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Sports season From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 2019 Major League Baseball season began on March 20, while the regular season ended on September 29. It was the 150th anniversary of professional baseball, dating back to the 1869 foundation of the Cincinnati Red Stockings. The postseason began on October 1. The World Series began October 22 and ended October 30 with the Washington Nationals defeating the Houston Astros in seven games to win their first World Series championship. The entire schedule was released on August 22, 2018.[1]
2019 MLB season | |
---|---|
League | Major League Baseball |
Sport | Baseball |
Duration | March 20 – October 30, 2019 |
Number of games | 162 |
Number of teams | 30 |
TV partner(s) | Fox/FS1, TBS, ESPN, MLB Network |
Draft | |
Top draft pick | Adley Rutschman |
Picked by | Baltimore Orioles |
Regular season | |
Season MVP | AL: Mike Trout (LAA) NL: Cody Bellinger (LAD) |
Postseason | |
AL champions | Houston Astros |
AL runners-up | New York Yankees |
NL champions | Washington Nationals |
NL runners-up | St. Louis Cardinals |
World Series | |
Champions | Washington Nationals |
Runners-up | Houston Astros |
World Series MVP | Stephen Strasburg (WSH) |
The 90th Major League Baseball All-Star Game was held on July 9 at Progressive Field, home of the Cleveland Guardians. The American League won, 4–3, for its seventh straight victory.[2]
This was the final season when anyone on the 40-man expanded roster could be used in games from September 1 through the end of the regular season (so-called September call-ups).
As has been the case since 2013, teams were scheduled to play 19 games against each division opponent for a total of 76 games, and six or seven games against each team from the other two divisions for a total of 66 games. The primary inter-league match-ups were AL East vs NL West, AL Central vs NL East and AL West vs NL Central.[3]
The season began on March 20 and 21 with the Oakland Athletics and the Seattle Mariners playing in Tokyo, Japan, at the Tokyo Dome.[1]
Excluding international openers, March 28 was the earliest Opening Day in history. The previous earliest date was March 29 of the 2018 season.[4]
The second annual Mexico Series of games featured four matchups during the season. The first featured the St. Louis Cardinals and the Cincinnati Reds at Monterrey, Mexico's Estadio de Béisbol Monterrey on April 13 and 14. The other series, also in Monterrey, featured two games between the Houston Astros and the Los Angeles Angels on May 4 and 5.[5]
The Kansas City Royals faced the Detroit Tigers at Charles Schwab Field Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska, on June 13 for the MLB in Omaha game, only two days before the College World Series.[6] This was the first MLB game played in the state of Nebraska.[7]
The London Series featured the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox at London Stadium in London, on June 29 and 30 making it the first regular season series played in London, under a two-year commitment.[8]
The MLB Little League Classic at Muncy Bank Ballpark at Historic Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania, coinciding with the Little League World Series, returned to the schedule for the third straight year. It was played between the Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates on August 18.[9]
Spring training for the 2019 season began in late February and lasted through late March. Teams began workouts and practice for spring training beginning in mid February. Pitchers and catchers reported first, followed by position players a few days later.[10]
Prior to the start of the regular season, each team played between 22 and 35 spring training games, beginning on February 22. There were several times during spring training where a team had two different squads playing different teams simultaneously. In addition to spring training games, teams occasionally played exhibition games with non-MLB teams, such as Minor League Baseball teams, independent teams, or college teams. These exhibition games were not counted in spring training standings. Spring training ended on March 26, two days before the Opening Day.
Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(2) New York Yankees | 103 | 59 | .636 | — | 57–24 | 46–35 |
(5) Tampa Bay Rays | 96 | 66 | .593 | 7 | 48–33 | 48–33 |
Boston Red Sox | 84 | 78 | .519 | 19 | 38–43 | 46–35 |
Toronto Blue Jays | 67 | 95 | .414 | 36 | 35–46 | 32–49 |
Baltimore Orioles | 54 | 108 | .333 | 49 | 25–56 | 29–52 |
Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(3) Minnesota Twins | 101 | 61 | .623 | — | 46–35 | 55–26 |
Cleveland Indians | 93 | 69 | .574 | 8 | 49–32 | 44–37 |
Chicago White Sox | 72 | 89 | .447 | 28½ | 39–41 | 33–48 |
Kansas City Royals | 59 | 103 | .364 | 42 | 31–50 | 28–53 |
Detroit Tigers | 47 | 114 | .292 | 53½ | 22–59 | 25–55 |
Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1) Houston Astros | 107 | 55 | .660 | — | 60–21 | 47–34 |
(4) Oakland Athletics | 97 | 65 | .599 | 10 | 52–29 | 45–36 |
Texas Rangers | 78 | 84 | .481 | 29 | 45–36 | 33–48 |
Los Angeles Angels | 72 | 90 | .444 | 35 | 38–43 | 34–47 |
Seattle Mariners | 68 | 94 | .420 | 39 | 35–46 | 33–48 |
Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(2) Atlanta Braves | 97 | 65 | .599 | — | 50–31 | 47–34 |
(4) Washington Nationals | 93 | 69 | .574 | 4 | 50–31 | 43–38 |
New York Mets | 86 | 76 | .531 | 11 | 48–33 | 38–43 |
Philadelphia Phillies | 81 | 81 | .500 | 16 | 45–36 | 36–45 |
Miami Marlins | 57 | 105 | .352 | 40 | 30–51 | 27–54 |
Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(3) St. Louis Cardinals | 91 | 71 | .562 | — | 50–31 | 41–40 |
(5) Milwaukee Brewers | 89 | 73 | .549 | 2 | 49–32 | 40–41 |
Chicago Cubs | 84 | 78 | .519 | 7 | 51–30 | 33–48 |
Cincinnati Reds | 75 | 87 | .463 | 16 | 41–40 | 34–47 |
Pittsburgh Pirates | 69 | 93 | .426 | 22 | 35–46 | 34–47 |
Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
(1) Los Angeles Dodgers | 106 | 56 | .654 | — | 59–22 | 47–34 |
Arizona Diamondbacks | 85 | 77 | .525 | 21 | 44–37 | 41–40 |
San Francisco Giants | 77 | 85 | .475 | 29 | 35–46 | 42–39 |
Colorado Rockies | 71 | 91 | .438 | 35 | 43–38 | 28–53 |
San Diego Padres | 70 | 92 | .432 | 36 | 36–45 | 34–47 |
Wild Card Games (ALWC, NLWC) | Division Series (ALDS, NLDS) | League Championship Series (ALCS, NLCS) | World Series | ||||||||||||||||
1 | Houston | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Oakland | 0 | 5 | Tampa Bay | 2 | ||||||||||||||
5 | Tampa Bay | 1 | American League | 1 | Houston | 4 | |||||||||||||
2 | NY Yankees | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | NY Yankees | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | Minnesota | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
AL1 | Houston | 3 | |||||||||||||||||
NL4 | Washington | 4 | |||||||||||||||||
1 | LA Dodgers | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
4 | Washington | 1 | 4 | Washington | 3 | ||||||||||||||
5 | Milwaukee | 0 | National League | 4 | Washington | 4 | |||||||||||||
3 | St. Louis | 0 | |||||||||||||||||
2 | Atlanta | 2 | |||||||||||||||||
3 | St. Louis | 3 |
Team | Former GM | Reason for leaving | New GM | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|
New York Mets | Sandy Alderson | Health | Brodie Van Wagenen | On June 26, 2018, Alderson took a permanent leave of absence due to recurrence of cancer. He was hired as general manager in 2010 and saw the team win the National League pennant in 2015.[11] On October 28, 2018, after having three interims finish the rest of the season, the Mets agreed to have former agent Brodie Van Wagenen be their 13th general manager in franchise history.[12] |
