| 2024 MLB season | |
|---|---|
| League | Major League Baseball |
| Sport | Baseball |
| Duration | March 20 – September 29, 2024 |
| Number of games | 162 |
| Number of teams | 30 |
| TV partner(s) | Fox/FS1 TBS ESPN/ABC MLB Network Apple TV+ |
| Draft | |
| Regular season | |
| Postseason | |
| World Series | |
The 2024 Major League Baseball season (MLB) is scheduled to begin on March 20–21 with a two-game series between the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres held in Seoul, South Korea before the regular season proper runs from March 28 to September 29.[1] The 94th All-Star Game is planned for July 16 at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The postseason is then scheduled to begin on October 1 with a potential World Series Game 7 set for November 2. Going in to the season, the defending World Series champions are the Texas Rangers.
The Oakland Athletics were approved by MLB owners to relocate to Las Vegas. The timeline of the move is still under discussion.[2]
Schedule
On July 13, 2023, Major League Baseball released its 2024 schedule. There are 162 games scheduled for all teams. As has been the case since 2023, all 30 teams will play against every other team in both leagues.[3][1]
As part of the "MLB World Tour", the Los Angeles Dodgers and the San Diego Padres are scheduled to open the season in Seoul on March 20–21, in the first-ever MLB regular season games played in South Korea. Opening Day on the U.S. mainland is then planned for March 28, with all 30 clubs in action. Other MLB World Tour series include the Houston Astros and the Colorado Rockies at Estadio Alfredo Harp Helú in Mexico City on April 27–28, and the New York Mets and the Philadelphia Phillies at London Stadium in London on June 8–9.[3][1]
The San Francisco Giants and St. Louis Cardinals are scheduled to play at Rickwood Field in Birmingham, Alabama, on June 20, in a game honoring the Negro leagues and hall of fame outfielder Willie Mays. The 94th All-Star Game is planned for July 16, hosted by the Texas Rangers at Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas. The MLB Little League Classic at Bowman Field in Williamsport, Pennsylvania is scheduled for August 18 with the New York Yankees taking on the Detroit Tigers.[3][1]
Managerial changes
General managers
Off-season
| Team | Former GM | Reason For Leaving | New GM | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Chicago White Sox | Rick Hahn | Fired | Chris Getz | On August 22, 2023, Hahn and Executive Vice President Kenny Williams, who both held their previous titles since 2012, were fired.
On August 31, Chris Getz was named the new general manager and senior vice president of the team.[4] |
| Boston Red Sox | Brian O'Halloran | Reassigned | Craig Breslow | On September 14, 2023, O'Halloran accepted the position of senior vice president of baseball operations with the team.[5]
On October 25, Breslow was hired to the position of Chief Baseball Officer, which encompasses the duties of general manager. |
| New York Mets | Billy Eppler | Resigned | David Stearns | On October 5, 2023, Eppler resigned as general manager as a result of MLB opening an investigation into his potentially improper use of the injured list.[6]
On October 1, Stearns was hired to the position of President of Baseball Operations, which encompasses the duties of general manager. |
| Miami Marlins | Kim Ng | Peter Bendix | On October 16, 2023, Ng resigned as general manager after three years. The Marlins made one postseason appearance during her tenure.[7]
On November 5, Bendix was hired by the Miami Marlins to be their President of Baseball Operations.[8] | |
| Tampa Bay Rays | Peter Bendix | Hired by the Miami Marlins | TBA | On November 5, 2023, Bendix was hired by the Miami Marlins to be their President of Baseball Operations, which encompasses the duties of general manager.[9] |
Field managers
Off-season
| Team | Former Manager | Interim Manager | Reason For Leaving | New Manager | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| San Francisco Giants | Gabe Kapler | Kai Correa | Fired | Bob Melvin | On September 29, 2023, the Giants fired Kapler. After four seasons with the team, he compiled a record of 295–248 (.543) and made the playoffs once in 2021.
