2006 Major League Baseball season

The 2006 Major League Baseball season ended with the National League's St. Louis Cardinals winning the World Series with the lowest regular-season victory total (83) in a fully-played season in major league history. The Atlanta Braves failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 1990 (1994 there was no postseason due to the players strike). Individual achievements included Barry Bonds who, despite questions surrounding his alleged steroid use and involvement in the BALCO scandal, surpassed Babe Ruth for second place on the career home runs list. The American League continued its domination at the All-Star Game by winning its fourth straight game, and ninth of the prior 10 contests (the 2002 game was a tie).

Standings

American League

National League

Postseason

Bracket

All-Star game All-Star Game, July 11 at PNC Park – American League, 3–2; Michael Young, MVP Century 21 Home Run Derby, July 10 – Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies

Awards

Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie of the YearHanley Ramírez (FLA)Justin Verlander (DET)Cy Young AwardBrandon Webb (AZ)Johan Santana (MIN)Manager of the YearJoe Girardi (FLA)Jim Leyland (DET)Most Valuable PlayerRyan Howard (PHI)Justin Morneau (MIN)Gold Glove AwardsPositionNational LeagueAmerican LeaguePitcherGreg Maddux (CHC/LAD)Kenny Rogers (DET)CatcherBrad Ausmus (HOU)Iván Rodríguez (DET)1st BaseAlbert Pujols (STL)Mark Teixeira (TEX)2nd BaseOrlando Hudson (AZ)Mark Grudzielanek (KC)3rd BaseScott Rolen (STL)Eric Chavez (OAK)ShortstopOmar Vizquel (SF)Derek Jeter (NYY)OutfieldCarlos Beltrán (NYM)Mike Cameron (SD)Andruw Jones (ATL)Torii Hunter (MIN)Ichiro Suzuki (SEA)Vernon Wells (TOR)Silver Slugger AwardsPositionNational LeagueAmerican LeaguePitcher/Designated HitterCarlos Zambrano (CHC) David Ortiz (BOS)CatcherBrian McCann (ATL)Joe Mauer (MIN)1st BaseRyan Howard (PHI)Justin Morneau (MIN)2nd BaseChase Utley (PHI)Robinson Canó (NYY)3rd BaseMiguel Cabrera (FLA)Joe Crede (CWS)ShortstopJosé Reyes (NYM)Derek Jeter (NYY)OutfieldCarlos Beltrán (NYM)Matt Holliday (COL)Alfonso Soriano (WSH)Jermaine Dye (CWS)Vladimir Guerrero (LAA)Manny Ramirez (BOS)

Other awards Comeback Players of the Year: Jim Thome (Designated hitter, CWS, American); Nomar Garciaparra (First baseman, LAD, National). Edgar Martínez Award (Best designated hitter): David Ortiz (BOS) Hank Aaron Award: Derek Jeter (NYY, American); Ryan Howard (PHI, National). Roberto Clemente Award (Humanitarian): Carlos Delgado (NYM). Rolaids Relief Man Award: Francisco Rodríguez (LAA, American); Trevor Hoffman (SD, National). Delivery Man of the Year (Best Reliever): Mariano Rivera (NYY). Warren Spahn Award (Best left-handed pitcher): Johan Santana (MIN)

Player of the Month Month American League National League April Jason Giambi Albert Pujols May Alex Rodriguez Jason Bay June Joe Mauer David Wright July David Ortiz Chase Utley August Travis Hafner Ryan Howard September Robinson Canó Ryan Howard

Pitcher of the Month Month American League National League April José Contreras Greg Maddux May CC Sabathia Jason Schmidt June Johan Santana Chris Young July John Lackey Carlos Zambrano August Esteban Loaiza Derek Lowe September Johan Santana Roy Oswalt

Rookie of the Month Month American League National League April Jonathan Papelbon Prince Fielder May Justin Verlander Josh Johnson June Francisco Liriano Josh JohnsonDan Uggla July Francisco Liriano Josh Barfield August Nick Markakis Chris Duncan September Boof Bonser Aníbal Sánchez

