View source for 1994 Major League Baseball season

{{Use mdy dates|date=February 2024}}
{{MLBseason|year=1994}}
{{Infobox sports season
| title            = 1994 MLB season
| league           = [[Major League Baseball]]
| sport            = [[Baseball]]
| duration         = April 3 – August 11, 1994
| no_of_games      = 162 (scheduled)<br>112–117 (actual)<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1994/Y_1994.htm |title=The 1994 Season |website=[[Retrosheet]] |access-date=October 8, 2020}}</ref>
| no_of_teams      = 28
| TV               = {{unbulleted list
   | [[The Baseball Network]] ([[Major League Baseball on ABC|ABC]]/[[Major League Baseball on NBC|NBC]])
   | [[ESPN Major League Baseball|ESPN]]
   }}
| draft            = Draft
| draft_link       = 1994 Major League Baseball draft
| top_pick         = [[Paul Wilson (baseball)|Paul Wilson]]
| top_pick_link    = List of first overall MLB draft picks
| picked_by        = [[1994 New York Mets season|New York Mets]]
| season           = Regular season
| season_champs    = 
| MVP 		       = [[National League (baseball)|NL]]: [[Jeff Bagwell]] ([[1994 Houston Astros season|HOU]])<br>[[American League|AL]]: [[Frank Thomas]] ([[1994 Chicago White Sox season|CWS]])
| MVP_link         = Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award
| seasonslist      = List of Major League Baseball seasons
| seasonslistnames = MLB
| prevseason_link  = 1993 Major League Baseball season
| prevseason_year  = 1993
| nextseason_link  = 1995 Major League Baseball season
| nextseason_year  = 1995
}}
{{MLB Team Maps (1994)}}
The '''1994 Major League Baseball season''' began on April 3, but ended prematurely on August 11, 1994, with the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike]]. The season started despite the expiration of MLB's previous [[collective bargaining agreement]] at the end of 1993. It was the first season played under the current three-division format in each league. It was also the first with an [[Opening Day|Opening Night]] game involving two [[National League (baseball)|National League]] teams, which did not become permanent until 1996.

==Strike==
{{Main|1994–95 Major League Baseball strike}}
As a result of a players' strike, the MLB season ended prematurely on August 11, 1994. No postseason (including the [[1994 World Series|World Series]]) was played. Over 260 players were scheduled to exceed $1 million in compensation in 1994.<ref name=bbmill>{{cite news|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=xltPAAAAIBAJ&sjid=WAMEAAAAIBAJ&pg=6720%2C3363194 |newspaper=Toledo Blade|agency=Associated Press|title=Baseball's millionaires |date=August 14, 1994 |page=B-5}}</ref> The [[Minor League Baseball]] season was played in its entirety.

==Awards and honors==
*'''[[Baseball Hall of Fame]]'''
**[[Steve Carlton]]
**[[Leo Durocher]]
**[[Phil Rizzuto]]
{{further|1994 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting}}