Bench coach Kai Correa was named interim manager for the final three games of the 2023 season.[10] Melvin was hired on October 25. This will be his fifth managerial position, previously managing in Seattle, Arizona, Oakland, and San Diego, compiling a lifetime managerial record of 1,517–1,425 (.516).[11] |
| New York Mets | Buck Showalter | N/A | Carlos Mendoza | On October 1, 2023, Showalter that announced he would not return to manage the Mets for the 2024 season. According to team owner Steve Cohen and general manager Billy Eppler, the Mets informed Showalter that they did not plan to bring him back for next season, even though he has one year left on his contract. He compiled a record of 176–148 (.543) in two seasons with the team with one playoff appearance.[12]
On November 13, Yankees bench coach Carlos Mendoza was named the new manager of the team.[13] | |
| Los Angeles Angels | Phil Nevin | Option not picked up | Ron Washington | On October 2, 2023, the Angels announced they would not be picking up Nevin's option for 2024. After taking over as manager in June 2022, he compiled a record of 119–149 (.444) with no playoff appearances.[14]
Washington was hired on November 8. This will be his second managerial position, previously managing Texas from 2007–14, going 664–611 (.521) and winning the AL pennant in back-to-back seasons in 2010 and 2011.[15] | |
| Cleveland Guardians | Terry Francona | Resigned | Stephen Vogt | On October 3, 2023, Francona announced he was stepping away as manager of the Guardians. In 11 seasons with Cleveland, he compiled a record of 921–757 (.549) with six playoff appearances, three AL Central division titles, and a World Series appearance.[16]
Vogt was hired on November 6. This will be his first managerial position.[17] | |
| San Diego Padres | Bob Melvin | Hired by the San Francisco Giants | Mike Shildt | Melvin was granted permission from the Padres to become the manager of the San Francisco Giants on October 24, 2023. In his tenure with the Padres, he compiled a record of 171–153 (.528), with one playoff appearance, advancing to the NLCS in 2022.[18]
On November 21, Mike Shildt was named the new manager of the Padres. This will be his second managerial position.[19] | |
| Houston Astros | Dusty Baker | Retired | Joe Espada | On October 25, 2023, Baker announced his retirement after four seasons with the Astros and 26 years overall as a manager. He finished his tenure with the Astros with a 320–226 (.586) record, winning the 2022 World Series.[20]
On November 13, Joe Espada was named the new manager of the team. This is his first managerial position.[21] | |
| Chicago Cubs | David Ross | Fired | Craig Counsell | On November 6, 2023, the Cubs fired Ross after four seasons with the Cubs. he finished his tenure with a 262–284 (.480) record, with one playoff appearance, winning the NL Central in the 2020 season.
Counsell was hired on the same day. As the Brewers manager, he compiled a record of 707–625 (.531), with three NL Central division titles and five overall playoff appearances.[22] | |
| Milwaukee Brewers | Craig Counsell | Contract expired | Pat Murphy | Counsell’s contract with the Brewers expired on November 1, 2023. The Brewers’ offered a contract extension to Counsell weeks prior, before the 53-year-old became a free agent and interviewed with other clubs. Counsell became the manager of the Chicago Cubs on November 6. As the Brewers manager for nine seasons, he compiled a record of 707–625 (.531), with three NL Central division titles and five overall playoff appearances.[23]
On November 15, Pat Murphy was named the new manager of the team. This will be his second managerial position.[24] |
Uniforms
Wholesale changes
- The Diamondbacks unveiled a new uniform set, adding teal as a full-time accent color. Cream returned as the base color on the home uniforms for the first time since 2006, as is the alternate "D-snake" logo. Sand was removed entirely from the uniforms, except for the "City Connect" uniform.[25]
- Due to Nike's 4+1 Rule, the Phillies dropped their red alternate uniform in favor of the City Connect uniform. It had been used in the regular season for home games in 2016 and 2017, and again from 2021 to 2023 for road games.[26]
City Connect
Through the 2023 season, there are 20 teams participating in the City Connect jersey program. The remaining 10 teams are scheduled to be included this season.
