Wikipedia

1953 in baseball

See also:1953 Major League Baseball season,1953 All-American Girls Professional Baseball League season,and1953 Nippon Professional Baseball season

The following are thebaseballevents of the year1953throughout the world.

Champions

edit

Major League Baseball

edit

Other champions

edit

Winter Leagues

Awards and honors

edit

Statistical leaders

edit
American League National League
Type Name Stat Name Stat
AVG Mickey VernonWSH .337 Carl FurilloBKN .344
HR Al RosenCLE 43 Eddie MathewsMIL 49
RBI Al RosenCLE 145 Roy CampanellaBKN 143
Wins Bob PorterfieldWSH 22 Robin RobertsPHP &
Warren SpahnMIL		 23
ERA Ed LopatNYY 2.42 Warren SpahnMIL 2.10
Ks Billy PierceCHW 186 Robin RobertsPHP 198

Major league baseball final standings

edit

All-American Girls Professional Baseball League final standings

edit
Rank Team W L W-L% GB
1 Fort Wayne Daisies 66 39 .629 —
2 Grand Rapids Chicks 62 44 .585 4½
3 Kalamazoo Lassies 56 50 .528 10½
4 Rockford Peaches 51 55 .481 15½
5 South Bend Blue Sox 44 62 .415 22½
6 Muskegon Belles 38 67 .362 28

Nippon Professional Baseball final standings

edit

Central League final standings

edit
Central League G W L T Pct. GB
Yomiuri Giants 125 87 37 1 .702 —
Osaka Tigers 130 74 56 0 .569 16.0
Chunichi Dragons 130 70 57 3 .551 18.5
Hiroshima Carp 130 53 75 2 .414 36.0
Taiyo Shochiku Robins 130 52 77 1 .403 37.5
Kokutetsu Swallows 125 45 79 1 .363 42.0

Pacific League final standings

edit
Pacific League G W L T Pct. GB
Nankai Hawks 120 71 48 1 .597 —
Hankyu Braves 120 67 52 1 .563 4.0
Daiei Stars 120 63 53 4 .543 6.5
Nishitetsu Lions 120 57 61 2 .483 13.5
Mainichi Orions 120 56 62 2 .475 14.5
Tokyu Flyers 120 50 67 3 .427 20.0
Kintetsu Pearls 120 48 69 3 .410 22.0

Events

edit

January

edit

February

edit
  • February – Brewing giantAnheuser-Buschpurchases theSt. Louis Cardinalsfranchise fromFred Saigh,an ownership that will last until the start of1996.Rumors had abounded that a group fromHoustonwere bidding on the club with the intention of transferring it to that Texas city.

March

edit

April

edit

May

edit

June

edit

July

edit

August

edit
  • August 5 –Don Larsenof the St. Louis Browns pitches a complete game, a 5-0 loss to the Boston Red Sox. However, he goes 3 for 3 at the plate, in the process establishing a consecutive hits record for pitchers with seven.
  • August 30 – In game one of adoubleheader,Jim Pendletonhit three home runs, as the Milwaukee Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates atForbes Field,19–4, while tying a major league record for the most home runs in a single game with eight, held by the New York Yankees since 1939. Besides, Pendleton became only the second rookie in history to hit three home runs in one game, joining his teammateEddie Mathews,who hit it just a year earlier.[4]In the second of the twin bill, the Braves hit four more long balls and crushed again Pittsburgh, 11–5. Moreover, the 12 homers in a doubleheader shattered the previous mark of nine. This time, Mathews belted four dingers for the day, which gave him a National League-leading 43. Matthews would finish the season with 47 home runs, 30 of them on the road, setting also a major league record.[5]Previously, only the New York Yankees had ever hit more home runs in consecutive games, or in a doubleheader. The Yankees hit eight home runs in a 23–2 victory in the first game of a doubleheader, and five homers in a 10–0 win in the second game, played on June 28, 1939 against the Philadelphia Athletics atShibe Park.[6]

