# 1967 Major League Baseball season

The 1967 major league baseball season began on April 10, 1967. The regular season ended on October 1, with the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Red Sox 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 4 and ended with Game 7 on October 12. The Cardinals defeated the Red Sox, four games to three, capturing their eighth championship in franchise history, since their previous in 1964. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the Baltimore Orioles from the 1966 season.
The 38th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, was held on July 11 at Anaheim Stadium in Anaheim, California, home of California Angels. The National League won, 2–1.
It was the final season for the Kansas City Athletics, before relocating to Oakland, California and becoming the Oakland Athletics for the 1968 season.
The season was filled with historic seasons from multiple players. Carl Yastrzemski of the Boston Red Sox had tied for the most home runs in MLB with Harmon Killebrew, giving him the elusive triple crown. He led the American League in batting average (.326), home runs due to the tie with Killebrew (44) and runs batted in (121) (This feat would not be accomplished again until Miguel Cabrera earned the triple crown in 2012 with the Detroit Tigers). Yastrzemski also won the AL MVP and led the Red Sox to the AL pennant for the first time in two decades. They would ultimately lose to the St. Louis Cardinals 7–2 in Game 7 of the World Series.
The Cardinals had standout players as well, with first baseman Orlando Cepeda becoming the first unanimously voted NL MVP. Cepeda finished the season with 25 home runs, 111 RBIs and a .325 batting average. He did however, struggle in the World Series, hitting only .103 with one RBI.

## Schedule

The 1967 schedule consisted of 162 games for all teams in the American League and National League, each of which had ten 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.
Opening Day took place on April 10, featuring two teams from each league. The final day of the regular season was on October 1, which saw all 20 teams play, continuing the trend from 1965. The World Series took place between October 4 and October 12.

## Teams

| League | Team | City | Stadium | Capacity | Manager |
| American League | Baltimore Orioles | Baltimore, Maryland | Baltimore Memorial Stadium | 52,185 | Hank Bauer |
| American League | Boston Red Sox | Boston, Massachusetts | Fenway Park | 33,524 | Dick Williams |
| American League | California Angels | Anaheim, California | Anaheim Stadium | 43,202 | Bill Rigney |
| American League | Chicago White Sox | Chicago, Illinois | White Sox Park | 46,550 | Eddie Stanky |
| American League | Cleveland Indians | Cleveland, Ohio | Cleveland Stadium | 74,056 | Joe Adcock |
| American League | Detroit Tigers | Detroit, Michigan | Tiger Stadium | 53,089 | Mayo Smith |
| American League | Kansas City Athletics | Kansas City, Missouri | Municipal Stadium | 34,165 | Alvin Dark |
| American League | Kansas City Athletics | Kansas City, Missouri | Municipal Stadium | 34,165 | Luke Appling |
| American League | Minnesota Twins | Bloomington, Minnesota | Metropolitan Stadium | 45,182 | Sam Mele |
| American League | Minnesota Twins | Bloomington, Minnesota | Metropolitan Stadium | 45,182 | Cal Ermer |
| American League | New York Yankees | New York, New York | Yankee Stadium | 67,000 | Ralph Houk |
| American League | Washington Senators | Washington, D.C. | District of Columbia Stadium | 43,500 | Gil Hodges |
| National League | Atlanta Braves | Atlanta, Georgia | Atlanta Stadium | 50,893 | Billy Hitchcock |
| National League | Atlanta Braves | Atlanta, Georgia | Atlanta Stadium | 50,893 | Ken Silvestri |
| National League | Chicago Cubs | Chicago, Illinois | Wrigley Field | 36,644 | Leo Durocher |
| National League | Cincinnati Reds | Cincinnati, Ohio | Crosley Field | 29,603 | Dave Bristol |
| National League | Houston Astros | Houston, Texas | Houston Astrodome | 46,000 | Grady Hatton |
| National League | Los Angeles Dodgers | Los Angeles, California | Dodger Stadium | 56,000 | Walter Alston |
| National League | New York Mets | New York, New York | Shea Stadium | 55,300 | Wes Westrum |
| National League | New York Mets | New York, New York | Shea Stadium | 55,300 | Salty Parker |
| National League | Philadelphia Phillies | Philadelphia, Pennsylvania | Connie Mack Stadium | 33,608 | Gene Mauch |
| National League | Pittsburgh Pirates | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Forbes Field | 35,500 | Harry Walker |
| National League | Pittsburgh Pirates | Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania | Forbes Field | 35,500 | Danny Murtaugh |
| National League | San Francisco Giants | San Francisco, California | Candlestick Park | 42,500 | Herman Franks |
| National League | St. Louis Cardinals | St. Louis, Missouri | Civic Center Busch Memorial Stadium | 49,450 | Red Schoendienst |

