1954 Major League Baseball season
Sports season
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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.
National League (NL)
- April 13 – September 26, 1954
- September 29 – October 2, 1954
| 1954 MLB season | |
|---|---|
| League | American League (AL) National League (NL) |
| Sport | Baseball |
| Duration | Regular season:
|
| Games | 154 |
| Teams | 16 (8 per league) |
| TV partner(s) | ABC, NBC |
| Regular season | |
| Season MVP | AL: Yogi Berra (NYY) NL: Willie Mays (NYG) |
| AL champions | Cleveland Indians |
| AL runners-up | New York Yankees |
| NL champions | New York Giants |
| NL runners-up | Brooklyn Dodgers |
| World Series | |
| Venue | |
| Champions | New York Giants |
| Runners-up | Cleveland Indians |
| Finals MVP | Dusty Rhodes (NYG) |
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.[1]
On Opening Day, April 13, the Pittsburgh Pirates[a] 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.[3]
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.[1][4][5]
- Rules regarding a defensive interference offense expanded to include all fielders on the field, not just changed from a catcher.[4]
- Fielders who were in the batter's vision could no longer deliberately distract the batter.[4]
- 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.[4][6]
- Both leagues banned twilight-night doubleheaders and Spring night games.[1]
- The American League banned night games on getaway days if either team had to play the next afternoon.[1]
- 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.[7]
Teams
Standings
American League
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland Indians | 111 | 43 | .721 | — | 59–18 | 52–25 |
| New York Yankees | 103 | 51 | .669 | 8 | 54–23 | 49–28 |
| Chicago White Sox | 94 | 60 | .610 | 17 | 45–32 | 49–28 |
| Boston Red Sox | 69 | 85 | .448 | 42 | 38–39 | 31–46 |
| Detroit Tigers | 68 | 86 | .442 | 43 | 35–42 | 33–44 |
| Washington Senators | 66 | 88 | .429 | 45 | 37–41 | 29–47 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 54 | 100 | .351 | 57 | 32–45 | 22–55 |
| Philadelphia Athletics | 51 | 103 | .331 | 60 | 29–47 | 22–56 |
National League
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Giants | 97 | 57 | .630 | — | 53–23 | 44–34 |
| Brooklyn Dodgers | 92 | 62 | .597 | 5 | 45–32 | 47–30 |
| Milwaukee Braves | 89 | 65 | .578 | 8 | 43–34 | 46–31 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 75 | 79 | .487 | 22 | 39–39 | 36–40 |
| Cincinnati Redlegs | 74 | 80 | .481 | 23 | 41–36 | 33–44 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 72 | 82 | .468 | 25 | 33–44 | 39–38 |
| Chicago Cubs | 64 | 90 | .416 | 33 | 40–37 | 24–53 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 53 | 101 | .344 | 44 | 31–46 | 22–55 |
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.[9]
- May 9 (game 2), Philadelphia Athletics vs. New York Yankees, tied at 1 after nine innings on account of darkness.[10]
- July 20, Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox, tied at 5 after 16 innings at 12:57 a.m. due to curfew.[11]
- July 21, Cleveland Indians vs. Boston Red Sox, tied at 7 after a shortened game of eight innings due to rain.[12]
- August 22 (game 2), Washington Senators vs. Philadelphia Athletics, tied at 4 after nine innings due to curfew.[13]
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
In-season
| Team | Former Manager | New Manager |
|---|---|---|
| Chicago White Sox | Paul Richards | Marty Marion |
| Philadelphia Phillies | Steve O'Neill | Terry Moore |
League leaders
American League
| 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 |
| 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 |
National League
| 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 |
| 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 |
Milestones
Batters
Four home runs in one game
- 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.[18][19]
Cycles
- 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.[20]
Pitchers
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.[21]
Miscellaneous
- Bill McGowan:
- Set a Major League record by officiating in his 2,541st consecutive game.[22]
Awards and honors
Regular season
| Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| BBWAA Award | National League | American League |
| Rookie 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 Year[23] | Willie Mays (NYG) | — |
| Pitcher of the Year[24] | Johnny Antonelli (NYG) | Bob Lemon (CLE) |
| Rookie of the Year[25] | Wally Moon (STL) | Bob Grim (NYY) |
| Manager of the Year[26] | Leo Durocher (NYG) | — |
| Executive of the Year[27] | Horace Stoneham (NYG) | — |
Baseball Hall of Fame
Home field attendance
| Team name | Wins | %± | Home attendance | %± | Per game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Braves[28] | 89 | −3.3% | 2,131,388 | 16.7% | 27,680 |
| New York Yankees[29] | 103 | 4.0% | 1,475,171 | −4.1% | 18,912 |
| Cleveland Indians[30] | 111 | 20.7% | 1,335,472 | 24.9% | 17,344 |
| Chicago White Sox[31] | 94 | 5.6% | 1,231,629 | 3.4% | 15,790 |
| New York Giants[32] | 97 | 38.6% | 1,155,067 | 42.3% | 15,198 |
| Detroit Tigers[33] | 68 | 13.3% | 1,079,847 | 22.1% | 14,024 |
| Baltimore Orioles[34] | 54 | 0.0% | 1,060,910 | 256.9% | 13,778 |
| St. Louis Cardinals[35] | 72 | −13.3% | 1,039,698 | 18.1% | 13,503 |
| Brooklyn Dodgers[36] | 92 | −12.4% | 1,020,531 | −12.3% | 13,254 |
| Boston Red Sox[37] | 69 | −17.9% | 931,127 | −9.3% | 11,786 |
| Chicago Cubs[38] | 64 | −1.5% | 748,183 | −2.0% | 9,717 |
| Philadelphia Phillies[39] | 75 | −9.6% | 738,991 | −13.4% | 9,474 |
| Cincinnati Redlegs[40] | 74 | 8.8% | 704,167 | 28.5% | 9,145 |
| Washington Senators[41] | 66 | −13.2% | 503,542 | −15.5% | 6,456 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates[42] | 53 | 6.0% | 475,494 | −17.0% | 6,175 |
| Philadelphia Athletics[43] | 51 | −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
Notes
- Major 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.[2]
