Locations of teams for the 1971–1976 National League seasons
West   East

The 1974 major league baseball season began on April 4 while the regular season ended on October 2. The postseason began on October 5. The 71st World Series then began on October 12 and concluded on October 17 with the Oakland Athletics of the American League defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers of the National League, four games to one, to win their eighth title in franchise history, winning their third consecutive World Series title, and their third since moving to Oakland in 1968.

The 45th All-Star Game was held on July 23 at Three Rivers Stadium in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The National League won, 7–2, and was the third win in what would be a 10-win streak that lasted until 1983.

Two notable personal milestones were achieved during the 1974 season. The first came on April 8, when Hank Aaron of the Atlanta Braves hit his 715th career home run, breaking the all-time career home run mark of 714 set by Babe Ruth. Aaron would finish his career in 1976 with 755 home runs, a record that would stand until Barry Bonds broke it in 2007. The second milestone came on September 10, when the St. Louis Cardinals' Lou Brock stole his 105th base off pitcher Dick Ruthven and catcher Bob Boone of the Philadelphia Phillies. This broke the single-season stolen base record of 104, set by Maury Wills in 1962. Brock stole 118 bases for the season, a record that would stand until 1982, when Rickey Henderson stole 130.

Schedule

The 1974 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 would be used until 1977 in the American League and 1993 in the National League.

Opening Day took place on April 4, featuring four teams. The final day of the regular season was on October 2, featuring 22 teams. The League Championship Series for both leagues began on October 5 and ended on October 9. The World Series took place between October 12 and October 17.

Rule changes

The 1974 season saw the following rule changes:

  • To play the World Series, player eligibility rules were clarified, such that a player must be on a team roster on August 31 and the remainder of the season to be eligible to play.[1]
  • The save rule was amended:[2][3]
    • A save can be credited to a pitcher when either the potential tying or winning run is on base or hitting, or when a pitcher pitches for at least three innings. In all situations, the lead must be preserved.
    • If multiple relief pitches qualify for a save, the pitcher judged to be more effective will be credited with a save. While crediting a save is not mandatory, only one pitcher may receive credit for a save.
  • Minimum standards for individual championships, including those between major league and minor league standards, were outlined.[2][3]
  • Rules regarding players wearing ear flaps on their batting helmets were enforced, though most existing Major League players were grandfathered out of these enforcements. Any Major League player who had either no professional league experience prior to their role in the majors, or Major League players who played in the National Association in 1973 were required to wear ear flaps.[3]
  • Penalties to pitchers who tarnished the ball (such as using a foreign substance, defacing the ball, throwing a spitball, etc.) were loosened from an immediate rejection. Now, penalties to pitcher were dependent on whether it was their first offense. Additionally, though a pitcher will still be penalized, an offensive manager could accept the play in which a violation occurred unless the batter and runners advanced at least one base.[3]

Teams

League Division Team City Ballpark Capacity Manager[4]
American League East Baltimore Orioles Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore Memorial Stadium 52,137 Earl Weaver
Boston Red Sox Boston, Massachusetts Fenway Park 33,379 Darrell Johnson
Cleveland Indians Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland Stadium 76,966 Ken Aspromonte
Detroit Tigers Detroit, Michigan Tiger Stadium 54,226 Ralph Houk
Milwaukee Brewers Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee County Stadium 46,000 Del Crandall
New York Yankees New York, New York Shea Stadium 55,300 Bill Virdon
West California Angels Anaheim, California Anaheim Stadium 43,202 Bobby Winkles
Whitey Herzog
Dick Williams
Chicago White Sox Chicago, Illinois White Sox Park 44,492 Chuck Tanner
Kansas City Royals Kansas City, Missouri Royals Stadium 40,625 Jack McKeon
Minnesota Twins Bloomington, Minnesota Metropolitan Stadium 45,921 Frank Quilici
Oakland Athletics Oakland, California Oakland–Alameda County Coliseum 50,000 Alvin Dark
Texas Rangers Arlington, Texas Arlington Stadium 35,698 Billy Martin
National League East Chicago Cubs Chicago, Illinois Wrigley Field 37,741 Whitey Lockman
Jim Marshall
Montreal Expos Montreal, Quebec Jarry Park Stadium 28,456 Gene Mauch
New York Mets New York, New York Shea Stadium 55,300 Yogi Berra
Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Veterans Stadium 55,730 Danny Ozark
Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Three Rivers Stadium 50,235 Danny Murtaugh
St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis, Missouri Civic Center Busch Memorial Stadium 50,126 Red Schoendienst
West Atlanta Braves Atlanta, Georgia Atlanta Stadium 52,870 Eddie Mathews
Clyde King
Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati, Ohio Riverfront Stadium 51,726 Sparky Anderson
Houston Astros Houston, Texas Houston Astrodome 44,500 Preston Gómez
Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles, California Dodger Stadium 56,000 Walter Alston
San Diego Padres San Diego, California San Diego Stadium 47,634 John McNamara
San Francisco Giants San Francisco, California Candlestick Park 58,000 Charlie Fox
Wes Westrum

