More 1978 Baseball Season Highlights

Below are more highlights of the 1978 baseball season, including Rookies of the Year, big trades, and the year's inductees into the Hall of Fame:

  • Detroit's Ron LeFlore tops American League in steals (68) and runs (126).
  • Atlanta's Bob Horner is 1978 National League Rookie of the Year.
  • Detroit's Lou Whitaker is 1978 American League Rookie of the Year.
  • Pete Rose gets his 3,000th hit.
  • Cardinal Bob Forsch no-hits Phils on April 16.
  • Cincinnati's Tom Seaver no-hits Cards on June 16.
  • Cardinal Keith Hernandez wins his first of major league record ten consecutive Gold Gloves at first base.
  • The Hall of Fame inducts Eddie Mathews, Addie Joss, and Larry MacPhail.
  • Yanks trade Sparky Lyle and four other players to Texas for Dave Righetti and four other players.
  • Mets send Jerry Koosman to Twins for Jesse Orosco and a minor leaguer.
  • Texas ships Perry to San Diego for Dave Tomlin and $125,000.
  • Cleveland trades Buddy Bell to Texas for Toby Harrah.
  • Texas swaps Bobby Bonds and Len Barker to Cleveland for Jim Kern and Larvell Blanks.
  • Ray Grebey named head of the owners' Player Relations Committee.
  • Don Gullett's career ends at age 27 by a bum arm.
  • Jesse Haines dies.
  • Dodgers coach Jim Gilliam dies.
  • O's rookie Sammy Stewart fans seven consecutive Cleveland hitters in his major league debut on September 1.
  • Boston third baseman Butch Hobson is the first major league regular in 62 years to post a FA below .900.
  • Guidry's nine shutouts top the major league and tie the American League record for a left-hander.
  • Ross Grimsley becomes first Expos pitcher to win 20 games in a season, as he wins 20 even.
  • Baltimore's Eddie Murray is second in the American League in total bases (293) but with 113 less than leader Rice.
  • Cub Ivan DeJesus leads the National League in runs (104).
  • Steve Garvey tops the National League with 202 hits.
  • Atlanta's Jeff Burroughs paces the major league with 117 walks and .436 OBP.
  • Cardinal Garry Templeton leads the National League in triples with 13.
  • Pirate Omar Moreno leads the major league with 71 steals.
  • Ranger Mike Hargrove, known as the "Human Rain Delay" for taking so much time in the box, paces the American League in walks with 107.
  • George Brett leads the American League in doubles (45).
  • Gaylord Perry leads the National League pitchers in wins (21) and win pct. (.778).
  • Houston's J.R. Richard tops the major league with 303 Ks.
  • Phil Niekro leads the National League in innings (334) and CGs (22).
  • Mets' Craig Swan has best ERA in the National League (2.43), narrowly beating out Montreal's Steve Rogers.
  • Giant Bob Knepper paces the National League with six shutouts.
  • Rollie Fingers of San Diego leads majors with 37 saves.
  • Mike Caldwell of Milwaukee tops the major league with 23 complete games and wins 22 games.
  • Jim Palmer leads the American League in innings (296), wins 21 for O's.
  • Goose Gossage of the Yankees leads the American League in saves (27).
  • Brewers top the major league in runs (804), homers (173), BA (.276), SA (.432), and OBP (.342), as they finish just 6-1/2 back of Yankees in the American League East.
  • The Mariners and Blue Jays, both in their second year of existence, finish last in their divisions and lose over 100 games apiece.
  • Kent Tekulve saves 31 games for Pittsburgh and pitches in a major league top 91 games.
  • Oriole Mark Belanger wins sixth consecutive Gold Glove at short.
  • Three Oakland pitchers lead the American League in games: Bob Lacey (74), Dave Heaverlo (69), and Elias Sosa (68).

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