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2020 Major League Baseball season

The 2020 Major League Baseball season began on July 23 and ended on September 27 with only 60 games amidst the COVID-19 pandemic. The full 162-game regular season was planned to begin on March 26, but the pandemic caused Major League Baseball (MLB) to announce on March 12 that the remainder of spring training was canceled and that the start of the regular season would be delayed by at least two weeks.[1] On March 16, MLB announced that the season would be postponed indefinitely, following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to restrict events of more than 50 people.[2] This was the first time that MLB games had been put on hold since the 2001 season, when the season was paused for over a week after the September 11 attacks.

2020 MLB season
LeagueMajor League Baseball
SportBaseball
DurationJuly 23 – October 27, 2020
Number of games60
Number of teams30
TV partner(s)Fox/FS1, TBS, ESPN, MLB Network
Draft
Top draft pickSpencer Torkelson
Picked byDetroit Tigers
Regular season
Season MVPAL: José Abreu (CWS)
NL: Freddie Freeman (ATL)
Postseason
AL championsTampa Bay Rays
  AL runners-upHouston Astros
NL championsLos Angeles Dodgers
  NL runners-upAtlanta Braves
World Series
ChampionsLos Angeles Dodgers
  Runners-upTampa Bay Rays
World Series MVPCorey Seager (LAD)
MLB seasons

Spring training resumed on July 1 and was rebranded as "Summer Camp".[3] On July 3, the All-Star Game was canceled because of the delay to the regular season. Dodger Stadium, which was set to host the game, went on to host the 2022 All-Star Game.[4]

On July 18, the Canadian federal government denied permission for the Toronto Blue Jays to play their home games at Rogers Centre in 2020 on grounds that repeated cross-border trips by both the Blue Jays and their opponents would be a major risk due to the higher spikes in COVID-19 cases in the U.S. compared to those in Canada. The Blue Jays then chose to play their home games at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, home of their Triple-A affiliate Buffalo Bisons.[5]

An expanded 16-team postseason tournament began on September 29, with games of all but the first round being played at neutral sites. The World Series began on October 20 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, and ended on October 27, with the Los Angeles Dodgers defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in six games to win their first title since 1988.[6][7][8]

Schedule edit

The 2020 schedule greatly differed from the normal 162-game schedule. In an effort to reduce travel, each team played only nine opponents during the regular season instead of the usual 19 or 20. Teams were scheduled to play 10 games against each of their four division opponents. The remaining 20 games of the 60-game schedule were interleague contests. To reduce travel, the interleague division match-ups were AL East vs NL East, AL Central vs NL Central, and AL West vs NL West.[9] At 60 games, this was the shortest regular season since 1878.[10]

Several international and neutral-site games originally scheduled for the season were canceled due to COVID-19:

March agreement between MLB and MLBPA edit

On March 26, MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) reached an agreement on multiple considerations related to the start of the season being delayed, including:[16]

  • The 2020 MLB draft was to be held by July 20 and reduced from 40 rounds to five rounds.
  • Player salaries were pro-rated, based on the length of the regular season.
  • Players will receive full service time for the season, regardless of the length of the season
  • Roster moves were frozen as of March 27, until the season began.

Possible schedules edit

The indefinite delay of the season caused MLB to internally consider a number of scenarios for playing the season, as well as analysts suggesting ways it could be done. A shortened regular season, a season with many doubleheaders, and a postseason extending into late November with a World Series at an indoor or warm-weather neutral site were suggested.[17][18]

In early April, Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that MLB was "increasingly focused on a plan that could allow them to start the season as early as May and has the support of high-ranking federal public health officials".[19] The plan would have involved all 30 teams playing games with no fans in stadiums around the Phoenix metropolitan area, including Chase Field and spring training complexes. Players would have lived in isolation at local hotels.

Another report from USA Today baseball writer Bob Nightengale detailed another MLB proposal utilizing the Phoenix metro sites, but with the additional use of spring training sites in Florida, Marlins Park in Miami, and St. Petersburg's Tropicana Field. In addition, the 30 teams would be re-aligned for the season depending on their spring training sites into six divisions based upon their locations in Arizona and Florida and agnostic to the usual AL/NL demarcations and traditional geographic rivalries, effectively making the spring training Cactus League and Grapefruit League regular-season leagues.[20] No interleague play would take place and the designated hitter rule would be utilized for all 30 teams, with the World Series occurring in November utilizing the larger MLB sites.[21]

Disagreement over plans for a shortened season edit

During May and June, MLB and Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA) were unable to agree on a specific plan for a shortened season.

In mid-May the MLB owners proposed a schedule of 82 games, to begin in July, with games to be played without fans in attendance. To minimize travel, teams would play only against other teams in their geographical division, plus interleague games against teams in the corresponding division of the other league. A team would play 13 games against each division rival and six games against each team in the other league's division.[22] Postseason play would be expanded from 10 teams to 14, with each league fielding three division winners and four wild card teams. A designated hitter would be allowed in all games. Teams would have 30-man rosters available for each game. The proposal also outlined safety measures for health of players and staff and a modified compensation plan for players.[23][24][25]

On June 1, the MLBPA countered with a 114-game proposal, with a regular season running from June 30 to October 31, a November postseason, giving players the right to opt-out of participating, a salary deferral plan in the event the postseason has to be canceled due to a second wave of the virus, and a $100 million advance during the second spring training, among others.[26]

Owners then submitted a 76-game proposal to the players on June 8, with the regular season ending on September 27, the postseason ending in October, 75 percent prorated player salaries, and playoff pool money, among others.[27] The MLBPA responded one day later with an 89-game plan with full prorated player salaries.[28] The owners then sent a 72-game plan with 70 percent prorated player salaries, to which the MLBPA replied in a statement on June 13, "Further dialogue with the league would be futile. It's time to get back to work. Tell us when and where."[29] However, the week of June 15 saw the owners propose a 60-game season while MLBPA counter with a 70-game season,[30] which on June 19 was rejected by the owners.

Amid an increase in cases in Arizona and Florida, including positive cases among staff of the Phillies, and a Blue Jays player showing signs of symptoms, it was reported on June 19 that all spring training sites would be temporarily closed for deep cleaning, and all players would be required to test negative for COVID-19 before entering.[31] It was then reported on June 20 that almost all MLB teams had elected to re-locate their training camps back to their home cities.[32]

On June 22, hours after the MLBPA rejected the MLB's offer to play a 60-game season, MLB owners voted unanimously to impose the 60-game plan.[33] By allowing the owners to unilaterally implement such a plan without the MLBPA, both sides retained the right to file a grievance against the other for not negotiating in good faith.[34] On June 23, both sides agreed to health and safety protocols. Players reported to training camp July 1.[35] Due to concerns related to the pandemic, several players chose not to play the season.[36]

Revised 60-game schedule edit

On July 6, MLB released the revised schedule for the shortened 60-game season.[37] In the new schedule, teams played 10 games against each of their four divisional opponents in three series, with an unequal number of home games against each opponent. Each team had 20 home games for division opponents.[37]

Interleague play comprised the other 20 games of the schedule, all against the division of the opposite league, temporarily suspending the yearly rotation of which divisions play each other. Like normal seasons in which corresponding interleague divisions play each other (e.g. 2018), teams played six games against their "natural rival" and three or four games against each of the other four teams in the division.[37] However, for this year only, the Cleveland Indians were paired with the Pittsburgh Pirates instead of their normal rivals, the Cincinnati Reds, and the Detroit Tigers were paired with the Reds instead of the Pirates. This was done to reduce travel for all four teams.

The season started on July 23, with two games: New York Yankees at Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers. The remaining 26 teams opened the season on July 24.[37]

On July 23, MLB and MLBPA announced that the postseason would be an expanded 16-team playoff tournament for 2020 only, instead of the normal 10-team tournament. All first and second place teams in the six divisions would qualify for the playoffs. The final two spots in each league would go to the remaining teams with the best win–loss records. The teams in each league would be seeded by division winners (1–3), division runners-up (4–6), and best teams remaining (7–8). Seeding ties would be resolved by head-to-head record, intra-league record, and record in final 20 intra-league games, to remove the necessity for additional games. The first round of the playoffs would be a best-of-three series called the Wild Card Series, with all games to be played at the home of the higher seeded team. After that, the postseason would follow the usual pattern of five-game Division series, seven-game League Championship Series, and a seven-game World Series.[38][39]

Postponed games edit

COVID-19 edit

COVID-19 outbreaks among the Miami Marlins and St. Louis Cardinals, as well as positive tests on the Cincinnati Reds, New York Mets, Oakland Athletics, and San Francisco Giants, resulted in the postponement of a total of 40 games.

Miami received confirmation that starting pitcher José Ureña had tested positive and would not be available on July 26, but the team decided to play the third and final game of their scheduled series against the Philadelphia Phillies at the direction of Major League Baseball. After additional Miami players and coaches tested positive, MLB postponed Miami's four-game home-and-home series with the Baltimore Orioles, and Philadelphia's four-game home-and-home series with the New York Yankees, both originally scheduled from July 27 to 30.[40] In order to allow for some flexibility in making games up, the Yankees and Orioles played two games against each other in Baltimore July 29 and 30, moving them up one week from their originally scheduled dates of August 3 and 4. The Marlins later confirmed that 21 players and coaches tested positive.[41] The next series for both teams, Miami's home series against the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia's series at the Toronto Blue Jays, were postponed. Both series would have taken place from July 31 to August 2.[42]

St. Louis had six positive tests resulting in the postponement of three games at the Milwaukee Brewers from July 31 to August 2.[43] Four additional games, a home-and-home series against the Detroit Tigers originally scheduled for August 3 to 6, were also postponed after an additional seven positive tests were reported.[42] After continued positive tests throughout the next week, St. Louis's three-game series against the Chicago Cubs, originally August 7 to 9, and their three-game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates, originally August 10 to 12, were postponed. A doubleheader against Detroit on August 13 which would have been made up games from August 3 and 4 was also postponed and later canceled.[44][45]

Cincinnati had a player test positive resulting in the postponement of two games against Pittsburgh on August 15 and 16.[46] Cincinnati's game against the Kansas City Royals on August 18 was postponed as well.[47]

The New York Mets had a player and staff member test positive resulting in the postponement of their August 20 game against Miami and their three-game series against the New York Yankees on August 21 to 23.[48][49]

Oakland had a positive test resulting in the postponement of their August 30 game against the Houston Astros.[50] As a precaution, Oakland's three-game series against the Seattle Mariners on September 1 to 3 was postponed.[51]

San Francisco had a positive test resulting in the postponement of two games against the San Diego Padres originally scheduled for September 11 and 12.[52]

All postponed games were made up except for two games between the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers, with both teams completing 58 out of 60 games. This had no bearing on the playoff teams other than seeding.

Shooting of Jacob Blake edit

Player protests in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha, Wisconsin resulted in the postponement of 11 games.

The Milwaukee Brewers announced that they would not play their August 26 game against the Cincinnati Reds in the wake of the shooting, following three NBA playoff games that were postponed the same day. Two additional games were postponed that day.[53] Seven games on August 27 and one game on August 28 were also postponed.[54]

Spring training edit

Spring training for the 2020 season took place in two segments. The first segment began in late February and lasted until mid-March, abruptly ending early due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Teams began workouts and practice for spring training beginning in late February. Pitchers and catchers reported first, followed by position players a few days later.[55] Following the MLB owners unanimous vote to impose the 60-game regular season plan, the second segment of spring training began with players reporting to training camp starting July 1.[56]

Prior to the start of the regular season, each team played between 18 and 24 spring training games, from February 21 to March 12 and July 18 to July 22. There were several times during spring training where a team had two different squads playing different teams simultaneously. In addition to spring training games, teams occasionally played exhibition games with non-MLB teams, such as Minor League Baseball teams, independent teams, or college teams. These exhibition games were not counted in spring training standings. Spring training ended on July 22, the day before Opening Day.

Standings edit

Postseason edit

MLB announced the playoff bracket on September 15, consisting of eight teams from each league: the top two teams from each division, plus the teams from each league with the next two best records. The Wild Card Series was a best-of-three series at the home field of the higher-seeded team, while the Division Series, League Championship Series, and World Series were their normal lengths, played at neutral sites, similar to those used for both the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League playoffs, to limit the possibility of another COVID-19 outbreak that could both disrupt the schedule and affect competitive integrity.[57] Specifically, the American League played at the San Diego Padres' Petco Park and the Los Angeles Dodgers' Dodger Stadium, while the National League played at the Texas Rangers' Globe Life Field and the Houston Astros' Minute Maid Park, all from opposite conferences, so that no teams will play at their home ballparks in the weightiest rounds to avoid unfair advantage.[58] The World Series then took place at Globe Life Field.[59]

The Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros became the first teams to make the postseason with a record below .500 since the 1981 Royals. Both clubs went 29–31 (.483) in the regular season. The Astros became the first, and currently only, team with a record below .500 to win a playoff series, as they defeated the Minnesota Twins in the Wild Card Series and the Oakland Athletics in the Division Series, before losing the American League Championship Series to the Tampa Bay Rays. They also became the first, and currently only, team with a record below .500 to win a playoff game, as the 1981 Royals and Brewers were swept in the first rounds they played. They also became just the second team to force a game seven after being down 3–0 to the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS, joining only the Boston Red Sox who ended up completing the comeback against the New York Yankees in 2004.

Bracket edit

Wild Card Series
(ALWCS, NLWCS)
Division Series
(ALDS, NLDS)
League Championship Series
(ALCS, NLCS)
World Series
            
1 Tampa Bay 2
8 Toronto 0
1 Tampa Bay 3
5 NY Yankees 2
4 Cleveland 0
5 NY Yankees 2
1 Tampa Bay 4
American League
6 Houston 3
3 Minnesota 0
6 Houston 2
6 Houston 3
2 Oakland 1
2 Oakland 2
7 Chicago White Sox 1
AL1 Tampa Bay 2
NL1 LA Dodgers 4
1 LA Dodgers 2
8 Milwaukee 0
1 LA Dodgers 3
4 San Diego 0
4 San Diego 2
5 St. Louis 1
1 LA Dodgers 4
National League
2 Atlanta 3
3 Chicago Cubs 0
6 Miami 2
6 Miami 0
2 Atlanta 3
2 Atlanta 2
7 Cincinnati 0

Rule changes edit

Permanent changes announced prior to season edit

The following changes, effective for the 2020 season,[60][61][62] were officially announced by MLB on February 12:[63]

  • The size of the active roster expands from 25 players to 26 players, through August 31.
    • During this time, and during the postseason, clubs can carry a maximum of 13 pitchers.
    • Any team that is playing the second game of a doubleheader or a scheduled neutral-site game (such as the MLB Little League Classic) may carry a 27th player for that game only. This player can either be a position player or pitcher.
  • The size of the expanded roster in September is reduced from 40 players to 28 players.
    • During this time, clubs can carry a maximum of 14 pitchers.
    • Any team that is playing the second game of a doubleheader or a scheduled neutral-site game may carry a 29th player for that game only. This player can either be a position player or pitcher.
  • Teams must designate players as either "position players" or "pitchers" before the start of the season.
    • Only players designated as pitchers will be allowed to pitch in any regular-season or postseason game, with limited exceptions (such as one team leading by at least seven runs, or the game going into extra innings).
    • Once a position player has pitched at least 20 innings and made at least three plate appearances as a position player or designated hitter in each of 20 games, he earns the status of "two-way player" for the remainder of the season plus all of the next season. Players with this status may pitch at any time during a game. For this season only, any player who met the above requirements in either the 2018 or 2019 season qualifies for two-way status.
    • Players designated as pitchers, if placed on the injured list, must spend a minimum of 15 days on the IL prior to being eligible for activation. Position players may be activated after a minimum of 10 days on the IL. Two-way players are subject to the rules for pitchers. The seven-day minimum on the IL for concussions remains unchanged.
  • Pitchers and two-way players optioned to the minor leagues must remain there for at least 15 days before being eligible for recall to the major league club, rather than the previous 10-day minimum. The minimum option period for position players remains 10 days.
  • A pitcher must face at least three batters unless the inning ends or the pitcher is injured.
  • Managers now have up to 20 seconds to challenge a play (reduced from 30 seconds).

Additionally, Rule 7.04 governing protested games was amended to read "Protesting a game shall never be permitted, regardless of whether such complaint is based on judgement decisions by the umpire or an allegation that an umpire misapplied these rules or otherwise rendered a decision in violation of these rules."[64]

Temporary rules for shortened 2020 season edit

The following temporary rules for the shortened 2020 season were announced on June 24. Note that some of these additional changes supersede the rule changes which were announced in February.[65]

  • Each club could invite up to 60 players to its July training camp. The 60-man pool is composed of players on the 40-man roster and players currently signed to minor league contracts. Clubs were not required to include all members of their 40-man roster in the 60-man pool. The transaction freeze in place since March 27 was lifted on June 26. Only players eligible to play in the 2020 season could be invited to July camp, and only the 60 players included on the list submitted to the league office may be used by the team in regular season and postseason games for the 2020 season. If a player is added to the 60-man pool via trade, free agent signing, or other transaction, a corresponding transaction must be made to keep the total number of eligible players at 60. Players in the 60-man pool who were not on a club's 40-man roster at the start of July camp must be added to the 40-man and active rosters in the usual fashion before they may play in regular season or postseason games. Those not on the active roster train at an alternate training site.[66]
  • The designated hitter was used in both the American and National Leagues.
  • Teams could have up to 30 active players on their opening day rosters. The active roster was reduced to 28 after the first two weeks of the season. Originally, the roster was set to reduce to reduce to 26 players after four weeks, but this reduction was eliminated on August 4.[67]
  • The minimum option period for players optioned to their club's training site is 10 days for both pitchers and position players. The provision requiring pitchers to remain in the minor leagues for 15 days is not in effect this season.
  • The trade deadline was August 31 (moved from July 31).
  • To be eligible for the postseason, a player must have been added to a club's 40-man roster by September 15.
  • Clubs were permitted to carry a taxi-squad of players for away games. Originally, the squad was limited to three players. On August 4, the squad was expanded to five players. The original rule stipulated that if three players were carried, at least one had to be a catcher. It is unclear if that restriction remains under the new rule.[67]
  • In regular-season games, extra innings used the World Baseball Softball Confederation softball tiebreaker rule. Each half-inning of an extra inning automatically started with a runner on second base. The runner was the player in the batting order position immediately before the lead-off batter for the inning (or a pinch-runner, subject to the usual substitution rules). Should this runner score, it was considered an unearned run. This rule does not apply to postseason games.
  • There was a 10-day injured list for both pitchers and position players. The 60-day IL was reduced to 45 days.
  • A separate IL exists for players who test positive for, have symptoms of, or have confirmed exposure to COVID-19. There is no maximum or minimum number of days for this IL.
  • There are no limitations on eligible pitchers. The "two-way player" provisions announced in February do not apply for this season.
  • Once the game has started, the postseason rule adopted in 2009 will be in effect in case of inclement weather until it has reached official game status. The game was declared a suspended game, continuing from the point of interruption instead of completely restarting.
  • The postseason was expanded to include eight teams from each league. The first round was a best-of-three series with the better seed hosting all three games.
  • The final three rounds of postseason were to be played at neutral sites.
    • Globe Life Field and Minute Maid Park were chosen to host the National League playoffs; each stadium hosted one Division Series and Globe Life Field hosted the National League Championship Series. Spectators were permitted at Globe Life Field starting with the National League Championship Series.
    • Petco Park and Dodger Stadium were chosen to host the American League playoffs; each stadium hosted one Division Series and Petco Park hosted the American League Championship Series.
    • The World Series was held at Globe Life Field.
  • Clubs were required to have an expanded dugout in order to practice social distancing.
  • Celebrations (such as those after a walk-off hit) were socially distanced.
  • Pitchers were allowed to use wet rags.
  • In the postseason, alcohol and champagne were banned from playoff celebrations, with celebrations on the field, at least six feet apart, and not in the clubhouse.
  • No physical lineup cards were exchanged. Instead, lineups are now exchanged publicly through a push notification on the MLB app which is also pushed to fans following each team.

