2009 Major League Baseball season

This article is about the 2009 Major League Baseball season only. For information on all of baseball, see 2009 in baseball.
2009 MLB season
League Major League Baseball
Sport Baseball
Duration April 5, 2009 – November 4, 2009
Regular Season
Season MVP AL: Joe Mauer (MIN)
NL: Albert Pujols (STL)
League Postseason
AL champions New York Yankees
  AL runners-up Los Angeles Angels
NL champions Philadelphia Phillies
  NL runners-up Los Angeles Dodgers
World Series
Champions New York Yankees
  Runners-up Philadelphia Phillies
World Series MVP Hideki Matsui (NYY)

The 2009 Major League Baseball season began on Sunday, April 5, 2009 with the Atlanta Braves defeating the 2008 World Series champion Philadelphia Phillies 4–1. The regular season ended on October 6, extended two days for a one-game playoff between the Detroit Tigers and the Minnesota Twins to decide the American League Central Division champion. The postseason began the next day with the Division Series. The 2009 World Series began on October 28, and ended on November 4, with the New York Yankees defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in six games; and for the ninth year in a row, the defending World Series champion (the Phillies) failed to repeat the previous year's run. This was the second time the season was completed in November. The only other occasion was the 2001 World Series, that because of the delaying of the end of that season because of the September 11 attacks as November baseball would be guaranteed when Game 4 was played on Sunday, November 1. The American League champion had home field advantage for the World Series by virtue of winning the All-Star Game on July 14 at Busch Stadium in St. Louis, Missouri, 4–3. In addition, the annual Civil Rights Game became a regular season game, and was played June 20 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio when the host Cincinnati Reds lost to the Chicago White Sox in an interleague game, 10–8. Both teams wore replicas of their 1965 uniforms in the contest.

Standings

American League

The New York Yankees, with 103 wins, clinched Major League Baseball's best record in the 2009 season, and the #1 seed in the American League by winning the AL East. The Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim won the second seed with a 97–65 record, while a 95–67 mark was enough to win the wild card spot for the Boston Red Sox. In the AL Central, the Minnesota Twins defeated the Detroit Tigers in a one-game playoff for the division championship and the #3 seed.

AL East W L Pct. GB Home Road
(1) New York Yankees 103 59 0.636 57–24 46–35
(4) Boston Red Sox 95 67 0.586 8 56–25 39–42
Tampa Bay Rays 84 78 0.519 19 52–29 32–49
Toronto Blue Jays 75 87 0.463 28 44–37 31–50
Baltimore Orioles 64 98 0.395 39 39–42 25–56
AL Central W L Pct. GB Home Road
(3) Minnesota Twins 87 76 0.534 49–33 38–43
Detroit Tigers 86 77 0.528 1 51–30 35–47
Chicago White Sox 79 83 0.488 43–38 36–45
Cleveland Indians 65 97 0.401 21½ 35–46 30–51
Kansas City Royals 65 97 0.401 21½ 33–48 32–49
AL West W L Pct. GB Home Road
(2) Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim 97 65 0.599 49–32 48–33
Texas Rangers 87 75 0.537 10 48–33 39–42
Seattle Mariners 85 77 0.525 12 48–33 37–44
Oakland Athletics 75 87 0.463 22 40–41 35–46

National League

The Los Angeles Dodgers had the National League's best record (95–67), clinching the top seed in the Senior Circuit. The NL East champion Philadelphia Phillies, who were defending their 2008 title, was the #2 seed with a 93–69 record. The St. Louis Cardinals, from the NL Central, notched a 91–71 record, and the wild card went to the Colorado Rockies from the NL West.

NL East W L Pct. GB Home Road
(2) Philadelphia Phillies 93 69 0.574 45–36 48–33
Florida Marlins 87 75 0.537 6 43–38 44–37
Atlanta Braves 86 76 0.531 7 40–41 46–35
New York Mets 70 92 0.432 23 41–40 29–52
Washington Nationals 59 103 0.364 34 33–48 26–55
NL Central W L Pct. GB Home Road
(3) St. Louis Cardinals 91 71 0.562 46–35 45–36
Chicago Cubs 83 78 0.516 46–34 37–44
Milwaukee Brewers 80 82 0.494 11 40–41 40–41
Cincinnati Reds 78 84 0.481 13 40–41 38–43
Houston Astros 74 88 0.457 17 44–37 30–51
Pittsburgh Pirates 62 99 0.385 28½ 40–41 22–58
NL West W L Pct. GB Home Road
(1) Los Angeles Dodgers 95 67 0.586 50–31 45–36
(4) Colorado Rockies 92 70 0.568 3 51–30 41–40
San Francisco Giants 88 74 0.543 7 52–29 36–45
San Diego Padres 75 87 0.463 20 42–39 33–48
Arizona Diamondbacks 70 92 0.432 25 36–45 34–47

Postseason

Bracket

  Division Series
(ALDS, NLDS)
League Championship Series
(ALCS, NLCS)
World Series
                           
  1  New York Yankees 3  
3  Minnesota Twins 0  
  1  New York Yankees 4  
American League
  2  Los Angeles Angels 2  
2  Los Angeles Angels 3
  4  Boston Red Sox 0  
    AL  New York Yankees 4
  NL  Philadelphia Phillies 2
  1  Los Angeles Dodgers 3  
3  St. Louis Cardinals 0  
  1  Los Angeles Dodgers 1
National League
  2  Philadelphia Phillies 4  
2  Philadelphia Phillies 3
  4  Colorado Rockies 1  

Note: Major League Baseball's playoff format automatically seeds the Wild Card team 4th. Normally, the No. 1 seed plays the No. 4 seed in the Division Series. However, MLB does not allow the No. 1 seed to play the 4th seed/Wild Card winner in the Division Series if they are from the same division, instead having the No. 1 seed play the next lowest seed, the No. 3 seed.

League Division Series

American League

2009 American League Division Series
New York Yankees def. Minnesota Twins, 3–0
Game Date Score Series
(NYY–MIN)
Location Attendance Time Weather (°F)
1 October 7 Yankees 7, Twins 2 1–0 Yankee Stadium 49,464 3:38 62 degrees, cloudy
2 October 9 Yankees 4, Twins 3 2–0 Yankee Stadium 50,006 4:22 68 degrees, cloudy
3 October 11 Yankees 4, Twins 1 3–0 HHH Metrodome 54,735 3:25
2009 American League Division Series
Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim def. Boston Red Sox, 3–0
Game Date Score Series
(LAA–BOS)
Location Attendance Time Weather (°F)
1 October 8 Angels 5, Red Sox 0 1–0 Angel Stadium 45,070 3:09 65 degrees, clear
2 October 9 Angels 4, Red Sox 1 2–0 Angel Stadium 45,223 3:11 67 degrees, partly cloudy
3 October 11 Angels 7, Red Sox 6 3–0 Fenway Park 38,704 3:49 56 degrees, sunny
† – 11 innings

National League

2009 National League Division Series
Los Angeles Dodgers def. St. Louis Cardinals, 3–0
Game Date Score Series
(LAD–STL)
Location Attendance Time Weather (°F)
1 October 7 Dodgers 5, Cardinals 3 1–0 Dodger Stadium 56,000 3:54 63 degrees, clear
2 October 8 Dodgers 3, Cardinals 2 2–0 Dodger Stadium 51,819 3:07 71 degrees, sunny
3 October 10 Dodgers 5, Cardinals 1 3–0 Busch Stadium 47,296 3:02 57 degrees, clear
2009 National League Division Series
Philadelphia Phillies def. Colorado Rockies, 3–1
Game Date Score Series
(PHI–COL)
Location Attendance Time
1 October 7 Phillies 5, Rockies 1 1–0 Citizens Bank Park 46,452 2:48
2 October 8 Rockies 5, Phillies 4 1–1 Citizens Bank Park 46,528 3:41
3 October 11 Phillies 6, Rockies 5 2–1 Coors Field 50,109 4:06
4 October 12 Phillies 5, Rockies 4 3–1 Coors Field 49,940 3:41

League Championship Series

American League

2009 American League Championship Series
New York Yankees def. Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, 4–2
Most Valuable Player: CC Sabathia, P, New York
Game Date Score Series
(NYY–LAA)
Location Attendance Time
1 October 16 Yankees 4, Angels 1 1–0 Yankee Stadium 49,688 3:18
2 October 17 Yankees 4, Angels 3 2–0 Yankee Stadium 49,922 5:10
3 October 19 Angels 5, Yankees 4 2–1 Angel Stadium 44,911 4:21
4 October 20 Yankees 10, Angels 1 3–1 Angel Stadium 45,160 3:38
5 October 22 Angels 7, Yankees 6 3–2 Angel Stadium 45,133 3:34
6 October 25 Yankees 5, Angels 2 4–2 Yankee Stadium 50,173 3:40
† – 13 innings
‡ – 11 innings

National League

2009 National League Championship Series
Philadelphia Phillies def. Los Angeles Dodgers, 4–1
Most Valuable Player: Ryan Howard, 1B, Philadelphia
Game Date Score Series
(PHI-LAD)
Location Attendance Time
1 October 15 Phillies 8, Dodgers 6 1–0 Dodger Stadium 56,000 4:02
2 October 16 Dodgers 2, Phillies 1 1–1 Dodger Stadium 56,000 3:05
3 October 18 Phillies 11, Dodgers 0 2–1 Citizens Bank Park 45,721 3:12
4 October 19 Phillies 5, Dodgers 4 3–1 Citizens Bank Park 46,157 3:44
5 October 21 Phillies 10, Dodgers 4 4–1 Citizens Bank Park 46,214 3:40

World Series

Main article: 2009 World Series
2009 World Series
New York Yankees def. Philadelphia Phillies, 4-2
Most Valuable Player: Hideki Matsui, DH, New York
Game Date Score Series
(NYY–PHI)
Location Attendance Time
1 October 28 Phillies 6, Yankees 1 0–1 Yankee Stadium 50,207 3:27
2 October 29 Yankees 3, Phillies 1 1–1 Yankee Stadium 50,181 3:25
3 October 31 Yankees 8, Phillies 5 2–1 Citizens Bank Park 46,061 3:25
4 November 1 Yankees 7, Phillies 4 3–1 Citizens Bank Park 46,145 3:25
5 November 2 Phillies 8, Yankees 6 3–2 Citizens Bank Park 46,178 3:26
6 November 4 Yankees 7, Phillies 3 4–2 Yankee Stadium 50,315 3:52

League leaders

American League

Batting leaders

Stat Player Total
AVG Joe Mauer (MIN) .365
HR Carlos Peña (TB)
Mark Teixeira (NYY)
39
RBI Mark Teixeira (NYY) 122
R Dustin Pedroia (BOS) 115
H Ichiro Suzuki (SEA) 225
SB Jacoby Ellsbury (BOS) 70

National League

Batting leaders

Stat Player Total
AVG Hanley Ramírez (FLA) .342
HR Albert Pujols (STL) 47
RBI Prince Fielder (MIL)
Ryan Howard (PHI)
141
R Albert Pujols (STL) 124
H Ryan Braun (MIL) 203
SB Michael Bourn (HOU) 61

Pitching leaders

Stat Player Total
W Adam Wainwright (STL) 19
L Zack Duke (PIT) 16
ERA Chris Carpenter (STL) 2.24
K Tim Lincecum (SF) 261
IP Adam Wainwright (STL) 233
SV Heath Bell (SD) 42

Managing changes

General managers

The Seattle Mariners named Milwaukee Brewers scouting director Jack Zduriencik its new general manager on October 22, replacing interim GM Lee Pelekoudas.

Washington Nationals GM Jim Bowden resigned on March 1 amid allegations that he was skimming bonus money from Latin American players. Team president Stan Kasten first took over the bulk of his duties before transferring them to assistant GM Mike Rizzo, who had served as acting GM, and was named as the full-time general manager on August 20.

During the last days of the regular season, two teams fired their general managers, effective at the end of the season. On October 3, the Toronto Blue Jays fired J. P. Ricciardi after eight seasons. The following day, the San Diego Padres axed Kevin Towers, who had been the longest-tenured GM in Major League Baseball at 14 seasons.

Field managers

Off-season changes

Two teams announced new managers in the offseason:

Date Team New manager Replaced Former job
October 30, 2008 Milwaukee Brewers Ken Macha Dale Sveum Macha was a former manager of the Oakland Athletics, and served as a part-time anaylist for NESN.
November 19, 2008 Seattle Mariners Don Wakamatsu Jim Riggleman Wakamatsu, the first Major League Baseball manager of Asian descent, was the Athletics' bench coach.

Cito Gaston and Jerry Manuel both entered their first full season as managers of the Toronto Blue Jays and New York Mets, respectively, after taking over for managers dismissed in the middle of the 2008 season. Gaston had previously been the Blue Jays' manager from 1989 until 1997.

In-season changes

Date Team Former manager Replacement Previous Job
May 8 Arizona Diamondbacks Bob Melvin A. J. Hinch Vice president of player development
May 29 Colorado Rockies Clint Hurdle Jim Tracy Bench coach
July 13 Washington Nationals Manny Acta Jim Riggleman Bench coach
September 20 Houston Astros Cecil Cooper Dave Clark Third base coach

Rule changes

On January 15, the owners of the 30 Major League Baseball clubs approved two rule changes governing the playing of postseason and one-game playoff games.

Milestones

Reached

Randy Johnson's 300th career win on June 4, 2009.

New stadiums

Opening Night at Citi Field on April 13, 2009
Four F-16s Fly Over the new Yankee Stadium on its Opening Day on April 16, 2009

The 2009 season marked the opening of two new stadiums, both in New York City; Citi Field for the Mets and the new Yankee Stadium for the Yankees. They respectively replaced Shea Stadium (which was dismantled during the 2008–09 offseason) and the original Yankee Stadium (which will become a public park after it is demolished). Because of the smaller seating capacities in these new parks, Dodger Stadium is now the largest capacity park in use with 56,000 seats, and is also the third oldest ballpark in Major League Baseball behind Fenway Park and Wrigley Field. Citi Field opened with a night game on April 13 as the Mets hosted the San Diego Padres losing 6–5. In that game, Jody Gerut of the Padres became the first player in major league history to open a new ballpark with a leadoff homer.[3] Three days later, the Cleveland Indians inaugurated New Yankee Stadium against the Bronx Bombers. The Indians won 10–2. On Jackie Robinson Day (April 15), a rotunda at Citi Field was named in honor of Jackie Robinson and was dedicated prior to the Mets–Padres game that day.

The 2009 season also marked the final season of the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome as the home for the Minnesota Twins, where they had played since 1982. In 2010, the team moved to Target Field, their new baseball-only stadium located a short distance across town. Previously, since moving from Washington, D.C. in 1961, the franchise has shared, first Metropolitan Stadium, and then the Metrodome with the NFL's Minnesota Vikings; they also shared tenant rights at the Metrodome with the University of Minnesota's football team. The Golden Gophers started to play on-campus at TCF Bank Stadium in 2009. The Metrodome's last scheduled regular season game was to be played on Sunday, October 4, 2009, but the Twins tied the Detroit Tigers necessitating a one-game playoff between the two teams on October 6.

While not a new stadium, Kansas City's Kauffman Stadium completed a two-year renovation. The first year saw a new video board dubbed "Crown Vision" and refitting of several sections. Improvements for 2009 include a new glass and brick facade to the exterior of the ballpark, newly expanded team Hall of Fame, a new sports bar/restaurant, improved sightlines, new luxury suites and refurbished press and radio/TV facilities to name a few.

In late March, the Florida Marlins had their funding for a new stadium at the former site of the Miami Orange Bowl approved by Miami-Dade County commissioners. Groundbreaking ceremonies were held on July 18, with an opening by 2012, at which time the team will be renamed the Miami Marlins.