## Standings
### American League

vteAmerican League :
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
| Boston Red Sox | 92 | 70 | .568 | — | 49‍–‍32 | 43‍–‍38 |
| Detroit Tigers | 91 | 71 | .562 | 1 | 52‍–‍29 | 39‍–‍42 |
| Minnesota Twins | 91 | 71 | .562 | 1 | 52‍–‍29 | 39‍–‍42 |
| Chicago White Sox | 89 | 73 | .549 | 3 | 49‍–‍33 | 40‍–‍40 |
| California Angels | 84 | 77 | .522 | 7½ | 53‍–‍30 | 31‍–‍47 |
| Washington Senators | 76 | 85 | .472 | 15½ | 40‍–‍40 | 36‍–‍45 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 76 | 85 | .472 | 15½ | 35‍–‍42 | 41‍–‍43 |
| Cleveland Indians | 75 | 87 | .463 | 17 | 36‍–‍45 | 39‍–‍42 |
| New York Yankees | 72 | 90 | .444 | 20 | 43‍–‍38 | 29‍–‍52 |
| Kansas City Athletics | 62 | 99 | .385 | 29½ | 37‍–‍44 | 25‍–‍55 |

### National League

vteNational League :
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 101 | 60 | .627 | — | 49‍–‍32 | 52‍–‍28 |
| San Francisco Giants | 91 | 71 | .562 | 10½ | 51‍–‍31 | 40‍–‍40 |
| Chicago Cubs | 87 | 74 | .540 | 14 | 49‍–‍34 | 38‍–‍40 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 87 | 75 | .537 | 14½ | 49‍–‍32 | 38‍–‍43 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 82 | 80 | .506 | 19½ | 45‍–‍35 | 37‍–‍45 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 81 | 81 | .500 | 20½ | 49‍–‍32 | 32‍–‍49 |
| Atlanta Braves | 77 | 85 | .475 | 24½ | 48‍–‍33 | 29‍–‍52 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 73 | 89 | .451 | 28½ | 42‍–‍39 | 31‍–‍50 |
| Houston Astros | 69 | 93 | .426 | 32½ | 46‍–‍35 | 23‍–‍58 |
| New York Mets | 61 | 101 | .377 | 40½ | 36‍–‍42 | 25‍–‍59 |

## Postseason
### Bracket

| World Series | World Series | World Series |
| AL | Boston Red Sox | 3 |
| NL | St. Louis Cardinals | 4 |

## Managerial changes
### Off-season

| Team | Former Manager | New Manager |
| Boston Red Sox | Pete Runnels | Dick Williams |
| Cleveland Indians | George Strickland | Joe Adcock |
| Detroit Tigers | Frank Skaff | Mayo Smith |

### In-season

| Team | Former Manager | New Manager |
| Atlanta Braves | Sam Mele | Cal Ermer |
| Kansas City Athletics | Alvin Dark | Luke Appling |
| Minnesota Twins | Billy Herman | Pete Runnels |
| New York Mets | Wes Westrum | Salty Parker |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | Harry Walker | Danny Murtaugh |

## League leaders
### American League

Hitting leaders :
| Stat | Player | Total |
| AVG | Carl Yastrzemski$^1$ (BOS) | .326 |
| OPS | Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) | 1.040 |
| HR | Harmon Killebrew (MIN) Carl Yastrzemski$^1$ (BOS) | 44 |
| RBI | Carl Yastrzemski$^1$ (BOS) | 121 |
| R | Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) | 112 |
| H | Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) | 189 |
| SB | Bert Campaneris (KC) | 55 |
$^1$ American League Triple Crown batting winner
Pitching leaders :
| Stat | Player | Total |
| W | Jim Lonborg (BOS) Earl Wilson (DET) | 22 |
| L | George Brunet (CAL) | 19 |
| ERA | Joe Horlen (CWS) | 2.06 |
| K | Jim Lonborg (BOS) | 246 |
| IP | Dean Chance (MIN) | 283.2 |
| SV | Minnie Rojas (CAL) | 27 |
| WHIP | Joe Horlen (CWS) | 0.953 |

### National League

Hitting leaders :
| Stat | Player | Total |
| AVG | Roberto Clemente (PIT) | .357 |
| OPS | Dick Allen (PHI) | .970 |
| HR | Hank Aaron (ATL) | 39 |
| RBI | Orlando Cepeda (STL) | 111 |
| R | Hank Aaron (ATL) Lou Brock (STL) | 113 |
| H | Roberto Clemente (PIT) | 209 |
| SB | Lou Brock (STL) | 52 |
Pitching leaders :
| Stat | Player | Total |
| W | Mike McCormick (SF) | 22 |
| L | Jack Fisher (NYM) | 18 |
| ERA | Phil Niekro (ATL) | 1.87 |
| K | Jim Bunning (PHI) | 253 |
| IP | Jim Bunning (PHI) | 302.1 |
| SV | Ted Abernathy (CIN) | 28 |
| WHIP | Dick Hughes (STL) | 0.954 |

