The 1971 major league baseball season began on April 5, 1971, while the regular season ended on September 30. The postseason began on October 2. The 68th World Series began with Game 1 on October 9 and ended with Game 7 on October 17, with the Pittsburgh Pirates of the National League defeating the Baltimore Orioles of the American League, four games to three, capturing their fourth 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 42nd All-Star Game was held on July 13 at Tiger Stadium in Detroit, Michigan, home of the Detroit Tigers. The American League won, 6–4, and was the first American League win since the second game of 1962, and their last until 1983.
This was the final season that the Washington Senators would play in Washington, D.C., as the team would relocate to the Dallas–Fort Worth metroplex city of Arlington, Texas, as the Texas Rangers the following season. Washington would remain vacant of a major league team for 33 seasons until the Montreal Expos relocated there as the Washington Nationals in .
This was the final season the majority of MLB teams wore wool flannel uniforms. The Pirates and Cardinals wore double knit uniforms of nylon and rayon throughout 1971, and the Orioles gradually phased out flannels, going all-double knit in time for the ALCS. By 1973, flannel uniforms completely disappeared from the MLB scene.
Schedule
The 1971 schedule consisted of 162 games for all teams in the American League and National League, each of which had 12 teams. Each 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 be used until in the American League and in the National League.
Opening Day took place on April 5, featuring six teams. The final day of the regular season was on September 30, featuring 18 teams. The National League Championship Series took place between October 2 and October 6, while the American League Championship Series took place between October 3 and October 5. The World Series took place between October 9 and October 17.
Rule changes The 1971 season saw the following rule changes: Players on the current hitting team are now required to wear a batting helmet. Players who previously used a cap liner in could continue to do so. Rules regarding players interacting with fans were relaxed, as previously, players could not talk or give autographs once batting practice started. Now, players could interact with players up to 30 minutes before the start of a game. Rule 5.09B was amended to prohibit baserunners from advancing if the home-plate umpire interfered with a catcher. The disabled list was expanded. Previously, a team could have as many as three players disabled at a time — two for 21 days and one for 60. Now, a team could also disable a nonpitcher for 15 days, making it permissible to have a total of four at a time.
Teams LeagueDivisionTeamCityBallparkCapacityManagerEastBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium52,137Boston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park33,379Cleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium76,966Detroit TigersDetroit, MichiganTiger Stadium54,226New York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium65,010Washington SenatorsWashington, D.C.Robert F. Kennedy Memorial Stadium45,016WestCalifornia AngelsAnaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim Stadium43,202Chicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisWhite Sox Park46,550Kansas City RoyalsKansas City, MissouriMunicipal Stadium35,561Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee County Stadium45,768Minnesota TwinsBloomington, MinnesotaMetropolitan Stadium45,914Oakland AthleticsOakland, CaliforniaOakland–Alameda County Coliseum50,000EastChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field36,644Montreal ExposMontreal, QuebecJarry Park Stadium28,456New York MetsNew York, New YorkShea Stadium55,300Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaVeterans Stadium56,371Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaThree Rivers Stadium50,235St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriCivic Center Busch Memorial Stadium50,126WestAtlanta BravesAtlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta Stadium51,383Cincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioRiverfront Stadium51,744Houston AstrosHouston, TexasHouston Astrodome44,500Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles, CaliforniaDodger Stadium56,000San Diego PadresSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego Stadium50,000San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco, CaliforniaCandlestick Park42,500
Standings
American League
National League
Tie game 1 tie game (0 in AL, 1 in NL), which is not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and was replayed again) occurred during the season.
National League May 1, St. Louis Cardinals vs. Montreal Expos, tied at 2 after a shortened seven innings due to rain.
Postseason
The postseason began on October 2 and ended on October 17 with the Pittsburgh Pirates defeating the Baltimore Orioles in the 1971 World Series in seven games.
Bracket
Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerDetroit TigersMayo SmithBilly MartinOakland AthleticsJohn McNamaraDick Williams
In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerCleveland IndiansAlvin DarkJohnny Lipon
League leaders American League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Tony Oliva (MIN) .337 OPS Bobby Murcer (NYY) .969 HR Bill Melton (CWS) 33 RBI Harmon Killebrew (MIN) 119 R Don Buford (BAL) 99 H César Tovar (MIN) 204 SB Amos Otis (KC) 52
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Mickey Lolich (DET) 25 L Denny McLain (WAS) 22 ERA Vida Blue (OAK) 1.82 K Mickey Lolich (DET) 308 IP Mickey Lolich (DET) 376.0 SV Ken Sanders (MIL) 31 WHIP Vida Blue (OAK) 0.952
National League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Joe Torre (STL) .363 OPS Hank Aaron (ATL) 1.079 HR Willie Stargell (PIT) 48 RBI Joe Torre (STL) 137 R Lou Brock (STL) 126 H Joe Torre (STL) 230 SB Lou Brock (STL) 64
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Ferguson Jenkins (CHC) 24 L Steve Arlin (SD) 19 ERA Tom Seaver (NYM) 1.76 K Tom Seaver (NYM) 289 IP Ferguson Jenkins (CHC) 325.0 SV Dave Giusti (PIT) 30 WHIP Tom Seaver (NYM) 0.946
Regular season recap Three of the four division races were anticlimactic; the only race was in the NL West between old rivals Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants. The Giants led by 8.5 games on September 1 but the Dodgers chipped away. In mid September, the Dodgers won 8 in a row, including 5 over the Giants to narrow the gap to one game. But they could get no closer; ultimately both teams won on the final day of the season and the Giants won the division by 1 game.
