1954 New York Giants (MLB) season
Encyclopedia
The New York Giants
season was a season in Major League Baseball
. The Giants won the National League
pennant with a record of 97 wins and 57 losses and then defeated the Cleveland Indians
in the World Series
.
in what would be their final World Series
win in New York.
It was the first time the Cleveland Indians
had been swept in a World Series
. The only highlight for the Indians was that they kept the Yankees
from winning their sixth straight series. The last time the Yankees had not won the series or pennant
beforehand was , when, again, the Indians kept them out (although that year, they won the Series). It was also the only World Series from to which did not feature the Yankees.
in New York, New York
in New York, New York
in Cleveland, Ohio
in Cleveland, Ohio
Tar Heel League disbanded, June 21, 1954
San Francisco Giants
The San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
season was a season in Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball is the highest level of professional baseball in the United States and Canada, consisting of teams that play in the National League and the American League...
. The Giants won the National League
National League
The National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
pennant with a record of 97 wins and 57 losses and then defeated the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
in the World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
.
Offseason
- October 8, 1953: Chuck DieringChuck DieringCharles Edward Allen Diering in St. Louis, Missouri is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played all or part of nine seasons in the major leagues, between and , for the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants and Baltimore Orioles.-External links:...
, Frank HillerFrank HillerFrank Walter Hiller was an American professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from to for the New York Giants, Chicago Cubs, New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds.-External links:...
, Adrián ZabalaAdrian ZabalaAdrián Zabala was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the New York Giants in and . The 5'11", 165 pound left-hander was a native of San Antonio de los Baños, Cuba....
and $60,000 were traded by the Giants to the San Francisco Seals for Windy McCallWindy McCallJohn William McCall is a former relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from 1948 through 1957 for the Boston Red Sox , Pittsburgh Pirates and New York Giants . Listed at 6' 0", 180 lb., McCall batted and threw left-handed...
. - December 1, 1953: 1953 minor league draft
- Lee TateLee TateLee Willie Tate is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. He played parts of two seasons, and , for the St. Louis Cardinals.-External links:...
was drafted by the Giants from the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. - John AndersonJohn Anderson (pitcher)John Charles Anderson is a former professional baseball pitcher. He played parts of three seasons in Major League Baseball, between 1958 and 1962, for the Philadelphia Phillies, Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Cardinals, and Houston Colt .45s.- References :...
was drafted by the Giants from the Philadelphia Phillies.
- Lee Tate
- February 2, 1954: Joey AmalfitanoJoey AmalfitanoJohn Joseph Amalfitano is a former utility infielder, manager and coach in Major League Baseball . He played a combined ten seasons with the New York/San Francisco Giants , Houston Colt .45s and Chicago Cubs . He managed the Cubs from 1979 to 1981...
was signed as an amateur free agent (bonus babyBonus RuleThe Bonus Rule was a rule instituted by Major League Baseball in 1947 that prevented teams from assigning certain players to farm clubs. The rule stipulated that when a Major league team signed a player to a contract in excess of $4,000 , the Major League team was required to keep that player on...
) by the Giants. - Prior to 1954 season (exact date unknown)
- John Anderson was returned by the Giants to the Phillies.
- Ramón CondeRamón CondeRamón Luis Conde Román is a former professional baseball player. He played 14 games in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox in 1962, primarily as a third baseman. He came to the plate 19 times without a hit, although he did manage three walks.Conde had an extensive minor league baseball...
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Giants.
Notable transactions
- April 13, 1954: Tony TaylorTony TaylorAntonio Nemesio Taylor is a former second baseman in Major League Baseball. From 1958 through , Taylor played for the Chicago Cubs , Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers...
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Giants. - September 8, 1954: Joe Garagiola was selected off waivers by the Giants from the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
.
Roster
| 1954 New York Giants | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers | Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders Other batters |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 82 | 164 | 56 | .341 | 15 | 50 | |
| 13 | 12 | 3 | .250 | 0 | 1 | |
| 5 | 11 | 3 | .273 | 0 | 1 | |
| 9 | 5 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 39 | 258.2 | 21 | 7 | 2.30 | 152 | |
| 37 | 221.2 | 17 | 9 | 2.88 | 106 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 29 | 130 | 8 | 8 | 4.15 | 45 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 57 | 12 | 4 | 7 | 2.10 | 64 | |
| 56 | 10 | 7 | 19 | 2.35 | 64 | |
| 33 | 2 | 5 | 2 | 3.25 | 38 | |
| 20 | 1 | 3 | 0 | 4.02 | 14 | |
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 4.70 | 5 | |
| 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 8.31 | 4 | |
1954 World Series
The New York Giants swept the Cleveland Indians1954 Cleveland Indians season
The Cleveland Indians advanced to the World Series for the first time in six years. It was the team's third American League championship in franchise history...
in what would be their final World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
win in New York.
