1973 Major League Baseball season
The 1973 Major League Baseball season was the first season of the designated hitter rule in the American League.
American League umpires began wearing red blazers with blue pants, a change from the navy blue coats and gray pants worn from 1968-72. The red blazers were worn through 1979.
California Angels ace pitcher Nolan Ryan broke Sandy Koufax's 1965 strikeout record of 382 when he struck out 383 batters during the season.
The Oakland Athletics won their second straight World Series championship in seven games over the New York Mets.
The Kansas City Royals moved their home games from Municipal Stadium to the new Royals Stadium and also hosted the All-Star Game on July 24 with the NL defeating the AL 7-1.
The New York Yankees played their final season at the original Yankee Stadium before the stadium closed for remodeling during the 1974 and 1975 seasons.
On June 19, Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds and Willie Davis of the Los Angeles Dodgers both collect their 2000th career hit. It is a single for Rose against the San Francisco Giants while Davis hits a home run against the Atlanta Braves.Awards and honors
- Baseball Hall of Fame
- *Roberto Clemente
- *Billy Evans
- *Monte Irvin
- *George Kelly
- *Warren Spahn
- *Mickey Welch
- Most Valuable Player
- *Reggie Jackson Oakland Athletics
- *Pete Rose Cincinnati Reds
- Cy Young Award
- *Jim Palmer Baltimore Orioles
- *Tom Seaver New York Mets
- Rookie of the Year
- *Al Bumbry Baltimore Orioles
- *Gary Matthews San Francisco Giants
- Gold Glove Award
- *George Scott
- *Bobby Grich
- *Brooks Robinson
- *Mark Belanger
- *Paul Blair
- *Amos Otis
- *Mickey Stanley
- *Thurman Munson
- *Jim Kaat
American League
National League
Postseason
Statistical leaders