San Francisco Giants | Bobby Evans | Fired | Scott Harris | On September 24, 2018, the Giants fired Bobby Evans after almost four seasons as general manager.[13] The Giants made the playoffs in 2016, but are 166–224 (.426) since taking a major league-best 57–33 (.633) record into the All-Star break that year. |
Baltimore Orioles | Dan Duquette | Contract not renewed | Mike Elias | On October 3, 2018, the team announced that Duquette, along with manager Buck Showalter, would not be retained for the 2019 season after the Orioles had the worst record in franchise history at 47–115 (.290). Duquette was hired as general manager after the 2011 season.[14] On November 16, 2018, Mike Elias was named the team's new general manager.[15] |
Los Angeles Dodgers | Farhan Zaidi | Resigned | N/A | On November 7, 2018, Zaidi left the Dodgers to become the President of Baseball Operations for the San Francisco Giants.[16] Since taking over in 2014, he oversaw the Dodgers win the NL West all five times, and the NL pennant twice from 2017 to 2018. |
Date | Team | Former GM | Reason for leaving | New GM | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
September 9 | Boston Red Sox | Dave Dombrowski | Fired | Brian O'Halloran | Dombrowski, who held the title President of Baseball Operations and was de facto general manager since Mike Hazen left the team in October 2016, was fired less than a year after Boston won the 2018 World Series, following a loss that dropped the team's record to 76–67 (.531).[17][18] |
Team | Former manager | Interim manager | Reason for leaving | New Manager | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Cincinnati Reds | Bryan Price | Jim Riggleman | Fired | David Bell | Price was fired in April, and was replaced by Riggleman for the remainder of the 2018 season. Bell was hired for the 2019 season. |
Texas Rangers | Jeff Banister | Don Wakamatsu | Chris Woodward | Banister was fired in September, and was replaced by Wakamatsu for the remainder of the season. Woodward was hired for the 2019 season. | |
Toronto Blue Jays | John Gibbons | None | Contract not renewed | Charlie Montoyo | On September 26, 2018, the team announced that manager John Gibbons will not be retained for the 2019 season. In his second stint with the team, Gibbons finished with a 498–494 (.502) record and two playoff appearances.[19] On October 25, 2018, the Blue Jays announced that Charlie Montoyo will be the new manager for the 2019 season, signing him to a three-year deal with a club option for 2022.[20] |
Los Angeles Angels | Mike Scioscia | Resigned | Brad Ausmus | On September 30, 2018, it was announced that Mike Scioscia will be stepping down as manager of the Los Angeles Angels after 19 years with a 1650–1428 (.536) record. He led the Angels to six division titles and won the 2002 World Series. He also won the American League Manager of the Year twice during his tenure.[21] On October 21, 2018, it was announced that Brad Ausmus would be the new manager of the Angels.[22] | |
Minnesota Twins | Paul Molitor | Reassigned | Rocco Baldelli | On October 2, 2018, it was announced that Paul Molitor will be offered a new role in the Twins organization and will be out as manager after four years. Molitor finished with a 305–343 (.471) record with one playoff appearance in 2017, in which he was named the American League Manager of the Year after the season.[23] On October 25, 2018, it was announced that Rocco Baldelli will be the new Twins manager.[24] | |
