1948 Major League Baseball season

February 2024 1948 1948 MLB season American League (AL)National League (NL) Baseball Regular season: April 19 – October 4, 1948 (AL) April 19 – October 3, 1948 (NL)World Series: October 6–11, 1948 154 16 (8 per league) Regular season AL: Lou Boudreau (CLE)NL: Stan Musial (STL) Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award AL Cleveland Indians Boston Red Sox NL Boston Braves St. Louis Cardinals World Series 1948 World Series Cleveland Indians Boston Braves List of MLB seasons MLB 1947 Major League Baseball season 1947 1949 Major League Baseball season 1949 The 1948 major league baseball season began on April 19, 1948. The regular season ended on October 4, with the Boston Braves and Cleveland Indians as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The Indians won the American League title via a tie-breaker game victory over the Boston Red Sox, after both teams finished their 154-game schedules with identical 96–58 records. This was the second regular season tie-breaker, and saw a change from the previous three-game format to that of a single-game, Game 163. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 45th World Series on October 6 and ended with Game 6 on October 11. The Indians defeated the Braves, four games to two, capturing their second championship in franchise history, since their previous in 1920. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the New York Yankees from the 1947 season. The 15th All-Star Game was held on July 13 at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, Missouri, hosted by the St. Louis Browns. The American League won, 5–2, for their third straight win. The 1948 season is notable as being the final season of any Negro league holding major-league status, as per MLB's 2020 designation of Negro leagues. It would be the final season of the Negro National League, while the Negro American League would continue as a minor-league until it ceased play after the 1962 season. Schedule Major League Baseball schedule The 1948 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 19, featuring six teams. The final day of the scheduled regular season was on October 3, which saw all sixteen teams play, continuing the trend from 1946. Due to the Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Indians finishing with the same record of 96–58, a tie-breaker game was scheduled, to be considered an extension of the regular season. The Indians won the Game 163 tie-breaker on October 4. The World Series took place between October 6 and October 11. Teams LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManager1948 Major League Managers https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1948-managers.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com enAmerican League American LeagueBoston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park35,500Joe McCarthy managerChicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisComiskey Park47,400Ted LyonsCleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium78,811Lou BoudreauDetroit TigersDetroit, MichiganBriggs Stadium58,000Steve O'NeillNew York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium67,000Bucky HarrisPhiladelphia AthleticsPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaShibe Park33,166Connie MackSt. Louis BrownsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park34,000Zack Taylor baseballWashington SenatorsWashington, D.C.Griffith Stadium28,085Joe KuhelNational League National League (baseball) National LeagueBoston BravesBoston, MassachusettsBraves Field37,106Billy SouthworthBrooklyn DodgersNew York, New YorkEbbets Field34,219Leo DurocherRay BladesBurt ShottonChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field38,396Charlie GrimmCincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field30,101Johnny NeunBucky WaltersNew York GiantsNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds54,500Mel OttLeo DurocherPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaShibe Park33,166Ben Chapman baseballDusty CookeEddie SawyerPittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field33,730Billy MeyerSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park34,000Eddie Dyer Standings start American League Cleveland Indians break National League Boston Braves end The Cleveland Indians defeated the Boston Red Sox in a one-game regular season extension to earn the American League pennant. Tie games 7 tie games (3 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 Chicago White Sox, 2 Cleveland Indians, 1 St. Louis Browns, 2 Washington Senators, 1 break National League Boston Braves, 1 Brooklyn Dodgers, 1 Chicago Cubs, 1 New York Giants, 1 Philadelphia Phillies, 1 Pittsburgh Pirates, 2 St. Louis Cardinals, 1 end Postseason 1948 Major League Baseball postseason The postseason began on October 4 and ended on October 11 with the Cleveland Indians defeating the Boston Braves in the 1948 World Series in six games. Bracket American League playoff World Series AL Cleveland 4 AL Boston Red Sox 0 NL Boston Braves 2 AL Cleveland 1 Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBrooklyn DodgersBurt ShottonLeo DurocherPittsburgh PiratesBill BurwellBilly MeyerSt. Louis BrownsMuddy RuelZack TaylorWashington SenatorsOssie BluegeJoe Kuhel In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBrooklyn DodgersLeo DurocherRay BladesRay BladesBurt ShottonCincinnati RedsJohnny NeunBucky WaltersNew York GiantsMel OttLeo DurocherPhiladelphia PhilliesBen ChapmanDusty CookeDusty CookeEddie Sawyer League leaders American League start + Hitting leaders1948 American League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1948-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total AVG Ted Williams (BOS) .369 OPS Ted Williams (BOS) 1.112 HR Joe DiMaggio (NYY) 39 RBI Joe DiMaggio (NYY) 155 R Tommy Henrich (NYY) 138 H Bob Dillinger (SLB) 207 SB Bob Dillinger (SLB) 28 break + Pitching leaders1948 American League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1948-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total W Hal Newhouser (DET) 21 L Fred Sanford (SLB) 21 ERA Gene Bearden (CLE) 2.43 K Bob Feller (CLE) 164 IP Bob Lemon (CLE) 293.2 SV Russ Christopher (CLE) 17 WHIP Bob Lemon (CLE) 1.226 end National League start + Hitting leaders1948 National League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1948-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total AVG Stan Musial (STL) .376 OPS Stan Musial (STL) 1.152 HR Ralph Kiner (PIT)Johnny Mize (NYG) 40 RBI Stan Musial (STL) 131 R Stan Musial (STL) 135 H Stan Musial (STL) 230 SB Richie Ashburn (PHI) 32 break + Pitching leaders1948 National League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1948-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total W Johnny Sain (BSN) 24 L Dutch Leonard (PHI) 17 ERA Harry Brecheen (STL) 2.24 K Harry Brecheen (STL) 149 IP Johnny Sain (BSN) 314.2 SV Harry Gumbert (CIN) 17 WHIP Harry Brecheen (STL) 1.037 end Milestones Batters Four home runs in one game List of Major League Baseball single-game home run leaders Pat Seerey (CWS/CLE): Became the fifth player to hit four home runs in one game as a part of the Chicago White Sox in a 12–11 win against the Philadelphia Athletics in game one of a doubleheader on July 18.