2006 Major League Baseball season

April 2013 February 2024 2006 MLB season Major League Baseball Baseball April 2 – October 27, 2006 162 30 FoxESPN Draft 2006 Major League Baseball draft Luke Hochevar List of first overall Major League Baseball draft picks Kansas City Royals Regular season AL: Justin Morneau (MIN)NL: Ryan Howard (PHI) Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award Postseason 2006 Major League Baseball postseason AL 2006 American League Championship Series Detroit Tigers Oakland Athletics NL 2006 National League Championship Series St. Louis Cardinals New York Mets World Series 2006 World Series St. Louis Cardinals Detroit Tigers David Eckstein (STL) World Series Most Valuable Player Award List of Major League Baseball seasons MLB 2005 Major League Baseball season 2005 2007 Major League Baseball season 2007 2006 The 2006 Major League Baseball season ended with the National League's St. Louis Cardinals winning the World Series with the lowest regular-season victory total (83) in a fully-played season in major league history. The Atlanta Braves failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 1990 (1994 there was no postseason due to the players strike). Individual achievements included Barry Bonds who, despite questions surrounding his alleged steroid use and involvement in the BALCO scandal, surpassed Babe Ruth for second place on the career home runs list. The American League continued its domination at the All-Star Game by winning its fourth straight game, and ninth of the prior 10 contests (the 2002 game was a tie). Standings start American League New York Yankees 1:New York YankeesMinnesota Twins, Detroit Tigers 2:Minnesota Twins, 4:Detroit Tigers3:Oakland Athletics break National League New York Mets 1:New York MetsSt. Louis Cardinals 3:St. Louis CardinalsSan Diego Padres, Los Angeles Dodgers 2:San Diego Padres, 4:Los Angeles Dodgers end Postseason 2006 Major League Baseball postseason thumb|Players of the St. Louis Cardinals celebrate their World Series victory. Bracket Division Series(ALDS, NLDS) League Championship Series(NLCS, ALCS) World Series American League National League 30 160 1 NY Yankees 1 4 Detroit 3 2 Minnesota 0 3 Oakland 3 1 NY Mets 3 4 LA Dodgers 0 2 San Diego 1 3 St. Louis 3 4 Detroit 4 3 Oakland 0 1 NY Mets 3 3 St. Louis 4 AL4 Detroit 1 NL3 St. Louis 4 All-Star game All-Star Game, July 11 at PNC Park – American League, 3–2; Michael Young, MVP Century 21 Home Run Derby, July 10 – Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies Awards thumb|Players of the Minnesota Twins celebrate Justin Morneau's Walk-off home run in victory against the Baltimore Orioles, June 11. Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie of the YearHanley Ramírez (FLA)Justin Verlander (DET)Cy Young AwardBrandon Webb (AZ)Johan Santana (MIN)Manager of the YearJoe Girardi (FLA)Jim Leyland (DET)Most Valuable PlayerRyan Howard (PHI)Justin Morneau (MIN)Gold Glove AwardsPositionNational LeagueAmerican LeaguePitcherGreg Maddux (CHC/LAD)Kenny Rogers (DET)CatcherBrad Ausmus (HOU)Iván Rodríguez (DET)1st BaseAlbert Pujols (STL)Mark Teixeira (TEX)2nd BaseOrlando Hudson (AZ)Mark Grudzielanek (KC)3rd BaseScott Rolen (STL)Eric Chavez (OAK)ShortstopOmar Vizquel (SF)Derek Jeter (NYY)OutfieldCarlos Beltrán (NYM)Mike Cameron (SD)Andruw Jones (ATL)Torii Hunter (MIN)Ichiro Suzuki (SEA)Vernon Wells (TOR)Silver Slugger AwardsPositionNational LeagueAmerican LeaguePitcher/Designated HitterCarlos Zambrano (CHC) David Ortiz (BOS)CatcherBrian McCann (ATL)Joe Mauer (MIN)1st BaseRyan Howard (PHI)Justin Morneau (MIN)2nd BaseChase Utley (PHI)Robinson Canó (NYY)3rd BaseMiguel Cabrera (FLA)Joe Crede (CWS)ShortstopJosé Reyes (NYM)Derek Jeter (NYY)OutfieldCarlos Beltrán (NYM)Matt Holliday (COL)Alfonso Soriano (WSH)Jermaine Dye (CWS)Vladimir Guerrero (LAA)Manny Ramirez (BOS) Other awards Comeback Players of the Year: Jim Thome (Designated hitter, CWS, American); Nomar Garciaparra (First baseman, LAD, National). Edgar Martínez Award (Best designated hitter): David Ortiz (BOS) Hank Aaron Award: Derek Jeter (NYY, American); Ryan Howard (PHI, National). Roberto Clemente Award (Humanitarian): Carlos Delgado (NYM). Rolaids Relief Man Award: Francisco Rodríguez (LAA, American); Trevor Hoffman (SD, National). Delivery Man of the Year (Best Reliever): Mariano Rivera (NYY). Warren Spahn Award (Best left-handed pitcher): Johan Santana (MIN) Player of the Month Month American League National League April Jason Giambi Albert Pujols May Alex Rodriguez Jason Bay June Joe Mauer David Wright July David Ortiz Chase Utley August Travis Hafner Ryan Howard September Robinson Canó Ryan Howard Pitcher of the Month Month American League National League April José Contreras Greg Maddux May CC Sabathia Jason Schmidt June Johan Santana Chris Young July John Lackey Carlos Zambrano August Esteban Loaiza Derek Lowe September Johan Santana Roy Oswalt Rookie of the Month Month American League National League April Jonathan Papelbon Prince Fielder May Justin Verlander Josh Johnson June Francisco Liriano Josh JohnsonDan Uggla July Francisco Liriano Josh Barfield August Nick Markakis Chris Duncan September Boof Bonser Aníbal Sánchez Statistical leaders Statistic American League National League AVG Joe Mauer, MIN .347 Freddy Sanchez, PIT .344 HR David Ortiz, BOS 54 Ryan Howard, PHI 58 RBI David Ortiz, BOS 137 Ryan Howard, PHI 149 Wins Johan Santana, MIN Chien-Ming Wang, NYY 19 Aaron Harang, CIN Derek Lowe, LAD Brad Penny, LAD John Smoltz, ATL Brandon Webb, AZ Carlos Zambrano, CHC 16 ERA Johan Santana, MIN 2.77 Roy Oswalt, HOU 2.98 SO Johan Santana, MIN 245 Aaron Harang, CIN 216 SV Francisco Rodríguez, LAA 47 Trevor Hoffman, SD 46 SB Carl Crawford, TB 58 José Reyes, NYM 64 Managers American League Team Manager CommentsBaltimore OriolesSam PerlozzoBoston Red SoxTerry FranconaChicago White SoxOzzie GuillénCleveland IndiansEric WedgeDetroit TigersJim LeylandWon the ALCS, replacing Alan TrammellKansas City RoyalsBuddy BellLos Angeles AngelsMike SciosciaMinnesota TwinsRon GardenhireNew York YankeesJoe TorreOakland AthleticsKen Macha (Macha was replaced by Bob Geren)Seattle MarinersMike HargroveTampa Bay Devil RaysJoe MaddonTexas RangersBuck Showalter (Showalter was replaced with Ron Washington)Toronto Blue JaysJohn Gibbons National League Team Manager CommentsArizona DiamondbacksBob MelvinAtlanta BravesBobby CoxChicago CubsDusty Baker (Baker was replaced by Lou Piniella)Cincinnati RedsJerry NarronColorado RockiesClint HurdleFlorida MarlinsJoe Girardi (Girardi was replaced by Fredi González)Houston AstrosPhil GarnerLos Angeles DodgersGrady LittleMilwaukee BrewersNed YostNew York MetsWillie RandolphPhiladelphia PhilliesCharlie ManuelPittsburgh Pirates±Jim TracySt. Louis CardinalsTony La RussaWon the World SeriesSan Diego PadresBruce Bochy (Bochy was replaced by Bud Black)San Francisco GiantsFelipe Alou (Alou was replaced by Bruce Bochy)Washington NationalsFrank Robinson (Robinson was replaced by Manny Acta) ±hosted the MLB All Star Game Milestones 300–300 Club members Reggie Sanders – June 10 Steve Finley – June 14 Home runs The following players reached major home run milestones in 2006: Barry Bonds' countdown to 715 May 21 – reached 714 career homers, tying Babe Ruth for second all time May 28 – reached 715 career homers, passing Ruth for second all time 400 career homers Mike Piazza – April 26 Carlos Delgado – August 22 300 career homers Jeromy Burnitz – April 4 Moisés Alou – April 13 Reggie Sanders – June 10 (also joining the 300–300 club) Steve Finley – June 14 (also joining the 300–300 club) 200 career homers Jeff Conine – April 16 Magglio Ordóñez – April 29 Eric Chavez – May 2 Jermaine Dye – May 14 Carlos Lee – May 24 Phil Nevin – June 19 Lance Berkman – June 21 Carl Everett – June 21 Nomar Garciaparra – June 25 David Ortiz – June 29 Alfonso Soriano – August 13 Bobby Abreu – August 22 Carlos Beltrán – August 26 Entry into the top 500 Trot Nixon on April 5 with his 126th career homer Jason Varitek on June 13 with his 126th career homer Vernon Wells on June 14 with his 126th career homer Aubrey Huff on July 1 with his 126th career homer Raúl Ibañez on July 15 with his 126th career homer Mark Teixeira on August 19 with his 127th career homer Pitching Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres broke Lee Smith's record of 478 Saves on September 24, 2006, at Petco Park. Hitting Bill Hall, Damian Miller, Brady Clark, J. J. Hardy, and Prince Fielder of the MIL become the fifth group of players in Major League history to hit five home runs in one inning in the fourth inning against the Cincinnati Reds on April 22.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#:~:text=The%20Major%20League%20Baseball%20(MLB),recently%20by%20Houston%20Astros%20batters 2026-05-07 Guinness World RecordsCincinnati Reds vs Milwaukee Brewers Box Score: April 22, 2006 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MIL/MIL200604220.shtml 2026-05-07 Baseball-Reference.com en Alfonso Soriano of the Washington Nationals become only the fourth player to join the 40–40 club, joining José Canseco, Barry Bonds, and Alex Rodriguez when he stole his 40th base of the season on September 16. Six days later he became the first person to reach 40 home runs, 40 stolen bases and 40 doubles in one season. Jeff Kent, J.D. Drew, Mike Lowell, and Jason Varitek of the Los Angeles Dodgers became the fourth group of players to hit four consecutive home runs in the ninth inning on September 18 against the San Diego Padres.Eagle Ed Teams that have hit four straight home runs https://www.mlb.com/news/four-straight-home-runs-in-a-game-c268169128 2026-04-30 MLB.com en Other achievements Matt Holliday hit the longest home run of the season in MLB against the San Francisco Giants on September 19 with an official distance of 443 ft m; HitTracker estimated it at 496 ft m.Beinhoff Drew http://www.realclearsports.com/blognetwork/the_coors_effect/2006/09/you-gotta-love-matt-holliday.html You gotta love Matt Holliday Real Clear Sports September 20, 2006 August 4, 2014 https://web.archive.org/web/20160303225510/http://www.realclearsports.com/blognetwork/the_coors_effect/2006/09/you-gotta-love-matt-holliday.html March 3, 2016 dead Home field attendance and payroll Team nameWins%± Percent changeHome attendance%± Percent changePer game Average home attendance per gameEst. payroll%± Percent changeNew York Yankeeshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/attend.shtml New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com972.1%4,248,0673.8%52,445$194,663,079 −6.5%Los Angeles Dodgershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/attend.shtml Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com8823.9%3,758,5454.3%46,402$98,447,18718.6%St. Louis Cardinalshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com83 −17.0%3,407,104 −3.7%42,589$88,891,371 −3.5%Los Angeles Angels of Anaheimhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ANA/attend.shtml Los Angeles Angels Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com89 −6.3%3,406,7900.1%42,059$103,472,0009.1%New York Metshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/attend.shtml New York Mets Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com9716.9%3,379,53519.4%41,723$101,584,9630.3%San Francisco Giantshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/attend.shtml San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com761.3%3,130,313 −1.6%38,646$90,056,419 −0.2%Chicago Cubshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/attend.shtml Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com66 −16.5%3,123,2150.7%38,558$94,424,4998.5%Houston Astroshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/attend.shtml Houston Astros Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com82 −7.9%3,022,7637.8%37,318$100,894,43531.4%Chicago White Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/attend.shtml Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com90 −9.1%2,957,41426.2%36,511$102,750,66736.7%Boston Red Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com86 −9.5%2,930,5882.9%36,180$120,099,824 −2.8%Philadelphia Phillieshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/attend.shtml Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com85 −3.4%2,701,8151.4%33,356$88,273,333 −7.6%San Diego Padreshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SDP/attend.shtml San Diego Padres Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com887.3%2,659,757 −7.3%32,837$69,896,14110.4%Detroit Tigershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/attend.shtml Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com9533.8%2,595,93728.2%32,049$82,612,86619.6%Atlanta Braveshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/attend.shtml Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com79 −12.2%2,550,5241.2%31,488$90,156,8764.3%Seattle Marinershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SEA/attend.shtml Seattle Mariners Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com7813.0%2,481,165 −9.0%30,632$87,959,8330.2%Texas Rangershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TEX/attend.shtml Texas Rangers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com801.3%2,388,757 −5.4%29,491$68,228,66222.2%Milwaukee Brewershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIL/attend.shtml Milwaukee Brewers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com75 −7.4%2,335,6435.6%28,835$57,970,33345.2%Toronto Blue Jayshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TOR/attend.shtml Toronto Blue Jays Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com878.8%2,302,21214.3%28,422$71,365,00056.1%Minnesota Twinshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/attend.shtml Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com9615.7%2,285,01812.3%28,210$63,396,00612.8%Baltimore Orioleshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/attend.shtml Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com70 −5.4%2,153,139 −18.0%26,582$72,585,582 −1.8%Washington Nationalshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/attend.shtml Washington Nationals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com71 −12.3%2,153,056 −21.2%26,581$63,143,00030.0%Cincinnati Redshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com809.6%2,134,6079.9%26,353$60,909,519 −1.6%Colorado Rockieshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/attend.shtml Colorado Rockies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com7613.4%2,104,3629.9%25,980$41,233,000 −13.8%Arizona Diamondbackshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ARI/attend.shtml Arizona Diamondbacks Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com76 −1.3%2,091,6851.6%25,823$59,984,226 −4.2%Cleveland Indianshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/attend.shtml Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com78 −16.1%1,997,995 −0.8%24,667$56,031,50035.0%Oakland Athleticshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/attend.shtml Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com935.7%1,976,625 −6.3%24,403$64,843,07917.0%Pittsburgh Pirateshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/attend.shtml Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com670.0%1,861,5492.4%22,982$46,717,75022.5%Kansas City Royalshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/attend.shtml Kansas City Royals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com6210.7%1,372,6380.1%16,946$47,694,00029.3%Tampa Bay Devil Rayshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TBD/attend.shtml Tampa Bay Rays Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com61 −9.0%1,368,95019.9%16,901$34,917,96717.7%Florida Marlinshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/FLA/attend.shtml Florida Marlins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com78 −6.0%1,164,134 −37.2%14,372$14,671,500 −75.7% Television coverage This was the sixth and final season that national television coverage was split between ESPN and Fox Sports (TBS would then be added to televising national coverage in 2007). ESPN and ESPN2 aired selected weeknight and Sunday night games, and selected Division Series playoff games. Fox televised Saturday baseball, the All-Star Game, selected Division Series games, both League Championship Series, and the World Series. Events April 3 – The Florida Marlins set a modern major-league record by starting six rookies in their opening day 1–0 loss to the Houston Astros.Charlton's Baseball Chronology http://www.baseballlibrary.com/chronology/thisday.php?month=4&day=3 www.baseballlibrary.com March 5, 2013 dead https://web.archive.org/web/20130801073038/http://www.baseballlibrary.com/chronology/thisday.php?month=4&day=3 August 1, 2013 See also 2006 Nippon Professional Baseball season 2006 in baseball References External links 2006 Major League Baseball season schedule at Baseball Reference Category:Major League Baseball seasons