The 2012 Major League Baseball season began on April 5, 2012 because during the MLB Spring Training it was the first of a two-game series between the Seattle Mariners and the Oakland Athletics at the Tokyo Dome in Japan. On November 22, 2011, a new contract between Major League Baseball and its players union was ratified, and as a result, an expanded playoff format adding two clubs would be adopted no later than 2013 according to the new Collective Bargaining Agreement. The new format of the 2012 postseason used the 1 game series of the Wild Card round of the format for the 2012 postseason only. The restriction against divisional rivals playing against each other in the Division Series round that had existed in previous years was eliminated, as the Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees squared off in one of the best-of-five LDS in the American League. On April 4, 2012, it was the last day of the MLB Spring Training and ended with the new Marlins Park, as the newly renamed Miami Marlins hosted the defending World Series champion St. Louis Cardinals. The regular season ended on Wednesday, October 3, 2012. The entire master schedule was released on September 14, 2011.
The Major League Baseball postseason was expanded to include a second wild card team in each league beginning in the 2012 season. The season marked the last for the Houston Astros as a member of the National League. Following the sale to new owner Jim Crane, the Astros agreed to move to the American League effective in the 2013 season, and would be assigned to the American League West, joining their in-state rivals, the Texas Rangers.
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game's 83rd edition was held on July 10, 2012 at Kauffman Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, with the National League winning the All-Star Game for the third consecutive year in an 8–0 shutout of the American League. With the win, the National League champion earned home field advantage for the World Series, which began on October 24, 2012 and ended on October 28, 2012 when the San Francisco Giants swept the Detroit Tigers. The Civil Rights Game was held on August 18, 2012 at Turner Field, as the Los Angeles Dodgers beat the host Atlanta Braves, 6–2.
Standings
American League
National League
Postseason
Bracket
Managerial changes
General managers
Off-season TeamFormer GMNew GMFormer jobBoston Red SoxTheo EpsteinBen CheringtonCherington previously served as the Assistant General Manager of the Red Sox.Chicago CubsRandy BushJed HoyerHoyer previously served as the general manager of the San Diego Padres.San Diego PadresJed HoyerJosh ByrnesByrnes previously served in the Vice President of Baseball Operations for the Padres.Los Angeles Angels of AnaheimTony ReaginsJerry DiPotoDiPoto previously served in several scouting departments, most recently with the Arizona Diamondbacks.Minnesota TwinsBill SmithTerry Ryan (interim)Ryan previously served as General Manager of the Twins from 1994–2007.Baltimore OriolesAndy MacPhailDan DuquetteDuquette previously served as general manager of the Montreal Expos from 1991–1995 and Boston Red Sox from 1995–2002.Houston AstrosEd WadeJeff LuhnowLuhnow had previously been employed by the St. Louis Cardinals.
Field managers
Off-season The following managers were hired for the 2012 season after the former manager retired from baseball. TeamFormer managerNew managerStoryMiami MarlinsJack McKeonOzzie GuillénOn September 28, 2011, the Marlins announced that Ozzie Guillén has signed a four-year contract to manage the team beginning in the 2012 season. He replaces Jack McKeon, who served as interim manager since June 2011. Two minor league prospects were sent to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Guillén's rights.St. Louis CardinalsTony La RussaMike MathenyOn October 31, 2011, just three days after winning the 2011 World Series, Tony La Russa announced his retirement. The Cardinals announced the hiring of former catcher Mike Matheny as its new manager on November 13 2011. Matheny, who had no previous managerial experience, played in 13 Major League seasons from 1994 to 2006, and was a four-time Gold Glove Award winner.
At the end of the 2011 season, the following teams made replacements to their managers. TeamFormer managerNew managerStoryBoston Red SoxTerry FranconaBobby ValentineOn September 30, 2011, the Red Sox decided not to exercise their 2012 option on Terry Francona's contract and both parties decided to part ways. Francona led the team to two World Series championships in , which ended the Curse of the Bambino, and . However, in 2011, the Red Sox went 7–20 in the month of September, blowing a 9-game wild card lead as they were eliminated from playoff contention. Valentine, whose previous managerial jobs were with the Texas Rangers from 1985–92 and the New York Mets from 1996 to 2002, was an analyst for Sunday Night Baseball on ESPN at the time of his hiring. Ironically, on December 6, 2011, it was announced that Francona would take over for Valentine on SNB in 2012, after working as a color commentator for the first two games of the 2011 ALCS on Fox.Chicago CubsMike QuadeDale SveumThe Cubs hired Dale Sveum as their new manager on November 17, 2011, replacing Mike Quade. Sveum had been a coach for the Milwaukee Brewers at various capacities (bench, third base, hitting) since 2006, and was also a former third base coach of the Boston Red Sox from 2004–05. His previous managerial experience was as an interim manager for the Brewers late in 2008, guiding the Brewers to a wild card berth that year. Quade served as manager of the Cubs from August 2010 until September 2011, succeeding Lou Piniella; however his only full season saw the Cubs finish 71–91 and in fifth place in the NL Central.Chicago White SoxOzzie Guillén/Don CooperRobin VenturaOn October 6, 2011, the White Sox named Robin Ventura as their new manager. Ventura, a former two-time All-Star third baseman, played for the White Sox from 1989 till 1998. Cooper served as the White Sox' interim manager for the last two days of the season, after Ozzie Guillén was hired as the Miami Marlins' new manager.
