1954 Major League Baseball season

February 2024 1954 1954 MLB season American League (AL)National League (NL) Baseball Regular season: April 13 – September 26, 1954World Series: September 29 – October 2, 1954 154 16 (8 per league) ABC, NBC Regular season AL: Yogi Berra (NYY)NL: Willie Mays (NYG) Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award AL Cleveland Indians New York Yankees NL New York Giants Brooklyn Dodgers World Series 1954 World Series New York Giants Cleveland Indians Dusty Rhodes (NYG) Babe Ruth Award List of MLB seasons MLB 1953 Major League Baseball season 1953 1955 Major League Baseball season 1955 The 1954 major league baseball season began on April 13, 1954. The regular season ended on September 26, with the New York Giants and Cleveland Indians as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 51st World Series on September 29 and ended with Game 4 on October 2. The Giants swept the Indians in four games, capturing their fifth championship in franchise history, since their previous in 1933. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the New York Yankees from the 1953 season. The 21st All-Star Game was held on July 13 at Cleveland Stadium in Cleveland, Ohio, home of the Cleveland Indians. The American League won, 11–9, ending the National League's four-win streak. In a continuation of the relocation trend that began the previous season, the St. Louis Browns moved from St. Louis, Missouri to Baltimore, Maryland, leaving St. Louis a one-team city, and seeing the return of American League baseball to Baltimore after 52 seasons. The previous American League relocation involved the same franchise, when the Milwaukee Brewers moved to St. Louis as the Browns, 53 seasons earlier. The season would also prove to be the last season of the Athletics franchise in Philadelphia, moving to Kansas City, Missouri the following season as the Kansas City Athletics. During the 1953 Winter Meetings, the National League relaxed requirements for relocation, changing the necessary votes from unanimous between the eight teams to 75% (effectively six). This eased the eventual relocation of the Giants and Dodgers to California in 1958.Miskowiec Abigail 1953 Winter Meetings: Pension Collision – Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/1953-winter-meetings-pension-collision/ 2025-06-10 en-US On Opening Day, April 13, the Pittsburgh PiratesMajor League Baseball recognizes Curt Roberts as the Pirates' first Black player; however, Carlos Bernier of Puerto Rico, also a Black man, debuted on April 22, 1953.Guzzardi Joe April 14, 2013 Carlos Bernier, more than a footnote https://www.post-gazette.com/opinion/Op-Ed/2013/04/14/Carlos-Bernier-more-than-a-footnote/stories/201304140150 2022-10-08 Pittsburgh Post-Gazette en and St. Louis Cardinals became the ninth and tenth teams in professional baseball to break the color line when they fielded Curt Roberts and Tom Alston, respectively; the Cincinnati Redlegs became the 11th team just four days later when they fielded future Nino Escalera and Chuck Harmon, while the Washington Senators became the 12th team on September 6 when they fielded Carlos Paula.These players integrated each MLB team https://www.mlb.com/news/players-who-broke-color-barrier-for-every-team 2024-11-14 MLB.com en Schedule Major League Baseball schedule The 1954 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, featuring all sixteen teams, the first time since 1950. The final day of the regular season was on September 26, which saw fourteen teams play, and was the first time since 1945 that the scheduled regular season didn't end with all sixteen teams. The World Series took place between September 29 and October 2. Rule changes The 1954 season saw the following rule changes: During half innings where a team was batting, all players of that team must remove their gloves from the field. In addition, any equipment not on a player was to be removed from the field.MLB Rule Changes Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/rulechng.shtml 2024-05-28 www.baseball-almanac.com en-usBass Mike Mike Bass column: Hate MLB's changes? You ain't seen nothing yet ... I hope. https://www.cincinnati.com/story/sports/2021/03/04/major-league-baseball-rule-changes-hopefully-more-coming-column/6918720002/ 2024-05-28 The Enquirer en-US Rules regarding a defensive interference offense expanded to include all fielders on the field, not just changed from a catcher. Fielders who were in the batter's vision could no longer deliberately distract the batter. The sacrifice fly rule was brought back, having been previously used in 1939. This time, the rule was considered when a player scored after the catch only. Sacrifice bunts and flies were listed separately in official averages.Schwartz John The Sacrifice Fly – Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/the-sacrifice-fly/ 2024-05-28 en-US Both leagues banned twilight-night doubleheaders and Spring night games. The American League banned night games on getaway days if either team had to play the next afternoon. If a balk occurs, and a batter hits the pitch on said balk call, the manager can choose between the two outcomes, either the balk, or the result of the results of the play by the batter hitting the ball in play.Rules History https://www.retrosheet.org/rules/rules.htm 2025-07-17 www.retrosheet.org Teams LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManager1954 Major League Managers https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1954-managers.