1959 Major League Baseball season

February 2024 1959 1959 MLB season American League (AL)National League (NL) Baseball Regular season: April 9 – September 27, 1959 (AL) April 9 – September 29, 1959 (NL)World Series: October 1–8, 1959 154 16 (8 per league) NBC, CBS Regular season AL: Nellie Fox (CWS)NL: Ernie Banks (CHC) Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award AL Chicago White Sox Cleveland Indians NL Los Angeles Dodgers Milwaukee Braves World Series 1959 World Series Los Angeles Dodgers Chicago White Sox Larry Sherry (LAD) World Series Most Valuable Player Award List of MLB seasons MLB 1958 Major League Baseball season 1958 1960 Major League Baseball season 1960 thumb|250px|Yankees – Red Sox game in 1959. The 1959 major league baseball season began on April 9, 1959. The regular season ended on September 29, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Chicago White Sox as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The Dodgers swept the Milwaukee Braves in a regular season best-of-three tiebreaker, for the National League title, after both teams finished their 154-game schedules with identical 86–68 records. This was the fourth regular season tie-breaker. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 56th World Series on October 1 and ended with Game 6 on October 8. The Dodgers defeated the White Sox, four games to two, capturing their second championship in franchise history, their first since in 1955, and first in Los Angeles. This was the first appearance of the White Sox in the "Fall Classic" since the infamous Black Sox Scandal of the 1919 World Series and interrupted a Yankees' dynasty that dominated the American League between 1949 and 1964. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the New York Yankees from the 1958 season. For the first time in professional baseball history, there were two separate All-Star Games played. The first, the 26th All-Star Game, was held on July 7 at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, home of the Pittsburgh Pirates. The National League won, 5–1. The second, the 27th All-Star Game, was held on August 3 at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum in Los Angeles, California, home of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The American League won, 5–3. In the National League, the Cincinnati Redlegs reverted to their 1890–1952 name, the Cincinnati Reds. On July 21, the Boston Red Sox became the 16th and final team in professional baseball to break the color line when they fielded Pumpsie Green, 12 years after Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers broke the professional baseball color line in 1947.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 The Red Sox were notably resistant to integration due to team owner Tom Yawkey, and only did so following a lawsuit charging Yawkey and general manager Bucky Harris with discrimination and the deliberate barring of black players from the Red Sox.The New York Times April 7, 1959 The NAACP issued charges of "following an anti-Negro policy", and the Massachusetts Commission Against Discrimination announced a public hearing on racial bias against the Red Sox.Friend Harold Pumpsie Green and the Boston Red Sox's Racism https://bleacherreport.com/articles/157150-pumpsie-green-and-red-sox-racism 2024-12-16 Bleacher Report en The season is notable as the only one between 1950 and 1981 where no pitcher pitched a no-hitter.No-Hitters in chronological Order https://web.archive.org/web/20080223083659/http://www.retrosheet.org/nohit_chrono.htm February 23, 2008 by Retro Sheetlist a a Schedule Major League Baseball schedule The 1959 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 9, featuring four teams. The final day of the scheduled regular season was on September 27, which saw all sixteen teams play, the first time since 1957. Due to the Los Angeles Dodgers and Milwaukee Braves finishing with the same record of 86–68, a best-of-three tie-breaker was scheduled, to be considered an extension of the regular season. The World Series took place between October 1 and October 8. Rule changes The 1959 season saw the following rule changes: The minimum outfield dimensions for all new ballparks are to be 325 feet down the left and right field foul lines, and 400 feet in center field.MLB Rule Changes Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/rulechng.shtml 2024-06-03 www.baseball-almanac.com en-usA guide to rules changes in MLB (and sports) history https://www.mlb.com/news/history-of-mlb-rules-changes 2024-06-03 MLB.com en Traditional waivers are to now be suspended from November 21 to December 15 every year. This was to enable trades between the American and National Leagues, without the usual requirement that players were to be waived out of their respective leagues.Lynch Mike 1958 Winter Meetings: The Last Word in Utter Futility – Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/1958-winter-meetings-the-last-word-in-utter-futility/ 2025-07-15 en-US Though not approved in time for the fall 1958 draft, the selection prices for players drafted by major-league team was reduced from $25,000 (US 25000 1959 eq -3) to $15,000 (US 15000 1959 eq -3). Rule 5 drafts were amended to allow teams to draft first year pro players, who were not on a team's 40-man major-league roster.Henry Alan P. Kritzler David 1959 Winter Meetings: Winds of Change – Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/1959-winter-meetings-winds-of-change/ 2025-07-15 en-US Given that a player was drafted under the now ceased bonus rule, the team which originally drafted a player must still cover the bonus money. For the entire season, the team that drafted said player must keep said player in the majors, or else be forced to return the player to his pre-Rule 5 draft team at the cost of $7,500 (US 7500 1959 eq -2). Teams LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManager1959 Major League Managers https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1959-managers.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com enAmerican League American LeagueBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium47,778Paul Richards baseballBoston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park34,819Pinky HigginsRudy YorkBilly JurgesChicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisComiskey Park46,550Al LópezCleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium73,811Joe GordonDetroit TigersDetroit, MichiganBriggs Stadium58,000Bill Norman baseballJimmy DykesKansas City AthleticsKansas City, MissouriMunicipal Stadium30,296Harry CraftNew York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium67,205Casey StengelWashington SenatorsWashington, D.C.Griffith Stadium28,669Cookie LavagettoNational League National League (baseball) National LeagueChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field36,755Bob ScheffingCincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field30,322Mayo SmithFred HutchinsonLos Angeles DodgersLos Angeles, CaliforniaLos Angeles Memorial Coliseum94,600Walter AlstonMilwaukee BravesMilwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee County Stadium43,768Fred HaneyPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaConnie Mack Stadium33,359Eddie SawyerPittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field34,249Danny MurtaughSan Francisco GiantsSan Francisco, CaliforniaSeals Stadium22,900Bill RigneySt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriBusch Stadium30,500Solly Hemus Standings start American League Chicago White Sox break National League Los Angeles Dodgers end The Los Angeles Dodgers defeated the Milwaukee Braves in a regular season best-of-three tie-breaker series to earn the National League pennant. Tie games 4 tie games (2 in AL, 2 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again) occurred throughout the season. start American League The Chicago White Sox had two tie games. The Baltimore Orioles and New York Yankees had one each. July 29, Chicago White Sox vs. New York Yankees, tied at 4 after a shortened six innings due to rain.Retrosheet Boxscore: Chicago White Sox 4, New York Yankees 4 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1959/B07290CHA1959.htm 2026-04-28 www.retrosheet.org August 6, Baltimore Orioles vs. Chicago White Sox, tied at 1 after 18 innings on account of curfew.Retrosheet Boxscore: Baltimore Orioles 1, Chicago White Sox 1 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1959/B08060BAL1959.htm 2026-04-28 www.retrosheet.org break National League The Chicago Cubs, Milwaukee Braves, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates had one each. April 17, Milwaukee Braves vs. Pittsburgh Pirates, tied at 2 after nine innings. Two pitches were thrown in the top of the 10th inning before a one hour rain delay at 4:03 p.m. lead to the 10th inning to be negated and game ended due to rain and made up entirely at a later date.Retrosheet Boxscore: Milwaukee Braves 2, Pittsburgh Pirates 2 https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1959/B04170MLN1959.htm 2026-04-28 www.retrosheet.org August 19 (game 2), Philadelphia Phillies vs. Chicago Cubs, tied at 7 after five plate appearances and two outs in the bottom of the 12th inning on account of curfew.Retrosheet Boxscore: Philadelphia Phillies 7, Chicago Cubs 7 (2) https://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1959/B08192PHI1959.htm 2026-04-28 www.retrosheet.org end Postseason 1959 Major League Baseball postseason The postseason began on September 28 and ended on October 8 with the Los Angeles Dodgers defeating the Chicago White Sox in the 1959 World Series in