It was the first time the Cleveland Indians
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
had been swept in a World Series
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball, played between the American League and National League champions since 1903. The winner of the World Series championship is determined through a best-of-seven playoff and awarded the Commissioner's Trophy...
. The only highlight for the Indians was that they kept the Yankees
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
from winning their sixth straight series. The last time the Yankees had not won the series or pennant
Pennant (sports)
A pennant is a commemorative flag typically used to show support for a particular athletic team. Pennants have been historically used in all types of athletic levels: high school, collegiate, professional etc. Traditionally, pennants were made of felt and fashioned in the official colors of a...
beforehand was , when, again, the Indians kept them out (although that year, they won the Series). It was also the only World Series from to which did not feature the Yankees.
Game 1
September 29, 1954 at the Polo GroundsPolo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
in New York, New York
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | 10 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland (A) | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 8 | 0 |
| New York (N) | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 5 | 9 | 3 |
| W: Marv Grissom Marv Grissom Marvin Edward Grissom was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball for the New York & San Francisco Giants , Detroit Tigers , Chicago White Sox , Boston Red Sox and St. Louis Cardinals . He was born in Los Molinos, California.He helped the Giants win the 1954 World Series... (1-0) L: Bob Lemon Bob Lemon Robert Granville Lemon was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976.... (0-1) |
|||||||||||||
| HR: NYG – Dusty Rhodes (1) | |||||||||||||
Game 2
September 30, 1954 at the Polo GroundsPolo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
in New York, New York
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cleveland (A) | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 8 | 0 |
| New York (N) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 0 | x | 3 | 4 | 0 |
| W: Johnny Antonelli Johnny Antonelli John August Antonelli is an American former left-handed starting pitcher who played for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves, New York and San Francisco Giants, and Cleveland Indians.... (1-0) L: Early Wynn Early Wynn Early Wynn Jr. , nicknamed "Gus", was a Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 25-year baseball career, he pitched for the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox... (0-1) |
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| HR: CLE – Al Smith (1) NYG – Dusty Rhodes (2) | ||||||||||||
Game 3
October 1, 1954 at Cleveland StadiumCleveland Stadium
Cleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football...
in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (N) | 1 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6 | 10 | 1 |
| Cleveland (A) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 4 | 2 |
| W: Ruben Gomez (1-0) L: Mike Garcia Mike Garcia (NL pitcher) Michael R. Garcia is a retired professional baseball pitcher. He played parts of two seasons in Major League Baseball for the Pittsburgh Pirates. He also played in Mexico, Taiwan, and the Korea Baseball Organization.... (0-1) S: Hoyt Wilhelm Hoyt Wilhelm James Hoyt Wilhelm was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1985.... (1) |
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| HR: CLE – Vic Wertz Vic Wertz Victor Woodrow Wertz was a Major League Baseball first baseman and outfielder. He had a seventeen year career from 1947 to 1963. He was signed as a free agent by the Detroit Tigers in 1942 and played for the Tigers, St... (1) |
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Game 4
October 2, 1954 at Cleveland StadiumCleveland Stadium
Cleveland Stadium was a multi-purpose stadium, located in Cleveland, Ohio. In its final years, the stadium seated 74,438, for baseball and 81,000, for football. It was one of the early multi-purpose stadiums, built to accommodate both baseball and football...
in Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland, Ohio
Cleveland is a city in the U.S. state of Ohio and is the county seat of Cuyahoga County, the most populous county in the state. The city is located in northeastern Ohio on the southern shore of Lake Erie, approximately west of the Pennsylvania border...
| Team | 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 | 8 | 9 | R | H | E |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| New York (N) | 0 | 2 | 1 | 0 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 7 | 10 | 3 |
| Cleveland (A) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 6 | 2 |
| W: Don Liddle Don Liddle Donald Eugene Liddle was an American left-handed pitcher in professional baseball who played four seasons in the Major Leagues for the Milwaukee Braves, New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals from through... (1-0) L: Bob Lemon Bob Lemon Robert Granville Lemon was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1976.... (0-2) S: Johnny Antonelli Johnny Antonelli John August Antonelli is an American former left-handed starting pitcher who played for the Boston and Milwaukee Braves, New York and San Francisco Giants, and Cleveland Indians.... (1) |
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| HR: CLE – Hank Majeski Hank Majeski Henry Majeski was an American professional baseball player, coach and minor league manager. He played as a third baseman in Major League Baseball from to for the Boston Bees/Boston Braves , New York Yankees , Philadelphia Athletics , Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles... (1) |
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Farm system
LEAGUE CHAMPIONS: Danville (M-OV)Tar Heel League disbanded, June 21, 1954