Statistical leaders Statistic American League National League AVG Joe Mauer, MIN .347 Freddy Sanchez, PIT .344 HR David Ortiz, BOS 54 Ryan Howard, PHI 58 RBI David Ortiz, BOS 137 Ryan Howard, PHI 149 Wins Johan Santana, MIN Chien-Ming Wang, NYY 19 Aaron Harang, CIN Derek Lowe, LAD Brad Penny, LAD John Smoltz, ATL Brandon Webb, AZ Carlos Zambrano, CHC 16 ERA Johan Santana, MIN 2.77 Roy Oswalt, HOU 2.98 SO Johan Santana, MIN 245 Aaron Harang, CIN 216 SV Francisco Rodríguez, LAA 47 Trevor Hoffman, SD 46 SB Carl Crawford, TB 58 José Reyes, NYM 64

Managers American League Team Manager CommentsBaltimore OriolesSam PerlozzoBoston Red SoxTerry FranconaChicago White SoxOzzie GuillénCleveland IndiansEric WedgeDetroit TigersJim LeylandWon the ALCS, replacing Alan TrammellKansas City RoyalsBuddy BellLos Angeles AngelsMike SciosciaMinnesota TwinsRon GardenhireNew York YankeesJoe TorreOakland AthleticsKen Macha (Macha was replaced by Bob Geren)Seattle MarinersMike HargroveTampa Bay Devil RaysJoe MaddonTexas RangersBuck Showalter (Showalter was replaced with Ron Washington)Toronto Blue JaysJohn Gibbons

National League Team Manager CommentsArizona DiamondbacksBob MelvinAtlanta BravesBobby CoxChicago CubsDusty Baker (Baker was replaced by Lou Piniella)Cincinnati RedsJerry NarronColorado RockiesClint HurdleFlorida MarlinsJoe Girardi (Girardi was replaced by Fredi González)Houston AstrosPhil GarnerLos Angeles DodgersGrady LittleMilwaukee BrewersNed YostNew York MetsWillie RandolphPhiladelphia PhilliesCharlie ManuelPittsburgh Pirates±Jim TracySt. Louis CardinalsTony La RussaWon the World SeriesSan Diego PadresBruce Bochy (Bochy was replaced by Bud Black)San Francisco GiantsFelipe Alou (Alou was replaced by Bruce Bochy)Washington NationalsFrank Robinson (Robinson was replaced by Manny Acta) ±hosted the MLB All Star Game

Milestones 300–300 Club members Reggie Sanders – June 10 Steve Finley – June 14

Home runs The following players reached major home run milestones in 2006:

Barry Bonds' countdown to 715 May 21 – reached 714 career homers, tying Babe Ruth for second all time May 28 – reached 715 career homers, passing Ruth for second all time

400 career homers Mike Piazza – April 26 Carlos Delgado – August 22

300 career homers Jeromy Burnitz – April 4 Moisés Alou – April 13 Reggie Sanders – June 10 (also joining the 300–300 club) Steve Finley – June 14 (also joining the 300–300 club)

200 career homers Jeff Conine – April 16 Magglio Ordóñez – April 29 Eric Chavez – May 2 Jermaine Dye – May 14 Carlos Lee – May 24 Phil Nevin – June 19 Lance Berkman – June 21 Carl Everett – June 21 Nomar Garciaparra – June 25 David Ortiz – June 29 Alfonso Soriano – August 13 Bobby Abreu – August 22 Carlos Beltrán – August 26

Entry into the top 500 Trot Nixon on April 5 with his 126th career homer Jason Varitek on June 13 with his 126th career homer Vernon Wells on June 14 with his 126th career homer Aubrey Huff on July 1 with his 126th career homer Raúl Ibañez on July 15 with his 126th career homer Mark Teixeira on August 19 with his 127th career homer

Pitching Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres broke Lee Smith's record of 478 Saves on September 24, 2006, at Petco Park.

