordon and Gil Hodges are among the candidates passed over. April – The Baltimore Orioles begin the season with a Major League-record 21 consecutive losses. Manager Cal Ripken, Sr., was a casualty of the streak, losing his job after the sixth consecutive loss. April 4 – George Bell becomes the first player to hit three home runs on Opening Day, as the Toronto Blue Jays defeat the Kansas City Royals 5–3.. April 4 – The New York Mets hit six home runs in a 10–6 win over the Montreal Expos, setting a new record for the most home runs by one team on Opening Day. April 29 – The Baltimore Orioles beat the Chicago White Sox 9–0 to end a 21 game losing streak to start the season. The Orioles would finish the season with a record of 54 wins and 107 losses. June 3 – The Los Angeles Dodgers defeat the Cincinnati Reds 13–5, with their 22 hits all being singles. July 12 – After being maligned by the press as an unworthy All-Star starter, catcher Terry Steinbach hits a solo home run and a sacrifice fly to lead the American League to a 2–1 victory over the National League at Riverfront Stadium. Steinbach is named the MVP. August 8 – The Chicago Cubs host the first night game played at Wrigley Field. The game against the visiting Philadelphia Phillies is not official with the game called due to rain in the bottom of the fourth inning with the Cubs leading 3–1. August 9 – The Cubs host the first complete night game played at Wrigley Field, winning 6–4 against the New York Mets. September 16 – Tom Browning of the Cincinnati Reds pitches a perfect game against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Browning tossed 101 pitches and struck out seven Dodgers in the Reds' 1–0 victory. September 17 – Jeff Reardon becomes the first pitcher to save 40 games in both leagues as the Minnesota Twins beat the Chicago White Sox 3–1. Reardon, who saved 42 games for the Montreal Expos in 1985, pitches the ninth inning for his 40th save in 47 opportunities. September 19 – The Oakland Athletics clinch their first American League West title since 1981 with a 5–3 victory over the Minnesota Twins. The A's would finish the season with 104 wins, a franchise record. September 22 – The New York Mets lock up the National League East with a 3–1 win over the Philadelphia Phillies. September 26 – The Los Angeles Dodgers pull out a 3–2 victory in San Diego to secure their fourth National League West championship of the decade. September 30 – Despite a 4–2 loss in Cleveland, the Boston Red Sox triumph in a close five-team race for the American League East by virtue of Milwaukee's 7–1 loss to Oakland. October 9 – The Oakland Athletics complete a four-game sweep of the Boston Red Sox in the ALCS with a 4–1 victory at the Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum. A's closer Dennis Eckersley, who saved all four Oakland wins, is named Series MVP. October 12 – A gruelling seven-game NLCS is decided as the Los Angeles Dodgers blank the New York Mets 6–0. Orel Hershiser, who saved Game 4 and threw a complete-game shutout in Game 7, garners the Series MVP Award.