1976 Major League Baseball season

February 2024 1976 1976 MLB season American League (AL)National League (NL) Baseball Regular season: April 8 – October 3, 1976Postseason: October 9–21, 1976 162 24 (12 per league) ABC, NBC Draft 1976 Major League Baseball draft Floyd Bannister List of first overall MLB draft picks Houston Astros Regular season AL: Thurman Munson (NYY)NL: Joe Morgan (CIN) Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award Postseason 1976 Major League Baseball postseason AL 1976 American League Championship Series New York Yankees Kansas City Royals NL 1976 National League Championship Series Cincinnati Reds Philadelphia Phillies World Series 1976 World Series Cincinnati Reds New York Yankees Johnny Bench (CIN) World Series Most Valuable Player Award List of MLB seasons MLB 1975 Major League Baseball season 1975 1977 Major League Baseball season 1977 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 an 11-game win streak that lasted until 1983. 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 2013 (albeit with teams shifting in and out of the league in the interim). Lockout 1976 Major League Baseball 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,Powers John The Sports Log - Labor Notes https://www.newspapers.com/image/436621475/ 4 March 2022 The Boston Globe 1 March 1976 24 and owners had various levels of strictness regarding freezing activity.Owners Backing Down on Lockout https://www.newspapers.com/image/215041864/ 4 March 2022 Associated Press The Town Talk 3 March 1976 22Conlin Bill The Phils' Grass Menagerie https://www.newspapers.com/image/185359640/ 4 March 2022 Philadelphia Daily News 6 March 1976 26 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.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89948839/baseball-bosses-irate-as-andy-awaits-bid/ Baseball bosses irate as Andy awaits bids AP The Spokesman-Review Spokane, Washington 12 December 24, 1975 December 2, 2021 newspapers.com 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.Owners Give Proposal https://www.newspapers.com/image/35309165/ 4 March 2022 United Press International Las Cruces Sun-News 16 March 1976 5 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.Kuhn orders training camps to open https://www.newspapers.com/image/277995162/ 4 March 2022 Associated Press Star-Gazette 18 March 1976 15 The season began on time for the scheduled April 8 Opening Day.Labor Pains http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/news/2002/05/25/work_stopppages/ October 7, 2011 Sports Illustrated https://web.archive.org/web/20130111084930/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/baseball/news/2002/05/25/work_stopppages/ January 11, 2013 Wayback Machine 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.https://www.newspapers.com/clip/89954940/peace-reaches-baseball/ Peace reaches baseball AP The Sun Lowell, Massachusetts 17 August 3, 1976 December 3, 2021 newspapers.com Schedule Major League Baseball 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 1969 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 1993. 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 1973, was made permanent.Wolf Gregory H. 1975 Winter Meetings: The Threat of Free Agency and the Return of the Master Showman https://sabr.org/journal/article/1975-winter-meetings-the-threat-of-free-agency-and-the-return-of-the-master-showman/ Society for American Baseball Research 2026-05-27 en-USRules History https://www.retrosheet.org/rules/rules.htm 2026-05-27 Retrosheet 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 1989 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, 2001 3 is rounded to 200 and 2002 3 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 1975 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 LeagueDivisionTeamCityBallparkCapacityManager1976 Major League Managers https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1976-managers.shtml 2026-05-28 Baseball Reference enAmerican League American LeagueEastBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium52,137Earl WeaverBoston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park33,437Darrell JohnsonDon ZimmerCleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium76,713Frank RobinsonDetroit TigersDetroit, MichiganTiger Stadium54,226Ralph HoukMilwaukee BrewersMilwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee County Stadium47,500Alex GrammasNew York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium54,028Billy MartinWestCalifornia AngelsAnaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim Stadium43,202Dick WilliamsNorm SherryChicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisComiskey Park44,492Paul Richards baseballKansas City RoyalsKansas City, MissouriRoyals Stadium40,625Whitey HerzogMinnesota TwinsBloomington, MinnesotaMetropolitan Stadium45,919Gene MauchOakland AthleticsOakland, CaliforniaOakland–Alameda