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1962 Major League Baseball season

FieldValue
title1962 MLB season
leagueAmerican League (AL)
National League (NL)
sportBaseball
durationRegular season:{{Bulleted list
no_of_games162
no_of_teams20 (10 per league)
TVNBC, CBS
seasonRegular season
MVPAL: Mickey Mantle (NYY)
NL: Maury Wills (LAD)
MVP_linkMajor League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award
conf1AL
conf1_champ[New York Yankees](1962-new-york-yankees-season)
conf1_runner-up[Minnesota Twins](1962-minnesota-twins-season)
conf2NL
conf2_champ[San Francisco Giants](1962-san-francisco-giants-season)
conf2_runner-up[Los Angeles Dodgers](1962-los-angeles-dodgers-season)
finalsWorld Series
finals_link1962 World Series
finals_champ[New York Yankees](1962-new-york-yankees-season)
finals_runner-up[San Francisco Giants](1962-san-francisco-giants-season)
World_Series_MVPRalph Terry (NYY)
World_Series_MVP_linkWorld Series Most Valuable Player Award
seasonslistList of MLB seasons
seasonslistnamesMLB
prevseason_link1961 Major League Baseball season
prevseason_year1961
nextseason_link1963 Major League Baseball season
nextseason_year1963

National League (NL) | April 9 – September 30, 1962 (AL) | April 9 – October 3, 1962 (NL)}}World Series:{{Bulleted list | October 4–16, 1962}} NL: Maury Wills (LAD) | conf1_runner-up = Minnesota Twins | conf2_runner-up = Los Angeles Dodgers | finals_runner-up = San Francisco Giants The 1962 major league baseball season began on April 9, 1962. The regular season ended on October 3, with the San Francisco Giants and New York Yankees as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The Giants defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in a regular season best-of-three tiebreaker, for the National League title in three games, after both teams finished their 162-game schedules with identical 101–61 records. This was the fifth regular season tie-breaker. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 59th World Series on October 4 and ended with Game 7 on October 16. In the seventh iteration of this World Series matchup, and their first since the Giants relocated to San Francisco from New York, the Yankees defeated the Giants, four games to three, capturing their 20th championship in franchise history, winning back-to-back World Series.

For the fourth and final year, there were two separate All-Star Games played. The first, the 32nd Major League Baseball All-Star Game, was held on July 11 at District of Columbia Stadium in Washington, D.C., home of the Washington Senators. The National League won, 3–1. The second, the 33rd Major League Baseball All-Star Game, was held on July 31 at Wrigley Field in Chicago, Illinois, home of the Chicago Cubs. The American League won, 9–4.

In response to the proposed Continental League, the National League announced expansion during the 1960 World Series, with a new team in Houston, Texas and a new team in New York, New York. The 1962 season would see the Houston Colt .45s and New York Mets enfranchised, the latter being the National League's return to New York City after a four-year absence.

Schedule

The 1962 schedule consisted of 162 games for all teams in the American League and National League, each of which had ten teams. Each team was scheduled to play 18 games against the other nine teams of their respective league. The 162-game, 18 games per team format had previously been used by the American League since the previous season due to expansion and was the first season that the National League used it due to their own expansion. The format would be used until .

Opening Day took place on April 9, featuring four teams. The final day of the scheduled regular season was on October 1, which saw all 20 teams play, the first time all existing teams played on the final day since . Due to the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Francisco Giants finishing with the same record of 101–61, a best-of-three tie-breaker was scheduled, to be considered an extension of the regular season, and took place between October 1 and October 3. The World Series took place between October 4 and October 16.

Rule change

The 1962 season saw the following rule change:

  • The bonus rule, previously implemented from – and –, was implemented for the third and final time (to be permanently rescinded in June ). This version of the rule was slightly different, allowing teams to only option to the minor leagues one first-year player. Additional players would be required to stay in the major leagues or pass through waivers. To claim a bonus player on waivers, a team must spend $8,000 ().

Teams

LeagueTeamCityStadiumCapacityManagerAmerican League}};"Baltimore OriolesBoston Red SoxChicago White SoxCleveland IndiansDetroit TigersKansas City AthleticsLos Angeles AngelsMinnesota TwinsNew York YankeesWashington SenatorsNational League}};"Chicago CubsCincinnati RedsHouston Colt .45sLos Angeles DodgersMilwaukee BravesNew York MetsPhiladelphia PhilliesPittsburgh PiratesSan Francisco GiantsSt. Louis Cardinals
Baltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium49,373
Boston, MassachusettsFenway Park33,357
Chicago, IllinoisWhite Sox Park46,550
Cleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium73,811
Detroit, MichiganTiger Stadium52,850
Kansas City, MissouriMunicipal Stadium34,165
Los Angeles, CaliforniaDodger Stadium56,000
Bloomington, MinnesotaMetropolitan Stadium39,525
New York, New YorkYankee Stadium67,337
Washington, D.C.District of Columbia Stadium43,500
Chicago, IllinoisWrigley Field36,755College of Coaches
Cincinnati, OhioCrosley Field30,322
Houston, TexasColt Stadium32,601
Los Angeles, CaliforniaDodger Stadium56,000
Milwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee County Stadium43,768
New York, New YorkPolo Grounds56,000
Philadelphia, PennsylvaniaConnie Mack Stadium33,608
Pittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field35,500
San Francisco, CaliforniaCandlestick Park42,553
St. Louis, MissouriBusch Stadium30,500

Standings

American League

National League

Postseason

The postseason began on October 4 and ended on October 16 with the New York Yankees defeating the San Francisco Giants in the 1962 World Series in seven games.