{| class="wikitable"
! colspan="3" |[[Baseball Writers' Association of America]] '''Awards'''
|-
!BBWAA Award
!National League
!American League
|-
|[[Major League Baseball Rookie of the Year Award|Rookie of the Year]]
|[[Raúl Mondesí]] ([[Los Angeles Dodgers|LA]])
|[[Bob Hamelin]] ([[Kansas City Royals|KC]])
|-
|[[Cy Young Award]]
|[[Greg Maddux]] ([[Atlanta Braves|ATL]])
|[[David Cone]] ([[Kansas City Royals|KC]])
|-
|[[Major League Baseball Manager of the Year Award|Manager of the Year]]
|[[Felipe Alou]] ([[Montreal Expos|MTL]])
|[[Buck Showalter]] ([[New York Yankees|NYY]])
|-
|[[Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award|Most Valuable Player]]
|[[Jeff Bagwell]] ([[Houston Astros|HOU]])
|[[Frank Thomas]] ([[Chicago White Sox|CWS]])
|-
! colspan="3" |[[Rawlings Gold Glove Award|Gold Glove Awards]]
|-
!Position
!National League
!American League
|-
|Pitcher
|[[Greg Maddux]] ([[Atlanta Braves|ATL]])
|[[Mark Langston]] ([[California Angels|CAL]])
|-
|Catcher
|[[Tom Pagnozzi]] ([[St. Louis Cardinals|STL]])
|[[Iván Rodríguez]] ([[Texas Rangers (baseball)|TEX]])
|-
|First Baseman
|[[Jeff Bagwell]] ([[Houston Astros|HOU]])
|[[Don Mattingly]] ([[New York Yankees|NYY]])
|-
|Second Baseman
|[[Craig Biggio]] ([[Houston Astros|HOU]])
|[[Roberto Alomar]] ([[Toronto Blue Jays|TOR]])
|-
|Third Baseman
|[[Matt Williams (third baseman)|Matt Williams]] ([[San Francisco Giants|SF]])
|[[Wade Boggs]] ([[New York Yankees|NYY]])
|-
|Shortstop
|[[Barry Larkin]] ([[Cincinnati Reds|CIN]])
|[[Omar Vizquel]] ([[Cleveland Indians|CLE]])
|-
| rowspan="3" |Outfielders
|[[Barry Bonds]] ([[San Francisco Giants|SF]])
|[[Kenny Lofton]] ([[Cleveland Indians|CLE]])
|-
|[[Darren Lewis]] ([[San Francisco Giants|SF]])
|[[Devon White (baseball)|Devon White]]  ([[Toronto Blue Jays|TOR]])
|-
|[[Marquis Grissom]] ([[Montreal Expos|MTL]])
|[[Ken Griffey Jr.]] ([[Seattle Mariners|SEA]])
|-
! colspan="3" |[[Silver Slugger Award]]s
|-
|Pitcher/Designated Hitter
|[[Mark Portugal]] ([[San Francisco Giants|SF]])
|[[Julio Franco]] ([[Chicago White Sox|CWS]])
|-
|Catcher
|[[Mike Piazza]] ([[Los Angeles Dodgers|LA]])
|[[Iván Rodríguez]] ([[Texas Rangers (baseball)|TEX]])
|-
|First Baseman
|[[Jeff Bagwell]] ([[Houston Astros|HOU]])
|[[Frank Thomas]] ([[Chicago White Sox|CWS]])
|-
|Second Baseman
|[[Craig Biggio]] ([[Houston Astros|HOU]])
|[[Carlos Baerga]] ([[Cleveland Indians|CLE]])
|-
|Third Baseman
|[[Matt Williams (third baseman)|Matt Williams]] ([[San Francisco Giants|SF]])
|[[Wade Boggs]] ([[New York Yankees|NYY]])
|-
|Shortstop
|[[Wil Cordero]] ([[Montreal Expos|MTL]])
|[[Cal Ripken Jr.]] ([[Baltimore Orioles|BAL]])
|-
| rowspan="5" |Outfielders
|[[Barry Bonds]] ([[San Francisco Giants|SF]])
|[[Albert Belle]] ([[Cleveland Indians|CLE]])
|-
|[[Moisés Alou]] ([[Montreal Expos|MTL]])
|[[Kirby Puckett]] ([[Minnesota Twins|MIN]])
|-
|[[Tony Gwynn]] ([[San Diego Padres|SD]])
|[[Ken Griffey Jr.]] ([[Seattle Mariners|SEA]])
|}

===Other awards===
*[[Roberto Clemente Award]] (Humanitarian):  [[Dave Winfield]] ([[Minnesota Twins|MIN]]).
*[[Rolaids Relief Man Award]]: [[Lee Smith (baseball)|Lee Smith]] ([[Baltimore Orioles|BAL]], American); [[Rod Beck]] ([[San Francisco Giants|SF]], National).

===Player of the Month===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Month !! American League !! National League
|-
! April
| [[Joe Carter]] || [[Ellis Burks]]
|-
! May
| [[Frank Thomas]] || [[Lenny Dykstra]]<br/>[[Mike Piazza]]
|-
! June
| [[Albert Belle]] || [[Jeff Bagwell]]
|-
! July
| [[Frank Thomas]] || [[Jeff Bagwell]]
|}

===Pitcher of the Month===
{| class="wikitable"
|-
! Month !! American League !! National League
|-
! April
| [[Ben McDonald]] || [[Bob Tewksbury]]
|-
! May
| [[David Cone]] || [[Doug Drabek]]
|-
! June
| [[Cal Eldred]] || [[Bobby Muñoz]]
|-
! July
| [[Alex Fernandez (baseball)|Alex Fernandez]] || [[Bret Saberhagen]]
|}

