The 1976 major league baseball season began on April 8 while the regular season ended on October 3. The postseason began on October 9. In the third iteration of this World Series matchup, the 73rd World Series then began on October 16 and concluded on October 21 with the Cincinnati Reds of the National League sweeping the New York Yankees of the American League in four games, to win their fourth title in franchise history, their second consecutive title from the previous year. The Reds remain the only team to go undefeated in the postseason since the advent of the divisional era in 1969. This was the second time that the Yankees were swept in a World Series, the first having been by the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1963 World Series.
The 47th All-Star Game was held on July 13 at Veterans Stadium in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, home of the Philadelphia Phillies. The National League won, 7–1, and was the fifth win in what would be a 10-win streak that lasted until .
This was the last season of the expansion era (dating back to 1961) until 1993 in which the American League (AL) and the National League (NL) had the same number of teams. The following season would see the American grow to 14 teams, a reality that would exist until (albeit with teams shifting in and out of the league in the interim).
Lockout
On March 1, 1976, a majority of AL and NL owners initiated a lockout following the expiration of the league's Basic Agreement, freezing baseball activity. Not every team owner took part in the lockout, such as the Chicago White Sox, and owners had various levels of strictness regarding freezing activity. A primary issue addressed during lockout negotiations was the longstanding reserve clause and the players' desire to have more freedom to become free agents. The reserve clause was effectively nullified following the Seitz decision on December 23, 1975, which declared that major league players became free agents upon playing one year for their team without a contract.
Following several proposals by team owners to institute an option year following eight, then six years of major league service time on March 2, the Major League Baseball Players Association (MLBPA), lead by Marvin Miller, rejected these proposals and argued for an option year after only one year of service time, colloquially dubbed the "one-one rule", the following day. After several meetings, counterproposals, and increasing tensions between the owners and the MLBPA, the ownership group gave a final offer which would include the MLBPA one-one rule on March 16. However, the Commissioner of Baseball, Bowie Kuhn ordered training camps to be opened immediately on March 17, which effectively ended the lockout, without an agreement in place between the ownership group and the MLBPA. Miller stated that the MLBPA did not vote on the owners' proposal because it did not address issues that were important to the players' union.
The season began on time for the scheduled April 8 Opening Day.
Aftermath Several months after the lockout, the owners and the MLBPA reached an agreement which did not include the one-one rule in August, allowing players with six years of major-league service to become free agents.
Schedule
The 1976 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 was the last season to use the format by the American League due to the 1977 American League expansion, which saw an adjusted format due to an expansion to 14 teams. The National League would continue to use the 12-team format until .
Opening Day took place on April 8, featuring four teams. The final day of the regular season was on October 3, featuring 20 teams. The National League Championship Series took place between October 9 and October 12, while the American League Championship Series took place between October 9 and October 14. The World Series took place between October 16 and October 21.
Rule changes The 1976 season saw the following rule changes: The experimental designated hitter (DH), which was implemented in the American League in , was made permanent. With the new permanent rules and questions regarding its implementation in the World Series, it was agreed that the DH would be used in even years. It would not be used in All-Star Games (it would eventually be implemented in when American League teams hosted). The National League (along with other minor leagues) could implement the DH by a simple majority as opposed to the previous three-quarter majority needed. Many rules were expanded upon or clarified: Pitchers are only allowed to change positions during the same inning. The replacement/relief pitcher will be allowed five warm-up pitches. If a pitcher comes in to relieve an existing pitcher immediately prior to game being suspended, and he has not allowed a baserunner before the end of the half inning, when the suspended game resumes and the pitcher does not start, it will be considered that the pitcher has been substituted and cannot be used for the remainder of the game. A play will proceed even in the case of catcher's interference, to allow a manager to elect to take the play. If the batter misses first base or an existing runner misses the next base, the play will be treated as if the player reached the base. If a runner advances to second base on ball four (forcing the batter to first base and the existing first base runner to second base), and the runner overruns second base, the fielding team has the opportunity to call him out should he not be touching a base when a tag is applied. For an appeal to be considered made to an umpire, the player must clearly indicate either verbally or in an undeniable manner that an attempt to appeal is being made. However, if a fielder has the ball and is stepping on a base, an appeal cannot be made. When an appeal is being made, time is not out. If the umpire calls a pitch a ball and the batter swings a half swing, the manager or catcher may request the plate umpire to ask a partner umpire for help on the call. If a player of the visiting team is in the starting lineup and is substituted before being able to play defensively, he will receive no credit for any defensive statistics unless he actually played the position. However, all such players will be credited with a game played in batting statistics, so long as they are officially announced or listed in the starting lineup. Regarding the calculation of earned run average (ERA) and innings pitched (IP) totals, the IP totals will round to the nearest whole number (such that, for example, 200 is rounded to 200 and 200 is rounded to 201. Specifications regarding materials on baseball bats were expanded to include pine tar. Shoes that have pointed spikes similar to that of track shoes or golf shoes are not allowed. Specifying that making intentional contact with an umpire is something a manager or player cannot do. Regarding a rule implemented in about players being ejected due to use of tampered bats, the rule was expanded to include batters using or attempting to use a baseball bat that has been altered or tampered for the purposes of improving the distance factor of the ball or adjusting the nature in which the ball leaves the bat after contact. No advancements on the bases will be made on the play and any and all outs made on the play will stand.