Milestones Batters Cycles
Freddie Patek (KC): Patek hit for his first cycle and first in franchise history, on July 9 against the Minnesota Twins.
Other batting accomplishments Willie Mays (SF): Became the first player to hit a home run in each of his four games of a season, when he hits his fourth home run of the season against the St. Louis Cardinals on April 10. Broke the National League record for most career runs scored previously set by Stan Musial in who had 1,949 runs scored with a home run against the Montreal Expos on May 30. Hank Aaron (ATL): Became the third player in Major League history to hit 600 home runs in the third inning against the San Francisco Giants on April 27. Harmon Killebrew (MIN): Became the 10th player in Major League history to hit 500 home runs in the first inning against the Baltimore Orioles on August 10. Frank Robinson (BAL): Became the 11th player in Major League history to hit 500 home runs in the ninth inning in game two of a doubleheader against the Detroit Tigers on September 13. Lou Brock (STL): Recorded his 500th career stolen base in the first inning against the Montreal Expos on September 18. He became the 21st player to reach this mark.
Pitchers No-hitters
Ken Holtzman (CHC): Holtzman threw his second career no-hitter and 10th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Cincinnati Reds 1–0 on June 3. He walked four and struck out six. Rick Wise (PHI): Wise threw his first career no-hitter and sixth no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Cincinnati Reds 4–0 on June 23. He walked one and struck out three. Bob Gibson (STL): Gibson threw his first career no-hitter and sixth no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 11–0 on August 14. He walked three and struck out 10.
Miscellaneous Oakland Athletics / California Angels: Play the longest shutout in American League history, when the Athletics defeat the Angels 1–0 in the 20th inning.
Awards and honors Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards BBWAA Award National League American League Rookie of the Year Earl Williams (ATL) Chris Chambliss (CLE) Cy Young Award Ferguson Jenkins (CHC) Vida Blue (OAK) Most Valuable Player Joe Torre (STL) Vida Blue (OAK) Babe Ruth Award(World Series MVP) Roberto Clemente (PIT) —Gold Glove Awards Position National League American League Pitcher Bob Gibson (STL) Jim Kaat (MIN) Catcher Johnny Bench (CIN) Ray Fosse (CLE) 1st Base Wes Parker (LAD) George Scott (BOS) 2nd Base Tommy Helms (CIN) Davey Johnson (BAL) 3rd Base Doug Rader (HOU) Brooks Robinson (BAL) Shortstop Bud Harrelson (NYM) Mark Belanger (BAL)Outfield Bobby Bonds (SF) Paul Blair (BAL) Roberto Clemente (PIT) Amos Otis (KC) Willie Davis (LAD) Carl Yastrzemski (BOS)
Other awards Commissioner's Award (Humanitarian): Willie Mays (SF) Hutch Award: Joe Torre (STL) Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award: Roberto Clemente (PIT)
The Sporting News Awards Award National League American League Player of the Year Joe Torre (STL) — Pitcher of the Year Ferguson Jenkins (CHC) Vida Blue (OAK) Fireman of the Year(Relief pitcher) Dave Giusti (PIT) Ken Sanders (MIL) Rookie Player of the Year Earl Williams (ATL) Chris Chambliss (CLE) Rookie Pitcher of the Year Reggie Cleveland (STL) Bill Parsons (MIL) Comeback Player of the Year Al Downing (LAD) Norm Cash (DET) Manager of the Year Charlie Fox (SF) — Executive of the Year —Cedric Tallis (KC)
Monthly awards Player of the Month
Month National League April Willie Stargell (PIT) May Lou Brock (STL) June Willie Stargell (PIT) July Ferguson Jenkins (CHC) August Joe Torre (STL)
Baseball Hall of Fame
Dave Bancroft Jake Beckley Chick Hafey Harry Hooper Joe Kelley Rube Marquard Satchel Paige George Weiss (executive)
Home field attendance Team nameWinsHome attendanceNew York Mets830.0%2,266,680 −16.0%27,984Los Angeles Dodgers892.3%2,064,59421.7%25,489Boston Red Sox85 −2.3%1,678,7325.2%20,984Chicago Cubs83 −1.2%1,653,0070.6%20,407St. Louis Cardinals9018.4%1,604,671 −1.5%19,569Detroit Tigers9115.2%1,591,0736.0%19,643Philadelphia Phillies67 −8.2%1,511,223113.4%18,657Pittsburgh Pirates979.0%1,501,13211.9%18,764Cincinnati Reds79 −22.5%1,501,122 −16.8%18,532Montreal Expos71 −2.7%1,290,963 −9.4%16,137Houston Astros790.0%1,261,5890.6%15,575San Francisco Giants904.7%1,106,04349.3%13,655New York Yankees82 −11.8%1,070,771 −5.8%13,219Baltimore Orioles101 −6.5%1,023,037 −3.2%13,286Atlanta Braves827.9%1,006,320 −6.7%12,272Minnesota Twins74 −24.5%940,858 −25.4%11,910California Angels76 −11.6%926,373 −14.0%11,437Oakland Athletics10113.5%914,99317.6%11,296Kansas City Royals8530.8%910,78431.4%11,244Chicago White Sox7941.1%833,89168.3%10,295Milwaukee Brewers696.2%731,531 −21.7%8,921Washington Senators63 −10.0%655,156 −20.6%8,088Cleveland Indians60 −21.1%591,361 −19.0%7,301San Diego Padres61 −3.2%557,513 −13.4%6,883
Venues The Philadelphia Phillies leave Connie Mack Stadium from which they played 33 seasons and opened Veterans Stadium (with the NFL's Philadelphia Eagles), where they would go on to play for 33 seasons through .