Awards

Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards
BBWAA Award National League American League
Rookie of the Year Chris Coghlan (FLA) Andrew Bailey (OAK)
Cy Young Award Tim Lincecum (SF) Zack Greinke (KC)
Manager of the Year Jim Tracy (COL) Mike Scioscia (LAA)
Most Valuable Player Albert Pujols (STL) Joe Mauer (MIN)
Gold Glove Awards
Position National League American League
Pitcher Adam Wainwright (STL) Mark Buehrle (CWS)
Catcher Yadier Molina (STL) Joe Mauer (MIN)
1st Base Adrian Gonzalez (SD) Mark Teixeira (NYY)
2nd Base Orlando Hudson (LAD) Plácido Polanco (DET)
3rd Base Ryan Zimmerman (WAS) Evan Longoria (TB)
Shortstop Jimmy Rollins (PHI) Derek Jeter (NYY)
Outfield Michael Bourn (HOU)
Matt Kemp (LAD)
Shane Victorino (PHI)
Torii Hunter (LAA)
Adam Jones (BAL)
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA)
Silver Slugger Awards
Position National League American League
Pitcher/Designated Hitter Carlos Zambrano (CHC) Adam Lind (TOR)
Catcher Brian McCann (ATL) Joe Mauer (MIN)
1st Base Albert Pujols (STL) Mark Teixeira (NYY)
2nd Base Chase Utley (PHI) Aaron Hill (TOR)
3rd Base Ryan Zimmerman (WAS) Evan Longoria (TB)
Shortstop Hanley Ramírez (FLA) Derek Jeter (NYY)
Outfield Ryan Braun (MIL)
Matt Kemp (LAD)
Andre Ethier (LAD)
Torii Hunter (LAA)
Ichiro Suzuki (SEA)
Jason Bay (BOS)

Player of the Month

Month American League National League
April Evan Longoria Albert Pujols
May Joe Mauer Justin Upton
June B. J. Upton Albert Pujols
July Bobby Abreu Ryan Ludwick
August Kendry Morales Ryan Howard
September Billy Butler Derrek Lee

Pitcher of the Month

Month American League National League
April Zack Greinke Johan Santana
May Justin Verlander Trevor Hoffman
June Félix Hernández Tim Lincecum
July Jarrod Washburn Wandy Rodríguez
August CC Sabathia Chris Carpenter
September Félix Hernández Jair Jurrjens

Rookie of the Month

Month American League National League
April Scott Richmond Brian Barden
May Rick Porcello Gerardo Parra
June Nolan Reimold Tommy Hanson
July Gordon Beckham Garrett Jones
August Andrew Bailey Chris Coghlan
September Brett Anderson Casey McGehee

Other Awards

Broadcasting

Television

This would have marked the first full season in the USA for baseball games to be telecast as the transition from analog to digital television that was to have been made on February 17. However, the transition took place June 12.

A new entrant in the baseball television rights marketplace debuted on January 1 when the MLB Network, owned by Major League Baseball, joined Fox, ESPN and TBS not only televising games, but also other baseball-related programming from their studio in Secaucus, New Jersey, formerly the studios of MSNBC. MLB was the last of the four major team sports to start its own television channel. The national telecast breakdown, along with the maximum number of appearances per team, is:

In Canada, Toronto Blue Jays games will be televised on Rogers Sportsnet and TSN. RSN also holds the Canadian rights to air the Fox and ESPN/ESPN2 games if they do not conflict with Blue Jays games, as well as the All-Star Game and the entire postseason.

In Australia free to air channel One HD shows up to 5 games live per week, and European channel ESPN America broadcasts games as well.

Radio

ESPN Radio will once again serve as MLB's national radio network, broadcasting Sunday Night Baseball as well as selected Saturday and holiday games during the regular season, the Home Run Derby and All-Star Game, and all postseason series.

Uniforms, patches, and caps

Patches

As stated earlier, the Mets and Yankees wore patches commemorating the inaugural seasons of their new parks, the Twins wore patches commemorating their final season at the Metrodome, and the Cardinals, hosting the All-Star Game, wore a patch to celebrate that event.

