Champions Major League Baseball
Regular Season Champions LeagueEastern Division ChampionsCentral Division ChampionsWestern Division ChampionsWild Card QualifierAmerican LeagueNew York Yankees Detroit TigersTexas RangersTampa Bay RaysNational LeaguePhiladelphia PhilliesMilwaukee BrewersArizona DiamondbacksSt. Louis Cardinals Postseason – September 30 to October 28
Higher seed had home field advantage during Division Series and League Championship Series. The National League champion has home field advantage during the World Series as a result of the NL victory in the All-Star Game.
Other Champions Minor League Baseball AAA Championship: Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Indians) International League: Columbus Clippers (Cleveland Indians) Pacific Coast League: Omaha Storm Chasers (Kansas City Royals) Mexican League: Tigres de Quintana Roo AA Eastern League: New Hampshire Fisher Cats (Toronto Blue Jays) Southern League: Mobile BayBears (Arizona Diamondbacks) Texas League: San Antonio Missions (San Diego Padres) A California League: Lake Elsinore Storm (San Diego Padres) Carolina League: Frederick Keys (Baltimore Orioles) Florida State League: Daytona Cubs (Chicago Cubs) Midwest League: Quad Cities River Bandits (St. Louis Cardinals) South Atlantic League: Greensboro Grasshoppers (Florida Marlins) New York–Penn League: Staten Island Yankees (New York Yankees) Northwest League: Vancouver Canadians (Toronto Blue Jays) Rookie Appalachian League: Johnson City Cardinals (St. Louis Cardinals) Gulf Coast League: GCL Yankees (New York Yankees) Pioneer League: Great Falls Voyagers (Chicago White Sox) Arizona League: AZL Dodgers (Los Angeles Dodgers) Arizona Fall League: Salt River Rafters Independent baseball leagues American Association: Grand Prairie AirHogs Atlantic League: York Revolution CanAm League: Québec Capitales Frontier League: Joliet Slammers North American League: Edmonton Capitals Pecos League: Roswell Invaders Amateur College College World Series: South Carolina NCAA Division II: West Florida NCAA Division III: Marietta NAIA: Concordia (California) Little League World Series: Huntington Beach, California International National teams Baseball World Cup: Netherlands Pan American Games: Canada Southeast Asian Games: Philippines Pacific Games: Northern Mariana Islands International club team competitions Asia Series: Samsung Lions (Korea) Caribbean Series: Yaquis de Obregón (Mexico) European Champion Cup Final Four: San Marino Domestic leagues Australian Baseball League: Perth Heat China Baseball League: Tianjin Lions Cuban National Series: Pinar del Río Dominican League: Toros del Este France – Division Elite: Rouen Huskies Holland Series: Amsterdam Pirates Italian Baseball Series: San Marino Japan Series: Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Pacific League: Fukuoka SoftBank Hawks Central League: Chunichi Dragons Korea Series: Samsung Lions Mexican League: Yaquis de Obregón Puerto Rican League: Criollos de Caguas Taiwan Series: Uni-President 7-Eleven Lions Venezuelan League: Caribes de Anzoátegui
Awards and honors BBWAA awards Baseball Hall of Fame honors Three individuals were elected and subsequently inducted—players Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven by the Baseball Writers' Association of America, and executive Pat Gillick in voting by separate panel of the Veterans Committee. Bill Conlin received the J. G. Taylor Spink Award for excellence in writing. Roland Hemond received the Buck O'Neil Lifetime Achievement Award for excellence as a talent evaluator and in building winning teams. Dave Van Horne received the Ford C. Frick Award for excellence in broadcasting. MVP Award American League – Justin Verlander (DET) National League – Ryan Braun (MIL) Cy Young Award American League – Justin Verlander (DET) National League – Clayton Kershaw (LAD) Rookie of the Year American League – Jeremy Hellickson (TB) National League – Craig Kimbrel (ATL) Manager of the Year Award American League – Joe Maddon (TB) National League – Kirk Gibson (AZ) Silver Slugger Awards
