The 1967 major league baseball season began on April 10, 1967. The regular season ended on October 1, with the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 64th World Series on October 4 and ended with Game 7 on October 12. In the second iteration of this World Series matchup, the Cardinals defeated the Red Sox, four games to three, capturing their eighth championship in franchise history, since their previous in . Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the Baltimore Orioles from the season.
The 38th All-Star Game was held on July 11 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California, home of California Angels. The National League won, 2–1.
It was the final season for the Kansas City Athletics, before relocating to Oakland, California and becoming the Oakland Athletics for the season.
The season was filled with historic seasons from multiple players. Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox had tied for the most home runs in MLB with Harmon Killebrew, giving him the elusive triple crown. He led the American League in batting average (.326), home runs due to the tie with Killebrew (44) and runs batted in (121) (This feat would not be accomplished again until Miguel Cabrera earned the triple crown in with the Detroit Tigers). Yastrzemski also won the AL MVP and led the Red Sox to the AL pennant for the first time in two decades. They would ultimately lose to the St. Louis Cardinals 7–2 in Game 7 of the World Series.
The Cardinals had standout players as well, with first baseman Orlando Cepeda becoming the first unanimously voted NL MVP. Cepeda finished the season with 25 home runs, 111 RBIs and a .325 batting average. He did however, struggle in the World Series, hitting only .103 with one RBI.
Schedule
The 1967 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, and would be used until .
Opening Day took place on April 10, featuring two teams from each league. The final day of the regular season was on October 1, which saw all 20 teams play, continuing the trend from . The World Series took place between October 4 and October 12.
Rule changes The 1967 season saw the following rule changes: Rules surrounding drafting college athletes were amended, with the adoption of the "four-year college rule". While previously, players could be drafted in the summer after their sophomore or junior years, players could now only be drafted following their senior year, with exceptions to 21-year-olds (before August 1 of their senior year), were considered to have met athletic eligibility, were dropped from their team because of academic reasons, or had spent at least 120 days out of school after quitting. The National League adopted the American League rule previously adopted in , requiring a pitcher to be removed if the manager visited the pitcher's mound twice in the same inning. The American League adopted the National League rule that required a pitcher to be standing on the rubber to receive signs from the catcher. The minimum time a player must stay on the disabled list (now injured list) was increased from 15 to 21 days. If a ball is touched by a fielder, then makes contact with an umpire or a member of the offensive team, then is caught by another fielder, the result is a live ball, not a catch. If it is clear to the scorer, when a batter is bunting for a base hit and not for the purpose of advancing runners, the batter will be charged with a time at bat. Mental errors, unless specified in the rule book, or not scored as errors.
Teams LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManagerBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium52,185Boston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park33,524California AngelsAnaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim Stadium43,202Chicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisWhite Sox Park46,550Cleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium74,056Detroit TigersDetroit, MichiganTiger Stadium53,089Kansas City AthleticsKansas City, MissouriMunicipal Stadium34,165Minnesota TwinsBloomington, MinnesotaMetropolitan Stadium45,182New York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium67,000Washington SenatorsWashington, D.C.District of Columbia Stadium43,500Atlanta BravesAtlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta Stadium50,893Chicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field36,644Cincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field29,603Houston AstrosHouston, TexasHouston Astrodome46,000Los 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 3 tie games (2 in AL, 1 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again) occurred throughout the season.
American League The Minnesota had two tie games. The Detroit Tigers and New York Yankees had one tie each. June 21, Detroit Tigers vs. Minnesota Twins, tied at 5 in the middle of the ninth inning due to rain. July 25, New York Yankees vs. Minnesota Twins, tied at 1 after nine innings due to rain.
National League The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates had one tie each. August 7, Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, tied at 3 after 14 innings on account of darkness. Game replayed on August 9.
Postseason The postseason began on October 4 and ended on October 12 with the St. Louis Cardinals defeating the Boston Red Sox in the 1967 World Series in seven games.
Bracket
Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBoston Red SoxPete RunnelsDick WilliamsCleveland IndiansGeorge StricklandJoe AdcockDetroit TigersFrank SkaffMayo Smith
In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerAtlanta BravesBilly HitchcockKen SilvestriKansas City AthleticsAlvin DarkLuke ApplingMinnesota TwinsSam MeleCal ErmerNew York MetsWes WestrumSalty ParkerPittsburgh PiratesHarry WalkerDanny Murtaugh
League leaders American League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Carl Yastrzemski1 (BOS) .326 OPS Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) 1.040 HR Harmon Killebrew (MIN)Carl Yastrzemski1 (BOS) 44 RBI Carl Yastrzemski1 (BOS) 121 R Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) 112 H Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) 189 SB Bert Campaneris (KCA) 55 1 American League Triple Crown batting winner
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Jim Lonborg (BOS)Earl Wilson (DET) 22 L George Brunet (CAL) 19 ERA Joe Horlen (CWS) 2.06 K Jim Lonborg (BOS) 246 IP Dean Chance (MIN) 283.2 SV Minnie Rojas (CAL) 27 WHIP Joe Horlen (CWS) 0.953
National League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Roberto Clemente (PIT) .357 OPS Dick Allen (PHI) .970 HR Hank Aaron (ATL) 39 RBI Orlando Cepeda (STL) 111 R Hank Aaron (ATL)Lou Brock (STL) 113 H Roberto Clemente (PIT) 209 SB Lou Brock (STL) 52
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Mike McCormick (SF) 22 L Jack Fisher (NYM) 18 ERA Phil Niekro (ATL) 1.87 K Jim Bunning (PHI) 253 IP Jim Bunning (PHI) 302.1 SV Ted Abernathy (CIN) 28 WHIP Dick Hughes (STL) 0.954
Milestones Batters Mickey Mantle (NYY): Became the sixth player in Major League history to hit 500 home runs in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles on May 14. Eddie Mathews (DET/): Became the seventh player in Major League history to hit 500 home runs as a part of the Houston Astros in the sixth inning against the San Francisco Giants on July 14. Frank Robinson (BAL): Became the 13th player in Major League history to hit 400 home runs in the seventh inning against the Minnesota Twins on September 9.
