The 1975 major league baseball season began on April 7 while the regular season ended on September 28. The postseason began on October 4. The 72nd World Series then began on October 11 and concluded on October 22 with the Cincinnati Reds of the National League defeating the Boston Red Sox of the American League, four games to three, to win their third title in franchise history, since their previous in . Going into the season, the defending three-time World Series champions were the Oakland Athletics from the to seasons.
The 46th All-Star Game was held on July 15 at Milwaukee County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, home of the Milwaukee Brewers. The National League won, 6–3, and was the fourth win in what would be a 10-win streak that lasted until .
Frank Robinson become the first Major League black manager in post-integration baseball, managing the Cleveland Indians.
At the All-Star Break, there were discussions of Bowie Kuhn's reappointment. Charlie Finley, New York owner George Steinbrenner and Baltimore owner Jerry Hoffberger were part of a group that wanted him gone.Charlie Finley: The Outrageous Story of Baseball's Super Showman, p.226, G. Michael Green and Roger D. Launius. Walker Publishing Company, New York, 2010, Finley was trying to convince the new owner of the Texas Rangers Brad Corbett that MLB needed a more dynamic commissioner.Charlie Finley: The Outrageous Story of Baseball's Super Showman, p.227, G. Michael Green and Roger D. Launius. Walker Publishing Company, New York, 2010, During the vote, Baltimore and New York decided to vote in favor of the commissioner's reappointment. In addition, there were discussions of expansion for 1977, with Seattle and Washington, D.C. as the proposed cities for expansion.
Schedule
The 1975 schedule consisted of 162 games for all teams in the American League and National League, each of which had 12 teams. Each league was split into two six-team divisions. Each team was scheduled to play 18 games against their five division rivals, totaling 90 games, and 12 games against six interdivision opponents, totaling 72 games. This continued the format put in place since the and would be used until in the American League and in the National League.
Opening Day took place on April 7, featuring eight teams. The final day of the regular season was on September 28, featuring all 24 teams. The League Championship Series for both leagues began on October 4 and ended on October 7. The World Series took place between October 11 and October 22.
Rule changes The 1975 season saw the following rule changes: In the manufacturing of baseballs, cowhide is now permitted to be used in place of horsehide, due to a shortage of horses. Rules for baseball bats were adjusted: Cupped bats, bats with an indentation at the end of the bat, are now allowed. A batter will be suspended by the League President for three days if a batter hits using a filled, doctored, or flat-surfaced bat, and will be ejected immediately. Rules regarding suspended games on account of darkness were expanded to any day of the week, not just the second game of a Sunday doubleheader. Due to a loophole in which an outfielder could intentionally drop a fly ball to cause a dead ball (meaning baserunners couldn't advance as the play was dead), rules regarding dropping fly balls intentionally were changed from "fielder" to "infielder". Rules regarding balls going out of play were clarified: If a ball goes out of play due to a pitch, runners can advance one base. If, subsequently, a wild pitch or errant pickoff throw is deflected or kicked out of play, runners can advance two bases. Any pitcher found to have on his person or in his possession a foreign substance on will be immediately ejected. Rules regarding sacrifice flys were clarified. Previously, a sacrifice fly could only be credited if an outfielder handled the ball. Now, it includes infielders handling the ball in the outfield. The save rules were amended so that only one relief pitcher must meet three conditions to be credited with a save: Is the finishing pitcher by the winning team. Is not the winning pitcher. Meets one of the following conditions: Enters a game where the winning team has three or less runs and pitches one inning. Enters a game with the potential tying run on base, at bat, or on deck. Pitches for at least three innings.
Teams LeagueDivisionTeamCityBallparkCapacityManagerEastBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium52,137Boston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park33,379Cleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium76,966Detroit TigersDetroit, MichiganTiger Stadium54,226Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee County Stadium47,500New York YankeesNew York, New YorkShea Stadium55,300WestCalifornia AngelsAnaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim Stadium43,202Chicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisWhite Sox Park44,492Kansas City RoyalsKansas City, MissouriRoyals Stadium40,625Minnesota TwinsBloomington, MinnesotaMetropolitan Stadium45,919Oakland AthleticsOakland, CaliforniaOakland–Alameda County Coliseum50,000Texas RangersArlington, TexasArlington Stadium35,698EastChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field37,741Jim MarshallMontreal ExposMontreal, QuebecJarry Park Stadium28,456New York MetsNew York, New YorkShea Stadium55,300Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaVeterans Stadium56,581Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaThree Rivers Stadium56,581St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriCivic Center Busch Memorial Stadium50,126WestAtlanta BravesAtlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta Stadium52,870Cincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioRiverfront Stadium51,786Houston AstrosHouston, TexasHouston Astrodome45,101Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles, CaliforniaDodger Stadium56,000San Diego PadresSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego Stadium47,634San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco, CaliforniaCandlestick Park59,080
Standings
American League
National League
Tie game 1 tie game (0 in AL, 1 in NL), which is not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and was replayed again) occurred during the season.
National League August 25, St. Louis Cardinals vs. Houston Astros, tied at 3 after 10 innings. The game made it to two outs in the bottom of the 11th, with the Astros up 4–3. However, what followed was a thunderstorm which caused a two hour and 19 minute rain delay. The game was called on account of rain, and the game reverted to a 3–3 tie as it was after 10 innings.
Postseason
The postseason began on October 11 and ended on October 22 with the Cincinnati Reds defeating the Boston Red Sox in the 1975 World Series in seven games.