Standings

American League

AL East
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
(1) Baltimore Orioles 9171 .562 4635 4536
New York Yankees 8973 .549 2 4734 4239
Boston Red Sox 8478 .519 7 4635 3843
Cleveland Indians 7785 .475 14 4041 3744
Milwaukee Brewers 7686 .469 15 4041 3645
Detroit Tigers 7290 .444 19 3645 3645
AL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
(2) Oakland Athletics 9072 .556 4932 4140
Texas Rangers 8476 .525 5 4238 4238
Minnesota Twins 8280 .506 8 4833 3447
Chicago White Sox 8080 .500 9 4634 3446
Kansas City Royals 7785 .475 13 4041 3744
California Angels 6894 .420 22 3645 3249

National League

NL East
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
(2) Pittsburgh Pirates 8874 .543 5229 3645
St. Louis Cardinals 8675 .534 4437 4238
Philadelphia Phillies 8082 .494 8 4635 3447
Montreal Expos 7982 .491 4238 3744
New York Mets 7191 .438 17 3645 3546
Chicago Cubs 6696 .407 22 3249 3447
NL West
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
(1) Los Angeles Dodgers 10260 .630 5229 5031
Cincinnati Reds 9864 .605 4 5031 4833
Atlanta Braves 8874 .543 14 4635 4239
Houston Astros 8181 .500 21 4635 3546
San Francisco Giants 7290 .444 30 3744 3546
San Diego Padres 60102 .370 42 3645 2457

Tie games

4 tie games (3 in AL, 1 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again) occurred throughout the season.

American League

The Chicago White Sox had three tie games. The California Angels, Minnesota Twins, and Texas Rangers had one tie each.

  • April 7, Chicago White Sox vs. California Angels, tied at 4 following the 10th inning on account of snow and low visibility.[5]
  • April 11, Minnesota Twins vs. Chicago White Sox, tied at 4 following a shortened six innings due to an unplayable field following a 38 minute rain delay.[6]
  • September 12, Chicago White Sox vs. Texas Rangers, tied at 2 following a shortened six innings on account of a 45 minute rain delay.[7]

National League

The Atlanta Braves and Cincinnati Reds had one tie each.

Postseason

The postseason began on October 5 and ended on October 17 with the Oakland Athletics defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 1974 World Series in five games.

Bracket

League Championship Series
(ALCS, NLCS)
World Series
EastBaltimore1
WestOakland3
ALOakland4
NLLos Angeles1
EastPittsburgh1
WestLos Angeles3

Managerial changes

Off-season

Team Former Manager New Manager
Boston Red Sox Eddie Popowski Darrell Johnson
Detroit Tigers Joe Schultz Jr. Ralph Houk
Houston Astros Leo Durocher Preston Gómez
New York Yankees Ralph Houk Bill Virdon
Oakland Athletics Dick Williams Alvin Dark
San Diego Padres Don Zimmer John McNamara

In-season

Team Former Manager New Manager
Atlanta Braves Eddie Mathews Clyde King
California Angels Bobby Winkles Whitey Herzog
Whitey Herzog Dick Williams
Chicago Cubs Whitey Lockman Jim Marshall
San Francisco Giants Charlie Fox Wes Westrum

