1947 Major League Baseball season

February 2024 1947 1947 MLB season American League (AL)National League (NL) Baseball Regular season: April 15 – September 28, 1947World Series: September 30 – October 6, 1947 154 16 (8 per league) Regular season AL: Joe DiMaggio (NYY)NL: Bob Elliott (BSN) Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award AL New York Yankees Detroit Tigers NL Brooklyn Dodgers St. Louis Cardinals World Series 1947 World Series New York Yankees Brooklyn Dodgers List of MLB seasons MLB 1946 Major League Baseball season 1946 1948 Major League Baseball season 1948 The 1947 major league baseball season began on April 15, 1947. 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 44th World Series on September 30 and ended with Game 7 on October 6. In the second iteration of this Subway Series World Series matchup, the Yankees defeated the Dodgers, four games to three, capturing their 11th championship in franchise history, since their previous in 1943. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the St. Louis Cardinals from the 1946 season. The 14th All-Star Game was held on July 8 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, home of the Chicago Cubs. The American League won, 2–1. The 1947 season is most notable as the year that the baseball color line broke, thanks to the Brooklyn Dodgers starting Jackie Robinson on Opening Day.https://sabr.org/gamesproj/game/april-15-1947-jackie-robinsons-major-league-debut April 15, 1947: Jackie Robinson's major league debut Lyle Spatz SABR October 8, 2020 Integration: Breaking the color line Baseball color line#Jackie Robinson and Larry Doby On April 15, Opening Day for the National League's Brooklyn Dodgers, Jackie Robinson was in the Dodgers' lineup, playing first base against the Boston Braves at Ebbets Field. His appearance in a major league game broke the baseball color line, the practice of excluding players of black African descent. Though he endured epithets and death threats, as well as a slow start, his skill would earn him the first ever Rookie of the Year award, named in Robinson's honor 40 years later.Sports News Associated Press July 14, 1987 Halfway through the season on July 5, the American League's Cleveland Indians debuted Larry Doby, becoming the first black player in the American League and breaking the AL color line. Doby was a more low-key figure, suffered many of the same indignities that Robinson did, albeit with less press coverage.https://sabr.org/bioproj/person/larry-doby/ Larry Doby John McMurray SABR October 8, 2020 Kansas City Monarchs star Willard Brown and teammate Hank Thompson briefly played for the St. Louis Browns, becoming the third and fourth Black players in either the NL or AL, and made the St. Louis Browns the first of either the NL or AL to field two Black players on one roster. Brown was the first black player to hit a home run in the American League. Schedule Major League Baseball schedule The 1947 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 all sixteen teams, continuing the trend from 1945. The final day of the regular season was on September 28, which also saw all sixteen teams play, continuing the trend from the previous season. This was the first time since 1940 that all sixteen teams played their first and last games on the same days. The World Series took place between September 30 and October 6. Rule changes The 1947 season saw the following rule changes: Regarding salaries and pensions, major-league players would be guaranteed:Nechal Jerry 1946 Winter Meetings: Tranquility and Turbulence – Society for American Baseball Research https://sabr.org/journal/article/1946-winter-meetings-tranquility-and-turbulence/ 2025-06-03 en-US A minimum salary of $5,000 (US 5000 1947 eq -2). A limitation on pay cuts to a maximum of 25% $25 per week (US 25 1947 eq) in living expenses during spring training The creation of a pension plan. Said plan was to be funded by each player contributing $250 per year (US 250 1947 eq -1), a sum that would be matched by his owner. Proceeds from the World Series broadcasting and the All-Star Game would go to the pension plan. A team claiming a player through waiver calls on the third call would get said player. Previously, owners had been able to retain players put on waivers, regardless of whether another team claimed them or not. The Commissioner of Baseball could no longer unilaterally rule on items "detrimental" to baseball on minor-leagues, and now followed the major-league rule that was implemented the previous season, that the commissioner had the authority to determine when a rule or act was harmful to baseball and to block the implementation of such a rule. A new Major-Minor League Agreement established a classification labeled Bonus Players for both the major and minors. The designation was assigned to newly signed players who were paid bonus money above defined amounts. The fixed minimum amount that would trigger a bonus classification ranged from $600 (US 600 1947 eq -1) in Class D to $6,000 (US 6000 1947 eq -2) in the majors. A Bonus Player would retain the label for his career. If he was optioned to a lower classification or playing level, he would be subject to an unrestricted draft. Teams LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManager1947 Major League Managers https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/majors/1947-managers.