1950 Major League Baseball season

February 2024 1950 1950 MLB season American League (AL)National League (NL) Baseball Regular season: April 18 – October 1, 1950World Series: October 4–7, 1950 154 16 (8 per league) Regular season AL: Phil Rizzuto (NYY)NL: Jim Konstanty (PHI) Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award AL New York Yankees Detroit Tigers NL Philadelphia Phillies Brooklyn Dodgers World Series 1950 World Series New York Yankees Philadelphia Phillies Jerry Coleman (NYY) Babe Ruth Award List of MLB seasons MLB 1949 Major League Baseball season 1949 1951 Major League Baseball season 1951 The 1950 major league baseball season began on April 18, 1950. The regular season ended on October 1, with the Philadelphia Phillies 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 47th World Series on October 4 and ended with Game 4 on October 7. The Yankees swept the Phillies in four games, capturing their 13th championship in franchise history, and their second of five consecutive World Series titles. The 17th All-Star Game was held on July 11 at Comiskey Park in Chicago, Illinois, home of the Chicago White Sox. The National League won, 4–3. On Opening Day, April 18, the Boston Braves became the fifth team in MLB to break the color line when they fielded Sam Jethroe.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 only no-hitter of the season was pitched by Vern Bickford on August 9, in the Boston Braves 7–0 victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers. http://www.baseball-almanac.com/pitching/pinohit1.shtml American League No Hitters Baseball Almanac October 1, 2012 http://www.baseball-almanac.com/pitching/pinohit2.shtml National League No Hitters Baseball Almanac October 1, 2012 This season saw the first use of a bullpen car, by the Cleveland Indians.Lukas Paul October 19, 2007 Long live the bullpen car - ESPN Page 2 http://www.espn.com/espn/page2/story?page=bullpencars/071018 February 24, 2018 ESPN Schedule Major League Baseball schedule The 1950 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 18, featuring all 16 teams, the first time since 1947. The final day of the regular season was on October 1, which also saw all 16 teams play, continuing the trend from 1946. This was the first time since 1947 that all 16 teams played their first and last games on the same days. The World Series took place between October 4 and October 7. Rule changes The 1950 season saw the following rule changes: Home team must bat second, in the bottom of the inning. This replaced the previous rule which would give the manager or captain of the home team preference to whether the home team would bat first or second. A major league game did not feature a home team in the top of the inning since 1914.MLB Rule Changes Baseball Almanac https://www.baseball-almanac.com/rulechng.shtml 2024-05-28 www.baseball-almanac.com en-usBelleville Gary Spring 2023 The Death and Rebirth of the Home Team Batting First https://sabr.org/journal/article/the-death-and-rebirth-of-the-home-team-batting-first/ 2024-05-28 Society for American Baseball Research The pitching mound must be 15 inches high. The previous rule stated that the maximum height was 15 inches but gave no minimum.Green Jeremy 1949 Winter Meetings: Bonuses, Bargains, and Broadcasts – Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/1949-winter-meetings-bonuses-bargains-and-broadcasts/ 2025-06-03 en-US2013-12-13 Pitching Mound History–balance between pitchers and batters https://bosoxinjection.com/2013/12/13/pitching-mound-history/ 2024-05-28 BoSox Injection en-US Rules for determining winning and losing pitcher were formally established (though followed the same standard since 1920).Vaccaro Frank Spring 2013 Origin of the Modern Pitching Win https://sabr.org/journal/article/origin-of-the-modern-pitching-win/ 2024-05-28 Society for American Baseball Research A winning pitcher is determined by the pitcher who is currently in the game when his team scores the leading run, where the team does not give up the lead later. A starting pitcher must pitch at least five innings, or else the win goes to the reliever deemed "most effective".Rules History https://www.retrosheet.org/rules/rules.htm 2025-07-17 www.retrosheet.org A losing pitcher is determined by the pitcher to give up the losing run. The size of all gloves, aside from first baseman and catcher's gloves, are regulated to be no more than 8 inches wide and 12 inches long. The size and shape of the webbing between the thumb and index finger was also regulated.Holmes Dan 2021-02-07 1950 rule forced Joe DiMaggio to ditch his favorite glove https://baseballegg.com/2021/02/07/1950-rule-forced-joe-dimaggio-to-ditch-his-favorite-glove/ 2024-05-28 Baseball Egg The strike zone was redefined and shrunk to be from the armpits to the top of the knees of the batter.A guide to rules changes in MLB (and sports) history https://www.mlb.com/news/history-of-mlb-rules-changes 