The 2011 Major League Baseball season began on Thursday, March 31, and ended on Wednesday, September 28. This marked the first time a season began on a Thursday since 1976, and the first time a regular season ended on a Wednesday since 1990. The 82nd edition of the Major League Baseball All-Star Game was played at Chase Field in Phoenix, Arizona, on July 12 with the National League defeating the American League for the second straight year, by a score of 5–1. As had been the case since 2003, the league winning that game had home field advantage in the World Series. Accordingly, the World Series began on October 19, and ended on October 28, with the St. Louis Cardinals winning in seven games over the Texas Rangers.
The season is notable for its wild card chase on the last day of the regular season.
Only two teams were unable to complete the entire 162-game regular season schedule, as the make-up game between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the Washington Nationals at Nationals Park on September 8 was cancelled due to rain and not made up, owing to scheduling constraints and the game being inconsequential to the playoffs.
Standings
American League
National League
Postseason
Bracket
Managerial changes General managers Off-season TeamFormer GMNew GMFormer jobNew York MetsOmar MinayaSandy AldersonCEO of San Diego Padres until March 2009.
In-season DateTeamFormer GMNew GMFormer jobAugust 19Chicago CubsJim HendryRandy BushBush was the assistant GM and served as his interim replacement until the team hired Theo Epstein in October.
Field managers Off-season Four teams announced new managers for the 2011 season after the former manager retired from baseball. TeamFormer managerNew managerStoryAtlanta BravesBobby CoxFredi GonzálezCox announced in 2009 that the 2010 season would be his last as manager of the Braves. In two terms, first from 1978 through 1981 and from mid-1990, replacing Russ Nixon as manager through 2010, Cox has led the team to fourteen division titles, five pennants and the World Championship. Cox retires as the manager with the fourth highest number of wins (2,504) along with the most ejections in baseball history (158).Chicago CubsLou PiniellaMike QuadeAfter six decades in baseball as a player, coach, manager and television commentator, Piniella announced on June 19, 2010, his intentions to retire. He has managed the New York Yankees, the Cincinnati Reds (including their 1990 World Series championship), the Seattle Mariners (including a record 116 win season in 2001), the Tampa Bay Devil Rays and the Cubs. The official retirement came on August 22 as Piniella stepped down due to his mother's failing health, and Quade, the Cubs' third base coach, was named interim manager, and was named permanent manager October 19.Los Angeles DodgersJoe TorreDon MattinglyTorre announced on September 17 that he would not be returning to the Dodgers for the 2011 season. With his contract expiring and club ownership being contested in divorce court, Torre chose not to negotiate an extension. At the same time, the Dodgers announced the promotion of Mattingly, the team's hitting coach, to manager. As a player, Mattingly was best known as an outstanding first baseman with the New York Yankees.Toronto Blue JaysCito GastonJohn FarrellAfter being lured out of retirement by team president Paul Beeston, Gaston announced on October 29, 2009, that he would step aside after the completion of the 2010 season and remain in a consulting position. In his first term as the Jays' skipper, he led the team to their greatest success, winning back-to-back Fall Classic in and . His second term started as he replaced John Gibbons in the middle of the 2008 season. Farrell comes over after serving as the pitching coach for the AL East rival Boston Red Sox. At the end of the 2010 season, three teams fired their managers and made replacements: TeamFormer managerNew managerStoryMilwaukee BrewersKen MachaRon RoenickeLos Angeles Angels serving 11 seasons as Mike Scioscia's third base coach.New York MetsJerry ManuelTerry CollinsManuel, along with general manager Omar Minaya, were fired following the end of the 2010 season on October 4, 2010. Since making the 2006 National League Championship Series, the team has fallen short of expectations, which include back to back season ending collapses in 2007 and 2008, followed by back-to-back injury plagued seasons in 2009 and 2010. Collins, a feisty and intense manager, was named the team's new manager November 2010 and returned to being a field manager in the majors after 12 years. He previously managed the Houston Astros and the Anaheim Angels from 1994 to 1999.Pittsburgh PiratesJohn RussellClint HurdleRussell was fired after three losing seasons, compiling a total record of 186–299 in those three seasons. The Pirates have not had a winning season since 1992, which was also the last time they made the playoffs. They have also endured six different managers during that span. Hurdle last managed the Colorado Rockies in 2009 before being replaced.
