The 1965 major league baseball season began on April 12, 1965. The regular season ended on October 3, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 62nd World Series on October 6 and ended with Game 7 on October 14. The Dodgers defeated the Twins, four games to three, capturing their fourth championship in franchise history, since their previous in . Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the St. Louis Cardinals from the season.
The 36th All-Star Game was held on July 13 at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota, home of the Minnesota Twins. The National League won, 6–5.
The Houston Colt .45s became the Houston Astros, as they moved from Colt Stadium to the new Astrodome, becoming the first team to play their home games indoors, rather than outdoors. It was also the final season for the Milwaukee Braves, before relocating to Atlanta, Georgia and becoming the Atlanta Braves for the season. The Los Angeles Angels officially changed their name to California Angels on September 2, 1965, with only 28 games left in the season, in advance of their pending 1966 move to a new stadium in Anaheim, California.
In June, the first Major League Baseball draft was held in New York City. Teams chose players in reverse order of the previous season's standings, with picks alternating between American League and National League teams. With the first pick of the 1965 MLB draft, the Kansas City Athletics took Rick Monday, an outfielder from Arizona State University.
This was Ford Frick's last season of his 14-year tenure as Commissioner of Baseball, as he resigned following the season's end on November 16. US Army LTG William Eckert was elected and took office on November 17.
Schedule
The 1965 schedule consisted of 162 games for all teams in the American League and National League, each of which had 10 teams. Each team was scheduled to play 18 games against the other nine teams of their respective league. This continued the format put in place by the American League since the season and by the National League since the season, and would be used until .
Opening Day took place on April 12, featuring 16 teams. The final day of the regular season was on October 3, which saw all 20 teams play. The World Series took place between October 6 and October 14.
Rule changes The 1965 season saw the following rule changes: The size of the catcher's mitt was regulated to be that of a leather mitt, not more than 15½ from top the bottom and not more than 38 inches in circumference. The 1964 rule allowing expansion teams (Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, and Washington Senators) to farm out four first-year players was ended. The Commissioner of Baseball had the power to veto any action by owners that were determined to be detrimental to baseball reinstated (having previously been stripped of said power following the death of commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis in 1944). If team owners disagreed with the Commissioner of Baseball, the commissioner was granted immunity from legal actions. In June 1965, the bonus rule was permanently rescinded, and in its place, the Rule 4 draft was introduced. This draft would take place three times per year, with the January draft intended for high-school midyear graduates, junior college players, and players who had dropped out of four-year colleges. Junior college players were required to wait until their current season was completed before they could sign. the June draft was for high-school and college graduates in spring, and a September draft for players from amateur leagues.
Teams LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManagerBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium52,184Boston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park33,524Chicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisWhite Sox Park46,550Cleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium73,811Detroit TigersDetroit, MichiganTiger Stadium53,089Kansas City AthleticsKansas City, MissouriMunicipal Stadium34,165Los Angeles / California AngelsLos Angeles, CaliforniaDodger Stadium56,000Minnesota TwinsBloomington, MinnesotaMetropolitan Stadium45,182New York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium67,000Washington SenatorsWashington, D.C.District of Columbia Stadium43,500Chicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field36,644Cincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field29,603Houston AstrosHouston, TexasHouston Astrodome42,217Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles, CaliforniaDodger Stadium56,000Milwaukee BravesMilwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee County Stadium43,768New York MetsNew York, New YorkShea Stadium55,300Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaConnie Mack Stadium33,608Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field35,500San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco, CaliforniaCandlestick Park42,500St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriBusch Stadium30,500
Standings
American League
National League
Tie games 4 tie games (0 in AL, 4 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again) occurred throughout the season. National League The Chicago Cubs and New York Mets had two tie games each. The Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, San Francisco Giants, and St. Louis Cardinals had one each. April 12, Chicago Cubs vs. St. Louis Cardinals, tied at 10 after 11 innings on account of darkness. May 31 (game 2), Chicago Cubs vs. New York Mets, tied at 3 after nine innings on account of darkness. August 25, Pittsburgh Pirates vs. San Francisco Giants, tied at 3 after nine innings on account of rain. Game rained out in the bottom of the 10th inning and the entire inning was negated. Rescheduled the following day. October 2 (game 2), New York Mets vs. Philadelphia Phillies, scoreless tie after 18 innings on account of curfew.
Postseason The postseason began on October 6 and ended on October 14 with the Los Angeles Dodgers defeating the Minnesota Twins in the 1965 World Series in seven games.