## Awards and honors
### Regular season

Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards :
| BBWAA Award | National League | American League |
| Rookie of the Year | Tom Seaver (NYM) | Rod Carew (MIN) |
| Cy Young Award | Mike McCormick (SF) | Jim Lonborg (BOS) |
| Most Valuable Player | Orlando Cepeda (STL) | Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) |
| Gold Glove Awards |||
| Position | National League | American League |
| Pitcher | Bob Gibson (STL) | Jim Kaat (MIN) |
| Catcher | Randy Hundley (CHC) | Bill Freehan (DET) |
| 1st Base | Wes Parker (LA) | George Scott (BOS) |
| 2nd Base | Bill Mazeroski (PIT) | Bobby Knoop (CAL) |
| 3rd Base | Ron Santo (CHC) | Brooks Robinson (BAL) |
| Shortstop | Gene Alley (PIT) | Jim Fregosi (CAL) |
| Outfield | Roberto Clemente (PIT) | Paul Blair (BAL) |
| Outfield | Curt Flood (STL) | Al Kaline (DET) |
| Outfield | Willie Mays (SF) | Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) |

### Other awards

* Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award: Bob Gibson (STL)
* Babe Ruth Award (BBWAA World Series MVP): Lou Brock (STL)
* Hutch Award: Carl Yastrzemski (BOS)
The Sporting News Awards :
| Award | National League | American League |
| Player of the Year | — | Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) |
| Pitcher of the Year | Mike McCormick (SF) | Jim Lonborg (BOS) |
| Fireman of the Year (Relief pitcher) | Ted Abernathy (CIN) | Minnie Rojas (CAL) |
| Rookie Player of the Year | Lee May (CIN) | Rod Carew (MIN) |
| Rookie Pitcher of the Year | Dick Hughes (STL) | Tom Phoebus (BAL) |
| Comeback Player of the Year | Mike McCormick (SF) | Dean Chance (MIN) |
| Manager of the Year | — | Dick Williams (BOS) |
| Executive of the Year | — | Dick O'Connell (BOS) |

### Monthly awards
#### Player of the Month

| Month | National League |
| May | Roberto Clemente (PIT) |
| June | Hank Aaron (ATL) |
| July | Jim Ray Hart (SF) |
| August | Orlando Cepeda (STL) |

### Baseball Hall of Fame

* Red Ruffing
* Lloyd Waner
* Branch Rickey (executive)

## Home field attendance

| Team name | Wins | %± | Home attendance | %± | Per game |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 101 | 21.7% | 2,090,145 | 22.0% | 25,804 |
| Boston Red Sox | 92 | 27.8% | 1,727,832 | 113.0% | 21,331 |
| Los Angeles Dodgers | 73 | −23.2% | 1,664,362 | −36.4% | 20,548 |
| New York Mets | 61 | −7.6% | 1,565,492 | −19.0% | 20,070 |
| Minnesota Twins | 91 | 2.2% | 1,483,547 | 17.8% | 18,315 |
| Detroit Tigers | 91 | 3.4% | 1,447,143 | 28.7% | 17,648 |
| Atlanta Braves | 77 | −9.4% | 1,389,222 | −9.8% | 17,151 |
| Houston Astros | 69 | −4.2% | 1,348,303 | −28.0% | 16,646 |
| California Angels | 84 | 5.0% | 1,317,713 | −5.9% | 15,876 |
| New York Yankees | 72 | 2.9% | 1,259,514 | 12.0% | 15,360 |
| San Francisco Giants | 91 | −2.2% | 1,242,480 | −25.0% | 15,152 |
| Chicago White Sox | 89 | 7.2% | 985,634 | −0.4% | 12,020 |
| Chicago Cubs | 87 | 47.5% | 977,226 | 53.7% | 11,634 |
| Cincinnati Reds | 87 | 14.5% | 958,300 | 29.0% | 11,831 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 76 | −21.6% | 955,053 | −20.6% | 12,403 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 81 | −12.0% | 907,012 | −24.2% | 11,198 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 82 | −5.7% | 828,888 | −25.2% | 10,361 |
| Washington Senators | 76 | 7.0% | 770,868 | 33.8% | 9,636 |
| Kansas City Athletics | 62 | −16.2% | 726,639 | −6.1% | 8,971 |
| Cleveland Indians | 75 | −7.4% | 662,980 | −26.6% | 8,185 |

## Other

* April 21 – The Los Angeles Dodgers run of 737 consecutive games without a game being rained out ends.
* May 14 – Mickey Mantle hit his 500th home run at Yankee Stadium.
* October 18 – City officials from Kansas City, Oakland, and Seattle were invited by Joe Cronin to discuss the A's relocation plans. United States Senator Stuart Symington attended the meeting and discussed the possibility of revoking baseball's antitrust exemption if the A's were allowed to leave Kansas City. The owners began deliberation and after the first ballot, only six owners were in favor of relocation. The owner of Baltimore voted against, while the ownership for Cleveland, New York and Washington had abstained. In the second ballot, the New York Yankees voted in favor of the Athletics relocation to Oakland. To appease all interested parties, the Athletics announced that MLB would expand to Kansas City and Seattle no later than the 1971 MLB season. MLB owners, bowing to Symington's threat, awarded Kansas City and Seattle expansion American League franchises for the 1969 season.

## Television coverage

NBC was the exclusive national TV broadcaster of MLB, airing the weekend Game of the Week, the All-Star Game, and the World Series.