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com enAmerican League American LeagueBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium47,866Jimmy DykesBoston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park34,824Lou BoudreauChicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisComiskey Park46,550Paul Richards baseballMarty MarionCleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium73,811Al LópezDetroit TigersDetroit, MichiganBriggs Stadium58,000Fred HutchinsonNew York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium67,000Casey StengelPhiladelphia AthleticsPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaConnie Mack Stadium33,166Eddie JoostWashington SenatorsWashington, D.C.Griffith Stadium29,023Bucky HarrisNational League National League (baseball) National LeagueBrooklyn DodgersNew York, New YorkEbbets Field32,111Walter AlstonChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field36,755Stan HackCincinnati RedlegsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field29,439Birdie TebbettsMilwaukee BravesMilwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee County Stadium44,091Charlie GrimmNew York GiantsNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds54,500Leo DurocherPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaConnie Mack Stadium33,166Steve O'NeillTerry Moore baseballPittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field34,249Fred HaneySt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriBusch Stadium30,500Eddie Stanky Standings start American League Cleveland Indians break National League New York Giants end Tie games 5 tie games (5 in AL, 0 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again) occurred throughout the season. American League The Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians, and Philadelphia Athletics had two tie games each, while the Chicago White Sox, Detroit Tigers, New York Yankees, and Washington Senators each had one each. May 9 (game 2), Detroit Tigers vs. Chicago White Sox, scoreless tie after 10 innings on account of darkness.Retrosheet Boxscore: Chicago White Sox 0, Detroit Tigers 0 (2) https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1954/B05092CHA1954.htm 2026-04-28 www.retrosheet.org May 9 (game 2), Philadelphia Athletics vs. New York Yankees, tied at 1 after nine innings on account of darkness.Retrosheet Boxscore: New York Yankees 1, Philadelphia Athletics 1 (2) https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1954/B05092NYA1954.htm 2026-04-28 www.retrosheet.org July 20, Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox, tied at 5 after 16 innings at 12:57 a.m. due to curfew.Retrosheet Boxscore: Boston Red Sox 5, Cleveland Indians 5 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1954/B07200BOS1954.htm 2026-04-28 www.retrosheet.org July 21, Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox, tied at 7 after a shortened game of eight innings due to rain.Retrosheet Boxscore: Boston Red Sox 7, Cleveland Indians 7 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1954/B07210BOS1954.htm 2026-04-28 www.retrosheet.org August 22 (game 2), Washington Senators vs. Philadelphia Athletics, tied at 4 after nine innings due to curfew.Retrosheet Boxscore: Philadelphia Athletics 4, Washington Senators 4 (2) https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1954/B08222PHA1954.htm 2026-04-28 www.retrosheet.org Postseason The postseason began on September 29 and ended on October 2 with the New York Giants sweeping the Cleveland Indians in the 1954 World Series in four games. Bracket World Series AL Cleveland Indians 0 NL New York Giants 4 Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBaltimore Orioles Marty Marion(St. Louis Browns)Jimmy DykesBrooklyn DodgersChuck DressenWalter AlstonChicago CubsPhil CavarrettaStan HackCincinnati RedlegsBuster MillsBirdie TebbettsPhiladelphia AthleticsJimmy DykesEddie Joost In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerChicago White SoxPaul RichardsMarty MarionPhiladelphia PhilliesSteve O'NeillTerry Moore League leaders American League start + Hitting leaders1954 American League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1954-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total AVG Bobby Ávila (CLE) .341 OPS Ted Williams (BOS) 1.148 HR Larry Doby (CLE) 32 RBI Larry Doby (CLE) 126 R Mickey Mantle (NYY) 129 H Nellie Fox (CWS)Harvey Kuenn (DET) 201 SB Jackie Jensen (BOS) 22 break + Pitching leaders1954 American League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1954-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total W Bob Lemon (CLE)Early Wynn (CLE) 23 L Don Larsen (BAL) 21 ERA Mike Garcia (CLE) 2.64 K Bob Turley (BAL) 185 IP Early Wynn (CLE) 270.2 SV Johnny Sain (NYY) 26 WHIP Mike Garcia (CLE) 1.125 end National League start + Hitting leaders1954 National League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1954-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total AVG Willie Mays (NYG) .345 OPS Willie Mays (NYG) 1.078 HR Ted Kluszewski (CIN) 49 RBI Ted Kluszewski (CIN) 141 R Stan Musial (STL)Duke Snider (BRO) 120 H Don Mueller (NYG) 212 SB Bill Bruton (MIL) 34 break + Pitching leaders1954 National League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1954-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total W Robin Roberts (PHI) 23 L Murry Dickson (PHI) 20 ERA Johnny Antonelli (NYG) 2.30 K Robin Roberts (PHI) 185 IP Robin Roberts (PHI) 336.2 SV Jim Hughes (BRO) 24 WHIP Robin Roberts (PHI) 1.025 end Milestones Batters Four home runs in one game List of Major League Baseball single-game home run leaders Joe Adcock (MIL): Became the seventh player and second in franchise history to hit four home runs in one game in a 15–7 win against the Brooklyn Dodgers on July 31.