1952 Major League Baseball season

February 2024 1952 1952 MLB season American League (AL)National League (NL) Baseball Regular season: April 15 – September 28, 1952World Series: October 1–7, 1952 154 16 (8 per league) Regular season AL: Bobby Shantz (PHA)NL: Hank Sauer (CHC) Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award AL New York Yankees Cleveland Indians NL Brooklyn Dodgers New York Giants World Series 1952 World Series New York Yankees Brooklyn Dodgers Johnny Mize (NYY) Babe Ruth Award List of MLB seasons MLB 1951 Major League Baseball season 1951 1953 Major League Baseball season 1953 The 1952 major league baseball season began on April 15, 1952. The regular season ended on September 28, with the Brooklyn Dodgers 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 49th World Series on October 1 and ended with Game 7 on October 7. In the fourth iteration of this Subway Series World Series matchup, the Yankees defeated the Dodgers, four games to three, capturing their 15th championship in franchise history, and their fourth in a five-run World Series. This was the fourth World Series between the two teams. The 19th All-Star Game was held on July 8 at Shibe Park in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, hosted by the Philadelphia Phillies. The National League won, 3–2. To date, it was the only All-Star Game to be called early due to rain. The 1952 season would prove to be the final season of a 50-season run which saw no team relocate from one city to another, as the Boston Braves would move to Milwaukee, Wisconsin the following year as the Milwaukee Braves. 1952 would also be Ford Frick's first full year as commissioner. Schedule Major League Baseball schedule The 1952 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 15, featuring 12 teams. The final day of the scheduled regular season was on September 28, which saw all sixteen teams play, continuing the trend from 1946. The World Series took place between October 1 and October 7. Rule changes The 1952 season saw the following rule changes: The Open Classification level was created specifically for the Pacific Coast League (PCL), a level of play between Triple-A and major-league (this level of play would be eliminated following the PCL's reversion to Triple-A in 1958). Unlike other levels of the minor league, having an Open Classification came with the following stipulations:Bryant Steven 1951 Winter Meetings: Open Classification – Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/1951-winter-meetings-open-classification/ 2025-06-03 en-US Players at the Open Classification would be excluded from the draft if they waived their selection rights or had less than five years of service. The draft price for an Open Classification player would be $15,000 (US 15000 1952 eq -3) instead of the $10,000 (US 10000 1952 eq -3) price tag on Triple-A players. To achieve Open Classification, a league had to show an aggregate population of 10 million, have an aggregate park capacity of 120,000, and average a paid attendance of 2,250,000 for the preceding five years. An 11-step process was established for a league to reach major-league status: Any group of eight teams mutually agreeing to all requirements and responsibilities as provided under the proposed regulations must apply to the major-league Executive Council. The eight teams are responsible for all necessary territorial indemnities and financial obligations. The teams must present with their application complete data establishing their ability to meet the requirements for advanced status, including a full statement of stock ownership, financial ability, and character, both for the group and its individual members. The proposed league shall show an aggregate population of 15 million in the eight cities. Each team shall have a potential capacity of at least 25,000 in its ballpark. They shall have had an average total paid attendance of 3.5 million over a three-year period preceding the application. They shall provide a balanced schedule of at least 154 games. They shall adopt the major-league minimum-salary agreement with no maximum salary limitations. They will become parties to the Major League Agreement and the Major-Minor League Agreement. They will accept the uniform major-league player’s contract and agreement. They will join in the players’ pension plan or adopt a comparable plan. They shall apply for major-league status at least six months before the meeting at which the application must be considered, and at least 10 months before the opening of the season in which they hope to participate under major-league status. A new rule regarding high-school players was approved. Players could be contacted at any time, but could not sign until their high-school eligibility expired. Any student who dropped out of high school before their eligibility expired must sit out one year before being eligible to sign.Bryant Steven 1951 Winter Meetings: Open Classification – Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/1951-winter-meetings-open-classification/ 2025-06-03 en-US Previously, the rules regarding high-school players was that a player could not be signed until they had received their degree or their class graduated was eliminated.Klopsis Nick 1950 Winter Meetings: The Happy Dagger – Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/1950-winter-meetings-the-happy-dagger/ 2025-06-03 en-US Major-league players now have the right to have a liaison in the commissioner's office. The liaison would be a full-time representative and serve as a clearinghouse for any player problems that might arise. Teams LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManager1952 Major League Managers https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1952-managers.