1993 Major League Baseball season

The 1993 Major League Baseball season was the final season of two-division play in each league, before central divisions were added the following season, giving both the National League (NL) and American League (AL) three divisions each. Also, it was the last season of the four-team playoff, which was expanded to eight teams the following season that featured the three division winners and the Wild Card (the highest ranked non-division winner.)

Sixteen years after the AL expanded from 12 to 14 teams, the NL finally followed suit, with the Colorado Rockies and the Florida Marlins (now the Miami Marlins) joining the NL. As a result, it was the first season since 1976 that both leagues had the same number of teams. The Toronto Blue Jays capped off the season by winning their second consecutive World Series title, beating the Philadelphia Phillies in six games. The World Series was clinched when, in one of the most famous moments in baseball history, Joe Carter hit a three-run walk-off home run in the bottom of the ninth inning of Game 6 to seal the victory.

Awards and honors Baseball Hall of Fame Reggie Jackson

Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie of the YearMike Piazza (LAD)Tim Salmon (CAL)Cy Young AwardGreg Maddux (ATL)Jack McDowell (CWS)Manager of the YearDusty Baker (SF)Gene Lamont (CWS)Most Valuable PlayerBarry Bonds (SF)Frank Thomas (CWS)Gold Glove AwardsPositionNational LeagueAmerican LeaguePitcherGreg Maddux (ATL)Mark Langston (CAL)CatcherKirt Manwaring (SF)Iván Rodríguez (TEX)First BasemanMark Grace (CHC)Don Mattingly (NYY)Second BasemanRobby Thompson (SF)Roberto Alomar (TOR)Third BasemanMatt Williams (SF)Robin Ventura (CWS)ShortstopJay Bell (PIT)Omar Vizquel (SEA)OutfieldersBarry Bonds (SF)Kenny Lofton (CLE)Larry Walker (MON)Devon White (TOR)Marquis Grissom (MON)Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA)Silver Slugger AwardsPitcher/Designated HitterOrel Hershiser (LAD)Paul Molitor (TOR)CatcherMike Piazza (LAD)Mike Stanley (NYY)First BasemanFred McGriff (SD, ATL)Frank Thomas (CWS)Second BasemanRobby Thompson (SF)Carlos Baerga (CLE)Third BasemanMatt Williams (SF)Wade Boggs (NYY)ShortstopJay Bell (PIT)Cal Ripken Jr. (BAL)OutfieldersBarry Bonds (SF)Albert Belle (CLE)Lenny Dykstra (PHI)Juan González (TEX)David Justice (ATL)Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA)

Other awards Outstanding Designated Hitter Award: Paul Molitor (TOR) Roberto Clemente Award (Humanitarian): Barry Larkin (CIN) Rolaids Relief Man Award: Jeff Montgomery (KC, AL); Randy Myers (CHC, NL)

Player of the Month Month American League National League April John Olerud Barry Bonds May Paul Molitor Jeff Bagwell June John Olerud Andrés Galarraga July Rafael Palmeiro Fred McGriff August Frank Thomas Tony Gwynn September Chris Hoiles Andrés Galarraga

Pitcher of the Month Month American League National League April Jimmy Key Ken Hill May Danny Darwin Tommy Greene June Rick Aguilera Chris HammondDarryl Kile July Fernando Valenzuela Bill Swift August Bill Gullickson Greg Maddux September Wilson Álvarez John Wetteland

Statistical leaders Statistic American League National League AVG John Olerud TOR .363 Andrés Galarraga COL .370 HR Juan González TEX 46 Barry Bonds SF 46 RBI Albert Belle CLE 129 Barry Bonds SF 123 Wins Jack McDowell CWS 22 John Burkett SF 22 ERA Kevin Appier KC 2.56 Greg Maddux ATL 2.36 SO Randy Johnson SEA 308 José Rijo CIN 227 SV Jeff Montgomery KCDuane Ward TOR 45 Randy Myers CHC 53 SB Kenny Lofton CLE 70 Chuck Carr FLA 58

Standings

American League

National League

Postseason

Bracket

Managers American League Team Manager CommentsBaltimore OriolesJohnny OatesBoston Red SoxButch HobsonCalifornia AngelsBuck RodgersChicago White SoxGene LamontWon American League WestCleveland IndiansMike HargroveDetroit TigersSparky AndersonKansas City RoyalsHal McRaeMilwaukee BrewersPhil GarnerMinnesota TwinsTom KellyNew York YankeesBuck ShowalterOakland AthleticsTony La RussaSeattle MarinersLou PiniellaTexas RangersKevin KennedyToronto Blue JaysCito GastonWon World Series

