1931 Major League Baseball season

February 2024 1931 1931 MLB season American League (AL)National League (NL) Baseball Regular season: April 14 – September 27, 1931World Series: October 1–10, 1931 154 16 (8 per league) Regular season AL: Lefty Grove (PHA)NL: Frankie Frisch (STL) Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award AL Philadelphia Athletics New York Yankees NL St. Louis Cardinals New York Giants World Series 1931 World Series St. Louis Cardinals Philadelphia Athletics List of MLB seasons MLB 1930 Major League Baseball season 1930 1932 Major League Baseball season 1932 The 1931 major league baseball season began on April 14, 1931. The regular season ended on September 27, with the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Athletics as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 28th World Series on October 1 and ended with Game 7 on October 10. In the second iteration of this World Series matchup (and a rematch of the previous year), the Cardinals defeated the Athletics, four games to three, capturing their second championship in franchise history, since their previous in 1926. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the Philadelphia Athletics from the 1930 season. This was the first season that the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) selected a Most Valuable Player in each league. Schedule Major League Baseball schedule The 1931 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 14, featured all sixteen teams, the first time since the 1926 season. The final day of the regular season was on September 27, which also saw all sixteen teams play on the final day continuing the trend which began the previous season. This was the first time that both Opening Day and the final day of the season saw all sixteen teams play. The World Series took place between October 1 and October 10. Rule changes The 1931 season saw the following rule changes: The rule previously implemented in 1926, that a sacrifice hit was awarded when any base runner advanced on a fly out, was eliminated.Levy Gary 1930 Winter Meetings: The Judge and the Mahatma Debate the Chain Store System Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/1930-winter-meetings-the-judge-and-the-mahatma-debate-the-chain-store-system/ 2025-04-01 en-USKrabbenhoft Herm Impact of the Varying Sacrifice Fly Rules on Batting Champs, 1931–2019 Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/what-if-impact-of-the-varying-sac-fly-rules-on-batting-champs-1931-2019/ 2024-04-22 en-US Regulations referring to a batter contacting his own ball were clarified as was the area of bases awarded a batter when a defensive player threw his glove at a batted or thrown ball or in the case of spectator interference. In the National League: The ground rule double rule was implemented, which states that balls that bounce over the fence entitle the batter to two bases. The rule was previously implemented by the American League in 1929.MLB Rule Changes https://www.baseball-almanac.com/rulechng.shtml 2024-04-22 Baseball Almanac en-ushttps://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/al-lopez-hits-last-bounce-home-run Future Hall of Famer Al López Hits the Last 'Bounce' Home Run in Big League History Baseball Hall of Fame Connor O'Gara April 16, 2020 October 16, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211016175844/https://baseballhall.org/discover/inside-pitch/al-lopez-hits-last-bounce-home-run dead https://www.newspapers.com/clip/48818555/changes-are-made-in-the-baseball/ Changes are Made in the Baseball Playing Rules by Joint Rules Committee Santa Cruz Evening News Santa Cruz, California 8 1930-12-17 2020-04-16 newspapers.com Barnstorming rules were loosened, allowing a squad of players to go to Japan. A rule that only people in uniform be allowed on the playing field after ballpark gates were open was approved. The American League adopted the early-1920 rule that when calling home runs, balls are to be called based on where the ball crosses the outfield fence, no matter if the ball lands in the stands or leaves the ballpark. The National League previously implemented this rule in 1929.Vincent David How Rules Changes in 1920 Affected Home Runs Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/how-rules-changes-in-1920-affected-home-runs/ 2024-04-22 en-US Teams An asterisk (*) denotes the ballpark a team played the minority of their home games at LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManager1931 Major League Managers https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1931-managers.