2006 Major League Baseball season

The 2006 Major League Baseball season ended with the National League's St. Louis Cardinals winning the World Series with the lowest regular-season victory total (83) in a fully-played season in major league history. The Atlanta Braves failed to qualify for the postseason for the first time since 1990 (1994 there was no postseason due to the players strike). Individual achievements included Barry Bonds who, despite questions surrounding his alleged steroid use and involvement in the BALCO scandal, surpassed Babe Ruth for second place on the career home runs list. The American League continued its domination at the All-Star Game by winning its fourth straight game, and ninth of the prior 10 contests (the 2002 game was a tie).

Bracket
 

All-Star game

 * All-Star Game, July 11 at PNC Park – American League, 3–2; Michael Young, MVP
 * Century 21 Home Run Derby, July 10 – Ryan Howard, Philadelphia Phillies

Other awards

 * Comeback Players of the Year: Jim Thome (Designated hitter, CWS, American); Nomar Garciaparra (First baseman, LAD, National).
 * Edgar Martínez Award (Best designated hitter): David Ortiz (BOS)
 * Hank Aaron Award: Derek Jeter (NYY, American); Ryan Howard (PHI, National).
 * Roberto Clemente Award (Humanitarian): Carlos Delgado (NYM).
 * Rolaids Relief Man Award: Francisco Rodríguez (LAA, American); Trevor Hoffman (SD, National).
 * Delivery Man of the Year (Best Reliever): Mariano Rivera (NYY).
 * Warren Spahn Award (Best left-handed pitcher): Johan Santana (MIN)

National League
±hosted the MLB All Star Game

300–300 Club members

 * Reggie Sanders — June 10
 * Steve Finley — June 14

Home Runs
The following players reached major home run milestones in 2006:

Barry Bonds' countdown to 715

 * May 21 — reached 714 career homers, tying Babe Ruth for second all time
 * May 28 — reached 715 career homers, passing Ruth for second all time

400 career homers

 * Mike Piazza — April 26
 * Carlos Delgado — August 22

300 career homers

 * Jeromy Burnitz — April 4
 * Moisés Alou — April 13
 * Reggie Sanders — June 10 (also joining the 300–300 club)
 * Steve Finley — June 14 (also joining the 300–300 club)

200 career homers

 * Jeff Conine — April 16
 * Magglio Ordóñez — April 29
 * Eric Chavez — May 2
 * Jermaine Dye — May 14
 * Carlos Lee — May 24
 * Phil Nevin — June 19
 * Lance Berkman — June 21
 * Carl Everett — June 21
 * Nomar Garciaparra — June 25
 * David Ortiz — June 29
 * Alfonso Soriano — August 13
 * Bobby Abreu — August 22
 * Carlos Beltrán — August 26

Entry into the top 500

 * Trot Nixon on April 5 with his 126th career homer
 * Jason Varitek on June 13 with his 126th career homer
 * Vernon Wells on June 14 with his 126th career homer
 * Aubrey Huff on July 1 with his 126th career homer
 * Raúl Ibañez on July 15 with his 126th career homer
 * Mark Teixeira on August 19 with his 127th career homer

Pitching

 * Trevor Hoffman of the San Diego Padres broke Lee Smith's record of 478 Saves on September 24, 2006, at Petco Park.

Hitting

 * Alfonso Soriano of the Washington Nationals become only the fourth player to join the 40–40 club, joining José Canseco, Barry Bonds, and Alex Rodriguez when he stole his 40th base of the season on September 16. Six days later he became the first person ever to reach 40 home runs, 40 stolen bases and 40 doubles in one season.

Other achievements

 * Matt Holliday hit the longest home run of the season in MLB against the San Francisco Giants on September 19 with an official distance of 443 ft; HitTracker estimated it at 496 ft.

Television coverage
This was the sixth and final season that national television coverage was split between ESPN and Fox Sports (TBS would then be added to televising national coverage in 2007). ESPN and ESPN2 aired selected weeknight and Sunday night games, and selected Division Series playoff games. Fox televised Saturday baseball, the All-Star Game, selected Division Series games, both League Championship Series, and the World Series.

Events

 * April 3 – The Florida Marlins set a modern major-league record by starting six rookies in their opening day 1-0 loss to the Houston Astros.