Bracket
Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerCleveland IndiansKen AspromonteFrank Robinson
In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerAtlanta BravesClyde KingConnie RyanKansas City RoyalsJack McKeonWhitey HerzogMilwaukee BrewersDel CrandallHarvey KuennNew York YankeesBill VirdonBilly MartinTexas RangersBilly MartinFrank Lucchesi
League leaders American League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Rod Carew (MIN) .359 OPS Fred Lynn (BOS) .967 HR Reggie Jackson (OAK)George Scott (MIL) 36 RBI George Scott (MIL) 109 R Fred Lynn (BOS) 103 H George Brett (KC) 195 SB Mickey Rivers (CAL) 70
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Catfish Hunter (NYY)Jim Palmer (BAL) 23 L Wilbur Wood (CWS) 20 ERA Jim Palmer (BAL) 2.09 K Frank Tanana (CAL) 269 IP Catfish Hunter (NYY) 328.0 SV Goose Gossage (CWS) 26 WHIP Catfish Hunter (NYY) 1.009
National League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Bill Madlock (CHC) .354 OPS Joe Morgan (CIN) .974 HR Mike Schmidt (PHI) 38 RBI Greg Luzinski (PHI) 120 R Pete Rose (CIN) 112 H Dave Cash (PHI) 213 SB Davey Lopes (LAD) 77
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Tom Seaver (NYM) 22 L Rick Reuschel (CHC) 22 ERA Randy Jones (SD) 2.24 K Tom Seaver (NYM) 243 IP Andy Messersmith (LAD) 321.2 SV Rawly Eastwick (CIN)Al Hrabosky (STL) 22 WHIP Don Sutton (LAD) 1.038
Milestones Batters Cycles
Lou Brock (STL): Brock hit for his first cycle and 15th in franchise history, on May 27 against the San Diego Padres.
Other batting accomplishments Willie McCovey (SD): Tied a Major League record by becoming the third player to hit three career grand slams as a pinch-hitter on May 30 in a 6–2 victory over the New York Mets. Billy Williams (OAK): Became the 16th player in Major League history to hit 400 home runs in the eighth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on June 12. Bert Campaneris (OAK): Recorded his 500th career stolen base in the seventh inning against the Detroit Tigers on June 14. He became the 23rd player to reach this mark. Fred Lynn (BOS): Became the ninth player to hit at least 10 runs batted in (RBI) in a single game, hitting 10 against the Detroit Tigers on June 18. Joe Torre (NYM): Ties a major league record and breaks a National League record when he grounds into four double plays in a single game against the Houston Astros on July 21. Lou Brock (STL): Recorded his 800th career stolen base in the first inning against the Atlanta Braves on August 24. He became the third player to reach this mark. Davey Lopes (LAD): Broke and set a major league record by stealing his 38th consecutive bases against the Montreal Expos on August 24. The streak began on June 6 against the Philadelphia Phillies. The previous record of 37 stolen bases was held by Max Carey who set the record in .John R. Finger, Phillies Hope to Get Running Game Going, CSNPhilly.com, May 13, 2009, accessed November 23, 2010. Rennie Stennett (PIT): Tied a major league record when he hit seven times in a single nine inning game against the Chicago Cubs on September 16.
Pitchers No-hitters
Nolan Ryan (CAL): Ryan threw his fourth career no-hitter and sixth no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Baltimore Orioles 1–0 on June 1. He walked four and struck out nine. Ed Halicki (SF): Halicki threw his first career no-hitter and 11th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the New York Mets 6–0 in game two of a doubleheader on August 24. He walked two and struck out 10. Vida Blue / Glenn Abbott / Paul Lindblad / Rollie Fingers (OAK): The four pitchers combined to throw the eighth no-hitter in franchise history by defeating the California Angels 5–0 on September 28. It was accomplished with five strikeouts and two walks. Blue pitched the first five innings. It is the third combined no-hitter in major league history. This was the first time that more than two pitcher combined for a no-hitter.
Other pitching accomplishments Bob Gibson (STL): Set a Major League record when he started his 303rd consecutive game against the Cincinnati Reds on May 31. The streak began August 31, against the Chicago Cubs.
Miscellaneous Houston Astros / San Francisco Giants: Set a National League record for most combined walks in a single game at 26, previously set in at 25, with the Houston Astros and San Francisco Giants each walking 13, in game two of a doubleheader on May 4 in a game that Houston won 12–8.
Awards and honors Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards BBWAA Award National League American League Rookie of the Year John Montefusco (SF) Fred Lynn (BOS) Cy Young Award Tom Seaver (NYM) Jim Palmer (BAL) Most Valuable Player Joe Morgan (CIN) Fred Lynn (BOS) Babe Ruth Award(World Series MVP) — Luis Tiant (BOS)Gold Glove Awards Position National League American League Pitcher Andy Messersmith (LAD) Jim Kaat (CWS) Catcher Johnny Bench (CIN) Thurman Munson (NYY) 1st Base Steve Garvey (LAD) George Scott (MIL) 2nd Base Joe Morgan (CIN) Bobby Grich (BAL) 3rd Base Ken Reitz (STL) Brooks Robinson (BAL) Shortstop Dave Concepción (CIN) Mark Belanger (BAL)Outfield César Cedeño (HOU) Paul Blair (BAL) César Gerónimo (CIN) Fred Lynn (BOS) Garry Maddox (PHI/) Joe Rudi (OAK)
Other awards Roberto Clemente Award (Humanitarian): Lou Brock (STL) Hutch Award: Gary Nolan (CIN) Outstanding Designated Hitter Award: Willie Horton (DET)