1955 Philadelphia Phillies season
Encyclopedia
The Philadelphia Phillies
season was a season in American baseball. It was the first season for Phillies' manager Mayo Smith
. Prior to the season, the Phillies were seen to have strong pitching with ace
Robin Roberts but did not have power hitters to match pennant
favorites Brooklyn
, New York
, or Milwaukee
, behind whom the Phillies finished in fourth place with a record of 77 and 77.
play at Clearwater
's Jack Russell Stadium
. The stadium was dedicated on March 10, 1955. Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick
, National League
president Warren Giles
, American League
president Will Harridge
, Clearwater mayor Herbert M. Brown, and other city dignitaries were in attendance. The Phillies played their first game at the stadium on the day of the dedication. Robin Roberts started for the Phillies against the Detroit Tigers
. The Phillies won 4-2 on a two-run double by Willie Jones
before 4,209 attendees.
Philadelphia Phillies
The 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...
season was a season in American baseball. It was the first season for Phillies' manager Mayo Smith
Mayo Smith
Edward Mayo Smith was an American player, manager, and scout in Major League Baseball.Smith was born in New London, Missouri, but grew up in Florida. A left-handed batter who threw right-handed, Smith was a career minor league outfielder who spent many seasons in the International League with the...
. Prior to the season, the Phillies were seen to have strong pitching with ace
Ace (baseball)
In baseball, an ace is the best starting pitcher of any team and nearly always the first pitcher in his starting rotation. Barring injury or exceptional circumstances, an ace usually always starts on Opening Day...
Robin Roberts but did not have power hitters to match 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...
favorites Brooklyn
1955 Brooklyn Dodgers season
In , the Brooklyn Dodgers finally fulfilled the promise of many previous Dodger teams. Although the club had won several pennants in the past, and had won as many as 105 games in 1953, it had never won a World Series. This team finished 13.5 games ahead in the National League pennant race, leading...
, New York
1955 New York Giants (MLB) season
- Offseason :* Prior to 1955 season: Marshall Bridges was acquired from the Giants by the Milwaukee Braves.- Roster :- Starters by position :Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in- Other batters :Note: G = Games...
, or Milwaukee
1955 Milwaukee Braves season
- Offseason :* March 4, 1955: Catfish Metkovich was released by the Braves.* Prior to 1955 season: **Marshall Bridges was acquired by the Braves from the New York Giants.**Chi-Chi Olivo was signed as an amateur free agent by the Braves....
, behind whom the Phillies finished in fourth place with a record of 77 and 77.
Offseason
Prior to the 1955 season, the Phillies purchased the 50 feet (15.2 m) Ballantine Beer electronic scoreboard from Yankee Stadium for $175,000 from the Yankees. It was placed in right-center field at Connie Mack Stadium. This scoreboard was used through the final year at the ballpark.Spring training
In March 1955, the Phillies began spring trainingSpring training
In Major League Baseball, spring training is a series of practices and exhibition games preceding the start of the regular season. Spring training allows new players to try out for roster and position spots, and gives existing team players practice time prior to competitive play...
play at Clearwater
Clearwater, Florida
Clearwater is a city located in Pinellas County, Florida, US, nearly due west of Tampa and northwest of St. Petersburg. In the west of Clearwater lies the Gulf of Mexico and in the east lies Tampa Bay. As of the 2000 census, the city had a total population of 108,787. It is the county seat of...
's Jack Russell Stadium
Jack Russell Memorial Stadium
Jack Russell Memorial Stadium is a stadium in Clearwater, Florida. It opened as Jack Russell Stadium in 1955. It had a capacity of 4,744 when it opened; in 2003 seating capacity was 6,942 people...
. The stadium was dedicated on March 10, 1955. Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick
Ford Frick
Ford Christopher Frick was an American sportswriter and executive who served as president of the National League from to and as the third Commissioner of Major League Baseball from 1951 to . He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1970...
, 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...
president Warren Giles
Warren Giles
Warren Crandall Giles was a National League executive in Major League Baseball.-Baseball:Giles was elected president of the Moline, Illinois baseball club in the Three-I League in 1919 and began a 50-year career in baseball that saw him rise all the way to the presidency of the National League...
, American League
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
president Will Harridge
Will Harridge
William Harridge was an American executive in professional baseball whose most significant role was as president of the American League from 1931 to 1958...
