1979 Season


World Series Champion

Pittsburgh Pirates

The Pirates defeat the Orioles (4-3)
World Series MVP: Willie Stargell (PIT)

Playoffs

ALCS: Orioles defeat the Angels 3-1
NLCS: Pirates defeat the Reds 3-0

Highlights

1. January 23rd:  Willie Mays is elected to the Hall of Fame.
2. July 12th:  Disco Demolition Night at Comiskey Park leads to fan mayhem and the cancellation of the 2nd game of a doubleheader.
3. July 17th: The National League wins the All-Star Game, 7–6.
4. August 2nd: Yankee’s captain Thurman Munson is killed in a plane crash.
5. August 13th: Lou Brock smashes his 3,000th hit off the Chicago Cubs.
6. September 12th: Carl Yastrzemski records his 3000th career hit against the New York Yankees.
7. September 23rd:  Lou Brock steals the 938th base to become the all-time leader.

No-Hitters

April 7th: Ken Forsch, Astros 6 – Braves 0
May 25th:  Baumgarten | Scarbery, Angels, 6– White Sox 1

National League

EAST W L W-L% GB
Pittsburgh Pirates 98 64 .605
Montreal Expos 95 65 .594 2.0
St. Louis Cardinals 86 76 .531 12.0
Philadelphia Phillies 84 78 .519 14.0
Chicago Cubs 80 82 .494 18.0
New York Mets 63 99 .389 35.0
WEST W L W-L% GB
Cincinnati Reds 90 71 .559
Houston Astros 89 73 .549 1.5
Los Angeles Dodgers 79 83 .488 11.5
San Francisco Giants 71 91 .438 19.5
San Diego Padres 68 93 .422 22.0
Atlanta Braves 66 94 .413 23.5

NL Leaders

WAR: Dave Winfield (SDP), 8.3
Most Valuable Player: Hernandez (STL) | Stargell (PIT)
Cy Young Award: Bruce Sutter (CHC)
Rookie of the Year: Rick Sutcliffe (LAD)
Batting Title: Keith Hernandez (STL), .344
Home Runs: Dave Kingman (CHC), 48
RBIs: Dave Winfield (SDP), 118
Wins: Niekro (HOU) | Niekro (ATL), 21
ERA: J.R. Richards (HOU), 2.71
Strikeouts: J.R. Richards (HOU), 313

American League

EAST W L W-L% GB
Baltimore Orioles 102 57 .642
Milwaukee Brewers 95 66 .590 8.0
Boston Red Sox 91 69 .569 11.5
New York Yankees 89 71 .556 13.5
Detroit Tigers 85 76 .528 18.0
Cleveland Indians 81 80 .503 22.0
Toronto Blue Jays 53 109 .327 50.5
WEST W L W-L% GB
California Angels 88 74 .543
Kansas City Royals 85 77 .525 3.0
Texas Rangers 83 79 .512 5.0
Minnesota Twins 82 80 .506 6.0
Chicago White Sox 73 87 .456 14.0
Seattle Mariners 67 95 .414 21.0
Oakland Athletics 54 108 .333 34.0

AL Leaders

WAR: Fred Lynn (BOS), 8.8
Most Valuable Player:
Don Baylor (CAL)
Cy Young Award: Mike Flanagan (BAL)
Rookie of the Year: John Castino (MIN)
Batting Title: Fred Lynn (BOS), .333
Home Runs: Gorman Thomas (MIL), 45
RBIs: Don Baylor (CAL), 139
Wins: Mike Flanagan (BAL), 23
ERA: Ron Guidry (NYY), 2.78
Strikeouts: Nolan Ryan (CAL), 223