In-season changes DateTeamFormer managerReasonReplacementPrevious Job and Story August 18 Houston Astros Brad Mills Fired Tony DeFrancesco (interim) At the time of promotion, DeFrancesco was serving as manager of the Astros' AAA Pacific Coast League affiliate Oklahoma City RedHawks. Mills was fired after two-plus seasons at the helm, which included a franchise-record 106 losses in 2011. Hitting coach Mike Barnett and first base coach Bobby Meacham were also fired. September 27 Cleveland Indians Manny Acta Fired Sandy Alomar Jr. (interim) Alomar was serving as Acta's bench coach when Acta was fired.
League leaders American League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Miguel Cabrera1 (DET) .330 OPS Miguel Cabrera (DET) .999 HR Miguel Cabrera1 (DET) 44 RBI Miguel Cabrera1 (DET) 139 R Mike Trout (LAA) 129 H Derek Jeter (NYY) 216 SB Mike Trout (LAA) 49 1 American League Triple Crown batting winner
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W David Price (TB)Jered Weaver (LAA) 20 L Ubaldo Jiménez (CLE) 17 ERA David Price (TB) 2.56 K Justin Verlander (DET) 239 IP Justin Verlander (DET) 238.1 SV Jim Johnson (BAL) 51 WHIP Jered Weaver (LAA) 1.018
National League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Buster Posey (SF) .336** OPS Ryan Braun (MIL) .987 HR Ryan Braun (MIL) 41 RBI Chase Headley (SD) 115 R Ryan Braun (MIL) 108 H Andrew McCutchen (PIT) 194 SB Everth Cabrera (SD) 44
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Gio González (WSH) 21 L Tim Lincecum (SF) 15 ERA Clayton Kershaw (LAD) 2.53 K R. A. Dickey (NYM) 230 IP R. A. Dickey (NYM) 233.2 SV Craig Kimbrel (ATL)Jason Motte (STL) 42 WHIP Clayton Kershaw (LAD) 1.023
** Melky Cabrera of the San Francisco Giants was ineligible to win the batting title, at his request, due to being suspended for testing positive for testosterone. He finished the season with a .346 average.
Milestones
Reached
Batters Adam Dunn (CWS): Tied the Major League record for most opening-day home runs by hitting his eighth against the Texas Rangers on April 6. He tied the record held by Frank Robinson and Ken Griffey Jr. Set the Major League record to strikeout at least once in each of his team's first 15 games of a season, by striking out in the first inning against the Seattle Mariners on April 22. He broke the record that was held by Howie Goss, who struck out in each of Houston's first 14 games in 1963. Dunn continued to 32 games before not striking out May 11 against the Kansas City Royals. Recorded his 1000th career RBI in the ninth inning on August 13 against the Toronto Blue Jays. He became the 273rd player to reach this mark. Hit his 400th career home run against the Kansas City Royals on August 18. He became the 50th player to reach this mark. José Reyes (MIA): Recorded his 100th career triple in the ninth inning against the Cincinnati Reds on April 8. He became the 162nd player to reach this mark. Alex Rodriguez (NYY): Tied Ken Griffey Jr. for fifth place on the career home run list with his 630th home run on April 13. Then one week later on April 20, Rodriguez hit his 631st home run to pass Griffey for fifth place on the career home run list. Tied Lou Gehrig for most career grand slams with his 23rd against the Atlanta Braves on June 12. Adrián Beltré (TEX): Scored his 1000th career run in the ninth inning against the Minnesota Twins on April 14. He became the 314th player to reach this mark. Todd Helton (COL): Recorded his 350th career home run in the ninth inning against the Milwaukee Brewers on April 21. He became the 85th player to reach this mark. Rafael Furcal (STL): Scored his 1000th career run in the eighth inning against the Chicago Cubs on April 24. He became the 315th player to reach this mark. Paul Konerko (CWS): Hit his 400th career home run against the Oakland Athletics on April 25. He became the 48th player to reach this mark. Miguel Cabrera (DET): Collected his 1000th RBI against the New York Yankees on April 27. He became the 272nd person to reach that mark. Hit his 300th career home run on July 22 against the Chicago White Sox. Became the first player to win the batting "Triple Crown" since Carl Yaztremski in 1967. Torii Hunter (LAA): Scored his 1000th career run in the fourth inning against the Minnesota Twins on May 2. He became the 316th player to reach this mark. Josh Hamilton (TEX): Hit four home runs in a game against the Baltimore Orioles on May 8. He became the 16th player in Major League history to accomplish this feat. Became the first player in Rangers' franchise history to exceed 20 home runs by the end of May. Plácido Polanco (PHI): Recorded his 2000th career hit with a two-run home run in the eighth inning against the Houston Astros on May 14. He became the 269th player to reach this mark. Jamie Moyer (COL): With his two-run single against the Arizona Diamondbacks on May 16, Moyer (at age ) became the oldest player in Major League history to record an RBI. Albert Pujols (LAA): Hit his 450th career home run against the Seattle Mariners on May 24, becoming the 35th player and fourth-youngest to reach this mark. Melky Cabrera (SF): Set the Giants' franchise record for most hits in May with his 50th hit on May 29 against the Arizona Diamondbacks. He broke the record that was set by Willie Mays. On May 30, Cabrera singled in the eighth inning and tied the franchise record for most hits in any month with 51 that was set by Randy Winn in September 2005. Steve Lombardozzi Jr./Bryce Harper (WSH): Became the first pair of rookies in Major League history to hit back-to-back home runs beginning with a first-inning leadoff shot on June 3 against the Atlanta Braves. Carlos Beltrán (STL): Became the first switch hitter in Major League history with 300 home runs and 300 steals with his stolen base on June 15 against the Kansas City Royals. Ichiro Suzuki (NYY)/(SEA):