American League National LeaguePlayer Team Position Player TeamDavid Ortiz Boston Red Sox DH / Pitcher Daniel Hudson Arizona DiamondbacksAlex Avila Detroit Tigers Catcher Brian McCann Atlanta BravesAdrián González Boston Red Sox 1st baseman Prince Fielder Milwaukee BrewersRobinson Canó New York Yankees 2nd baseman Brandon Phillips Cincinnati RedsAdrián Beltré Texas Rangers 3rd baseman Aramis Ramírez Chicago CubsAsdrúbal Cabrera Cleveland Indians Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki Colorado RockiesJosé Bautista Toronto Blue Jays Outfielder Ryan Braun Milwaukee BrewersJacoby Ellsbury Boston Red Sox Outfielder Matt Kemp Los Angeles DodgersCurtis Granderson New York Yankees Outfielder Justin Upton Arizona Diamondbacks Gold Glove Awards
American League National LeaguePlayer Team Position Player TeamMark Buehrle Chicago White Sox Pitcher Clayton Kershaw Los Angeles DodgersMatt Wieters Baltimore Orioles Catcher Yadier Molina St. Louis CardinalsAdrián González Boston Red Sox 1st baseman Joey Votto Cincinnati RedsDustin Pedroia Boston Red Sox 2nd baseman Brandon Phillips Cincinnati RedsAdrián Beltré Texas Rangers 3rd baseman Plácido Polanco Philadelphia PhilliesErick Aybar Los Angeles Angels Shortstop Troy Tulowitzki Colorado RockiesAlex Gordon Kansas City Royals Left fielder Gerardo Parra Arizona DiamondbacksJacoby Ellsbury Boston Red Sox Center fielder Matt Kemp Los Angeles DodgersNick Markakis Baltimore Orioles Right fielder Andre Ethier Los Angeles Dodgers
Others Woman Executive of the Year (major or minor league): Marla Terranova Vickers, Montgomery Biscuits, Southern League Major Leagues All-Star Game MVP – Prince Fielder (NL, MIL) Babe Ruth Award – David Freese (STL) Branch Rickey Award – Shane Victorino (NL, PHI) Comeback Player of the Year Awards – Jacoby Ellsbury (AL, BOS) / Lance Berkman (NL, STL) Delivery Man of the Year Award – José Valverde (DET) Edgar Martínez Award – David Ortiz (BOS) Hank Aaron Award – José Bautista (AL, TOR) / Matt Kemp (NL, LAD) Hutch Award – Billy Butler (KC) J. G. Taylor Spink Award – Bill Conlin League Championship Series MVP Awards – Nelson Cruz (AL, TEX) / David Freese (NL, STL) Luis Aparicio Award – Miguel Cabrera (DET) Roberto Clemente Award – David Ortiz (BOS) Roy Campanella Award – Matt Kemp (LAD) Tip O'Neill Award – Joey Votto (CIN) / John Axford (MIL) Tony Conigliaro Award – Tony Campana (CHC) Warren Spahn Award – Clayton Kershaw (LAD) World Series MVP Award – David Freese (NL, STL) Players Choice Award Player of the Year Justin Verlander (DET) Marvin Miller Man of the Year – Michael Young (AL, TEX) Outstanding Players – Curtis Granderson (AL, NYY) / Matt Kemp (LAD) Outstanding Pitchers – Justin Verlander (AL, DET) / Clayton Kershaw (NL, LAD) Outstanding Rookies Mark Trumbo (AL, LAA) / Craig Kimbrel (NL, ATL) Comeback Players of the Year Jacoby Ellsbury (AL, BOS) / Lance Berkman (NL, STL) Sporting News Awards Comeback Player of the Year – Jacoby Ellsbury (AL, BOS) / Lance Berkman (NL, STL) Executive of the Year – Dave Dombrowski (AL, DET) / Doug Melvin (NL, MIL) Player of the Year – Justin Verlander (DET) Pitchers of the Year – Justin Verlander (AL, DET) / Clayton Kershaw (NL, LAD) Manager of the Year – Joe Maddon (AL, TB) / Kirk Gibson (NL, AZ) Relievers of the Year – Mike Adams (SD/TEX) / Jason Motte (STL) Rookies of the Year – Mark Trumbo (AL, LAA) / Craig Kimbrel (NL, ATL)
Minor Leagues Baseball America Minor League Player of the Year Award – Mike Trout (LAA) International League MVP Award – Russ Canzler (TB) Joe Bauman Award – Bryan LaHair (CHC) Pacific Coast League MVP Award – Bryan LaHair (CHC) USA Today Minor League Player of the Year Award – Paul Goldschmidt (AZ)