Anniversaries and special events
| Team | Special occasion |
|---|---|
| All Teams | Jackie Robinson Day (April 15) |
| Pink Ribbons for breast cancer awareness (May 12, Mother's Day) | |
| Patch for Armed Forces Day (May 20) and Camouflage caps for Armed Force's Day Weekend (May 19–21) | |
| Poppy for Memorial Day (May 27) | |
| "4–ALS" patch for Lou Gehrig Day (June 2) | |
| "Play Ball" patch in partnership with USA Baseball and USA Softball (June 7–9) | |
| Blue Ribbons for prostate cancer (June 16, Father's Day) | |
| Gold Ribbons for childhood cancer (September 1) | |
| #21 patch for Roberto Clemente Day day (September 15) | |
| "MLB Debut" patch for players who play their first Major League game | |
| Arizona Diamondbacks | Inaugural season of the Arizona Diamondback team Hall of Fame.
Luis Gonzalez and Randy Johnson will be the 1st inductees.[27] |
| Atlanta Braves | 50th Anniversary of Hank Aaron's 715th Home Run |
| Baltimore Orioles | 70th Anniversary Season |
| Boston Red Sox | 20th Anniversary of 2004 World Series Championship |
| Detroit Tigers | 40th Anniversary of 1984 World Series Championship |
| New York Mets | 55th Anniversary of 1969 World Series Championship |
| New York Yankees | 15th Anniversary of 2009 World Series Championship |
| 25th Anniversary of 1999 World Series Championship | |
| Oakland Athletics | 35th Anniversary of 1989 World Series Championship |
| 50th Anniversary of 1974 World Series Championship | |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 20th Anniversary of Citizens Bank Park |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 45th Anniversary of 1979 World Series Championship |
| San Diego Padres | 20th Anniversary of Petco Park Jersey patch for owner Peter Seidler, who passed away on November 14, 2023[28] |
| San Francisco Giants | 10th Anniversary of 2014 World Series Championship |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 60th Anniversary of 1964 World Series Championship |
| Texas Rangers | 2024 MLB All-Star Game |
| 2023 World Series championship (March 28) | |
| Washington Nationals | 5th Anniversary of 2019 World Series Championship |
Venues
The Oakland Athletics lease with the Oakland Coliseum expires after the end of the 2024 season. On June 15, 2023, the team officially announced they would begin the relocation process to Las Vegas. The move was approved by the other MLB owners on November 16, 2023. The Athletics would move into a new 30,000-seat partially retractable ballpark by the 2028 season.[2]
Broadcast rights
Television
National
This is the third year of the existing seven-year deals with ESPN, Fox, TBS, Apple TV+, and MLB Network.[29]
Linear television
- Fox will continue to air their Baseball Night in America and Fox Saturday Baseball slate of exclusive games on select Saturday and select Thursday nights. The network will also air the 2024 MLB All-Star Game and the game at Rickwood Field.[30] FS1 will also broadcast non-exclusive games.[31]
- TBS will continue to broadcast Tuesday Night Baseball. Most games are blacked out in the home markets of the teams playing, however, TBS is allowed to co-exist once with a teams' local broadcast.[32]
- ESPN will continue to broadcast Sunday Night Baseball, with the option to show alternate broadcasts. ESPN will also exclusively air 5 other non-Sunday night games. The network also has the rights to the Home Run Derby.[33] Select games may air on ABC and ESPN2.
