The 2015 Major League Baseball season began on April 5 with a Sunday night game between the St. Louis Cardinals and the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, and ended on November 1 with the Kansas City Royals winning the World Series. This was Rob Manfred's first season serving as Commissioner of Baseball.
The Major League Baseball All-Star Game's 86th edition was held on Tuesday, July 14 at Great American Ball Park in Cincinnati, Ohio, home of the Cincinnati Reds. The American League won the game 6–3, to give the American League home-field advantage in the World Series.
Standings
American League
National League
Postseason
Bracket
Schedule As was the case in 2014, 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 in its league for a total of 66 games.
All teams were scheduled to play 20 interleague games throughout the season. For 2015, the interleague matchups were AL East vs. NL East, AL Central vs. NL Central, and AL West vs. NL West. Since "natural rivalry" matchups will be part of the three-year divisional rotation (for the first time), the schedule format for interleague games was different from previous years. The 20 interleague games each team played consisted of two three-game series (one home, one away) against its natural rival (total of six games), two two-game series (one home, one away) against each team for two other opponents (total of eight games; one of the matchups took place back-to-back within the same week), and a single three-game series against each team for the last two (one home, one away; total of six games).
During the final day of the regular season, all games were scheduled to start simultaneously at 3:00 p.m. Eastern Time, reminiscent of the English Premier League's last-day "Survival Sunday" scheduling. MLB hoped that this would add excitement and drama during the final day, and also limit teams' ability to rest starters at the last minute based on early game results.
Managerial changes
General managers
Offseason TeamFormer GMNew GMReason for leavingStory/AccomplishmentsColorado RockiesDan O'DowdJeff BridichResignedO'Dowd resigned as general manager on October 8, 2014, after 15 seasons at the position, and Bridich was immediately named his replacement. Bridich spent 10 seasons in the Rockies' front office before becoming the general manager.Tampa Bay RaysAndrew FriedmanMatt SilvermanResignedOn October 14, 2014, it was announced that Friedman would leave the Rays to become the president of baseball operations for the Los Angeles Dodgers.Los Angeles DodgersNed CollettiFarhan ZaidiPromotedOn October 14, 2014, Colletti was removed from his position as general manager of the Dodgers but would remain with them in a new position of senior advisor to the president. Former Rays GM Andrew Friedman was named president of baseball operations the same day. He hired Farhan Zaidi to be the new GM.
In-season DateTeamFormer GMNew GMReason for leavingFormer jobJuly 1Los Angeles AngelsJerry DipotoBill StonemanResignedJerry Dipoto Resigned on July 1 Bill Stoneman was named interim General Manager until the night of October 4. The night after the 2015 baseball regular season ended.August 4Detroit TigersDave DombrowskiAl AvilaFiredAvila was the assistant General Manager before being promoted to executive vice president of baseball operations and General Manager.August 11Milwaukee BrewersDoug MelvinDavid StearnsResignedStearns was the assistant General Manager for the Houston Astros.August 18Boston Red SoxBen CheringtonMike HazenResigned Cherington stepped down as the general manager of Red Sox on August 18. Dombrowski then was hired as the president of baseball operations and hired Hazen on September 24 as the new general manager. Hazen was the assistant general manager for the last four years.August 28Seattle MarinersJack ZduriencikJeff KingstonFiredKingston, who has been the team's assistant general manager since 2009, will handle the GM duties for the remainder of the season.September 10Philadelphia PhilliesRubén Amaro, Jr.Scott Proefrock (Interim)FiredAmaro, whose contract was set to expire after this season, was fired after seven seasons as general manager. Assistant GM Scott Proefrock was named interim GM during the search for a permanent general manager.
Field managers
Offseason At the end of the 2014 season, the following teams made replacements to their managers. TeamFormer ManagerInterim ManagerReason for leavingNew ManagerStory/AccomplishmentsHouston AstrosBo PorterTom LawlessFiredA. J. Hinch Porter was fired on September 1, 2014, along with bench coach Dave Trembley. Lawless was named the interim manager. Porter finished with a record of 110–190 in under two seasons. A. J. Hinch was announced as the new manager on September 29, 2014.Texas RangersRon WashingtonTim BogarResignedJeff Banister Washington resigned on September 5, 2014, for personal reasons, later revealed to be an affair, after eight seasons with the Rangers. He finished with a 664–611 record and is the franchise's all-time leader in regular seasons wins and games managed. Washington led the Rangers to four straight 90 win seasons, three playoff appearances, and back to back American League championships during his tenure. Banister was named the manager on October 16, 2014.Arizona DiamondbacksKirk GibsonAlan TrammellFiredChip HaleGibson was fired on September 26, 2014, after four years as manager of the Diamondbacks. He finished with a 353–375 record and led the Diamondbacks to the division title during the 2011 season while capturing the National League Manager of the Year award. Former Athletics and Mets coach Chip Hale was named manager on October 13, 2014.Minnesota TwinsRon GardenhireN/AFiredPaul MolitorGardenhire was fired on September 29, 2014, after 13 years as manager of the Twins. He finished with a 1,068–1,039 record and led the Twins to six division titles and was American League Manager of the Year after the 2010 season. Paul Molitor was announced as the new manager of the Twins on November 4, 2014.Tampa Bay RaysJoe MaddonN/AResignedKevin CashMaddon exercised an opt-out clause on October 24, 2014, and resigned from the Rays. He managed them for nine years and finished with a 754–704 record with two division titles and led them to four post-season berths and the 2008 World Series. Maddon was American League Manager of the Year after the 2008 and 2011 seasons. On December 5, 2014, Kevin Cash was named the new manager of the Rays.Chicago CubsRick RenteriaN/AFiredJoe MaddonRentería finished the season with a 73–89 record. He was fired on October 31, 2014. Former Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon was hired as his replacement.
