The 1968 major league baseball season began on April 10, 1968. The regular season ended on September 29, with the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 65th World Series on October 2 and ended with Game 7 on October 10. In the second iteration of this World Series matchup, the Tigers defeated the Cardinals, four games to three, capturing their third championship in franchise history, since their previous in . Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the St. Louis Cardinals from the season.
The 39th All-Star Game was held on July 9 at the Houston Astrodome in Houston, Texas, home of the Houston Astros. The National League won, 1–0.
The 1968 season was the final year of baseball's pre-division era, in which the teams that finished in first place in each league went directly to the World Series to face each other for the "World Championship."
The Kansas City Athletics moved to Oakland, California as the Oakland Athletics, being the eighth team since 1953 to relocate, and the fourth American League team since then. Kansas City would be without a major league team for the 1968 season. Legal pressure from the city moved the originally planned 1971 American League expansion up to , which saw the enfranchisement of the Kansas City Royals.
Schedule
The 1968 schedule consisted of 162 games for all teams in the American League and National League, each of which had 10 teams. Each team was scheduled to play 18 games against the other nine teams of their respective league. This continued the format put in place by the American League since the season and by the National League since the season. This would be the last season with this format, as the following season would see a new format due to expansion and the creation of divisions.
Opening Day took place on April 10, featuring all 20 teams in both leagues. The final day of the regular season was on September 29, which saw all teams play, except for the Baltimore Orioles and Cleveland Indians. The World Series took place between October 2 and October 10.
Rule changes The 1968 season saw the following rule changes: To greater enforce the ban on the spitball, any pitcher who was found to have touched their mouth with their pitching hand will first get a warning, and second an ejection. In an attempt to speed up the game, the following rules were implemented: Batters must now run back to the plate following a fouled bunt. Pinch-hitters must be on the bench by the time the previous batter completed their at bat. Teams were recommended to use golf carts to bring from the bullpen a relief pitcher. Any usage of "players to be named later" for trades were banned during the season. Over the offseason, players must be identified before the start of the season. Opening Day rosters were reduced to 25 players. Previously, prior to May 15, teams could have 28 players on their rosters. Teams were no longer able to pick up a player they dropped after August 31 until May 15 the following season. Any player under contract must pass through waivers before the team the players was on could drop him. For spring training, the American League approved a proto-designated hitter rule. Before a game, a player could be "designated" by the manager to be a pinch-hitter. This pinch-hitter would twice be allowed to pinch-hit, though not in the same inning.
Teams An asterisk (*) denotes the ballpark a team played the minority of their home games at LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManagerBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium52,185Boston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park33,375California AngelsAnaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim Stadium43,202Chicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisMilwaukee, Wisconsin*White Sox ParkMilwaukee County Stadium*46,55043,768*Cleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium74,056Detroit TigersDetroit, MichiganTiger Stadium53,089Minnesota TwinsBloomington, MinnesotaMetropolitan Stadium45,182New York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium67,000Oakland AthleticsOakland, CaliforniaOakland–Alameda County Coliseum50,000Washington SenatorsWashington, D.C.District of Columbia Stadium43,500Atlanta BravesAtlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta Stadium51,383Chicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field36,644Cincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field29,603Houston AstrosHouston, TexasHouston Astrodome44,500Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles, CaliforniaDodger Stadium56,000New York MetsNew York, New YorkShea Stadium55,300Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaConnie Mack Stadium33,608Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field35,500San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco, CaliforniaCandlestick Park42,500St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriCivic Center Busch Memorial Stadium49,450
Standings
American League
National League
Tie games 6 tie games (3 in AL, 3 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again) occurred throughout the season.
American League The Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees had two tie games each. The Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics had one tie each. May 15, Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees, tied at 2 in the middle of the eighth inning due to rain. May 24, Oakland Athletics vs. Detroit Tigers, tied at 2 after a shortened seven innings due to rain. August 23, New York Yankees vs. Detroit Tigers, tied at 3 after 19 innings on account of a 1 a.m. curfew. The game was replayed on August 25 in a doubleheader.
National League The Atlanta Braves, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, Pittsburgh Pirates, and San Francisco Giants had one tie each. May 26, Cincinnati Reds vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, tied at 8 after a shortened seven innings due to rain. The game went into a 54 minute rain delay during the top of the eighth, which was subsequently negated. September 2 (game 2), New York Mets vs. Atlanta Braves, tied at 2 in the middle of the seventh inning due to rain. September 2 (game 2), Chicago Cubs vs. San Francisco Giants, tied at 1 after nine innings on account of darkness.
Postseason The postseason began on October 2 and ended on October 10 with the Detroit Tigers defeating the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1968 World Series in seven games.
Bracket
Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerAtlanta BravesKen SilvestriLum HarrisCleveland IndiansJoe AdcockAlvin DarkNew York MetsSalty ParkerGil HodgesOakland AthleticsLuke Appling(Kansas City Athletics)Bob KennedyPittsburgh PiratesDanny MurtaughLarry ShepardWashington SenatorsGil HodgesJim Lemon
In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBaltimore OriolesHank BauerEarl WeaverChicago White SoxEddie StankyLes MossLes MossAl LópezHouston AstrosGrady HattonHarry WalkerPhiladelphia PhilliesGene MauchGeorge MyattGeorge MyattBob Skinner
League leaders Any team shown in indicates a previous team a player was on during the season.
