The 1921 major league baseball season began on April 13, 1921. The regular season ended on October 2, with the New York Giants 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 18th World Series on October 5 and ended with Game 8 on October 13. In the first Subway Series World Series, the Giants defeated the Yankees, five games to three, capturing their second championship in franchise history, since their previous in . Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the Cleveland Indians from the season.

1921 was the first of three straight seasons in which the Yankees would lead the majors in wins. Babe Ruth broke the single season home run record for the third consecutive season by hitting 59 home runs in 152 games. Ruth also broke Roger Connor's record for the most home runs all time when he hit his 139th home run on July 18 against Bert Cole. The record for career strikeouts, previously held by Cy Young was also broken in 1921 by Walter Johnson; Johnson led the league in strikeouts with 143 and ended the season with 2,835 strikeouts. Young struck out 2,803 during his career. The Cincinnati Reds set a Major League record for the fewest strikeouts in a season, with only 308. Future Hall of Famers Kiki Cuyler and Goose Goslin both debuted in September 1921.

Schedule

The 1921 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 13 with all but the Chicago White Sox and Detroit Tigers playing. The final day of the regular season was on October 2. The World Series took place between October 5 and October 13.

Teams LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManagerBoston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park27,000Chicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisComiskey Park28,000Cleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioDunn Field21,414Detroit TigersDetroit, MichiganNavin Field23,000New York YankeesNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds38,000Philadelphia AthleticsPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaShibe Park23,000St. Louis BrownsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park24,040Washington SenatorsWashington, D.C.National Park27,000Boston BravesBoston, MassachusettsBraves Field40,000Brooklyn RobinsNew York, New YorkEbbets Field30,000Chicago CubsChicago, IllinoisCubs Park15,000Cincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioRedland Field20,696New York GiantsNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds38,000Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaNational League Park18,000Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field25,000St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriSportsman's Park24,040

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 Philadelphia Athletics had two tie games. The Detroit Tigers and Washington Senators had one tie game each. April 29, Washington Senators vs. Philadelphia Athletics, tied at 3 after 10 innings due to rain. July 26, Detroit Tigers vs. Philadelphia Athletics, tied at 3 after the top of the 11th inning due to rain.

National League October 1, Pittsburgh Pirates vs. St. Louis Cardinals, tied at 4 after nine innings on account of darkness.

Postseason

The postseason began on October 5 and ended on October 13 with the New York Giants defeating the New York Yankees in the 1921 World Series in eight games.

Bracket

Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBoston BravesGeorge StallingsFred MitchellBoston Red SoxEd BarrowHugh DuffyChicago CubsFred MitchellJohnny EversDetroit Tigers Hughie JenningsTy CobbPhiladelphia PhilliesGavvy CravathBill DonovanSt. Louis BrownsJimmy BurkeLee FohlWashington SenatorsClark GriffithGeorge McBride

In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerChicago CubsJohnny EversBill KilleferPhiladelphia PhilliesBill DonovanKaiser Wilhelm

League leaders American League

+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Harry Heilmann (DET) .394 OPS Babe Ruth (NYY) 1.359 HR Babe Ruth (NYY) 59 RBI Babe Ruth (NYY) 168 R Babe Ruth1 (NYY) 177 H Harry Heilmann (DET) 237 SB George Sisler (SLB) 35 1 Modern (1901–present) single-season runs record

+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Carl Mays (NYY)Urban Shocker (SLB) 27 L Eddie Rommel (PHA) 23 ERA Red Faber (CWS) 2.48 K Walter Johnson (WSH) 143 IP Carl Mays (NYY) 336.2 SV Carl Mays (NYY) 7 WHIP Red Faber (CWS) 1.149

National League

+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Rogers Hornsby (STL) .397 OPS Rogers Hornsby (STL) 1.097 HR George Kelly (NYG) 23 RBI Rogers Hornsby (STL) 126 R Rogers Hornsby (STL) 131 H Rogers Hornsby (STL) 235 SB Frankie Frisch (NYG) 49

+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Wilbur Cooper (PIT)Burleigh Grimes (BRO) 22 L George Smith (PHI) 20 ERA Bill Doak (STL) 2.59 K Burleigh Grimes (BRO) 136 IP Wilbur Cooper (PIT) 327.0 SV Lou North (STL) 7 WHIP Babe Adams (PIT) 1.081

Milestones Batters Cycles

Bob Meusel (NYY): Meusel hit for his first cycle and second in franchise history, on May 7 against the Washington Senators. Dave Bancroft (NYG): Bancroft hit for his first cycle and sixth in franchise history, in game two of a doubleheader on June 1 against the Philadelphia Phillies. George Sisler (SLB): Sisler hit for his second cycle and second in franchise history, on August 13 against the Detroit Tigers. Dave Robertson (PIT/): Robertson hit for his first cycle and sixth in franchise history as a part of the Pittsburgh Pirates, on August 30 against the Brooklyn Robins.

Other batting accomplishments Babe Ruth (NYY): Broke the Major League career home run record when he hit his 139th home run against Bert Cole of the Detroit Tigers in the eighth inning on July 18, surpassing the record of 138 home runs set by Roger Connor in . Ty Cobb (DET): Became the fourth member of the 3,000-hit club with a single in the third inning against the Boston Red Sox in game two of a doubleheader on August 19. Recorded his 800th career stolen base in the first inning against the New York Yankees on August 28. He became the second player to reach this mark.

Home field attendance Team nameWinsHome attendanceNew York Yankees95 18.8%1,289,422 108.3%16,746New York Giants86 −1.1%929,609 31.1%11,620Cleveland Indians98 16.7%912,832 69.6%11,703Pittsburgh Pirates79 11.3%429,037 55.0%5,500Detroit Tigers61 −23.8%579,650 −10.0%7,431Brooklyn Robins93 34.8%808,722 124.2%10,368Chicago White Sox96 9.1%833,492 32.9%10,825Washington Senators68 21.4%359,260 53.5%4,727Chicago Cubs75 0.0%480,783 13.3%6,244St. Louis Cardinals75 38.9%326,836 95.6%4,300St. Louis Browns76 13.4%419,311 20.0%5,376Philadelphia Athletics48 33.3%287,888 27.8%3,739Boston Braves62 8.8%162,483 −2.9%2,196Cincinnati Reds82 −14.6%568,107 6.7%7,378Boston Red Sox72 9.1%402,445 −3.6%5,295Philadelphia Phillies62 31.9%330,998 37.7%4,299

Media Radio Local On August 5, the Pittsburgh Pirates 8–5 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies at Forbes Field was the first Major League game to be broadcast on radio. Harold Arlin calls the game for Pittsburgh station KDKA.

See also 1921 in baseball (Events, Births, Deaths)

References

External links 1921 Major League Schedule at Baseball Reference