1956 Major League Baseball season

February 2024 1956 1956 MLB season American League (AL)National League (NL) Baseball Regular season: April 17 – September 30, 1956World Series: October 3–10, 1956 154 16 (8 per league) NBC, CBS Regular season AL: Mickey Mantle (NYY)NL: Don Newcombe (BRO) Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award AL New York Yankees Cleveland Indians NL Brooklyn Dodgers Milwaukee Braves World Series 1956 World Series New York Yankees Brooklyn Dodgers Don Larsen (NYY) World Series Most Valuable Player Award List of MLB seasons MLB 1955 Major League Baseball season 1955 1957 Major League Baseball season 1957 The 1956 major league baseball season began on April 17, 1956. The regular season ended on September 30, with the Brooklyn Dodgers and New York Yankees as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. In a rematch of the previous season, the postseason began with Game 1 of the 53rd World Series on October 3 and ended with Game 7 on October 10. The series is notable for Yankees pitcher Don Larsen's perfect game in Game 5. In the seventh iteration of this Subway Series World Series matchup (and a rematch of the previous year), the Yankees defeated the Dodgers, four games to three, capturing their 17th championship in franchise history, since their previous in 1953. This would be the final Subway Series matchup between the two teams, as the next World Series between the two in 1963 would see a relocated Dodgers franchise in Los Angeles, California. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the Brooklyn Dodgers from the 1955 season. The 23rd All-Star Game was held on July 10 at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C., home of the Washington Senators. The National League won, 7–3. Schedule Major League Baseball schedule The 1956 schedule consisted of 154 games for all teams in the American League and National League, each of which had eight teams. Each team was scheduled to play 22 games against the other seven teams of their respective league. This continued the format put in place since the 1904 season (except for 1919) and would be used until 1961 in the American League and 1962 in the National League. Opening Day took place on April 17, featuring all sixteen teams, the first time since 1954. The final day of the regular season was on September 30, which also saw all sixteen teams play, continuing the trend from the previous season. This was the first time since 1950 that all sixteen teams played their first and last games on the same days. The World Series took place between October 3 and October 10. Rule changes The 1956 season saw the following rule changes: In an effort to speed up the pace of play, the American League limited the number of times a nonplayer (such as the manager or coaches) could visit the pitcher's mound to one, per each pitcher. A second visit would necessitate the removal of the pitcher.Voiss Dale 1955 Winter Meetings: Majors and Minors Clash Over Money – Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/1955-winter-meetings-majors-and-minors-clash-over-money/ 2025-06-12 en-US The National League required that batting helmets must be worn by all hitters. Teams An asterisk (*) denotes the ballpark a team played the minority of their home games at LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManager1956 Major League Managers https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1956-managers.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com enAmerican League American LeagueBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium47,866Paul Richards baseballBoston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park34,824Pinky HigginsChicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisComiskey Park46,550Marty MarionCleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium73,811Al LópezDetroit TigersDetroit, MichiganBriggs Stadium58,000Bucky HarrisKansas City AthleticsKansas City, MissouriMunicipal Stadium30,296Lou BoudreauNew York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium67,000Casey StengelWashington SenatorsWashington, D.C.Griffith Stadium29,023Chuck DressenNational League National League (baseball) National LeagueBrooklyn DodgersNew York, New YorkEbbets Field31,902Walter AlstonJersey City, New JerseyRoosevelt Stadium*24,167*Chicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field36,755Stan HackCincinnati RedlegsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field29,584Birdie TebbettsMilwaukee BravesMilwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee County Stadium43,117Charlie GrimmFred HaneyNew York GiantsNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds54,500Bill RigneyPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaConnie Mack Stadium33,359Mayo SmithPittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field34,249Bobby BraganSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriBusch Stadium30,500Fred Hutchinson Standings start American League New York Yankees break National League Brooklyn Dodgers end Tie games 7 tie games (2 in AL, 5 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again) occurred throughout the season. start American League The Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, Detroit Tigers, and Washington Senators had one tie game each. June 13, Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox, tied at 8 after 11 innings following a 33 minute rain delay.Retrosheet Boxscore: Boston Red Sox 8, Cleveland Indians 8 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1956/B06130BOS1956.htm 2026-04-28 www.retrosheet.org June 26, Washington Senators vs. Detroit Tigers, tied at 2 after a shortened game of five innings due to rain.Retrosheet Boxscore: Detroit Tigers 2, Washington Senators 2 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1956/B06260DET1956.htm 2026-04-28 www.retrosheet.org Game was also protested by the Tigers, but disallowed.Washington Nationals vs Detroit Tigers Box Score: June 26, 1956 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET195606260.shtml 2025-10-09 Baseball-Reference.com en break National League The Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates had three tie games each. The St. Louis Cardinals had two tie games. The Cincinnati Redlegs and Milwaukee Braves had one tie game each. April 22, Cincinnati Redlegs vs. Chicago Cubs, tied at 1 after a shortened game of seven innings on account of darkness.Retrosheet Boxscore: Chicago Cubs 1, Cincinnati Reds 1 (2) https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1956/B04222CHN1956.htm 2026-04-28 www.retrosheet.org May 6 (game 2), Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Chicago Cubs, tied at 6 after a shortened game of seven innings on account of darkness.Retrosheet Boxscore: Chicago Cubs 6, Pittsburgh Pirates 6 (2) https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1956/B05062CHN1956.htm 2026-04-28 www.retrosheet.org July 18, Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals, tied at 1 after nine innings due to rain. Pirate Vern Law had struck out in the 10th but this was negated, as well as Cardinal Hal R. Smith's entry at catcher.Retrosheet Boxscore: St. Louis Cardinals 1, Pittsburgh Pirates 1 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1956/B07180SLN1956.htm 2026-04-28 www.retrosheet.org August 12, St. Louis Cardinals vs. Chicago Cubs, scoreless tie after nine innings on account of darkness. Game was made up on September 25.Retrosheet Boxscore: Chicago Cubs 0, St. Louis Cardinals 0 (2) https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1956/B08122CHN1956.htm 2026-04-28 www.retrosheet.org August 30, Pittsburgh Pirates vs. Milwaukee Braves, tied at 1 after a walk and a flyout in the top of the 9th inning due to rain.Retrosheet Boxscore: Milwaukee Braves 1, Pittsburgh Pirates 1 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1956/B08300MLN1956.htm 2026-04-28 www.retrosheet.org end Postseason The postseason began on October 3 and ended on October 10 with the New York Yankees defeating the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1956 World Series in seven games. Bracket World Series AL New York Yankees 4 NL Brooklyn Dodgers 3 Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerNew York GiantsLeo DurocherBill RigneyPittsburgh PiratesFred HaneyBobby BraganSt. Louis CardinalsHarry WalkerFred Hutchinson In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerMilwaukee BravesCharlie GrimmFred Haney League leaders American League start + Hitting leaders1956 American League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1956-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total AVG Mickey Mantle1 (NYY) .353 OPS Mickey Mantle (NYY) 1.169 HR Mickey Mantle1 (NYY) 52 RBI Mickey Mantle1 (NYY) 130 R Mickey Mantle (NYY) 132 H Harvey Kuenn (DET) 196 SB Luis Aparicio (CWS) 21 1 Major League Triple Crown batting winner break + Pitching leaders1956 American League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1956-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total W Frank Lary (DET) 21 L Art Ditmar (KCA) 22 ERA Whitey Ford (NYY) 2.47 K Herb Score (CLE) 263 IP Frank Lary (DET) 294.0 SV George Zuverink (BAL) 16 WHIP Dick Donovan (CWS) 1.155 end National League start + Hitting leaders1956 National League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1956-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total AVG Hank Aaron (MIL) .328 OPS Duke Snider (BRO) .997 HR Duke Snider (BRO) 43 RBI Stan Musial (STL) 109 R Frank Robinson (CIN) 122 H Hank Aaron (MIL) 200 SB Willie Mays (NYG) 40 break + Pitching leaders1956 National League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1956-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total W Don Newcombe (BRO) 27 L Ron Kline (PIT)Robin Roberts (PHI) 18 ERA Lew Burdette (MIL) 2.70 K Sam Jones (CHC) 176 IP Bob Friend (PIT) 314.1 SV Clem Labine (BRO) 19 WHIP Don Newcombe (BRO) 0.989 end Milestones Batters Mickey Mantle (NYY): Won the Major League Triple Crown by leading both leagues in batting average (.353), home runs (52), and runs batted in (130). Dale Long (PIT): Set a Major League record by hitting home runs in eight consecutive games between May 19 and 28.Eagle Ed Most consecutive games with a home run https://www.mlb.com/news/consecutive-home-run-games-c265322182 2026-04-28 MLB.com en Ted Williams (BOS): Became the fifth player in Major League history to hit 400 home runs in the sixth inning against the Kansas City Athletics in game two of a doubleheader on July 17.Ted Williams Career Home Runs https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=willite01&t=b 2026-05-04 Baseball-Reference.com enThosar Deesha Every member of the 400-HR club https://www.mlb.com/news/400-home-run-club-c279297150 2026-05-04 MLB.com en Pitchers Perfect games List of Major League Baseball perfect games Don Larsen (NYY) Pitched the sixth perfect game in major league history and the first in franchise history on October 8, in Game 5 of the 1956 World Series against the Brooklyn Dodgers. It remains the only perfect game in World Series history. Larsen threw 97 pitches, 71 for strikes, and struck out seven in the 2–0 victory. No-hitters List of Major League Baseball no-hitters Carl Erskine (BRO): Erskine threw his second career no-hitter and the 12th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the New York Giants 3–0 on May 12. He walked two and struck out three, throwing 66 strikes on 102 pitches.New York Giants vs Brooklyn Dodgers Box Score: May 12, 1956 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO195605120.shtml 2024-12-17 Baseball-Reference.com en Mel Parnell (BOS): Parnell threw his first career no-hitter and the 11th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Chicago White Sox 4–0 on July 14. Parnell walked two and struck out four.Chicago White Sox vs Boston Red Sox Box Score: July 14, 1956 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BOS/BOS195607140.shtml 2024-12-17 Baseball-Reference.com en Sal Maglie (BRO/CLE): Maglie threw his first career no-hitter and the 13th no-hitter in franchise history as a member of the Brooklyn Dodgers, by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 5–0 on September 25. Maglie walked two and struck out three, throwing 71 strikes on 110 pitches.Philadelphia Phillies vs Brooklyn Dodgers Box Score: September 25, 1956 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO195609250.shtml 2024-12-17 Baseball-Reference.com en Other pitching accomplishments Jack Harshman (CWS) / Connie Johnson (BAL): The White Sox defeat the Orioles 1–0 at Comiskey Park in a game in which both pitchers throw matching one-hitters on June 21. This game was only the third double one-hitter thrown in the modern era (since 1901).https://baseball-reference.com/boxes/CHA/CHA195606210.shtml June 21, 1956 boxscore of double one-hitter from Baseball Reference baseball-reference.com September 15, 2023 Miscellaneous Ed Rommel: Was the first umpire to wear glasses in a Major League game on April 18. The game was played between the New York Yankees and the Washington Senators.Great Baseball Feats, Facts and Figures, 2008 Edition, p.43, David Nemec and Scott Flatow, A Signet Book, Penguin Group, New York, 978-0-451-22363-0 New York Yankees: Set a Major League record by leaving 20 players on base on September 21 against the Boston Red Sox at Fenway Park.Left on Base – Team Records in a Game http://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/left_on_base_records.shtml baseball-almanac.com June 6, 2012 Awards and honors Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie of the Year Frank Robinson (CIN) Luis Aparicio (CWS)Cy Young Award — Don Newcombe (BRO)Most Valuable Player Don Newcombe (BRO) Mickey Mantle (NYY)Babe Ruth Award(World Series MVP) — Don Larsen (NYY) Other awards Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award: Don Larsen (NYY) The Sporting News Awards Award National League American League Player of the YearMajor League Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snml.shtml 2025-01-14 www.baseball-almanac.com — Mickey Mantle (NYY) Pitcher of the YearPitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snpy2.shtml 2025-01-14 www.baseball-almanac.com Don Newcombe (BRO) Billy Pierce (CWS) Rookie of the YearRookie of the Year Award by The Sporting News Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snrp3.shtml 2025-01-14 www.baseball-almanac.com Frank Robinson (CIN) Luis Aparicio (CWS) Manager of the YearManager of the Year Award by The Sporting News Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snmy.shtml 2025-01-14 www.baseball-almanac.com Birdie Tebbetts (CIN) — Executive of the YearMLB Executive of the Year Award Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_sney.shtml 2025-01-14 www.baseball-almanac.com Gabe Paul (CIN) — Baseball Hall of Fame National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Hank Greenberg Joe Cronin 1956 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting Home field attendance Team nameWins%± Percent changeHome attendance%± Percent changePer game Average home attendance per gameMilwaukee Braveshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/attend.shtml Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com928.2%2,046,3312.0%26,576New York Yankeeshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/attend.shtml New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com971.0%1,491,7840.1%19,374Brooklyn Dodgershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/attend.shtml Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com93 −5.1%1,213,56217.4%15,761Boston Red Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com840.0%1,137,158 −5.5%14,579Cincinnati Redlegshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com9121.3%1,125,92862.3%14,622Detroit Tigershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/attend.shtml Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com823.8%1,051,182 −11.1%13,477St. Louis Cardinalshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com7611.8%1,029,77321.3%13,202Kansas City Athleticshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/attend.shtml Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com52 −17.5%1,015,154 −27.1%13,184Chicago White Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/attend.shtml Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com85 −6.6%1,000,090 −14.9%12,988Pittsburgh Pirateshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/attend.shtml Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com6610.0%949,878102.4%12,178Philadelphia Phillieshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/attend.shtml Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com71 −7.8%934,7981.3%12,140Baltimore Orioleshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/attend.shtml Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com6921.1%901,2015.8%11,704Cleveland Indianshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/attend.shtml Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com88 −5.4%865,467 −29.2%11,240Chicago Cubshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/attend.shtml Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com60 −16.7%720,118 −17.8%9,001New York Giantshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/attend.shtml San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com67 −16.3%629,179 −23.7%8,171Washington Senatorshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/attend.shtml Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com5911.3%431,6471.5%5,606 Venues The Brooklyn Dodgers began playing several home games in Jersey City, New Jersey, playing seven games on April 19, May 16, June 25, July 25, 31, August 7 and 15.Ballparks Los Angeles Dodgers https://www.mlb.com/dodgers/history/ballparks 2025-08-26 MLB.com en1956 Log For Roosevelt Stadium in Jersey City, NJ https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1956/PKL_JER021956.htm 2026-03-12 Retrosheet Media Television CBS aired the Saturday Game of the Week for the second consecutive year. The All-Star Game and World Series aired on NBC. Retired numbers Bob Feller had his No. 19 retired by the Cleveland Indians on December 28. This was the first number retired by the team. See also 1956 in baseball (Events, Births, Deaths) 1956 Nippon Professional Baseball season References External links 1956 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference Category:Major League Baseball seasons Category:1956 in baseball