1996 Major League Baseball season

This article is about the 1996 Major League Baseball season only. For information on all of baseball, see 1996 in baseball.

The 1996 Major League Baseball season was the final season of league-only play before the beginning of interleague play the following season. The season ended with the New York Yankees defeating the defending champion Atlanta Braves in six games for the World Series title, the Yankees' first championship since 1978. The record for most home runs hit in an MLB regular season, set at 4,458 in 1987,^[1] was broken, as the AL and NL combined to hit 4,962 home runs.^[2] Only 196 shutouts were recorded in the 2,266 MLB regular-season games.^[3] This was the first season in the Divisional Series era to be played to the full 162 games, as the 1994–95 player's strike caused the first two seasons of the era to be abbreviated.

1996 MLB season
League	Major League Baseball
Sport	Baseball
Duration	March 31 – October 26, 1996
Number of games	162
Number of teams	28
TV partner(s)	Fox, ESPN, NBC^[n1 1]
Draft
Top draft pick	Kris Benson
Picked by	Pittsburgh Pirates
Regular Season
Season MVP	AL: Juan González (TEX) NL: Ken Caminiti (SD)
Postseason
AL champions	New York Yankees
AL runners-up	Baltimore Orioles
NL champions	Atlanta Braves
NL runners-up	St. Louis Cardinals
World Series
Champions	New York Yankees
Runners-up	Atlanta Braves
World Series MVP	John Wetteland (NYY)
MLB seasons
← 1995 1997 →

Standings

American League v t e AL East W L Pct. GB Home Road New York Yankees 92 70 0.568 — 49–31 43–39 Baltimore Orioles 88 74 0.543 4 43–38 45–36 Boston Red Sox 85 77 0.525 7 47–34 38–43 Toronto Blue Jays 74 88 0.457 18 35–46 39–42 Detroit Tigers 53 109 0.327 39 27–54 26–55 v t e AL Central W L Pct. GB Home Road Cleveland Indians 99 62 0.615 — 51–29 48–33 Chicago White Sox 85 77 0.525 14½ 44–37 41–40 Milwaukee Brewers 80 82 0.494 19½ 38–43 42–39 Minnesota Twins 78 84 0.481 21½ 39–43 39–41 Kansas City Royals 75 86 0.466 24 37–43 38–43 v t e AL West W L Pct. GB Home Road Texas Rangers 90 72 0.556 — 50–31 40–41 Seattle Mariners 85 76 0.528 4½ 43–38 42–38 Oakland Athletics 78 84 0.481 12 40–41 38–43 California Angels 70 91 0.435 19½ 43–38 27–53

National League v t e NL East W L Pct. GB Home Road Atlanta Braves 96 66 0.593 — 56–25 40–41 Montreal Expos 88 74 0.543 8 50–31 38–43 Florida Marlins 80 82 0.494 16 52–29 28–53 New York Mets 71 91 0.438 25 42–39 29–52 Philadelphia Phillies 67 95 0.414 29 35–46 32–49 v t e NL Central W L Pct. GB Home Road St. Louis Cardinals 88 74 0.543 — 48–33 40–41 Houston Astros 82 80 0.506 6 48–33 34–47 Cincinnati Reds 81 81 0.500 7 46–35 35–46 Chicago Cubs 76 86 0.469 12 43–38 33–48 Pittsburgh Pirates 73 89 0.451 15 36–44 37–45 v t e NL West W L Pct. GB Home Road San Diego Padres 91 71 0.562 — 45–36 46–35 Los Angeles Dodgers 90 72 0.556 1 47–34 43–38 Colorado Rockies 83 79 0.512 8 55–26 28–53 San Francisco Giants 68 94 0.420 23 38–44 30–50

Postseason

Main article: 1996 MLB Postseason

Bracket

Division Series (ALDS, NLDS)

League Championship Series (ALCS, NLCS)

World Series

East

NY Yankees

3

West

Texas

1

East

NY Yankees

4

American League

WC

Baltimore

1

WC

Baltimore

3

Central

Cleveland

1

AL

NY Yankees

4

NL

Atlanta

2

East

Atlanta

3

WC

Los Angeles

0

East

Atlanta

4

National League

Central

St. Louis

3

West

San Diego

0

Central

St. Louis

3

Awards and honors

• Baseball Hall of Fame
  • Jim Bunning
  • Bill Foster
  • Ned Hanlon
  • Earl Weaver