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com enAmerican League American LeagueBoston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park35,200Lou BoudreauChicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisComiskey Park47,400Paul Richards baseballCleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium73,811Al LópezDetroit TigersDetroit, MichiganBriggs Stadium58,000Red RolfeFred HutchinsonNew York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium67,000Casey StengelPhiladelphia AthleticsPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaShibe Park33,166Jimmy DykesSt. Louis BrownsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park34,000Rogers HornsbyMarty MarionWashington SenatorsWashington, D.C.Griffith Stadium29,731Bucky WaltersNational League National League (baseball) National LeagueBoston BravesBoston, MassachusettsBraves Field37,106Tommy HolmesCharlie GrimmBrooklyn DodgersNew York, New YorkEbbets Field32,111Chuck DressenChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field36,755Phil CavarrettaCincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field29,980Luke SewellRogers HornsbyNew York GiantsNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds54,500Leo DurocherPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaShibe Park33,166Eddie SawyerSteve O'NeillPittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field33,730Billy MeyerSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park34,000Eddie Stanky Standings start American League New York Yankees break National League Brooklyn Dodgers 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 Chicago White Sox, 2 Cleveland Indians, 1 Detroit Tigers, 2 Philadelphia Athletics, 1 St. Louis Browns, 1 Washington Senators, 3 break National League Boston Braves, 2 Brooklyn Dodgers, 2 Chicago Cubs, 1 Pittsburgh Pirates, 1 end Postseason The postseason began on October 1 and ended on October 7 with the New York Yankees defeating the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1952 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 ManagerBoston Red Sox Steve O'NeillLou BoudreauSt. Louis BrownsZack TaylorRogers HornsbySt. Louis CardinalsMarty MarionEddie Stanky In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBoston BravesTommy HolmesCharlie GrimmCincinnati RedsLuke SewellRogers HornsbyDetroit TigersRed RolfeFred HutchinsonPhiladelphia PhilliesEddie SawyerSteve O'NeillSt. Louis BrownsRogers HornsbyMarty Marion League leaders American League start + Hitting leaders1952 American League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1952-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total AVG Ferris Fain (PHA) .327 OPS Mickey Mantle (NYY) .924 HR Larry Doby (CLE) 32 RBI Al Rosen (CLE) 105 R Larry Doby (CLE) 104 H Nellie Fox (CWS) 192 SB Minnie Miñoso (CWS) 22 break + Pitching leaders1952 American League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1952-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total W Bobby Shantz (PHA) 24 L Art Houtteman (DET) 20 ERA Allie Reynolds (NYY) 2.06 K Allie Reynolds (NYY) 160 IP Bob Lemon (CLE) 309.2 SV Harry Dorish (CWS) 11 WHIP Bobby Shantz (PHA) 1.048 end National League start + Hitting leaders1952 National League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1952-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total AVG Stan Musial (STL) .336 OPS Stan Musial (STL) .970 HR Ralph Kiner (PIT)Hank Sauer (CHC) 37 RBI Hank Sauer (CHC) 121 R Solly Hemus (STL)Stan Musial (STL) 105 H Stan Musial (STL) 194 SB Pee Wee Reese (BRO) 30 break + Pitching leaders1952 National League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1952-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total W Robin Roberts (PHI) 28 L Murry Dickson (PIT) 21 ERA Hoyt Wilhelm (NYG) 2.43 K Warren Spahn (BSN) 183 IP Robin Roberts (PHI) 330.0 SV Al Brazle (STL) 16 WHIP Warren Hacker (CHC) 0.946 end Milestones Batters Cycles List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle Larry Doby (CLE): Doby hit for his first cycle and fourth in franchise history, on June 4 against the Boston Red Sox.