YEAR IN REVIEW : 1997 American League

Off the field...

Lady Diana, the Princess of Wales, and her male companion Dodi Fayed died in a fatal car accident near the River Seine in Paris France. As a fitting tribute at Diana's funeral Sir Elton John sang "Goodbye England's Rose," a reworking of the tune "Candle In the Wind" which he had written earlier about Marilyn Monroe.

Convicted domestic terrorist Timothy McVeigh was sentenced to death for the 1995 bombing of the Oklahoma City Federal Building. The former U.S. soldier and Gulf War veteran had turned anti-government in response to the controversial ATF raids at Waco Texas and Ruby Ridge.

Scottish scientists announced that they had successfully cloned the first mammal, a sheep named Dolly, igniting a global debate over the advancement of cell research and the moral dilemmas of creating "artificial" life.

In the American League...

In Milwaukee, the Cleveland Indians connected for eight home runs against the Brewers, setting a franchise record, on the way to an 11-4 victory. Matt Williams homered three times, David Justice hit two and Sandy Alomar, Manny Ramirez and Chad Curtis added one apiece. The hometeam answered back with three of their own by Dave Nilsson, Jeromy Burnitz and John Jaha tying a Major League record for most round-trippers in a regulation game.

The Toronto Blue Jays hosted the Montreal Expos in an "all Canadian affair", as part of the new inter-league schedule, marking the first time since World War II that the U.S. National Anthem was not heard before a Major League ball game.

New York Yankee David Wells took the mound against the Cleveland Indians apparently wearing a hat that belonged to the late Babe Ruth. The eccentric pitcher was reported as paying $35,000 for the Bambino's cap and wore the heirloom for — an inning in which he surrendered no hits. After manager Joe Torre ordered him to remove the hat, in compliance with Major League uniform regulations, the lefthander was shelled for eight hits and four runs en route to 12-8 loss.

In the National League...

Deion Sanders, of the Cincinnati Reds; was reprimanded by National League Vice President Katy Feeney for altering his uniform as a tribute to Jackie Robinson. Sanders wore his pants at knee length and trimmed the sleeves off of his jersey after seeing a photograph of the late Brooklyn Dodger on a Wheaties box. The following day his teammates mimicked his alterations circumventing the league official's decree by promoting team uniformity.

The Colorado Rockies' Andres Galarraga launched a 529-foot grand slam off of the Florida Marlins' Kevin Brown for what is considered to be one of the longest homeruns ever; second only to Mickey Mantle's 565-foot tape-measure blast.

The Florida Marlins became the first expansion team to win the World Series after only five years of existence. Although the victory was over the American League powerhouse Cleveland Indians, most fans did not grant the Marlins the respect they deserved citing the team's $89 million dollar payroll as the determining factor. The accusations eventually proved true as the financially strapped owners were forced to dismantle the majority of the franchise in the post-season expansion draft.

Around the League...

In the 50th anniversary year of Jackie Robinson's debut with the Brooklyn Dodgers, a special commemorative baseball was issued to every team for use in their opener. Throughout the season many tributes were held to honor Robinson who's number 42 was permanently retired by all Major League teams.

Curt Flood, the player whose lawsuit changed the business of baseball forever and resulted in free agency, died of cancer on January 20th. Earlier in the year, Congressman John Conyers paid tribute to the former Red, Cardinal and Senator by using his number 21 on the proposed bill that was intended to remove baseball's antitrust exemption.

The novel concept of inter-league play proved a success as attendance for those games went up 35 percent with records set in Chicago, New York and Seattle. Cumulatively, the 84 American vs. National League match-ups attracted almost three million fans with the A.L. winning forty-eight games and the N.L. topping thirty-six.

Ila Borders became the first female pitcher in history to start a Minor League baseball game as the Duluth-Superior Dukes challenged the Sioux Falls Canaries in the Northern League. Borders was credited with two strikeouts while surrendering five hits, three runs and two walks in the 8-3 loss.

Baseball Almanac Top Quote

"You are challenged by the game of baseball to do your very best, day in and day out, and that's all I've ever tried to do." - Cal Ripken, Jr.

1997 American League Player Review

Hitting Statistics League Leaderboard

Base on Balls Jim Thome Cleveland 120 Top 25
Batting Average Frank Thomas Chicago .347 Top 25
Doubles John Valentin Boston 47 Top 25
Hits Nomar Garciaparra Boston 209 Top 25
Home Runs Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle 56 Top 25
On Base Percentage Frank Thomas Chicago .461 Top 25
RBI Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle 147 Top 25
Runs Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle 125 Top 25
Slugging Average Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle .646 Top 25
Stolen Bases Brian Hunter Detroit 74 Top 25
Total Bases Ken Griffey, Jr. Seattle 393 Top 25
Triples Nomar Garciaparra Boston 11 Top 25

1997 American League Pitcher Review

Pitching Statistics League Leaderboard

Complete Games Roger Clemens Toronto 9 Top 25
Pat Hentgen
ERA Roger Clemens Toronto 2.05 Top 25
Games Mike Myers Detroit 88 Top 25
Saves Randy Myers Baltimore 45 Top 25
Shutouts Roger Clemens Toronto 3 Top 25
Pat Hentgen
Strikeouts Roger Clemens Toronto 292 Top 25
Winning Percentage Randy Johnson Seattle .833 Top 25
Wins Roger Clemens Toronto 21 Top 25

1997 American League

Team Standings

Baltimore Orioles 98 64 .605 0 $64,611,399
New York Yankees 96 66 .593 2 $73,389,577
Detroit Tigers 79 83 .488 19 $20,985,500
Boston Red Sox 78 84 .481 20 $40,611,351
Toronto Blue Jays 76 86 .469 22 $48,964,833
Cleveland Indians 86 75 .534 0 $58,865,056
Chicago White Sox 80 81 .497 6 $41,849,500
Milwaukee Brewers 79 83 .484 8 $26,564,840
Minnesota Twins 69 94 .420 18½ $32,197,500
Kansas City Royals 67 94 .416 19 $33,868,149
Seattle Mariners 90 72 .556 0 $46,298,970
Anaheim Angels 84 78 .519 6 $46,684,364
Texas Rangers 77 85 .475 13 $44,591,013
Oakland Athletics 65 97 .401 25 $12,879,889
American League Team Standings

1997 American League Team Review

Hitting Statistics League Leaderboard

Base on Balls New York 676
Batting Average Boston .291
Doubles Boston 373
Hits Boston 1,684
Home Runs Seattle 264
On Base Percentage New York .366
Runs Seattle 925
Slugging Average Seattle .485
Stolen Bases Detroit 161
Triples Toronto 41

1997 American League Team Review

Pitching Statistics League Leaderboard

Complete Games Toronto 19
ERA New York 3.84
Fewest Hits Allowed Baltimore 1,404
Fewest Home Runs Allowed New York 144
Fewest Walks Allowed Minnesota 495
Saves Baltimore 59
Shutouts Toronto 16
Strikeouts Seattle 1,207
Seasonal Events: All-Star Game | Draft | Home Run Derby | World Series
Navigation: Year in Review Menu | Previous Season | Next Season
Miscellaneous: N.L. Leaderboard | Retirements | Rookies List
Average Salary: $1,383,578.00
Minimum Salary: $150,000.00
baseball almanac flat baseball

baseball almanac fast facts

Did you know that on June 12, 1997 the first interleague game was played (in Texas) and the San Francisco Giants defeated the Texas Rangers 4-3?

On October 6, 1997, the Cleveland Indians overcame the odds and defeated the New York Yankees to advance to the American League Championship Series where they defeated the Baltimore Orioles on October 15, 1997 & advanced to the World Series.

On November 5, 1997 Davey Johnson became the first manager in Major League history to win the Manager of the Year Award and resign on the same day.