2024-05-28 MLB.com en When a batter reaches first on a strikeout due to a passed ball on strike three, the pitcher is charged with an error, not a wild pitch. However, when determining earned runs for said pitcher, the ball is treated as a wild pitch, so that the pitcher would not be absolved for causing the opposing team scoring on said passed ball. For the 1950 season only, if a baserunner is attempting to steal a base, and is "well advanced towards the base" while a balk is called, the runner is awarded a stolen base. Rules regarding drafting high-school-age players were amended. Previously, a player who had either left school early or who did not finish high school on schedule had to wait until his last enrolled class (potentially later than the class in which he started school) graduated. Now, a high-school student could sign with a professional club after the class in which he first entered high school had graduated. In an arrangement between the major leagues and the US Department of Justice, teams could authorize broadcasts outside a 50-mile radius of their ballpark at hours when a team in the broadcast area was not playing. Players now had to remain on the disabled list for only 30 days instead of 60 (this introduced the 30-day disabled list, along with the already existing 60-day list). The National League made the following changes in regards to night games: Aside from local ordinances, the 12:50a.m. curfew restriction for games was lifted, allowing tie games to continue indefinitely until a team won. The suspended-game policy, which stated that a game that had to be halted (primarily) due to a curfew would resume the next time the two teams met, was restored. The twilight doubleheader was restored, matching policy of the American League. Ballpark lights were now allowed to be turned on when afternoon games ran into darkness before its conclusion. In contrast to the National League, the American League allowed ballpark lights to be turned on when afternoon games ran into darkness, but only during the final series of the season, and only for teams vying for first, second, third, or fourth place in the standings. Teams LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManager1950 Major League Managers https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1950-managers.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball ReferenceAmerican League American LeagueBoston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park35,200Joe McCarthy managerSteve O'NeillChicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisComiskey Park47,400Jack OnslowRed CorridenCleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium73,811Lou BoudreauDetroit TigersDetroit, MichiganBriggs Stadium58,000Red RolfeNew York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium67,000Casey StengelPhiladelphia AthleticsPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaShibe Park33,166Connie MackSt. Louis BrownsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park34,000Zack Taylor baseballWashington SenatorsWashington, D.C.Griffith Stadium29,731Bucky WaltersNational League National League (baseball) National LeagueBoston BravesBoston, MassachusettsBraves Field37,106Billy SouthworthBrooklyn DodgersNew York, New YorkEbbets Field32,111Burt ShottonChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field38,690Frankie FrischCincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field30,101Luke SewellNew York GiantsNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds54,500Leo DurocherPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaShibe Park33,166Eddie SawyerPittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field33,730Billy MeyerSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park34,000Eddie Dyer Standings start American League New York Yankees break National League Philadelphia Phillies end Tie games 8 tie games (4 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 Detroit Tigers, 3 New York Yankees, 1 Philadelphia Athletics, 1 Washington Senators, 1 break National League Boston Braves, 2 Brooklyn Dodgers, 1 Chicago Cubs, 1 Philadelphia Phillies, 3 Pittsburgh Pirates, 1 end Postseason The postseason began on October 4 and ended on October 7, with the New York Yankees sweeping the Philadelphia Phillies in the 1950 World Series in four games. Bracket World Series AL New York Yankees 4 NL Philadelphia Phillies 0 Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBoston BravesJohnny CooneyBilly SouthworthWashington SenatorsJoe KuhelBucky Harris In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBoston Red Sox Joe McCarthySteve O'NeillChicago White Sox Jack OnslowRed Corriden League leaders American League start + Hitting leaders1950 American League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1950-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference Stat Player Total AVG Billy Goodman (BoS) .354 OPS Larry Doby (CLE) .986 HR Al Rosen (CLE) 37 RBI Walt Dropo (BOS)Vern Stephens (BOS) 144 R Dom DiMaggio (BOS) 131 H George Kell (DET) 218 SB Dom DiMaggio (BOS) 15 break + Pitching leaders1950 American League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1950-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference Stat Player Total W Bob Lemon (CLE) 23 L Alex Kellner (PHA) 20 ERA Early Wynn (CLE) 3.20 K Bob Lemon (CLE) 170 IP Bob Lemon (CLE) 288.0 SV Mickey Harris (WSH) 15 WHIP Early Wynn (CLE) 1.250 end National League start + Hitting leaders1950 National League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1950-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference Stat Player Total AVG Stan Musial (STL) .346 OPS Stan Musial (STL) 1.034 HR Ralph Kiner (PIT) 47 RBI Del Ennis (PHI) 126 R Earl Torgeson (BSN) 120 H Duke Snider (BRO) 199 SB Sam Jethroe (BSN) 35 break + Pitching leaders1950 National League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1950-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball Reference Stat Player Total W Warren Spahn (BSN) 21 L Bob Rush (CHC) 20 ERA Sal Maglie (NYG) 2.71 K Warren Spahn (BSN) 191 IP Vern Bickford (BSN) 311.2 SV Jim Konstanty (PHI) 22 WHIP Larry Jansen (NYG) 1.065 end Milestones Batters Four home runs in one game List of Major League Baseball single-game home run leaders Gil Hodges (BRO): Became the sixth player to hit four home runs in one game in a 19–3 win against the Boston Braves on August 31.https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO195008310.shtml Boston Braves vs Brooklyn Dodgers Box Score: August 31, 1950 March 13, 2026 Baseball-Reference.com https://web.archive.org/web/20260311151826/https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BRO/BRO195008310.shtml March 11, 2026 live Cycles List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle George Kell (DET): Kell hit for his first cycle and sixth in franchise history, in game two of a doubleheader on June 2 against the Philadelphia Athletics.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1950/B06022PHA1950.htm Detroit Tigers 16, Philadelphia Athletics 5 (2) June 2, 1950 Retrosheet.org September 10, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130500/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1950/B06022PHA1950.htm live Ralph Kiner (PIT): Kiner hit for his first cycle and 16th in franchise history, on June 25 against the Brooklyn Dodgers.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1950/B06250BRO1950.htm Pittsburgh Pirates 16, Brooklyn Dodgers 11 June 25, 1950 Retrosheet.org September 10, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130501/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1950/B06250BRO1950.htm live Roy Smalley Jr. (CHC): Smalley hit for his first cycle and fifth in franchise history, on June 28 against the St. Louis Cardinals.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1950/B06280CHN1950.htm Chicago Cubs 15, St. Louis Cardinals 3 June 28, 1950 Retrosheet.org September 10, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130503/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1950/B06280CHN1950.htm live Elmer Valo (PHA): Valo hit for his first cycle and 10th in franchise history, on August 2 against the Chicago White Sox.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1950/B08020CHA1950.htm Philadelphia Athletics 10, Chicago White Sox 3 August 2, 1950 Retrosheet.org September 10, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130505/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1950/B08020CHA1950.htm live Hoot Evers (DET): Evers hit for his firsy cycle and seventh in franchise history, on September 7 against the Cleveland Indians.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1950/B09070DET1950.htm Detroit Tigers 13, Cleveland Indians 13 September 7, 1950 Retrosheet.org September 10, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130506/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1950/B09070DET1950.htm live Other batting accomplishments Bob Elliott / Sid Gordon / Willard Marshall / Luis Olmo / Earl Torgeson (BSN): Set a National League record of 13 home runs in three consecutive games from May 4 to 6. Jack Phillips (PIT): Became the first pinch-hitter to hit a walk-off grand slam in major league history in a 7–6 victory over the St. Louis Cardinals on July 8. Ron Northey (CHC/CIN): Set a Major League record by becoming the first player to hit three career grand slams as a pinch-hitter on September 18 as a part of the Chicago Cubs in a 9–7 victory over the Brooklyn Dodgers.Pinch Hitter Records https://www.baseball-almanac.com/recbooks/pinch-hitters-records.shtml 2026-05-15 Baseball Almanac en-us Pitchers No-hitters List of Major League Baseball no-hitters Vern Bickford (BSN): Bickford threw his first career no-hitter and seventh no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Brooklyn