Pitchers No-hitters
Steve Barber / Stu Miller (BAL): The two pitchers combined to throw the sixth no-hitter in franchise history in a 2–1 loss to the Detroit Tigers on April 30. It was accomplished with three strikeouts, 10 walks, and two hit by pitch. Barber pitched the first eight and two-thirds innings. It is the second combined no-hitter in league history. This was the second instance of a team throwing a no-hitter but still losing a game. Don Wilson (HOU): Wilson threw his first career no-hitter and third no-hitter in franchise history, defeating the Atlanta Braves 2–0 on June 18. He walked three and struck out 15. Dean Chance (MIN): Chance threw his first career no-hitter and fourth no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Cleveland Indians 2–1 in game two of a doubleheader on August 25. He walked five and struck out eight. Joel Horlen (CWS): Horlen threw his first career no-hitter and 12th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Detroit Tigers 6–0 in game one of a doubleheader on September 10. He walked none, hit one by pitch, and struck out four.
Awards and honors
Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards BBWAA Award National League American League Rookie of the Year Tom Seaver (NYM) Rod Carew (MIN) Cy Young Award Mike McCormick (SF) Jim Lonborg (BOS) Most Valuable Player Orlando Cepeda (STL) Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) Babe Ruth Award(World Series MVP) Lou Brock (STL) —Gold Glove Awards Position National League American League Pitcher Bob Gibson (STL) Jim Kaat (MIN) Catcher Randy Hundley (CHC) Bill Freehan (DET) 1st Base Wes Parker (LAD) George Scott (BOS) 2nd Base Bill Mazeroski (PIT) Bobby Knoop (CAL) 3rd Base Ron Santo (CHC) Brooks Robinson (BAL) Shortstop Gene Alley (PIT) Jim Fregosi (CAL)Outfield Roberto Clemente (PIT) Paul Blair (BAL) Curt Flood (STL) Al Kaline (DET) Willie Mays (SF) Carl Yastrzemski (BOS)
Other awards Hutch Award: Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award: Bob Gibson (STL)
The Sporting News Awards Award National League American League Player of the Year — Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) Pitcher of the Year Mike McCormick (SF) Jim Lonborg (BOS) Fireman of the Year(Relief pitcher) Ted Abernathy (CIN) Minnie Rojas (CAL) Rookie Player of the Year Lee May (CIN) Rod Carew (MIN) Rookie Pitcher of the Year Dick Hughes (STL) Tom Phoebus (BAL) Comeback Player of the Year Mike McCormick (SF) Dean Chance (MIN) Manager of the Year — Dick Williams (BOS) Executive of the Year —Dick O'Connell (BOS)
Monthly awards Player of the Month
Month National League May Roberto Clemente (PIT) June Hank Aaron (ATL) July Jim Ray Hart (SF) August Orlando Cepeda (STL)
Baseball Hall of Fame
Red Ruffing Lloyd Waner Branch Rickey (executive)
Home field attendance Team nameWinsHome attendanceSt. Louis Cardinals10121.7%2,090,14522.0%25,804Boston Red Sox9227.8%1,727,832113.0%21,331Los Angeles Dodgers73 −23.2%1,664,362 −36.4%20,548New York Mets61 −7.6%1,565,492 −19.0%20,070Minnesota Twins912.2%1,483,54717.8%18,315Detroit Tigers913.4%1,447,14328.7%17,648Atlanta Braves77 −9.4%1,389,222 −9.8%17,151Houston Astros69 −4.2%1,348,303 −28.0%16,646California Angels845.0%1,317,713 −5.9%15,876New York Yankees722.9%1,259,51412.0%15,360San Francisco Giants91 −2.2%1,242,480 −25.0%15,152Chicago White Sox897.2%985,634 −0.4%12,020Chicago Cubs8747.5%977,22653.7%11,634Cincinnati Reds8714.5%958,30029.0%11,831Baltimore Orioles76 −21.6%955,053 −20.6%12,403Pittsburgh Pirates81 −12.0%907,012 −24.2%11,198Philadelphia Phillies82 −5.7%828,888 −25.2%10,361Washington Senators767.0%770,86833.8%9,636Kansas City Athletics62 −16.2%726,639 −6.1%8,971Cleveland Indians75 −7.4%662,980 −26.6%8,185
Venues The Kansas City Athletics would play their final two games at Municipal Stadium on September 27 in a doubleheader against the Chicago White Sox, relocating to Oakland, California at Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum for the start of the season.
Media Television