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com enAmerican League American LeagueBoston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park35,500Joe CroninChicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisComiskey Park47,400Ted LyonsCleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium78,811Lou BoudreauDetroit TigersDetroit, MichiganBriggs Stadium58,000Steve O'NeillNew York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium70,000Bucky HarrisPhiladelphia AthleticsPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaShibe Park33,166Connie MackSt. Louis BrownsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park31,250Muddy RuelWashington SenatorsWashington, D.C.Griffith Stadium32,000Ossie BluegeNational League National League (baseball) National LeagueBoston BravesBoston, MassachusettsBraves Field36,706Billy SouthworthBrooklyn DodgersNew York, New YorkEbbets Field34,219Clyde SukeforthBurt ShottonChicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field38,396Charlie GrimmCincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field30,101Johnny NeunNew York GiantsNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds54,500Mel OttPhiladelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaShibe Park33,166Ben Chapman baseballPittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field33,730Billy HermanBill BurwellSt. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park31,250Eddie Dyer Standings start American League New York Yankees break National League Brooklyn Dodgers end Tie games 11 tie games (7 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 Boston Red Sox, 3 Chicago White Sox, 1 Cleveland Indians, 3 Detroit Tigers, 4 New York Yankees, 1 Philadelphia Athletics, 2 break National League Brooklyn Dodgers, 1 Chicago Cubs, 1 New York Giants, 1 Philadelphia Phillies, 1 Pittsburgh Pirates, 2 St. Louis Cardinals, 2 end Postseason The postseason began on September 30 and ended on October 6 with the New York Yankees defeating the Brooklyn Dodgers in the 1947 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 ManagerBrooklyn DodgersLeo DurocherClyde SukeforthCincinnati RedsHank GowdyJohnny NeunNew York YankeesJohnny NeunBucky HarrisPittsburgh PiratesSpud DavisBilly HermanSt. Louis BrownsZack TaylorMuddy Ruel In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBrooklyn DodgersClyde SukeforthBurt ShottonPittsburgh PiratesBilly HermanBill Burwell League leaders American League start + Hitting leaders1947 American League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1947-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com enStat PlayerTotal AVG Ted Williams1 (BOS) .343 OPS Ted Williams (BOS) 1.133 HR Ted Williams1 (BOS) 32 RBI Ted Williams1 (BOS) 114 R Ted Williams (BOS) 125 H Johnny Pesky (BOS) 207 SB Bob Dillinger (SLB) 34 1 American League Triple Crown batting winner break + Pitching leaders1947 American League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/AL/1947-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com enStat PlayerTotal W Bob Feller (CLE) 20 L Hal Newhouser (DET) 17 ERA Joe Haynes (CWS) 2.42 K Bob Feller (CLE) 196 IP Bob Feller (CLE) 299.0 SV Ed Klieman (CLE)Joe Page (NYY) 17 WHIP Bob Feller (CLE) 1.194 end National League start + Hitting leaders1947 National League Batting Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1947-batting-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com enStat PlayerTotal AVG Harry Walker (PHI/STL) .363 OPS Ralph Kiner (PIT) 1.055 HR Ralph Kiner (PIT)Johnny Mize (NYG) 51 RBI Johnny Mize (NYG) 138 R Johnny Mize (NYG) 137 H Tommy Holmes (BSN) 191 SB Jackie Robinson (BRO) 29 break + Pitching leaders1947 National League Pitching Leaders https://www.baseball-reference.com/leagues/NL/1947-pitching-leaders.shtml 2025-02-05 Baseball-Reference.com enStat PlayerTotal W Ewell Blackwell (CIN) 22 L Johnny Schmitz (CHC) 18 ERA Warren Spahn (BSN) 2.33 K Ewell Blackwell (CIN) 193 IP Warren Spahn (BSN) 289.2 SV Hugh Casey (BRO) 18 WHIP Warren Spahn (BSN) 1.136 end Milestones Batters Cycles List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle Bobby Doerr (BOS): Doerr hit for his second cycle and 12th in franchise history, on May 13 against the Chicago White Sox.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1947/B05130BOS1947.htm Boston Red Sox 19, Chicago White Sox 6 May 13, 1947 Retrosheet.org September 10, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924125228/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1947/B05130BOS1947.htm live Vic Wertz (DET): Wertz hit for his first cycle and fifth in franchise history, in game one of a doubleheader on September 14 against the Washington Senators.http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1947/B09141WS11947.htm Detroit Tigers 16, Washington Senators 6 (1) September 14, 1947 Retrosheet.org September 10, 2011 September 24, 2015 https://web.archive.org/web/20150924130410/http://www.retrosheet.org/boxesetc/1947/B09141WS11947.htm live Other batting accomplishments Walker Cooper (NYG): Tied a Major League record by becoming the fourth player and second National League player to hit home runs in six consecutive games between June 22 and 28.Eagle Ed Most consecutive games with a home run https://www.mlb.com/news/consecutive-home-run-games-c265322182 2026-04-28 MLB.com en