American League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) .301 OPS Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) .922 HR Frank Howard (WAS) 44 RBI Ken Harrelson (BOS) 109 R Dick McAuliffe (DET) 95 H Bert Campaneris (OAK) 177 SB Bert Campaneris (OAK) 62
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Denny McLain (DET) 31 L George Brunet (CAL) 17 ERA Luis Tiant (CLE) 1.60 K Sam McDowell (CLE) 283 IP Denny McLain (DET) 336.0 SV Al Worthington (MIN) 18 WHIP Dave McNally (BAL) 0.842
National League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Pete Rose (CIN) .335 OPS Willie McCovey (SF) .923 HR Willie McCovey (SF) 36 RBI Willie McCovey (SF) 105 R Glenn Beckert (CHC) 98 H Felipe Alou (ATL)Pete Rose (CIN) 210 SB Lou Brock (STL) 62
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Juan Marichal (SF) 26 L Claude Osteen (LAD)Ray Sadecki (SF) 18 ERA Bob Gibson (STL) 1.12 K Bob Gibson (STL) 268 IP Juan Marichal (SF) 325.2 SV Phil Regan (CHC/) 25 WHIP Bob Gibson (STL) 0.853
Milestones Batters Cycles
Jim Fregosi (CAL): Fregosi hit for his second cycle, second in franchise history, and seventh reverse cycle in major league history, on May 20 against the Boston Red Sox.
Other batting accomplishments Frank Howard (WAS): Tied an American League record by becoming the fifth player to hit home runs in six consecutive games between May 12 and 18. Jim Northrup (DET): Became the sixth player to hit two grand slams in a single game, in a 14–3 win over the Cleveland Indians on June 24. Hank Aaron (ATL): Became the eighth player in Major League history to hit 500 home runs in the third inning against the San Francisco Giants on July 14. Maury Wills (PIT): Recorded his 500th career stolen base in the first inning against the Chicago Cubs on September 20. He became the 20th player to reach this mark.
Pitchers Perfect games
Catfish Hunter (OAK) Pitched the ninth perfect game in major league history and the first in franchise history on May 8 against the Minnesota Twins. Hunter threw 107 pitches and struck out 11 in the 4–0 victory.
No-hitters
Tom Phoebus (BAL): Phoebus threw his first career no-hitter and seventh no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Boston Red Sox 6–0 on April 27. He walked three and struck out nine. George Culver (CIN): Culver threw his first career no-hitter and 11th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 6–1 in game two of a doubleheader on July 29. He walked five and struck out four. Gaylord Perry (SF): Perry threw his first career no-hitter and 10th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the St. Louis Cardinals 1–0 on September 17. He walked two and struck out nine. Ray Washburn (STL): Washburn threw his first career no-hitter and fifth no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the San Francisco Giants 2–0 on September 18. He walked five and struck out eight.
Other pitching accomplishments Don Drysdale (LAD): Set a Major League record when he threw six consecutive shutouts from May 14 through June 4. Don Wilson (HOU): Became the fourth player to strikeout 18 batters in a single nine-inning game in a 6–1 win against the Cincinnati Reds in game two of a doubleheader on July 14. Hoyt Wilhelm (CWS): Broke a record when he appeared in his 907th game as pitcher, breaking Cy Young's long standing record set in .
Miscellaneous Houston Astros / New York Mets: Play the longest shutout in Major League history, when the Astros defeat the Mets 1–0 in the 24th inning.
Awards and honors Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards BBWAA Award National League American League Rookie of the Year Johnny Bench (CIN) Stan Bahnsen (NYY) Cy Young Award Bob Gibson (STL) Denny McLain (DET) Most Valuable Player Bob Gibson (STL) Denny McLain (DET) Babe Ruth Award(World Series MVP)– Mickey Lolich (DET)Gold Glove Awards Position National League American League Pitcher Bob Gibson (STL) Jim Kaat (MIN) Catcher Johnny Bench (CIN) Bill Freehan (DET) 1st Base Wes Parker (LAD) George Scott (BOS) 2nd Base Glenn Beckert (CHC) Bobby Knoop (CAL) 3rd Base Ron Santo (CHC) Brooks Robinson (BAL) Shortstop Dal Maxvill (STL) Luis Aparicio (CWS)Outfield Roberto Clemente (PIT) Reggie Smith (BOS) Curt Flood (STL) Mickey Stanley (DET) Willie Mays (SF) Carl Yastrzemski (BOS)
Other awards Hutch Award: Pete Rose (CIN) Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award: Mickey Lolich (STL)
The Sporting News Awards Award National League American League Player of the Year — Denny McLain (DET) Pitcher of the Year Bob Gibson (STL) Denny McLain (DET) Fireman of the Year(Relief pitcher) Phil Regan (CHC) Wilbur Wood (CWS) Rookie Player of the Year Johnny Bench (CIN) Del Unser (WAS) Rookie Pitcher of the Year Jerry Koosman (NYM) Stan Bahnsen (NYY) Comeback Player of the Year Alex Johnson (CIN) Ken Harrelson (BOS) Manager of the Year — Mayo Smith (DET) Executive of the Year —Jim Campbell (DET)
Monthly awards Player of the Month