County Coliseum50,000Chuck TannerTexas RangersArlington, TexasArlington Stadium35,698Frank LucchesiNational League National League (baseball) National LeagueEastChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field37,741Jim Marshall baseballMontreal ExposMontreal, QuebecJarry Park Stadium28,456Karl KuehlCharlie Fox baseballNew York MetsNew York, New YorkShea Stadium55,300Joe Frazier baseballPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaVeterans Stadium56,581Danny OzarkPittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaThree Rivers Stadium50,235Danny MurtaughSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriCivic Center Busch Memorial Stadium50,126Red SchoendienstWestAtlanta BravesAtlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta–Fulton County Stadium51,556Dave BristolCincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioRiverfront Stadium51,786Sparky AndersonHouston AstrosHouston, TexasHouston Astrodome45,101Bill VirdonLos Angeles DodgersLos Angeles, CaliforniaDodger Stadium56,000Walter AlstonTommy LasordaSan Diego PadresSan Diego, CaliforniaSan Diego Stadium47,491John McNamara baseballSan Francisco GiantsSan Francisco, CaliforniaCandlestick Park58,000Bill Rigney Standings start American League New York YankeesKansas City Royals break National League Philadelphia PhilliesCincinnati Reds end Postseason 1976 Major League Baseball 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 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 start + Hitting leaders1976 American League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1976-batting-leaders.shtml 2026-05-28 Baseball Reference en 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 break + Pitching leaders1976 American League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1976-pitching-leaders.shtml 2026-05-28 Baseball Reference en 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 end National League start + Hitting leaders1976 National League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1976-batting-leaders.shtml 2026-05-28 Baseball Reference en 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 break + Pitching leaders1976 National League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1976-pitching-leaders.shtml 2026-05-28 Baseball Reference en 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 end Milestones Batters Four home runs in one game List of Major League Baseball single-game home run leaders 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.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN197604170.shtml Philadelphia Phillies vs Chicago Cubs Box Score: April 17, 1976 March 13, 2026 Baseball Reference https://web.archive.org/web/20260302104846/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHN/CHN197604170.shtml March 2, 2026 livehttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GxwsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=J8kEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5218,3029533&dq=mike-schmidt&hl=en Mike Schmidt Hits Four Home Runs: Phillies Outslug Chicago,18–16 April 17, 1976 TimesDaily United Press International 21 September 9, 2010 November 29, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211129145154/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=GxwsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=J8kEAAAAIBAJ&pg=5218%2C3029533&dq=mike-schmidt&hl=en live Cycles List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle 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.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1976/B04210CHN1976.htm Montreal Expos 12, Chicago Cubs 6 April 21, 1976 Retrosheet September 11, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135210/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1976/B04210CHN1976.htm live Larry Hisle (MIN): Hisle hit for his first cycle and seventh in franchise history, on June 4 against the Baltimore Orioles.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1976/B06040BAL1976.htm Minnesota Twins 8, Baltimore Orioles 6 June 4, 1976 Retrosheet September 11, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135212/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1976/B06040BAL1976.htm live Mike Phillips (NYM): Phillips hit for his first cycle and third in franchise history, on June 25 against the Chicago Cubs.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1976/B06250CHN1976.htm New York Mets 7, Chicago Cubs 4 June 25, 1976 Retrosheet September 11, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135214/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1976/B06250CHN1976.htm live Lyman Bostock (MIN): Bostock hit for his first cycle and eighth in franchise history, on July 24 against the Chicago White Sox.