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference enAmerican League American LeagueBoston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park27,000Shano CollinsBraves Field*46,500*Chicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisComiskey Park52,000Donie BushCleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioLeague Park21,414Roger PeckinpaughDetroit TigersDetroit, MichiganNavin Field30,000Bucky HarrisNew York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium62,000Joe McCarthy baseball managerPhiladelphia AthleticsPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaShibe Park33,000Connie MackSt. Louis BrownsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park34,023Bill KilleferWashington SenatorsWashington, D.C.Griffith Stadium27,000Walter JohnsonNational League National League (baseball) National LeagueBoston BravesBoston, MassachusettsBraves Field46,500Bill McKechnieBrooklyn RobinsNew York, New YorkEbbets Field28,000Wilbert RobinsonChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field40,000Rogers HornsbyCincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioRedland Field26,060Dan HowleyNew York GiantsNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds56,000John McGrawPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaBaker Bowl18,800Burt ShottonPittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field41,000Jewel EnsSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park34,023Gabby Street Standings start American League Philadelphia Athletics break National League St. Louis Cardinals end Tie games 9 tie games (5 in AL, 4 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, 3 Cleveland Indians, 1 New York Yankees, 2 Philadelphia Athletics, 1 Washington Senators, 2 break National League Boston Braves, 2 Brooklyn Robins, 1 Chicago Cubs, 2 New York Giants, 1 Philadelphia Phillies, 1 Pittsburgh Pirates, 1 end Postseason The postseason began on October 1 and ended on October 10 with the St. Louis Cardinals defeating the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1931 World Series in seven games. Bracket World Series AL Philadelphia Athletics 3 NL St. Louis Cardinals 4 Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBoston Red SoxHeinie WagnerShano CollinsNew York YankeesBob ShawkeyJoe McCarthy League leaders American League start + Hitting leaders1931 American League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1931-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total AVG Al Simmons (PHA) .390 OPS Babe Ruth (NYY) 1.195 HR Lou Gehrig (NYY)Babe Ruth (NYY) 46 RBI Lou Gehrig (NYY) 185 R Lou Gehrig (NYY) 163 H Lou Gehrig (NYY) 211 SB Ben Chapman (NYY) 61 break + Pitching leaders1931 American League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1931-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total W Lefty Grove1 (PHA) 31 L Pat Caraway (CWS)Sam Gray (SLB) 24 ERA Lefty Grove1 (PHA) 2.06 K Lefty Grove1 (PHA) 175 IP Rube Walberg (PHA) 291.0 SV Firpo Marberry (WSH)Wilcy Moore (BOS) 8 WHIP Lefty Grove (PHA) 1.077 end 1 American League Triple Crown pitching winner National League start + Hitting leaders1931 National League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1931-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total AVG Chick Hafey (STL) .349 OPS Rogers Hornsby (CHC) .996 HR Chuck Klein (PHI) 31 RBI Chuck Klein (PHI) 121 R Chuck Klein (PHI)Bill Terry (NYG) 121 H Lloyd Waner (PIT) 214 SB Frankie Frisch (STL) 28 break + Pitching leaders1931 National League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1931-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference en Stat Player Total W Jumbo Elliott (PHI)Bill Hallahan (STL)Heinie Meine (PIT) 19 L Si Johnson (CIN) 19 ERA Bill Walker (NYG) 2.26 K Bill Hallahan (STL) 159 IP Heinie Meine (PIT) 284.0 SV Jack Quinn (BRO) 13 WHIP Carl Hubbell (NYG) 1.121 end Milestones Batters Cycles List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle Babe Herman (BRO): Herman hit for his first cycle and third in franchise history, on May 18 against the Cincinnati Reds.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1931/B05180BRO1931.htm Brooklyn Robins 14, Cincinnati Reds 4 1931-05-18 Retrosheet 2011-09-08 2015-09-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924123330/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1931/B05180BRO1931.htm live Herman hit for his second cycle and fourth in franchise history, on July 24 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1931/B07010PHI1931.htm Philadelphia Phillies 11, Chicago Cubs 6 1931-07-01 Retrosheet 2011-09-08 2015-09-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924123332/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1931/B07010PHI1931.htm live He is the third player in major league history to hit two in one season. Chuck Klein (PHI): Klein hit for his first cycle and fourth in franchise history, on July 1 against the Chicago Cubs.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1931/B07010PHI1931.htm Philadelphia Phillies 11, Chicago Cubs 6 1931-07-01 Retrosheet 2011-09-08 2015-09-24 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924123332/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1931/B07010PHI1931.htm live Other batting accomplishments Babe Ruth (NYY): Became the first player in Major League history to hit 600 home runs on August 21 against the St. Louis Browns.https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/ruthba01.shtml Babe Ruth Statistics and History Baseball Reference 2010-07-15 Lou Gehrig (NYY): Tied a Major League record by becoming the third player and second American League player to hit home runs in six consecutive games between August 28 and September 1.