YEAR IN REVIEW : 2017 National League

Off the field...

News in the United States - and around many parts of the World - included the ongoing support, and non-support, for the President of the United States, Donald Trump. Though Baseball Almanac did not officially measure this statistic, we believe that either Trump, or his tweets, made the headlines, every single day of the year.

North Korea spent most of the year making international headlines with their nuclear missile tests. On February 3rd they fired a ballistic missile across the Sea of Japan, prompting world talks that continued throughout the year. By September 3rd, they had conducted their sixth, and most powerful, nuclear test.

In the American League...

On April 17, 2017, Patriots' Day, the Boston Red Sox wore home white jerseys with "BOSTON" written on the front to mark the four year anniversary of the Boston Marathon bombings. The uniform also sported the 2013 navy-blue circular patch with a white border on the left shoulder saying "B Strong" (with the red B in the classic font featured on the Red Sox's caps).

Five American League teams retired numbers for players during the 2017 regular season, they are (in chronological order): Derek Jeter had his #2 retired by the New York Yankees on May 14th. David Ortiz had his #34 retired by the Boston Red Sox on June 23rd. Mark Buehrle had his #56 retired by the Chicago White Sox on June 24th. Edgar Martinez had his #11 retired by the Seattle Mariners on August 12th. And, Ivan Rodriguez had his #7 retired by the Texas Rangers on August 12th.

Joe DiMaggio's 1936 record for most home runs in a season by a rookie Bronx Bomber, fell in 2017, to Rookie of the Year recipient Aaron Judge. Joltin Joe's mark of 29 fell before the All-Star break making Judge only the second rookie in baseball history to reach 30 before the Midsummer Classic. After the contest, Aaron continued his assault on the record books and finished the season with 50 dingers, a new Major League record.

In the National League...

The 2017 Atlanta Braves played their first season at SunTrust Park in Cumberland, Georgia. It succeeds Turner Field as the Braves home ballpark. The first game at SunTrust Park was on April 14, 2017, against the San Diego Padres.

Edinson Volquez threw his first career no-hitter, defeating the Arizona Diamondbacks 3–0 on June 3. Volquez walked two and struck out ten while facing the minimum on 98 pitches - 65 of them were strikes! It was the sixth no-hitter by a Miami Marlins pitcher, and the only no hitter of the year from either league.

On August 20, the Pittsburgh Pirates and St. Louis Cardinals played a game at the minor league BB&T Ballpark in Williamsport, Pennsylvania. The game coincided with the Little League World Series, held annually in nearby South Williamsport, and was exclusively attended by Little League players and their families.

Around the League...

In March 2017, the following Major League Baseball rule changes went into affect, after being ratified by the Major League Baseball Players Association:

The start of a no-pitch intentional walk, allowing the defensive team's manager to signal a decision to the home plate umpire to intentionally walk the batter. Following the signal of the manager's intention, the umpire will immediately award first base to the batter.

A 30-second limit for a manager to decide whether to challenge a play and invoke replay review.

When a manager has exhausted his challenges for the game, Crew Chiefs may now invoke replay review for non-home run calls beginning in the eighth inning instead of the seventh inning.

A conditional two-minute guideline for Replay Officials to render a decision on replay review, allowing various exceptions.

A prohibition on the use of any markers on the field that could create a tangible reference system for fielders.

An addition to Rule 5.07 formalizes an umpire interpretation by stipulating that a pitcher may not take a second step toward home plate with either foot or otherwise reset his pivot foot in his delivery of the pitch. If there is at least one runner on base, then such an action will be called as a balk under Rule 6.02(a). If the bases are unoccupied, then it will be considered an illegal pitch under Rule 6.02(b).

An amendment to Rule 5.03 requires base coaches to position themselves behind the line of the coach's box closest to home plate and the front line that runs parallel to the foul line prior to each pitch. Once a ball is put in play, a base coach is allowed to leave the coach's box to signal a player so long as the coach does not interfere with the play.

The 88th Major League Baseball All-Star Game was played on July 11, 2017, at Marlins Park, the home of the Miami Marlins. For the first time since 2002, when the game ended in a tie, the All Star Game would not determine home field advantage for the World Series. Instead, home field advantage will be awarded to the team with the better regular season record.

As a consequence of Hurricane Harvey damaging the Houston area, the interleague match-up between the Texas Rangers and Houston Astros from August 29–31, was moved from Minute Maid Park to Tropicana Field in St. Petersburg, Florida. Although the Astros were the designated home team, they wore their away uniforms during the three-game Lone Star Series, while the Rangers wore their home uniforms.

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"Twenty years ago, when you talked to National League owners about the DH, you'd think you were talking some sort of heretical comment," Manfred told reporters Thursday at the owners meetings in Coral Gables, Fla. "But we have a newer group. There's been turnover. And I think our owners in general have demonstrated a willingness to change the game in ways that we think would be good for the fans, always respecting the history and traditions of the sport." - New York Daily News Staff Peter Botte (01/21/2016, MLB commissioner Rob Manfred says National League could implement DH by 2017, Source)

2017 National League Player Review

Hitting Statistics League Leaderboard

Base on Balls Joey Votto Cincinnati Reds 134 Top25
Batting Average Charlie Blackmon Colorado Rockies .331 Top25
Doubles Nolan Arenado Colorado Rockies 43 Top25
Daniel Murphy Washington Nationals 43
Hits Charlie Blackmon Colorado Rockies 213 Top25
Home Runs Giancarlo Stanton Miami Marlins 59 Top25
On Base Percentage Joey Votto Cincinnati Reds .454 Top25
RBI Giancarlo Stanton Miami Marlins 132 Top25
Runs Charlie Blackmon Colorado Rockies 137 Top25
Slugging Average Giancarlo Stanton Miami Marlins .631 Top25
Stolen Bases Dee Gordon Miami Marlins 60 Top25
Total Bases Charlie Blackmon Colorado Rockies 387 Top25
Triples Charlie Blackmon Colorado Rockies 14 Top25

2017 National League Pitcher Review

Pitching Statistics League Leaderboard

Complete Games Carlos Martinez St. Louis Cardinals 2 Top25
Ivan Nova Pittsburgh Pirates 2
Clayton Richard San Diego Padres 2
Max Scherzer Washington Nationals 2
ERA Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers 2.21 Top25
Games Corey Knebel Milwaukee Brewers 76 Top25
Saves Greg Holland Colorado Rockies 41 Top25
Kenley Jansen Los Angeles Dodgers 41
Shutouts Carlos Martinez St. Louis Cardinals 2 Top25
Strikeouts Max Scherzer Washington Nationals 268 Top25
Winning Percentage Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers .818 Top25
Wins Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles Dodgers 18 Top25

2017 National League

Final Team Standings

Washington Nationals 97 65 0 .599 -- $
Miami Marlins 77 85 0 .475 20.0 $
Atlanta Braves 72 90 0 .444 24.0 $
New York Mets 70 92 0 .432 27.0 $
Philadelphia Phillies 66 96 0 .407 31.0 $
Chicago Cubs 92 70 0 .568 -- $
Milwaukee Brewers 86 76 0 .531 6.0 $
St. Louis Cardinals 83 79 0 .512 9.0 $
Pittsburgh Pirates 75 87 0 .463 17.0 $
Cincinnati Reds 68 94 0 .420 24.0 $
Los Angeles Dodgers 104 58 0 .642 -- $
Arizona Diamondbacks 93 69 0 .574 11.0 $
Colorado Rockies 87 75 0 .537 17.0 $
San Diego Padres 71 91 0 .438 33.0 $
San Francisco Giants 64 98 0 .395 40.0 $
2017 National League Final Standings
Seasonal Events: All-Star Game | Home Run Derby | World Series
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Miscellaneous: A.L. Leaderboard | Rookies List
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baseball almanac fast facts

The New York Yankees and Chicago Cubs set a new Major League record for most strikeouts in a game with 48 on May 7, 2017, in a game that lasted 18 innings. The previous record of 43 was set on July 9, 1971, in a game between the California Angels and the Oakland Athletics.

Scooter Gennett, on June 6, 2017, hit a grand slam in the third inning, a two-run homer in the fourth, a solo shot in the sixth, and another two-run homer in the eighth - the 17th player in Major League history, and the first from the Cincinnati Reds, to hit four home runs in a game.

San Francisco Giants ace, Madison Bumgarner, displayed his home run power by going deep twice on Opening Day, the first pitcher in Major League history to hit two home runs on Opening Day!