==Statistical leaders==

{| class="wikitable"
|- 
! Statistic
! colspan=2 | [[American League]]
! colspan=2 | [[National League (baseball)|National League]]
|-
| [[Batting average (baseball)|AVG]] || [[Paul O'Neill (baseball)|Paul O'Neill]] NYY || .359 || [[Tony Gwynn]] SD || .394 
|-
| [[Home run|HR]] || [[Ken Griffey Jr.]] SEA || 40 ||[[Matt Williams (third baseman)|Matt Williams]] SF || 43 
|-
| [[Run batted in|RBI]] || [[Kirby Puckett]] MIN || 112 || [[Jeff Bagwell]] HOU || 116
|-
|  [[Win (baseball)|Wins]] || [[Jimmy Key]] NYY || 17 || [[Ken Hill (baseball)|Ken Hill]] MTL<br>[[Greg Maddux]] ATL || 16
|-
| [[Earned run average|ERA]] || [[Steve Ontiveros (pitcher)|Steve Ontiveros]] OAK || 2.65 || [[Greg Maddux]] ATL || 1.56
|-
| [[Strikeout|SO]] || [[Randy Johnson]] SEA || 204 || [[Andy Benes]] SD || 189
|-
| [[Save (baseball)|SV]] || [[Lee Smith (baseball)|Lee Smith]] BAL || 33 || [[John Franco]] NYM || 30
|-
| [[Stolen base|SB]] || [[Kenny Lofton]] CLE || 60 || [[Craig Biggio]] HOU || 39
|}

==Standings==
{{Flexbox wrap|start}}
===American League===
{{1994 AL East standings}}{{1994 AL Central standings}}{{1994 AL West standings}}
{{Flexbox wrap|break}}
===National League===
{{1994 NL East standings}}{{1994 NL Central standings}}{{1994 NL West standings}}
{{Flexbox wrap|end}}
* On September 14, the remainder of the major league season was canceled by acting commissioner [[Bud Selig]] after 34 days of the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|players' strike]].