The following temporary rule was announced on July 30, to be effective on August 1.

  • Doubleheaders consisted of two seven-inning games, as is the case in minor leagues. One doubleheader, which was played on July 28 before the rule change, featured two nine-inning games.
    • If a suspended game resumes with the trailing team having played less than five innings, the game played after the completion of the suspended game will be seven innings.
      • However, if a game is halted after the fifth inning for a reason that enables it to be a suspended game (like a field issue or equipment failure or if the game was tied when stopped), the game played afterwards retains its nine-inning length.
    • In all cases, a suspended game retains the length (seven or nine innings) that it was scheduled for at the time it started.

Players opting out edit

Key
* Opted out after playing during the 2020 season
** Player subsequently opted back in
Players who opted out of the 2020 season[68][unreliable source?]
Player Position Team
Lorenzo Cain* Outfielder Milwaukee
Welington Castillo Catcher Washington
Yoenis Céspedes* Outfielder New York (NL)
Tim Collins Relief pitcher Colorado
Ian Desmond Outfielder Colorado
Isan Díaz** Second baseman Miami
Félix Hernández Starting pitcher Atlanta
Jordan Hicks Relief pitcher St. Louis
Michael Kopech Starting pitcher Chicago (AL)
Mike Leake Starting pitcher Arizona
Francisco Liriano Relief pitcher Free agent
Nick Markakis** Outfielder Atlanta
Shelby Miller Starting pitcher Milwaukee
Collin McHugh Starting pitcher Boston
Héctor Noesí Relief pitcher Pittsburgh
Buster Posey Catcher San Francisco
David Price Starting pitcher Los Angeles (NL)
Joe Ross Starting pitcher Washington
Tyson Ross Starting pitcher Free agent
Andrelton Simmons* Shortstop Los Angeles (AL)
Kohl Stewart Starting pitcher Baltimore
Marcus Stroman Starting pitcher New York (NL)
Mark Zagunis Outfielder Chicago (NL)
Ryan Zimmerman First baseman Washington

Managerial changes edit

General managers edit

Offseason edit

Team Former GM Reason For Leaving New GM Notes
Boston Red Sox Dave Dombrowski Fired Brian O'Halloran Dombrowski, whose title was President of Baseball Operations, was unexpectedly fired on September 9, 2019, less than one year after the Red Sox won the World Series.[69]
On October 25, 2019, the Red Sox hired the 36-year-old Chaim Bloom as Chief Baseball Officer, succeeding Dombrowski as head of their baseball operations, with Brian O'Halloran named general manager and reporting to Bloom.[70]
Pittsburgh Pirates Neal Huntington Ben Cherington Huntington was fired on October 28, 2019. Huntington had been the longest-tenured general manager in the National League, as he was hired in September 2007. The Pirates made the playoffs three times during Huntington's tenure after the 2013, 2014 and 2015 seasons.[71] Ben Cherington was hired as the new general manager of the Pirates on November 18, 2019.[72]
Houston Astros Jeff Luhnow James Click On January 13, Luhnow was suspended for the 2020 season after the Houston Astros were involved an investigation over the use of technology to steal signs during their 2017 championship season. He was then fired by the Astros organization.[73] James Click was named the new GM on February 3. He has spent the past 14 years in the Tampa Bay Rays front office.[74]

Field managers edit

Offseason edit

Team Former manager Interim manager Reason for leaving New manager Notes
San Diego Padres Andy Green Rod Barajas Fired Jayce Tingler On September 21, 2019, Green was fired after four seasons with a record of 274–366 (.428) with no playoff appearances. Bench coach Rod Barajas was named the interim manager of the Padres for the rest of the season.[75]

Tingler was named the new manager on October 28, 2019. Tingler had spent the previous five years in the Texas Rangers organization as a coach and a front office executive.[76]

San Francisco Giants Bruce Bochy N/A Retired Gabe Kapler On February 18, 2019, Bochy announced he would retire following the conclusion of the 2019 season after 13 seasons. He led the Giants to three World Series championships in four playoff appearances. Bochy finished his Giants career with a 1052–1054 (.500) record.[77]

On November 12, 2019, Gabe Kapler, who managed the Philadelphia Phillies for the past two seasons, was announced as the new manager.[78]

Kansas City Royals Ned Yost Mike Matheny On September 23, 2019, Yost announced that he would retire at the end of the 2019 season. He led the Royals to consecutive World Series appearances in 2014 and 2015, winning the championship in 2015. He had been the manager since May 2010. Yost finished his career in Kansas City with a 746–839 (.471) record.[79]

On October 31, 2019, Mike Matheny, who spent last season as the special advisor to Royals general manager Dayton Moore, was named the new manager of the Kansas City Royals. Matheny managed the St. Louis Cardinals from 2012 through mid-July 2018. He had a career record of 591–474 (.555). He led the Cardinals to the postseason in his first four seasons as manager and won the National League pennant in 2013.[80][81]

Chicago Cubs Joe Maddon Contract not renewed David Ross On September 29, 2019, the Cubs announced that they would not offer Maddon a contract extension following this season. He led the Cubs to four playoff appearances in five years, including the 2016 World Series championship, the Cubs' first since 1908. Maddon finished his tenure with the Cubs with a record of 471–339 (.581).[82]

Ross, who was a member of the 2016 World Series winning team under Maddon, was named as his replacement on October 24, 2019. Ross spent the last three seasons as the special assistant to baseball operations for the team as well as a baseball analyst for ESPN.[83]

Pittsburgh Pirates Clint Hurdle Fired Derek Shelton On September 29, 2019, the Pirates announced that they dismissed Hurdle after nine seasons with a record of 735–720 (.505) with three playoff appearances.[84]

On November 27, 2019, Shelton, who spent the previous two seasons as the bench coach for the Minnesota Twins, was named the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates.[85] He also spent time as a hitting coach for the Cleveland Indians from 2005 to 2009 and a hitting coach for the Tampa Bay Rays from 2010 to 2016 while also serving as a quality control coach for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017.[86]

Los Angeles Angels Brad Ausmus Joe Maddon On September 30, 2019, Ausmus was fired after one season with a record of 72–90 (.444). Ausmus served as a special assistant to the Angels general manager Billy Eppler in the 2018 season.[87]

Maddon was hired by the Angels on October 16, 2019.[88] Maddon had spent 31 years in the Angels organization (12 years as a coach) before managing the Tampa Bay Rays for nine years and the Chicago Cubs for five years.

New York Mets Mickey Callaway Carlos Beltrán On October 3, 2019, Callaway was fired after two seasons with a record of 163–161 (.503) with no playoff appearances.[89]

On November 1, 2019, Carlos Beltrán, who played for the team from 2005 to the middle of the 2011 season, was named the new manager of the team. Beltrán was a special adviser to the New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman last season.[90]

Carlos Beltrán Mutual Decision Luis Rojas On January 16, Beltran and the Mets agreed to part ways before managing a game for the Mets, in light of his reported involvement in the Astros using cameras to steal signs.[91]

The Mets hired Rojas on January 22. He has spent the last 13 years in the Mets organization.[92]

Philadelphia Phillies Gabe Kapler Fired Joe Girardi On October 10, 2019, Kapler was fired after two seasons with a record of 161–163 (.497) with no playoff appearances.[93]

Girardi, who served as a baseball analyst for the MLB Network the last two seasons, was hired as new manager on October 24, 2019. Girardi previously managed the Florida Marlins for the 2006 season and the New York Yankees from 2008 to 2017.[94]

Houston Astros A. J. Hinch Dusty Baker On January 13, Hinch was suspended by MLB for the 2020 season as part of an investigation against the Astros using hidden cameras to steal signs during their 2017 championship season; he was fired by the Astros shortly after the suspension was announced. Hinch had a regular season record of 481–329 (.594) with a total of four postseason appearances compiling a record of 28–22 (.560), two World Series appearances, and a World Series championship in 2017, throughout his tenure as Astros manager.[73]

On January 29, the Astros hired Dusty Baker to replace Hinch. He managed the San Francisco Giants from 1993 to 2002, the Chicago Cubs from 2003 to 2006, the Cincinnati Reds from 2008 to 2013, and the Washington Nationals during the 2016 and 2017 seasons. His overall managerial record is 1863–1636 (.532) in the regular season, and 23–32 (.418) in the playoffs, losing the 2002 World Series.

Boston Red Sox Alex Cora Ron Roenicke Mutual Decision Ron Roenicke On January 14, the Red Sox and Cora officially agreed to part ways with each other after two seasons. Cora had been under investigation by MLB over the Houston Astros' use of hidden cameras to steal signs during that team's 2017 championship season (while Cora was the bench coach) as well as under investigation of allegations that the Red Sox engaged in impermissible electronic sign stealing in 2018 (while Cora was the manager). In his two seasons as Red Sox manager, he compiled a record of 192–132 (.593), winning the 2018 World Series.[95]

Roenicke was promoted from bench coach to interim manager on February 11. A longtime coach, his only managerial experience was with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2011 to 2015, compiling a record of 342–331 (.508), with one playoff appearance and a 5–6 (.455) record in the postseason.[96] On April 22, the "interim" tag was removed from Roenicke's title, following MLB's findings about the 2018 Red Sox, which focused on the team's video replay operator.[97]

In-season edit

Team Former manager Interim manager Reason for leaving New manager Notes
Detroit Tigers Ron Gardenhire Lloyd McClendon Retired A. J. Hinch On September 19, Gardenhire announced his immediate retirement due to health concerns. Lloyd McClendon was named interim manager for the rest of the season. Gardenhire finished his almost three-year tenure with a 132–241 (.354) record and no playoff appearances.[98]

League leaders edit

American League edit

National League edit

Milestones edit

Batters edit

  • Aaron Judge (NYY):
    • Became the first player in Major League history to hit five go-ahead home runs in his team's first eight games.[99]
  • Mookie Betts (LAD):
    • With his three-homer game against the San Diego Padres on August 13, Betts tied the Major League record for most career three-homer games at six. He joins Sammy Sosa and Johnny Mize as the only other players to accomplish this feat.[100]
  • Luis Garcia (WSH):
    • Became the first Major League player born in the 2000s to hit a home run. He accomplished this feat on August 17 against the Atlanta Braves.[101]
  • José Abreu (CWS):
    • Abreu hit home runs in four consecutive at-bats over two days to tie the Major League record. Abreu hit home runs in his last three at-bats on August 22 against the Chicago Cubs and then connected on his first at-bat on August 23. Abreu's feat was the 43rd in league history.[102]
  • Ian Happ / Jason Heyward / Kyle Schwarber (CHC):
    • All three outfielders each hit two home runs on August 30 against the Cincinnati Reds. This was the first time in Major League history that a starting outfield trio had multi-homers in the same game.[103]
  • Brandon Crawford / Alex Dickerson / Donovan Solano (SF):
    • Became the first trio of teammates to record at least six RBIs in a single game since 1920 (when RBIs became a stat) on September 1 against the Colorado Rockies.[104]
  • Marcell Ozuna / Adam Duvall (ATL):
    • With Ozuna's three-homer game on September 1 and Duvall's on September 2, they became the first pair of teammates to ever produce three-homer performances in consecutive games. Both games were against the Boston Red Sox.[105]
  • Yadier Molina (STL):
    • Recorded his 2,000th career hit with a single in the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on September 24. He became the 288th player to reach this mark.[106]
  • Juan Soto (WSH):
    • Became the youngest player to win the National League batting title with a .351 average.[107]
  • DJ LeMahieu (NYY):
    • Became the second player in Major League history to win a batting title in both leagues. LeMahieu won the title with the Colorado Rockies during the 2016 season. Hall-of-Famer Ed Delahanty also accomplished this feat.[108]
  • DJ LeMahieu / Luke Voit (NYY):
    • Became the first pair of teammates to lead their league in batting average and home runs since Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews in 1959. LeMahieu recorded a batting average of .364, while Voit hit 22 home runs.[108]
  • Alex Kirilloff (MIN):
    • Made his Major League debut against the Houston Astros on September 30 during the Wild Card Series. This marks the first time a player has made his debut by starting a postseason game.[109]
  • Josh Naylor (CLE):
    • Became the first player in Major League history to record a hit in each of his first five postseason plate appearances. Naylor went 4-for-4 in Game 1 against the New York Yankees and doubled in his first at-bat in Game 2, but then flied out in his next at-bat to end the streak.[110]
  • Tim Anderson (CWS):
    • Became the first player in Major League history to record at least three hits in his first three postseason games against the Oakland Athletics in the American League Wild Card Series. Anderson is one of two player in history to have three hits in three consecutive postseason games as Lou Brock accomplished this in the 1968 World Series.[111]
  • Wil Myers / Fernando Tatis Jr. (SD):
    • Myers and Tatis Jr. became the second pair of teammates in Major League history to each hit two home runs in a postseason game in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series against the St. Louis Cardinals on October 1. They join Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig who did this in the 1932 World Series.[112]
  • Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL):
    • The 22-year-old became the youngest player to hit a leadoff homer in the postseason against the Miami Marlins in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on October 6.[113]
  • Will Smith (LAD):
    • With his five-hit performance on October 8 in Game 3 against the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series, Smith became the youngest player in Major League postseason history to accomplish this feat. This was also the ninth time that a five-hit game was achieved in a postseason game.[114]
  • Randy Arozarena (TB):
    • Hit his seventh home run of the postseason in Game 7 against the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series (ALCS) which set a Major League record for most home runs in the postseason by a rookie. Arozarena also won the Most Valuable Player of the ALCS and became the first rookie position player to receive the honor.[115]

Pitchers edit

No-hitters edit

  • Lucas Giolito (CWS):
    • Threw his first career no-hitter, and the 19th in franchise history, by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 4–0 on August 25. Giolito struck out 13 and walked one, throwing 74 of his 101 pitches for strikes.[116]
  • Alec Mills (CHC):
    • Threw his first career no-hitter, and the 16th in franchise history, by defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 12–0 on September 13. Mills struck out five and walked three, throwing 114 pitches with 74 of them being strikes.[117]

Other pitching accomplishments edit

  • Shane Bieber (CLE):
    • Tied the Major League record for most strikeouts in his first two starts of a season after his performance against the Minnesota Twins on July 30. His 27 strikeouts tied the record that was set in 1954 by Karl Spooner of the Brooklyn Dodgers.[118]
    • Set the modern Major League record (since 1900) for starters for the fewest innings to record 100 strikeouts, doing so in 6213 innings. The previous record was 63, set by Max Scherzer in 2018.[119]
  • Tyler Alexander (DET):
    • Set the Major League record for relievers and tied the American League record for any pitcher by recording nine consecutive strikeouts against the Cincinnati Reds on August 2. He tied the American League record set by starter Doug Fister during the 2012 season.[120]
  • Rick Porcello (NYM):
    • Recorded his 150th career win with a victory against the Washington Nationals on August 5. He became the 263rd player to reach this mark.[121]
  • Zac Gallen (AZ):
    • Set the Major League record for most consecutive starts starting a career giving up three earned runs or less in each game at 22 with his outing on August 28 against the San Francisco Giants. He broke the record that was set by Aaron Sele.[122] His streak came to an end at 23 games after giving up four earned runs on September 7 against the San Francisco Giants.[123]
  • Josh Hader (MIL):
    • With his hitless appearance on September 2 against the Detroit Tigers, Hader set a Major League record with his 12th straight hitless game to start a season. This broke the record that was held by Justin Wilson in 2017, Scott Aldred in 1999 and John Franco in 1987.[124] Hader's streak ended the next game when Oscar Mercado doubled to lead off the inning on September 5.[125]
  • Clayton Kershaw (LAD):
    • Recorded his 2,500th career strikeout on September 3 against the Arizona Diamondbacks when he struck out Nick Ahmed in the third inning. He became the 39th player, and third-youngest, to reach this mark.[126]

