1934 Major League Baseball season

February 2024 1934 1934 MLB season American League (AL)National League (NL) Baseball Regular season: April 17 – September 30, 1934World Series: October 3–9, 1934 154 16 (8 per league) Regular season AL: Mickey Cochrane (DET)NL: Dizzy Dean (STL) Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award AL Detroit Tigers New York Yankees NL St. Louis Cardinals New York Giants World Series 1934 World Series St. Louis Cardinals Detroit Tigers List of MLB seasons MLB 1933 Major League Baseball season 1933 1935 Major League Baseball season 1935 thumb|right|343px|President Franklin D. Roosevelt at Griffith Stadium in Washington, D.C. during a Boston Red Sox vs. Washington Senators game, April 24. The 1934 major league baseball season began on April 17, 1934. The regular season ended on September 30, with the St. Louis Cardinals and Detroit Tigers as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 31st World Series on October 3 and ended with Game 7 on October 9. The Cardinals then defeated the Tigers, four games to three, capturing their third championship in franchise history, since their previous in 1931. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the New York Giants from the 1933 season. The second All-Star Game was held on July 10 at the Polo Grounds in New York, New York, home of the New York Giants. The American League won, 9–7. Schedule Major League Baseball schedule The 1934 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, April 17, featured all sixteen teams, the first since the 1931 season. The final day of the regular season was on September 30, which also saw all sixteen teams play, continued the trend which began with the 1930 season. This was the second time that both Opening Day and the final day of the season saw all sixteen teams play, the previous being in 1931. The World Series took place between October 3 and October 9. Rule changes The 1934 season saw the following rule changes: The National and American Leagues agree to adopt a uniform ball, authorizing respective Presidents John Heydler and Will Harridge to meet with manufactures and settle on a ball for both leagues.Long Jason C. 1933 Winter Meetings: The Sell-Off Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/1933-winter-meetings-the-sell-off/ 2025-04-11 en-US Both leagues agreed to prohibit "synthetic" doubleheaders (which is when teams would postpone weekday games to have two games on a weekend day) on Sundays until after June 15. Both leagues altered the practices governing counting players on option toward team limits and salary responsibility for optioned players. Teams LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManager1934 Major League Managers https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1934-managers.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference enAmerican League American LeagueBoston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park33,817Bucky HarrisChicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisComiskey Park52,000Lew FonsecaJimmy DykesCleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioLeague Park21,414Walter JohnsonDetroit TigersDetroit, MichiganNavin Field30,000Mickey CochraneNew York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium62,000Joe McCarthy baseball managerPhiladelphia AthleticsPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaShibe Park33,000Connie MackSt. Louis BrownsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park34,023Rogers HornsbyWashington SenatorsWashington, D.C.Griffith Stadium32,000Joe CroninNational League National League (baseball) National LeagueBoston BravesBoston, MassachusettsBraves Field46,500Bill McKechnieBrooklyn DodgersNew York, New YorkEbbets Field32,000Casey StengelChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field40,000Charlie GrimmCincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field26,060Bob O'FarrellBurt ShottonChuck DressenNew York GiantsNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds56,000Bill TerryPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaBaker Bowl18,800Jimmie Wilson baseballPittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field41,000George Gibson baseballPie TraynorSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park34,023Frankie Frisch Standings start American League Detroit Tigers break National League St. Louis Cardinals end Tie games 8 tie games (5 in AL, 3 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again) occurred throughout the season. start American League Boston Red Sox, 1 Chicago White Sox, 1 Philadelphia Athletics, 3 St. Louis Browns, 2 Washington Senators, 3 break National League Boston Braves, 1 Brooklyn Dodgers, 1 Chicago Cubs, 1 Cincinnati Reds, 1 Pittsburgh Pirates, 1 St. Louis Cardinals, 1 end Postseason The postseason began on October 3 and ended on October 9 with the St. Louis Cardinals defeating the Detroit Tigers in the 1934 World Series in seven games. Bracket World Series AL Detroit Tigers 3 NL St. Louis Cardinals 4 Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBoston Red Sox Marty McManusBucky HarrisBrooklyn DodgersMax CareyCasey StengelCincinnati RedsDonie BushBob O'FarrellDetroit Tigers Del BakerMickey CochranePhiladelphia PhilliesBurt ShottonJimmie Wilson In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerChicago White Sox Lew FonsecaJimmy DykesCincinnati RedsBob O'FarrellBurt ShottonBurt ShottonChuck DressenPittsburgh PiratesGeorge GibsonPie Traynor League leaders American League start + Hitting leaders1934 American League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1934-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total AVG Lou Gehrig1 (NYY) .363 OPS Lou Gehrig (NYY) 1.172 HR Lou Gehrig1 (NYY) 49 RBI Lou Gehrig1 (NYY) 166 R Charlie Gehringer (DET) 135 H Charlie Gehringer (DET) 214 SB Billy Werber (BOS) 40 1 American League Triple Crown batting winner break + Pitching leaders1934 American League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1934-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total W Lefty Gomez2 (NYY) 26 L Bobo Newsom (SLB) 20 ERA Lefty Gomez2 (NYY) 2.33 K Lefty Gomez2 (NYY) 158 IP Lefty Gomez (NYY) 281.2 SV Jack Russell (WSH) 8 WHIP Lefty Gomez (NYY) 1.133 2 American League Triple Crown pitching winner end National League start + Hitting leaders1934 National League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1934-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total AVG Paul Waner (PIT) .362 OPS Ripper Collins (STL) 1.008 HR Ripper Collins (STL)Mel Ott (NYG) 35 RBI Mel Ott (NYG) 135 R Paul Waner (PIT) 122 H Paul Waner (PIT) 217 SB Pepper Martin (STL) 23 break + Pitching leaders1934 National League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1934-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total W Dizzy Dean (STL) 30 L Si Johnson (CIN) 22 ERA Carl Hubbell (NYG) 2.30 K Dizzy Dean (STL) 195 IP Van Mungo (BRO) 315.1 SV Carl Hubbell (NYG) 8 WHIP Carl Hubbell (NYG) 1.032 end Milestones Batters Cycles List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle Doc Cramer (PHA): Cramer hit for his first cycle and eighth in franchise history, on June 10 against the New York Yankees.