1966 Major League Baseball season

none February 2024 1966 1966 MLB season American League (AL)National League (NL) Baseball Regular season: April 11 – October 2, 1966 (AL) April 12 – October 2, 1966 (NL)World Series: October 5–9, 1966 162 20 (10 per league) NBC Draft 1966 Major League Baseball draft Steve Chilcott List of first overall MLB draft picks New York Mets Regular season AL: Frank Robinson (BAL)NL: Roberto Clemente (PIT) Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award AL American League Baltimore Orioles Minnesota Twins NL National League (baseball) Los Angeles Dodgers San Francisco Giants World Series 1966 World Series Baltimore Orioles Los Angeles Dodgers Frank Robinson (BAL) World Series Most Valuable Player Award List of MLB seasons MLB 1965 Major League Baseball season 1965 1967 Major League Baseball season 1967 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 1965 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 1901 season (the team, the St. Louis Browns, went on to relocate to Baltimore as the Baltimore Orioles in 1953). Major league baseball would return to Milwaukee in 1970 with the relocation of the American League Seattle Pilots as the Milwaukee Brewers. The National League would see its return in 1998 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 Major League Baseball 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 1961 season and by the National League since the 1962 season, and would be used until 1969. 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.Bokser Andy 1965 Winter Meetings: Exit the Sportswriter and Enter the General https://sabr.org/journal/article/1965-winter-meetings-exit-the-sportswriter-and-enter-the-general/ 2025-07-16 Society for American Baseball Research Teams An asterisk (*) denotes the ballpark a team played the minority of their home games at LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManager1966 Major League Managers https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1966-managers.shtml 2025-03-11 Baseball-Reference.com enAmerican League American LeagueBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium52,185Hank BauerBoston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park33,524Billy HermanPete RunnelsCalifornia AngelsAnaheim, CaliforniaAnaheim Stadium43,202Bill RigneyChicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisWhite Sox Park46,550Eddie StankyCleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium73,811Birdie TebbettsGeorge Strickland baseballDetroit TigersDetroit, MichiganTiger Stadium53,089Chuck DressenBob SwiftFrank SkaffKansas City AthleticsKansas City, MissouriMunicipal Stadium34,165Alvin DarkMinnesota TwinsBloomington, MinnesotaMetropolitan Stadium45,182Sam MeleNew York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium67,000Johnny KeaneRalph HoukWashington SenatorsWashington, D.C.District of Columbia Stadium43,500Gil HodgesNational League National League (baseball) National LeagueAtlanta BravesAtlanta, GeorgiaAtlanta Stadium50,893Bobby BraganBilly HitchcockChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field36,644Leo DurocherCincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field29,603Don HeffnerDave BristolHouston AstrosHouston, TexasHouston Astrodome46,000Grady HattonLos Angeles DodgersLos Angeles, CaliforniaDodger Stadium56,000Walter AlstonNew York MetsNew York, New YorkShea Stadium55,300Wes WestrumPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaConnie Mack Stadium33,608Gene MauchPittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field35,500Harry WalkerSan Francisco GiantsSan Francisco, CaliforniaCandlestick Park42,500Herman FranksSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriBusch Stadium*30,500*Red SchoendienstCivic Center Busch Memorial Stadium49,275 Standings start American League Baltimore Orioles break National League Los Angeles Dodgers end 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. start 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.Boxscore: New York Yankees 2, Chicago White Sox 2 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1966/B05280NYA1966.htm 2026-05-01 Retrosheet break 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.Boxscore: Atlanta Braves 1, Houston Astros 1 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1966/B07160ATL1966.htm 2026-05-01 Retrosheet end 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 World Series AL Baltimore Orioles 4 NL Los Angeles Dodgers 0 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 start + Hitting leaders1966 American League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1966-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-03-11 Baseball-Reference.com en 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 break + Pitching leaders1966 American League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1966-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-03-11 Baseball-Reference.com en 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 break thumb|180px|Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax end National League start + Hitting leaders1966 National League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1966-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-03-11 Baseball-Reference.com en 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 break + Pitching leaders1966 National League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1966-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-03-11 Baseball-Reference.com en 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 break end Milestones Batters Cycles List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle 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.July 17, 1966 Chicago Cubs 7, St. Louis Cardinals 2 (2) http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1966/B07172SLN1966.htm live https://web.archive.org/web/20150924133652/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1966/B07172SLN1966.htm September 24, 2015 September 11, 2011 Retrosheet.org 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.August 11, 1966 Chicago Cubs 9, Houston Astros 8 (1) http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1966/B08111CHN1966.htm live https://web.archive.org/web/20150924133655/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1966/B08111CHN1966.htm September 24, 2015 September 11, 2011 Retrosheet.org 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.Henry Aaron Career Home Runs