Further information: 1996 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting

Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards
BBWAA Award	National League	American League
Rookie of the Year	Todd Hollandsworth (LAD)	Derek Jeter (NYY)
Cy Young Award	John Smoltz (ATL)	Pat Hentgen (TOR)
Manager of the Year	Bruce Bochy (SD)	Johnny Oates (TEX) Joe Torre (NYY)
Most Valuable Player	Ken Caminiti (SD)	Juan González (TEX)
Gold Glove Awards
Position	National League	American League
Pitcher	Greg Maddux (ATL)	Mike Mussina (BAL)
Catcher	Charles Johnson (FLA)	Iván Rodríguez (TEX)
First Baseman	Mark Grace (CHC)	J. T. Snow (CAL)
Second Baseman	Craig Biggio (HOU)	Roberto Alomar (BAL)
Third Baseman	Ken Caminiti (SD)	Robin Ventura (CWS)
Shortstop	Barry Larkin (CIN)	Omar Vizquel (CLE)
Outfielders	Barry Bonds (SF)	Kenny Lofton (CLE)
	Marquis Grissom (ATL)	Jay Buhner (SEA)
	Steve Finley (SD)	Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA)
Silver Slugger Awards
Pitcher/Designated Hitter	Tom Glavine (ATL)	Paul Molitor (MIN)
Catcher	Mike Piazza (LA)	Iván Rodríguez (TEX)
First Baseman	Andrés Galarraga (COL)	Mark McGwire (OAK)
Second Baseman	Eric Young (COL)	Roberto Alomar (BAL)
Third Baseman	Ken Caminiti (SD)	Jim Thome (CLE)
Shortstop	Barry Larkin (CIN)	Alex Rodriguez (SEA)
Outfielders	Barry Bonds (SF)	Albert Belle (CLE)
	Ellis Burks (COL)	Juan González (TEX)
	Gary Sheffield (FLA)	Ken Griffey Jr. (SEA)

Other awards

• Outstanding Designated Hitter Award: Paul Molitor (MIN)
• Roberto Clemente Award (Humanitarian): Kirby Puckett (MIN).
• Rolaids Relief Man Award: John Wetteland (NYY, American); Jeff Brantley (CIN, National).

Player of the Month

Month	American League	National League
April	Frank Thomas	Barry Bonds
May	Mo Vaughn	Jeff Bagwell
June	Mark McGwire	Dante Bichette
July	Juan González	Sammy Sosa
August	Alex Rodriguez	Ken Caminiti
September	Frank Thomas	Ken Caminiti

Pitcher of the Month

Month	American League	National League
April	Juan Guzmán	John Smoltz
May	Charles Nagy	John Smoltz
June	Orel Hershiser	Jeff Fassero
July	Pat Hentgen	Jeff Fassero
August	Pat Hentgen	Kevin Brown
September	Charles Nagy	Hideo Nomo

MLB statistical leaders

Statistic	American League		National League
AVG	Alex Rodriguez SEA	.358	Tony Gwynn SD	.353
HR	Mark McGwire OAK	52	Andrés Galarraga COL	47
RBI	Albert Belle CLE	148	Andrés Galarraga COL	150
Wins	Andy Pettitte NYY	21	John Smoltz ATL	24
ERA	Juan Guzmán TOR	2.93	Kevin Brown FLA	1.89
SO	Roger Clemens BOS	257	John Smoltz ATL	276
SV	John Wetteland NYY	43	Jeff Brantley CIN Todd Worrell LA	44
SB	Kenny Lofton CLE	75	Eric Young COL	53

Managers

American League

Team	Manager	Notes
Baltimore Orioles	Davey Johnson
Boston Red Sox	Kevin Kennedy
California Angels	Marcel Lachemann, John McNamara, Joe Maddon
Chicago White Sox	Terry Bevington
Cleveland Indians	Mike Hargrove
Detroit Tigers	Buddy Bell
Kansas City Royals	Bob Boone
Milwaukee Brewers	Phil Garner
Minnesota Twins	Tom Kelly
New York Yankees	Joe Torre	Won World Series
Oakland Athletics	Art Howe
Seattle Mariners	Lou Piniella
Texas Rangers	Johnny Oates
Toronto Blue Jays	Cito Gaston