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1934/B06100NYA1934.htm New York Yankees 7, Philadelphia Athletics 3 1934-06-10 Retrosheet 2011-09-10 2015-09-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924123418/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1934/B06100NYA1934.htm live Lou Gehrig (NYY): Gehrig hit for his first cycle and sixth in franchise history, on June 25 against the Chicago White Sox.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1934/B06250NYA1934.htm New York Yankees 13, Chicago White Sox 2 June 25, 1934 Retrosheet 2011-09-10 2015-09-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924123420/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1934/B06250NYA1934.htm live Moose Solters (BOS): Solters hit for his first cycle and sixth in franchise history, in game one of a doubleheader on August 19 against the Detroit Tigers.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1934/B08191BOS1934.htm Detroit Tigers 8, Boston Red Sox 6 (1) August 19, 1934 Retrosheet 2011-09-10 2015-09-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924123421/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1934/B08191BOS1934.htm live Other batting accomplishments Goose Goslin (DET): Sets a major league record when he grounds into four double plays in a single game against the Cleveland Indians on April 28.Grounding Into Double Plays Records https://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/rb_gidp.shtml 2026-05-22 Baseball Almanac Babe Ruth (NYY): Became the first player in Major League history to hit 700 home runs on July 13 against the Detroit Tigers.Larkin Kevin July 13, 1934: The Babe bashes 700th career home run https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/july-13-1934-the-babe-bashes-700th-career-home-run/ Society for American Baseball Research 2023-07-02 Pitchers No-hitters List of Major League Baseball no-hitters Paul Dean (STL): Dean threw his first career no-hitter and third no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Brooklyn Dodgers 3–0 in game two of a doubleheader on September 21. Dean walked one and struck out six.St. Louis Cardinals vs Brooklyn Dodgers Box Score: September 21, 1934 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO193409212.shtml 2026-03-17 Baseball Reference en Awards and honors Regular season start Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueMost Valuable Player Dizzy Dean (STL) Mickey Cochrane (DET) break The Sporting News Awards Award National League American League Most Valuable PlayerMost Valuable Player Award by The Sporting News https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snmv.shtml 2025-01-14 Baseball Almanac Dizzy Dean (STL) Lou Gehrig (NYY) end Home field attendance Team nameWins%± Percent changeHome attendance%± Percent changePer game Average home attendance per gameDetroit Tigershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/attend.shtml Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference10134.7%919,161186.4%11,490New York Yankeeshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/attend.shtml New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference943.3%854,68217.4%11,100New York Giantshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/attend.shtml San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference932.2%730,85120.9%9,745Chicago Cubshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/attend.shtml Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference860.0%707,52519.1%9,189Boston Red Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference7620.6%610,640127.2%7,930Brooklyn Dodgershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/attend.shtml Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference719.2%434,188 −17.6%5,639Cleveland Indianshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/attend.shtml Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference8513.3%391,3380.9%5,017Washington Senatorshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/attend.shtml Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference66 −33.3%330,074 −24.6%4,343St. Louis Cardinalshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference9515.9%325,05626.9%4,222Pittsburgh Pirateshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/attend.shtml Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference74 −14.9%322,62211.7%4,136Philadelphia Athleticshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/attend.shtml Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference68 −13.9%305,8472.9%4,024Boston Braveshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/attend.shtml Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference78 −6.0%303,205 −41.4%4,043Chicago White Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/attend.shtml Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference53 −20.9%236,559 −40.5%3,154Cincinnati Redshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference52 −10.3%206,773 −5.3%2,651Philadelphia Phillieshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/attend.shtml Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference56 −6.7%169,8858.6%2,393St. Louis Brownshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/attend.shtml Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference6721.8%115,30530.9%1,517 Venues After moving into Cleveland Stadium mid-way through the 1932 season, the Cleveland Indians move back into League Park due to plummeting attendance caused by the Great Depression.Clem's Baseball ~ League Park (IV) http://www.andrewclem.com/Baseball/LeaguePark.html 2025-03-13 www.andrewclem.com The Cincinnati Reds' Redland Field is renamed to Crosley Field following the February 1934 purchase of the Reds by local businessman Powel Crosley Jr. See also 1934 in baseball (Events, Births, Deaths) References External links 1934 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference Category:Major League Baseball seasons Category:1934 in baseball