1955 Major League Baseball season
Sports season
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
The 1955 major league baseball season began on April 11, 1955. The regular season ended on September 25, 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 52nd World Series on September 28 and ended with Game 7 on October 4. In the sixth iteration of this Subway Series World Series matchup, The Dodgers defeated the Yankees, four games to three, capturing their first championship in franchise history. This was the first World Series between the two teams to see the Dodgers win over the Yankees. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the New York Giants from the 1954 season.
National League (NL)
- April 11 – September 25, 1955
- September 28 – October 4, 1955
| 1955 MLB season | |
|---|---|
| League | American League (AL) National League (NL) |
| Sport | Baseball |
| Duration | Regular season:
|
| Games | 154 |
| Teams | 16 (8 per league) |
| TV partner(s) | NBC, CBS |
| Regular season | |
| Season MVP | AL: Yogi Berra (NYY) NL: Roy Campanella (BRO) |
| AL champions | New York Yankees |
| AL runners-up | Cleveland Indians |
| NL champions | Brooklyn Dodgers |
| NL runners-up | Milwaukee Braves |
| World Series | |
| Venue | |
| Champions | Brooklyn Dodgers |
| Runners-up | New York Yankees |
| World Series MVP | Johnny Podres (BRO) |
The 22nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game was held on July 12 at Milwaukee County Stadium in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, home of the Milwaukee Braves. The National League won, 6–5.
In a continuation of the relocation trend that began in 1953, a team moved for the third consecutive year.
The Athletics moved from Philadelphia to Kansas City, Missouri, leaving Philadelphia as a one-team city.
On April 14, the New York Yankees became the 13th team to break baseball's color line when they called up Elston Howard.[1]
Schedule
The 1955 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 11, featuring four teams. The final day of the regular season was on September 25, which saw all sixteen teams play, the first time since 1953. The World Series took place between September 28 and October 4.
Rule changes
The 1955 season saw the following rule changes:
- A 1901 rule regarding a pitcher's necessity to deliver a pitch within 20 seconds of the pitcher taking the rubber was adjusted. Now, pitchers must pitch the ball within 20 seconds of having the ball returned. To enforce this, the third-base umpire used a stopwatch to monitor the time passed. However, this predecessor to the modern-day pitch clock was hardly ever enforced, and it wouldn't be until 68 years later in 2023 that a strictly enforced pitch clock was introduced.[2][3]
- The catcher's triangle (created by extending the foul lines behind the home plate) was removed. Due to this, the rules on intentional base on balls required change, and so now, the catcher was required to remain behind the batter's box during an intentional walk.[2]
- Rules surrounding lineup card submissions were adjusted to make up for an oversight. When there were obvious errors (such as duplicate names) occurring before a game, umpires were give the right to change said lineup to correct errors.[2]
- Rules regarding catcher interference were amended. Not only was the batter still rewarded first base, but now, any additional runners on base, regardless of whether or not there was a runner on the preceding base was occupied, were also rewarded an extra base.[2]
- The use of laminated bats was approved.[2]
- A new rule prohibiting anyone maintaining ownership interests in multiple teams was approved by club owners.[2]
- A few requests by players regarding player-team relations were approved:[2]
- The deadline to issue player contracts was moved up from February 1 to January 15.
- Teams will serve dinner to players on trains after night games.
- When players were housed in private homes during spring training, they will be compensated with the existing hotel rate.
