Name: Baseball Seasons: 1997: Something Wild
Uploaded: 2011-01-08T16:00:00-08:00
Duration: 45 min 15 s
Description: Interleague play is introduced for the first time as part of the regular season. The year is highlighted by Ken Griffey Jr.'s AL MVP performance and the Florida Marlins becoming the first Wild Card team to win a World Series.

The underdog White Sox overcome 40 years of futility to become the first team to win the pennant since the infamous Black Sox. In the National League, the Dodgers upset Hank Aaron's Milwaukee Braves to take the pennant.

Baseball Seasons

1959: Something to Prove

Baseball came to Minnesota, was replaced in Washington, and came to Los Angeles (again) in the first expansion season in modern history. On the field, Mickey Mantle and Roger Maris chased Babe Ruth.

1961: A New Era

The Dodgers and Twins face off in a thrilling 7-game World Series with Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale leading Los Angeles past Minnesota's trio of Tony Oliva, Mudcat Grant, and Zoilo Versalles.

1965: Pitcher Perfect

The St. Louis Cardinals and Bob Gibson cruise to the National League pennant, while four teams battle down to the season's final day to determine the American League champion.

1967: The Impossible Dream

1968 was the year of the pitcher. Bob Gibson set a modern-day record with a 1.12 ERA, while the Tigers had two pitchers with historic seasons. Denny McLain won 31 games during the regular season and Mickey Lolich had three wins in the World Series.

1968: The Year of the Pitcher

The league expands to 24 teams and adds a second round of Postseason play. The Amazin' Mets emerge from hapless expansion to miracle World Champions!

1969: Amazin'

The newly formed “Big Red Machine” of the Cincinnati Reds looked to overpower the brilliant pitching staff of the Baltimore Orioles. In the end, the Birds won their second World Series title in five years.

1970: The Birds Soar

Stars highlighted 1971. The All-Star Game featured 20 future Hall of Famers. The ALCS saw Catfish Hunter and Reggie Jackson take on Brooks Robinson and Davey Johnson. In the NLCS, Willie Mays and Willie McCovey battled Willie Stargell and Roberto Clemente

1971: Greatness in the Game

The great Hank Aaron breaks Babe Ruth’s all-time home run record. The A’s dynasty continues as they roll through the American League and face off with the Dodgers in the World Series

1974: 715

In arguably one of the greatest World Series ever, the Red Sox take on Cincinnati's Big Red Machine. Carlton Fisk waves his game-winning homer fair in extra innings at Fenway Park to force a Game 7.

1975: Agents of Change

1981 was a season interrupted by the players' strike. However, with Fernando-mania in the beginning and a Dodgers' championship at the end, it somehow still felt complete.

1981: A Season Interrupted

Baseball begins a rebirth after the strike-shortened season in 1981. During Cal Ripken Jr.'s rookie campaign, a dramatic pennant race between the Orioles and Brewers comes down to the last day.

1982: Anything Can Happen

After a season of record-breaking chases and historic milestones, AL MVP Cal Ripken, Jr. and his Orioles emerge as World Champs against the Wheeze Kids from Philadelphia.

1983: Charm City

The Detroit Tigers had a dream season, leading from start to finish while capturing the World Championship for the first time since 1968.

1984: Year of the Tiger

Tom Seaver, Phil Niekro, Rod Carew, and Pete Rose all reach personal milestones, while Dwight Gooden has a historic Cy Young campaign. The World Series goes seven games, but not without a bit of controversy at first base.

1985: Diamond Royalty

The Yankees meet the Mets in the World Series for the first Subway Series in 44 years. The rest of the 2000 postseason is stacked with strong teams such as the White Sox, Mariners, Cardinals, and Giants.

2000: Subway Series Renewed

The 2001 season finishes off with one of the greatest World Series ever played between the D-backs and Yankees. From Opening Day to the final swing, baseball helps to heal a nation.

2001: More Than a Game

Two of the most unforgettable endings in Postseason history occur in 2003. The Aaron Boone Game takes center stage in the series between the Yankees and Red Sox, while fans of the Marlins and Cubs are left talking about Beckett and Bartman.

2003: A Wild Ride

In 2004, we get the biggest comeback in postseason history and an 86-year-old "curse" is broken. Ichiro Suzuki attempts to break the single-season hit record and Carlos Beltran goes on a power surge during the playoffs.

2004: Finally

For the first time since 1917, the Chicago White Sox win the World Series. The club started the season as baseball's hottest team and finished with an 11-1 record during the postseason.

2005: Second City Surprise

In 1977, the New York Yankees overcome dysfunction in the locker room to win their 21st World Series championship. Tommy Lasorda takes over as the Dodgers skipper.

1977: Turmoil & Triumph

In 1978, Bucky Dent goes down in Yankees-Red Sox rivalry lore as New York goes on to win back-to-back World Series championships.

1978: Familiar Foes

In 1979, Willie Stargell leads the Pittsburgh Pirates, spurned on by the motto "We Are Family". The Pirates meet the Orioles in the World Series.

1979: Family

In 1980, the AL East saw the Yankees and Orioles win 100 games. Neither team would reach the World Series, as George Brett and the Royals would capture their first pennant. Kansas City would take on the Phillies in an exciting six-game World Series.

1980: Hot Corner Champions

Pluto

Interleague play is introduced for the first time as part of the regular season. The year is highlighted by Ken Griffey Jr.'s AL MVP performance and the Florida Marlins becoming the first Wild Card team to win a World Series.

1997: Something Wild

A season full of Major League debuts for future legends including Greg Maddux, Will Clark, Barry Larkin, Barry Bonds, Bo Jackson, Fred McGriff and Jamie Moyer. Then, the Mets take down the Red Sox in the World Series.

1986: Expect the Unexpected

The world of indoor baseball games is born when the first World Series is played inside the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome. The Twins won their second AL pennant since moving to Minnesota and their second World Series.

1987: What a Blast

Major League Baseball sees its first 40-40 season in league history, while the Dodgers upset the A's with the help of World Series MVP Orel Hershiser's dominant run and Kirk Gibson's iconic pinch-hit walk-off home run.

1988: Hollywood Ending

Ken Griffey, Jr. shocks the world in his memorable debut and Bo Jackson has an unforgettable All-Star performance. Also, the 1989 World Series, played between the Athletics and the Giants, is interrupted by a heart-wrenching earthquake.

1989: Seismic Changes

An old rivalry is reborn in the NLCS between the Pirates and the Reds, while the A's continue their dominance in the American League. Also, an NL batting champion is crowned while playing in the AL.

1990: Anything Can Happen

After the strike of 1994, the 1995 season is highlighted by Cal Ripken Jr. breaking Lou Gehrig's record, the Mariners saving baseball in Seattle and a matchup between the Braves and Indians in the World Series.

1995: Baseball Returns

Relive some of baseball's most memorable seasons as MLB Network chronicles the events that made each of them great.

1997: Something Wild

Season 2, 7 episodes

Baseball Seasons

Watch Free TV Shows

1997: Something Wild

Season 2, 7 episodes

season 2 (7 episodes)

Baseball Seasons

Watch Free TV Shows