The 1977 major league baseball season began on April 6 while the regular season ended on October 2. The postseason began on October 4. In the ninth iteration of this World Series matchup, the 74th World Series then began on October 11 and concluded on October 18 with the New York Yankees of the American League defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers of the National League, four games to two, to win their 21st title in franchise history, since their previous in . Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the Cincinnati Reds from the season.
The 48th All-Star Game was held on July 13 at Yankee Stadium in New York, New York, home of the New York Yankees. The National League won, 7–5, and was the sixth win in what would be a 10-win streak that lasted until .
The season saw the fourth round of expansion (and third for the American League) since the beginning of the expansion era in . Expansion saw the return of the American League to Seattle, Washington following a seven-year hiatus (with the departure of the Seattle Pilots turned Milwaukee Brewers in ) and the expansion of the league into Canada, with the enfranchisement of the Seattle Mariners and Toronto Blue Jays, respectively, thus increasing the size of the league to 14 teams.
While the National League voted at the same time as the American League to expand over the off-season, the National League did not have the necessary unanimous results to expand. The league would not expand to 14 teams until when the Colorado Rockies and Florida Marlins were enfranchised.
Schedule
The 1977 schedule consisted of 162 games for all 14 teams in the American League and 12 teams in the National League. For the first time since , the two leagues saw different schedule formats. The American League was split into two seven-team divisions. Each team was scheduled to play 15 games against their six division rivals, totaling 90 games, and 10 games against five opponents and 11 games against two opponents, totaling 72 interdivision games. This format would be used until . Meanwhile, the National League was split into two six-team divisions. Each team was scheduled to play 18 games against their five division rivals, totaling 90 games, and 12 games against six interdivision opponents, totaling 72 games. This continued the format put in place since the and would continue to be the format in use until .
Opening Day took place on April 6, featuring four teams. The final day of the regular season was on October 2, featuring all 26 teams. The National League Championship Series took place between October 4 and October 8, while the American League Championship Series took place between October 5 and October 9. The World Series took place between October 11 and October 18.
Rule changes The 1977 season saw the following rule changes: While previously, an umpire was required to warn a pitcher who had intentionally hit a batter, the umpire is now able to warn both managers and both active pitchers simultaneously, while also ejecting the retaliatory pitcher immediately. Official scorers are now required to have within 24 hours after a game, decisions regarding judgement calls. If a pitcher throws ball four in an at bat and the throw is wide to the catcher outside the catcher's box, an intentional base on balls shall be scored.
Teams LeagueDivisionTeamCityBallparkCapacityManagerEastBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium52,137Boston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park33,513Cleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium76,713Detroit TigersDetroit, MichiganTiger Stadium54,226Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee County Stadium52,293New York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium57,145Toronto Blue JaysToronto, OntarioExhibition Stadium38,522WestCalifornia AngelsAnaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim Stadium43,202Chicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisComiskey Park44,492Kansas City RoyalsKansas City, MissouriRoyals Stadium40,625Minnesota TwinsBloomington, MinnesotaMetropolitan Stadium45,919Oakland AthleticsOakland, CaliforniaOakland–Alameda County Coliseum49,649Seattle MarinersSeattle, WashingtonKingdome59,059Texas RangersArlington, TexasArlington Stadium35,698EastChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field37,741Montreal ExposMontreal, QuebecOlympic Stadium60,400New York MetsNew York, New YorkShea Stadium55,300Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaVeterans Stadium58,651Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaThree Rivers Stadium56,581St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriCivic Center Busch Memorial Stadium50,126WestAtlanta BravesAtlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta–Fulton County Stadium51,556Cincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioRiverfront Stadium51,786Houston AstrosHouston, TexasHouston Astrodome45,101Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles, CaliforniaDodger Stadium56,000San Diego PadresSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego Stadium48,460San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco, CaliforniaCandlestick Park58,000
Standings
American League
National League
Postseason
The postseason began on October 4 and ended on October 18 with the New York Yankees defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1977 World Series in six games.
Bracket
Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerChicago CubsJim MarshallHerman FranksChicago White SoxPaul RichardsBob LemonMontreal ExposCharlie FoxDick WilliamsOakland AthleticsChuck TannerJack McKeonPittsburgh PiratesDanny MurtaughChuck TannerSan Francisco GiantsBill RigneyJoe AltobelliSeattle MarinersTeam enfranchisedDarrell JohnsonSt. Louis CardinalsRed SchoendienstVern RappToronto Blue JaysTeam enfranchisedRoy Hartsfield
In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerAtlanta BravesDave BristolTed TurnerTed TurnerVern BensonVern BensonDave BristolCalifornia AngelsNorm SherryDave GarciaCleveland IndiansFrank RobinsonJeff TorborgNew York MetsJoe FrazierJoe TorreOakland AthleticsJack McKeonBobby WinklesSan Diego PadresJohn McNamaraBob SkinnerBob SkinnerAlvin DarkTexas RangersFrank LucchesiEddie StankyEddie StankyConnie RyanConnie RyanBilly Hunter
League leaders American League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Rod Carew (MIN) .388 OPS Rod Carew (MIN) 1.019 HR Jim Rice (BOS) 39 RBI Larry Hisle (MIN) 119 R Rod Carew (MIN) 128 H Rod Carew (MIN) 239 SB Freddie Patek (KC) 53
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Dave Goltz (MIN)Dennis Leonard (KC)Jim Palmer (BAL) 20 L Vida Blue (OAK)Wayne Garland (CLE)Rick Langford (OAK) 19 ERA Frank Tanana (CAL) 2.54 K Nolan Ryan (CAL) 341 IP Jim Palmer (BAL) 319.0 SV Bill Campbell (BOS) 31 WHIP Bert Blyleven (TEX) 1.065
National League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Dave Parker (PIT) .338 OPS George Foster (CIN) 1.013 HR George Foster (CIN) 52 RBI George Foster (CIN) 149 R George Foster (CIN) 124 H Dave Parker (PIT) 215 SB Frank Taveras (PIT) 70
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Steve Carlton (PHI) 23 L Jerry Koosman (NYM)Phil Niekro (ATL) 20 ERA John Candelaria (PIT) 2.34 K Phil Niekro (ATL) 262 IP Phil Niekro (ATL) 330.1 SV Rollie Fingers (SD) 35 WHIP Tom Seaver (CIN/) 1.014
Milestones Batters Cycles Bob Watson (HOU): Watson hit for his first cycle and third in franchise history, on June 24 against the San Francisco Giants. John Mayberry (KC): Mayberry hit for his first cycle and second in franchise history, on August against the Chicago White Sox. Jack Brohamer (CWS): Brohamer hit for his first cycle and second in franchise history, on September 24 against the Seattle Mariners.