Hitting Bill Hall, Damian Miller, Brady Clark, J. J. Hardy, and Prince Fielder of the MIL become the fifth group of players in Major League history to hit five home runs in one inning in the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds on April 22. Alfonso Soriano of the Washington Nationals become only the fourth player to join the 40–40 club, joining José Canseco, Barry Bonds, and Alex Rodriguez when he stole his 40th base of the season on September 16. Six days later he became the first person to reach 40 home runs, 40 stolen bases and 40 doubles in one season. Jeff Kent, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell, and Jason Varitek of the Los Angeles Dodgers became the fourth group of players to hit four consecutive home runs in the ninth inning on September 18 against the San Diego Padres.

Other achievements Matt Holliday hit the longest home run of the season in MLB against the San Francisco Giants on September 19 with an official distance of ; HitTracker estimated it at .

Home field attendance and payroll Team nameWinsHome attendanceEst. payrollNew York Yankees972.1%4,248,0673.8%52,445$194,663,079 −6.5%Los Angeles Dodgers8823.9%3,758,5454.3%46,402$98,447,18718.6%St. Louis Cardinals83 −17.0%3,407,104 −3.7%42,589$88,891,371 −3.5%Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim89 −6.3%3,406,7900.1%42,059$103,472,0009.1%New York Mets9716.9%3,379,53519.4%41,723$101,584,9630.3%San Francisco Giants761.3%3,130,313 −1.6%38,646$90,056,419 −0.2%Chicago Cubs66 −16.5%3,123,2150.7%38,558$94,424,4998.5%Houston Astros82 −7.9%3,022,7637.8%37,318$100,894,43531.4%Chicago White Sox90 −9.1%2,957,41426.2%36,511$102,750,66736.7%Boston Red Sox86 −9.5%2,930,5882.9%36,180$120,099,824 −2.8%Philadelphia Phillies85 −3.4%2,701,8151.4%33,356$88,273,333 −7.6%San Diego Padres887.3%2,659,757 −7.3%32,837$69,896,14110.4%Detroit Tigers9533.8%2,595,93728.2%32,049$82,612,86619.6%Atlanta Braves79 −12.2%2,550,5241.2%31,488$90,156,8764.3%Seattle Mariners7813.0%2,481,165 −9.0%30,632$87,959,8330.2%Texas Rangers801.3%2,388,757 −5.4%29,491$68,228,66222.2%Milwaukee Brewers75 −7.4%2,335,6435.6%28,835$57,970,33345.2%Toronto Blue Jays878.8%2,302,21214.3%28,422$71,365,00056.1%Minnesota Twins9615.7%2,285,01812.3%28,210$63,396,00612.8%Baltimore Orioles70 −5.4%2,153,139 −18.0%26,582$72,585,582 −1.8%Washington Nationals71 −12.3%2,153,056 −21.2%26,581$63,143,00030.0%Cincinnati Reds809.6%2,134,6079.9%26,353$60,909,519 −1.6%Colorado Rockies7613.4%2,104,3629.9%25,980$41,233,000 −13.8%Arizona Diamondbacks76 −1.3%2,091,6851.6%25,823$59,984,226 −4.2%Cleveland Indians78 −16.1%1,997,995 −0.8%24,667$56,031,50035.0%Oakland Athletics935.7%1,976,625 −6.3%24,403$64,843,07917.0%Pittsburgh Pirates670.0%1,861,5492.4%22,982$46,717,75022.5%Kansas City Royals6210.7%1,372,6380.1%16,946$47,694,00029.3%Tampa Bay Devil Rays61 −9.0%1,368,95019.9%16,901$34,917,96717.7%Florida Marlins78 −6.0%1,164,134 −37.2%14,372$14,671,500 −75.7%

Television coverage This was the sixth and final season that national television coverage was split between ESPN and Fox Sports (TBS would then be added to televising national coverage in 2007). ESPN and ESPN2 aired selected weeknight and Sunday night games, and selected Division Series playoff games. Fox televised Saturday baseball, the All-Star Game, selected Division Series games, both League Championship Series, and the World Series.

Events April 3 – The Florida Marlins set a modern major-league record by starting six rookies in their opening day 1–0 loss to the Houston Astros.

See also 2006 Nippon Professional Baseball season 2006 in baseball

References

External links 2006 Major League Baseball season schedule at Baseball Reference