Events January January 1 – Baltimore Orioles relief pitcher Alfredo Simón is arrested in connection to the shooting death of his cousin, Michael Castillo Almonte, 25, in the city of Luperon in Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic. Almonte's 17-year-old younger brother Starlling Castillo is also injured in the incident. According to Simon, he was firing celebratory shots in the air as part of the New Year's custom in the Dominican Republic. He is denied bail on February 1. January 3 – Former National League Cy Young Award winner Brandon Webb joins the American League champion Texas Rangers, signing a one-year contract worth $3 million with another $5 million in incentives. January 5 Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven are elected to the National Baseball Hall of Fame. Barry Larkin is the highest vote recipient not to receive the 75% requirement. He is named on 62.1% of the ballots. Third baseman Adrián Beltré signs a six-year deal with the Texas Rangers worth $96 million. January 6 – First baseman Derrek Lee signs with the Baltimore Orioles for one year. January 8 During an open house for constituents hosted by U.S. Rep. Gabby Giffords of Arizona, 22-year-old gunman Jared Lee Loughner kills six people, including U.S. District Judge John Roll, Giffords' aide Gabe Zimmerman and 9-year-old Christina-Taylor Green, daughter of Los Angeles Dodgers scout John Green, and granddaughter of former big league manager Dallas Green. Tampa Bay Rays players Matt Garza, Fernando Perez and Zach Rosscup are dealt to the Chicago Cubs for Christopher Archer, Brandon Guyer, Hak-Ju Lee, Robinson Chirinos and Sam Fuld.
January 10 – After four injury-plagued seasons, 1996 Major League Baseball draft number one overall pick Kris Benson announces his retirement. January 11 – Trevor Hoffman, the all-time saves leader (601), announces his retirement. January 18 Seattle Mariners outfielder Milton Bradley is arrested in Los Angeles for allegedly making criminal threats against a woman. Rather than face another shoulder surgery, Kansas City Royals pitcher Gil Meche announces his retirement despite a guaranteed contract that calls for a $12 million salary in 2011. January 21 – The Toronto Blue Jays outfielder Vernon Wells is dealt to the Los Angeles Angels for catcher Mike Napoli and outfielder Juan Rivera. The Jays then send Napoli to the Texas Rangers for reliever Frank Francisco and cash considerations on January 25. January 22 – Detroit Tigers team president/general manager Dave Dombrowski announces that the club will retire former manager Sparky Anderson's number 11. The team will wear a blue patch on the right sleeve of their uniforms, bearing "Sparky" and number 11. January 24 – Armando Galarraga, who rose to national stardom on June 2, when he was denied a perfect game by an errant call by umpire Jim Joyce, is traded by the Detroit Tigers to the Arizona Diamondbacks for minor leaguers Kevin Eichhorn and Ryan Robowski. January 29 – The Yaquis de Obregón beat the Algodoneros de Guasave in Game 7 of the Mexican Pacific League championship series; this was Obregon's fifth title.
February February 4 Irving Picard's lawsuit seeking up to about $1 billion against Fred Wilpon, Jeff Wilpon, Saul Katz and various entities affiliated with the New York Mets and Sterling Equities Associates to recover money for the victims of the Bernie Madoff Ponzi scheme is unsealed by a Manhattan court. The civil suit alleges that the partners in Sterling knew or should have known that Madoff's investment operation was a fraud. After months of speculation, New York Yankees pitcher Andy Pettitte announces his retirement at Yankee Stadium; he would return in 2012 under minor league contract. February 7 – Wake Forest University baseball coach Tom Walter donates a kidney to freshman outfielder Kevin Jordan. Jordan is diagnosed in April with ANCA vasculitis. Walter was tested in December to see if he was a match, and learned January 28 that he was. Jordan was drafted by the New York Yankees in the nineteenth round of the 2010 Major League Baseball draft, and had yet to play for Wake Forest. February 12 – Cleveland Indians outfielder Austin Kearns is arrested on charges of driving under the influence near his home in Lexington, Kentucky.