==Home field attendance and payroll==
{| class="wikitable sortable"
|- style="text-align:center; font-size:larger;"
|-
!Team name
!Wins
!{{abbr|%±|Percent change}}
!Home attendance
!{{abbr|%±|Percent change}}
!{{abbr|Per game|Average home attendance per game}}
!Est. payroll
!{{abbr|%±|Percent change}}
|-
|[[Colorado Rockies]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/COL/attend.shtml|title=Colorado Rockies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|53
| −20.9%
|3,281,511
| −26.8%
|57,570
|$23,887,333
|130.7%
|-
|[[Toronto Blue Jays]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TOR/attend.shtml|title=Toronto Blue Jays Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|55
| −42.1%
|2,907,933
| −28.3%
|49,287
|$43,433,668
| −8.1%
|-
|[[Atlanta Braves]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/attend.shtml|title=Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|68
| −34.6%
|2,539,240
| −34.6%
|46,168
|$49,383,513
|18.6%
|-
|[[Baltimore Orioles]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/attend.shtml|title=Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|63
| −25.9%
|2,535,359
| −30.4%
|46,097
|$38,849,769
|33.5%
|-
|[[Texas Rangers (baseball)|Texas Rangers]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/TEX/attend.shtml|title=Texas Rangers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|52
| −39.5%
|2,503,198
|11.5%
|39,733
|$32,973,597
| −9.4%
|-
|[[Philadelphia Phillies]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/attend.shtml|title=Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|54
| −44.3%
|2,290,971
| −27.0%
|38,183
|$31,599,000
|10.7%
|-
|[[Los Angeles Dodgers]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/attend.shtml|title=Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|58
| −28.4%
|2,279,355
| −28.1%
|41,443
|$38,000,001
| −3.7%
|-
|[[Cleveland Guardians|Cleveland Indians]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/attend.shtml|title=Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|66
| −13.2%
|1,995,174
| −8.4%
|39,121
|$30,490,500
|64.3%
|-
|[[Miami Marlins|Florida Marlins]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/FLA/attend.shtml|title=Florida Marlins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|51
| −20.3%
|1,937,467
| −36.8%
|32,838
|$21,633,000
|11.9%
|-
|[[Cincinnati Reds]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml|title=Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|66
| −9.6%
|1,897,681
| −22.6%
|31,628
|$41,073,833
| −8.5%
|-
|[[St. Louis Cardinals]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml|title=St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|53
| −39.1%
|1,866,544
| −34.4%
|33,331
|$29,275,601
|25.3%
|-
|[[Chicago Cubs]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/attend.shtml|title=Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|49
| −41.7%
|1,845,208
| −30.5%
|31,275
|$36,287,333
| −7.9%
|-
|[[Boston Red Sox]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml|title=Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|54
| −32.5%
|1,775,818
| −26.7%
|27,747
|$37,859,084
|2.0%
|-
|[[San Francisco Giants]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/attend.shtml|title=San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|55
| −46.6%
|1,704,608
| −34.6%
|28,410
|$42,638,666
|21.3%
|-
|[[Chicago White Sox]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/attend.shtml|title=Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|67
| −28.7%
|1,697,398
| −34.2%
|32,026
|$39,183,836
| −1.3%
|-
|[[New York Yankees]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/attend.shtml|title=New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|70
| −20.5%
|1,675,556
| −30.7%
|29,396
|$46,040,334
|7.8%
|-
|[[Houston Astros]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/HOU/attend.shtml|title=Houston Astros Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|66
| −22.4%
|1,561,136
| −25.1%
|26,460
|$33,126,000
|9.7%
|-
|[[Los Angeles Angels|California Angels]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ANA/attend.shtml|title=Los Angeles Angels Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|47
| −33.8%
|1,512,622
| −26.5%
|24,010
|$25,156,218
| −12.0%
|-
|[[Kansas City Royals]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/KCR/attend.shtml|title=Kansas City Royals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|64
| −23.8%
|1,400,494
| −27.6%
|23,737
|$40,541,334
| −2.2%
|-
|[[Minnesota Twins]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/attend.shtml|title=Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|53
| −25.4%
|1,398,565
| −31.7%
|23,704
|$28,438,500
|0.8%
|-
|[[Montreal Expos]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/WSN/attend.shtml|title=Washington Nationals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|74
| −21.3%
|1,276,250
| −22.2%
|24,543
|$19,098,000
|1.1%
|-
|[[Milwaukee Brewers]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIL/attend.shtml|title=Milwaukee Brewers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|53
| −23.2%
|1,268,399
| −24.9%
|22,650
|$24,350,500
|2.3%
|-
|[[Oakland Athletics]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/attend.shtml|title=Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|51
| −25.0%
|1,242,692
| −38.9%
|22,191
|$34,172,500
| −9.6%
|-
|[[Pittsburgh Pirates]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/attend.shtml|title=Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|53
| −29.3%
|1,222,520
| −25.9%
|20,041
|$24,217,250
| −2.4%
|-
|[[Detroit Tigers]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/attend.shtml|title=Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|53
| −37.6%
|1,184,783
| −39.9%
|20,427
|$41,446,501
|8.6%
|-
|[[New York Mets]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYM/attend.shtml|title=New York Mets Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|55
| −6.8%
|1,151,471
| −38.5%
|21,726
|$30,956,583
| −20.7%
|-
|[[Seattle Mariners]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SEA/attend.shtml|title=Seattle Mariners Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|49
| −40.2%
|1,104,206
| −46.2%
|25,096
|$29,228,500
| −13.1%
|-
|[[San Diego Padres]]<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SDP/attend.shtml|title=San Diego Padres Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors|access-date=September 8, 2020|publisher=[[Baseball-Reference.com]]}}</ref>
|47
| −23.0%
|953,857
| −30.7%
|16,734
|$14,916,333
| −41.5%
|}

==Television coverage==
This was the first season of [[The Baseball Network]], the [[joint venture]] between MLB, [[Major League Baseball on ABC|ABC]], and [[Major League Baseball on NBC|NBC]]. Meanwhile, [[ESPN Major League Baseball|ESPN]] renewed its contract for ''[[Sunday Night Baseball]]'' and ''[[Wednesday Night Baseball]]''.