- MLB Network will continue to broadcast games daily. While most games will be simulcasts of the home teams' regional sports network broadcasts, select games will be produced by the network under its MLB Network Showcase banner. All games are blacked out in the home markets of the teams playing.[34]
Streaming
- This will be the first regular season that the streaming service Max will have live access to TBS' games on its Bleacher Report Sports Add-on tier.[35]
- Apple TV+ continues to hold the rights to Friday Night Baseball, Apple has the option to opt out of this deal prior to this season, however if it doesn’t opt out it will not be able to exit the deal until it expires in 2028 season.[29]
- NBC Sports' deal for MLB Sunday Leadoff has not yet been renewed.[36]
Postseason
During the postseason, the ESPN networks, including ABC (with Spanish–language simulcasts on ESPN Deportes) will air all four Wild Card Series.[33] TBS (with Spanish-language simulcasts on MLB Network) will then broadcast the American League Division Series and the American League Championship Series,[32] and Fox Sports (Fox and FS1, with Spanish-language simulcasts on Fox Deportes) will broadcast the National League Division Series, the National League Championship Series, and the World Series.[31]
Local
- On October 31, the Minnesota Twins announced that television play-by-play announcer Dick Bremer would leave the booth to join the team's front office as its special assistant.[37] On December 1, the Twins replaced Bremer with Cory Provus, and Kris Atteberry took Provus' place as the radio play-by-play announcer.[38]
- On November 9, Jason Benetti left the Chicago White Sox to join the Detroit Tigers as its lead television play-by-play announcer. Benetti replaced Matt Shepard whose contract was not renewed by Bally Sports Detroit. Dan Dickerson, the team's lead radio play-by-play announcer, will call games when Benetti has assignments with Fox Sports.[39]
AT&T Sportsnet closure
Warner Bros. Discovery is expected to wind down its AT&T SportsNet regional sports network business prior to the start of the 2024 season.[40] With AT&T SportsNet Rocky Mountain expected to close down services, the Colorado Rockies will have to sign a new deal with another broadcaster.[41] The Houston Astros and the NBA's Houston Rockets took over AT&T SportsNet Southwest and rebranded it to the Space City Home Network after the end of the Astros' regular season on October 3, 2023.[42] Fenway Sports Group took over AT&T SportsNet Pittsburgh, rebranding it to just SportsNet Pittsburgh on October 2, 2023;[43] however, the Pittsburgh Pirates may seek another broadcaster.[41]
Diamond Sports bankruptcy
This would be the second season affected by the February 2023 bankruptcy of Diamond Sports Group, owners of the Bally Sports regional sports networks. Diamond Sports Group may cut ties with additional teams it previously had deals with. The rights of those teams that Major League Baseball took over from Diamond midway through the 2023 season, the Arizona Diamondbacks and the San Diego Padres, could also change in 2024.[44] Diamond's deal with the Minnesota Twins also expires before the season.[45]
Retired numbers
- Dwight Gooden will have his No. 16 retired by the New York Mets. This will be the eighth number to be retired by the team.[46]
- Darryl Strawberry will have his No. 18 retired by the New York Mets. This will be the ninth number to be retired by the team.[46]
References
- 1 2 3 4 "MLB releases 2024 schedule; all 30 teams play March 28". ESPN.com. July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- 1 2 "Nevada governor signs A's stadium funding bill". KLAS. June 15, 2023. Retrieved August 9, 2023.
- 1 2 3 "MLB Unveils 2024 Schedule Packed With Marquee Matchups". MLB.com. July 13, 2023. Retrieved July 13, 2023.
- ↑ Merkin, Scott (August 22, 2023). "White Sox Part Ways With Hahn And Williams". MLB.com. Retrieved August 22, 2023.
- ↑ "Brian OHallon Accepts Position As Red Sox Executive VP Of Baseball Operations". BostonGolbe.com. September 22, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
- ↑ "Eppler steps down as Mets general manager". MLB.com. October 5, 2023. Retrieved October 6, 2023.
- ↑ DeNicola, Christina (October 16, 2023). "Kim Ng won't return as Marlins general manager". MLB.com. Retrieved October 16, 2023.
- ↑ "Marlins hire Rays GM Peter Bendix as new club president after parting ways with Kim Ng, per report". CBSSports.com. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ↑ "Marlins hire Rays GM Peter Bendix as new club president after parting ways with Kim Ng, per report". CBSSports.com. November 6, 2023. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ↑ "Giants Fire Manager Gabe Kapler After Disappointing 2023 season". NBCSportsbayarea.com. September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 29, 2023.
- ↑ Guardado, Maria (October 25, 2023). "Giants officially name Melvin next manager". MLB.com. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ↑ "Showalter will not return as Mets' manager in 2024". MLB.com. October 1, 2023. Retrieved October 1, 2023.
- ↑ "Mets hire Mendoza from Yankees as next manager". MLB.com.
- ↑ "Phil Nevin Will Not Return As Angels Manager". MLB.com. October 2, 2023. Retrieved October 2, 2023.
- ↑ "Angels hire Ron Washington as manager". MLB.com. November 8, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
- ↑ "Guardians manager Terry Francona announces he's stepping away from Guardians". Yahoo Sports. October 3, 2023. Retrieved October 3, 2023.