Other teams' memorials and accomplishments on their sleeves:

The Phillies' patch honoring Harry Kalas

Uniforms

Turn Back The Clock

The Pittsburgh Pirates, Detroit Tigers, Oakland Athletics and Chicago White Sox led the Majors in wearing throwback uniforms. On May 2 at Safeco Field, the Athletics and Seattle Mariners honored 1939 by wearing special uniforms. The Mariners honored the Seattle Rainiers and the Oakland Athletics honored the Oakland Oaks from that season. Both teams played in the Pacific Coast League that season. The A's then wore a 1980s styled uniform in St. Petersburg on July 11 against the Tampa Bay Rays, who wore uniforms from their inaugural season of 1998 when they were known as the "Devil Rays". Finally, On August 16, the Athletics and White Sox used vintage throwbacks. The A's wore uniforms from their Philadelphia period, with blue caps and a large A on the front of their jerseys. The White Sox wore their jerseys with a large S with a lowercase O in the top loop and a lowercase X in the bottom loop.[7]

On June 14, the Tigers and Pirates wore throwback uniforms to commemorate the 100th anniversary of both Forbes Field and the 1909 World Series between the two teams. That game also featured a throwback atmosphere: no music or flashy graphics, no mascots (meaning no Jolly Roger or Pirate Parrot), and a hand-operated scoreboard. One modern item occurred in the pre-game: The Stanley Cup champion Pittsburgh Penguins made a surprise visit and brought the trophy with them. The Pirates and the Kansas City Royals also honored the Negro Leagues on June 26 and 27 with the Pirates wearing the Homestead Grays uniforms and the Royals donning Kansas City Monarchs replicas. The Pirates and the Cincinnati Reds recreated their 1979 National League Championship Series uniforms on August 21 as part of the Buccos' 30th anniversary celebration of their World Series championship. The Bucs wore their gold pillbox hat with a gold jersey and black pants, a faux pas from the uniforms that season as a black cap was worn that year with the gold jersey.

In addition to the afforementioned Civil Rights Game and game in Oakland, the White Sox, originators of the genre of replica throwback uniforms, commemorated the fiftieth anniversary of their 1959 American League Championship on June 25 against the team that they played in that World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers, who opted to wear their regular uniforms instead, as manager Joe Torre did not want to create hype of a World Series that was 50 years ago.

The Tigers and the Cleveland Indians played in Negro League replicas twice, with the Tigers in Detroit Stars uniforms, and the Indians outfitted in Cleveland Buckeyes replicas. In a "home-and-home" style series, the Tigers hosting the Tribe July 11 at Comerica Park, with the Tigers in 1920 Stars uniforms and the Indians in the 1948 Buckeyes road grays, while the Indians played host August 1 at Progressive Field seeing Cleveland wearing Buckeyes home whites and the Tigers in the gray Stars uniform.

Caps

Notes

  1. 1 2 Ownership approves two major rules amendments Major League Baseball Official Press Release
  2. Justin Kubatko (2009-08-27). "1000+ Hits for Multiple Teams » Baseball-Reference Blog » Blog Archive". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved 2014-01-17.
  3. Gagne, Matt (April 14, 2009). "Padres' Jody Gerut opens Citi Field with a bang, homering on third pitch". Daily News. Retrieved June 26, 2009.
  4. MLB 4♦ALS site
  5. Urban, Mychael (April 8, 2009). "A's to honor slain OPD officers". Oakland Athletics official website. Retrieved May 7, 2009.
  6. Martino, Andy; Salisbury, Jim (April 15, 2009). "Kalas' son recalls final meeting". Philly.com. Archived from the original on July 30, 2009. Retrieved April 15, 2009.
  7. "White Sox's lineup Sunday vs. Oakland, turn-back-the-clock uniforms". Chicago Tribune. August 16, 2009.
  8. "Mets to wear New York throwback uniforms to honor National League Heritage August 14–16 at Citi field | mets.com: Official Info". Archived from the original on August 15, 2009. Retrieved August 13, 2009.
  9. "MLB pulls Chief Wahoo off Cleveland's 2009 Stars". Yahoo! Sports.

External links


This article is issued from Wikipedia - version of the Monday, April 18, 2016. The text is available under the Creative Commons Attribution/Share Alike but additional terms may apply for the media files.