https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=aaronha01&t=b 2026-05-07 Baseball ReferenceThosar Deesha Every member of the 400-HR club https://www.mlb.com/news/400-home-run-club-c279297150 2026-05-04 MLB.com 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.Most home runs hit by a team in one inning of a Major League Baseball (MLB) game https://www.guinnessworldrecords.com/world-records/500678-most-home-runs-hit-by-a-team-in-one-inning-of-a-major-league-baseball-mlb-game 2026-05-07 Guinness World RecordsKansas City Athletics vs Minnesota Twins Box Score: June 9, 1966 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIN/MIN196606090.shtml 2026-05-07 Baseball Reference 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.July 3, 1966 July 3, 1966 Atlanta Braves at San Francisco Giants Play by Play and Box Score https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN196607030.shtml live https://web.archive.org/web/20210418044214/http://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/SFN/SFN196607030.shtml April 18, 2021 July 10, 2012 Baseball-Reference.com Sports Reference LLC 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.MLB RBI Records https://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_rbi1.shtml 2026-05-07 Baseball Almanac Pitchers No-hitters List of Major League Baseball 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.Washington Senators vs Cleveland Indians Box Score: June 10, 1966 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE196606100.shtml 2026-05-07 Baseball Reference 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 YearMajor League Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snml.shtml 2025-03-07 Baseball Almanac — Frank Robinson (BAL) Pitcher of the YearPitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snpy2.shtml 2025-03-07 Baseball Almanac Sandy Koufax (LAD) Jim Kaat (MIN) Fireman of the YearFireman of the Year Award / Reliever of the Year Award by The Sporting News https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snfi.shtml 2025-03-07 Baseball Almanac(Relief pitcher) Phil Regan (LAD) Jack Aker (KCA) Rookie Player of the YearRookie Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snrp2.shtml 2025-03-07 Baseball Almanac Tommy Helms (CHC) Tommie Agee (CWS) Rookie Pitcher of the YearRookie Pitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snrp.shtml 2025-03-07 Baseball Almanac Don Sutton (LAD) Jim Nash (KCA) Comeback Player of the YearThe Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/comeback_player_of_the_year_award.shtml 2025-03-07 Baseball Almanac Phil Regan (LAD) Boog Powell (BAL) Manager of the YearManager of the Year Award by The Sporting News https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snmy.shtml 2025-03-07 Baseball Almanac — Hank Bauer (BAL) Executive of the YearMLB Executive of the Year Award https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_sney.shtml 2025-03-07 Baseball Almanac Lee MacPhail (MLB Chief Assistant) Monthly awards Player of the Month Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award Month National League May Juan Marichal (SF) June Gaylord Perry (SF) July Mike Shannon (STL) August Pete Rose (CIN) Baseball Hall of Fame National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Ted Williams Casey Stengel (manager) 1966 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting Home field attendance Team nameWins%± Percent changeHome attendance%± Percent changePer game Average home attendance per gameLos Angeles DodgersLos Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com95 −2.1%2,617,0292.5%32,309New York MetsNew York Mets Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com6632.0%1,932,6939.3%23,860Houston AstrosHouston Astros Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com7210.8%1,872,108 −13.0%23,112St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com833.8%1,712,98038.0%21,148San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com93 −2.1%1,657,1927.2%20,459Atlanta BravesAtlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com85 −1.2%1,539,801177.1%18,778California AngelsLos Angeles Angels Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ANA/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com806.7%1,400,321147.1%17,288Minnesota TwinsMinnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com89 −12.7%1,259,374 −13.9%15,548Baltimore OriolesBaltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com973.2%1,203,36654.0%15,232Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com922.2%1,196,61831.6%14,773New York YankeesNew York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com70 −9.1%1,124,648 −7.3%13,715Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com88 −1.1%1,124,2939.2%13,880Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com872.4%1,108,201 −5.0%13,681Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com83 −12.6%990,016 −12.4%12,222Cleveland IndiansCleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com81 −6.9%903,359 −3.4%11,153Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com7216.1%811,17224.4%10,014Kansas City AthleticsOakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com7425.4%773,92946.5%9,555Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com76 −14.6%742,958 −29.1%9,405Chicago CubsChicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com59 −18.1%635,891 −0.9%7,851Washington SenatorsTexas Rangers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TEX/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com711.4%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 1996. 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 1882 (with a gap between 1893 and part of 1920), 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 2005. Media Television For the first time, NBC became exclusive national TV broadcaster of MLB. The network replaced ABC as the holder of the Games of the Week package. The New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies, which had instead sold their TV rights to CBS in prior seasons, also joined NBC's package. The new package under NBC called for 28 games, as compared to the 123 combined among three networks during the 1960s. NBC also continued to air the All-Star Game and World Series. See also 1966 in baseball (Events, Births, Deaths) 1966 Nippon Professional Baseball season References External links 1966 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference Category:Major League Baseball seasons Category:1966 in baseball