1955 Major League Baseball season

This article is about the 1955 Major League Baseball season only. For information on all of baseball, see 1955 in baseball.
1955 MLB season
LeagueAmerican League (AL)
National League (NL)
SportBaseball
DurationRegular season:
  • April 11 – September 25, 1955
World Series:
  • September 28 – October 4, 1955
Number of games154
Number of teams16 (8 per league)
TV partner(s)NBC, CBS
Regular season
Season MVPAL: Yogi Berra (NYY)
NL: Roy Campanella (BKN)
AL championsNew York Yankees
  AL runners-upCleveland Indians
NL championsBrooklyn Dodgers
  NL runners-upMilwaukee Braves
World Series
ChampionsBrooklyn Dodgers
  Runners-upNew York Yankees
World Series MVPJohnny Podres (BKN)
Locations of teams for the 1955–1960 American League seasons
American League
Locations of teams for the 1953–1957 National League seasons
National League

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.

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

See also: Major League Baseball 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, and 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]
  • The ability for someone to own stock in multiple teams was prohibited.[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 $41,100 in 2024), Class-C at $3,000 (equivalent to $35,200 in 2024), and Class-D at $2,500 (equivalent to $29,300 in 2024)[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]

Teams

League Team City Stadium Capacity Manager[4]
American League Baltimore Orioles Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore Memorial Stadium 47,866 Paul Richards
Boston Red Sox Boston, Massachusetts Fenway Park 34,824 Pinky Higgins
Chicago White Sox Chicago, Illinois Comiskey Park 46,550 Marty Marion
Cleveland Indians Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland Stadium 73,811 Al López
Detroit Tigers Detroit, Michigan Briggs Stadium 58,000 Bucky Harris
Kansas City Athletics Kansas City, Missouri Municipal Stadium 30,296 Lou Boudreau
New York Yankees New York, New York Yankee Stadium 67,000 Casey Stengel
Washington Senators Washington, D.C. Griffith Stadium 29,023 Chuck Dressen
National League Brooklyn Dodgers New York, New York Ebbets Field 31,902 Walter Alston
Chicago Cubs Chicago, Illinois Wrigley Field 36,755 Stan Hack
Cincinnati Redlegs Cincinnati, Ohio Crosley Field 29,439 Birdie Tebbetts
Milwaukee Braves Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee County Stadium 44,091 Charlie Grimm
New York Giants New York, New York Polo Grounds 54,500 Leo Durocher
Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Connie Mack Stadium 33,166 Mayo Smith
Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Forbes Field 34,249 Fred Haney
St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis, Missouri Busch Stadium 30,500 Eddie Stanky
Harry Walker

Standings

American League

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

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

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

Team Former Manager New Manager
Baltimore Orioles Jimmy Dykes Paul Richards
Boston Red Sox Lou Boudreau Pinky Higgins
Detroit Tigers Fred Hutchinson Bucky Harris
Kansas City Athletics Eddie Joost Lou Boudreau
Philadelphia Phillies Terry Moore Mayo Smith
Washington Senators Bucky Harris Chuck Dressen

In-season

Team Former Manager New Manager
St. Louis Cardinals Eddie Stanky Harry Walker

League leaders

American League

Hitting leaders[5]
Stat Player Total
AVG Al Kaline (DET) .340
OPS Mickey Mantle (NYY) 1.042
HR Mickey Mantle (NYY) 37
RBI Ray Boone (DET)
Jackie Jensen (BOS) 		116
R Al Smith (CLE) 123
H Al Kaline (DET) 200
SB Jim Rivera (CWS) 25
Pitching leaders[6]
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

Hitting leaders[7]
Stat Player Total
AVG Richie Ashburn (PHI) .338
OPS Willie Mays (NYG) 1.059
HR Willie Mays (NYG) 51
RBI Duke Snider (BKN) 136
R Duke Snider (BKN) 126
H Ted Kluszewski (CIN) 192
SB Bill Bruton (MIL) 25
Pitching leaders[8]
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 (BKN) 1.113