National League

Team	Manager	Notes
Atlanta Braves	Bobby Cox	Won National League Pennant
Chicago Cubs	Jim Riggleman
Cincinnati Reds	Ray Knight
Colorado Rockies	Don Baylor
Florida Marlins	Rene Lachemann, Cookie Rojas, John Boles
Houston Astros	Terry Collins
Los Angeles Dodgers	Tommy Lasorda, Bill Russell
Montreal Expos	Felipe Alou
New York Mets	Dallas Green, Bobby Valentine
Philadelphia Phillies	Jim Fregosi
Pittsburgh Pirates	Jim Leyland
St. Louis Cardinals	Tony La Russa
San Diego Padres	Bruce Bochy
San Francisco Giants	Dusty Baker

Home field attendance and payroll

Team name	Wins	%±	Home attendance	%±	Per game	Est. payroll	%±
Colorado Rockies^[4]	83	7.8%	3,891,014	14.8%	48,037	$40,324,823	18.1%
Baltimore Orioles^[5]	88	23.9%	3,646,950	17.7%	44,475	$54,599,315	24.3%
Cleveland Indians^[6]	99	-1.0%	3,318,174	16.7%	41,477	$48,216,360	26.7%
Los Angeles Dodgers^[7]	90	15.4%	3,188,454	15.3%	39,364	$35,355,000	-10.0%
Atlanta Braves^[8]	96	6.7%	2,901,242	13.2%	35,818	$49,698,500	5.2%
Texas Rangers^[9]	90	21.6%	2,889,020	45.5%	35,667	$39,041,528	12.9%
Seattle Mariners^[10]	85	7.6%	2,723,850	65.8%	33,628	$41,328,501	13.3%
St. Louis Cardinals^[11]	88	41.9%	2,654,718	51.1%	32,774	$40,269,667	8.5%
Toronto Blue Jays^[12]	74	32.1%	2,559,573	-9.4%	31,600	$30,555,083	-39.6%
Boston Red Sox^[13]	85	-1.2%	2,315,231	7.0%	28,583	$42,393,500	30.6%
New York Yankees^[14]	92	16.5%	2,250,877	32.0%	28,136	$54,191,792	10.9%
Chicago Cubs^[15]	76	4.1%	2,219,110	15.7%	27,396	$33,081,000	12.1%
San Diego Padres^[16]	91	30.0%	2,187,886	110.0%	27,011	$28,348,172	7.5%
Houston Astros^[17]	82	7.9%	1,975,888	44.9%	24,394	$28,487,000	-16.6%
Cincinnati Reds^[18]	81	-4.7%	1,861,428	1.3%	22,981	$42,526,334	-1.4%
California Angels^[19]	70	-10.3%	1,820,521	4.1%	22,476	$28,847,000	-7.6%
Philadelphia Phillies^[20]	67	-2.9%	1,801,677	-11.8%	22,243	$34,314,500	12.3%
Florida Marlins^[21]	80	19.4%	1,746,767	2.7%	21,565	$31,132,000	27.0%
Chicago White Sox^[22]	85	25.0%	1,676,403	4.1%	20,696	$45,289,500	-3.6%
Montreal Expos^[23]	88	33.3%	1,616,709	23.4%	19,959	$16,264,500	30.4%
New York Mets^[24]	71	2.9%	1,588,323	24.8%	19,609	$24,479,500	-11.5%
Minnesota Twins^[25]	78	39.3%	1,437,352	35.9%	17,529	$23,117,000	-9.0%
Kansas City Royals^[26]	75	7.1%	1,435,997	16.4%	17,950	$20,281,250	-31.3%
San Francisco Giants^[27]	68	1.5%	1,413,922	13.9%	17,243	$37,144,725	1.9%
Pittsburgh Pirates^[28]	73	25.9%	1,332,150	47.1%	16,652	$23,017,500	25.4%
Milwaukee Brewers^[29]	80	23.1%	1,327,155	22.0%	16,385	$21,730,000	22.1%
Detroit Tigers^[30]	53	-11.7%	1,168,610	-1.0%	14,427	$23,438,000	-36.7%
Oakland Athletics^[31]	78	16.4%	1,148,380	-2.2%	14,178	$21,243,000	-43.7%