September

edit

October

edit
  • October 5 – The New York Yankees defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers, 4–3, in Game 6 of theWorld Series,to win their record-setting fifth consecutiveWorld Championshipand sixteenth overall, four games to two. Billy Martin was the star of the Series with a record-setting 12 hits, including the game-winning single in the bottom of the 9th of Game 6 to clinch the title.
  • October 7 –Bill Veeck,facing dwindling attendance and revenue, is forced to sell the St. Louis Browns to aBaltimore-based group led by attorney Clarence Miles and brewerJerry Hoffberger.The Browns would move to Baltimore and be known as theBaltimore Oriolesstarting in the1954season.
  • October 28- After a dispute with Dodgers ownerWalter O'Malley,Dodgers announcerRed Barberresigns from his position and takes a job doing radio broadcast for the rivalNew York Yankees.Barber was upset that he could not get a higher fee from Gillette, who sponsored the T.V. broadcast of the 1953 World Series, and that O'Malley refused to support him.

November

edit
  • November 9 – Reaffirming its earlier position, theUnited States Supreme Courtrules, 7–2, that baseball is a sport and not a business and therefore not subject to antitrust laws. The ruling is made in a case involving New York Yankees minor league player George Toolson, who refused to move from Triple-A to Double-A.
  • November 10 – TheNew York Giantsend their tour of Japan. It is reported that each Giants player received just $331 of the $3,000 they were promised.
  • November 24 – The Brooklyn Dodgers signWalter Alstonto a one-year pact as their manager for 1954. Alston will manage the Brooklyn/Los Angeles Dodgers over the next 23 seasons, winning 2,040 games and four World Championships.

December

edit

Movies

edit

Births

edit

January

edit

February

edit

March

edit

April

edit

May

edit

June

edit

July

edit

August

edit

September

edit

October

edit

November

edit

December

edit

Deaths

edit

January

edit

February

edit

March

edit

April

edit
  • April 3 –Larry Benton,55, pitcher who played for theBoston Braves,New York GiantsandCincinnati Redsover parts of thirteen seasons from 1923 to 1935, leading the National League with 25 wins and 28complete gamesin 1928, and twice inW-L recordfrom 1927 to 1928.
  • April 5 –Tex Erwin,67, catcher who played with theDetroit Tigersin 1907, and for theCincinnati Redsand theBrooklyn Superbas, Robins and Dodgers clubsin a span of five seasons from 1910 to 1914.
  • April 5 –Connie Walsh,70, pitcher who appeared in one game for thePittsburgh Piratesinits 1907 season.
  • April 5 –Herb Gorman,28, first baseman who made apinch-hitappearance for the1952 St. Louis Cardinals;suffered a fatal heart attack while playing in a Pacific Coast League game.
  • April 11 –Kid Nichols,Hall of Famepitcherwho posted 361 victories for theseventh most wins in Major League Baseball history,died inKansas City, Missouriat the age of 79. Born inMadison, Wisconsin,Nichols anchored the pitching staff of theBoston Beaneatersbetween 1890 and 1901, guiding Boston to five National League championships in his first nine seasons with the club. He surpassed the 30-victory plateau seven times from 1891 to 1894 and 1896–1898, as his career record shows that he hurled 20 or more wins in ten consecutive seasons from 1891 to 1994 and in 1904.[17]In addition, he remains as the youngest pitcher to reach the illustrious 300-win milestone, getting there months before his 31st birthday. His most productive season came in 1892, when he had a 35–16 record and won two games in the league's Championship Series as the Beaneaters defeatedCy Youngand theCleveland Spiders.[18]Nichols remained with Boston through 1901, when the team let him go in an effort to save money.[19]After a two-year lapse, he returned to the majors asmanagerand pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals from 1904 to 1905 and ended his career with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1905.[17]Overall, Nichols posted a 2.96ERA,led the National league in wins for three straight years from 1896 to 1898, pitched more than 300inningsin every season but three and more than 400 five times while pitching 532complete gamesand 48shutoutsin 562starts,[17]and was never removed from a game for arelief hurler.[20]Besides, his record of seven seasons with 30 or more victories is a mark that is likely to stand forever, since the implementation of five-man rotations, pitch count and inning limits in modern baseball.[19]
  • April 14 –Roy Patterson,77,Chicago White Soxpitcher best remembered for throwing the first pitch and recording the first win in the first official American League game on April 24, 1901, defeating theCleveland Bluesat Chicago'sSouth Side Park,8–2, while collecting an 81-72 career record and 2.75ERAfor Chicago in seven seasons from 1901 to 1907, including AL pennants in 1901 and 1906, though he did not pitch for the1906 World Series champion White Sox team.[21]
  • April 16 –Sam Gray,55, pitcher in 379 games for the Philadelphia Athletics and St. Louis Browns over ten seasons from 1924 to 1933; won 20 games for 1928 Browns, then lost 24 for them three years later; led American League in shutouts in 1929.
  • April 18 –Harry Niles,72, outfielder and second baseman who played from 1906 through 1910 for the St. Louis Browns, New York Highlanders, Boston Red Sox and Cleveland Naps.
  • April 18 –Cotton Tierney,59, second baseman and third baseman who played from 1920 to 1925 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Philadelphia Phillies, Boston Braves and Brooklyn Dodgers, being honored by his great-great-nephew Jeff Euston, who created in 2005 a website namedCot's Baseball Contracts,[22]which track all salaries of MLB players, contracts, bonuses, service time and franchise values.
  • April 26 –Don Brennan,49, pitcher who played for the New York Yankees, Cincinnati Reds and New York Giants in a span of five seasons from 1933 to 1937.
  • April 29 –Gene McAuliffe,81, backup catcher for the1904 Boston Beaneaters

May

edit

June

edit

July

edit

August

edit

September

edit

October

edit
  • October 5 –Rags Faircloth,61, pitcher who made two appearances for thePhiladelphia Philliesin 1919.
  • October 17 –Jim Delahanty,74, one of five Delahanty brothers to play in the majors, a fine defensive second baseman who had a 13-year career with eight teams spanning 1901–1915, while batting a solid.283/.357/.373/.730lineand 1,159hitsin 1,186 career games.