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO195407310.shtml Milwaukee Braves vs Brooklyn Dodgers Box Score: July 31, 1954 March 13, 2026 Baseball-Reference.com https://web.archive.org/web/20251231183440/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO195407310.shtml December 31, 2025 livehttps://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-04-sp-33961-story.html May 4, 1999 Joe Adcock Dead at 71; Broke Up Longest No-Hitter Los Angeles Times March 4, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200304083301/https://www.latimes.com/archives/la-xpm-1999-may-04-sp-33961-story.html March 4, 2020 live Cycles List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle Don Mueller (NYG): Mueller hit for his first cycle and 13th in franchise history, in game one of a doubleheader on July 11 against the Pittsburgh Pirates.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1954/B07111NY11954.htm New York Giants 13, Pittsburgh Pirates 7 (1) July 11, 1954 Retrosheet.org September 10, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924131611/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1954/B07111NY11954.htm live Pitchers No-hitters List of Major League Baseball no-hitters Jim Wilson (MIL): Wilson threw his first career no-hitter and eighth no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 2–0 on June 12. Wilson walked two and struck out six.Philadelphia Phillies vs Milwaukee Braves Box Score: June 12, 1954 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/MLN/MLN195406120.shtml 2026-04-28 Baseball-Reference.com en Miscellaneous Bill McGowan: Set a Major League record by officiating in his 2,541st consecutive game.Great Baseball Feats, Facts and Figures, 2008 Edition, p.42, David Nemec and Scott Flatow, A Signet Book, Penguin Group, New York, 978-0-451-22363-0 Awards and honors Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie of the Year Wally Moon (STL) Billy Martin (NYY)Most Valuable Player Willie Mays (NYG) Yogi Berra (NYY)Babe Ruth Award(World Series MVP) Dusty Rhodes (NYG) — 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 Willie Mays (NYG) — 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 Johnny Antonelli (NYG) Bob Lemon (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 Wally Moon (STL) Bob Grim (NYY) 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 Leo Durocher (NYG) — 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 Horace Stoneham (NYG) — Baseball Hall of Fame National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Rabbit Maranville Bill Dickey Bill Terry 1954 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.com89 −3.3%2,131,38816.7%27,680New York Yankeeshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/attend.shtml New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com1034.0%1,475,171 −4.1%18,912Cleveland Indianshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/attend.shtml Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com11120.7%1,335,47224.9%17,344Chicago White Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/attend.shtml Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com945.6%1,231,6293.4%15,790New York Giantshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/attend.shtml San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com9738.6%1,155,06742.3%15,198Detroit Tigershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/attend.shtml Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com6813.3%1,079,84722.1%14,024Baltimore Orioleshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/attend.shtml Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com540.0%1,060,910256.9%13,778St. Louis Cardinalshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com72 −13.3%1,039,69818.1%13,503Brooklyn Dodgershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/attend.shtml Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com92 −12.4%1,020,531 −12.3%13,254Boston Red Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com69 −17.9%931,127 −9.3%11,786Chicago Cubshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/attend.shtml Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com64 −1.5%748,183 −2.0%9,717Philadelphia Phillieshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/attend.shtml Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com75 −9.6%738,991 −13.4%9,474Cincinnati Redlegshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com748.8%704,16728.5%9,145Washington Senatorshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/attend.shtml Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com66 −13.2%503,542 −15.5%6,456Pittsburgh Pirateshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/attend.shtml Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com536.0%475,494 −17.0%6,175Philadelphia Athleticshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/attend.shtml Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com51 −13.6%304,666 −15.9%3,957 Venues With the relocation of the St. Louis Browns from St. Louis, Missouri to Baltimore, Maryland as the Baltimore Orioles, they leave Busch Stadium (where they played 52 seasons) and move into Baltimore Memorial Stadium. They would go on to play there for 38 seasons through 1991. The Philadelphia Athletics would play their last game at Connie Mack Stadium on September 19 against the New York Yankees, relocating to Kansas City, Missouri at Municipal Stadium as the Kansas City Athletics for the start of the 1955 season. Media Television ABC aired the Saturday Game of the Week for the second consecutive year. The All-Star Game and World Series aired exclusively on NBC. Retired numbers Billy Meyer had his No. 1 retired by the Pittsburgh Pirates. This was the second number retired by the team. See also 1954 in baseball (Events, Births, Deaths) 1954 All-American Girls Professional Baseball League season 1954 Nippon Professional Baseball season Notes References External links 1954 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference Category:Major League Baseball seasons Category:1954 in baseball