1921 Major League Baseball season

February 2024 1921 1921 MLB season American League (AL)National League (NL) Baseball Regular season: April 13 – October 2, 1921World Series: October 5–13, 1921 154 16 (8 per league) Pennant winners AL New York Yankees Cleveland Indians NL New York Giants Pittsburgh Pirates World Series 1921 World Series New York Giants New York Yankees List of MLB seasons MLB 1920 Major League Baseball season 1920 1922 Major League Baseball season 1922 The 1921 major league baseball season began on April 13, 1921. The regular season ended on October 2, with the New York Giants and New York Yankees as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 18th World Series on October 5 and ended with Game 8 on October 13. In the first Subway Series World Series, the Giants defeated the Yankees, five games to three, capturing their second championship in franchise history, since their previous in 1905. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the Cleveland Indians from the 1920 season. 1921 was the first of three straight seasons in which the Yankees would lead the majors in wins. Babe Ruth broke the single season home run record for the third consecutive season by hitting 59 home runs in 152 games. Ruth also broke Roger Connor's record for the most home runs all time when he hit his 139th home run on July 18 against Bert Cole.Babe Ruth Career Home Runs https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.cgi?id=ruthba01&t=b The record for career strikeouts, previously held by Cy Young was also broken in 1921 by Walter Johnson; Johnson led the league in strikeouts with 143 and ended the season with 2,835 strikeouts. Young struck out 2,803 during his career.Progressive Leaders & Records for Strikeouts https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/SO_p_progress.shtml The Cincinnati Reds set a Major League record for the fewest strikeouts in a season, with only 308.Single Season Team Strikeout Records http://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_strike2.shtml 2012-06-06 Baseball Almanac Future Hall of Famers Kiki Cuyler and Goose Goslin both debuted in September 1921.1921 Major League Baseball New Debuts https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/MLB/1921-debuts.shtml Baseball Reference 2011-07-25 Schedule Major League Baseball schedule The 1921 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 13 with all but the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers playing. The final day of the regular season was on October 2. The World Series took place between October 5 and October 13. Teams LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManager1921 Major League Managers https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1921-managers.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference enAmerican League American LeagueBoston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park27,000Hugh DuffyChicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisComiskey Park28,000Kid GleasonCleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioDunn Field21,414Tris SpeakerDetroit TigersDetroit, MichiganNavin Field23,000Ty CobbNew York YankeesNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds38,000Miller HugginsPhiladelphia AthleticsPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaShibe Park23,000Connie MackSt. Louis BrownsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park24,040Lee FohlWashington SenatorsWashington, D.C.National Park27,000George McBrideNational League National League (baseball) National LeagueBoston BravesBoston, MassachusettsBraves Field40,000Fred Mitchell baseballBrooklyn RobinsNew York, New YorkEbbets Field30,000Wilbert RobinsonChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisCubs Park15,000Johnny EversBill KilleferCincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioRedland Field20,696Pat MoranNew York GiantsNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds38,000John McGrawPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaNational League Park18,000Bill DonovanKaiser Wilhelm baseballPittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field25,000George Gibson baseballSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park24,040Branch Rickey Standings start American League New York Yankees break National League New York Giants end Tie games 3 tie games (2 in AL, 1 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 Philadelphia Athletics had two tie games. The Detroit Tigers and Washington Senators had one tie game each. April 29, Washington Senators vs. Philadelphia Athletics, tied at 3 after 10 innings due to rain.Retrosheet Boxscore: Philadelphia Athletics 3, Washington Senators 3 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1921/B04290PHA1921.htm 2026-04-28 Retrosheet July 26, Detroit Tigers vs. Philadelphia Athletics, tied at 3 after the top of the 11th inning due to rain.Retrosheet Boxscore: Philadelphia Athletics 3, Detroit Tigers 3 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1921/B07260PHA1921.htm 2026-04-28 Retrosheet break National League October 1, Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals, tied at 4 after nine innings on account of darkness.Retrosheet Boxscore: St. Louis Cardinals 4, Pittsburgh Pirates 4 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1921/B10010SLN1921.htm 2026-04-28 Retrosheet end Postseason thumb|250px|right The postseason began on October 5 and ended on October 13 with the New York Giants defeating the New York Yankees in the 1921 World Series in eight games. Bracket World Series AL New York Yankees 3 NL New York Giants 5 Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBoston BravesGeorge StallingsFred MitchellBoston Red SoxEd BarrowHugh DuffyChicago CubsFred MitchellJohnny EversDetroit Tigers Hughie JenningsTy CobbPhiladelphia PhilliesGavvy CravathBill DonovanSt. Louis BrownsJimmy BurkeLee FohlWashington SenatorsClark GriffithGeorge McBride In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerChicago CubsJohnny EversBill KilleferPhiladelphia PhilliesBill DonovanKaiser Wilhelm League leaders American League start + Hitting leaders1921 American League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1921-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total AVG Harry Heilmann (DET) .394 OPS Babe Ruth (NYY) 1.359 HR Babe Ruth (NYY) 59 RBI Babe Ruth (NYY) 168 R Babe Ruth1 (NYY) 177 H Harry Heilmann (DET) 237 SB George Sisler (SLB) 35 1 Modern (1901–present) single-season runs record break + Pitching leaders1921 American League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1921-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total W Carl Mays (NYY)Urban Shocker (SLB) 27 L Eddie Rommel (PHA) 23 ERA Red Faber (CWS) 2.48 K Walter Johnson (WSH) 143 IP Carl Mays (NYY) 336.2 SV Carl Mays (NYY) 7 WHIP Red Faber (CWS) 1.149 end National League start + Hitting leaders1921 National League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1921-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total AVG Rogers Hornsby (STL) .397 OPS Rogers Hornsby (STL) 1.097 HR George Kelly (NYG) 23 RBI Rogers Hornsby (STL) 126 R Rogers Hornsby (STL) 131 H Rogers Hornsby (STL) 235 SB Frankie Frisch (NYG) 49 break + Pitching leaders1921 National League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1921-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total W Wilbur Cooper (PIT)Burleigh Grimes (BRO) 22 L George Smith (PHI) 20 ERA Bill Doak (STL) 2.59 K Burleigh Grimes (BRO) 136 IP Wilbur Cooper (PIT) 327.0 SV Lou North (STL) 7 WHIP Babe Adams (PIT) 1.081 end Milestones Batters Cycles List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle Bob Meusel (NYY): Meusel hit for his first cycle and second in franchise history, on May 7 against the Washington Senators.