The 1966 major league baseball season began on April 11, 1966. The regular season ended on October 2, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Baltimore Orioles as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 63rd World Series on October 5 and ended with Game 4 on October 9. The Orioles swept the Dodgers in four games, capturing their first championship in franchise history. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the Los Angeles Dodgers from the season.
The 37th All-Star Game was held on July 12 at Busch Memorial Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, home of the St. Louis Cardinals. The National League won, 2–1.
The Milwaukee Braves moved to Atlanta, Georgia as the Atlanta Braves, being the seventh team since 1953 to relocate, and the fourth of National League teams since then. The move from Milwaukee was the second time in modern-era baseball (since 1901) that the city was left without a team. Previously, the 1901 Milwaukee Brewers moved to St. Louis following the season (the team, the St. Louis Browns, went on to relocate to Baltimore as the Baltimore Orioles in ). Major league baseball would return to Milwaukee in with the relocation of the American League Seattle Pilots as the Milwaukee Brewers. The National League would see its return in when the Brewers transferred in to the league.
Three teams played the 1966 season in new stadiums. On April 12, the Braves ushered in Atlanta Stadium with the Pittsburgh Pirates taking a 3–2 win in 13 innings. One week later, Anaheim Stadium opened with the California Angels losing to the Chicago White Sox, 3–1 in the Angels' debut following their move from Los Angeles to nearby Orange County. On May 8, the St. Louis Cardinals closed out old Sportsman's Park/Busch Stadium I with a 10–5 loss to the San Francisco Giants before opening the new Busch Memorial Stadium four days later with a 4–3 win in 12 innings over the Atlanta Braves.
1966 would be William Eckert's first season as commissioner.
Schedule
The 1966 schedule consisted of 162 games for all teams in the American League and National League, each of which had 10 teams. Each team was scheduled to play 18 games against the other nine teams of their respective league. This continued the format put in place by the American League since the season and by the National League since the season, and would be used until .
American League Opening Day took place on April 11, featuring a game between the Cleveland Indians and Washington Senators, while National League Opening Day took place the following day, featuring six teams. The final day of the regular season was on October 2, which saw all 20 teams play, continuing the trend from the previous season. The World Series took place between October 5 and October 9.
Rule change The 1966 season would see the following rule change: The 15-day disabled list (now called injured list) was introduced, reducing the minimum time a player remained on the list from 30 to 15 days.
Teams An asterisk (*) denotes the ballpark a team played the minority of their home games at LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManagerBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium52,185Boston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park33,524California AngelsAnaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim Stadium43,202Chicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisWhite Sox Park46,550Cleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium73,811Detroit TigersDetroit, MichiganTiger Stadium53,089Kansas City AthleticsKansas City, MissouriMunicipal Stadium34,165Minnesota TwinsBloomington, MinnesotaMetropolitan Stadium45,182New York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium67,000Washington SenatorsWashington, D.C.District of Columbia Stadium43,500Atlanta BravesAtlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta Stadium50,893Chicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field36,644Cincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field29,603Houston AstrosHouston, TexasHouston Astrodome46,000Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles, CaliforniaDodger Stadium56,000New York MetsNew York, New YorkShea Stadium55,300Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaConnie Mack Stadium33,608Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field35,500San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco, CaliforniaCandlestick Park42,500St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriBusch Stadium*30,500*Civic Center Busch Memorial Stadium49,275
Standings
American League
National League
Tie games 2 tie games (1 in AL, 1 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again) occurred throughout the season.
American League The Chicago White Sox and New York Yankees had one tie each. May 28, New York Yankees vs. Chicago White Sox, tied at 2 after a shortened five innings due to rain, following a 53 minute rain delay.
National League The Atlanta Braves and Houston Astros had one tie each. July 16, Atlanta Braves vs. Houston Astros, tied at 1 after a shortened six innings on account of rain. Game called in the middle of the sixth inning.
Postseason The postseason began on October 5 and ended on October 9 with the Baltimore Orioles sweeping the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1966 World Series in four games.
Bracket
Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerChicago CubsLou KleinLeo DurocherChicago White SoxAl LópezEddie StankyCincinnati RedsDick SislerDon HeffnerHouston AstrosLum HarrisGrady HattonKansas City AthleticsHaywood SullivanAlvin Dark
In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerAtlanta BravesBobby BraganBilly HitchcockBoston Red SoxBilly HermanPete RunnelsCincinnati RedsDon HeffnerDave BristolCleveland IndiansBirdie TebbettsGeorge StricklandDetroit TigersChuck DressenBob SwiftBob SwiftFrank SkaffNew York YankeesJohnny KeaneRalph Houk
League leaders American League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Frank Robinson1 (BAL) .316 OPS Frank Robinson (BAL) 1.047 HR Frank Robinson1 (BAL) 49 RBI Frank Robinson1 (BAL) 122 R Frank Robinson (BAL) 122 H Tony Oliva (MIN) 191 SB Bert Campaneris (KCA) 52 1 American League Triple Crown batting winner
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Jim Kaat (MIN) 25 L Mel Stottlemyre (NYY) 20 ERA Gary Peters (CWS) 1.98 K Sam McDowell (CLE) 225 IP Jim Kaat (MIN) 304.2 SV Jack Aker (KCA) 32 WHIP Gary Peters (CWS) 0.982
National League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Matty Alou (PIT) .342 OPS Dick Allen (PHI) 1.027 HR Hank Aaron (ATL) 44 RBI Hank Aaron (ATL) 127 R Felipe Alou (ATL) 122 H Felipe Alou (ATL) 218 SB Lou Brock (STL) 74
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Sandy Koufax2 (LAD) 27 L Dick Ellsworth (CHC) 22 ERA Sandy Koufax2 (LAD) 1.73 K Sandy Koufax2 (LAD) 317 IP Sandy Koufax (LAD) 323.0 SV Phil Regan (LAD) 21 WHIP Juan Marichal (SF) 0.859 2 National League Triple Crown pitching winner
Milestones Batters Cycles
Billy Williams (CHC): Williams hit for his first cycle, seventh in franchise history, and ninth natural cycle in major league history, in game two of a doubleheader on July 17 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Randy Hundley (CHC): Hundley hit for his first cycle and eighth in franchise history, in game one of a doubleheader on August 11 against the Houston Astros.