Baltimore Orioles | Buck Showalter | Contract not renewed | Brandon Hyde | On October 3, 2018, the team announced that manager Buck Showalter, along with general manager Dan Duquette, will not be retained for the 2019 season. Showalter went 669–684 (.494) in his nine seasons at Baltimore and led the Orioles to the postseason three times, including the 2014 American League Championship Series, when they were swept by the Kansas City Royals, but in his final season with the Orioles, they finished with the worst record in franchise history and in the 2018 season overall at 47–115 (.290)[25] On December 14, 2018, the Orioles officially announced that Brandon Hyde will be the new manager of the Orioles.[26] |
Team | Former manager | Interim manager | Reason for leaving | New manager | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
San Diego Padres | Andy Green | Rod Barajas | Fired | Jayce Tingler | On September 21, Green was fired after four seasons with a record of 274–366 (.428). Bench coach Rod Barajas was named the interim manager of the Padres for the rest of the season. The Padres would eventually hire Jayce Tingler for during the 2020 offseason.[27] |
Pittsburgh Pirates | Clint Hurdle | None | Fired | Derek Shelton | On September 28, Clint Hurdle was fired after nearly nine seasons with the Pirates, with a record of 735–720 (.505). He was fired prior to the final game of the season and did not manage the final game. |
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On December 10, Major League Baseball announced its first-ever All-MLB team. Players were selected through fan votes (50%) and votes from a panel of experts (50%). The winners were selected based on merit, with no set number of nominees per position and no distinction between leagues.[179]
All-MLB First Team | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Player (Team) | |||||||
Starting pitcher | Gerrit Cole (HOU) | |||||||
Justin Verlander (HOU) | ||||||||
Jacob deGrom (NYM) | ||||||||
Max Scherzer (WSH) | ||||||||
Stephen Strasburg (WSH) | ||||||||
Relief pitcher | Kirby Yates (SD) | |||||||
Josh Hader (MIL) | ||||||||
Designated hitter | Nelson Cruz (MIN) | |||||||
Catcher | J. T. Realmuto (PHI) | |||||||
1st Base | Pete Alonso (NYM) | |||||||
2nd Base | DJ LeMahieu (NYY) | |||||||
3rd Base | Anthony Rendon (WSH) | |||||||
Shortstop | Xander Bogaerts (BOS) | |||||||
Outfield | Mike Trout (LAA) | |||||||
Cody Bellinger (LAD) | ||||||||
Christian Yelich (MIL) | ||||||||
All-MLB Second Team | ||||||||
Starting pitcher | Zack Greinke (HOU)/(AZ) | |||||||
Hyun-jin Ryu (LAD) | ||||||||
Jack Flaherty (STL) | ||||||||
Charlie Morton (TB) | ||||||||
Mike Soroka (ATL) | ||||||||
Relief pitcher | Aroldis Chapman (NYY) | |||||||
Liam Hendriks (OAK) | ||||||||
Designated hitter | Yordan Álvarez (HOU) | |||||||
Catcher | Yasmani Grandal (MIL) | |||||||
1st Base | Freddie Freeman (ATL) | |||||||
2nd Base | José Altuve (HOU) | |||||||
3rd Base | Alex Bregman (HOU) | |||||||
Shortstop | Marcus Semien (OAK) | |||||||
Outfield | Ronald Acuña Jr. (ATL) | |||||||
Juan Soto (WSH) | ||||||||
Mookie Betts (BOS) |
Fielding Bible Awards | ||||||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Position | Player | |||||||
Pitcher | Zack Greinke | |||||||
Catcher | Roberto Perez | |||||||
1st Base | Matt Olson | |||||||
2nd Base | Kolten Wong | |||||||
3rd Base | Matt Chapman | |||||||
Shortstop | Nick Ahmed | |||||||
Left Field | David Peralta | |||||||
Center Field | Lorenzo Cain | |||||||
Right Field | Cody Bellinger | |||||||
Multi-position | Cody Bellinger |
Player of the Month
|
Pitcher of the Month
|
Rookie of the Month
|
Reliever of the Month
|