- To allow major-league teams to select players from minor-league team rosters at the end of the season, major-league teams would pay various amounts to minor-league teams—Class-B at $3,500 (equivalent to $42,100 in 2025), Class-C at $3,000 (equivalent to $36,100 in 2025), and Class-D at $2,500 (equivalent to $30,000 in 2025)[2]
- In addition, minor-league teams now had the cost of spring training, including transportation, as well as manager's salary underwritten by their respective major-league teams affiliate.[2]
- Teams were now barred from signing a college player who had finished freshman year, was under 21, or, given he dropped out following freshman year, his class had not yet graduated.[2]
- Rules regarding balks were amended; if a ball is put in play and all runners on base advance at least one base, the play overrides the balk call.[4]
- If a bases on balls occurs due to a wild pitch, and the baserunners take an additional base than what is already guaranteed by a bases on balls, the pitcher is charged with an error.[4]
Teams
Standings
American League
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York Yankees | 96 | 58 | .623 | — | 52–25 | 44–33 |
| Cleveland Indians | 93 | 61 | .604 | 3 | 49–28 | 44–33 |
| Chicago White Sox | 91 | 63 | .591 | 5 | 49–28 | 42–35 |
| Boston Red Sox | 84 | 70 | .545 | 12 | 47–31 | 37–39 |
| Detroit Tigers | 79 | 75 | .513 | 17 | 46–31 | 33–44 |
| Kansas City Athletics | 63 | 91 | .409 | 33 | 33–43 | 30–48 |
| Baltimore Orioles | 57 | 97 | .370 | 39 | 30–47 | 27–50 |
| Washington Senators | 53 | 101 | .344 | 43 | 28–49 | 25–52 |
National League
| Team | W | L | Pct. | GB | Home | Road |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Brooklyn Dodgers | 98 | 55 | .641 | — | 56–21 | 42–34 |
| Milwaukee Braves | 85 | 69 | .552 | 13½ | 46–31 | 39–38 |
| New York Giants | 80 | 74 | .519 | 18½ | 44–35 | 36–39 |
| Philadelphia Phillies | 77 | 77 | .500 | 21½ | 46–31 | 31–46 |
| Cincinnati Redlegs | 75 | 79 | .487 | 23½ | 46–31 | 29–48 |
| Chicago Cubs | 72 | 81 | .471 | 26 | 43–33 | 29–48 |
| St. Louis Cardinals | 68 | 86 | .442 | 30½ | 41–36 | 27–50 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates | 60 | 94 | .390 | 38½ | 36–39 | 24–55 |
Tie games
3 tie games (2 in AL, 1 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again) occurred throughout the season.
American League
The Baltimore Orioles had two tie games. The Chicago White Sox and Kansas City Athletics had one tie game each.
- June 25, Kansas City Athletics vs. Baltimore Orioles, tied at 3 after top of the 11th inning due to rain.[6]
- August 7, Chicago White Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles, tied at 2 after 3 batters in the top of the 13th inning due to rain.[7]
National League
The Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Cubs had one tie game each.
- September 10, Brooklyn Dodgers vs. Chicago Cubs, tied at 3 after a shortened game of six innings following a 40 minute rain delay.[8]
Postseason
The postseason began on September 28 and ended on October 4 with the Brooklyn Dodgers defeating the New York Yankees in the 1955 World Series in seven games.
Bracket
| World Series | ||||
| AL | New York Yankees | 3 | ||
| NL | Brooklyn Dodgers | 4 | ||
Managerial changes
Off-season
In-season
| Team | Former Manager | New Manager |
|---|---|---|
| St. Louis Cardinals | Eddie Stanky | Harry Walker |
League leaders
American League
| Stat | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|
| W | Whitey Ford (NYY) Bob Lemon (CLE) Frank Sullivan (BOS) |
18 |
| L | Jim Wilson (BAL) | 18 |
| ERA | Billy Pierce (CWS) | 1.97 |
| K | Herb Score (CLE) | 245 |
| IP | Frank Sullivan (BOS) | 260.0 |
| SV | Ray Narleski (CLE) | 19 |
| WHIP | Billy Pierce (CWS) | 1.099 |
National League
| Stat | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|
| AVG | Richie Ashburn (PHI) | .338 |
| OPS | Willie Mays (NYG) | 1.059 |
| HR | Willie Mays (NYG) | 51 |
| RBI | Duke Snider (BRO) | 136 |
| R | Duke Snider (BRO) | 126 |
| H | Ted Kluszewski (CIN) | 192 |
| SB | Bill Bruton (MIL) | 25 |
| Stat | Player | Total |
|---|---|---|
| W | Robin Roberts (PHI) | 23 |
| L | Sam Jones (CHC) | 20 |
| ERA | Bob Friend (PIT) | 2.83 |
| K | Sam Jones (CHC) | 198 |
| IP | Robin Roberts (PHI) | 305.0 |
| SV | Jack Meyer (PHI) | 16 |
| WHIP | Don Newcombe (BRO) | 1.113 |
Milestones
Batters
- Norm Zauchin (BOS):
- Became the seventh player to hit at least 10 runs batted in (RBI) in a single game as a part of the Washington Senators, hitting 10 against the Washington Senators on May 27.[13][14]
- Willie Mays (NYG):
- Tied a Major League record by becoming the fifth player and third National League player to hit home runs in six consecutive games between August 28 and September 1.[15]
Pitchers
No-hitters
- Sam Jones (CHC):
- Jones threw his first career no-hitter and seventh no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Pittsburgh Pirates 4–0 on May 12. Jones walked seven and struck out six.[16]
Other pitching accomplishments
- Herb Score (CLE):
- Breaks a rookie record of 235 strikeouts previously set by Grover Cleveland Alexander in 1911 on September 14. He would finish the season with 245 strikeouts.