Other batting accomplishments Hank Aaron (ATL): Became the 12th player in Major League history to hit 400 home runs in the ninth inning against the Philadelphia Phillies on April 20. Willie Mays (SF): Breaks the previous National League home run record held by Mel Ott when he hits his 512th home run against the Los Angeles Dodgers. Rich Rollins / Zoilo Versalles / Tony Oliva / Don Mincher / Harmon Killebrew (MIN): Become the fourth group of players in Major League history to hit five home runs in one inning in the seventh inning against the Kansas City Athletics on June 9. Tony Cloninger (ATL): Became the fifth player to hit two grand slams in a single game, in a 17–3 win over the San Francisco Giants on July 3. Set a modern Major League record and tied an all-time record by a pitcher when he hits for nine RBIs in a single game on July 3.
Pitchers No-hitters
Sonny Siebert (CLE): Siebert threw his first career no-hitter and the 11th no-hitter in franchise history, defeating the Washington Senators 2–0 on June 10. He walked one and struck out seven.
Other pitching accomplishments Jim Merritt (MIN): Set an American League record for most consecutive strikeouts when he threw seven against the Washington Senators on July 21.
Awards and honors Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards BBWAA Award National League American League Rookie of the Year Tommy Helms (CIN) Tommie Agee (CWS) Cy Young Award Sandy Koufax (LAD) — Most Valuable Player Roberto Clemente (PIT) Frank Robinson (BAL) Babe Ruth Award(World Series MVP) — Frank Robinson (BAL)Gold Glove Awards Position National League American League Pitcher Bob Gibson (STL) Jim Kaat (MIN) Catcher John Roseboro (LAD) Bill Freehan (DET) 1st Base Bill White (PHI) Joe Pepitone (NYY) 2nd Base Bill Mazeroski (PIT) Bobby Knoop (CAL) 3rd Base Ron Santo (CHC) Brooks Robinson (BAL) Shortstop Gene Alley (PIT) Luis Aparicio (BAL)Outfield Roberto Clemente (PIT) Tommie Agee (CWS) Curt Flood (STL) Al Kaline (DET) Willie Mays (SF) Tony Oliva (MIN)
Other awards Hutch Award: Sandy Koufax (LAD) Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award: Frank Robinson (BAL)
The Sporting News Awards Award National League American League Player of the Year — Frank Robinson (BAL) Pitcher of the Year Sandy Koufax (LAD) Jim Kaat (MIN) Fireman of the Year(Relief pitcher) Phil Regan (LAD) Jack Aker (KCA) Rookie Player of the Year Tommy Helms (CHC) Tommie Agee (CWS) Rookie Pitcher of the Year Don Sutton (LAD) Jim Nash (KCA) Comeback Player of the Year Phil Regan (LAD) Boog Powell (BAL) Manager of the Year — Hank Bauer (BAL) Executive of the Year Lee MacPhail (MLB Chief Assistant)
Monthly awards Player of the Month
Month National League May Juan Marichal (SF) June Gaylord Perry (SF) July Mike Shannon (STL) August Pete Rose (CIN)
Baseball Hall of Fame
Ted Williams Casey Stengel (manager)
Home field attendance Team nameWinsHome attendanceLos Angeles Dodgers95 −2.1%2,617,0292.5%32,309New York Mets6632.0%1,932,6939.3%23,860Houston Astros7210.8%1,872,108 −13.0%23,112St. Louis Cardinals833.8%1,712,98038.0%21,148San Francisco Giants93 −2.1%1,657,1927.2%20,459Atlanta Braves85 −1.2%1,539,801177.1%18,778California Angels806.7%1,400,321147.1%17,288Minnesota Twins89 −12.7%1,259,374 −13.9%15,548Baltimore Orioles973.2%1,203,36654.0%15,232Pittsburgh Pirates922.2%1,196,61831.6%14,773New York Yankees70 −9.1%1,124,648 −7.3%13,715Detroit Tigers88 −1.1%1,124,2939.2%13,880Philadelphia Phillies872.4%1,108,201 −5.0%13,681Chicago White Sox83 −12.6%990,016 −12.4%12,222Cleveland Indians81 −6.9%903,359 −3.4%11,153Boston Red Sox7216.1%811,17224.4%10,014Kansas City Athletics7425.4%773,92946.5%9,555Cincinnati Reds76 −14.6%742,958 −29.1%9,405Chicago Cubs59 −18.1%635,891 −0.9%7,851Washington Senators711.4%576,2602.9%7,388
Venues The 1966 season saw three teams move to three new venues. With the relocation of the Milwaukee Braves from Milwaukee, Wisconsin to Atlanta, Georgia as the Atlanta Braves, they leave Milwaukee County Stadium (where they played 13 seasons) and move into Atlanta Stadium. They would go on to play there for 31 seasons through . The California Angels leave Chavez Ravine Stadium (Dodger Stadium) and Los Angeles, California (where they played four seasons), and opened Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California, where they remain to this day. The St. Louis Cardinals would play their last game at Busch Stadium on May 8, having played 58 seasons there going back to (with a gap between and part of ), and opened Civic Center Busch Memorial Stadium (with the NFL's St. Louis Cardinals) on May 12, where they would go on to play for 40 seasons through .
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