2006 Major League Baseball season

2006 Major League Baseball season
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 1991 (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
American League
National League
Postseason
Bracket
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
Other awards
Comeback Players of the Year: Jim Thome (Designated hitter, CHW, 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
Pitcher of the Month
Rookie of the Month
Statistical leaders
Managers
American League
National League
±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
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 ever to reach 40 home runs, 40 stolen bases and 40 doubles in one season.
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 ; HitTracker estimated it at .
Home field attendance and payroll
Television coverage
This was the sixth and final season that national TV 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.
See also
2006 Nippon Professional Baseball season
2006 in baseball
References
External links
2006 Major League Baseball season schedule at Baseball Reference
Major League Baseball seasons