YEAR IN REVIEW : 2023 AMERICAN LEAGUE

Off the field...

The World Baseball Classic was postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic in 2021, but the latest Collective Bargaining Agreement indicated the officially sanctioned international baseball tournament would return in 2023, and did it ever. Twenty teams competed, major league baseball stars were encouraged to participate, record numbers of fans witnessed games, and in the end, Japan defeated the United States 3–2.

Queen Elizabeth II passed away on September 8, 2022. Subsequently, on May 6, 2023, the Coronation of King Charles III and Queen Camilla took place at Westminster Abbey in London, England.

In the American League...

The Minnesota Twins unveiled new logos and uniforms for the 2023 season. The updated Twins script, and uniform numbers, had no shadows or outlines on the home whites or away navy blues, which will serve as an alternate home uniform as well. They wore white pants at home and gray pinstripes on the road.

Management changes in the junior circuit included two General Manager changes; Scott Harris took over with the Detroit Tigers, and Justin Hollander is the new Seattle Mariners GM. In the dugout, Phil Nevin is no longer an interim skipper, and now has the helm with the Los Angeles Angels, John Schneider replaced Charlie Montoya as manager of the Toronto Blue Jays, Bruce Bochy replaced Chris Woodward with the Texas Rangers, and Pedro Grifol replaced the retiring hall of famer, Tony La Russa, with the Chicago White Sox.

Several American League teams announced plans to celebrate previous World Series titles, including the Baltimore Orioles, 40th Anniversary of 1983 World Series Championship, the Boston Red Sox, 10th Anniversary of 2013 World Series Championship, the New York Yankees, both the 25th Anniversary of 1998 World Series Championship and the 45th Anniversary of 1978 World Series Championship, as well as the Toronto Blue Jays, 30th Anniversary of 1993 World Series Championship.

In the National League...

The "MLB World Tour" continued in 2023, and this time it included the San Francisco Giants and San Diego Padres playing a two-game series at Alfredo Harp Helú Stadium in Mexico City, Mexico, on April 29-30, 2023. And the St. Louis Cardinals and Chicago Cubs played a two-game series at London Stadium in London, England, on June 24-25, 2023.

Management changes in the senior circuit included Pete Putila taking over as General Manager of the San Francisco Giants. In the dugout, Rob Thomson is no longer an interim skipper, and now has the Philadelphia Phillies Manager title, and Skip Schumaker took over for Don Mattingly with the Miami Marlins.

On November 14, 2022, the Arizona Diamondbacks revealed a new anniversary logo, which was worn as a patch on their jerseys in 2023. The commemorative patch is marking the 25th anniversary of the franchise.

Around the League...

The 93rd All-Star Game was played on July 11, 2023. It was hosted by the Seattle Mariners at T-Mobile Park in Seattle, Washington. Philadelphia Phillies manager Rob Thomson managed the National League team, while Houston Astros manager Dusty Baker managed the American League team.

The MLB at Field of Dreams game was not played in 2023, due to the construction of a new youth baseball and softball complex at the Field of Dreams site in Dyersville, Iowa.

Three major rule changes took place in 2023; a pitch clock was introduced, infield shifts were severely restricted, and all three bases increased in size from 15 to 18 inches.