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1921/B05070WS11921.htm New York Yankees 6, Washington Senators 5 1921-05-07 Retrosheet 2011-09-06 2015-09-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924121041/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1921/B05070WS11921.htm live Dave Bancroft (NYG): Bancroft hit for his first cycle and sixth in franchise history, in game two of a doubleheader on June 1 against the Philadelphia Phillies.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1921/B06012NY11921.htm New York Giants 8, Philadelphia Phillies 3 (2) 1921-06-01 Retrosheet 2011-09-06 2015-09-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924121043/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1921/B06012NY11921.htm live George Sisler (SLB): Sisler hit for his second cycle and second in franchise history, on August 13 against the Detroit Tigers.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1921/B08130DET1921.htm St. Louis Browns 7, Detroit Tigers 5 1921-08-13 Retrosheet 2011-09-06 2015-09-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924121044/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1921/B08130DET1921.htm live Dave Robertson (PIT/CHC): Robertson hit for his first cycle and sixth in franchise history as a part of the Pittsburgh Pirates, on August 30 against the Brooklyn Robins.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1921/B08300BRO1921.htm Pittsburgh Pirates 8, Brooklyn Robins 2 1921-08-30 Retrosheet 2011-09-06 2015-09-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924121046/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1921/B08300BRO1921.htm live Other batting accomplishments Babe Ruth (NYY): Broke the Major League career home run record when he hit his 139th home run against Bert Cole of the Detroit Tigers in the eighth inning on July 18, surpassing the record of 138 home runs set by Roger Connor in 1897.Progressive Leaders & Records for Home Runs https://www.baseball-reference.com/leaders/HR_progress.shtml 2026-05-21 Baseball Reference Sports Reference enBabe Ruth Career Home Runs https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=ruthba01&t=b 2026-05-21 Baseball Reference Sports Reference en Ty Cobb (DET): Became the fourth member of the 3,000-hit club with a single in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox in game two of a doubleheader on August 19.http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cobbty01.shtml Ty Cobb Statistics and History Baseball Reference Sports Reference 2010-07-04 2010-01-04 https://web.archive.org/web/20100104102154/http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cobbty01.shtml Recorded his 800th career stolen base in the first inning against the New York Yankees on August 28. He became the second player to reach this mark.Ty Cobb Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More — Ty Cobb: Standard Batting (1905-1921) https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cobbty01.shtml#1905-1921-sum:players_standard_batting 2026-06-12 Baseball Reference enTy Cobb 1921 Batting Game Logs — Ty Cobb: Batting Stats Career Game 2043-2145 https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/gl.fcgi?id=cobbty01&t=b&year=1917#2043-2145-sum:players_standard_batting 2026-06-12 Baseball Reference enNew York Yankees vs Detroit Tigers Box Score: August 28, 1921 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET192108280.shtml 2026-06-12 Baseball Reference en Home field attendance Team nameWins%± Percent changeHome attendance%± Percent changePer game Average home attendance per gameNew York YankeesNew York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference95 18.8%1,289,422 108.3%16,746New York GiantsSan Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference86 −1.1%929,609 31.1%11,620Cleveland IndiansCleveland Guardians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference98 16.7%912,832 69.6%11,703Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference79 11.3%429,037 55.0%5,500Detroit TigersDetroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference61 −23.8%579,650 −10.0%7,431Brooklyn RobinsLos Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference93 34.8%808,722 124.2%10,368Chicago White SoxChicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference96 9.1%833,492 32.9%10,825Washington SenatorsMinnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference68 21.4%359,260 53.5%4,727Chicago CubsChicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference75 0.0%480,783 13.3%6,244St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference75 38.9%326,836 95.6%4,300St. Louis BrownsBaltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference76 13.4%419,311 20.0%5,376Philadelphia AthleticsOakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference48 33.3%287,888 27.8%3,739Boston BravesAtlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference62 8.8%162,483 −2.9%2,196Cincinnati RedsCincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference82 −14.6%568,107 6.7%7,378Boston Red SoxBoston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference72 9.1%402,445 −3.6%5,295Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/attend.shtml 2024-03-28 Baseball Reference62 31.9%330,998 37.7%4,299 Media Radio Local On August 5, the Pittsburgh Pirates 8–5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies at Forbes Field was the first Major League game to be broadcast on radio. Harold Arlin calls the game for Pittsburgh station KDKA.Mackin Bob The Unofficial Guide to Baseball's Most Unusual Records Greystone Books 2004 9781553650386 Canada 240 See also 1921 in baseball (Events, Births, Deaths) References External links 1921 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference Category:Major League Baseball seasons Category:1921 in baseball