League leaders

American League

Hitting leaders[9]
Stat Player Total
AVG Rod Carew (MIN) .364
OPS Dick Allen (CWS) .938
HR Dick Allen (CWS) 32
RBI Jeff Burroughs (TEX) 118
R Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) 93
H Rod Carew (MIN) 218
SB Billy North (OAK) 54
Pitching leaders[10]
Stat Player Total
W Catfish Hunter (OAK)
Ferguson Jenkins (TEX)
25
L Mickey Lolich (DET) 21
ERA Catfish Hunter (OAK) 2.49
K Nolan Ryan (CAL) 367
IP Nolan Ryan (CAL) 332.2
SV Terry Forster (CWS) 24
WHIP Catfish Hunter (OAK) 0.986

National League

Hitting leaders[11]
Stat Player Total
AVG Ralph Garr (ATL) .353
OPS Willie Stargell (PIT) .944
HR Mike Schmidt (PHI) 36
RBI Johnny Bench (CIN) 129
R Pete Rose (CIN) 110
H Ralph Garr (ATL) 214
SB Lou Brock (STL) 118

Milestones

Batters

Cycles

Other batting accomplishments

Pitchers

No-hitters

  • Steve Busby (KC):
    • Busby threw his second career no-hitter and the second no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Milwaukee Brewers 2–0 on June 19. He walked one and struck out three.[20]
  • Dick Bosman (CLE):
    • Bosman threw his first career no-hitter and the 12th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Oakland Athletics 4–0 on July 19. He struck out four and caused a fielding error, throwing 60 strikes on 79 pitches.[21]
  • Nolan Ryan (CAL):
    • Ryan threw his third career no-hitter and the fifth no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Minnesota Twins 4–0 on September 28. He walked eight and struck out 15.[22]

Other pitching accomplishments

Miscellaneous

Awards and honors

Regular season

Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards
BBWAA Award National League American League
Rookie of the Year Bake McBride (STL) Mike Hargrove (TEX)
Cy Young Award Mike Marshall (LAD) Catfish Hunter (OAK)
Most Valuable Player Steve Garvey (LAD) Jeff Burroughs (TEX)
Babe Ruth Award
(World Series MVP)
Dick Green (OAK)
Gold Glove Awards
Position National League American League
Pitcher Andy Messersmith (LAD) Jim Kaat (CWS)
Catcher Johnny Bench (CIN) Thurman Munson (NYY)
1st Base Steve Garvey (LAD) George Scott (MIL)
2nd Base Joe Morgan (CIN) Bobby Grich (BAL)
3rd Base Doug Rader (HOU) Brooks Robinson (BAL)
Shortstop Dave Concepción (CIN) Mark Belanger (BAL)
Outfield Bobby Bonds (SF) Paul Blair (BAL)
César Cedeño (HOU) Amos Otis (KC)
César Gerónimo (CIN) Joe Rudi (OAK)

Other awards

The Sporting News Awards
Award National League American League
Player of the Year[28] Lou Brock (STL)
Pitcher of the Year[29] Mike Marshall (LAD) Catfish Hunter (OAK)
Fireman of the Year[30]
(Relief pitcher)
Mike Marshall (LAD) Terry Forster (CWS)
Rookie Player of the Year[31] Greg Gross (HOU) Mike Hargrove (TEX)
Rookie Pitcher of the Year[32] John D'Acquisto (SF) Frank Tanana (CAL)
Comeback Player of the Year[33] Jimmy Wynn (LAD) Ferguson Jenkins (TEX)
Manager of the Year[34] Bill Virdon (NYY)
Executive of the Year[35] Gabe Paul (NYY)

Monthly awards

Player of the Month

Month National League American League
April Tommy John (LAD) Graig Nettles (NYY)
May Ralph Garr (ATL) Rod Carew (MIN)
June Buzz Capra (ATL) Gaylord Perry (CLE)
July Don Gullett (CIN) Doc Medich (NYY)
August Lou Brock (STL) Nolan Ryan (CAL)
September Al Kaline (DET)