Dodgers 7–0 on August 11. Bickford walked four and struck out three, throwing 55 strikes on 97 pitches.Brooklyn Dodgers vs Boston Braves Box Score: August 11, 1950 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/BSN/BSN195008110.shtml 2026-04-16 Baseball-Reference.com en Other pitching accomplishments Bob Feller (CLE): Recorded his 200th career win on July 2 against the Detroit Tigers. Awards and honors Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie of the Year Sam Jethroe (BSN) Walt Dropo (BOS)Most Valuable Player Jim Konstanty (PHI) Phil Rizzuto (NYY) Babe Ruth Award(World Series MVP) — Jerry Coleman (NYY)https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hutch_gehrig_ruth_clemente.shtml The Hutch Award, Lou Gehrig Award, Babe Ruth Award & Roberto Clemente Award Winners Baseball Reference October 4, 2011 May 31, 2020 https://web.archive.org/web/20200531135759/https://www.baseball-reference.com/awards/hutch_gehrig_ruth_clemente.shtml livehttps://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1950_WS.shtml 1950 World Series Baseball Reference September 20, 2009 June 22, 2008 https://web.archive.org/web/20080622220954/http://www.baseball-reference.com/postseason/1950_WS.shtml live 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 https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snml.shtml 2025-01-14 Baseball Almanac — Phil Rizzuto (NYY) Pitcher of the YearPitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snpy2.shtml 2025-01-14 Baseball Almanac Jim Konstanty (PHI) Bob Lemon (CLE) Rookie of the YearRookie of the Year Award by The Sporting News https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snrp3.shtml 2025-01-14 Baseball Almanac — Whitey Ford (NYY) Manager of the YearManager of the Year Award by The Sporting News https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_snmy.shtml 2025-01-14 Baseball Almanac — Red Rolfe (DET) Executive of the YearMLB Executive of the Year Award https://www.baseball-almanac.com/awards/aw_sney.shtml 2025-01-14 Baseball Almanac — George Weiss (NYY) 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 Reference981.0%2,081,380 −8.9%27,031Detroit Tigershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/attend.shtml Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball Reference959.2%1,951,4747.2%24,092Cleveland IndiansCleveland Guardians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball Reference 923.4%1,727,464 −22.7%22,435Boston Red Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball Reference94 −2.1%1,344,080 −15.8%17,456Philadelphia Phillieshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/attend.shtml Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball Reference9112.3%1,217,03548.5%15,603Brooklyn Dodgershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/attend.shtml Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball Reference89 −8.2%1,185,896 −27.4%15,204Pittsburgh Pirateshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/attend.shtml Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball Reference57 −19.7%1,166,267 −19.5%15,146Chicago Cubshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/attend.shtml Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball Reference644.9%1,165,9442.0%14,948St. Louis Cardinalshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball Reference78 −18.8%1,093,411 −23.6%14,387New York GiantsSan Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors https://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/attend.shtml September 8, 2020 Baseball Reference8617.8%1,008,878 −17.2%13,275Boston Braveshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/attend.shtml Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball Reference8310.7%944,391 −12.7%11,954Chicago White Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/attend.shtml Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball Reference60 −4.8%781,330 −16.6%9,890Washington Senatorshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/attend.shtml Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball Reference6734.0%699,697 −9.2%8,970Cincinnati Redshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball Reference666.5%538,794 −23.9%7,089Philadelphia Athleticshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/attend.shtml Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball Reference52 −35.8%309,805 −62.1%4,023St. Louis Brownshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/attend.shtml Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball Reference589.4%247,131 −8.8%3,340 See also 1950 in baseball (Events, Movies, Births, Deaths) 1950 All-American Girls Professional Baseball League season 1950 Nippon Professional Baseball season References External links 1950 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference Category:Major League Baseball seasons Category:1950 in baseball