Under The Baseball Network's original plan, the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] would alternate between NBC in even-numbered years and ABC in odd-numbered years. After the All-Star Game was complete,<ref>{{cite news |date=March 31, 1994|title=Two stations forming new baseball network|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2026&dat=19940331&id=3bwjAAAAIBAJ&pg=4448,3528089&hl=en|newspaper=Moscow-Pullman Daily News}}</ref> ABC took over coverage with what was to be their weekly slate of games under the ''Baseball Night in America'' banner.<ref>{{cite news|title=Michaels will carry on till baseball's last inning|url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/20525750.html?dids=20525750:20525750&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+16%2C+1995&author=Jim+Baker&pub=Boston+Herald&desc=Michaels+will+carry+on+till+baseball%27s+last+inning&pqatl=google|archive-url=https://archive.today/20130131212041/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/bostonherald/access/20525750.html?dids=20525750:20525750&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Jul+16,+1995&author=Jim+Baker&pub=Boston+Herald&desc=Michaels+will+carry+on+till+baseball's+last+inning&pqatl=google|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 31, 2013|author=Jim Baker|newspaper=[[Boston Herald]]|date=July 16, 1995|access-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> ABC was scheduled to televise six<ref>{{cite news |last=Fang|first=Ken|date=October 25, 2016|title=Does the MLB on TBS package really benefit fans and viewers?|url=https://awfulannouncing.com/2016/does-the-mlb-on-tbs-package-really-benefit-fans-and-viewers.html|work=Awful Announcing}}</ref> regular season games on Saturdays<ref>{{cite news |date=19 July 1995 |title=ABC 'Baseball Night' takes ratings beating |url=https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=news/0EB77275D5E56093&f=basic |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20250320225639/https://infoweb.newsbank.com/apps/news/document-view?p=AMNEWS&docref=news/0EB77275D5E56093&f=basic |archive-date=2025-03-20 |access-date=2025-03-20 |newspaper=[[USA Today]] |page=2C |via=NewsBank}}</ref> or Mondays<ref>{{cite news |last=Larry|first=Stewart|date=July 21, 1995|title=ABC Getting a Major Chance With British Open Coverage|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1995-07-21-sp-26481-story.html|newspaper=Los Angeles Times}}</ref> in [[prime time]]. NBC<ref>{{cite news|date=September 8, 1995|title=Abc No. 1|url=http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1995-09-08/lifestyle/9509070266_1_average-rating-abc-latest-weekly-ratings|newspaper=Sun Sentinel|access-date=March 23, 2015|archive-date=April 2, 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402130948/http://articles.sun-sentinel.com/1995-09-08/lifestyle/9509070266_1_average-rating-abc-latest-weekly-ratings|url-status=dead}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=September 19, 1995|title=List of Week's TV Ratings|url=https://apnews.com/dcbad0a4575473bbb942b436f8cfd464|work=Associated Press News}}</ref> would then pick up where ABC left off by televising six more regular season Friday night<ref name="Shapario">{{cite news |last=Shapario|first=Leonard|date=October 18, 1995|title=CBS DENIES REPORT OF BROADCAST DEAL|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/sports/1995/10/18/cbs-denies-report-of-broadcast-deal/4260adc6-8b3e-482a-a0ce-3394cba0a1c5/|newspaper=The Washington Post|location= |access-date=}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Nye |first=Doug |date=1995-08-26 |title='Blockbuster' Deal Ensures ACC TV Coverage in Every Sport |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-state-blockbuster-deal-ensures-acc/168456050/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |work=[[The State (newspaper)|The State]] |page=C2 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |last=Bogaczyk |first=Jack |date=1995-07-15 |title=Former Raiders Great Says Team Belongs In Oakland |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-roanoke-times-former-raiders-great-s/168456144/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |work=The Roanoke Times |page=B5 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> games. Every ''Baseball Night in America'' game was scheduled to begin at 8&nbsp;p.m. [[Eastern Time Zone|Eastern Time]] (or 8&nbsp;p.m. [[Pacific Time Zone|Pacific Time]] if the game occurred on the [[West Coast of the United States|West Coast]]<ref>{{cite news|title='Baseball Night in America' Means No Day Games Today|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SJ&s_site=mercurynews&p_multi=SJ&p_theme=realcities&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EB71D5737FC17D6&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|newspaper=[[San Jose Mercury News]]|date=July 16, 1994|access-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref>). A single starting time gave the networks the opportunity to broadcast one game and then, simultaneously, cut to another game when there was a break in action. 

The networks had exclusive rights for the twelve regular season dates, in that no regional or national cable service (such as [[ESPN Major League Baseball|ESPN]] or [[Major League Baseball on superstations|superstations]] like [[Chicago]]'s [[WGN-TV]]<ref>{{cite news |last=Nidetz|first=Steve|date=August 23, 1995|title=Cubs Viewers Thrown A Curve By Tbn Blackout|url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/08/23/cubs-viewers-thrown-a-curve-by-tbn-blackout/|work=[[Chicago Tribune]]}}</ref> or [[Atlanta]]'s [[Braves TBS Baseball|WTBS]]) or over-the-air<ref>{{Cite news |last=Craig |first=Jack |date=1995-08-11 |title=Sox get new player tomorrow - Ch. 68 |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-boston-globe-sox-get-new-player-tomo/163554557/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |work=The Boston Globe |page=83 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> broadcaster was allowed<ref>{{cite news |author=Rogers |first=Prentis |date=August 25, 1995 |title=Baseball Network package tunes out Braves-Cubs today |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-atlanta-journal/157673687/ |access-date=2025-03-20 |newspaper=[[Atlanta Journal-Constitution]] |page=E2 |via=[[Newspapers.com]]}}</ref> to telecast a Major League Baseball game on those dates. ''Baseball Night in America''<ref>{{cite news|title=Networking the Ballparks : ABC and NBC Take Separate Turns at Bat to Drive Home Regular and Post-Season Play|url=https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1994-07-10-tv-13796-story.html|author=Robert Koehler|newspaper=Los Angeles Times|date=July 10, 1994|access-date=July 2, 2012}}</ref> (which premiered<ref>{{YouTube|title=KAPP 35 ABC Commercials July 13, 1994|id=hLedPa6SkpM}}</ref> on July 16, 1994) usually aired up to fourteen games<ref>{{cite news|title=The Baseball Network May Strike Out on 1st Pitch|url=http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=RO&p_theme=ro&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0EAEA3A978338713&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM|newspaper=[[The Roanoke Times]]|date=June 11, 1994|access-date=May 31, 2011}}</ref> based on the viewers' region (affiliates chose games of local interest to carry) as opposed to a traditional coast-to-coast format.<ref>{{cite news|title=Baseball on Tv Won't Be The Baseball That You're Used to the Picture Tube Will Still Be The Same Shape (probably). Very Little Else Will Be Familiar, However.|url=http://articles.philly.com/1994-04-02/sports/25864705_1_baseball-network-tv-simple-formula|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150129094159/http://articles.philly.com/1994-04-02/sports/25864705_1_baseball-network-tv-simple-formula|url-status=dead|archive-date=January 29, 2015|author=Jayson Stark|newspaper=The Philadelphia Inquirer|date=April 2, 1994|access-date=July 2, 2012}}</ref> Normally, announcers who represented each of the teams playing in the respective games were paired with each other. More specifically, on regional Saturday night broadcasts and all non-"national" broadcasts, TBN let the two lead announcers from the opposing teams call the games involving their teams together.

Postseason coverage would have also alternated between the two networks. In even-numbered years, NBC would have the rights to the [[Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]] and both [[League Championship Series]] while ABC would have the [[World Series]]<ref name="TBNTales">{{cite news|title=More tales of The Baseball Network|url=http://archives.dailyegyptian.com/imported-20111018201841/1995/7/26/more-tales-of-the-baseball-network-abc-lost-the-1994-world-s.html|newspaper=SIU Daily Egyptian|date=July 26, 1995|access-date=February 12, 2015|quote=ABC lost the 1994 World Series; this was supposed to be NBC's year. Instead, they split the spoils. Who got the better of the deal? Let's see. The networks each get 6 percent of the advertising revenues; baseball gets 88 percent. Call it a draw.|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141205073735/http://archives.dailyegyptian.com/imported-20111018201841/1995/7/26/more-tales-of-the-baseball-network-abc-lost-the-1994-world-s.html|archive-date=December 5, 2014|url-status=dead}}</ref> and newly created [[Division Series]].<ref>{{Cite news |last=Quindt |first=Fritz |date=1994-07-15 |title=Once a week, The Baseball Network will wield control over all but the inevitable |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings/title/ccaxyyymekjahivndzztmipilvhmbaix_ip-10-166-46-147_1737423755593 |access-date=2025-01-21 |work=San Diego Union-Tribune |page=25 |via=[[GenealogyBank.com]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=August 24, 1993|title=Baseball players unlikely to endorse new playoffs|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1926&dat=19930824&id=x2ArAAAAIBAJ&pg=3629,6403902&hl=en|newspaper=The Daily Reporter}}</ref>

When the [[1994–95 Major League Baseball strike|player's strike]] began on August 12, ABC had only aired games on four of its six scheduled dates,<ref>{{cite news|title=Abc Hopes There's No Baseball Strike, But Just in Case . . . |url=https://www.chicagotribune.com/1994/07/15/abc-hopes-theres-no-baseball-strike-but-just-in-case/|author=Terry Armour|newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]]|date=July 15, 1994|access-date=July 2, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |date=July 30, 1994|title=Networks bracing for baseball strike|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19940730&id=4c0zAAAAIBAJ&pg=5474,8535691&hl=en|newspaper=Gainesville Sun}}</ref> while NBC's slate was supposed to begin on August 26.<ref>{{cite news |last=Lammer|first=Patrick|date=December 31, 1994|title=Simpson saga 1994 Lammys story of the year|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1356&dat=19941231&id=dMwwAAAAIBAJ&pg=6604,4376687&hl=en|newspaper=Ocala Star-Banner}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|title=Baseball gets a late start on network television|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1320&dat=19940709&id=zs0zAAAAIBAJ&pg=3829,2471957|author=Larry Stewart|newspaper=[[Gainesville Sun]]|date=July 9, 1994|access-date=December 12, 2014}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Felts|first=Jerry|date=July 9, 1994|title=Network good news for fans|url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19940609&id=aoQ0AAAAIBAJ&pg=2330,1335653&hl=en|newspaper=Times Daily}}</ref> 

{| class="wikitable"
! Network || Day of week || Announcers 
|-
| [[The Baseball Network|ABC]]
| Saturday nights<br>[[Monday Night Baseball|Monday nights]]
| [[Al Michaels]], [[Jim Palmer]], [[Tim McCarver]] {{see also|The Baseball Network announcers}}
|-
| [[The Baseball Network|NBC]]
| Friday nights<ref group=n1 name=n6>Due to the strike, [[Major League Baseball on NBC|NBC]] wasn't able to broadcast their slate of games for [[The Baseball Network]], which was supposed to begin on August 26.</ref>
| [[Bob Costas]], [[Joe Morgan]], [[Bob Uecker]]
|-
| [[ESPN Major League Baseball|ESPN]]
| [[Sunday Night Baseball|Sunday nights]]<br>[[Wednesday Night Baseball|Wednesday nights]]
| [[Jon Miller]], [[Joe Morgan]] {{see also|List of ESPN Major League Baseball broadcasters}}
|}

==Events==
*January 12 – [[Steve Carlton]] is elected to the [[Baseball Hall of Fame]] by the [[Baseball Writers' Association of America]], receiving almost 96% of the vote. [[Orlando Cepeda]] falls seven votes short of the 75% required for election.
*February 7 – Basketball superstar [[Michael Jordan]] signs a minor league contract with the [[1994 Chicago White Sox season|Chicago White Sox]]. He is invited to spring training with the team as a non-roster player.
*February 25 – The Veterans Committee elects [[Phil Rizzuto]] and [[Leo Durocher]] to the Baseball Hall of Fame.
*April 1–3 – [[BC Place]] in [[Vancouver]], [[British Columbia]], hosted an exhibition tournament with the [[1994 Seattle Mariners season|Seattle Mariners]], [[1994 Colorado Rockies season|Colorado Rockies]], [[1994 Toronto Blue Jays season|Toronto Blue Jays]], and the [[1994 Montreal Expos season|Montreal Expos]] participating.<ref>{{cite web|url= http://www.vancourier.com/sports/Baseball+Place+thing+past/5265433/story.html |title=Baseball in B.C. Place: a thing of the past? |publisher=Vancouver Courier |date= August 18, 2011 |access-date=February 10, 2013}}</ref>
*April 4 – At [[Wrigley Field]], [[1994 Chicago Cubs season|Chicago Cubs]] [[outfielder]] [[Tuffy Rhodes]] blasts three home runs on Opening Day, defeating [[1994 New York Mets season|New York Mets]] [[pitcher]] [[Dwight Gooden]]. Rhodes becomes the first player in major league history to hit home runs in his first three [[at-bats]] of the season. In spite of Rhodes' unexpected home run barrage, the Cubs lose the game, 12–8.
*April 8 – [[Kent Mercker]] of the [[1994 Atlanta Braves season|Atlanta Braves]] pitches a 6–0 no-hitter against the [[1994 Los Angeles Dodgers season|Los Angeles Dodgers]] at [[Dodger Stadium]], striking out 10 in the process. For Mercker, it is his first complete game in the Major Leagues.
*July 12 – [[Moisés Alou]]'s walk-off double in the 10th inning gives the [[National League (baseball)|National League]] an 8–7 victory over the [[American League]] in the [[1994 Major League Baseball All-Star Game|All-Star Game]]. The NL is now a perfect 9–0 in extra-inning contests. [[John Hudek]] of the [[1994 Houston Astros season|Houston Astros]] becomes the first pitcher in major league history to appear in an All-Star Game before recording a major league victory. [[Fred McGriff]], whose two-run home run in the 9th inning tied the score, takes MVP honors.
*July 28 – [[Kenny Rogers (baseball)|Kenny Rogers]] of the [[1994 Texas Rangers season|Texas Rangers]] throws [[Kenny Rogers' perfect game|the fourteenth]] [[Perfect game (baseball)|perfect game]] in Major League history.
*August 11 – The final games of the Major League season are played on this date. The next day, the players' strike begins.  Minor League Baseball games are not affected.
*September 14 – The remainder of the Major League season (along with the postseason) is canceled by acting commissioner [[Bud Selig]] after 34 days of the players' strike. There would be no World Series for the first time since 1904.

==Movies==
The following are baseball movies released in 1994:
*''[[Major League II]]''
*''[[Little Big League]]''
*''[[Angels in the Outfield (1994 film)|Angels in the Outfield]]''
*''[[Baseball (documentary)|Baseball: A Film by Ken Burns]]'' (TV documentary)
*''[[The Scout (1994 film)|The Scout]]''
*''[[Cobb (film)|Cobb]]''

==Deaths==
*January 8 – [[Harvey Haddix]], 68, All-Star pitcher best remembered for a 1959 game with the Pirates in which he threw 12 [[Perfect game (baseball)|perfect]] innings before losing in the 13th; won 20 games for 1953 Cardinals and earned three Gold Gloves. Member of 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates, who won the World Series.
*January 9 – [[Johnny Temple]], 66, All-Star second baseman, primarily for the Cincinnati Reds, who batted .300 three times
*January 10 – [[Chub Feeney]], 72, National League president from 1970 to 1986; previously an executive and broadcaster with the Giants
*February 12 – [[Ray Dandridge]], 80, Hall of Fame third baseman of the Negro leagues who often batted over .350
*March 16 – [[Eric Show]], 37, pitcher who won 100 games for the San Diego Padres and surrendered [[Pete Rose]]'s record 4,192nd hit
*May 9 – [[Ralph Brickner]], 69, pitcher for the Boston Red Sox in the 1950s
*June 12 – [[Jim Brock]], 57, coach at Arizona State since 1972 who led the [[Arizona State Sun Devils baseball|Sun Devils]] to two College World Series titles (1977, 1981)
*June 23 – [[Marv Throneberry]], 62, first baseman for the Yankees, Orioles, Mets, and Kansas City A's
*July 14 – [[César Tovar]], 54, outfielder for the Minnesota Twins who in 1968 became the second major leaguer to play all nine positions in a game; had his team's only hit on five occasions
*September 5 – [[Hank Aguirre]], 63, All-Star pitcher who led AL in ERA in 1962 with the Detroit Tigers
*December 26 – [[Allie Reynolds]], 77, 6-time All-Star pitcher, mainly with the Yankees, who led AL in ERA in 1952 and in strikeouts and shutouts twice; in 1951 was first AL pitcher to throw two no-hitters in same year, and was MVP runner-up in 1952; career .630 winning percentage

==Notes==
{{reflist|group=n1}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
*[https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/1994-schedule.shtml 1994 Major League Baseball season schedule at Baseball Reference]

{{1994 MLB season by team}}
{{MLB seasons}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:1994 Major League Baseball Season}}
[[Category:1994 Major League Baseball season| ]]
[[Category:Major League Baseball seasons]]
[[Category:1994 in American sports]]