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1976/B07240CHA1976.htm Minnesota Twins 17, Chicago White Sox 2 July 24, 1976 Retrosheet September 11, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135216/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1976/B07240CHA1976.htm live César Cedeño (HOU): Cedeño hit for his second cycle and second in franchise history, on August 9 against the St. Louis Cardinals.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1976/B08090SLN1976.htm Houston Astros 13, St. Louis Cardinals 4 August 9, 1976 Retrosheet September 11, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135217/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1976/B08090SLN1976.htm live Mike Hegan (MIL): Hegan hit for his first cycle and first in franchise history, on September 3 against the Detroit Tigers.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1976/B09030DET1976.htm Milwaukee Brewers 11, Detroit Tigers 2 September 3, 1976 Retrosheet September 11, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924135219/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1976/B09030DET1976.htm live Other batting accomplishments Darrell Evans (SF/ATL): Broke a National League record as a part of the Atlanta Braves on April 25 when he walked in his 13th consecutive game against in a game against the Philadelphia Phillies. He sets the record on April 27 when he walked in his 15th consecutive game in a game against the New York Mets, having drawn 19 walks in the 15th game-streak. Reggie Jackson (BAL): Tied an American League record by becoming the sixth player to hit home runs in six consecutive games between July 18 and 23.Eagle Ed Most consecutive games with a home run https://www.mlb.com/news/consecutive-home-run-games-c265322182 2026-04-28 Major League Baseball en Willie Davis (SD): Gets his 2,500th hit with a single in the fourth inning against the Chicago Cubs on July 19. Hank Aaron (MIL): Set a major league record for most career home runs, hitting his 755th home run on July 20 against the California Angels. Carl Yastrzemski (BOS): Gets his 2,500th hit with a double in the first inning against the Cleveland Indians on July 26. Minnie Miñoso (CWS): After coming out of a twelve-year retirement on September 11, he becomes the oldest player to get a hit in a major league game when he gets a hit in the second inning against the California Angels. Joe Morgan (CIN): Recorded his 500th career stolen base in the first inning against the Los Angeles Dodgers on September 14. He became the 24th player to reach this mark.Joe Morgan Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More — Joe Morgan: Standard Batting (1963-1976) https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/m/morgajo02.shtml#1963-1976-sum:players_standard_batting 2026-06-16 Baseball Reference enJoe Morgan 1976 Batting Game Logs — Joe Morgan: Batting Stats Career Game 1493-1618 https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=morgajo02&t=b&year=1976#1493-1618-sum:players_standard_batting 2026-06-16 Baseball Reference enLos Angeles Dodgers vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score: September 14, 1976 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN197609140.shtml 2026-06-16 Baseball Reference en Pitchers No-hitters List of Major League Baseball no-hitters Larry Dierker (HOU): Dierker threw his first career no-hitter and fifth no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Montreal Expos 6–0 on July 9. Dierker walked four and struck out eight.Montreal Expos vs Houston Astros Box Score: July 9, 1976 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/HOU/HOU197607090.shtml 2026-05-28 Baseball Reference en Blue Moon Odom / Francisco Barrios (CWS): The two pitchers combined to throw the 13th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Oakland Athletics 2–1 on July 28. It was accomplished with five strikeouts and 11 walks. Odom pitched the first five innings. It is the fourth combined no-hitter in major league history.Chicago White Sox vs Oakland Athletics Box Score: July 28, 1976 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/OAK/OAK197607280.shtml 2026-05-28 Baseball Reference en John Candelaria (PIT): Candelaria threw his first career no-hitter and fifth no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers 2–0 on August 9. Candelaria walked one and struck out seven.Los Angeles Dodgers vs Pittsburgh Pirates Box Score: August 9, 1976 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PIT/PIT197608090.shtml 2026-05-28 Baseball Reference en John Montefusco (SF): Montefusco threw his first career no-hitter and 12th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Atlanta Braves 9–0 on September 29. Montefusco walked one and struck out four.San Francisco Giants vs Atlanta Braves Box Score: September 29, 1976 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/ATL/ATL197609290.shtml 2026-05-28 Baseball Reference en Other pitching accomplishments Randy Jones (SD): Ties a National League record previously set by Christy Mathewson in 1913 by going 68 innings without a base on balls against San Francisco Giants on June 22. The streak ends when he walks Marc Hill leading off the 8th. Miscellaneous Toby Harrah (TEX) Becomes the only shortstop in major league history to play an entire doubleheader without a fielding chance against the Chicago White Sox on June 25. Awards and honors Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards BBWAA Award National League American League Rookie of the Year Butch Metzger (SD)Pat Zachry (CIN) Mark Fidrych (DET) Cy Young Award Randy Jones (SD) Jim Palmer (BAL) Most Valuable Player Joe Morgan (CIN) Thurman Munson (NYY) Babe Ruth Award(World Series MVP) Johnny Bench (CIN) —Gold Glove Awards Position National League American League Pitcher Jim Kaat (PHI) Jim Palmer (BAL) Catcher Johnny Bench (CIN) Jim Sundberg (TEX) 1st Base Steve Garvey (LAD) George Scott (MIL) 2nd Base Joe Morgan (CIN) Bobby Grich (BAL) 3rd Base Mike Schmidt (PHI) Aurelio Rodríguez (DET) Shortstop Dave Concepción (CIN) Mark Belanger (BAL)Outfield César Cedeño (HOU) Dwight Evans (BOS) César Gerónimo (CIN) Rick Manning (CLE) Garry Maddox (PHI) Joe Rudi (OAK) Other awards Roberto Clemente Award (Humanitarian): Pete Rose (CIN) Hutch Award: Tommy John (LAD) Outstanding Designated Hitter Award: Hal McRae (KC) Rolaids Relief Man Award: Rawly Eastwick (CIN, National); Bill Campbell (MIN, American) Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award: Johnny Bench (CIN) The Sporting News Awards Award National League American League Player of the YearMajor League Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snml.shtml 2026-05-21 Baseball Almanac Joe Morgan (CIN) — Pitcher of the YearPitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snpy2.shtml 2026-05-21 Baseball Almanac Randy Jones (SD) Jim Palmer (BAL) Fireman of the YearFireman of the Year Award / Reliever of the Year Award by The Sporting News Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snfi.shtml 2026-05-21 Baseball Almanac(Relief pitcher) Rawly Eastwick (CIN) Bill Campbell (MIN) Rookie Player of the YearRookie Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snrp2.shtml 2026-05-21 Baseball Almanac Larry Herndon (SF) Butch Wynegar (MIN) Rookie Pitcher of the YearRookie Pitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snrp.shtml 2026-05-21 Baseball Almanac Butch Metzger (SD) Mark Fidrych (DET) Comeback Player of the YearThe Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/comeback_player_of_the_year_award.shtml 2026-05-21 Baseball Almanac Tommy John (LAD) Dock Ellis (NYY) Manager of the YearManager of the Year Award by The Sporting News Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snmy.shtml 2026-05-21 Baseball Almanac Danny Ozark (PHI) — Executive of the YearMLB Executive of the Year Award Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_sney.shtml 2026-05-21 Baseball Almanac — Joe Burke (KC) Monthly awards start Player of the Month Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award Month National League American League April Mike Schmidt (PHI) Willie Horton (DET) May George Foster (CIN) Ron LeFlore (DET) June Al Oliver (CIN) Mark Fidrych (DET) July George Foster (CIN) Reggie Jackson (BAL) August Joe Morgan (CIN) Luis Tiant (BOS) September Steve Garvey (LAD) Nolan Ryan (CAL)Frank Tanana (CAL) break Pitcher of the Month Major League Baseball Pitcher of the Month Award Month National League April Randy Jones (SD) May Randy Jones (SD) June Andy Messersmith (ATL) July Jerry Koosman (NYM) August Ray Burris (CHC) September Don Sutton (LAD) end Baseball Hall of Fame National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Oscar Charleston Roger Connor Bob Lemon Freddie Lindstrom Robin Roberts Cal Hubbard (umpire) 1976 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting Home field attendance Team nameWins%± Percent changeHome attendance%± Percent changePer game Average home attendance per gameCincinnati Redshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com102 −5.6%2,629,70813.6%32,466Philadelphia Phillieshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/attend.shtml Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com10117.4%2,480,15029.9%30,619Los Angeles Dodgershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/attend.shtml Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com924.5%2,386,301 −6.0%29,461New York Yankeeshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/attend.shtml New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com9716.9%2,012,43456.2%25,155Boston Red Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com83 −12.6%1,895,8468.4%23,406Kansas City Royalshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/attend.shtml Kansas City Royals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com90 −1.1%1,680,26545.9%20,744New York Metshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/attend.shtml New York