When comparing baseball stats between seasons, I sometimes catch myself when I come across a stat from maybe 1994 or perhaps 1981. Then one second before I realize “Oh yeah, the strike-shortened year” or whatever.
So for my own edification then anything, here are the list of baseball seasons that were shortened by labor strikes, lockouts, or whatever reason and the number of actual games played that season.
Disclaimer: The amount of games played indicated are approximate figures. Obviously in the cases of mid-season interruptions, some teams played more, some less.
1918 |
129 games played |
The season was shortened due to World War I.
1919 |
140 games played |
Team owners decided to shorten the season to 140 games in 1919 in anticipation of low attendance (because of WWI in the previous years). Attendance actually surprised them and was high and they turned a profit.
1972 |
156 games played |
Due to the 1972 Major League Baseball Strike.
1981 |
111 games played |
Due to the 1981 Major League Baseball Strike.
1994 |
117 games played |
Due to the 1994 Major League Baseball Strike.
1995 |
144 games played |
The 1995 season was abbreviated to 144 games because of the strike the previous year.
Also note that in the years 1901-1903 in both leagues, the seasons only consisted of 140 games.