The following managers who were interim managers for 2010 will lead their respective teams in 2011: TeamManager that started 2010 seasonReplacementStoryArizona DiamondbacksA. J. HinchKirk GibsonGibson, who started the season as bench coach, filled in for the final 83 games. New GM Kevin Towers made the decision to keep Gibson as the manager for 2011., hardballtalk.nbcsports.com, October 3, 2010 Hinch was "demoted" from his position as Director of Player Development in 2009 when he took over for Bob Melvin.Kansas City RoyalsTrey HillmanNed YostAfter coming to Kansas City to be a consultant, the Royals named Yost on May 13 to replace Hillman. Prior to that, Yost served as manager of the Milwaukee Brewers for much of the 2008 season, only to be sacked in mid-September when the team was struggling to make the postseason. Hillman had previous success in Japan, leading the Hokkaido Nippon Ham Fighters to the Japan World Series championship in 2006.Baltimore OriolesDave Trembley;Juan Samuel (interim)Buck ShowalterThe no-nonsense Showalter, who had previously managed the New York Yankees, the Texas Rangers and the Arizona Diamondbacks on the brink of success before being replaced, served as a commentator for ESPN's Baseball Tonight before agreeing to return to the dugout with the Orioles on August 3, and turned the fortunes of the Maryland ball club. Trembley was in the manager's seat until June 4, when third-base coach Samuel replaced him on an interim basis before Showalter's arrival. Florida Marlins Fredi González Edwin Rodríguez On May 23, González, who had coached under Bobby Cox in Atlanta, was fired from his position. Rodríguez had spent the past years managing the New Orleans Zephyrs, the Marlins' Triple-A affiliate. Cox made discouraging comments about the handling of the dismissal shortly afterward, and as a result, was not honored by Marlins owner Jeffrey Loria when the Braves visit to Miami in September as part of Cox's retirement tour.Chicago CubsLou PiniellaMike Quade (See Above) One team has hired a new manager: TeamManager that started 2010 seasonInterim ManagerReplacementStory Seattle Mariners Don Wakamatsu Daren Brown Eric Wedge Wakamatsu, the first MLB manager of Asian-American descent, was fired on August 9 and replaced by Brown, at the time in his fourth season managing the Mariners' AAA affiliate, the Tacoma Rainiers. The team was expected to contend for the American League West title with the addition of Chone Figgins and Cliff Lee, but stumbled out of the starting gate. Wedge, who last managed with the Cleveland Indians in 2009, was reportedly hired by the Mariners according to a report by SI.com on October 15, 2010,Report: Mariners Select Wedge As New Manager , AP via Comcast.net, October 15, 2010. Retrieved October 16, 2010 and made official three days later.
In-season changes DateTeamFormer managerReasonReplacementPrevious Job and Story June 9 Oakland Athletics Bob Geren Fired Bob Melvin Melvin had been the manager of the Arizona Diamondbacks. Geren was fired after June 8 game. June 19 Florida Marlins Edwin Rodríguez Resigned Jack McKeon After a losing streak and slump in June, Rodriguez announced his resignation on June 19. McKeon at age 80 became the oldest manager since Connie Mack to manage in the majors; he had won the 2003 World Series with the Marlins. McKeon announced his second retirement allowing Ozzie Guillén to become Marlins' skipper. June 26 Washington Nationals Jim Riggleman Resigned Davey Johnson McLaren, who was previously the Nationals bench coach, was named interim manager, but he is not expected to fill the role for the remainder of the season. Davey Johnson was named the full-time manager three days after Riggleman resigned and two days after McLaren was named interim manager. September 26 Chicago White Sox Ozzie Guillén Released Don Cooper Guillen was released from his contract after the White Sox game on September 26 against the Toronto Blue Jays. Guillen became the Marlins new manager with the retirement of Jack McKeon at the end of the season. Cooper, the current pitching coach for the White Sox, managed the final two games of the season.
League leaders American League
+ Batting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Miguel Cabrera (DET) .344 OPS José Bautista (TOR) 1.056 HR José Bautista (TOR) 43 RBI Curtis Granderson (NYY) 119 R Curtis Granderson (NYY) 136 H Adrián González (BOS)Michael Young (TEX) 213 SB Coco Crisp (OAK)Brett Gardner (NYY) 49
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Justin Verlander (DET) 24 L Jeremy Guthrie (BAL) 17 ERA Justin Verlander (DET) 2.40 K Justin Verlander (DET) 250 IP Justin Verlander (DET) 251.0 SV José Valverde (DET) 49 WHIP Justin Verlander (DET) 0.920
National League
+ Batting leaders Stat Player Total AVG José Reyes (NYM) .337 OPS Ryan Braun (MIL) .994 HR Matt Kemp (LAD) 39 RBI Matt Kemp (LAD) 126 R Matt Kemp (LAD) 115 H Starlin Castro (CHC) 207 SB Michael Bourn (HOU/) 61
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Ian Kennedy (AZ)Clayton Kershaw (LAD) 21 L Derek Lowe (ATL) 17 ERA Clayton Kershaw (LAD) 2.28 K Clayton Kershaw (LAD) 248 IP Chris Carpenter (STL) 237.1 SV John Axford (MIL)Craig Kimbrel (ATL) 46 WHIP Clayton Kershaw (LAD) 0.977
Milestones
Batters David Ortiz (BOS): Set the major league record for RBI by a designated hitter (1004) by driving in a run with a groundout in the fourth inning against the Texas Rangers on April 2. He broke the record that was previously held by Edgar Martínez. Recorded his 1,000th career run scored in the sixth inning against the Cleveland Indians on May 25. He became the 311th player to reach this mark. Ian Kinsler (TEX): Became the first player in Major League history to hit leadoff home runs in his team's first two games of the season. Became the 12th player in Major League history to record two 30 (home runs)/30 (stolen bases) seasons. He reached this mark on September 27 with his 30th stolen base against the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim. Nelson Cruz (TEX): Became the third player in Major League history, joining Willie Mays and Mark McGwire, and the first American League player to hit a home run in his fourth straight game to begin the baseball season. Became the first player in Major League history to hit an official walk-off grand slam in postseason history (against the Detroit Tigers in Game 2 of the 2011 American League Championship Series). With that, Cruz also became the first batter to hit a walk-off hit in postseason for the Texas Rangers. Set two postseason records with six home runs and 13 RBIs in the American League Championship Series against the Detroit Tigers. Cruz won the American League Championship Series Most Valuable Player Award. Chipper Jones (ATL): Passed Mickey Mantle for second all-time for RBI by a switch-hitter by driving in his 1,510th run with an RBI groundout in the first inning against the San Diego Padres on April 27. Eddie Murray is the all-time leader with 1,917 RBIs.