six games. Bracket National League playoff World Series AL Chicago White Sox 2 NL Milwaukee 0 NL Los Angeles 4 NL Los Angeles 2 Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerCincinnati RedsJimmy DykesMayo SmithSt. Louis CardinalsStan HackSolly Hemus In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBoston Red SoxPinky HigginsRudy YorkRudy YorkBilly JurgesCincinnati RedsMayo SmithFred HutchinsonDetroit TigersBill NormanJimmy Dykes League leaders American League start + Hitting leaders1959 American League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1959-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total AVG Harvey Kuenn (DET) .353 OPS Al Kaline (DET) .940 HR Rocky Colavito (CLE)Harmon Killebrew (WSH) 42 RBI Jackie Jensen (BOS) 112 R Eddie Yost (DET) 115 H Harvey Kuenn (DET) 198 SB Luis Aparicio (CWS) 56 break + Pitching leaders1959 American League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1959-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total W Early Wynn (CWS) 22 L Pedro Ramos (WSH) 19 ERA Hoyt Wilhelm (BAL) 2.19 K Jim Bunning (DET) 201 IP Early Wynn (CWS) 255.2 SV Turk Lown (CWS)Gerry Staley (CWS) 15 WHIP Art Ditmar (NYY) 1.030 end National League start + Hitting leaders1959 National League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1959-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total AVG Hank Aaron (MIL) .355 OPS Hank Aaron (MIL) 1.037 HR Eddie Mathews (MIL) 46 RBI Ernie Banks (CHC) 143 R Vada Pinson (CIN) 131 H Hank Aaron (MIL) 223 SB Willie Mays (SF) 27 break + Pitching leaders1959 National League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1959-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com en Stat Player Total W Lew Burdette (MIL)Sam Jones (SF)Warren Spahn (MIL) 21 L Bob Friend (PIT) 19 ERA Sam Jones (SF) 2.83 K Don Drysdale (LAD) 242 IP Warren Spahn (MIL) 292.0 SV Lindy McDaniel (STL) 16 WHIP Harvey Haddix (PIT) 1.061 end Milestones Batters Four home runs in one game List of Major League Baseball single-game home run leaders Rocky Colavito (CLE): Became the eighth player to hit four home runs in one game in a 11–8 win against the Baltimore Orioles on June 10.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL195906100.shtml Cleveland Indians vs Baltimore Orioles Box Score: June 10, 1959 Baseball-Reference.com March 13, 2026 https://web.archive.org/web/20250816065001/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BAL/BAL195906100.shtml August 16, 2025 livehttps://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5ronAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eFUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7108,1574691&dq=rocky-colavito&hl=en Tribe's Rocky Colavito Ties Record in Majors' Toughest Home Run Park Wilks Ed June 10, 1959 Evening Independent Associated Press 6A September 10, 2010 November 17, 2021 https://web.archive.org/web/20211117225833/https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=5ronAAAAIBAJ&sjid=eFUDAAAAIBAJ&pg=7108%2C1574691&dq=rocky-colavito&hl=en live Cycles List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle Frank Robinson (CIN): Robinson hit for his first cycle and eighth in franchise history, on May 2 against the Los Angeles Dodgers.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1959/B05020CIN1959.htm Cincinnati Reds 16, Los Angeles Dodgers 4 May 2, 1959 Retrosheet.org September 11, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924132625/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1959/B05020CIN1959.htm live Other batting accomplishments Stan Musial (STL): Became the sixth player in Major League history to hit 400 home runs in the ninth inning in a walk-off against the Chicago Cubs on May 7.Stan Musial Career Home Runs https://www.baseball-reference.com/players/event_hr.fcgi?id=musiast01&t=b 2026-05-04 Baseball-Reference.com enThosar Deesha Every member of the 400-HR club https://www.mlb.com/news/400-home-run-club-c279297150 2026-05-04 MLB.com en Pitchers Sandy Koufax (LAD): Set a modern National League record and became the second modern Major League player to strike out batters in a single game in a 5–2 win against the San Francisco Giants on August 31.San Francisco Giants vs Los Angeles Dodgers Box Score: August 31, 1959 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/LAN/LAN195908310.shtml 2026-05-14 Baseball-Reference.com en Awards and honors Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie of the Year Willie McCovey (SF) Bob Allison (WSH)Cy Young Award — Early Wynn (CWS)Most Valuable Player Ernie Banks (CHC) Nellie Fox (CWS)Babe Ruth Award(World Series MVP) Larry Sherry (LAD) —Gold Glove AwardsPositionNational LeagueAmerican LeaguePitcher Harvey Haddix (PIT) Bobby Shantz (NYY)Catcher Del Crandall (MIL) Sherm Lollar (CWS)1st Base Gil Hodges (LAD) Vic Power (CLE)2nd