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 Pitchers No-hitters List of Major League Baseball no-hitters Wes Ferrell (CLE): Ferrell threw his first career no-hitter and the fifth no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the St. Louis Browns 9–0 on April 29. Ferrell walked three and struck out eight.St. Louis Browns vs Cleveland Indians Box Score: April 29, 1931 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE193104290.shtml 2026-03-17 Baseball Reference en Bobby Burke (WSH): Burke threw his first career no-hitter and the second no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Boston Red Sox 5–0 on August 8. Burke walked five and struck out eight.Boston Red Sox vs Washington Nationals Box Score: August 8, 1931 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/WS1/WS1193108080.shtml 2026-03-17 Baseball Reference en Awards and honors Regular season start Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueMost Valuable Player Frankie Frisch (STL) Lefty Grove (PHA) 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 Chuck Klein (PHI) Lou Gehrig (NYY) end Home field attendance Team nameWins%± Percent changeHome attendance%± Percent changePer game Average home attendance per gameChicago Cubshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/attend.shtml Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference84 −6.7%1,086,422 −25.8%14,109New York Yankeeshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/attend.shtml New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference949.3%912,437 −22.0%11,850New York Giantshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/attend.shtml San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference870.0%812,163 −6.5%10,412Brooklyn Robinshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/attend.shtml Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference79 −8.1%753,133 −31.4%9,910Philadelphia Athleticshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/attend.shtml Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference1074.9%627,464 −13.1%8,366St. Louis Cardinalshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference1019.8%608,53519.7%7,802Boston Braveshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/attend.shtml Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference64 −8.6%515,00510.8%6,603Washington Senatorshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/attend.shtml Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference92 −2.1%492,657 −19.8%6,236Cleveland Indianshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/attend.shtml Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference78 −3.7%483,027 −8.6%6,356Detroit Tigershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/attend.shtml Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference61 −18.7%434,056 −33.2%5,637Chicago White Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/attend.shtml Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference56 −9.7%403,550 −0.6%5,241Boston Red Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference6219.2%350,975 −21.0%4,387Philadelphia Phillieshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/attend.shtml Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference6626.9%284,849 −4.7%3,748Cincinnati Redshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference58 −1.7%263,316 −31.9%3,420Pittsburgh Pirateshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/attend.shtml Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference75 −6.3%260,392 −27.2%3,338St. Louis Brownshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/attend.shtml Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors 2020-09-08 Baseball Reference63 −1.6%179,12617.8%2,326 Venues Across 80 homes games, the Boston Red Sox played all 15 of their Sunday games at the Boston Braves home field of Braves Field (the remaining 65 home games were played at Fenway Park).Seamheads.com Ballparks Database — 1931 Season https://www.seamheads.com/ballparks/year.php?Year=1931 2025-11-17 www.seamheads.comSeamheads.com Ballparks Database https://seamheads.com/ballparks/year.php?Year=1931&tab=pf1&LgID=All 2025-11-17 seamheads.com This was the last of three consecutive seasons playing all Sunday games at Braves Field and 3rd of four consecutive season playing some games at Braves Field. This was the last of 31 consecutive seasons that the Cleveland Indians played at their inaugural field, League Park (they would play full seasons at the Park in 1934 and 1935, while 1932, and 1936 to 1946 saw home games split with Cleveland Stadium. See also 1931 in baseball (Events, Births, Deaths) References External links 1931 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference Category:Major League Baseball seasons Category:1931 in baseball