- ↑ Bell, Mandy (November 6, 2023). "Former Catcher Stephen Vogt Named Guardians Skipper". MLB.com. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ↑ Guardado, Maria (October 25, 2023). "Giants officially name Melvin next manager". MLB.com. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ↑ Cassavell, AJ (November 21, 2023). "Padres name Mike Shildt as manager with 2-year contract". MLB.com. Retrieved November 21, 2023.
- ↑ Nightengale, Bob (October 25, 2023). "Exclusive: Dusty Baker retires after 26 seasons as MLB manager". USA Today. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
- ↑ "Houston Astros Name Joe Espada The New Manager". Houstonchronicle.com. November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ↑ Bastian, Jordan (November 6, 2023). "Cubs hire Counsell as new manager". MLB.com. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ↑ McCalvy, Adam (November 6, 2023). "Counsell moving on to division rival". MLB.com. Retrieved November 6, 2023.
- ↑ "Pat Murphy named Brewers manager: Bench coach promoted to top job after Craig Counsell's exit". cbssports.com. Retrieved November 15, 2023.
- ↑ "D-backs unveil new uniform designs for 2024". MLB.com. MLB Advanced Media. Retrieved November 17, 2023.
- ↑ Kelly, Tim. "It will be the red jerseys the Phillies ditch in 2024". philliesnation.com. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ↑ "D-backs to unveil new team Hall of Fame, Luis Gonzalez, Randy Johnson first inductees".
- ↑ "Padres to honor Seidler with jersey patch, Legacy Fund". MLB.com.
- 1 2 Ozanian, Mike (March 9, 2022). "MLB Deals With Apple And NBC Sports Are Worth A Combined $115 Million Annually". Forbes. Retrieved September 25, 2022.
- ↑ "MLB staging Negro Leagues tribute game at Rickwood Field in 2024". Fox Sports. June 20, 2023. Retrieved November 2, 2023.
- 1 2 "MLB, Fox complete multiyear agreement". MLB Advanced Media. September 24, 2018. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- 1 2 Brown, Maury (September 24, 2020). "TBS And MLB Reach TV Rights Extension For 2022-28 Reportedly Worth $3.75 Billion". Forbes. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- 1 2 Brown, Maury (May 14, 2020). "ESPN's 7 Year 392 Billion Renewal With MLB Starts In 2022". Forbes. Retrieved October 3, 2021.
- ↑ Paulsen (September 18, 2022). "News: Gus Johnson, Pac-12, LIV Tour and more". Sports Media Watch. Retrieved September 18, 2022.
- ↑ "Max will start offering a live sports tier in October". The Verge. September 19, 2023. Retrieved September 19, 2023.
- ↑ Bassam, Tom (April 7, 2022). "MLB and NBC confirm 'US$30m a year' Peacock streaming deal". Sports Pro Media. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
- ↑ "Dick Bremer announces transition to Special Assistant Role in Twins' Front Office". MLB.com (Press release). Retrieved October 31, 2023.
- ↑ Park, Do-Hyong. "Twins' new play-by-play announcers are familiar voices". MLB.com. Retrieved December 1, 2023.
- ↑ Beck, Jason. "'World-class' broadcaster Benetti to handle Tigers play-by-play". MLB.com. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
- ↑ Lucia, Joe (April 10, 2023). "Warner Bros. Discovery, MLB nearing a deal to keep RSNs running through 2023 season". Awful Announcing. Retrieved April 18, 2023.
- 1 2 "Sports Media: WBD Sports closer to exit from nearly all of its RSN business". www.sportsbusinessjournal.com. August 28, 2023. Retrieved August 28, 2023.
- ↑ "Astros, Rockets acquire AT&T SportsNet Southwest, give it a new name". KHOU. September 29, 2023.
- ↑ "Penguins Announce 'SportsNet Pittsburgh' as Regional Sports Network". NHL.com. Retrieved August 31, 2023.
- ↑ Mackie, Theo (July 18, 2023). "Diamondbacks games no longer to be carried on Bally Sports; MLB moving them to new outlets". AzCentral. Retrieved July 18, 2023.
- ↑ Harrison, Jonathan (July 3, 2023). "Twins games to stay on Bally Sports North through end of season". Sports Illustrated. Retrieved August 13, 2023.
- 1 2 DiComo, Anthony. "Mets to retire Strawberry and Gooden's numbers in 2024". MLB.com.