Television coverage

This was the first season under new five-year rights agreements with ESPN, Fox, and NBC. ESPN continued to air Sunday Night Baseball and Wednesday Night Baseball. Fox basically reinstated the Saturday afternoon Game of the Week with its own Fox Saturday Baseball broadcasts, initially offering up to four regionalized telecasts per week. NBC declined to broadcast any regular season games, and instead agreed to a limited deal in which the network aired the All-Star Game and the American League Championship Series in even-numbered years, the World Series and National League Championship Series in odd-numbered years, and three Division Series games in each of these five years. Fox handled the All-Star Game and the American League Championship Series in odd-numbered years, the World Series and National League Championship Series in even-numbered years, and five Division Series games each year. ESPN then aired any Division Series games not picked up by either Fox or NBC.

Network	Day of week	Announcers
ESPN	Sunday nights Wednesday nights	Jon Miller, Joe Morgan See also: List of ESPN Major League Baseball broadcasters
Fox	Saturday afternoons	Joe Buck, Tim McCarver, Thom Brennaman, Bob Brenly See also: List of Major League Baseball on Fox broadcasters
NBC	None^[n1 1]	Bob Costas, Joe Morgan, Bob Uecker

Events

January–June

• January 8 – For only the seventh time in history, and the first time since 1971, the Baseball Writers' Association of America fails to select a player for induction into the Baseball Hall of Fame.
• March 5 – The Veterans Committee elects four new members to the Hall of Fame, and just misses naming a fifth. The group elected includes Earl Weaver, Baltimore Orioles manager for 17 seasons; pitcher Jim Bunning, who won 100 games in each league; 19th-century manager Ned Hanlon, who won pennants in Baltimore and Brooklyn, and Bill Foster, the Negro leagues' pitcher with most wins. Second baseman Nellie Fox receives the necessary 75% of the Committee's votes, but the rules allow for election of only one modern player, and Bunning has more votes.
• April 1 – Seven pitches into the first game of the season, at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati, home plate umpire John McSherry collapses on the field and dies of a massive heart attack. The game between the Cincinnati Reds and Montréal Expos is postponed, along with the rest of the games scheduled for that day. Reds owner Marge Schott later comes under fire for wanting the game in Cincinnati to continue despite the tragedy (and against the wishes of the players on both teams), saying that she felt "cheated" when it was canceled.
• April 6 – Cleveland Indians player Albert Belle hits Sports Illustrated photographer Tony Tomsic in the hand prior to a game between the Indians and Toronto Blue Jays at Jacobs Field. The angry Indians outfielder had told the photographer to stop taking pictures of him doing pre-game stretches and Tomsic complied. Belle then throws a ball from the outfield that breaks the skin of the photographer's hand in two places and draws blood.^[32]
• May 14 – New York Yankee pitcher Dwight Gooden pitches the first Yankee Stadium no-hitter in 3 years as his Yankees beat the Seattle Mariners 3–0.
• May 17 – Baltimore Orioles catcher Chris Hoiles hits a walk-off grand slam against the Seattle Mariners in the bottom of the ninth, down by three, with two outs and a full count. This is only the second occurrence of this cliché ultimate game ending event in the history of professional baseball; during the 1988 season, Alan Trammell became the first to accomplish this feat in a 7-6 comeback win over the Yankees.
• June 1 – Major League Baseball games begin to be broadcast on Fox.
• June 6 – The Boston Red Sox beat the Chicago White Sox 7–4, as John Valentin of Boston hits for the cycle and the White Sox complete a triple play. It marks the first time since July 1, 1931, that both events occur in the same game.

July–December

• July 9 – At Veterans Stadium, the National League defeats the American League 6–0 in the All-Star Game. Ken Caminiti and Mike Piazza hit home runs for the winners. The game is the first All-Star contest in which no walks are issued by either team. The Orioles' Cal Ripken Jr. starts the game, despite suffering a broken nose when he accidentally catches a forearm from White Sox reliever Roberto Hernández when the latter slips on the tarp during the AL team photo shoot.
• September 6 – Eddie Murray of the Baltimore Orioles becomes the 15th player in major league history to hit 500 home runs. He homers off Felipe Lira in the seventh inning of the Orioles' 5–4, 12-inning loss to the Detroit Tigers at Camden Yards. Murray also joins Hank Aaron and Willie Mays as the only big leaguers to reach both this milestone and also the 3,000 hit mark.
• September 6 – Brett Butler returns to the Los Angeles Dodgers line-up four months after having surgery for throat cancer. The 39-year-old center fielder scores the decisive run in a 2-1 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates.
• September 17 – Hideo Nomo pitches a no-hitter against the Colorado Rockies, leading the Los Angeles Dodgers to a 9–0 victory. Nomo walks four batters and strikes out eight.
• October 24 – The Atlanta Braves play their final game at Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium vs. the New York Yankees.
• October 26 – The New York Yankees take their fourth victory in a row from the Atlanta Braves, 3-2, giving them the 1996 World Series and their 23rd World Championship. Starter Jimmy Key gets the win with help from closer John Wetteland, whose four saves earn him the MVP trophy.