Other batting accomplishments Willie McCovey (SF): Breaks the National League grand slam record when he hits his 17th career grand slam against the Cincinnati Reds on June 27. Willie Stargell (PIT): Became the 17th player in Major League history to hit 400 home runs in the fifth inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on June 29. Sets the National League grand slam record when he hits his 18th career grand slam against the Montreal Expos on August 1. Toby Harrah / Bump Wills (TEX): Become the first players in Major League history to hit back-to-back inside the park home runs in a game against the New York Yankees on August 27. Lou Brock (STL): Breaks the modern major league stolen base record when he steals his 898th career stolen base in a game against the Pittsburgh Pirates on September 7, breaking the record previously set by Ty Cobb in . Due to historical discrepancies in recording stolen bases, Brock breaking Cobb's record is celebrated when he stole his 893rd career stolen base, in a game against the San Diego Padres on August 29. Recorded his 900th career stolen base in the fifth inning against the New York Mets in game one of a doubleheader on September 30. He became the second player to reach this mark.
Pitchers No-Hitters Jim Colborn (KC): Colborn threw his first career no-hitter and third no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Texas Rangers 6–0 on May 14. He walked one, hit one by pitch, and struck out six. Dennis Eckersley (CLE): Eckersley threw his first career no-hitter and 13th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the California Angels 1–0 on May 30. He walked one and struck out 12. Bert Blyleven (TEX): Blyleven threw his first career no-hitter and second no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the California Angels 6–0 on September 22. He walked one and struck out seven.
Other pitching accomplishments Wilbur Wood (CWS) Tied a Major League record by becoming the fourth pitcher to hit three consecutive batters by pitch, the first since , in a game against the California Angels on September 10.
Miscellaneous Dave Kingman (NYY/): Became the only player in major league history to play in all four divisions in one season when the California Angels trade him to the New York Yankees for pitcher Randy Stein. He previously started the season with the New York Mets, before being traded to the San Diego Padres on June 15 for Paul Siebert and Bobby Valentine. He was selected off waivers by the Angels on September 6.
Awards and honors Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie of the Year Andre Dawson (MON) Eddie Murray (BAL)Cy Young Award Steve Carlton (PHI) Sparky Lyle (NYY)Most Valuable Player George Foster (CIN) Rod Carew (MIN)Babe Ruth Award(World Series MVP) — Reggie Jackson (NYY)Gold Glove AwardsPositionNational LeagueAmerican LeaguePitcher Jim Kaat (PHI) Jim Palmer (BAL)Catcher Johnny Bench (CIN) Jim Sundberg (TEX)1st Base Steve Garvey (LAD) Jim Spencer (CWS)2nd Base Joe Morgan (CIN) Frank White (KC)3rd Base Mike Schmidt (PHI) Graig Nettles (NYY)Shortstop Dave Concepción (CIN) Mark Belanger (BAL)Outfield César Gerónimo (CIN) Juan Beníquez (TEX) Garry Maddox (PHI) Al Cowens (KC) Dave Parker (PIT) Carl Yastrzemski (BOS)
Other awards Roberto Clemente Award (Humanitarian): Rod Carew (MIN) Hutch Award: Willie McCovey (SF) National League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award: Dusty Baker (LAD) Outstanding Designated Hitter Award: Jim Rice (BOS) Rolaids Relief Man Award: Rollie Fingers (SD, National); Bill Campbell (BOS, American) Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award: Reggie Jackson (NYY)
The Sporting News AwardsAwardNational LeagueAmerican LeaguePlayer of the Year — Rod Carew (MIN)Pitcher of the Year Steve Carlton (PHI) Nolan Ryan (CAL)Fireman of the Year(Relief pitcher) Rollie Fingers (SD) Bill Campbell (BOS)Rookie Player of the Year Andre Dawson (MON) Mitchell Page (OAK)Rookie Pitcher of the Year Bob Owchinko (SD) Dave Rozema (DET)Comeback Player of the Year Willie McCovey (SF) Eric Soderholm (CWS)Manager of the Year — Earl Weaver (BAL)Executive of the Year — Bill Veeck (CWS)
Monthly awards
Player of the Month
MonthNational LeagueAmerican LeagueApril Ron Cey (LAD) Otto Vélez (TOR)May Ken Reitz (STL) Frank Tanana (CAL)June George Foster (CIN) Rod Carew (MIN)July Greg Luzinski (PHI) Jim Rice (BOS)August George Foster (CIN) Graig Nettles (NYY)September César Cedeño (HOU) Rod Carew (MIN)
Pitcher of the Month