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1952/B06040BOS1952.htm Boston Red Sox 13, Cleveland Indians 11 June 4, 1952 Retrosheet.org September 10, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130539/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1952/B06040BOS1952.htm live Pitchers No-hitters List of Major League Baseball no-hitters Virgil Trucks (DET): Truck threw his first career no-hitter and second no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Washington Senators 1–0 on May 15. Trucks walked one, hit two by pitch, and struck out seven.Washington Nationals vs Detroit Tigers Box Score: May 15, 1952 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET195205150.shtml 2026-04-20 Baseball-Reference.com en Trucks threw his second career no-hitter and third no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the New York Yankees 1–0 on August 25. Trucks walked one and struck out eight.Detroit Tigers vs New York Yankees Box Score: August 25, 1952 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NYA/NYA195208250.shtml 2026-04-27 Baseball-Reference.com en Carl Erskine (BRO): Erskine threw his first career no-hitter and 11th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Chicago Cubs 5–0 on June 19. Erskine walked one and struck out one, throwing 63 strikes on 103 pitches.Chicago Cubs vs Brooklyn Dodgers Box Score: June 19, 1952 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO195206190.shtml 2026-04-20 Baseball-Reference.com en Miscellaneous Brooklyn Dodgers: Set a modern (1900–present) major league record for most runs scored in the first inning, by scoring 15 runs against the Cincinnati Reds on May 21.DeRosa Theo The most runs scored in each inning, from the 1st to the 26th(!) https://www.mlb.com/news/mlb-most-runs-scored-in-each-inning 2026-04-20 MLB.com en Awards and honors Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie of the Year Joe Black (BRO) Harry Byrd (PHA)Most Valuable Player Hank Sauer (CHC) Bobby Shantz (PHA)Babe Ruth Award(World Series MVP) — Johnny Mize (NYY) Other awards 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 Robin Roberts (PHI) — 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 Robin Roberts (PHI) Bobby Shantz (CLE) 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 Joe Black (BRO) Clint Courtney (SLB) 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 Eddie Stanky (STL) — 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 — George Weiss (NYY) Baseball Hall of Fame National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Harry Heilmann Paul Waner 1952 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting Home field attendance Team nameWins%± Percent changeHome attendance%± Percent changePer game Average home attendance per gameNew York Yankeeshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/attend.shtml New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com95 −3.1%1,629,665 −16.4%21,164Cleveland Indianshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/attend.shtml Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com930.0%1,444,607 −15.3%18,761Chicago White Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/attend.shtml Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com810.0%1,231,675 −7.3%15,591Boston Red Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com76 −12.6%1,115,750 −15.0%14,490Brooklyn Dodgershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/attend.shtml Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com96 −1.0%1,088,704 −15.1%13,609Detroit Tigershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/attend.shtml Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com50 −31.5%1,026,846 −9.3%13,336Chicago Cubshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/attend.shtml Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com7724.2%1,024,82614.6%13,309New York Giantshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/attend.shtml San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com92 −6.1%984,940 −7.0%12,791St. Louis Cardinalshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com888.6%913,113 −9.9%11,859Philadelphia Phillieshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/attend.shtml Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com8719.2%755,417 −19.4%9,940Washington Senatorshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/attend.shtml Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com7825.8%699,4570.6%8,967Pittsburgh Pirateshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/attend.shtml Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com42 −34.4%686,673 −30.0%8,918Philadelphia Athleticshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/attend.shtml Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com7912.9%627,10034.7%8,040Cincinnati Redshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com691.5%604,1972.7%7,847St. Louis Brownshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/attend.shtml Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com6423.1%518,79676.6%6,651Boston Braveshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/attend.shtml Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com64 −15.8%281,278 −42.3%3,653 Venues The Boston Braves would play their last game at Braves Field on September 21 against the Brooklyn Dodgers, relocating to Milwaukee, Wisconsin at Milwaukee County Stadium as the Milwaukee Braves for the start of the 1953 season. Retired numbers Honus Wagner had his No. 33 retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates on February 16. This was the first number retired by the team. Joe DiMaggio had his No. 5 retired by the New York Yankees on April 18. This was the third number retired by the team. See also 1952 in baseball (Events, Movies, Births, Deaths) 1952 All-American Girls Professional Baseball League season 1952 Nippon Professional Baseball season References External links 1952 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference Category:Major League Baseball seasons Category:1952 in baseball