November

edit

December

edit

Sources

edit
  1. ^Jim Thorpe Is Dead On West Coast at 64.Article published atThe New York Timeson March 29, 1953. Retrieved on February 25, 2018.
  2. ^Lamb, Chris (April 7, 2021)."From 'Redlegs' to 'Red Scare' to 'Twilight Zone:' The Strange Trip of the Cincinnati Reds' Nickname".usatoday.com.USA Today.RetrievedMarch 23,2024.
  3. ^Ball, Bat and Bishop: the Origin of Ball Games.Henderson. by Robert W. (2001). University of Illinois Press.ISBN978-0-25-206992-5.
  4. ^Milwaukee Braves Heroes and Heartbreak.Povletich, William (2009). Wisconsin Historical Society Press.ISBN978-0-87-020423-4
  5. ^August 30, 1953: Milwaukee Braves set National League home run record.Article and box scores published bySABR Biography Project.Retrieved on February 24, 2018.
  6. ^New York Yankees 10, Philadelphia Athletics 0 (2).Game Played on Wednesday, June 28, 1939 (D) at Shibe Park.Retrosheet box score.Retrieved on February 24, 2018.
  7. ^Doc Moskiman.Article written by Bill Nowlin.SABR Biography Project.Retrieved on June 18, 2019.
  8. ^Ben Taylor.Negro Leagues Baseball Museum.Retrieved on June 18, 2019.
  9. ^Ben Taylor.National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum.Retrieved on June 18, 2019.
  10. ^Clyde Milan.Article written by Tom Simon.SABR Biography Project.Retrieved on June 19, 2019.
  11. ^abPitchers Stealing Home.Article written by Leonard Gettelson.SABR Biography Project.Retrieved on June 19, 2019.
  12. ^A thorough account of pitchers who have started both games of a doubleheader in the major leagues.Article written by J.G. Preston. Retrieved on June 19, 2019.
  13. ^May 2, 1917: Fred Toney and Reds prevail 1–0 in double no-hitter against Cubs' Hippo Vaughn.Article written by Mike Lynch.SABR Biography Project.Retrieved on June 19, 2019.
  14. ^Fred Toney statistics and history.Retrosheet.Retrieved on June 19, 2019.
  15. ^abcdJim Thorpe Biography.Pro Football Hall of Fame.Retrieved on June 19, 2019.
  16. ^Jim Thorpe (1887–1953).IMDb.Retrieved on June 19, 2019.
  17. ^abcKid Nichols Statistics and History.Baseball Reference.Retrieved on February 24, 2018.
  18. ^1892 Championship Series Boston Beaneaters over Cleveland Spiders (5–0–1).Baseball Reference.Retrieved on February 24, 2018.
  19. ^abKid Nichols Biography.Baseball Hall of Fame Official Website.Retrieved on February 24, 2018.
  20. ^Kid Nichols Obituary.The New York Times,Sunday, April 12th, 1953. Retrieved fromThe Deadball Eraon February 24, 2018.
  21. ^Roy Patterson.Article written by Terry Bohn.SABR Biography Project.Retrieved on June 21, 2019.
  22. ^Cot's Baseball Contracts.Baseball Prospectus.Retrieved on June 24, 2019.
  23. ^A thorough account of pitchers who have started both games of a doubleheader in the major leagues.Article by J.G. Preston.PrestonJG website.Retrieved on June 25, 2019.
  24. ^Sam Leever.Article written by Mark Armour.SABR Biography Project.Retrieved on June 25, 2019.
  25. ^Ray Grimes.Article written by Bill Nowlin.SABR Biography Project.Retrieved on June 25, 2019.
  26. ^abcJesse Burkette batting and fielding statistics.Retrosheet.Retrieved on June 20, 2019.
  27. ^abcJesse Burkett.Article written by David Jones.SABR Biography Project.Retrieved on February 25, 2018.
  28. ^abYear by Year Leaders for Batting Average / Batting Champions.Baseball Almanac.Retrieved on February 25, 2018.
  29. ^Arnold Rothstein and Baseball's 1919 Black Sox ScandalArchived2007-05-16 at theWayback Machine.Article written by David Pietrusza. Retrieved on June 25, 2019.
  30. ^Jim Tabor.Article written by Maurice Bouchard. Retrieved on June 25, 2019.
  31. ^Jack Pfiester.Article written by Stuart Schimler.SABR Biography Project.Retrieved on June 26, 2019.
  32. ^Buck Herzog.Article written by Gabriel Schechter.SABR Biography Project.Retrieved on June 26, 2019.
  33. ^Tom Dougherty.Batting and pitching statistics.Baseball ReferenceRetrieved on June 13, 2019.
  34. ^Billy Maharg.Article written by Bill Lamb.SABR BiographyProject.Retrieved on June 26, 2019.
  35. ^Ed Barrow.Article written by Daniel R. Levitt.SABR Biography Project.Retrieved on June 27, 2019.
  36. ^Pinch Thomas.Article written by Joanne Hulbert.SABR Biography Project.Retrieved on June 27, 2019.
  37. ^Patsy Donovan.Article written by David Jones.SABR Biography Project.Retrieved on June 27, 2019.
edit
Wikimedia Commons has media related to1953 in baseball.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=1953_in_baseball&oldid=1235530960"