National League Team Manager CommentsAtlanta BravesBobby CoxWon National League WestChicago CubsJim LefebvreCincinnati RedsTony PérezReplaced during the season by Davey JohnsonColorado RockiesDon BaylorExpansion teamFlorida MarlinsRene LachemannExpansion teamHouston AstrosArt HoweLos Angeles DodgersTommy LasordaMontreal ExposFelipe AlouNew York MetsJeff TorborgReplaced during the season by Dallas GreenPhiladelphia PhilliesJim FregosiWon the National League pennantPittsburgh PiratesJim LeylandSt. Louis CardinalsJoe TorreSan Diego PadresJim RigglemanSan Francisco GiantsDusty Baker

Milestones Batters Carlos Baerga (CLE): Became the first player to hit a home run from both sides of the plate in the same inning on April 8. Carlton Fisk (CWS): In his final MLB season, set the record for most games caught, surpassing Bob Boone on June 22. Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA): Tied a major league record by becoming the third player and second AL player to hit home runs in eight consecutive games between July 20 and 28. Dave Winfield (MIN): Became the 19th member of the 3,000-hit club with a single in the ninth inning against the California Angels on September 16.

Pitchers Nolan Ryan (TEX): Set a major league record for most career strikeouts at 5,714, when Ryan struck out Greg Myers of the California Angels struck out in the fifth inning on September 17.

Home field attendance and payroll Team nameWinsHome attendanceEst. payrollColorado Rockies674,483,35055,350$10,353,500Toronto Blue Jays95 −1.0%4,057,9470.7%50,098$47,279,1665.6%Atlanta Braves1046.1%3,884,72026.2%47,960$41,641,41720.3%Baltimore Orioles85 −4.5%3,644,9652.2%45,000$29,096,50021.8%Los Angeles Dodgers8128.6%3,170,39328.2%39,141$39,440,999 −11.9%Philadelphia Phillies9738.6%3,137,67462.8%38,737$28,538,33416.5%Florida Marlins643,064,84737,838$19,330,545St. Louis Cardinals874.8%2,844,97717.6%35,123$23,367,334 −15.3%Chicago Cubs847.7%2,653,76324.8%32,363$39,386,66632.0%San Francisco Giants10343.1%2,606,35467.0%32,177$35,159,0006.0%Chicago White Sox949.3%2,581,091 −3.7%31,865$39,696,16631.6%Cincinnati Reds73 −18.9%2,453,2325.9%30,287$44,879,66634.2%Boston Red Sox809.6%2,422,021 −1.9%29,901$37,120,583 −14.9%New York Yankees8815.8%2,416,94238.2%29,839$42,723,00013.5%Texas Rangers8611.7%2,244,6162.1%27,711$36,376,95920.7%Cleveland Indians760.0%2,177,90877.9%26,888$18,561,00098.0%Houston Astros854.9%2,084,61872.1%25,736$30,210,50096.1%California Angels71 −1.4%2,057,460 −0.4%25,401$28,588,334 −17.7%Seattle Mariners8228.1%2,052,63824.3%25,341$33,646,33344.4%Minnesota Twins71 −21.1%2,048,673 −17.5%25,292$28,217,9330.7%Oakland Athletics68 −29.2%2,035,025 −18.4%25,124$37,812,333 −7.9%Detroit Tigers8513.3%1,971,42138.4%24,339$38,150,16539.6%Kansas City Royals8416.7%1,934,5783.6%23,884$41,455,16722.3%New York Mets59 −18.1%1,873,1835.3%23,126$39,043,667 −12.5%Milwaukee Brewers69 −25.0%1,688,080 −9.1%20,840$23,806,834 −23.2%Pittsburgh Pirates75 −21.9%1,650,593 −9.8%20,378$24,822,467 −26.9%Montreal Expos948.0%1,641,437 −1.7%20,265$18,899,33319.4%San Diego Padres61 −25.6%1,375,432 −20.1%16,981$25,511,333 −5.0%

Television coverage This was the final season under MLB's four-year deals with CBS and ESPN. While ESPN renewed its contract, CBS declined. MLB would then form The Baseball Network, a joint venture with ABC and NBC to replace CBS in televising games on broadcast television. Network Day of week Announcers CBS Saturday afternoons Sean McDonough, Tim McCarver, Greg Gumbel, Jim Kaat ESPN Sunday nightsTuesday nightsWednesday nightsFriday nights Jon Miller, Joe Morgan

See also 1993 in baseball (Events, Movies, Births, Deaths) 1993 Nippon Professional Baseball season

References

External links 1993 Major League Baseball season schedule at Baseball Reference