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHA/PHA194807181.shtml Chicago White Sox vs Philadelphia Athletics Box Score: July 18, 1948 March 13, 2026 Baseball-Reference.com https://web.archive.org/web/20260102150615/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHA/PHA194807181.shtml January 2, 2026 live Cycles List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle Joe DiMaggio (NYY): DiMaggio hit for his second cycle and 11th in franchise history, on May 20 against the Chicago White Sox.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1948/B05200CHA1948.htm New York Yankees 13, Chicago White Sox 2 May 20, 1948 Retrosheet.org September 10, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130423/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1948/B05200CHA1948.htm live Wally Westlake (PIT): Westlake hit for his first cycle and 14th in franchise history, on July 30 against the Brooklyn Dodgers.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1948/B07300BRO1948.htm Pittsburgh Pirates 10, Brooklyn Dodgers 5 July 30, 2011 Retrosheet.org September 10, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130428/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1948/B07300BRO1948.htm live Jackie Robinson (BRO): Robinson hit for his first cycle, the sixth in franchise history, and the sixth reverse cycle in major league history, in game one of a doubleheader on August 29 against the St. Louis Cardinals.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1948/B08291SLN1948.htm Brooklyn Dodgers 12, St. Louis Cardinals 7 (1) August 29, 1948 Retrosheet.org September 10, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130429/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1948/B08291SLN1948.htm live Other batting accomplishments George Vico (DET): Becomes the fifth major league player to hit a home run off the first pitch he sees as a major league player against the Chicago White Sox. Pitchers No-hitters List of Major League Baseball no-hitters Bob Lemon (CLE): Lemon threw his first career no-hitter and ninth no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Detroit Tigers 2–0 on June 30. Lemon walked three and struck out four.Cleveland Indians vs Detroit Tigers Box Score: June 30, 1948 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/DET/DET194806300.shtml 2026-04-09 Baseball-Reference.com en Rex Barney (BRO): Barney threw his first career no-hitter and 10th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the New York Giants 2–0 on September 9. Barney walked two and struck out four, throwing 75 strikes on 116 pitches.Brooklyn Dodgers vs New York Giants Box Score: September 9, 1948 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/NY1/NY1194809090.shtml 2026-04-09 Baseball-Reference.com en Awards and honors Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie of the Year Alvin Dark (BSN) —Most Valuable Player Stan Musial (STL) Lou Boudreau (CLE) 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 — Lou Boudreau (CLE) 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 Sain (BSN) 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 Richie Ashburn (PHI) — 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 Billy Meyer (PIT) — 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 — Bill Veeck (CLE) Baseball Hall of Fame National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Herb Pennock Pie Traynor 1948 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting Home field attendance Team nameWins%± Percent changeHome attendance%± Percent changePer game Average home attendance per gameCleveland Indianshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/attend.shtml Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com9721.3%2,620,62772.2%33,172New York Yankeeshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/attend.shtml New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com94 −3.1%2,373,9018.9%30,830Detroit Tigershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/attend.shtml Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com78 −8.2%1,743,03524.7%22,637Boston Red Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com9615.7%1,558,7989.2%19,985Pittsburgh Pirateshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/attend.shtml Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com8333.9%1,517,02118.2%18,963New York Giantshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/attend.shtml San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com78 −3.7%1,459,269 −8.8%18,952Boston Braveshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/attend.shtml Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com915.8%1,455,43913.9%19,151Brooklyn Dodgershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/attend.shtml Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com84 −10.6%1,398,967 −22.6%17,935Chicago Cubshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/attend.shtml Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com64 −7.2%1,237,792 −9.3%15,869St. Louis Cardinalshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com85 −4.5%1,111,440 −10.9%14,434Philadelphia Athleticshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/attend.shtml Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com847.7%945,0763.7%12,274Cincinnati Redshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com64 −12.3%823,386 −8.5%10,693Washington Senatorshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/attend.shtml Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com56 −12.5%795,254 −6.5%10,196Chicago White Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/attend.shtml Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com51 −27.1%777,844 −11.3%10,235Philadelphia Phillieshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/attend.shtml Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com666.5%767,429 −15.4%10,098St. Louis Brownshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/attend.shtml Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com590.0%335,5644.7%4,415 Retired numbers Babe Ruth had his No. 3 retired by the New York Yankees on June 13. This was the second number retired by the team. Mel Ott had his No. 4 retired by the New York Giants on July 17. This was the second number retired by the team. See also 1948 in baseball (Events, Movies, Births, Deaths) 1948 All-American Girls Professional Baseball League season References Further reading Kaiser David E. David E. Kaiser Epic Season: The 1948 American League Pennant Race 1998 978-1558491465 University of Massachusetts Press External links 1948 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference Category:Major League Baseball seasons Category:1948 in baseball