Team name | Wins | %± | Home attendance | %± | Per game | Est. payroll | %± |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Los Angeles Dodgers[180] | 106 | 15.2% | 3,974,309 | 3.0% | 49,066 | $193,553,333 | 17.5% |
St. Louis Cardinals[181] | 91 | 3.4% | 3,480,393 | 2.3% | 42,968 | $161,120,267 | 2.2% |
New York Yankees[182] | 103 | 3.0% | 3,304,404 | -5.1% | 40,795 | $228,442,421 | 42.1% |
Chicago Cubs[183] | 84 | -11.6% | 3,094,865 | -2.7% | 38,208 | $217,805,215 | 6.1% |
Los Angeles Angels[184] | 72 | -10.0% | 3,023,012 | 0.1% | 37,321 | $177,345,250 | 6.3% |
Colorado Rockies[185] | 71 | -22.0% | 2,993,244 | -0.8% | 36,954 | $145,348,500 | 6.4% |
Milwaukee Brewers[186] | 89 | -7.3% | 2,923,333 | 2.5% | 36,091 | $128,842,900 | 17.9% |
Boston Red Sox[187] | 84 | -22.2% | 2,915,502 | 0.7% | 35,994 | $218,978,142 | -1.5% |
Houston Astros[188] | 107 | 3.9% | 2,857,367 | -4.1% | 35,276 | $166,042,500 | -3.9% |
Philadelphia Phillies[189] | 81 | 1.3% | 2,727,421 | 26.4% | 33,672 | $141,786,962 | 51.0% |
San Francisco Giants[190] | 77 | 5.5% | 2,707,760 | -14.2% | 33,429 | $175,550,753 | -13.1% |
Atlanta Braves[191] | 97 | 7.8% | 2,654,920 | 3.9% | 32,777 | $133,186,667 | 15.0% |
New York Mets[192] | 86 | 11.7% | 2,442,532 | 9.8% | 30,155 | $154,837,230 | -4.1% |
San Diego Padres[193] | 70 | 6.1% | 2,396,399 | 10.5% | 29,585 | $90,260,767 | -3.8% |
Minnesota Twins[194] | 101 | 29.5% | 2,303,299 | 17.6% | 28,436 | $113,758,333 | 3.2% |
Washington Nationals[195] | 93 | 13.4% | 2,259,781 | -10.7% | 27,899 | $203,016,595 | 7.5% |
Arizona Diamondbacks[196] | 85 | 3.7% | 2,135,510 | -4.8% | 26,364 | $124,016,266 | -8.0% |
Texas Rangers[197] | 78 | 16.4% | 2,132,994 | 1.2% | 26,333 | $104,433,499 | -1.6% |
Cincinnati Reds[198] | 75 | 11.9% | 1,809,075 | 11.0% | 22,334 | $109,737,499 | 16.0% |
Seattle Mariners[199] | 68 | -23.6% | 1,791,109 | -22.1% | 22,112 | $126,874,600 | -19.2% |
Toronto Blue Jays[200] | 67 | -8.2% | 1,750,144 | -24.7% | 21,607 | $64,680,671 | -57.4% |
Cleveland Indians[201] | 93 | 2.2% | 1,738,642 | -9.8% | 21,465 | $151,257,783 | 5.5% |
Oakland Athletics[189] | 97 | 0.0% | 1,670,734 | 6.2% | 20,626 | $102,935,833 | 47.3% |
Chicago White Sox[202] | 72 | 16.1% | 1,649,775 | 2.5% | 20,622 | $80,846,333 | 7.7% |
Detroit Tigers[203] | 47 | -26.6% | 1,501,430 | -19.1% | 18,536 | $100,618,500 | -9.8% |
Pittsburgh Pirates[204] | 69 | -15.9% | 1,491,439 | 1.8% | 18,413 | $72,915,501 | -17.3% |
Kansas City Royals[205] | 59 | 1.7% | 1,479,659 | -11.1% | 18,267 | $98,183,242 | 3.1% |
Baltimore Orioles[206] | 54 | 14.9% | 1,307,807 | -16.4% | 16,146 | $82,696,100 | -41.6% |
Tampa Bay Rays[207] | 96 | 6.7% | 1,178,735 | 2.1% | 14,552 | $56,071,767 | 21.9% |
Miami Marlins[208] | 57 | -9.5% | 811,302 | 0.0% | 10,016 | $74,683,643 | -13.7% |
On November 16, 2018, the Miami Marlins unveiled a new logo, team colors, and uniform for 2019, as part of changes instituted by the team's new CEO Derek Jeter. The new design replaces one used since their 2012 move to Marlins Park and rebranding from the Florida Marlins to the Miami Marlins, and utilizes shades of red, blue, black, and slate.[209]
On January 29, 2018, Major League Baseball stated that the Cleveland Indians had agreed to stop using their "Chief Wahoo" logo—which has attracted controversy as a stereotype of Native Americans—on their uniforms in 2019, as it was deemed to be "no longer appropriate for on-field use".[210][211] The block C cap insignia will officially become the team's main logo; on November 19, 2018, the team unveiled new uniforms excluding the Chief Wahoo logo, as well as new hats with red brims for home games, a new red-colored home alternate jersey (marking the team's first red jersey since the 1970s), and sleeve patches commemorating their hosting of the 2019 All-Star Game. In order to maintain trademarks and prevent it from falling into the public domain, the logo will continue to be used on a limited amount of team merchandise.[212][213][214]