Baseball Hall of Fame

Home field attendance

Team name Wins Home attendance Per game
Los Angeles Dodgers[36] 102 7.4% 2,632,474 23.2% 32,500
Cincinnati Reds[37] 98 −1.0% 2,164,307 7.3% 26,394
St. Louis Cardinals[38] 86 6.2% 1,838,413 16.8% 22,696
Philadelphia Phillies[39] 80 12.7% 1,808,648 22.5% 22,329
New York Mets[40] 71 −13.4% 1,722,209 −9.9% 21,262
Boston Red Sox[41] 84 −5.6% 1,556,411 5.1% 19,215
New York Yankees[42] 89 11.3% 1,273,075 0.9% 15,717
Detroit Tigers[43] 72 −15.3% 1,243,080 −27.9% 15,347
Texas Rangers[44] 84 47.4% 1,193,902 74.0% 14,924
Kansas City Royals[45] 77 −12.5% 1,173,292 −12.8% 14,485
Chicago White Sox[46] 80 3.9% 1,149,596 −11.7% 14,019
Cleveland Indians[47] 77 8.5% 1,114,262 81.1% 13,756
Pittsburgh Pirates[48] 88 10.0% 1,110,552 −15.9% 13,711
Houston Astros[49] 81 −1.2% 1,090,728 −21.8% 13,466
San Diego Padres[50] 60 0.0% 1,075,399 75.8% 13,277
Montreal Expos[51] 79 0.0% 1,019,134 −18.3% 12,739
Chicago Cubs[52] 66 −14.3% 1,015,378 −24.9% 12,536
Atlanta Braves[53] 88 15.8% 981,085 22.5% 12,112
Baltimore Orioles[54] 91 −6.2% 962,572 0.4% 11,884
Milwaukee Brewers[55] 76 2.7% 955,741 −12.5% 11,799
California Angels[56] 68 −13.9% 917,269 −13.3% 11,324
Oakland Athletics[57] 90 −4.3% 845,693 −15.5% 10,441
Minnesota Twins[58] 82 1.2% 662,401 −27.0% 8,078
San Francisco Giants[59] 72 −18.2% 519,987 −37.7% 6,420

Venues

The New York Yankees temporarily leave Yankee Stadium and move to Shea Stadium, the home of their cross-town rival New York Mets, for two seasons. The team would return to Yankee Stadium in 1976 following the completion of renovations.

Media

Television

NBC was the exclusive national TV broadcaster of MLB, airing the weekend Game of the Week, Monday Night Baseball, the All-Star Game, both League Championship Series, and the World Series.

Retired numbers

See also

References

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  2. 1 2 "MLB Rule Changes | Baseball Almanac". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 "Rules History". Retrosheet. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  4. "1974 Major League Managers". Baseball Reference. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  5. "Retrosheet Boxscore: Chicago White Sox 4, California Angels 4". Retrosheet. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  6. "Retrosheet Boxscore: Minnesota Twins 4, Chicago White Sox 4". Retrosheet. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  7. "Retrosheet Boxscore: Chicago White Sox 2, Texas Rangers 2". Retrosheet. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  8. "Retrosheet Boxscore: Cincinnati Reds 1, Atlanta Braves 1". Retrosheet. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  9. "1974 American League Batting Leaders". Baseball Reference. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  10. "1974 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball Reference. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  11. "1974 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball Reference. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  12. "1974 National League Pitching Leaders". Baseball Reference. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  13. "Pittsburgh Pirates 14, San Francisco Giants 1". Retrosheet.org. June 9, 1974. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  14. "Progressive Leaders & Records for Home Runs". Baseball Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  15. 1 2 "Henry Aaron Career Home Runs". Baseball Reference. Sports Reference. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  16. "Lou Brock Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More — Lou Brock: Standard Batting (1961-1974)". Baseball Reference. Retrieved June 16, 2026.
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  19. "Al Kaline Statistics and History". Baseball-Reference.com. Sports Reference. Archived from the original on June 29, 2011. Retrieved July 4, 2010.
  20. "Kansas City Royals vs Milwaukee Brewers Box Score: June 19, 1974". Baseball Reference. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  21. "Oakland Athletics vs Cleveland Indians Box Score: July 19, 1974". Baseball Reference. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  22. "Minnesota Twins vs California Angels Box Score: September 28, 1974". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  23. "Pitcher hitting the most consecutive batters". Guinness World Records. Retrieved May 21, 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
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  30. "Fireman of the Year Award / Reliever of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  31. "Rookie Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  32. "Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  33. "The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award | Baseball Almanac". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  34. "Manager of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  35. "MLB Executive of the Year Award | Baseball Almanac". Baseball Almanac. Retrieved May 21, 2026.
  36. "Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball Reference. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  37. "Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball Reference. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
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