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 (BKN) Yogi Berra (NYY)
Babe Ruth Award
(World Series MVP) 		Johnny Podres (BKN) —

Other awards

The Sporting News Awards
Award National League American League
Player of the Year[9] Duke Snider (BKN) —
Pitcher of the Year[10] Robin Roberts (PHI) Whitey Ford (NYY)
Rookie of the Year[11] Bill Virdon (STL) Herb Score (CLE)
Manager of the Year[12] Walter Alston (BKN) —
Executive of the Year[13] Walter O'Malley (BKN) —

Baseball Hall of Fame

Main article: National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Further information: 1955 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting

Home field attendance

Team name Wins %± Home attendance %± Per game
Milwaukee Braves[14] 85 −4.5% 2,005,836 −5.9% 26,050
New York Yankees[15] 96 −6.8% 1,490,138 1.0% 19,352
Kansas City Athletics[16] 63 23.5% 1,393,054 357.2% 18,330
Cleveland Indians[17] 93 −16.2% 1,221,780 −8.5% 15,867
Boston Red Sox[18] 84 21.7% 1,203,200 29.2% 15,426
Detroit Tigers[19] 79 16.2% 1,181,838 9.4% 15,349
Chicago White Sox[20] 91 −3.2% 1,175,684 −4.5% 15,269
Brooklyn Dodgers[21] 98 6.5% 1,033,589 1.3% 13,423
Philadelphia Phillies[22] 77 2.7% 922,886 24.9% 11,986
Chicago Cubs[23] 72 12.5% 875,800 17.1% 11,374
Baltimore Orioles[24] 57 5.6% 852,039 −19.7% 10,785
St. Louis Cardinals[25] 68 −5.6% 849,130 −18.3% 11,028
New York Giants[26] 80 −17.5% 824,112 −28.7% 10,432
Cincinnati Redlegs[27] 75 1.4% 693,662 −1.5% 9,009
Pittsburgh Pirates[28] 60 13.2% 469,397 −1.3% 6,259
Washington Senators[29] 53 −19.7% 425,238 −15.6% 5,523

Television coverage

The Game of the Week moved from ABC to CBS[30] (the rights were actually set up through the Falstaff Brewing Corporation[31][32][33]).

The All-Star Game and World Series aired on NBC.

See also

References

  1. ^ "These players integrated each MLB team". MLB.com. Retrieved November 14, 2024.
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Felber, Bill. "1954 Winter Meetings: Looking West – Society for American Baseball Research". Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  3. ^ Lindbergh, Ben (March 29, 2023). "The Forgotten History of MLB's Pitch Clock". www.theringer.com. Retrieved June 11, 2025.
  4. ^ "1955 Major League Managers". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  5. ^ "1955 American League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  6. ^ "1955 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  7. ^ "1955 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  8. ^ "1955 National League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  9. ^ "Major League Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  10. ^ "Pitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  11. ^ "Rookie of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  12. ^ "Manager of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  13. ^ "MLB Executive of the Year Award | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  14. ^ "Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  15. ^ "New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  16. ^ "Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  17. ^ "Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  18. ^ "Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  19. ^ "Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  20. ^ "Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  21. ^ "Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  22. ^ "Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  23. ^ "Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  24. ^ "Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  25. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  26. ^ "San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  27. ^ "Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  28. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  29. ^ "Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  30. ^ Walker, James R.; Bellamy, Robert V. (2008). Center field shot: a history of baseball on television. University of Nebraska Press. p. 103. ISBN 978-0803248250.
  31. ^ "Falstaff Newspaper Ads 1950-60's". A Falstaff Collector.
  32. ^ "SPORTS BRIEFS". Los Angeles Times. March 6, 1954. p. B3.
  33. ^ Sieler, Pete (May 8, 2015). "TV Radio Movies 1/16/15". TRM – TVRadioMovies.com. Archived from the original on May 18, 2015.
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