In-season DateTeamFormer managerInterim managerReason for leavingNew managerStory/Accomplishments May 3Milwaukee BrewersRon RoenickeN/AFiredCraig Counsell Roenicke was fired after starting the season with a 7–18 record, which was the worst record in baseball at the time. Roenicke in four-plus seasons finished with a 342–331 record. Counsell, with no managerial experience, was most recently a special assistant to Brewers GM Doug Melvin. May 17Miami MarlinsMike RedmondDan JenningsFiredDon Mattingly Redmond was fired after starting the season with a 16–22 record and finished with a 155–207 record in a little over two seasons. Bench coach Rob Leary was also dismissed. Jennings, who was the current general manager for the Marlins, moved from the front office to the managerial position. Jennings has no previous managerial experience. June 15San Diego PadresBud BlackPat MurphyFiredAndy Green Black was fired during his ninth season as Padres manager after starting the season with a 32–33 record. During this time, he accumulated a 649–713 record with his best finish during the 2010 season where the Padres finished in second place. Black was the 2010 National League Manager of the Year. On June 16, Murphy was named the interim manager for the rest of the 2015 season. June 26Philadelphia PhilliesRyne SandbergPete MackaninResignedPete Mackanin Sandberg resigned on June 26 with a career record of 119–159 after becoming manager in August 2013. The Phillies were 26–48 this season. Pete Mackanin, the third-base coach, has been named interim manager. On September 22 Mackanin had the interim tag removed and was named the manager for the 2016 season with a club option for 2017 season. August 14Boston Red SoxJohn FarrellTorey LovulloLeave of AbsenceJohn Farrell Farrell was diagnosed with Stage 1 lymphoma, but considers his condition "very curable." Bench Coach Lovullo served as interim manager for the remainder of the season.
League leaders American League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Miguel Cabrera (DET) .338 OPS Mike Trout (LAA) .991 HR Chris Davis (BAL) 47 RBI Josh Donaldson (TOR) 123 R Josh Donaldson (TOR) 122 H Jose Altuve (HOU) 200 SB Jose Altuve (HOU) 38
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Dallas Keuchel (HOU) 20 L Corey Kluber (CLE) 16 ERA David Price (DET/) 2.45 K Chris Sale (CWS) 274 IP Dallas Keuchel (HOU) 232.0 SV Brad Boxberger (TB) 41 WHIP Dallas Keuchel (HOU) 1.017
National League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Dee Gordon (MIA) .333 OPS Bryce Harper (WSH) 1.109 HR Nolan Arenado (COL)Bryce Harper (WSH) 42 RBI Nolan Arenado (COL) 130 R Bryce Harper (WSH) 118 H Dee Gordon (MIA) 205 SB Dee Gordon (MIA) 58
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Jake Arrieta (CHC) 22 L Shelby Miller (ATL) 17 ERA Zack Greinke (LAD) 1.66 K Clayton Kershaw (LAD) 301 IP Clayton Kershaw (LAD) 232.2 SV Mark Melancon (PIT) 51 WHIP Zack Greinke (LAD) 0.844
Milestones
Batters Paulo Orlando (KC): Became the first player since 1900 to record triples for his first three big league hits. Giancarlo Stanton (MIA): Became the Marlins franchise leader in home runs after hitting his 155th career home run against the New York Mets on April 16. Stanton passed Dan Uggla to become the franchise leader. Mike Trout (LAA): Became the youngest player in Major League history with 100 home runs and 100 stolen bases after hitting two home runs against the Houston Astros on April 17. At 23 years and 253 days old, Trout became the youngest player in history to reach the feat and broke the mark set by Alex Rodriguez (23 years, 309 days old). José Bautista (TOR): Recorded his 250th career home run in the seventh inning against the Baltimore Orioles on April 21. He became the 210th player to reach this mark. David Ortiz (BOS): Recorded his 550th career double in the eighth inning against the Toronto Blue Jays on April 28. He became the 27th player to reach this mark. Recorded his 500th career home run in the fifth inning against the Tampa Bay Rays on September 12. He became the 27th player to reach this mark. Alex Rodriguez (NYY): Tied Willie Mays for fourth all-time career home runs by hitting his 660th home run in the eighth inning against the Boston Red Sox on May 1. Rodriguez hit his home run off of Junichi Tazawa. Rodriguez passed Mays by hitting his 661st home run against the Baltimore Orioles on May 7. He hit his home run off of Chris Tillman. Recorded his 2,000th career RBI with a two-run home run in the sixth inning against the Baltimore Orioles on June 13. He became the fourth player to reach this mark. Recorded his 3,000th career hit with a home run in the first inning off of Justin Verlander and the Detroit Tigers on June 19. He became the 29th player to reach this mark. Scored his 2,000th career run in the third inning on Carlos Beltrán's home run against the Chicago White Sox on September 24. He became the eighth player to reach this mark. Rodriguez also became the second player in Major League history to amass at least 3,000 hits, 2,000 RBIs and 2,000 runs scored in his career, joining Hank Aaron. Adrián Beltré (TEX):