Miscellaneous edit

  • Toronto Blue Jays:
    • Became the first team in Major League history to lose a game in which they recorded at least 18 hits and seven home runs on August 12 against the Miami Marlins.[127]
  • Chicago White Sox:
    • Hit four consecutive home runs against the St. Louis Cardinals on August 16, tying the Major League record. This was the second time in White Sox history and tenth in Major League history. The group of Yoan Moncada, Yasmani Grandal, José Abreu and Eloy Jiménez accomplished this feat, with all four home runs hit off Roel Ramírez in his debut. The White Sox also had four consecutive home runs on August 14, 2008, against the Kansas City Royals.[128]
    • Became the first team in Major League history to hit back-to-back home runs to lead off the game twice off the same pitcher in the same season. On August 12, Tim Anderson and Eloy Jiménez hit the leadoff back-to-back home runs against Matthew Boyd of the Detroit Tigers. Then on August 17, Anderson and Yoan Moncada hit the leadoff home runs.[129]
    • Became the first team in Major League history to go undefeated against left-handed pitchers with a record of 14–0.[130]
  • San Diego Padres:
    • Became the first team in Major League history to hit at least one grand slam in each of four consecutive games from August 17 to 20. All such grand slams were made against the Texas Rangers.[131]
  • Joe Girardi (PHI):
    • Recorded his 1,000th win as a manager when the Phillies defeated the Washington Nationals on August 26. Girardi became the 65th manager to reach this mark. He did so in 1,808 games.[132]
  • Los Angeles Dodgers:
    • Set the National League record for most home runs in a month by hitting their 57th during August against the Texas Rangers on August 30.[133]
    • Set the Major League record for most runs in a single inning in a postseason game by scoring 11 runs in the first inning of Game 3 of the 2020 National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves on October 14.[134]
  • Atlanta Braves:
    • Set a National League record for runs scored in a game in the modern era (since 1900) with a 29–9 win over the Miami Marlins on September 9. The Braves broke the record of 28 that was set in 1929 by the St. Louis Cardinals.[135] Among these runs, 18 were home runs, tying the Major League record.[136]
    • Set the Major League record for consecutive scoreless innings to begin a postseason series at 22 innings with their 13-inning Game 1 shutout and Game 2 series-clinching shutout.[137]
  • New York Yankees:
    • Became the first team in Major League history with six or more home runs in three consecutive games from September 15 to 17 against the Toronto Blue Jays. Their 19 home runs in that same span is also a record.[138]
  • Dusty Baker (HOU):
    • With the Astros making it to the postseason, Baker became the first manager in Major League history to lead five different teams to the playoffs.[139]
  • Cincinnati Reds / Atlanta Braves:
    • The Reds–Braves Game 1 scoreless duel through 12 innings set a Major League record for the longest postseason game without either team scoring a run. It broke the record of ten innings that was achieved on four separate occasions.[140]
  • New York Yankees / Cleveland Indians:
    • Game 2 of their American League Wild Card Series on September 30, which the Yankees won 10–9, lasted four hours and 50 minutes (not counting the two rain delays), making it the longest nine-inning game in Major League history.[141]
  • Tampa Bay Rays:
    • Set a Major League postseason record of strikeouts in a nine-inning game by fanning 18 New York Yankees in Game 2 of their American League Division Series on October 6.[142]
  • Houston Astros / Oakland Athletics:
    • Set the Major League record for most postseason home runs in a series of five games or fewer by hitting 24 in their American League Division Series.[143] Each team hit 12 home runs, also a division series record.[144]
  • Houston Astros:
    • Became the first team in postseason history to hit a leadoff home run and walk-off home run in the same game, with the former hit by George Springer and the latter by Carlos Correa. They beat the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series.[145]
    • Became the second team in Major League History to force a Game 7 after losing the first three games. Houston lost the first three games of the ALCS to the Tampa Bay Rays, before forcing Game 7. The 2004 Boston Red Sox accomplished this in the ALCS against the New York Yankees and won Game 7.[146] However, the Astros were not able to duplicate the Red Sox.[147]

Awards and honors edit

Regular season edit

Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards
BBWAA Award National League American League
Rookie of the Year Devin Williams (MIL) Kyle Lewis (SEA)
Cy Young Award Trevor Bauer (CIN) Shane Bieber (CLE)
Manager of the Year Don Mattingly (MIA) Kevin Cash (TB)
Most Valuable Player Freddie Freeman (ATL) José Abreu (CWS)
Gold Glove Awards
Position National League American League
Pitcher Max Fried (ATL) Griffin Canning (LAA)
Catcher Tucker Barnhart (CIN) Roberto Pérez (CLE)
1st Base Anthony Rizzo (CHC) Evan White (SEA)
2nd Base Kolten Wong (STL) César Hernández (CLE)
3rd Base Nolan Arenado (COL) Isiah Kiner-Falefa (TEX)
Shortstop Javier Báez (CHC) J. P. Crawford (SEA)
Left field Tyler O'Neill (STL) Alex Gordon (KC)
Center field Trent Grisham (SD) Luis Robert (CWS)
Right field Mookie Betts (LAD) Joey Gallo (TEX)
Silver Slugger Awards
Designated Hitter Marcell Ozuna (ATL) Nelson Cruz (MIN)
Catcher Travis d'Arnaud (ATL) Salvador Pérez (KC)
1st Base Freddie Freeman (ATL) Jose Abreu (CWS)
2nd Base Donovan Solano (SF) DJ LeMahieu (NYY)
3rd Base Manny Machado (SD) José Ramírez (CLE)
Shortstop Fernando Tatís Jr. (SD) Tim Anderson (CWS)
Outfield Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL)
Mookie Betts (LAD)
Juan Soto (WSH)
Teoscar Hernández (TOR)
Eloy Jiménez (CWS)
Mike Trout (LAA)

All-MLB Team edit

Players are selected through fan votes (50%) and votes from a panel of experts (50%). The winners are selected based on merit, with no set number of nominees per position and no distinction between leagues.[148]

Other awards edit

Fielding Bible Awards[149]
Position Player
Pitcher Max Fried
Catcher Roberto Pérez
1st Base Matt Olson
2nd Base Kolten Wong
3rd Base Nolan Arenado
Shortstop Javier Báez
Left Field Tyler O'Neill
Center Field Kevin Kiermaier
Right Field Mookie Betts
Multi-position Kiké Hernández

Monthly awards edit

Payroll edit

Team name Wins Est. payroll
New York Yankees[150] 33 -68.0% $218,635,714 -4.3%
Houston Astros[151] 29 -72.9% $217,000,000 30.7%
Los Angeles Dodgers[152] 43 -59.4% $216,508,333 11.9%
Chicago Cubs[153] 34 -59.5% $181,560,000 -17.6%
Los Angeles Angels[154] 26 -63.9% $181,254,762 14.7%
Washington Nationals[155] 26 -72.0% $172,237,283 -15.2%
Boston Red Sox[156] 24 -71.4% $171,984,429 -21.5%
Philadelphia Phillies[157] 28 -65.4% $170,148,461 20.0%
New York Mets[158] 26 -69.8% $162,078,667 4.7%
St. Louis Cardinals[159] 30 -67.0% $153,396,167 -4.8%
San Francisco Giants[160] 29 -62.3% $152,957,778 -12.8%
Colorado Rockies[161] 26 -63.4% $144,730,000 -0.4%
San Diego Padres[162] 37 -47.1% $141,953,667 57.3%
Minnesota Twins[163] 36 -64.4% $134,838,333 18.5%
Atlanta Braves[164] 35 -63.9% $130,705,000 -1.9%
Texas Rangers[165] 22 -71.8% $122,326,667 17.1%
Cincinnati Reds[166] 31 -58.7% $120,781,165 10.1%
Chicago White Sox[167] 35 -51.4% $119,066,333 47.3%
Milwaukee Brewers[168] 29 -67.4% $103,541,667 -19.6%
Cleveland Indians[169] 35 -62.4% $101,991,668 -32.6%
Seattle Mariners[170] 27 -60.3% $92,310,000 -27.2%
Detroit Tigers[171] 23 -51.1% $88,385,000 -12.2%
Arizona Diamondbacks[172] 25 -70.6% $88,176,667 -28.9%
Oakland Athletics[157] 36 -62.9% $85,683,333 -16.8%
Toronto Blue Jays[173] 32 -52.2% $76,078,572 22.4%
Kansas City Royals[174] 26 -55.9% $68,600,000 -30.1%
Miami Marlins[175] 31 -45.6% $68,450,000 -8.3%
Tampa Bay Rays[176] 40 -58.3% $56,351,667 -1.3%
Baltimore Orioles[177] 25 -53.7% $52,190,000 -36.9%
Pittsburgh Pirates[178] 19 -72.5% $49,628,500 -31.9%

Uniforms edit

On January 25, 2019, MLB announced that Nike would become the new exclusive uniform supplier for all MLB teams, under a 10-year deal beginning in 2020. Fanatics would oversee production of on-field and retail MLB uniforms licensed by Nike. Under Armour backed out of its existing supply agreement as a cost-cutting measure.[179][180]

Anniversaries and special events edit

Team Special occasion
All Teams #42 patch for Jackie Robinson Day (scheduled for April 15; tribute converted to virtual experience on MLB.com/MLB Network; held August 28)[181]
100th anniversary of the Negro leagues (August 16)
Gold Ribbons for childhood cancer (August 28)
Patches for Black Lives Matter (Opening Day)
Chicago White Sox "Farmio" patch in memory of radio broadcaster and former pitcher Ed Farmer
Detroit #6 patch in memory of Al Kaline[182]
Kansas City "DG" patch in memory of former owner David Glass
Milwaukee 50th Anniversary in Milwaukee
Minnesota 60th season in the Twin Cities
"RC" patch in memory of Minor League player Ryan Costello (July 24)
New York Mets #41 patch in memory of Tom Seaver
New York Yankees "HGS" patch in memory of Hank Steinbrenner
#16 patch in memory of Whitey Ford (October 9)
St. Louis #20 patch in memory of Lou Brock
San Francisco "20 at 24" 20th anniversary of Oracle Park (24 refers to the address of the park, 24 Willie Mays Plaza)
Texas First season at Globe Life Field
Toronto #1 patch in memory of Tony Fernández
Washington 2019 World Series championship (July 23, initially scheduled for April 2)

Wholesale changes

Arizona tweaked their uniforms, including removing the darker away uniforms and the diamond pattern on the uniforms.[183]

Cincinnati added a new alternate jersey and a new spring training jersey.[184]

Milwaukee introduced new uniforms, including a return to the ball-in-glove logo used as their primary logo from 1978 to 1993. They also switched out their gold color to yellow.[185]

Minnesota added a new alternate uniform, utilizing its powder blue 1973–1986 road uniform design.[186]

Pittsburgh brought back the script "Pittsburgh" from the 1990s on new alternate and road uniforms, along with a gold outlined "P" on their caps.[187]

Texas introduced a new powder blue jersey along with a powder blue hat. It also changed the "Texas" wordmark to "Rangers" wordmark on the white jersey and revealed a new red hat with the state of Texas on it with "TX."[188]

Toronto added a new alternate based on its 1979–1988 powder blue road jerseys.[189]

Washington added two new alternate hats and one alternate white jersey.[190]

San Diego changed its primary colors from navy blue to brown and gold, the team's primary colors from 1969 to 1984.[191]

St. Louis made changes to its logo as it appears on the caps.[192]

Throwbacks

The Cardinals and Royals wore Negro leagues throwbacks September 22. The Cardinals wore 1930 St. Louis Stars uniforms, and the Royals wore 1945 Kansas City Monarchs uniforms.[193]


Venues edit

This is the Texas Rangers' first season at Globe Life Field, replacing Globe Life Park in Arlington where they played from 1994 to 2019. Their first game was July 24 against the Colorado Rockies.[194]

The Miami Marlins converted Marlins Park from a natural grass surface to Shaw Sports B1K artificial turf and the field's fences will be moved in closer.[195]

The Atlanta Braves' SunTrust Park was renamed Truist Park after SunTrust Banks merged with BB&T Bank to make Truist Financial.[196]

Temporary relocation of the Toronto Blue Jays edit

On July 18, the Canadian federal government denied the Toronto Blue Jays exceptions to the Quarantine Act to play regular season home games at Rogers Centre this season. Although they were allowed to conduct training camp with stricter protocols than those mandated by MLB, Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Marco Mendicino cited that repeated cross-border travel by players would carry a major risk due to the higher number of COVID-19 cases in the U.S.[197] Mendicino did not rule out the permission being granted for postseason games, depending on the status of the pandemic in the U.S. by then, however the Blue Jays would not have any home postseason games.

On July 20, the Pittsburgh Pirates offered the use of PNC Park as a site for Blue Jays home games.[198][199] However, health officials in Pennsylvania denied permission for this arrangement, citing concerns over additional travel to and from Pittsburgh amid an increase in local cases.[200]

On July 24, the Blue Jays announced that they would play the majority of their home games at Sahlen Field in Buffalo, New York, home of the Jays' AAA affiliate, the Buffalo Bisons.[201][202][203] The Jays' first game in Buffalo was August 11 against the Miami Marlins. The Jays' first two home series against the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies were relocated to the visiting teams' venues, Nationals Park and Citizens Bank Park, respectively, with the Jays as designated home team.[201][203][204] However, the Phillies series was postponed and made up in Buffalo.[205]

Broadcast rights edit

Television edit

National edit

This is the seventh year of the current eight-year deals with Fox, ESPN, and TBS. Fox was to televise the MLB at Field of Dreams game on August 13. FS1 televised games on Tuesday nights and on Saturdays both during the afternoon and night. ESPN televised games on its flagship telecast Sunday Night Baseball as well as Monday and Wednesday nights. Fox and ESPN Sunday Night Baseball telecasts were exclusive; all other national telecasts were subject to local blackout.

TBS televised one AL Wild Card Series, both American League Division Series matchups and the American League Championship Series. ESPN televised seven of the eight Wild Card Series with live look-ins and alternate broadcasts on ESPN+.[206][207][208] On September 28, it was announced that ABC would broadcast at least four of ESPN's Wild Card Series games, marking the first time a national MLB game had aired on the network since 1995 (via the ill-fated The Baseball Network arrangement).[209] FS1 and MLB Network will televise both National League Division Series matchups. Fox and FS1 televised the National League Championship Series, and the World Series was on Fox for the 21st straight year.

Local edit

  • In Chicago, new television deals resulted in the end of free-to-air regional telecasts for the city's two franchises. In February, the Cubs launched the team-owned Marquee Sports Network, a joint venture with Sinclair Broadcast Group. The White Sox signed exclusively with NBC Sports Chicago under a multi-year deal.[210][211][212]
  • In November 2019, MLB owners voted unanimously to revert "certain in-market digital [streaming] rights" to the teams themselves.[213][214]
  • On April 1, the Los Angeles Dodgers' Spectrum SportsNet LA reached a carriage deal with AT&T (covering AT&T TV, U-verse, and DirecTV), concluding a seven-year impasse that had hindered the network's local availability.[215]
  • Long-time Cincinnati Reds television play-by-play announcer Thom Brennaman resigned on September 26 after he was caught using a homophobic slur in a game on August 19 against the Kansas City Royals.[216][217] Sideline host Jim Day took over Brennaman's duties for the rest of the season, beginning August 20.

Radio edit

National edit

Local edit

  • The Oakland Athletics were briefly the first MLB team to abandon terrestrial radio in their primary market in favor of internet radio; the team initially carried games on TuneIn via the "A's Cast" channel, with plans for some games to be aired without commercial interruptions. The decision was prompted by competition with other local sports teams for time on stations, resulting in frequent pre-emptions and lowered priorities, and conflicts with regular station programming. The broadcasts were still carried on some terrestrial radio stations outside the Bay Area (with the closest being Sacramento's KHTK).[218][219] However, on July 30, 2020, it was reported that the team had backed out of the arrangement and signed with iHeartMedia to make 960 KNEW the team's flagship station (with its streaming platform shifting to iHeartRadio), beginning July 31. Team president Dave Kaval cited people having become "budget-conscious" due to the pandemic as having influenced the decision.[220]
  • Entercom's KMNB/Minneapolis will join WCCO as the FM flagship for the Minnesota Twins in an extension of rights until the 2023 season.[221]
  • Chicago White Sox radio play-by-play announcer Ed Farmer, a former pitcher for the team who had been part of the team's radio broadcast staff since 1991, died on April 1 after a long-term battle with polycystic kidney disease.[222] On June 30, the team and its radio network named Andy Masur (the former pre-game host) as Farmer's successor.[223]

Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on production edit

 
Cutout images of Washington Nationals fans placed in Nationals Park seats in August 2020

In order to reduce avoidable travel and the amount of personnel on-site for each game, most MLB broadcasters commentated away games remotely from either their broadcaster's studio, or their home stadium's broadcast booths. MLB safety protocols mandated remote broadcasts for away games on television, but radio broadcasters were allowed to be present on-site for away games if they so chose.[224] Some teams had their commentators on-site for home games only, and called away games from their studio.[225][226]

Furthermore, the home team's local television rightsholder served as the host broadcaster for each game, providing a neutral video feed to media partners (including the away team's local rightsholder, and in some cases, a national broadcaster), which added commentary, graphics, and other surrounding coverage for their audience.[227][228] MLB Network assisted with providing and using existing infrastructure for this arrangement.[229] Audio from Sony Interactive Entertainment's MLB: The Show video game franchise was used as artificial crowd noise for all games, and was played over the stadiums' audio systems on-site.[228]

Fox announced plans to use augmented reality "virtual fans" in its games,[230] while ESPN leveraged experience from its remote broadcasts of KBO League games over the suspended pre-season.[231][232]

The pandemic also led to changes in broadcast arrangements for several teams:

  • Due to health risks, the Baltimore Orioles announced that Gary Thorne and Jim Palmer could not call its games for MASN this season.[233] Local sports radio personality Scott Garceau replaced Thorne on play-by-play; in 2021, the team would not renew the contracts of Thorne, Palmer, or analysts Mike Bordick and Rick Dempsey, with Garceau remaining part of the revamped team.[234]
  • Sportsnet's Toronto Blue Jays color commentator Pat Tabler (who is a U.S. citizen) took on a reduced analyst role this season, leaving the team's alternate commentary team of Dan Shulman (play-by-play) and Buck Martinez (color; he normally performs play-by-play on games where Shulman is not present) for all regular-season games.[225][235] Due to his commitments to ESPN Radio coverage, Shulman was replaced by Joe Siddall for Toronto's Wild Card Series games.[236]
  • Prior to the pandemic, the San Francisco Giants and NBC Sports Bay Area had already planned to have color commentator Mike Krukow broadcast 22 NL West road games remotely from the network's studios (with his play-by-play partner Duane Kuiper commentating on-site as normal) to accommodate his inclusion body myositis, which had made him unfit to travel. The need for this arrangement was ultimately rendered moot, with Krukow and Kuiper calling all Giants' games together from booths at Oracle Park.[224][237]
  • On July 31, Texas Rangers radio voice Matt Hicks tested positive for COVID-19. His partner Eric Nadel subsequently opted out from broadcasting that weekend's games.[238] After television voice C. J. Nitkowski tested positive in mid-September, Fox Sports Southwest switched to using a simulcast of the radio broadcast.[239]

Retirements edit

The following players retired during the 2020 season and before the start of 2021 campaign:

Retired numbers edit

Due to the delayed start of the season caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, the following retirement ceremonies have been postponed. They had been rescheduled to either 2021 or 2022.

Player No. Team Original Date New Date Ref
Larry Walker 33 Colorado Rockies April 19 September 25, 2021 [267]
Dave Stewart 34 Oakland Athletics May 23 September 11, 2022 [268]
Roy Halladay 34 Philadelphia Phillies May 29 August 8, 2021 [269]
Jerry Koosman 36 New York Mets June 13 August 28, 2021 [270]
Will Clark 22 San Francisco Giants July 11 July 30, 2022 [271]
Lou Whitaker 1 Detroit Tigers August 29 August 6, 2022 [272]

Major League Baseball teams revenue losses for 2020 edit

For 2020 Team Marketing Report calculated $5 billion in game day losses for Major League Baseball as a result of not having fans in attendance.[273]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ Feinsand, Mark (March 12, 2020). "Opening Day delayed at least 2 weeks; Spring Training games canceled". MLB.com. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  2. ^ Feinsand, Mark (March 16, 2020). "Opening of regular season to be pushed back". MLB.com. Retrieved March 17, 2020.
  3. ^ Baccellieri, Emma. "'Summer Camp' Is Here–But MLB's Calendar Is Shattered". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved July 20, 2020.
  4. ^ Matt Johnson (July 3, 2020). "Major League Baseball cancels 2020 All-Star Game". Sportsnaut. Retrieved July 3, 2020.
  5. ^ "Blue Jays settle on Sahlen Field after clock runs out on Baltimore bid". Sportsnet.ca. July 24, 2020. Retrieved August 26, 2020.
  6. ^ Desk, Post Sports (June 24, 2020). "MLB 2020 season is officially a go". New York Post. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  7. ^ "2020 MLB schedule released with Yankees-Nationals, Giants-Dodgers set for opening night". ESPN. July 6, 2020.
  8. ^ "MLB announces 2020 postseason schedule". MLB.com.
  9. ^ . Yahoo! Sports. Archived from the original on June 25, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  10. ^ "MLB announces 60-game season for 2020; Opening Day will be July 23 or 24". CBSSports.com. June 24, 2020. Retrieved June 24, 2020.
  11. ^ "MLB cancels Cubs-Cardinals London series in June". ESPN.com. April 1, 2020. Retrieved April 1, 2020.
  12. ^ "Red Sox, O's to play in '20 Little League Classic". MLB.com. August 7, 2019. Retrieved August 27, 2019.
  13. ^ "Little League World Series canceled for first time because of coronavirus". ESPN.com. April 30, 2020. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  14. ^ Pope, LaMond (August 3, 2020). "'Field of Dreams' game with the White Sox and Cardinals reportedly is canceled because of logistical problems". chicagotribune.com. Retrieved August 3, 2020.
  15. ^ Martin, Jill. "MLB's 'Field of Dreams' game in Iowa postponed to 2021 because of coronavirus". CNN. Retrieved August 4, 2020.
  16. ^ Cotillo, Chris (March 26, 2020). "Coronavirus: MLB, MLBPA reach deal, giving players full service time in 2020 and significantly reducing draft". masslive.com. Retrieved March 27, 2020.
  17. ^ "FAQ: After coronavirus shutdown, what will baseball look like in 2020?". sports.yahoo.com. March 20, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
  18. ^ "What the 2020 MLB season could look like once (if?) it gets going". ESPN.com. March 19, 2020. Retrieved June 25, 2020.
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2020, major, league, baseball, season, this, article, about, only, information, baseball, 2020, baseball, began, july, ended, september, with, only, games, amidst, covid, pandemic, full, game, regular, season, planned, begin, march, pandemic, caused, major, le. This article is about the 2020 Major League Baseball season only For information on all of baseball see 2020 in baseball The 2020 Major League Baseball season began on July 23 and ended on September 27 with only 60 games amidst the COVID 19 pandemic The full 162 game regular season was planned to begin on March 26 but the pandemic caused Major League Baseball MLB to announce on March 12 that the remainder of spring training was canceled and that the start of the regular season would be delayed by at least two weeks 1 On March 16 MLB announced that the season would be postponed indefinitely following recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention CDC to restrict events of more than 50 people 2 This was the first time that MLB games had been put on hold since the 2001 season when the season was paused for over a week after the September 11 attacks 2020 MLB seasonLeagueMajor League BaseballSportBaseballDurationJuly 23 October 27 2020Number of games60Number of teams30TV partner s Fox FS1 TBS ESPN MLB NetworkDraftTop draft pickSpencer TorkelsonPicked byDetroit TigersRegular seasonSeason MVPAL Jose Abreu CWS NL Freddie Freeman ATL PostseasonAL championsTampa Bay Rays AL runners upHouston AstrosNL championsLos Angeles Dodgers NL runners upAtlanta BravesWorld SeriesChampionsLos Angeles Dodgers Runners upTampa Bay RaysWorld Series MVPCorey Seager LAD MLB seasons 20192021 Spring training resumed on July 1 and was rebranded as Summer Camp 3 On July 3 the All Star Game was canceled because of the delay to the regular season Dodger Stadium which was set to host the game went on to host the 2022 All Star Game 4 On July 18 the Canadian federal government denied permission for the Toronto Blue Jays to play their home games at Rogers Centre in 2020 on grounds that repeated cross border trips by both the Blue Jays and their opponents would be a major risk due to the higher spikes in COVID 19 cases in the U S compared to those in Canada The Blue Jays then chose to play their home games at Sahlen Field in Buffalo home of their Triple A affiliate Buffalo Bisons 5 An expanded 16 team postseason tournament began on September 29 with games of all but the first round being played at neutral sites The World Series began on October 20 at Globe Life Field in Arlington and ended on October 27 with the Los Angeles Dodgers defeating the Tampa Bay Rays in six games to win their first title since 1988 6 7 8 Contents 1 Schedule 1 1 March agreement between MLB and MLBPA 1 2 Possible schedules 1 3 Disagreement over plans for a shortened season 1 4 Revised 60 game schedule 1 5 Postponed games 1 5 1 COVID 19 1 5 2 Shooting of Jacob Blake 2 Spring training 3 Standings 3 1 American League 3 2 National League 4 Postseason 4 1 Bracket 5 Rule changes 5 1 Permanent changes announced prior to season 5 2 Temporary rules for shortened 2020 season 6 Players opting out 7 Managerial changes 7 1 General managers 7 1 1 Offseason 7 2 Field managers 7 2 1 Offseason 7 2 2 In season 8 League leaders 8 1 American League 8 2 National League 9 Milestones 9 1 Batters 9 2 Pitchers 9 2 1 No hitters 9 2 2 Other pitching accomplishments 9 3 Miscellaneous 10 Awards and honors 10 1 Regular season 10 2 All MLB Team 10 3 Other awards 10 4 Monthly awards 10 4 1 Player of the Month 10 4 2 Pitcher of the Month 10 4 3 Rookie of the Month 10 4 4 Reliever of the Month 11 Payroll 12 Uniforms 12 1 Anniversaries and special events 13 Venues 13 1 Temporary relocation of the Toronto Blue Jays 14 Broadcast rights 14 1 Television 14 1 1 National 14 1 2 Local 14 2 Radio 14 2 1 National 14 2 2 Local 14 3 Impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on production 15 Retirements 16 Retired numbers 17 Major League Baseball teams revenue losses for 2020 18 See also 19 ReferencesSchedule editThe 2020 schedule greatly differed from the normal 162 game schedule In an effort to reduce travel each team played only nine opponents during the regular season instead of the usual 19 or 20 Teams were scheduled to play 10 games against each of their four division opponents The remaining 20 games of the 60 game schedule were interleague contests To reduce travel the interleague division match ups were AL East vs NL East AL Central vs NL Central and AL West vs NL West 9 At 60 games this was the shortest regular season since 1878 10 Several international and neutral site games originally scheduled for the season were canceled due to COVID 19 On March 19 the Mexico Series and Puerto Rico Series games were canceled the former would have featured the San Diego Padres and the Arizona Diamondbacks at Mexico City s Estadio Alfredo Harp Helu and the latter featuring the New York Mets and the Miami Marlins at Hiram Bithorn Stadium in San Juan On April 1 MLB canceled the London Series which would have featured the Chicago Cubs and the St Louis Cardinals at London Stadium 11 On April 30 MLB canceled the MLB Little League Classic at BB amp T Ballpark in Williamsport Pennsylvania coinciding with the Little League World Series which was scheduled to be played on August 23 between the Boston Red Sox and Baltimore Orioles 12 This cancellation coincided with the cancellation of the 2020 Little League World Series 13 On August 3 MLB canceled MLB at Field of Dreams a game that was scheduled to be played on August 13 between the St Louis Cardinals and Chicago White Sox at a temporary 8 000 seat ballpark on the Dyersville Iowa farm site of the 1989 sports film Field of Dreams The game was postponed to 2021 14 15 March agreement between MLB and MLBPA edit On March 26 MLB and the Major League Baseball Players Association MLBPA reached an agreement on multiple considerations related to the start of the season being delayed including 16 The 2020 MLB draft was to be held by July 20 and reduced from 40 rounds to five rounds Player salaries were pro rated based on the length of the regular season Players will receive full service time for the season regardless of the length of the season Roster moves were frozen as of March 27 until the season began Possible schedules edit The indefinite delay of the season caused MLB to internally consider a number of scenarios for playing the season as well as analysts suggesting ways it could be done A shortened regular season a season with many doubleheaders and a postseason extending into late November with a World Series at an indoor or warm weather neutral site were suggested 17 18 In early April Jeff Passan of ESPN reported that MLB was increasingly focused on a plan that could allow them to start the season as early as May and has the support of high ranking federal public health officials 19 The plan would have involved all 30 teams playing games with no fans in stadiums around the Phoenix metropolitan area including Chase Field and spring training complexes Players would have lived in isolation at local hotels Another report from USA Today baseball writer Bob Nightengale detailed another MLB proposal utilizing the Phoenix metro sites but with the additional use of spring training sites in Florida Marlins Park in Miami and St Petersburg s Tropicana Field In addition the 30 teams would be re aligned for the season depending on their spring training sites into six divisions based upon their locations in Arizona and Florida and agnostic to the usual AL NL demarcations and traditional geographic rivalries effectively making the spring training Cactus League and Grapefruit League regular season leagues 20 No interleague play would take place and the designated hitter rule would be utilized for all 30 teams with the World Series occurring in November utilizing the larger MLB sites 21 Disagreement over plans for a shortened season edit During May and June MLB and Major League Baseball Players Association MLBPA were unable to agree on a specific plan for a shortened season In mid May the MLB owners proposed a schedule of 82 games to begin in July with games to be played without fans in attendance To minimize travel teams would play only against other teams in their geographical division plus interleague games against teams in the corresponding division of the other league A team would play 13 games against each division rival and six games against each team in the other league s division 22 Postseason play would be expanded from 10 teams to 14 with each league fielding three division winners and four wild card teams A designated hitter would be allowed in all games Teams would have 30 man rosters available for each game The proposal also outlined safety measures for health of players and staff and a modified compensation plan for players 23 24 25 On June 1 the MLBPA countered with a 114 game proposal with a regular season running from June 30 to October 31 a November postseason giving players the right to opt out of participating a salary deferral plan in the event the postseason has to be canceled due to a second wave of the virus and a 100 million advance during the second spring training among others 26 Owners then submitted a 76 game proposal to the players on June 8 with the regular season ending on September 27 the postseason ending in October 75 percent prorated player salaries and playoff pool money among others 27 The MLBPA responded one day later with an 89 game plan with full prorated player salaries 28 The owners then sent a 72 game plan with 70 percent prorated player salaries to which the MLBPA replied in a statement on June 13 Further dialogue with the league would be futile It s time to get back to work Tell us when and where 29 However the week of June 15 saw the owners propose a 60 game season while MLBPA counter with a 70 game season 30 which on June 19 was rejected by the owners Amid an increase in cases in Arizona and Florida including positive cases among staff of the Phillies and a Blue Jays player showing signs of symptoms it was reported on June 19 that all spring training sites would be temporarily closed for deep cleaning and all players would be required to test negative for COVID 19 before entering 31 It was then reported on June 20 that almost all MLB teams had elected to re locate their training camps back to their home cities 32 On June 22 hours after the MLBPA rejected the MLB s offer to play a 60 game season MLB owners voted unanimously to impose the 60 game plan 33 By allowing the owners to unilaterally implement such a plan without the MLBPA both sides retained the right to file a grievance against the other for not negotiating in good faith 34 On June 23 both sides agreed to health and safety protocols Players reported to training camp July 1 35 Due to concerns related to the pandemic several players chose not to play the season 36 Revised 60 game schedule edit On July 6 MLB released the revised schedule for the shortened 60 game season 37 In the new schedule teams played 10 games against each of their four divisional opponents in three series with an unequal number of home games against each opponent Each team had 20 home games for division opponents 37 Interleague play comprised the other 20 games of the schedule all against the division of the opposite league temporarily suspending the yearly rotation of which divisions play each other Like normal seasons in which corresponding interleague divisions play each other e g 2018 teams played six games against their natural rival and three or four games against each of the other four teams in the division 37 However for this year only the Cleveland Indians were paired with the Pittsburgh Pirates instead of their normal rivals the Cincinnati Reds and the Detroit Tigers were paired with the Reds instead of the Pirates This was done to reduce travel for all four teams The season started on July 23 with two games New York Yankees at Washington Nationals and San Francisco Giants at Los Angeles Dodgers The remaining 26 teams opened the season on July 24 37 On July 23 MLB and MLBPA announced that the postseason would be an expanded 16 team playoff tournament for 2020 only instead of the normal 10 team tournament All first and second place teams in the six divisions would qualify for the playoffs The final two spots in each league would go to the remaining teams with the best win loss records The teams in each league would be seeded by division winners 1 3 division runners up 4 6 and best teams remaining 7 8 Seeding ties would be resolved by head to head record intra league record and record in final 20 intra league games to remove the necessity for additional games The first round of the playoffs would be a best of three series called the Wild Card Series with all games to be played at the home of the higher seeded team After that the postseason would follow the usual pattern of five game Division series seven game League Championship Series and a seven game World Series 38 39 Postponed games edit COVID 19 edit Main article Impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on sports COVID 19 outbreaks among the Miami Marlins and St Louis Cardinals as well as positive tests on the Cincinnati Reds New York Mets Oakland Athletics and San Francisco Giants resulted in the postponement of a total of 40 games Miami received confirmation that starting pitcher Jose Urena had tested positive and would not be available on July 26 but the team decided to play the third and final game of their scheduled series against the Philadelphia Phillies at the direction of Major League Baseball After additional Miami players and coaches tested positive MLB postponed Miami s four game home and home series with the Baltimore Orioles and Philadelphia s four game home and home series with the New York Yankees both originally scheduled from July 27 to 30 40 In order to allow for some flexibility in making games up the Yankees and Orioles played two games against each other in Baltimore July 29 and 30 moving them up one week from their originally scheduled dates of August 3 and 4 The Marlins later confirmed that 21 players and coaches tested positive 41 The next series for both teams Miami s home series against the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia s series at the Toronto Blue Jays were postponed Both series would have taken place from July 31 to August 2 42 St Louis had six positive tests resulting in the postponement of three games at the Milwaukee Brewers from July 31 to August 2 43 Four additional games a home and home series against the Detroit Tigers originally scheduled for August 3 to 6 were also postponed after an additional seven positive tests were reported 42 After continued positive tests throughout the next week St Louis s three game series against the Chicago Cubs originally August 7 to 9 and their three game series against the Pittsburgh Pirates originally August 10 to 12 were postponed A doubleheader against Detroit on August 13 which would have been made up games from August 3 and 4 was also postponed and later canceled 44 45 Cincinnati had a player test positive resulting in the postponement of two games against Pittsburgh on August 15 and 16 46 Cincinnati s game against the Kansas City Royals on August 18 was postponed as well 47 The New York Mets had a player and staff member test positive resulting in the postponement of their August 20 game against Miami and their three game series against the New York Yankees on August 21 to 23 48 49 Oakland had a positive test resulting in the postponement of their August 30 game against the Houston Astros 50 As a precaution Oakland s three game series against the Seattle Mariners on September 1 to 3 was postponed 51 San Francisco had a positive test resulting in the postponement of two games against the San Diego Padres originally scheduled for September 11 and 12 52 All postponed games were made up except for two games between the St Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers with both teams completing 58 out of 60 games This had no bearing on the playoff teams other than seeding Shooting of Jacob Blake edit Main article 2020 American athlete strikes Player protests in response to the shooting of Jacob Blake in Kenosha Wisconsin resulted in the postponement of 11 games The Milwaukee Brewers announced that they would not play their August 26 game against the Cincinnati Reds in the wake of the shooting following three NBA playoff games that were postponed the same day Two additional games were postponed that day 53 Seven games on August 27 and one game on August 28 were also postponed 54 Spring training editSpring training for the 2020 season took place in two segments The first segment began in late February and lasted until mid March abruptly ending early due to the COVID 19 pandemic Teams began workouts and practice for spring training beginning in late February Pitchers and catchers reported first followed by position players a few days later 55 Following the MLB owners unanimous vote to