Movies

• Ed
• Soul of the Game (TV)
• The Fan

Deaths

• February 8 – Del Ennis, 70, All-Star left fielder for the Phillies who had seven 100-RBI seasons, leading the NL for the 1950 "Whiz Kids" team, and was the team's career home run leader (259) until 1980
• February 19 – Charles O. Finley, 77, owner of the Athletics from 1960 to 1981 who moved the team from Kansas City to Oakland, and was known for numerous gimmicks and controversies; won three straight World Series from 1972–74
• March 8 – Bill Nicholson, 81, 5-time All-Star right fielder for the Cubs and Phillies who twice led the NL in home runs and RBI
• April 1 – John McSherry, 51, National League umpire since 1971 who worked in eight NLCS and two World Series
• May 3 – Alex Kellner, 71, an All-Star pitcher who played for the Athletics, Reds and Cardinals between 1948 and 1959
• May 19 – Johnny Berardino, 79, infielder for the Browns and Indians who topped 80 RBI in 1940 and 1941; became an actor, best known for the soap opera General Hospital
• May 26 – Mike Sharperson, 34, All-Star infielder for the Dodgers who batted .300 in 1992
• June 16 – Mel Allen, 83, broadcaster who spent over 35 years with the Yankees, also on national broadcasts and This Week in Baseball
• July 8 – Jim Busby, 69, All-Star center fielder for six teams who batted .312 for 1953 Senators, led AL in putouts twice; later a coach
• August 4 – Willard Brown, 81, All-Star outfielder of the Negro leagues who became the first black player to hit a home run in the American League
• September 4 – Babe Dahlgren, 84, All-Star first baseman best remembered for replacing Lou Gehrig to end his 2,130 consecutive games streak, hitting a home run in the game
• September 6 – Barney McCosky, 79, outfielder for the Tigers and Athletics who batted .312 lifetime, led AL in hits in 1940
• October 4 – Joe Hoerner, 59, All-Star reliever for seven teams who averaged 15 saves for 1966–69 Cardinals
• October 29 – Ewell Blackwell, 74, six-time All-Star pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds who came within two outs of throwing consecutive no-hitters in 1947; led NL in wins and strikeouts that season
• November 11 – Lum Harris, 81, manager who won 1969 NL West title with the Braves; previously a pitcher for the Athletics, and Houston manager
• December 27 – Gene Brabender, 55, pitcher who led the Seattle Pilots with 13 wins in their only season

Notes

1. NBC did not broadcast any regular season games. They only broadcast the All-Star Game, three divisional playoff games in prime time, and the ALCS.

References

1. "1987 Major League Baseball Standard Batting".
2. "1996 Major League Baseball Standard Batting".
3. "1996 Major League Baseball Standard Pitching".
4. "Colorado Rockies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
5. "Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
6. "Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
7. "Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
8. "Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
9. "Texas Rangers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
10. "Seattle Mariners Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
11. "St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
12. "Toronto Blue Jays Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
13. "Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
14. "New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
15. "Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
16. "San Diego Padres Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
17. "Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
18. "Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
19. "Los Angeles Angels Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
20. "Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
21. "Florida Marlins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
22. "Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
23. "Washington Nationals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
24. "New York Mets Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
25. "Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
26. "Kansas City Royals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
27. "San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
28. "Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
29. "Milwaukee Brewers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
30. "Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
31. "Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
32. "Albert Belle, Photographer Settle Thrown-ball Lawsuit". articles.chicagotribune.com. November 16, 1998. Retrieved December 13, 2014.

External links

• 1996 Major League Baseball season schedule at Baseball Reference