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 season.

The 22nd 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 , 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.

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 season (except for ) and would be used until in the American League and 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 . The World Series took place between September 28 and October 4.

Rule changes The 1955 season saw the following rule changes: A 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 that a strictly enforced pitch clock was introduced. 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. 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. 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. The use of laminated bats was approved. A new rule prohibiting anyone maintaining ownership interests in multiple teams was approved by club owners. A few requests by players regarding player-team relations were approved: 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 (), Class-C at $3,000 (), and Class-D at $2,500 () 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. 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. 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. 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.

Teams LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManagerBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium47,866Boston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park34,824Chicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisComiskey Park46,550Cleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium73,811Detroit TigersDetroit, MichiganBriggs Stadium58,000Kansas City AthleticsKansas City, MissouriMunicipal Stadium30,296New York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium67,000Washington SenatorsWashington, D.C.Griffith Stadium29,023Brooklyn DodgersNew York, New YorkEbbets Field31,902Chicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field36,755Cincinnati RedlegsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field29,439Milwaukee BravesMilwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee County Stadium44,091New York GiantsNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds54,500Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaConnie Mack Stadium33,166Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field34,249St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriBusch Stadium30,500

Standings

American League

National League

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. August 7, Chicago White Sox vs. Baltimore Orioles, tied at 2 after 3 batters in the top of the 13th inning due to rain.

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.

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

Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBaltimore Orioles Jimmy DykesPaul RichardsBoston Red Sox Lou BoudreauPinky HigginsDetroit TigersFred HutchinsonBucky HarrisKansas City AthleticsEddie JoostLou BoudreauPhiladelphia PhilliesTerry MooreMayo SmithWashington SenatorsBucky HarrisChuck Dressen

In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerSt. Louis CardinalsEddie StankyHarry Walker

League leaders American League

+ Hitting leaders 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 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 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

+ Pitching leaders 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. 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.

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.

Other pitching accomplishments Herb Score (CLE): Breaks a rookie record of 235 strikeouts previously set by Grover Cleveland Alexander in on September 14. He would finish the season with 245 strikeouts.

Awards and honors Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueRookie 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 Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award: Johnny Podres (BRO)

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

Baseball Hall of Fame

Joe DiMaggio Ted Lyons Dazzy Vance Gabby Hartnett Frank Baker Ray Schalk

Home field attendance Team nameWinsHome attendanceMilwaukee Braves85 −4.5%2,005,836 −5.9%26,050New York Yankees96 −6.8%1,490,1381.0%19,352Kansas City Athletics6323.5%1,393,054357.2%18,330Cleveland Indians93 −16.2%1,221,780 −8.5%15,867Boston Red Sox8421.7%1,203,20029.2%15,426Detroit Tigers7916.2%1,181,8389.4%15,349Chicago White Sox91 −3.2%1,175,684 −4.5%15,269Brooklyn Dodgers986.5%1,033,5891.3%13,423Philadelphia Phillies772.7%922,88624.9%11,986Chicago Cubs7212.5%875,80017.1%11,374Baltimore Orioles575.6%852,039 −19.7%10,785St. Louis Cardinals68 −5.6%849,130 −18.3%11,028New York Giants80 −17.5%824,112 −28.7%10,432Cincinnati Redlegs751.4%693,662 −1.5%9,009Pittsburgh Pirates6013.2%469,397 −1.3%6,259Washington Senators53 −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 , before again relocating.

Media Television The Game of the Week moved from ABC to CBS (the rights were actually set up through the Falstaff Brewing Corporation).

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

See also 1955 in baseball (Events, Births, Deaths) 1955 Nippon Professional Baseball season

References

External links

1955 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference