The 1983 Major League Baseball season ended with the Baltimore Orioles defeating the Philadelphia Phillies in the fifth game of the World Series. Rick Dempsey was named MVP of the Series. The All-Star Game was held on July 6 at Comiskey Park; the American League won by a score of 13âÂÂ3, with California Angels outfielder Fred Lynn being named MVP. As of the end of the 2025 season this remains the most recent full season where no player hit for the cycle in a game (excluding the 2020 season which was shortened due to the COVID-19 pandemic). This would be the final full season for Bowie Kuhn as commissioner of baseball.
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On July 24, in the game now known as the Pine Tar Game, George Brett hits an apparent go-ahead 2-run home run off Goose Gossage in the ninth inning of a game against the New York Yankees at Yankee Stadium. However, Yankees manager Billy Martin challenges that Brett's bat had more than the of pine tar allowed, and home plate umpire Tim McClelland upholds Martin's challenge. After being called out and having the home run nullified, Brett goes ballistic and charges out of the dugout after McClelland. The AL president's office later upholds the Kansas City Royals protest, restoring the home run, and the game is completed on August 18, with the Royals winning 5âÂÂ4.
This was the last season of USA Network Thursday Night Baseball, as MLB decided to only renew the contracts with ABC and NBC.