Mets Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com864.9%1,468,754 −15.1%17,912Detroit Tigershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/attend.shtml Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com7429.8%1,467,02038.6%18,338San Diego Padreshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SDP/attend.shtml San Diego Padres Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com732.8%1,458,47813.8%18,231St. Louis Cardinalshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com72 −12.2%1,207,079 −28.8%14,902Texas Rangershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TEX/attend.shtml Texas Rangers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com76 −3.8%1,164,9823.3%14,382Baltimore Orioleshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/attend.shtml Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com88 −2.2%1,058,6095.6%13,069Chicago Cubshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/attend.shtml Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com750.0%1,026,217 −0.8%12,669Pittsburgh Pirateshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/attend.shtml Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com920.0%1,025,945 −19.2%12,666Milwaukee Brewershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIL/attend.shtml Milwaukee Brewers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com66 −2.9%1,012,164 −16.6%12,496California Angelshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ANA/attend.shtml Los Angeles Angels Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com765.6%1,006,774 −4.9%12,429Cleveland Indianshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/attend.shtml Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com812.5%948,776 −2.9%12,010Chicago White Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/attend.shtml Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com64 −14.7%914,94521.9%11,437Houston Astroshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/attend.shtml Houston Astros Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com8025.0%886,1463.3%10,807Atlanta Braveshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/attend.shtml Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com704.5%818,17953.0%10,101Oakland Athleticshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/attend.shtml Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com87 −11.2%780,593 −27.4%9,637Minnesota Twinshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/attend.shtml Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com8511.8%715,394 −3.0%8,832Montreal Exposhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/attend.shtml Washington Nationals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com55 −26.7%646,704 −28.8%8,084San Francisco Giantshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/attend.shtml San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com74 −7.5%626,86819.9%7,739 Venues Two ballparks were renamed by the start of the season: Atlanta Stadium, home of the Atlanta Braves, was renamed to Atlanta–Fulton County Stadium. White Sox Park, home of the Chicago White Sox, was renamed to Comiskey Park. The New York Yankees returned to their longtime home of Yankee Stadium following renovations that caused them to play at their cross-town rival New York Mets' home ballpark of Shea Stadium for two season. The Montreal Expos would play their final game at Jarry Park Stadium in a doubleheader on September 26 against the Philadelphia Phillies, moving into Olympic Stadium for the start of the 1977 season. Media Television This was the first season of MLB's new national TV rights agreements with ABC and NBC. ABC won the rights to show Monday Night Baseball, the All-Star Game and both League Championship Series in even-numbered years, and World Series in odd-numbered years. NBC continued to air the weekend Game of the Week, as well as All-Star Game and both League Championship Series in odd-numbered years, and World Series in even-numbered years. This was the final year NBC used radio announcers of the two competing teams in the World Series (in 1976, Cincinnati Reds radio announcer Marty Brenneman and New York Yankees announcer Phil Rizzuto were used) as part of the television broadcast team. Starting in 1978 when NBC had the World Series again, they used their standard broadcast team of Joe Garagiola and Tony Kubek with no team announcers as part of the coverage. Retired numbers Nellie Fox had his No. 2 retired by the Chicago White Sox on May 1. This was the second number retired by the team. Hank Aaron had his No. 44 retired by the Milwaukee Brewers on October 3. This was the first number retired by the team. See also 1976 in baseball (Events, Movies, Births, Deaths) 1976 Nippon Professional Baseball season References External links 1976 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference Category:Major League Baseball seasons