Teams LeagueDivisionTeamCityBallparkCapacityManagerEastBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium52,137Boston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park33,437Cleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium76,713Detroit TigersDetroit, MichiganTiger Stadium54,226Milwaukee BrewersMilwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee County Stadium47,500New York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium54,028WestCalifornia AngelsAnaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim Stadium43,202Chicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisComiskey Park44,492Kansas City RoyalsKansas City, MissouriRoyals Stadium40,625Minnesota TwinsBloomington, MinnesotaMetropolitan Stadium45,919Oakland AthleticsOakland, CaliforniaOakland–Alameda County Coliseum50,000Texas RangersArlington, TexasArlington Stadium35,698EastChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field37,741Montreal 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–Fulton County Stadium51,556Cincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioRiverfront Stadium51,786Houston AstrosHouston, TexasHouston Astrodome45,101Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles, CaliforniaDodger Stadium56,000San Diego PadresSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego Stadium47,491San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco, CaliforniaCandlestick Park58,000
Standings
American League
National League
Postseason
The postseason began on October 9 and ended on October 21 with the Cincinnati Reds defeating the New York Yankees in the 1976 World Series in four games.
Bracket
Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerAtlanta BravesConnie RyanDave BristolChicago White SoxChuck TannerPaul RichardsHouston AstrosPreston GómezBill VirdonMilwaukee BrewersHarvey KuennAlex GrammasMinnesota TwinsFrank QuiliciGene MauchMontreal ExposGene MauchKarl KuehlNew York MetsYogi BerraJoe FrazierOakland AthleticsAlvin DarkChuck TannerSan Francisco GiantsWes WestrumBill RigneyTexas RangersBilly MartinFrank Lucchesi
In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBoston Red SoxDarrell JohnsonDon ZimmerCalifornia AngelsDick WilliamsNorm SherryLos Angeles DodgersWalter AlstonTommy LasordaMontreal ExposKarl KuehlCharlie Fox
League leaders American League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG George Brett (KC) .333 OPS Hal McRae (KC) .868 HR Graig Nettles (NYY) 32 RBI Lee May (BAL) 109 R Roy White (NYY) 104 H George Brett (KC) 215 SB Billy North (OAK) 75
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Jim Palmer (BAL) 22 L Nolan Ryan (CAL) 18 ERA Mark Fidrych (DET) 2.34 K Nolan Ryan (CAL) 327 IP Jim Palmer (BAL) 315.0 SV Sparky Lyle (NYY) 23 WHIP Frank Tanana (CAL) 0.988
National League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Bill Madlock (CHC) .339 OPS Joe Morgan (CIN) 1.020 HR Mike Schmidt (PHI) 38 RBI George Foster (CIN) 121 R Pete Rose (CIN) 130 H Pete Rose (CIN) 215 SB Davey Lopes (LAD) 63
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Randy Jones (SD) 22 L Steve Rogers (MON)Dick Ruthven (ATL) 17 ERA John Denny (STL) 2.52 K Tom Seaver (NYM) 235 IP Randy Jones (SD) 315.1 SV Rawly Eastwick (CIN) 26 WHIP Randy Jones (SD) 1.027
Milestones Batters Four home runs in one game
Mike Schmidt (PHI): Became the tenth player to hit four home runs in one game in a 18–16 win against the Chicago Cubs on April 17.
Cycles
Tim Foli (MON): Foli hit for his first cycle, first in franchise history, and 10th natural cycle in major league history, on April 21 against the Chicago Cubs. The game was suspended on account of darkness and continued the following day, when Foli hit the home run that completed the cycle. Larry Hisle (MIN): Hisle hit for his first cycle and seventh in franchise history, on June 4 against the Baltimore Orioles. Mike Phillips (NYM): Phillips hit for his first cycle and third in franchise history, on June 25 against the Chicago Cubs. Lyman Bostock (MIN): Bostock hit for his first cycle and eighth in franchise history, on July 24 against the Chicago White Sox. César Cedeño (HOU): Cedeño hit for his second cycle and second in franchise history, on August 9 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Mike Hegan (MIL):