impose the 60 game regular season plan the second segment of spring training began with players reporting to training camp starting July 1 56 Prior to the start of the regular season each team played between 18 and 24 spring training games from February 21 to March 12 and July 18 to July 22 There were several times during spring training where a team had two different squads playing different teams simultaneously In addition to spring training games teams occasionally played exhibition games with non MLB teams such as Minor League Baseball teams independent teams or college teams These exhibition games were not counted in spring training standings Spring training ended on July 22 the day before Opening Day Standings editAmerican League edit vteAL East W L Pct GB Home Road 1 Tampa Bay Rays 40 20 0 667 20 9 20 11 5 New York Yankees 33 27 0 550 7 22 9 11 18 8 Toronto Blue Jays 32 28 0 533 8 17 9 15 19 Baltimore Orioles 25 35 0 417 15 13 20 12 15 Boston Red Sox 24 36 0 400 16 11 20 13 16 vteAL Central W L Pct GB Home Road 3 Minnesota Twins 36 24 0 600 24 7 12 17 4 Cleveland Indians 35 25 0 583 1 18 12 17 13 7 Chicago White Sox 35 25 0 583 1 18 12 17 13 Kansas City Royals 26 34 0 433 10 15 15 11 19 Detroit Tigers 23 35 0 397 12 12 15 11 20 vteAL West W L Pct GB Home Road 2 Oakland Athletics 36 24 0 600 22 10 14 14 6 Houston Astros 29 31 0 483 7 20 9 9 22 Seattle Mariners 27 33 0 450 9 14 10 13 23 Los Angeles Angels 26 34 0 433 10 16 15 10 19 Texas Rangers 22 38 0 367 14 16 14 6 24 National League edit vteNL East W L Pct GB Home Road 2 Atlanta Braves 35 25 0 583 19 11 16 14 6 Miami Marlins 31 29 0 517 4 11 15 20 14 Philadelphia Phillies 28 32 0 467 7 19 13 9 19 Washington Nationals 26 34 0 433 9 15 18 11 16 New York Mets 26 34 0 433 9 12 17 14 17 vteNL Central W L Pct GB Home Road 3 Chicago Cubs 34 26 0 567 19 14 15 12 5 St Louis Cardinals 30 28 0 517 3 14 13 16 15 7 Cincinnati Reds 31 29 0 517 3 16 13 15 16 8 Milwaukee Brewers 29 31 0 483 5 15 14 14 17 Pittsburgh Pirates 19 41 0 317 15 13 19 6 22 vteNL West W L Pct GB Home Road 1 Los Angeles Dodgers 43 17 0 717 21 9 22 8 4 San Diego Padres 37 23 0 617 6 21 11 16 12 San Francisco Giants 29 31 0 483 14 19 14 10 17 Colorado Rockies 26 34 0 433 17 12 18 14 16 Arizona Diamondbacks 25 35 0 417 18 16 14 9 21Postseason editMain article 2020 MLB Postseason MLB announced the playoff bracket on September 15 consisting of eight teams from each league the top two teams from each division plus the teams from each league with the next two best records The Wild Card Series was a best of three series at the home field of the higher seeded team while the Division Series League Championship Series and World Series were their normal lengths played at neutral sites similar to those used for both the National Basketball Association and National Hockey League playoffs to limit the possibility of another COVID 19 outbreak that could both disrupt the schedule and affect competitive integrity 57 Specifically the American League played at the San Diego Padres Petco Park and the Los Angeles Dodgers Dodger Stadium while the National League played at the Texas Rangers Globe Life Field and the Houston Astros Minute Maid Park all from opposite conferences so that no teams will play at their home ballparks in the weightiest rounds to avoid unfair advantage 58 The World Series then took place at Globe Life Field 59 The Milwaukee Brewers and Houston Astros became the first teams to make the postseason with a record below 500 since the 1981 Royals Both clubs went 29 31 483 in the regular season The Astros became the first and currently only team with a record below 500 to win a playoff series as they defeated the Minnesota Twins in the Wild Card Series and the Oakland Athletics in the Division Series before losing the American League Championship Series to the Tampa Bay Rays They also became the first and currently only team with a record below 500 to win a playoff game as the 1981 Royals and Brewers were swept in the first rounds they played They also became just the second team to force a game seven after being down 3 0 to the Tampa Bay Rays in the ALCS joining only the Boston Red Sox who ended up completing the comeback against the New York Yankees in 2004 Bracket edit Wild Card Series ALWCS NLWCS Division Series ALDS NLDS League Championship Series ALCS NLCS World Series 1Tampa Bay28Toronto01Tampa Bay35NY Yankees24Cleveland05NY Yankees21Tampa Bay4American League6Houston33Minnesota06Houston26Houston32Oakland12Oakland27Chicago White Sox1AL1Tampa Bay2NL1LA Dodgers41LA Dodgers28Milwaukee01LA Dodgers34San Diego04San Diego25St Louis11LA Dodgers4National League2Atlanta33Chicago Cubs06Miami26Miami02Atlanta32Atlanta27Cincinnati0Rule changes editFurther information Major League Baseball rosters Changes effective 2020 Permanent changes announced prior to season edit The following changes effective for the 2020 season 60 61 62 were officially announced by MLB on February 12 63 The size of the active roster expands from 25 players to 26 players through August 31 During this time and during the postseason clubs can carry a maximum of 13 pitchers Any team that is playing the second game of a doubleheader or a scheduled neutral site game such as the MLB Little League Classic may carry a 27th player for that game only This player can either be a position player or pitcher The size of the expanded roster in September is reduced from 40 players to 28 players During this time clubs can carry a maximum of 14 pitchers Any team that is playing the second game of a doubleheader or a scheduled neutral site game may carry a 29th player for that game only This player can either be a position player or pitcher Teams must designate players as either position players or pitchers before the start of the season Only players designated as pitchers will be allowed to pitch in any regular season or postseason game with limited exceptions such as one team leading by at least seven runs or the game going into extra innings Once a position player has pitched at least 20 innings and made at least three plate appearances as a position player or designated hitter in each of 20 games he earns the status of two way player for the remainder of the season plus all of the next season Players with this status may pitch at any time during a game For this season only any player who met the above requirements in either the 2018 or 2019 season qualifies for two way status Players designated as pitchers if placed on the injured list must spend a minimum of 15 days on the IL prior to being eligible for activation Position players may be activated after a minimum of 10 days on the IL Two way players are subject to the rules for pitchers The seven day minimum on the IL for concussions remains unchanged Pitchers and two way players optioned to the minor leagues must remain there for at least 15 days before being eligible for recall to the major league club rather than the previous 10 day minimum The minimum option period for position players remains 10 days A pitcher must face at least three batters unless the inning ends or the pitcher is injured Managers now have up to 20 seconds to challenge a play reduced from 30 seconds Additionally Rule 7 04 governing protested games was amended to read Protesting a game shall never be permitted regardless of whether such complaint is based on judgement decisions by the umpire or an allegation that an umpire misapplied these rules or otherwise rendered a decision in violation of these rules 64 Temporary rules for shortened 2020 season edit The following temporary rules for the shortened 2020 season were announced on June 24 Note that some of these additional changes supersede the rule changes which were announced in February 65 Each club could invite up to 60 players to its July training camp The 60 man pool is composed of players on the 40 man roster and players currently signed to minor league contracts Clubs were not required to include all members of their 40 man roster in the 60 man pool The transaction freeze in place since March 27 was lifted on June 26 Only players eligible to play in the 2020 season could be invited to July camp and only the 60 players included on the list submitted to the league office may be used by the team in regular season and postseason games for the 2020 season If a player is added to the 60 man pool via trade free agent signing or other transaction a corresponding transaction must be made to keep the total number of eligible players at 60 Players in the 60 man pool who were not on a club s 40 man roster at the start of July camp must be added to the 40 man and active rosters in the usual fashion before they may play in regular season or postseason games Those not on the active roster train at an alternate training site 66 The designated hitter was used in both the American and National Leagues Teams could have up to 30 active players on their opening day rosters The active roster was reduced to 28 after the first two weeks of the season Originally the roster was set to reduce to reduce to 26 players after four weeks but this reduction was eliminated on August 4 67 The minimum option period for players optioned to their club s training site is 10 days for both pitchers and position players The provision requiring pitchers to remain in the minor leagues for 15 days is not in effect this season The trade deadline was August 31 moved from July 31 To be eligible for the postseason a player must have been added to a club s 40 man roster by September 15 Clubs were permitted to carry a taxi squad of players for away games Originally the squad was limited to three players On August 4 the squad was expanded to five players The original rule stipulated that if three players were carried at least one had to be a catcher It is unclear if that restriction remains under the new rule 67 In regular season games extra innings used the World Baseball Softball Confederation softball tiebreaker rule Each half inning of an extra inning automatically started with a runner on second base The runner was the player in the batting order position immediately before the lead off batter for the inning or a pinch runner subject to the usual substitution rules Should this runner score it was considered an unearned run This rule does not apply to postseason games There was a 10 day injured list for both pitchers and position players The 60 day IL was reduced to 45 days A separate IL exists for players who test positive for have symptoms of or have confirmed exposure to COVID 19 There is no maximum or minimum number of days for this IL There are no limitations on eligible pitchers The two way player provisions announced in February do not apply for this season Once the game has started the postseason rule adopted in 2009 will be in effect in case of inclement weather until it has reached official game status The game was declared a suspended game continuing from the point of interruption instead of completely restarting The postseason was expanded to include eight teams from each league The first round was a best of three series with the better seed hosting all three games The final three rounds of postseason were to be played at neutral sites Globe Life Field and Minute Maid Park were chosen to host the National League playoffs each stadium hosted one Division Series and Globe Life Field hosted the National League Championship Series Spectators were permitted at Globe Life Field starting with the National League Championship Series Petco Park and Dodger Stadium were chosen to host the American League playoffs each stadium hosted one Division Series and Petco Park hosted the American League Championship Series The World Series was held at Globe Life Field Clubs were required to have an expanded dugout in order to practice social distancing Celebrations such as those after a walk off hit were socially distanced Pitchers were allowed to use wet rags In the postseason alcohol and champagne were banned from playoff celebrations with celebrations on the field at least six feet apart and not in the clubhouse No physical lineup cards were exchanged Instead lineups are now exchanged publicly through a push notification on the MLB app which is also pushed to fans following each team The following temporary rule was announced on July 30 to be effective on August 1 Doubleheaders consisted of two seven inning games as is the case in minor leagues One doubleheader which was played on July 28 before the rule change featured two nine inning games If a suspended game resumes with the trailing team having played less than five innings the game played after the completion of the suspended game will be seven innings However if a game is halted after the fifth inning for a reason that enables it to be a suspended game like a field issue or equipment failure or if the game was tied when stopped the game played afterwards retains its nine inning length In all cases a suspended game retains the length seven or nine innings that it was scheduled for at the time it started Players opting out editKey Opted out after playing during the 2020 season Player subsequently opted back in Players who opted out of the 2020 season 68 unreliable source Player Position Team Lorenzo Cain Outfielder Milwaukee Welington Castillo Catcher Washington Yoenis Cespedes Outfielder New York NL Tim Collins Relief pitcher Colorado Ian Desmond Outfielder Colorado Isan Diaz Second baseman Miami Felix Hernandez Starting pitcher Atlanta Jordan Hicks Relief pitcher St Louis Michael Kopech Starting pitcher Chicago AL Mike Leake Starting pitcher Arizona Francisco Liriano Relief pitcher Free agent Nick Markakis Outfielder Atlanta Shelby Miller Starting pitcher Milwaukee Collin McHugh Starting pitcher Boston Hector Noesi Relief pitcher Pittsburgh Buster Posey Catcher San Francisco David Price Starting pitcher Los Angeles NL Joe Ross Starting pitcher Washington Tyson Ross Starting pitcher Free agent Andrelton Simmons Shortstop Los Angeles AL Kohl Stewart Starting pitcher Baltimore Marcus Stroman Starting pitcher New York NL Mark Zagunis Outfielder Chicago NL Ryan Zimmerman First baseman WashingtonManagerial changes editGeneral managers edit Offseason edit Team Former GM Reason For Leaving New GM Notes Boston Red Sox Dave Dombrowski Fired Brian O Halloran Dombrowski whose title was President of Baseball Operations was unexpectedly fired on September 9 2019 less than one year after the Red Sox won the World Series 69 On October 25 2019 the Red Sox hired the 36 year old Chaim Bloom as Chief Baseball Officer succeeding Dombrowski as head of their baseball operations with Brian O Halloran named general manager and reporting to Bloom 70 Pittsburgh Pirates Neal Huntington Ben Cherington Huntington was fired on October 28 2019 Huntington had been the longest tenured general manager in the National League as he was hired in September 2007 The Pirates made the playoffs three times during Huntington s tenure after the 2013 2014 and 2015 seasons 71 Ben Cherington was hired as the new general manager of the Pirates on November 18 2019 72 Houston Astros Jeff Luhnow James Click On January 13 Luhnow was suspended for the 2020 season after the Houston Astros were involved an investigation over the use of technology to steal signs during their 2017 championship season He was then fired by the Astros organization 73 James Click was named the new GM on February 3 He has spent the past 14 years in the Tampa Bay Rays front office 74 Field managers edit Offseason edit Team Former manager Interim manager Reason for leaving New manager Notes San Diego Padres Andy Green Rod Barajas Fired Jayce Tingler On September 21 2019 Green was fired after four seasons with a record of 274 366 428 with no playoff appearances Bench coach Rod Barajas was named the interim manager of the Padres for the rest of the season 75 Tingler was named the new manager on October 28 2019 Tingler had spent the previous five years in the Texas Rangers organization as a coach and a front office executive 76 San Francisco Giants Bruce Bochy N A Retired Gabe Kapler On February 18 2019 Bochy announced he would retire following the conclusion of the 2019 season after 13 seasons He led the Giants to three World Series championships in four playoff appearances Bochy finished his Giants career with a 1052 1054 500 record 77 On November 12 2019 Gabe Kapler who managed the Philadelphia Phillies for the past two seasons was announced as the new manager 78 Kansas City Royals Ned Yost Mike Matheny On September 23 2019 Yost announced that he would retire at the end of the 2019 season He led the Royals to consecutive World Series appearances in 2014 and 2015 winning the championship in 2015 He had been the manager since May 2010 Yost finished his career in Kansas City with a 746 839 471 record 79 On October 31 2019 Mike Matheny who spent last season as the special advisor to Royals general manager Dayton Moore was named the new manager of the Kansas City Royals Matheny managed the St Louis Cardinals from 2012 through mid July 2018 He had a career record of 591 474 555 He led the Cardinals to the postseason in his first four seasons as manager and won the National League pennant in 2013 80 81 Chicago Cubs Joe Maddon Contract not renewed David Ross On September 29 2019 the Cubs announced that they would not offer Maddon a contract extension following this season He led the Cubs to four playoff appearances in five years including the 2016 World Series championship the Cubs first since 1908 Maddon finished his tenure with the Cubs with a record of 471 339 581 82 Ross who was a member of the 2016 World Series winning team under Maddon was named as his replacement on October 24 2019 Ross spent the last three seasons as the special assistant to baseball operations for the team as well as a baseball analyst for ESPN 83 Pittsburgh Pirates Clint Hurdle Fired Derek Shelton On September 29 2019 the Pirates announced that they dismissed Hurdle after nine seasons with a record of 735 720 505 with three playoff appearances 84 On November 27 2019 Shelton who spent the previous two seasons as the bench coach for the Minnesota Twins was named the manager of the Pittsburgh Pirates 85 He also spent time as a hitting coach for the Cleveland Indians from 2005 to 2009 and a hitting coach for the Tampa Bay Rays from 2010 to 2016 while also serving as a quality control coach for the Toronto Blue Jays in 2017 86 Los Angeles Angels Brad Ausmus Joe Maddon On September 30 2019 Ausmus was fired after one season with a record of 72 90 444 Ausmus served as a special assistant to the Angels general manager Billy Eppler in the 2018 season 87 Maddon was hired by the Angels on October 16 2019 88 Maddon had spent 31 years in the Angels organization 12 years as a coach before managing the Tampa Bay Rays for nine years and the Chicago Cubs for five years New York Mets Mickey Callaway Carlos Beltran On October 3 2019 Callaway was fired after two seasons with a record of 163 161 503 with no playoff appearances 89 On November 1 2019 Carlos Beltran who played for the team from 2005 to the middle of the 2011 season was named the new manager of the team Beltran was a special adviser to the New York Yankees general manager Brian Cashman last season 90 Carlos Beltran Mutual Decision Luis Rojas On January 16 Beltran and the Mets agreed to part ways before managing a game for the Mets in light of his reported involvement in the Astros using cameras to steal signs 91 The Mets hired Rojas on January 22 He has spent the last 13 years in the Mets organization 92 Philadelphia Phillies Gabe Kapler Fired Joe Girardi On October 10 2019 Kapler was fired after two seasons with a record of 161 163 497 with no playoff appearances 93 Girardi who served as a baseball analyst for the MLB Network the last two seasons was hired as new manager on October 24 2019 Girardi previously managed the Florida Marlins for the 2006 season and the New York Yankees from 2008 to 2017 94 Houston Astros A J Hinch Dusty Baker On January 13 Hinch was suspended by MLB for the 2020 season as part of an investigation against the Astros using hidden cameras to steal signs during their 2017 championship season he was fired by the Astros shortly after the suspension was announced Hinch had a regular season record of 