Eight of the Best Snow Games in Major League Baseball History

Snowy baseball games are a rare event, delighting all who witness this captivating spectacle.

The presence of snow not only frosts the baseball field into a picturesque wintery wonderland, but it also becomes a canvas for the extraordinary feats of players.

Our post is a collection of eight such snowy games, where players braved it on despite the inclement weather. These games are a testament to the willpower, strength and talent of these ballplayers. They also had an element of surprise while preserving the enduring legacy of baseball as exciting and dynamic sport.

Each hit, catch, and pitch becomes a testament to the unwavering spirit of the players, making snowy games not just a display of athletic prowess but a celebration of the indomitable human spirit against the backdrop of a winter wonderland.

Does MLB Play in the Snow?

Major League Baseball has allowed games to be played in the snow. The official rule for inclement weather games is that, so long as the conditions are not detrimental to players or fans, the game can continue. Snow can be quite challenging for players and fans alike.

While baseball games in the snow hold aesthetic appeal, it’s not easy to sit for two and a half hours in the stands in snowy or cold conditions.

Playing in the snow presents several challenges, including reduced visibility, slippery surfaces affecting movement and fielding, and difficulties in gripping the ball due to cold and wet conditions. These factors can impact both offensive and defensive aspects of the game, making it more challenging for players.

A few things about the timing of the Major League Baseball season:

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Are Baseball Games Played in the Winter?

The Major League Baseball season usually starts officially in late March, though players arrive in late January for Spring Training, either in Arizona or Florida. Most of the country by then will have begun to feel the effects of the autumn’s coolness and, in some days, cold, but in these two states, it’s a rarity for temperatures to linger near freezing. The typical occurrence of snow on the baseball field is limited to flurries, painting an idyllic scene. In more exceptional instances, a complete blanket of snow becomes a captivating spectacle.

The World Series, Major League Baseball’s premier event, typically starts after the conclusion of the regular season in October, with occasional games [as of 2023] extending into November.

The first World Series occurred in 1903. Since then, three have been played in November. The following chart shows each World Series along with its latest ending date; in parentheses is the number of games played in November for that specific series:

None of the games in the World Series mentioned above featured snow, even though most of the venues are in northern climates.

Now that we’ve covered the latest that a game in Major League Baseball has occurred, and the other parts of the season that games are played, let’s continue with memorable matches that occurred in the snow.

You may be asking, Doesn’t the MLB play baseball in the winter? Perhaps you’ve seen live games on TV broadcast in February or January. Around the end of January, when the games begin, the weather by that time is warm. Games are held during a period known as Spring Training, when players prepare for the real games ahead that count toward the season’s records.

This lasts until the end of March. Teams square off in exhibition games, and both team and player stats won’t officially account. The venues for these games are in Arizona and Florida. During those months the weather is warm, and snow has never occurred in those games.

Here are eight memorable snowy moments in Major League Baseball history:

1. New York Yankees vs. Kansas City Royals (April 9, 1996)

On Opening Day 1996, the Yankees faced the Kansas City Royals in a game played amidst falling snow, a pivotal moment for the championship-winning team. Despite challenging weather, pitcher Andy Pettitte showcased his skill, pitching six strong innings. Other notable contributions, including Bernie Williams‘ sacrifice fly and impressive performances from players like Paul O’Neill and Jim Leyritz, secured a decisive victory. This snowy April day symbolized the commencement of the Yankees’ championship journey.

2. Toronto Blue Jays vs Chicago White Sox (April 7, 1977)

In a snowy showdown at Toronto’s Exhibition Stadium, the Toronto Blue Jays made their Major League Baseball debut against the Chicago White Sox, securing a historic 9-5 victory in front of over 44,000 skeptical fans in freezing temperatures and heavy snow showers. The head umpire, Nestor Chylak, decided the game would go on. The Blue Jays defied expectations with Doug Ault hitting the franchise’s first-ever home run, contributing to their impressive 16 hits on this memorable day. Rookie manager Roy Hartsfield guided the team to success, marking the beginning of a significant chapter in Blue Jays history. While the 1977 season ended with 54 wins and a last-place finish, the fans would forever cherish the team’s rookie MLB campaign that started with a historic win in the snow.

3. Colorado Rockies vs. San Francisco Giants (May 8, 2019)

When Major League Baseball announced in 1991 that they would add two new teams and one of these would be from Colorado, one of the first things I imagined was snow blanketing the field. How would baseball handle the challenges of inclement weather, I asked myself, in a state famous for snow? Remarkably, there have been few games that have been snowed out at Coors Field, the home of the Rockies. In this particular game, the Colorado Rockies beat the San Francisco Giants 12-11 at a snowy Coors Field. The Rockies built a 7-0 lead early, but the Giants rallied, tying the game in the sixth. This remarkable game lasted nearly four hours in 40 °F (4.44 °C) weather.

4. Florida Marlins vs. Cleveland Indians – 1997 World Series, Game Four (Oct. 22, 1997)

Snow blanketed the field during batting practice prior to the 1997 World Series Game 4 featuring the Marlins against the Indians at Cleveland’s Jacobs Field. With the temperature at 3.3 °C (38 °F) and a wind chill of -7.7 °C (18 °F), it is officially the coldest World Series game ever. The snowy scene added a surreal touch to the Fall Classic. Snow had glistened the diamond, yet game proceeded, with the Marlins eventually winning 10-3. This win tied the series at 2-2, eventually leading to the Marlins clinching their first World Series title in seven games.

5. Chicago Cubs vs. Pittsburgh Pirates (April 9, 2018)

The Chicago Cubs’ home opener against the Pirates was postponed due to snow, creating wintry conditions more fitting for Christmas than baseball. The Cubs eventually called off the game, rescheduling it for two days later. This marks the first home opener delay at Wrigley Field since 2003. The field, covered in about an inch of snow, made safe play impossible. Players like Javier Báez and José Quintana, unaccustomed to snow, found some enjoyment in the unusual weather.

6. Baltimore Orioles vs. Cleveland Indians (March 31, 2003)

On Opening Day 2003, a sudden snowstorm briefly delayed the Orioles’ regular-season opener at Camden Yards. The heavy snowflakes forced a 13-minute delay. Baltimore Mayor Martin O’M