, Clearwater mayor Herbert M. Brown, and other city dignitaries were in attendance. The Phillies played their first game at the stadium on the day of the dedication. Robin Roberts started for the Phillies against the Detroit Tigers
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. The Phillies won 4-2 on a two-run double by Willie Jones
Willie Jones (baseball)
Willie Edward Jones , nicknamed "Puddin' Head", was a Major League Baseball third baseman who played for the Philadelphia Phillies , Cleveland Indians and Cincinnati Reds...
before 4,209 attendees.
Notable transactions
- February 11, 1955: Peanuts LowreyPeanuts LowreyHarry Lee "Peanuts" Lowrey was an American outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Chicago Cubs , Cincinnati Reds , St...
was signed as a free agent by the Phillies. - February 19, 1955: Jimmie CokerJimmie CokerJimmie Goodwin Coker was a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies , San Francisco Giants and Cincinnati Reds ....
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Phillies. - Prior to 1955 season: Ed BoucheeEd BoucheeEdward Francis Bouchee is a former Major League Baseball first baseman who played from to . He finished second in the Rookie of the Year voting in , hitting .293 with 17 home runs and 76 RBI. Those would all prove to be career highs.After the 1957 season was over, Bouchee was arrested for...
was purchased by the Phillies from the Spokane IndiansSpokane IndiansThe Spokane Indians are a minor league baseball team located in Spokane, Washington, United States. They are a Short-Season A classification team in the Northwest League and have been a farm team of the Texas Rangers since 2003. The Indians play home games at Avista Stadium...
.
Notable transactions
- April 30, 1955: Smoky BurgessSmoky BurgessForrest Harrill "Smoky" Burgess was an American professional baseball player, coach and scout. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from 1949 to 1967. Later in his career, he became known for his ability as a pinch hitter, setting the major league career record for career pinch-hits...
, Stan PalysStan PalysStanley Francis Palys is a former Major League Baseball outfielder. He played four seasons in the majors, from 1953 until 1956, for the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Redlegs....
and Steve RidzikSteve RidzikStephen George Ridzik was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for five teams from to , primarily the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Senators....
were traded by the Phillies to the Cincinnati RedlegsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
for Andy SeminickAndy SeminickAndrew Wasal Seminick was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Philadelphia Phillies between 1943 and 1951, and the Cincinnati Reds/Redlegs from 1952 through part of 1955, when he rejoined the Phillies for the rest of his career until...
, Glen GorbousGlen GorbousGlen Edward Gorbous was a Canadian baseball player who holds the current world record for longest throw of a baseball, 135.89m . The feat took place on August 1, 1957, while he was playing for the Omaha Cardinals of the American Association...
, and Jim GreengrassJim GreengrassJames Raymond Greengrass is a former professional baseball player. He played five seasons in Major League Baseball, from 1952 until 1956, for the Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies, primarily as an outfielder.-External links:...
.
Roster
| 1955 Philadelphia Phillies | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 93 | 289 | 71 | .246 | 11 | 34 | |
| 3B | 146 | 516 | 133 | .258 | 16 | 81 | |
| SS | 92 | 260 | 51 | .196 | 7 | 39 | |
| OF | 94 | 323 | 88 | .272 | 12 | 37 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 91 | 224 | 53 | .237 | 4 | 23 | |
| 54 | 106 | 20 | .189 | 0 | 8 | |
| 15 | 52 | 15 | .288 | 1 | 8 | |
| 7 | 21 | 4 | .190 | 1 | 1 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 305 | 23 | 14 | 3.28 | 160 | |
| 36 | 216 | 12 | 11 | 3.50 | 92 | |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 17 | 32.1 | 1 | 0 | 7.24 | 13 | |
| 7 | 18.1 | 0 | 3 | 6.38 | 6 | |
| 3 | 11 | 0 | 1 | 2.45 | 6 |
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 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 50 | 6 | 11 | 16 | 3.43 | 97 | |
| 40 | 8 | 4 | 1 | 2.41 | 28 | |
| 24 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4.99 | 15 | |
| 22 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 6.55 | 18 | |
| 14 | 0 | 1 | 0 | 4.50 | 14 | |
| 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15.43 | 0 |
Awards and honors
All-Star Game1955 Major League Baseball All-Star Game
The 1955 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 22nd playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball...
- Del EnnisDel EnnisDelmer Ennis was an American left and right fielder in Major League Baseball who played most of his career for the Philadelphia Phillies. From 1949 to 1957, Ennis accumulated more runs batted in than anyone besides Stan Musial and was 8th in the National League in home runs...
, starter, outfield - Robin Roberts, starter, pitcher
- Stan LopataStan LopataStanley Edward Lopata was an American professional baseball player. Lopata played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for parts of 13 seasons with the Philadelphia Phillies and Milwaukee Braves...
, reserve