Champions Major League Baseball National League: Pittsburgh Pirates American League: Baltimore Orioles 1971 World Series: Pittsburgh (NL) def. Baltimore (AL), 4 games to 3. Inter-league playoff: Pittsburgh (NL) declined challenge by Tokyo Yomiuri Giants. World Series MVP: Roberto Clemente All-Star Game, July 13 at Tiger Stadium: American League, 6–4; Frank Robinson, MVP Other champions Amateur World Series: Cuba College World Series: USC Japan Series: Yomiuri Giants over Hankyu Braves (4–1) Big League World Series: District 44 LL, Cupertino, California Little League World Series: Tainan, Taiwan Senior League World Series: La Habra, California Pan American Games: Cuba over United States Winter Leagues 1971 Caribbean Series: Tigres del Licey Dominican Republic League: Tigres del Licey Mexican Pacific League: Naranjeros de Hermosillo Puerto Rican League: Cangrejeros de Santurce Venezuelan League: Tiburones de La Guaira Awards and honors Baseball Hall of Fame Dave Bancroft Jake Beckley Chick Hafey Harry Hooper Joe Kelley Rube Marquard Satchel Paige George Weiss Most Valuable Player Vida Blue (AL) Oakland Athletics Joe Torre (NL) St. Louis Cardinals Cy Young Award Vida Blue (AL) Oakland Athletics Ferguson Jenkins (NL) Chicago Cubs Rookie of the Year Chris Chambliss (AL) Cleveland Indians Earl Williams (NL) Atlanta Braves Gold Glove Award George Scott (1B) (AL) Davey Johnson (2B) (AL) Brooks Robinson (3B) (AL) Mark Belanger (SS) (AL) Paul Blair (OF) (AL) Amos Otis (OF) (AL) Carl Yastrzemski (OF) (AL) Ray Fosse (C) (AL) Jim Kaat (P) (AL) Wes Parker (1B) (NL) Tommy Helms (2B) (NL) Doug Rader (3B) (NL) Bud Harrelson (SS) (NL) Bobby Bonds (OF) (NL) Roberto Clemente (OF) (NL) Willie Davis (OF) (NL) Johnny Bench (C) (NL) Bob Gibson (P) (NL) Statistical leaders Major league baseball final standings American League final standings National League final standings Events January–February January 7 – The ruptured Achilles tendon of Reds centerfielder Bobby Tolan brings an end to two sports seasons. Tolan suffers the injury while playing basketball for the Reds offseason squad. He misses the baseball season because of the injury and the Cincinnati front office orders the basketball team to be disbanded as a result. January 11 – Tigers pitcher John Hiller suffers a heart attack at age 27. he'll miss this season but will make a remarkable comeback. January 18 – The Pittsburgh Pirates sign Tony Armas as a free agent. January 31 – The new Special Veterans Committee selects seven men for enshrinement to the Hall of Fame: former players Dave