481 329 594 with a total of four postseason appearances compiling a record of 28 22 560 two World Series appearances and a World Series championship in 2017 throughout his tenure as Astros manager 73 On January 29 the Astros hired Dusty Baker to replace Hinch He managed the San Francisco Giants from 1993 to 2002 the Chicago Cubs from 2003 to 2006 the Cincinnati Reds from 2008 to 2013 and the Washington Nationals during the 2016 and 2017 seasons His overall managerial record is 1863 1636 532 in the regular season and 23 32 418 in the playoffs losing the 2002 World Series Boston Red Sox Alex Cora Ron Roenicke Mutual Decision Ron Roenicke On January 14 the Red Sox and Cora officially agreed to part ways with each other after two seasons Cora had been under investigation by MLB over the Houston Astros use of hidden cameras to steal signs during that team s 2017 championship season while Cora was the bench coach as well as under investigation of allegations that the Red Sox engaged in impermissible electronic sign stealing in 2018 while Cora was the manager In his two seasons as Red Sox manager he compiled a record of 192 132 593 winning the 2018 World Series 95 Roenicke was promoted from bench coach to interim manager on February 11 A longtime coach his only managerial experience was with the Milwaukee Brewers from 2011 to 2015 compiling a record of 342 331 508 with one playoff appearance and a 5 6 455 record in the postseason 96 On April 22 the interim tag was removed from Roenicke s title following MLB s findings about the 2018 Red Sox which focused on the team s video replay operator 97 In season edit Team Former manager Interim manager Reason for leaving New manager Notes Detroit Tigers Ron Gardenhire Lloyd McClendon Retired A J Hinch On September 19 Gardenhire announced his immediate retirement due to health concerns Lloyd McClendon was named interim manager for the rest of the season Gardenhire finished his almost three year tenure with a 132 241 354 record and no playoff appearances 98 League leaders editAmerican League edit Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG DJ LeMahieu NYY 364 HR Luke Voit NYY 22 RBI Jose Abreu CWS 60 R Tim Anderson CWS Jose Ramirez CLE 45 H Jose Abreu CWS 76 SB Adalberto Mondesi KC 24 Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Shane Bieber CLE 8 L Matthew Boyd DET 7 ERA Shane Bieber CLE 1 63 K Shane Bieber CLE 122 IP Lance Lynn TEX 84 0 SV Brad Hand CLE 16 National League edit Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Juan Soto WSH 351 HR Marcell Ozuna ATL 18 RBI Marcell Ozuna ATL 56 R Freddie Freeman ATL 51 H Trea Turner WSH 78 SB Trevor Story COL 15 Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Yu Darvish CHC 8 L Luke Weaver AZ 9 ERA Trevor Bauer CIN 1 73 K Jacob deGrom NYM 104 IP German Marquez COL 81 2 SV Josh Hader MIL 13Milestones editBatters edit Aaron Judge NYY Became the first player in Major League history to hit five go ahead home runs in his team s first eight games 99 Mookie Betts LAD With his three homer game against the San Diego Padres on August 13 Betts tied the Major League record for most career three homer games at six He joins Sammy Sosa and Johnny Mize as the only other players to accomplish this feat 100 Luis Garcia WSH Became the first Major League player born in the 2000s to hit a home run He accomplished this feat on August 17 against the Atlanta Braves 101 Jose Abreu CWS Abreu hit home runs in four consecutive at bats over two days to tie the Major League record Abreu hit home runs in his last three at bats on August 22 against the Chicago Cubs and then connected on his first at bat on August 23 Abreu s feat was the 43rd in league history 102 Ian Happ Jason Heyward Kyle Schwarber CHC All three outfielders each hit two home runs on August 30 against the Cincinnati Reds This was the first time in Major League history that a starting outfield trio had multi homers in the same game 103 Brandon Crawford Alex Dickerson Donovan Solano SF Became the first trio of teammates to record at least six RBIs in a single game since 1920 when RBIs became a stat on September 1 against the Colorado Rockies 104 Marcell Ozuna Adam Duvall ATL With Ozuna s three homer game on September 1 and Duvall s on September 2 they became the first pair of teammates to ever produce three homer performances in consecutive games Both games were against the Boston Red Sox 105 Yadier Molina STL Recorded his 2 000th career hit with a single in the seventh inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on September 24 He became the 288th player to reach this mark 106 Juan Soto WSH Became the youngest player to win the National League batting title with a 351 average 107 DJ LeMahieu NYY Became the second player in Major League history to win a batting title in both leagues LeMahieu won the title with the Colorado Rockies during the 2016 season Hall of Famer Ed Delahanty also accomplished this feat 108 DJ LeMahieu Luke Voit NYY Became the first pair of teammates to lead their league in batting average and home runs since Hank Aaron and Eddie Mathews in 1959 LeMahieu recorded a batting average of 364 while Voit hit 22 home runs 108 Alex Kirilloff MIN Made his Major League debut against the Houston Astros on September 30 during the Wild Card Series This marks the first time a player has made his debut by starting a postseason game 109 Josh Naylor CLE Became the first player in Major League history to record a hit in each of his first five postseason plate appearances Naylor went 4 for 4 in Game 1 against the New York Yankees and doubled in his first at bat in Game 2 but then flied out in his next at bat to end the streak 110 Tim Anderson CWS Became the first player in Major League history to record at least three hits in his first three postseason games against the Oakland Athletics in the American League Wild Card Series Anderson is one of two player in history to have three hits in three consecutive postseason games as Lou Brock accomplished this in the 1968 World Series 111 Wil Myers Fernando Tatis Jr SD Myers and Tatis Jr became the second pair of teammates in Major League history to each hit two home runs in a postseason game in Game 2 of the National League Wild Card Series against the St Louis Cardinals on October 1 They join Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig who did this in the 1932 World Series 112 Ronald Acuna Jr ATL The 22 year old became the youngest player to hit a leadoff homer in the postseason against the Miami Marlins in Game 1 of the National League Division Series on October 6 113 Will Smith LAD With his five hit performance on October 8 in Game 3 against the San Diego Padres in the National League Division Series Smith became the youngest player in Major League postseason history to accomplish this feat This was also the ninth time that a five hit game was achieved in a postseason game 114 Randy Arozarena TB Hit his seventh home run of the postseason in Game 7 against the Houston Astros in the American League Championship Series ALCS which set a Major League record for most home runs in the postseason by a rookie Arozarena also won the Most Valuable Player of the ALCS and became the first rookie position player to receive the honor 115 Pitchers edit No hitters edit See also List of Major League Baseball no hitters Lucas Giolito CWS Threw his first career no hitter and the 19th in franchise history by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 4 0 on August 25 Giolito struck out 13 and walked one throwing 74 of his 101 pitches for strikes 116 Alec Mills CHC Threw his first career no hitter and the 16th in franchise history by defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 12 0 on September 13 Mills struck out five and walked three throwing 114 pitches with 74 of them being strikes 117 Other pitching accomplishments edit Shane Bieber CLE Tied the Major League record for most strikeouts in his first two starts of a season after his performance against the Minnesota Twins on July 30 His 27 strikeouts tied the record that was set in 1954 by Karl Spooner of the Brooklyn Dodgers 118 Set the modern Major League record since 1900 for starters for the fewest innings to record 100 strikeouts doing so in 621 3 innings The previous record was 63 set by Max Scherzer in 2018 119 Tyler Alexander DET Set the Major League record for relievers and tied the American League record for any pitcher by recording nine consecutive strikeouts against the Cincinnati Reds on August 2 He tied the American League record set by starter Doug Fister during the 2012 season 120 Rick Porcello NYM Recorded his 150th career win with a victory against the Washington Nationals on August 5 He became the 263rd player to reach this mark 121 Zac Gallen AZ Set the Major League record for most consecutive starts starting a career giving up three earned runs or less in each game at 22 with his outing on August 28 against the San Francisco Giants He broke the record that was set by Aaron Sele 122 His streak came to an end at 23 games after giving up four earned runs on September 7 against the San Francisco Giants 123 Josh Hader MIL With his hitless appearance on September 2 against the Detroit Tigers Hader set a Major League record with his 12th straight hitless game to start a season This broke the record that was held by Justin Wilson in 2017 Scott Aldred in 1999 and John Franco in 1987 124 Hader s streak ended the next game when Oscar Mercado doubled to lead off the inning on September 5 125 Clayton Kershaw LAD Recorded his 2 500th career strikeout on September 3 against the Arizona Diamondbacks when he struck out Nick Ahmed in the third inning He became the 39th player and third youngest to reach this mark 126 Miscellaneous edit Toronto Blue Jays Became the first team in Major League history to lose a game in which they recorded at least 18 hits and seven home runs on August 12 against the Miami Marlins 127 Chicago White Sox Hit four consecutive home runs against the St Louis Cardinals on August 16 tying the Major League record This was the second time in White Sox history and tenth in Major League history The group of Yoan Moncada Yasmani Grandal Jose Abreu and Eloy Jimenez accomplished this feat with all four home runs hit off Roel Ramirez in his debut The White Sox also had four consecutive home runs on August 14 2008 against the Kansas City Royals 128 Became the first team in Major League history to hit back to back home runs to lead off the game twice off the same pitcher in the same season On August 12 Tim Anderson and Eloy Jimenez hit the leadoff back to back home runs against Matthew Boyd of the Detroit Tigers Then on August 17 Anderson and Yoan Moncada hit the leadoff home runs 129 Became the first team in Major League history to go undefeated against left handed pitchers with a record of 14 0 130 San Diego Padres Became the first team in Major League history to hit at least one grand slam in each of four consecutive games from August 17 to 20 All such grand slams were made against the Texas Rangers 131 Joe Girardi PHI Recorded his 1 000th win as a manager when the Phillies defeated the Washington Nationals on August 26 Girardi became the 65th manager to reach this mark He did so in 1 808 games 132 Los Angeles Dodgers Set the National League record for most home runs in a month by hitting their 57th during August against the Texas Rangers on August 30 133 Set the Major League record for most runs in a single inning in a postseason game by scoring 11 runs in the first inning of Game 3 of the 2020 National League Championship Series against the Atlanta Braves on October 14 134 Atlanta Braves Set a National League record for runs scored in a game in the modern era since 1900 with a 29 9 win over the Miami Marlins on September 9 The Braves broke the record of 28 that was set in 1929 by the St Louis Cardinals 135 Among these runs 18 were home runs tying the Major League record 136 Set the Major League record for consecutive scoreless innings to begin a postseason series at 22 innings with their 13 inning Game 1 shutout and Game 2 series clinching shutout 137 New York Yankees Became the first team in Major League history with six or more home runs in three consecutive games from September 15 to 17 against the Toronto Blue Jays Their 19 home runs in that same span is also a record 138 Dusty Baker HOU With the Astros making it to the postseason Baker became the first manager in Major League history to lead five different teams to the playoffs 139 Cincinnati Reds Atlanta Braves The Reds Braves Game 1 scoreless duel through 12 innings set a Major League record for the longest postseason game without either team scoring a run It broke the record of ten innings that was achieved on four separate occasions 140 New York Yankees Cleveland Indians Game 2 of their American League Wild Card Series on September 30 which the Yankees won 10 9 lasted four hours and 50 minutes not counting the two rain delays making it the longest nine inning game in Major League history 141 Tampa Bay Rays Set a Major League postseason record of strikeouts in a nine inning game by fanning 18 New York Yankees in Game 2 of their American League Division Series on October 6 142 Houston Astros Oakland Athletics Set the Major League record for most postseason home runs in a series of five games or fewer by hitting 24 in their American League Division Series 143 Each team hit 12 home runs also a division series record 144 Houston Astros Became the first team in postseason history to hit a leadoff home run and walk off home run in the same game with the former hit by George Springer and the latter by Carlos Correa They beat the Tampa Bay Rays in Game 5 of the American League Championship Series 145 Became the second team in Major League History to force a Game 7 after losing the first three games Houston lost the first three games of the ALCS to the Tampa Bay Rays before forcing Game 7 The 2004 Boston Red Sox accomplished this in the ALCS against the New York Yankees and won Game 7 146 However the Astros were not able to duplicate the Red Sox 147 Awards and honors editRegular season edit Baseball Writers Association of America Awards BBWAA Award National League American League Rookie of the Year Devin Williams MIL Kyle Lewis SEA Cy Young Award Trevor Bauer CIN Shane Bieber CLE Manager of the Year Don Mattingly MIA Kevin Cash TB Most Valuable Player Freddie Freeman ATL Jose Abreu CWS Gold Glove Awards Position National League American League Pitcher Max Fried ATL Griffin Canning LAA Catcher Tucker Barnhart CIN Roberto Perez CLE 1st Base Anthony Rizzo CHC Evan White SEA 2nd Base Kolten Wong STL Cesar Hernandez CLE 3rd Base Nolan Arenado COL Isiah Kiner Falefa TEX Shortstop Javier Baez CHC J P Crawford SEA Left field Tyler O Neill STL Alex Gordon KC Center field Trent Grisham SD Luis Robert CWS Right field Mookie Betts LAD Joey Gallo TEX Silver Slugger Awards Designated Hitter Marcell Ozuna ATL Nelson Cruz MIN Catcher Travis d Arnaud ATL Salvador Perez KC 1st Base Freddie Freeman ATL Jose Abreu CWS 2nd Base Donovan Solano SF DJ LeMahieu NYY 3rd Base Manny Machado SD Jose Ramirez CLE Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr SD Tim Anderson CWS Outfield Ronald Acuna Jr ATL Mookie Betts LAD Juan Soto WSH Teoscar Hernandez TOR Eloy Jimenez CWS Mike Trout LAA All MLB Team edit Players are selected through fan votes 50 and votes from a panel of experts 50 The winners are selected based on merit with no set number of nominees per position and no distinction between leagues 148 All MLB Team Position First Team Second Team Starting pitcher Trevor Bauer CIN Gerrit Cole NYY Shane Bieber CLE Clayton Kershaw LAD Yu Darvish CHC Dinelson Lamet SD Jacob deGrom NYM Kenta Maeda MIN Max Fried ATL Hyun jin Ryu TOR Relief pitcher Nick Anderson TB Brad Hand CLE Liam Hendriks OAK Devin Williams MIL Designated hitter Marcell Ozuna ATL Nelson Cruz MIN Catcher Salvador Perez KC J T Realmuto PHI 1st Base Freddie Freeman ATL Jose Abreu CWS 2nd Base DJ LeMahieu NYY Brandon Lowe TB 3rd Base Manny Machado SD Jose Ramirez CLE Shortstop Fernando Tatis Jr SD Corey Seager LAD Outfield Mookie Betts LAD Ronald Acuna Jr ATL Juan Soto WSH Michael Conforto NYM Mike Trout LAA Mike Yastrzemski SF Other awards edit The Sporting News Player of the Year Award Jose Abreu CWS Comeback Players of the Year Salvador Perez KC American Daniel Bard COL National Edgar Martinez Award Best designated hitter Marcell Ozuna ATL Hank Aaron Award Jose Abreu CWS American Freddie Freeman ATL National Roberto Clemente Award Humanitarian Adam Wainwright STL Mariano Rivera AL Reliever of the Year Award Best AL reliever Liam Hendriks OAK Trevor Hoffman NL Reliever of the Year Award Best NL reliever Devin Williams MIL Warren Spahn Award Best left handed pitcher Hyun jin Ryu TOR Fielding Bible Awards 149 Position Player Pitcher Max Fried Catcher Roberto Perez 1st Base Matt Olson 2nd Base Kolten Wong 3rd Base Nolan Arenado Shortstop Javier Baez Left Field Tyler O Neill Center Field Kevin Kiermaier Right Field Mookie Betts Multi position Kike Hernandez Monthly awards edit Player of the Month edit Main article Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award Month American League National League July August Jose Abreu Fernando Tatis Jr September Jose Ramirez Freddie Freeman Pitcher of the Month edit Main article Major League Baseball Pitcher of the Month Award Month American League National League July August Shane Bieber Yu Darvish September Chris Bassitt Trevor Bauer Rookie of the Month edit Main article Major League Baseball Rookie of the Month Award Month American League National League July August Luis Robert Jake Cronenworth September Jared Walsh Ke Bryan Hayes Reliever of the Month edit Main article Major League Baseball Reliever of the Month Award Month American League National League July August Liam Hendriks Kenley Jansen September Mike Mayers Devin WilliamsPayroll editTeam name Wins Est payroll New York Yankees 150 33 68 0 218 635 714 4 3 Houston Astros 151 29 72 9 217 000 000 30 7 Los Angeles Dodgers 152 43 59 4 216 508 333 11 9 Chicago Cubs 153 34 59 5 181 560 000 17 6 Los Angeles Angels 154 26 63 9 181 254 762 14 7 Washington Nationals 155 26 72 0 172 237 283 15 2 Boston Red Sox 156 24 71 4 171 984 429 21 5 Philadelphia Phillies 157 28 65 4 170 148 461 20 0 New York Mets 158 26 69 8 162 078 667 4 7 St Louis Cardinals 159 30 67 0 153 396 167 4 8 San Francisco Giants 160 29 62 3 152 957 778 12 8 Colorado Rockies 161 26 63 4 144 730 000 0 4 San Diego Padres 162 37 47 1 141 953 667 57 3 Minnesota Twins 163 36 64 4 134 838 333 18 5 Atlanta Braves 164 35 63 9 130 705 000 1 9 Texas Rangers 165 22 71 8 122 326 667 17 1 Cincinnati Reds 166 31 58 7 120 781 165 10 1 Chicago White Sox 167 35 51 4 119 066 333 47 3 Milwaukee Brewers 168 29 67 4 103 541 667 19 6 Cleveland Indians 169 35 62 4 101 991 668 32 6 Seattle Mariners 170 27 60 3 92 310 000 27 2 Detroit Tigers 171 23 51 1 88 385 000 12 2 Arizona Diamondbacks 172 25 70 6 88 176 667 28 9 Oakland Athletics 157 36 62 9 85 683 333 16 8 Toronto Blue Jays 173 32 52 2 76 078 572 22 4 Kansas City Royals 174 26 55 9 68 600 000 30 1 Miami Marlins 175 31 45 6 68 450 000 8 3 Tampa Bay Rays 176 40 58 3 56 351 667 1 3 Baltimore Orioles 177 25 53 7 52 190 000 36 9 Pittsburgh Pirates 178 19 72 5 49 628 500 31 9 Uniforms editOn January 25 2019 MLB announced that Nike would become the new exclusive uniform supplier for all MLB teams under a 10 year deal beginning in 2020 Fanatics would oversee production of on field and retail MLB uniforms licensed by Nike Under Armour backed out of its existing supply agreement as a cost cutting measure 179 180 Anniversaries and special events edit Team Special occasion All Teams 42 patch for Jackie Robinson Day scheduled for April 15 tribute converted to virtual experience on MLB com MLB Network held August 28 181 100th anniversary of the Negro leagues August 16 Gold Ribbons for childhood cancer August 28 Patches for Black Lives Matter Opening Day Chicago White Sox Farmio patch in memory of radio broadcaster and former pitcher Ed Farmer Detroit 6 patch in memory of Al Kaline 182 Kansas City DG patch in memory of former owner David Glass Milwaukee 50th Anniversary in Milwaukee Minnesota 60th season in the Twin Cities RC patch in memory