Bracket
Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New Manager NotesCleveland IndiansGeorge StricklandBirdie TebbettsDetroit TigersChuck DressenBob SwiftDressen replaced temporarily by Swift while recovering from a heart attack.New York YankeesYogi BerraJohnny KeanePittsburgh PiratesDanny MurtaughHarry WalkerSan Francisco GiantsAlvin DarkHerman FranksSt. Louis CardinalsJohnny KeaneRed Schoendienst
In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerChicago CubsBob KennedyLou KleinDetroit TigersBob SwiftChuck DressenKansas City AthleticsMel McGahaHaywood SullivanNew York MetsCasey StengelWes Westrum
League leaders American League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Tony Oliva (MIN) .321 OPS Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) .932 HR Tony Conigliaro (BOS) 32 RBI Rocky Colavito (CLE) 108 R Zoilo Versalles (MIN) 126 H Tony Oliva (MIN) 185 SB Bert Campaneris (KCA) 51
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Mudcat Grant (MIN) 21 L Bill Monbouquette (BOS) 18 ERA Sam McDowell (CLE) 2.18 K Sam McDowell (CLE) 325 IP Mel Stottlemyre (NYY) 291.0 SV Ron Kline (WSH) 29 WHIP Eddie Fisher (CWS) 0.974
National League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Roberto Clemente (PIT) .329 OPS Willie Mays (SF) 1.043 HR Willie Mays (SF) 52 RBI Deron Johnson (CIN) 130 R Tommy Harper (CIN) 126 H Pete Rose (CIN) 209 SB Maury Wills (LAD) 94
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Sandy Koufax1 (LAD) 26 L Jack Fisher (NYM) 24 ERA Sandy Koufax1 (LAD) 2.04 K Sandy Koufax1 (LAD) 382 IP Sandy Koufax (LAD) 335.2 SV Ted Abernathy (CHC) 31 WHIP Sandy Koufax (LAD) 0.855 1 National League Triple Crown pitching winner
Milestones Batters Cycles
Carl Yastrzemski (BOS): Yastrzemski hit for his first cycle and 14th in franchise history, on May 14 against the Detroit Tigers.
Other batting accomplishments Willie Mays (SF): Became the fifth player in Major League history to hit 500 home runs in the fourth inning against the Houston Astros on September 13. Ernie Banks (CHC): Became the 11th player in Major League history to hit 400 home runs in the third inning against the St. Louis Cardinals on September 2.
Pitchers Perfect games
Sandy Koufax (LAD) Pitched the eighth perfect game in major league history and the first in franchise history on September 9 against the Chicago Cubs. Koufax threw 113 pitches, 79 for strikes, and struck out 14 in the 1–0 victory.
No-hitters
Jim Maloney (CIN): Maloney threw his first career no-hitter and the 10th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Chicago Cubs 1–0 in game one of a doubleheader on August 19. He walked 10, hit one by pitch, and struck out 12, throwing 187 pitches. Dave Morehead (BOS): Morehead threw his first career no-hitter and the 14th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Cleveland Indians 2–0 on September 16. He walked one and struck out eight.
Other pitching accomplishments Jim Maloney (CIN): Tied a modern National League record (when including extra inning games) for most strikeouts in a single game, throwing 18 strikeouts in 11 innings in a 1–0 loss to the New York Mets on June 14. Chris Short (PHI): Tied a modern National League record (when including extra inning games) for most strikeouts in a single game, throwing 18 strikeouts in 15 innings in an 18-inning game in a scoreless tie against the New York Mets in game two of a doubleheader on October 2. Sandy Koufax (LAD) Set a modern Major League record by striking out 382 batters, breaking the previous modern record of 349 set by Rube Waddell.
Miscellaneous Chicago Cubs / Los Angeles Dodgers: In Sandy Koufax's perfect game on September 9, both teams set several combined Major League records, including least combined hits in a game at one, least combined runners left on base at one, and least total base runners at two in a single game. Bert Campaneris (KCA): Becomes the first player to play all nine positions in the same game on September 8 against the California Angels, as part of a special promotion. He begins the game at shortstop and plays, in order for the next eight innings, second base, third base, left field, center field, right field, first base, pitcher (he gives up a run on a hit and two walks) and catcher. He is replaced following a collision at the end of the ninth inning.
Awards and honors Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards BBWAA Award National League American League Rookie of the Year Jim Lefebvre (LAD) Curt Blefary (BAL) Cy Young Award Sandy Koufax (LAD) — Most Valuable Player Willie Mays (SF) Zoilo Versalles (MIN) Babe Ruth Award(World Series MVP) Sandy Koufax (LAD) —Gold Glove Awards Position National League American League Pitcher Bob Gibson (STL) Jim Kaat (MIN) Catcher Joe Torre (MIL) Bill Freehan (DET) 1st Base Bill White (STL) Joe Pepitone (NYY) 2nd Base Bill Mazeroski (PIT) Bobby Richardson (NYY) 3rd Base Ron Santo (CHC) Brooks Robinson (BAL) Shortstop Leo Cárdenas (CIN) Zoilo Versalles (MIN)Outfield Roberto Clemente (PIT) Al Kaline (DET) Curt Flood (STL) Tom Tresh (NYY) Willie Mays (SF) Carl Yastrzemski (BOS)
Other awards Hutch Award: Mickey Mantle (NYY) Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award: Sandy Koufax (LAD)
The Sporting News Awards Award National League American League Player of the Year Sandy Koufax (LAD) — Pitcher of the Year Sandy Koufax (LAD) Mudcat Grant (MIN) Fireman of the Year(Relief pitcher) Ted Abernathy (CHC) Eddie Fisher (CWS) Rookie Player of the Year Joe Morgan (HOU) Curt Blefary (BAL) Rookie Pitcher of the Year Frank Linzy (SF) Marcelino López (LAA) Comeback Player of the Year Vern Law (PIT) Norm Cash (DET) Manager of the Year — Sam Mele (MIN) Executive of the Year — Calvin Griffith (MIN)
Monthly awards Player of the Month
Month National League May Joe Torre (MIL) June Vern Law (PIT)Willie Stargell (PIT) July Pete Rose (CIN) August Willie Mays (SF)
Baseball Hall of Fame
Pud Galvin
Home field attendance