All 30 teams wore patches this year on the right sleeve commemorating MLB's 150th anniversary. The patch was also featured on caps on Opening Day.[215]
The following teams will wear commemorative patches for special occasions
Team | Special occasion |
---|---|
All Teams | 150th anniversary of Major League Baseball |
#42 patch for Jackie Robinson Day (April 15) | |
Pink ribbons for breast cancer awareness (May 12, Mother's Day) | |
"Play Ball" patch in partnership with USA Baseball and USA Softball (June 1–2) | |
Blue ribbons for prostate cancer awareness (June 16, Father's Day) | |
No July 4 uniforms this season but special Stars and Stripes fauxback caps July 4–7[216] | |
Gold ribbons for childhood cancer (August 30) | |
Baltimore Orioles | #20 patch in memory of Frank Robinson |
Boston Red Sox | 2018 World Series Championship (April 9) |
2019 MLB London Series (June 29–30) | |
Cincinnati Reds | 150th anniversary of professional baseball |
#20 patch in memory of Frank Robinson | |
Cleveland Indians | 2019 All-Star Game |
#20 patch in memory of Frank Robinson (April 1) | |
Los Angeles Angels | #45 patch in memory of Tyler Skaggs (From July 2 onwards) |
Los Angeles Dodgers | #36 patch in memory of Don Newcombe |
Milwaukee Brewers | 50th Anniversary of the franchise (as the Seattle Pilots) |
New York Yankees | Black armband on left sleeve in memory of Mel Stottlemyre |
2019 MLB London Series (June 29–30) | |
Philadelphia Phillies | "DPM" patch in memory of team chairman David Montgomery (From May 13 onwards) |
Patch to commemorate Ryan Howard's retirement (July 14) | |
Pittsburgh Pirates | Department of Public Safety patches (April 20) |
40th Anniversary of 1979 World Series Championship | |
San Diego Padres | 50th Anniversary in San Diego |
San Francisco Giants | "PETER" patch in memory of former team president Peter Magowan |
"STRETCH 44" patch in memory of Willie McCovey | |
Seattle Mariners | Edgar Martínez Hall of Fame Patch (August 9–11) |
Tampa Bay Rays | "VJN" patch in memory of founder and first owner Vince Naimoli (From August 30 onwards) |
Texas Rangers | Final Season at Globe Life Park in Arlington |
Toronto Blue Jays | Canadian flag patch for Canada Day (July 1) |
This section needs additional citations for verification. (October 2019) |
To honor the 150th anniversary of the Cincinnati Red Stockings becoming the first professional baseball team, the Cincinnati Reds announced on November 5, 2018,[219] that the team would wear fifteen throwback uniforms. They wore:
The Pirates are continuing to wear 1979 "bumblebee" throwbacks on Sundays this season. The team wore mono-black uniforms July 20 as the 40th anniversary of the 1979 World Series-winning team was honored.
The Pirates and Brewers wore Negro leagues throwbacks June 1 and 7. The Pirates wore uniforms of the Pittsburgh Crawfords and the Brewers wore the uniforms of the Milwaukee Bears.
The Twins and Royals wore Negro leagues throwbacks June 23. The Twins wore 1908 uniforms of the St. Paul Colored Gophers, and the Royals wore 1942 uniforms of the Kansas City Monarchs.
The Mariners and Astros wore 1980s–1990s throwbacks June 29.[220]
The Royals and Nationals wore 1969 throwbacks July 6. The Nationals wore the 1969 throwbacks of the Montreal Expos.
