More 1971 Baseball Season Highlights
Check out more 1971 baseball season highlights, including the year's inductees to the Hall of Fame.
- The Orioles become first team since the 1942-1944 Cards to win 100 or more games three consecutive years.
- Reds and Braves combine for ten homers on April 21.
- Hall of Fame inducts Jake Beckley, Dave Bancroft, Chick Hafey, Harry Hooper, Joe Kelley, Rube Marquard, George Weiss, and Satchel Paige.
- Dodger Willie Davis wins first of three consecutive Gold Gloves as National League outfielder.
- Orioles trade Frank Robinson and Pete Richert to Dodgers for four players.
- Mets trade Nolan Ryan and three other players to Angels for Jim Fregosi.
- Boston sends George Scott and five other players to Milwaukee for Tommy Harper and three others.
- Cubs trade Holtzman to A's for Rick Monday.
- Dodgers swap Dick Allen to White Sox for Tommy John and Steve Huntz.
- Astros trade John Mayberry and a minor leaguer to KC for two minor leaguers.
- Astros send Joe Morgan, Denis Menke, Cesar Geronimo, Jack Billingham, and Ed Armbrister to the Reds for Lee May, Tommy Helms, and Jimmy Stewart.
- Heinie Manush dies.
- Goose Goslin dies.
- Elmer Flick dies at age 94.
- Don Kessinger of the Cubs goes 6-for-6 on June 17.
- Enzo Hernandez of the Padres has 12 RBI in 549 at-bats -- an Major League record for fewest RBI in 500 or more at-bats.
- Atlanta's Rico Carty, reigning National League bat champ, is out all year with injury.
- J.R. Richard of Houston ties Karl Spooner's Major League record when he Ks 15 hitters in his first major league start.
- On May 11, Cleveland's Steve Dunning hits the last grandslam by an American League pitcher.
- The current rule to determine rookie status in order to select the two Rookies of the Year is adopted.
- Baltimore's Mark Belanger is first American League regular since 1958 to go homerless for a full season in 500 or more at-bats.
- Yankee Roy White hits an American League record 17 sacrifice flies.
- Chicago's Ron Santo leads National League third basemen in DPs a record sixth time.
- Houston's Cesar Cedeno tops Major League in doubles (40).
- Two Astros, Morgan and Roger Metzger, tie for the National League lead with 11 triples; KC's Freddie Patek likewise tops American League with 11.
- Willie Mays leads National League in walks (112) and OBP (.429).
- Baltimore's Don Buford leads American League in runs with 99.
- Minnesota's Cesar Tovar tops American League with 204 hits, 25 more than any other American Leaguer.
- Yankee Bobby Murcer tops American League in runs produced (163) and OBP (.429).
- Boston's Reggie Smith leads American League in doubles (33) and total bases (302).
- Royal Amos Otis tops American League in steals (52), and teammate Patek is a close second (49).
- Ken Sanders of the Brewers tops majors with 31 saves; Dave Giusti of the Pirates leads National League with 30.
- Baltimore's Dave McNally tops American League in win pct. (.808).
- Cincinnati's Don Gullets has National League's best win pct. (.727).
- Indians have worst staff ERA in majors (4.28) three years after having the best in the American League.
- Indians finish last in American League for second time in three years after finishing last just once in previous 68 years.
- Padres finish with worst record in National League for third year in a row, as they go 61-100.
- Reds manager Sparky Anderson has his only losing season (79-83) until 1989.
