1973 Major League Baseball season

The 1973 Major League Baseball season was the first season of the designated hitter rule in the American League.

American League umpires began wearing burgundy blazers with blue pants, a change from the navy blue coats and gray pants worn the previous five seasons (–). The burgundy blazers were worn through.

California Angels ace Nolan Ryan broke Sandy Koufax's strikeout record of 382 when he struck out 383 batters during the season.

The Oakland Athletics won their second straight World Series championship in seven games over the New York Mets.

The Kansas City Royals moved from Municipal Stadium to the new Royals Stadium (adjacent to the Chiefs' football facility) and also hosted the All-Star Game on July 24 with the NL defeating the AL, 7–1.

The New York Yankees played their final season at the original Yankee Stadium; it was closed for remodeling during the 1974 and 1975 seasons.

In California on June 19, Pete Rose of the Cincinnati Reds and Willie Davis of the Los Angeles Dodgers both collected their 2000th career hit. Rose singled against the San Francisco Giants while Davis hit a home run against the Atlanta Braves.

A lockout in the offseason (February 8–25) did not result in any regular season games being canceled, but the start of spring training was delayed.

Awards and honors

 * Baseball Hall of Fame
 * Roberto Clemente
 * Billy Evans
 * Monte Irvin
 * George Kelly
 * Warren Spahn
 * Mickey Welch
 * Most Valuable Player
 * Reggie Jackson (AL) Oakland Athletics
 * Pete Rose (NL) Cincinnati Reds
 * Cy Young Award
 * Jim Palmer (AL) Baltimore Orioles
 * Tom Seaver (NL) New York Mets
 * Rookie of the Year
 * Al Bumbry (AL) Baltimore Orioles
 * Gary Matthews (NL) San Francisco Giants
 * Gold Glove Award
 * George Scott (1B) (AL)
 * Bobby Grich (2B) (AL)
 * Brooks Robinson (3B) (AL)
 * Mark Belanger (SS) (AL)
 * Paul Blair (OF) (AL)
 * Amos Otis (OF) (AL)
 * Mickey Stanley (OF) (AL)
 * Thurman Munson (C) (AL)
 * Jim Kaat (P) (AL)

Bracket
 

Television coverage
NBC was the exclusive national TV broadcaster of MLB, airing the weekend Game of the Week, Monday Night Baseball, the All-Star Game, both League Championship Series, and the World Series.