Awards and honors
Regular season
| Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| BBWAA Award | National League | American League |
| Rookie of the Year | Bill Virdon (STL) | Herb Score (CLE) |
| Most Valuable Player | Roy Campanella (BRO) | Yogi Berra (NYY) |
| Babe Ruth Award (World Series MVP) |
Johnny Podres (BRO) | — |
Other awards
| The Sporting News Awards | ||
|---|---|---|
| Award | National League | American League |
| Player of the Year[17] | Duke Snider (BRO) | — |
| Pitcher of the Year[18] | Robin Roberts (PHI) | Whitey Ford (NYY) |
| Rookie of the Year[19] | Bill Virdon (STL) | Herb Score (CLE) |
| Manager of the Year[20] | Walter Alston (BRO) | — |
| Executive of the Year[21] | Walter O'Malley (BRO) | — |
Baseball Hall of Fame
Home field attendance
| Team name | Wins | %± | Home attendance | %± | Per game |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milwaukee Braves[22] | 85 | −4.5% | 2,005,836 | −5.9% | 26,050 |
| New York Yankees[23] | 96 | −6.8% | 1,490,138 | 1.0% | 19,352 |
| Kansas City Athletics[24] | 63 | 23.5% | 1,393,054 | 357.2% | 18,330 |
| Cleveland Indians[25] | 93 | −16.2% | 1,221,780 | −8.5% | 15,867 |
| Boston Red Sox[26] | 84 | 21.7% | 1,203,200 | 29.2% | 15,426 |
| Detroit Tigers[27] | 79 | 16.2% | 1,181,838 | 9.4% | 15,349 |
| Chicago White Sox[28] | 91 | −3.2% | 1,175,684 | −4.5% | 15,269 |
| Brooklyn Dodgers[29] | 98 | 6.5% | 1,033,589 | 1.3% | 13,423 |
| Philadelphia Phillies[30] | 77 | 2.7% | 922,886 | 24.9% | 11,986 |
| Chicago Cubs[31] | 72 | 12.5% | 875,800 | 17.1% | 11,374 |
| Baltimore Orioles[32] | 57 | 5.6% | 852,039 | −19.7% | 10,785 |
| St. Louis Cardinals[33] | 68 | −5.6% | 849,130 | −18.3% | 11,028 |
| New York Giants[34] | 80 | −17.5% | 824,112 | −28.7% | 10,432 |
| Cincinnati Redlegs[35] | 75 | 1.4% | 693,662 | −1.5% | 9,009 |
| Pittsburgh Pirates[36] | 60 | 13.2% | 469,397 | −1.3% | 6,259 |
| Washington Senators[37] | 53 | −19.7% | 425,238 | −15.6% | 5,523 |
Venues
With the relocation of the Philadelphia Athletics from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania to Kansas City, Missouri as the Kansas City Athletics, they leave Connie Mack Stadium (where they played 46 seasons) and move into Municipal Stadium. They would go on to play there for 13 seasons through 1967, before again relocating.
Media
Television
The Game of the Week moved from ABC to CBS[38] (the rights were actually set up through the Falstaff Brewing Corporation).[39][40][41]
The All-Star Game and World Series aired on NBC.