The Phillies wore mono-burgundy 1979 "Saturday Night Special" throwbacks July 27. They were only worn once, on May 27, 1979. The Braves wore 1979 throwbacks, as well.
The Braves wore 1970's throwbacks August 1 to 4.
The Mariners and Astros wore 1980s throwbacks August 2.
The Orioles and Astros wore 1989 throwbacks August 9.
The Angels wore 1970s California Angels throwbacks August 16.
This was the Texas Rangers' final season at Globe Life Park in Arlington (formerly known as the Ballpark in Arlington and Ameriquest Field), where the team played its final regular season home game with a 6–1 win over the New York Yankees on September 29 before moving to Globe Life Field in 2020.[221]
The stadium of the Seattle Mariners was renamed T-Mobile Park for the mobile provider (including its magenta-pink logo color as part of the park's branding atmosphere), after Safeco's contract with the team to call the venue Safeco Field expired at the end of the 2018 season.[222]
The home field of the San Francisco Giants had its fourth name in its history since opening in 2000, but its first name outside the same company, as Oracle will pay an unknown but significant amount for a twenty-year agreement to rename the former AT&T Park as Oracle Park. It also keeps Oracle's name on a Bay Area sports venue, as the Golden State Warriors left Oakland's Oracle Arena for the Chase Center .75 miles (1.2 km) south of Oracle Park at the end of the 2018–19 NBA season.[223]
This was the sixth year of the current eight-year deals with Fox Sports, ESPN, and TBS. Fox aired eight weeks of baseball on Saturday Nights which led up to the 2019 Major League Baseball All-Star Game which also aired on Fox. Fox then televised Saturday afternoon games for the final four weeks of the season. FS1 televised games on Tuesday and on Saturday both during the afternoon and night. ESPN televised games on its flagship telecast Sunday Night Baseball as well as Monday and Wednesday nights. TBS televised Sunday afternoon games for the last 13 weeks of the regular season. Fox and ESPN Sunday Night Baseball telecasts were exclusive; all other national telecasts were subject to local blackout.[citation needed]
TBS televised the National League Wild Card Game, Division Series, and the Championship Series. ESPN televised the American League Wild Card. FS1 and MLB Network televised the American League Division Series. Fox and FS1 televised the American League Championship Series. The World Series will air exclusively on Fox for the 20th consecutive year.[citation needed]
Under an agreement with the U.S. Department of Justice regarding Disney's acquisition of 21st Century Fox, the Fox Sports Regional Networks were required to be sold off to third parties by June 18, 2019.[224] Fox also invoked a clause to give Yankee Global Enterprises the rights to buy their stake back in the YES Network.[225] Including YES, the Fox Sports Regional Networks broadcast games for 15 of the 30 MLB teams.[226] On March 8, YES was sold to a consortium including Yankee Global Enterprises, Amazon, and Sinclair Broadcast Group for $3.5 billion.[227] Then on May 3, Sinclair and Entertainment Studios agreed to purchase the rest of the Fox Sports Regional Networks.[228] The networks continued to use the Fox Sports branding for the rest of the regular season under a transitional license agreement.[229]
WGN-TV broadcasts of Chicago Cubs and White Sox games concluded at the end of the season. WGN held the local broadcast television rights of both teams since 1948. The network's final telecasts took place on September 28 (Cubs) and September 29 (White Sox). Effective with the 2020 season, Cubs games will move exclusively to the new Marquee Sports Network,[230] while White Sox games will air full-time on NBC Sports Chicago.[231]
MLB's contract with Facebook Watch has been further downsized, now only consisting of six games (reduced from 25). In addition, the games will no longer be exclusive to the service, and subject to blackout in-market.[233][234] The league also reached a new digital partnership with the streaming service DAZN, who now airs a daily studio program, ChangeUp, which features live look-ins on games in progress.[235][236]
In mid-July, MLB and Google announced that 13 games will air exclusively on YouTube, produced by MLB Network.[237]
The following players and managers retired from the start of 2019 season through Opening Day of the 2020 season: