Many notable teams are represented in the 1992 MLB standings. In the AL East, the defending World Series champs Toronto Blue Jays were a dominant team, repeating as league leaders and AL pennant winners. In the AL West, the Chicago White Sox soared to first place after four years of improvement. Frank Thomas was the linchpin of their offense, and their top pitchers combined for an impressive 58-53 record.
During this season, the league was split into three divisions, with one wild card team and three division winners. This change changed the nature and format of the postseason. Previously, it was death matches between teams with over 100 wins. Because of the lack of substance in the regular season, more marginal teams made it to the playoffs. This inevitably resulted in a shortened season and an early end to the season.
The National League saw the Pittsburgh Pirates win their third straight National League East title by beating the New York Mets 13-6. The Oakland Athletics clinched their fourth straight American League West title by defeating the Los Angeles Dodgers, while the Atlanta Braves finished off the Colorado Rockies and won the National League West. George Brett scores his 3,000th career hit against the California Angels in a Kansas City Royals match. He was awarded MVP honors.
The 1992 World Series was won by the Toronto Blue Jays, the first non-American team to do so. The Boston Red Sox sign Frank Viola as a free agent pitcher and elect Tom Seaver to the Baseball Hall of Fame. However, in 1992, Rose was banned from playing in the MLB and received only 41 write-in votes. Rose’s four-year ban didn’t hinder his career.
The Milwaukee Brewers trade Sammy Sosa and George Bell to the Chicago Cubs. The Baltimore Orioles beat the Cleveland Indians 2-0 in their first game at Oriole Park at Camden Yards, with Rick Sutcliffe throwing a shutout. These teams are now in contention to win the National League Central. This year’s postseason will be a wildcard year, so get excited. Your team must not fall behind.
The MLB is now in a stronger position than it was in 1992. Its new Collective Bargaining Agreement is helping to keep the league on solid ground. Moreover, the All-Star Game is hosted in San Diego this year, and the league’s crown jewel, Petco Park, is an ideal venue for the All-Star Game. All-Star Games, including the World Series, will be played in San Diego for the first time since the 1992 All-Star Game.
The 1990 season was wilder than the previous season. The World Series between Reds and Cubs saw the first time that Oakland Athletics and Los Angeles Dodgers were in the same order. The NL West saw some unexpected upsets, and both teams fought for the series until the last out. The series ended with the San Francisco Giants winning the series 4 to 0.