of Minor League player Ryan Costello July 24 New York Mets 41 patch in memory of Tom Seaver New York Yankees HGS patch in memory of Hank Steinbrenner 16 patch in memory of Whitey Ford October 9 St Louis 20 patch in memory of Lou Brock San Francisco 20 at 24 20th anniversary of Oracle Park 24 refers to the address of the park 24 Willie Mays Plaza Texas First season at Globe Life Field Toronto 1 patch in memory of Tony Fernandez Washington 2019 World Series championship July 23 initially scheduled for April 2 Wholesale changesArizona tweaked their uniforms including removing the darker away uniforms and the diamond pattern on the uniforms 183 Cincinnati added a new alternate jersey and a new spring training jersey 184 Milwaukee introduced new uniforms including a return to the ball in glove logo used as their primary logo from 1978 to 1993 They also switched out their gold color to yellow 185 Minnesota added a new alternate uniform utilizing its powder blue 1973 1986 road uniform design 186 Pittsburgh brought back the script Pittsburgh from the 1990s on new alternate and road uniforms along with a gold outlined P on their caps 187 Texas introduced a new powder blue jersey along with a powder blue hat It also changed the Texas wordmark to Rangers wordmark on the white jersey and revealed a new red hat with the state of Texas on it with TX 188 Toronto added a new alternate based on its 1979 1988 powder blue road jerseys 189 Washington added two new alternate hats and one alternate white jersey 190 San Diego changed its primary colors from navy blue to brown and gold the team s primary colors from 1969 to 1984 191 St Louis made changes to its logo as it appears on the caps 192 ThrowbacksThe Cardinals and Royals wore Negro leagues throwbacks September 22 The Cardinals wore 1930 St Louis Stars uniforms and the Royals wore 1945 Kansas City Monarchs uniforms 193 Venues editThis is the Texas Rangers first season at Globe Life Field replacing Globe Life Park in Arlington where they played from 1994 to 2019 Their first game was July 24 against the Colorado Rockies 194 The Miami Marlins converted Marlins Park from a natural grass surface to Shaw Sports B1K artificial turf and the field s fences will be moved in closer 195 The Atlanta Braves SunTrust Park was renamed Truist Park after SunTrust Banks merged with BB amp T Bank to make Truist Financial 196 Temporary relocation of the Toronto Blue Jays edit On July 18 the Canadian federal government denied the Toronto Blue Jays exceptions to the Quarantine Act to play regular season home games at Rogers Centre this season Although they were allowed to conduct training camp with stricter protocols than those mandated by MLB Minister of Immigration Refugees and Citizenship Marco Mendicino cited that repeated cross border travel by players would carry a major risk due to the higher number of COVID 19 cases in the U S 197 Mendicino did not rule out the permission being granted for postseason games depending on the status of the pandemic in the U S by then however the Blue Jays would not have any home postseason games On July 20 the Pittsburgh Pirates offered the use of PNC Park as a site for Blue Jays home games 198 199 However health officials in Pennsylvania denied permission for this arrangement citing concerns over additional travel to and from Pittsburgh amid an increase in local cases 200 On July 24 the Blue Jays announced that they would play the majority of their home games at Sahlen Field in Buffalo New York home of the Jays AAA affiliate the Buffalo Bisons 201 202 203 The Jays first game in Buffalo was August 11 against the Miami Marlins The Jays first two home series against the Washington Nationals and Philadelphia Phillies were relocated to the visiting teams venues Nationals Park and Citizens Bank Park respectively with the Jays as designated home team 201 203 204 However the Phillies series was postponed and made up in Buffalo 205 Broadcast rights editTelevision edit National edit This is the seventh year of the current eight year deals with Fox ESPN and TBS Fox was to televise the MLB at Field of Dreams game on August 13 FS1 televised games on Tuesday nights and on Saturdays both during the afternoon and night ESPN televised games on its flagship telecast Sunday Night Baseball as well as Monday and Wednesday nights Fox and ESPN Sunday Night Baseball telecasts were exclusive all other national telecasts were subject to local blackout TBS televised one AL Wild Card Series both American League Division Series matchups and the American League Championship Series ESPN televised seven of the eight Wild Card Series with live look ins and alternate broadcasts on ESPN 206 207 208 On September 28 it was announced that ABC would broadcast at least four of ESPN s Wild Card Series games marking the first time a national MLB game had aired on the network since 1995 via the ill fated The Baseball Network arrangement 209 FS1 and MLB Network will televise both National League Division Series matchups Fox and FS1 televised the National League Championship Series and the World Series was on Fox for the 21st straight year Local edit In Chicago new television deals resulted in the end of free to air regional telecasts for the city s two franchises In February the Cubs launched the team owned Marquee Sports Network a joint venture with Sinclair Broadcast Group The White Sox signed exclusively with NBC Sports Chicago under a multi year deal 210 211 212 In November 2019 MLB owners voted unanimously to revert certain in market digital streaming rights to the teams themselves 213 214 On April 1 the Los Angeles Dodgers Spectrum SportsNet LA reached a carriage deal with AT amp T covering AT amp T TV U verse and DirecTV concluding a seven year impasse that had hindered the network s local availability 215 Long time Cincinnati Reds television play by play announcer Thom Brennaman resigned on September 26 after he was caught using a homophobic slur in a game on August 19 against the Kansas City Royals 216 217 Sideline host Jim Day took over Brennaman s duties for the rest of the season beginning August 20 Radio edit National edit ESPN Radio will air its 23rd season of national coverage including Sunday Night Baseball Saturday Games Opening Day Labor Day games and the entire Major League Baseball postseason Local edit The Oakland Athletics were briefly the first MLB team to abandon terrestrial radio in their primary market in favor of internet radio the team initially carried games on TuneIn via the A s Cast channel with plans for some games to be aired without commercial interruptions The decision was prompted by competition with other local sports teams for time on stations resulting in frequent pre emptions and lowered priorities and conflicts with regular station programming The broadcasts were still carried on some terrestrial radio stations outside the Bay Area with the closest being Sacramento s KHTK 218 219 However on July 30 2020 it was reported that the team had backed out of the arrangement and signed with iHeartMedia to make 960 KNEW the team s flagship station with its streaming platform shifting to iHeartRadio beginning July 31 Team president Dave Kaval cited people having become budget conscious due to the pandemic as having influenced the decision 220 Entercom s KMNB Minneapolis will join WCCO as the FM flagship for the Minnesota Twins in an extension of rights until the 2023 season 221 Chicago White Sox radio play by play announcer Ed Farmer a former pitcher for the team who had been part of the team s radio broadcast staff since 1991 died on April 1 after a long term battle with polycystic kidney disease 222 On June 30 the team and its radio network named Andy Masur the former pre game host as Farmer s successor 223 Impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on production edit nbsp Cutout images of Washington Nationals fans placed in Nationals Park seats in August 2020 In order to reduce avoidable travel and the amount of personnel on site for each game most MLB broadcasters commentated away games remotely from either their broadcaster s studio or their home stadium s broadcast booths MLB safety protocols mandated remote broadcasts for away games on television but radio broadcasters were allowed to be present on site for away games if they so chose 224 Some teams had their commentators on site for home games only and called away games from their studio 225 226 Furthermore the home team s local television rightsholder served as the host broadcaster for each game providing a neutral video feed to media partners including the away team s local rightsholder and in some cases a national broadcaster which added commentary graphics and other surrounding coverage for their audience 227 228 MLB Network assisted with providing and using existing infrastructure for this arrangement 229 Audio from Sony Interactive Entertainment s MLB The Show video game franchise was used as artificial crowd noise for all games and was played over the stadiums audio systems on site 228 Fox announced plans to use augmented reality virtual fans in its games 230 while ESPN leveraged experience from its remote broadcasts of KBO League games over the suspended pre season 231 232 The pandemic also led to changes in broadcast arrangements for several teams Due to health risks the Baltimore Orioles announced that Gary Thorne and Jim Palmer could not call its games for MASN this season 233 Local sports radio personality Scott Garceau replaced Thorne on play by play in 2021 the team would not renew the contracts of Thorne Palmer or analysts Mike Bordick and Rick Dempsey with Garceau remaining part of the revamped team 234 Sportsnet s Toronto Blue Jays color commentator Pat Tabler who is a U S citizen took on a reduced analyst role this season leaving the team s alternate commentary team of Dan Shulman play by play and Buck Martinez color he normally performs play by play on games where Shulman is not present for all regular season games 225 235 Due to his commitments to ESPN Radio coverage Shulman was replaced by Joe Siddall for Toronto s Wild Card Series games 236 Prior to the pandemic the San Francisco Giants and NBC Sports Bay Area had already planned to have color commentator Mike Krukow broadcast 22 NL West road games remotely from the network s studios with his play by play partner Duane Kuiper commentating on site as normal to accommodate his inclusion body myositis which had made him unfit to travel The need for this arrangement was ultimately rendered moot with Krukow and Kuiper calling all Giants games together from booths at Oracle Park 224 237 On July 31 Texas Rangers radio voice Matt Hicks tested positive for COVID 19 His partner Eric Nadel subsequently opted out from broadcasting that weekend s games 238 After television voice C J Nitkowski tested positive in mid September Fox Sports Southwest switched to using a simulcast of the radio broadcast 239 Retirements editThe following players retired during the 2020 season and before the start of 2021 campaign Alex Wilson July 28 240 Jose Reyes July 29 241 Chris Iannetta August 8 242 Ubaldo Jimenez September 17 243 Alex Gordon September 24 retired at the end of the season 244 Hunter Pence September 26 245 Francisco Cervelli October 3 246 Hisashi Iwakuma October 20 retired at the end of the current Nippon Professional Baseball season 247 Kyuji Fujikawa November 10 248 Yonder Alonso November 20 249 Howie Kendrick December 21 250 Phil Hughes January 3 2021 251 Danny Hultzen January 14 2021 252 Daniel Murphy January 29 2021 253 Dustin Pedroia February 1 2021 254 Josh Phegley February 3 2021 255 Jared Hughes February 14 2021 256 Nate Orf February 16 2021 257 Cody Allen February 17 2021 258 Tim Tebow February 17 2021 259 Brian Dozier February 18 2021 260 Kelvin Herrera February 26 2021 261 Tim Dillard March 10 2021 262 Nick Markakis March 12 2021 263 Dan Otero March 22 264 Gio Gonzalez March 25 2021 265 Retired numbers editDick Allen had his 15 retired on September 3 by the Philadelphia Phillies He is the seventh player to have his number retired by the franchise 266 Due to the delayed start of the season caused by the COVID 19 pandemic the following retirement ceremonies have been postponed They had been rescheduled to either 2021 or 2022 Player No Team Original Date New Date Ref Larry Walker 33 Colorado Rockies April 19 September 25 2021 267 Dave Stewart 34 Oakland Athletics May 23 September 11 2022 268 Roy Halladay 34 Philadelphia Phillies May 29 August 8 2021 269 Jerry Koosman 36 New York Mets June 13 August 28 2021 270 Will Clark 22 San Francisco Giants July 11 July 30 2022 271 Lou Whitaker 1 Detroit Tigers August 29 August 6 2022 272 Major League Baseball teams revenue losses for 2020 editFor 2020 Team Marketing Report calculated 5 billion in game day losses for Major League Baseball as a result of not having fans in attendance 273 See also edit2020 in baseball 2020 KBO League season 2020 Nippon Professional Baseball season 2020 Chinese Professional Baseball League season Impact of the COVID 19 pandemic on baseballReferences edit Feinsand Mark March 12 2020 Opening Day delayed at least 2 weeks Spring Training games canceled MLB com Retrieved March 12 2020 Feinsand Mark March 16 2020 Opening of regular season to be pushed back MLB com Retrieved March 17 2020 Baccellieri Emma Summer Camp Is Here But MLB s Calendar Is Shattered Sports Illustrated Retrieved July 20 2020 Matt Johnson July 3 2020 Major League Baseball cancels 2020 All Star Game Sportsnaut Retrieved July 3 2020 Blue Jays settle on Sahlen Field after clock runs out on Baltimore bid Sportsnet ca July 24 2020 Retrieved August 26 2020 Desk Post Sports June 24 2020 MLB 2020 season is officially a go New York Post Retrieved June 24 2020 2020 MLB schedule released with Yankees Nationals Giants Dodgers set for opening night ESPN July 6 2020 MLB announces 2020 postseason schedule MLB com 2020 MLB schedule Teams to play 40 division games 20 interleague games Yahoo Sports Archived from the original on June 25 2020 Retrieved June 24 2020 MLB announces 60 game season for 2020 Opening Day will be July 23 or 24 CBSSports com June 24 2020 Retrieved June 24 2020 MLB cancels Cubs Cardinals London series in June ESPN com April 1 2020 Retrieved April 1 2020 Red Sox O s to play in 20 Little League Classic MLB com August 7 2019 Retrieved August 27 2019 Little League World Series canceled for first time because of coronavirus ESPN com April 30 2020 Retrieved August 4 2020 Pope LaMond August 3 2020 Field of Dreams game with the White Sox and Cardinals reportedly is canceled because of logistical problems chicagotribune com Retrieved August 3 2020 Martin Jill MLB s Field of Dreams game in Iowa postponed to 2021 because of coronavirus CNN Retrieved August 4 2020 Cotillo Chris March 26 2020 Coronavirus MLB MLBPA reach deal giving players full service time in 2020 and significantly reducing draft masslive com Retrieved March 27 2020 FAQ After coronavirus shutdown what will baseball look like in 2020 sports yahoo com March 20 2020 Retrieved June 25 2020 What the 2020 MLB season could look like once if it gets going ESPN com March 19 2020 Retrieved June 25 2020 Sources MLB union focused on plan that could allow season to start as early as May in Arizona ESPN com April 7 2020 Retrieved June 25 2020 MLB considering radical realignment for 2020 season Grapefruit and Cactus leagues USA Today Bob Nightengale April 10 2020 Nightengale Bob April 10 2020 MLB considering radical realignment for 2020 season Grapefruit and Cactus leagues USA Today Retrieved April 11 2020 Blum Ronald May 26 2020 Players Call MLB Economic Proposal Extremely Disappointing Messenger Inquirer Associated Press Retrieved May 27 2020 permanent dead link Kepner Tyler May 11 2020 M L B Proposes an 82 Game Season Starting in July New York Times Retrieved May 25 2020 An 82 game season A universal DH Key takeaways from MLB s 2020 proposal ESPN May 11 2020 Retrieved May 25 2020 MLB 2020 season Timeline of how testy negotiations led to Rob Manfred mandating a 60 game schedule CBS Sports May 24 2020 Retrieved May 25 2020 R J Anderson June 1 2020 MLBPA proposal for 2020 MLB season includes 114 game season and player opt out per report CBS Sports Retrieved June 9 2020 Katherine Acquavella R J Anderson June 8 2020 MLB owners propose 76 game 2020 season but still want players to take another pay cut per report CBS Sports Retrieved June 9 2020 Jeff Passan June 9 2020 Sources MLBPA proposes 89 game season expanded playoffs ESPN Retrieved June 11 2020 Jeff Passan June 13 2020 MLB players reject latest offer ask league to set 2020 season schedule ESPN Retrieved June 13 2020 MLB commissioner Rob Manfred quickly rejects union s 70 game proposal ESPN June 18 2020 Retrieved June 18 2020 Source All MLB spring camps to temporarily close after positive coronavirus tests ESPN com June 19 2020 Retrieved June 25 2020 Report All MLB clubs moving spring training camps to home cities Sportsnet Rogers Sports amp Media Retrieved June 25 2020 Sources MLB targets 60 game season starting around July 24 assuming conditions met ESPN com June 22 2020 Retrieved June 25 2020 MLB owners unanimously vote to proceed with 2020 season theScore com June 23 2020 Retrieved June 25 2020 MLBPA owners clear final hurdles players set to report to camps July 1 ESPN com June 23 2020 Retrieved June 25 2020 Guardado Maria July 10 2020 With newborn twins Posey elects not to play MLB com Retrieved July 11 2020 a b c d Simon Andrew MLB s 60 game schedule for 2020 unveiled MLB com Retrieved July 8 2020 MLB players union agree to playoff expansion for 2020 ESPN July 23 2020 Everything to know about expanded playoffs MLB com Retrieved July 24 2020 Miami Marlins decided in a group chat to play Sunday s game against the Philadelphia Phillies CNN Ken Rosenthal July 30 2020 Another Marlins player has tested positive for COVID 19 but the team anticipated this result from its contact trac Tweet Retrieved September 25 2020 via Twitter a b MLB schedule altered again by Cardinals COVID 19 tests 17 total games postponed including three on Sunday CBS Sports September 15 2020 Source MLB calls off Cardinals Brewers game due to coronavirus ESPN July 31 2020 Cardinals vs Pirates series postponed because of coronavirus source says ESPN August 9 2020 Cardinals Tigers doubleheader postponed amid coronavirus worries ESPN August 10 2020 Reds Pirates games Saturday Sunday postponed after positive coronavirus test ESPN August 15 2020 Reds Royals postponed twin bill Wednesday MLB com Positive coronavirus tests among Mets lead to postponements vs Marlins Yankees ESPN August 20 2020 Remainder of Yanks Mets series postponed MLB com A s Astros game postponed after positive test MLB com Rest of A s Mariners series postponed MLB com Two Giants Padres games postponed after positive test in Giants organization ESPN September 12 2020 Three MLB games postponed as players protest Wisconsin shooting ESPN August 26 2020 Players make stand as 7 games postponed MLB com Start of Spring Training dates announced MLB com Retrieved March 27 2024 Play Ball MLB announces 2020 regular season MLB com Retrieved March 27 2024 MLB sets playoff bubbles Schedule neutral site locations and everything else to know for 2020 postseason cbssports com Retrieved September 19 2020 Castrovince Anthony Everything to know about expanded playoffs MLB com Retrieved October 4 2023 MLB announces 2020 postseason schedule MLB com Retrieved September 15 2020 Adler David March 15 2019 The new two way player rule explained MLB com Retrieved July 6 2019 Passan Jeff March 14 2019 MLB tweaks some rules now more coming in 2020 ESPN com Retrieved March 14 2019 Castrovince Anthony March 14 2019 Rule changes coming this year and next MLB com Retrieved July 26 2019 Rule changes announced for 2020 season MLB com February 12 2020 Retrieved February 12 2020 Official Baseball Rules PDF 2020 ed Major League Baseball 2020 p vii 94 ISBN 978 1 7348793 0 8 Retrieved June 2 2021 via amazonaws com Feinsand Mark June 24 2020 Play Ball MLB announces 2020 regular season MLB com Dykstra Sam Roundup Major League alternate training sites milb com a b Pavlovic Alex August 4 2020 How MLB s latest rule change could end up helping the Giants NBC Sports Retrieved August 4 2020 permanent dead link Players Opting Out Of The 2020 Season MLB Trade Rumors July 14 2020 Red Sox fire Dombrowski one season after title ESPN com September 9 2019 Cotillo Chris October 25 2019 Chaim Bloom will be Boston Red Sox s chief baseball officer Brian O Halloran will reportedly become GM masslive com Retrieved October 25 2019 Berry Adam October 28 2019 Neal Huntington out as Pirates GM Pittsburgh Pirates Mlb com Retrieved January 1 2020 Berry Adam November 18 2019 Ben Cherington named Pirates GM Pittsburgh Pirates Mlb com Retrieved January 1 2020 a b Astros Luhnow Hinch suspended for 20 season MLB com January 13 2020 Retrieved January 13 2020 Astros name James Click general manager MLB com Padres Fire Green After Four Sub 500 Seasons ESPN com September 21 2019 Retrieved September 21 2019 permanent dead link AJ Cassavell October 31 2019 Jayce Tingler named Padres manager San Diego Padres Mlb com Retrieved January 1 2020 Guardado Maria February 18 2019 Bruce Bochy will retire after 2019 season MLB com Retrieved January 1 2020 Guardado Maria November 13 2019 Gabe Kapler hired as Giants manager MLB com Retrieved January 1 2020 Flanagan Jeffrey September 23 2019 Ned Yost retires as Royals manager MLB com Retrieved January 1 2020 Royals Name Mike Matheny New Manager ESPN com October 31 2019 Retrieved October 31 2019 Flanagan Jeffrey October 31 2019 Mike Matheny to be Royals new manager MLB com Retrieved January 1 2020 Bastian Jordan September 29 2019 Joe Maddon not returning as Cubs manager MLB com Retrieved January 1 2020 Bastian Jordan October 24 2019 David Ross next Cubs manager Chicago Cubs Mlb com Retrieved January 1 2020 Berry Adam September 29 2019 Clint Hurdle dismissed by Pirates MLB com Retrieved January 1 2020 Berry Adam December 4 2019 Derek Shelton named Pirates manager Pittsburgh Pirates Mlb com Retrieved January 1 2020 Pittsburgh Pirates Hire Derek Shelton As Manager PostGazette com November 27 2019 Retrieved November 27 2019 permanent dead link Ausmus out in LA Maddon up next MLB com September 30 2019 Retrieved September 30 2019 Bollinger Rhett October 21 2019 Joe Maddon named Angels manager MLB com Retrieved January 1 2020 DiComo Anthony October 3 2019 Mets part ways with manager Mickey Callaway MLB com Retrieved October 3 2019 Anthony DiComo November 1 2019 Carlos Beltran is new Mets manager New York Mets Mlb com Retrieved January 1 2020 Mets agree to part ways with manager Beltran ESPN com January 16 2020 New Mets manager Rojas ready to work tirelessly ESPN com January 24 2020 Philadelphia Phillies fire manager Gabe Kapler ESPN com October 10 2019 Retrieved October 10 2019 Zolecki Todd October 24 2019 Joe Girardi hired to be Phillies manager MLB com Retrieved January 1 2020 Red Sox part ways with manager Alex Cora MLB com January 14 2020 Retrieved January 14 2020 Roenicke named Boston s interim skipper MLB com McWilliams Julian April 22 2020 Red Sox remove interim tag from manager Ron Roenicke The Boston Globe Retrieved April 22 2020 Petzold Evan Detroit Tigers Ron Gardenhire retires as manager after nearly 3 seasons Detroit Free Press Darren Hartwell August 3 2020 Yankees Aaron Judge set an MLB record during huge series vs Red Sox Sports yahoo com Archived from the original on September 18 2020 Retrieved August 26 2020 Snyder Matt August 14 2020 Dodgers star Mookie Betts ties MLB record for most three homer games CBSSports com Retrieved August 26 2020 Camerato Jessica August 18 2020 Luis Garcia first player born in 2000s to homer MLB com Retrieved August 26 2020 Merkin Scott August 23 2020 Jose Abreu homer streak at Wrigley MLB com Retrieved August 26 2020 Bastian Jordan August 30 2020 Cubs first in history to have 3 OFs hit 2 HRs MLB com Guardado Maria September 2 2020 Giant night for Dickerson 3 HRs 5 XBHs MLB com Bowman Mark September 3 2020 Braves make 3 homer game history MLB com Rogers Anne September 25 2020 Y2K Molina notches 2 000th career hit MLB com Camerato Jessica September 27 2020 Soto 351 youngest to win NL batting title MLB a b Rivera Marly September 27 2020 Yankees DJ LeMahieu wins AL batting title Luke Voit finishes with majors leading 22 home runs ESPN Bumbaca Chris September 30 2020 Twins Alex Kirilloff becomes first MLB player to make debut by starting postseason game USAToday com Naylor makes postseason history at the plate MLB com MLB playoffs Athletics oust White Sox in drama filled Game 3 snap postseason series losing streak CBSSports com October 2 2020 Passan Jeff October 1 2020 2020 MLB playoffs Fernando Tatis Jr explodes onto the scene ESPN com Retrieved October 1 2020 Acuna on HBP They can t get me out MLB com October 6 2020 Smith youngest player with 5 hits in PS game MLB com Arozarena hits rookie record 7th playoff HR MLB com Merkin Scott Lucas Giolito throws no hitter vs Pirates MLB com Retrieved August 26 2020 Mills unlikely journey culminates in no hitter MLB com Bell Mandy July 31 2020 Shane Bieber makes strikeout history MLB com Retrieved August 26 2020 Bell Mandy September 11 2020 No starter has hit 100 K s faster than Bieber MLB com Retrieved September 11 2020 Beck Jason August 2 2020 Tyler Alexander strikes out 9 consecutive batters MLB com Retrieved August 26 2020 Anthony DiComo August 5 2020 Rick Porcello notches 150th career win MLB com Retrieved August 26 2020 Gallen s stingy career start sets MLB record MLB com Surging Giants reward Gausman reach 500 MLB com Unhittable Hader sets Major League record MLB com New amp improved Mercado propels walk off MLB com Kershaw 3rd youngest to 2 500 K s in gem MLB com Anderson R J August 13 2020 Blue Jays homer seven times lose vs Marlins Bo Bichette also makes history as part of wild slugfest CBSSports com Retrieved August 26 2020 Merkin Scott August 16 2020 White Sox hit four straight home runs MLB com Retrieved August 26 2020 Merkin Scott August 18 2020 White Sox hit back to back leadoff home runs MLB com Retrieved August 26 2020 White Sox go undefeated against left handed pitching Janice Scurio September 29 2020 Retrieved October 1 2020 AJ Cassavell August 21 2020 Padres hit four grand slams in four games MLB com Retrieved August 26 2020 Zolecki Todd August 26 2020 Nola s big outing nets Girardi 1 000th win MLB com Gurnick Ken August 30 2020 Dodgers big August breaks NL homer record MLB com Batter up Biggest playoff innings in history MLB com Langs Sarah Randhawa Manny Simon Andrew September 10 2020 18 mind blowing facts about Braves 29 runs MLB com Braves 29 runs against Marlins second most in MLB since 1900 ESPN September 9 2020 Retrieved September 10 2020 ATL sets scoreless IP record to open playoffs MLB com Hoch Bryan 6 HRs in 3 straight Yanks own new record MLB com Retrieved September 18 2020 Brian McTaggart September 26 2020 Baker makes managerial history with Astros MLB A postseason first 11 innings zero runs MLB com 9 crazy plays in longest 9 inning game ever MLB com Record strikeouts help gutsy Rays even DS MLB com Athletics vs Astros Game Recap October 8 2020 ESPN ESPN com Motivated Astros reach 4th straight ALCS MLB com Astros set record with HR on 1st amp last pitch MLB com Game 7 HOU 2nd club to rally from 3 0 hole MLB com A pretty special feeling Rays headed to WS MLB com Castrovince Anthony December 9 2020 Here is the star studded 2020 All MLB Team MLB com Retrieved December 11 2020 20 Fielding Bible Award winners announced MLB com New York Yankees Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Cleveland Indians Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Chicago Cubs Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Los Angeles Angels Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Washington Nationals Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Boston Red Sox Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 a b Oakland Athletics Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 New York Mets Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 St Louis Cardinals Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 San Francisco Giants Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Colorado Rockies Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 San Diego Padres Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Minnesota Twins Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Atlanta Braves Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Texas Rangers Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Cincinnati Reds Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Chicago White Sox Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Milwaukee Brewers Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Cleveland Indians Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Seattle Mariners Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Detroit Tigers Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Arizona Diamondbacks Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Toronto Blue Jays Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Kansas City Royals Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Florida Marlins Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Tampa Bay Rays Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Baltimore Orioles Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance Stadiums and Park Factors Baseball Reference com Retrieved September 8 2020 MLB confirms ten year Nike uniform deal SportsPro Media January 28 2019 Retrieved January 19 2020 MLB Nike and Fanatics form 10 year partnership Mlb com Press release January 26 2019 Retrieved February 15 2024 Lee Joon April 15 2020 MLB stars pay homage on Jackie Robinson Day ESPN com Retrieved April 17 2020 Detroit Tigers to wear No 6 patch in honor of Al Kaline this season Detroit Free Press July 24 2020 Gilbert Steve November 8 2019 D backs make changes to 2020 uniforms Arizona Diamondbacks Mlb com Retrieved January 1 2020 Chris Creamer November 2019 Cincinnati Reds Roll Out Two New Uniforms for 2020 Chris Creamer s SportsLogos Net News and Blog New Logos and New Uniforms news photos and rumours News sportslogos net Retrieved January 1 2020 McCalvy Adam November 18 2019 Brewers introduce new uniforms for 2020 Milwaukee Brewers Mlb com Retrieved January 1 2020 Perry Dayn November 25 2019 Twins bringing back baby blue uniforms as alternates for 2020 season CBSSports com Retrieved January 1 2020 Pirates Unveil New Road And Alternate Uniforms For 2020 Season January 24 2020 Rangers December 4 2019 A new chapter TogetherWe Tweet Retrieved December 4 2019 via Twitter Brudnicki Alexis January 18 2020 Blue Jays unveil New Blue jerseys for 2020 mlb com Retrieved January 19 2020 Chris Creamer November 15 2019 Two New Caps and a New Jersey for Nationals in 2020 Chris Creamer s SportsLogos Net News and Blog New Logos and New Uniforms news photos and rumours News sportslogos net Retrieved January 1 2020 Padres unveil new uniforms Brown is back MLB com Blackburn Pete August 8 2019 LOOK St Louis Cardinals will reportedly change cap logo for first time in 56 years CBSSports com Retrieved January 1 2020 Lukas Paul September 23 2020 Royals Cards Wear Excellent Negro League Throwbacks uni watch com Retrieved September 25 2020 T R Sullivan August 12 2019 Rangers 2020 schedule Texas Rangers Mlb com Retrieved January 1 2020 Miami Marlins join MLB s trend toward artificial turf WSVN via Associated Press December 4 2019 Retrieved December 4 2019 Axisa Mike January 14 2020 Atlanta Braves stadium renamed Truist Park heading into fourth MLB season CBSSports com Blue Jays denied government approval to play home games in Toronto Sportsnet Rogers Sports amp Media July 18 2020 Retrieved July 18 2020 Blue Jays exploring possibility of playing games at PNC Park Pittsburgh Post Gazette Retrieved July 20 2020 Blue Jays have looked into Pittsburgh s PNC Park as home games site Sportsnet Retrieved July 20 2020 Pittsburgh plan fizzles after Pa turns Jays away ESPN com July 22 2020 Retrieved July 24 2020 a b Blue Jays to play majority of home games at Buffalo s Sahlen Field Sportsnet Rogers Sports amp Media Retrieved July 24 2020 Blue Jays to play in Buffalo amid pandemic ESPN com July 24 2020 Retrieved July 24 2020 a b Harrington Mike July 24 2020 Blue Jays to play home games in Buffalo Buffalo News Retrieved July 24 2020 Blue Jays set 2020 schedule first game in Buffalo is August 11 MiLB com Retrieved August 3 2020 With weekend off Blue Jays staying fresh MLB com Retrieved August 3 2020 Dachman Jason September 29 2020 MLB Postseason ESPN Modifies REMI Model To Produce Up to 21 Wild Card Games in Four Days Sports Video Group Retrieved October 7 2020 Rosenthal Phil September 29 2020 Jason Benetti with 6 screens and pizza will do ESPN Plus Statcast streams for the postseason from his living room I m thinking I might do thin crust chicagotribune com Retrieved October 7 2020 ESPN will air seven of the eight new MLB Postseason series this fall Awful Announcing July 24 2020 Retrieved July 24 2020 Brown Maury MLB Postseason Games Returning To ABC For First Time In 25 Years Forbes Retrieved September 28 2020 Teddy Greenstein January 2 2019 NBC Sports Chicago announces multiyear deal with the White Sox Bulls and Blackhawks Chicago Tribune Tribune Publishing Retrieved March 20 2019 Phil Rosenthal February 13 2019 The Cubs are starting a new TV channel in 2020 Here s what that means for fans Chicago Tribune Tribune Publishing Retrieved March 20 2019 Jesse Rogers February 13 2019 Cubs launching a network of their own Marquee Sports Network ESPN com ESPN Internet Ventures Retrieved March 20 2019 MLB teams to iron out local streaming rights deals with RSNs says report SportsPro Media December 3 2019 Retrieved December 3 2019 The Pen MLB owners vote could be big news for baseball fans cutting the cord Yahoo Sports November 22 2019 Retrieved December 3 2019 Castillo Jorge Shaikin Bill April 1 2020 Dodgers TV blackout ends Spectrum deal puts SportsNet LA on AT amp T platforms Los Angeles Times Mitchell Madeline August 19 2020 Brennaman after using slur on air I don t know if I m going to be putting on this headset again Cincinnati Enquirer Archived from the original on August 29 2020 Retrieved September 5 2020 Russell Jake September 26 2020 Thom Brennaman resigns from Reds after being suspended for on air homophobic slur The Washington Post Slusser Susan February 18 2020 A s broadcast plan includes no Bay Area radio station It s streaming only San Francisco Chronicle Retrieved February 19 2020 Peterson Gary February 18 2020 Oakland A s fans vent about team trading radio broadcast for streaming San Jose Mercury News Retrieved February 19 2020 A s to add local radio station 960 AM change to iHeartRadio streaming service San Francisco Chronicle July 30 2020 Retrieved July 31 2020 Minnesota Twins To Air On WCCO amp 102 9 The Wolf Radio Insight com March 3 2020 Retrieved March 9 2020 Merkin Scott April 2 2020 White Sox announcer Ed Farmer 70 dies MLB com Retrieved April 4 2020 Rosenthal Phil June 30 2020 Andy Masur New Chicago White Sox radio voice Chicago Tribune Chicago Tribune Retrieved July 2 2020 a b How Kruk and Kuip will broadcast Giants games this season NBC Sports Bay Area July 12 2020 Retrieved July 26 2020 a b Sprung Shlomo July 23 2020 Baseball during the pandemic MLB announcers describe calling games in the unique 2020 season Awful Announcing Retrieved July 24 2020 MLB announcers will broadcast road games remotely in 2020 season per report CBSSports com June 4 2020 Retrieved July 24 2020 Dachman Jason July 24 2020 MLB Returns NESN To Produce Red Sox ized In Market Broadcasts in Addition to World Feed Sports Video Group Retrieved July 26 2020 a b Dachman Jason July 24 2020 MLB Returns RSNs Take Over World Feed for All MLB Broadcasts Customize for In Market Fans Sports Video Group Retrieved July 26 2020 Hernandez Kristian July 24 2020 MLB Returns Wearing Two Production Hats MLB Network Deploys Full At Home Model Provides RSN Infrastructure Sports Video Group Retrieved July 26 2020 MLB Returns Fox Sports Augments MLB on Fox Telecasts With Virtual Fans Sports Video Group July 23 2020 Retrieved July 24 2020 Hernandez Kristian July 23 2020 MLB Returns ESPN Preps Normal Sunday Night Baseball Graphics Package for Enhanced World Feed Sports Video Group Retrieved July 24 2020 ESPN s Remote Production of MLB Will Rely on KBO Experience Sporttechie Retrieved July 24 2020 Meoli Jon July 18 2020 Gary Thorne Jim Palmer others won t be at Camden Yards for broadcasts as Orioles limit in person announce teams Baltimore Sun Retrieved July 24 2020 Trezza Joe O s MASN announce 21 broadcast team Major League Baseball Retrieved January 26 2021 Sportsnet announces Blue Jays return to play broadcast schedule Sportsnet ca Retrieved July 24 2020 Your 2020 MLB Wild Card announcing schedule Awful Announcing September 28 2020 Retrieved October 7 2020 Broadcaster s new reality In an empty Oracle Park calling Giants in Oakland San Francisco Chronicle July 18 2020 Retrieved July 26 2020 Rangers radio broadcaster Matt Hicks tests positive for COVID 19 Dallas News July 31 2020 Retrieved August 4 2020 Rangers TV broadcaster Nitkowski tests positive for COVID 19 Houston Chronicle September 18 2020 Retrieved October 7 2020 permanent dead link beckjason July 28 2020 Alex Wilson who was in Spring Training 1 0 with Tigers announces his retirement after seven MLB seasons four wit Tweet Retrieved September 25 2020 via Twitter Jeff Todd July 29 2020 Jose Reyes Announces Official Retirement MLB Trade Rumors Retrieved August 26 2020 Mark Polishuk August 8 2020 Chris Iannetta Believed To Be Retiring MLB Trade Rumors Retrieved August 26 2020 BNightengale September 18 2020 Ubaldo Jimenez a class act officially retires Tweet Retrieved September 25 2020 via Twitter Longtime Royals star Alex Gordon to retire MLB com Hunter Pence calls it a career for Giants MLB com Retrieved September 26 2020 Francisco Cervelli Announces Retirement MLB Trade Rumors October 3 2020 Hisashi Iwakuma To Retire MLB Trade Rumors October 20 2020 Kyuji Fujikawa Retires MLB Trade Rumors November 15 2020 Login Instagram www instagram com a href Template Cite web html title Template Cite web cite web a Cite uses generic title help Howie Kendrick Retires MLB Trade Rumors December 21 2020 PJHughes45 January 3 2021 Sincerest thanks Tweet via Twitter barrysvrluga January 14 2021 Local baseball Danny Hultzen of Bethesda St Alban s UVa who was the second pick in the 2011 draft is retiring f Tweet via Twitter Daniel Murphy Mets postseason icon is retiring from baseball sny tv January 29 2021 Archived from the original on January 29 2021 Retrieved October 13 2021 True Red Sox Pedroia retires after 14 years MLB com Josh Phegley Announces Retirement February 3 2021 Jared Hughes Announces Retirement February 14 2021 Oakland A s Nate Orf announces his retirement February 18 2021 Indians all time saves leader Allen retires at 32 February 17 2021 Tebow s baseball journey comes to an end MLB com Slugging 2B Dozier announces retirement MLB com Kelvin Herrera Announces Retirement February 26 2021 Tim Dillard Announces Retirement March 10 2021 Nick Markakis Retires March 12 2021 Indians Hire Dan Otero in Baseball Operations Role March 22 2021 Gio Gonzalez Announces Retirement March 25 2021 Dick Allen s No 15 to be retired by Phillies MLB com August 13 2020 Retrieved August 13 2020 Rockies to retire Larry Walker s jersey on April 19 ESPN January 17 2020 Retrieved January 18 2020 A s announce plan to retire Stewart s No 34 MLB com August 26 2019 Retrieved August 27 2019 Phillies to Retire Roy Halladay s Jersey on the 10 Year Anniversary of His Perfect Game Sports Illustrated February 4 2020 Retrieved February 5 2020 Koosman s No 36 to be retired by Mets in June ESPN com March 5 2020 Giants will retire Will Clark s number MLB com August 11 2019 Retrieved August 11 2019 Detroit Tigers will retire Lou Whitaker s No 1 during 2020 season CBSsports com December 17 2019 Retrieved December 18 2019 Weatherly Kaleel Adams Michael October 7 2020 No fans no funds Projected game day losses for Brewers and other MLB teams in 2020 American City Business Journals Retrieved October 8 2020 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title 2020 Major League Baseball season amp oldid 1215969606, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,

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