Base Charlie Neal (LAD) Nellie Fox (CWS)3rd Base Ken Boyer (STL) Frank Malzone (BOS)Shortstop Roy McMillan (CIN) Luis Aparicio (CWS)Left field Jackie Brandt (SF) Minnie Miñoso (CLE)Center field Willie Mays (SF) Al Kaline (DET)Right field Hank Aaron (MIL) Jackie Jensen (BOS) Other awards Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award: Larry Sherry (LAD) 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 — Early Wynn (CWS) 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 Sam Jones (SF) Early Wynn (CWS) 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 Willie McCovey (SF) Bob Allison (WSH) 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 Walter Alston (LAD) — 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 Buzzie Bavasi (LAD) — Monthly awards Player of the Month Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award Month National League May Hank Aaron (MIL)Harvey Haddix (PIT) June Roy Face (PIT) July Don Drysdale (LAD) August Vern Law (PIT)Willie McCovey (SF) September Eddie Mathews (MIL) Baseball Hall of Fame National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Zack Wheat 1959 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting Home field attendance Team nameWins%± Percent changeHome attendance%± Percent changePer game Average home attendance per gameLos Angeles Dodgershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/attend.shtml Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com8823.9%2,071,04512.2%26,552Milwaukee Braveshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/attend.shtml Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com86 −6.5%1,749,112 −11.3%22,141New York Yankeeshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/NYY/attend.shtml New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com79 −14.1%1,552,0308.7%20,156Cleveland Indianshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/attend.shtml Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com8915.6%1,497,976125.7%19,454Chicago White Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/attend.shtml Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com9414.6%1,423,14478.5%18,245San Francisco Giantshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/attend.shtml San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com833.8%1,422,13011.7%18,469Pittsburgh Pirateshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/attend.shtml Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com78 −7.1%1,359,9173.7%17,661Detroit Tigershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/attend.shtml Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com76 −1.3%1,221,22111.1%15,860Boston Red Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com75 −5.1%984,102 −8.6%12,781Kansas City Athleticshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/attend.shtml Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com66 −9.6%963,6834.2%12,515St. Louis Cardinalshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com71 −1.4%929,953 −12.6%12,077Baltimore Orioleshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/attend.shtml Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com740.0%891,9267.5%11,435Chicago Cubshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/attend.shtml Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com742.8%858,255 −12.4%11,146Philadelphia Phillieshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/attend.shtml Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com64 −7.2%802,815 −13.8%10,293Cincinnati Redshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com74 −2.6%801,2981.6%10,406Washington Senatorshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/attend.shtml Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com633.3%615,37229.5%7,992 Venues The San Francisco Giants would play their final game at Seals Stadium on September 20 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, moving into Candlestick Park for the start of the 1960 season. Media Television CBS and NBC aired weekend Game of the Week broadcasts. The All-Star Game and World Series also aired on NBC. The rights to air the 1959 National League tie-breaker series were awarded to ABC.Dodgers Confident of National Flag September 29, 1959 Joe Reichler Associated Press Times Daily 5Crosby Sings Plenty September 29, 1959 Cynthia Lowry Associated Press Kentucky New Era 18 See also 1959 in baseball (Events, Births, Deaths) 1959 Nippon Professional Baseball season Notes list a aOther Major League Baseball seasons since 1901 without a no-hitter pitched are 1909, 1913, 1921, 1927–1928, 1932–1933, 1936, 1939, 1942–1943, 1949, 1982, 1985, 1989, 2000, 2005, and 2025. References External links 1959 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference Category:Major League Baseball seasons Category:1959 in baseball