Pitchers No-hitters List of Major League Baseball no-hitters Ewell Blackwell (CIN): Blackwell threw his first career no-hitter and ninth no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Boston Braves 6–0 on June 18. Blackwell walked four and struck out three.Boston Braves vs Cincinnati Reds Box Score: June 18, 1947 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CIN/CIN194706180.shtml 2026-04-09 Baseball-Reference.com en Don Black (CLE): Black threw his first career no-hitter and eighth no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Philadelphia Athletics 3–0 in game one of a doubleheader on July 10. Black walked six and struck out five.Philadelphia Athletics vs Cleveland Indians Box Score: July 10, 1947 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/CLE/CLE194707101.shtml 2026-04-09 Baseball-Reference.com en Bill McCahan (PHA): McCahan threw his first career no-hitter and fifth no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Washington Senators 3–0 on September 3. McCahan walked none and struck out two.Washington Nationals vs Philadelphia Athletics Box Score: September 3, 1947 https://www.baseball-reference.com/boxes/PHA/PHA194709030.shtml 2026-04-09 Baseball-Reference.com en Awards and honors thumb|Joe DiMaggio (1951) Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie of the Year Jackie Robinson (BRO) —Most Valuable Player Bob Elliott (BSN) Joe DiMaggio (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 — Ted Williams (BOS) 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 Jackie Robinson (BRO) — 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 — Bucky Harris (NYY) 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 Branch Rickey (BRO) — Baseball Hall of Fame National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum Carl Hubbell Frankie Frisch Mickey Cochrane Lefty Grove 1947 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.com9711.5%2,178,937 −3.8%28,298Brooklyn Dodgershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/LAD/attend.shtml Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com94 −2.1%1,807,5260.6%23,173New York Giantshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/SFG/attend.shtml San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com8132.8%1,600,79331.2%21,063Cleveland Indianshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CLE/attend.shtml Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com8017.6%1,521,97844.0%19,513Boston Red Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BOS/attend.shtml Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com83 −20.2%1,427,3150.7%17,621Detroit Tigershttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/DET/attend.shtml Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com85 −7.6%1,398,093 −18.8%17,476Chicago Cubshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHC/attend.shtml Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com69 −15.9%1,364,0391.6%17,266Pittsburgh Pirateshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PIT/attend.shtml Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com62 −1.6%1,283,53171.1%16,247Boston Braveshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/ATL/attend.shtml Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com866.2%1,277,36131.7%16,589St. Louis Cardinalshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/STL/attend.shtml St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com89 −9.2%1,247,91317.5%16,207Philadelphia Athleticshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/OAK/attend.shtml Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com7859.2%911,56646.6%11,687Philadelphia Phillieshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/PHI/attend.shtml Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com62 −10.1%907,332 −13.2%11,784Cincinnati Redshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CIN/attend.shtml Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com739.0%899,97525.7%11,688Chicago White Soxhttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/CHW/attend.shtml Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com70 −5.4%876,948 −10.8%11,693Washington Senatorshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/MIN/attend.shtml Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com64 −15.8%850,758 −17.2%11,049St. Louis Brownshttps://www.baseball-reference.com/teams/BAL/attend.shtml Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors September 8, 2020 Baseball-Reference.com59 −10.6%320,474 −39.1%4,162 Venues After playing at both League Park (where they played 45 seasons in part or in full) and Cleveland Stadium (where they played 13 season in part or in full) since 1932 (sans 1933 through 1935), the Cleveland Indians permanently move into Cleveland Stadium leaving their inaugural park, having played at League Park for 45 seasons (every season since 1901 excluding 1933). Previously, the Indians would typically play home games at League Park on weekdays and Cleveland Stadium on weekends. They would go on to play at Cleveland Stadium for a total of 60 seasons through 1993. See also 1947 in baseball (Events, Births, Deaths) 1947 All-American Girls Professional Baseball League season References External links 1947 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference Category:Major League Baseball seasons Category:1947 in baseball