Bracket

| RD1-seed1=AL | RD1-team1=New York Yankees | RD1-score1=4 | RD1-seed2=NL | RD1-team2=San Francisco Giants | RD1-score2=3

Managerial changes

Off-season

TeamFormer ManagerNew ManagerBaltimore OriolesCleveland IndiansHouston Colt .45sNew York Mets
Lum HarrisBilly Hitchcock
Mel HarderMel McGaha
*[Team enfranchised](1962-major-league-baseball-expansion)*Harry Craft
*[Team enfranchised](1962-major-league-baseball-expansion)*Casey Stengel

In-season

TeamFormer ManagerNew ManagerCleveland Indians
Mel McGahaMel Harder

League leaders

American League

StatPlayerTotal
AVGPete Runnels (BOS).326
OPSMickey Mantle (NYY)1.091
HRHarmon Killebrew (MIN)48
RBIHarmon Killebrew (MIN)126
RAlbie Pearson (LAA)115
HBobby Richardson (NYY)209
SBLuis Aparicio (CWS)31
StatPlayerTotal
WRalph Terry (NYY)23
LChuck Estrada (BAL)
Ed Rakow (KCA)17
ERAHank Aguirre (DET)2.21
KCamilo Pascual (MIN)206
IPRalph Terry (NYY)298.2
SVDick Radatz (BOS)24
WHIPHank Aguirre (DET)1.051

National League

StatPlayerTotal
AVGTommy Davis (LAD).346
OPSFrank Robinson (CIN)1.045
HRWillie Mays (SF)49
RBITommy Davis (LAD)153
RFrank Robinson (CIN)134
HTommy Davis (LAD)230
SBMaury Wills (LAD)104
StatPlayerTotal
WDon Drysdale (LAD)25
LRoger Craig (NYM)24
ERASandy Koufax (LAD)2.54
KDon Drysdale (LAD)232
IPDon Drysdale (LAD)314.1
SVRoy Face (PIT)28
WHIPSandy Koufax (LAD)1.036

Awards and honors

Regular season

Baseball Writers' Association of America AwardsBBWAA AwardNational LeagueAmerican LeagueGold Glove AwardsPositionNational LeagueAmerican League
Rookie of the YearKen Hubbs (CHC)Tom Tresh (NYY)
Cy Young AwardDon Drysdale (LAD)—
Most Valuable PlayerMaury Wills (LAD)Mickey Mantle (NYY)
Babe Ruth Award
(World Series MVP)—Ralph Terry (NYY)
PitcherBobby Shantz (STL/HOU)Jim Kaat (MIN)
CatcherDel Crandall (MIL)Earl Battey (MIN)
1st BaseBill White (STL)Vic Power (MIN)
2nd BaseKen Hubbs (CHC)Bobby Richardson (NYY)
3rd BaseJim Davenport (SF)Brooks Robinson (BAL)
ShortstopMaury Wills (LAD)Luis Aparicio (CWS)
OutfieldBill Virdon (PIT)Jim Landis (CWS)
Roberto Clemente (PIT)Al Kaline (DET)
Willie Mays (SF)Mickey Mantle (NYY)

Other awards

  • Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award: Ralph Terry (NYY)
*The Sporting News* AwardsAwardNational LeagueAmerican League
Player of the YearDon Drysdale (LAD)
Maury Wills (LAD)—
Pitcher of the YearDon Drysdale (LAD)Dick Donovan (CLE)
Fireman of the Year
(Relief pitcher)Roy Face (PIT)Dick Radatz (BOS)
Rookie of the YearKen Hubbs (CHC)Tom Tresh (NYY)
Manager of the Year—Bill Rigney (LAA)
Executive of the Year—Fred Haney (LAA)

Monthly awards

Player of the Month

Main article: Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award

MonthNational LeagueMayJuneJulyAugust
Bob Purkey (CIN)
Sandy Koufax (LAD)
Frank Howard (LAD)
Jack Sanford (SF)

Baseball Hall of Fame

Main article: National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

  • Bob Feller
  • Jackie Robinson
  • Edd Roush
  • Bill McKechnie (manager)

Home field attendance

Team nameWins%±Home attendance%±Per game
Los Angeles Dodgers10214.6%2,755,18452.7%33,195
San Francisco Giants10321.2%1,592,59414.5%19,422
New York Yankees96−11.9%1,493,574−14.5%18,670
Minnesota Twins9130.0%1,433,11614.0%17,477
Detroit Tigers85−15.8%1,207,881−24.5%14,730
Los Angeles Angels8622.9%1,144,06389.6%14,124
Chicago White Sox85−1.2%1,131,562−1.3%13,970
Pittsburgh Pirates9324.0%1,090,648−9.0%13,465
Cincinnati Reds985.4%982,095−12.1%12,125
St. Louis Cardinals845.0%953,89511.5%11,776
Houston Colt .45s64924,45611,274
New York Mets40922,53011,532
Baltimore Orioles77−18.9%790,254−16.9%9,637
Milwaukee Braves863.6%766,921−30.4%9,468
Philadelphia Phillies8172.3%762,03429.1%9,525
Boston Red Sox760.0%733,080−13.8%9,279
Washington Senators60−1.6%729,77522.2%9,122
Cleveland Indians802.6%716,076−1.3%8,840
Kansas City Athletics7218.0%635,675−7.0%7,848
Chicago Cubs59−7.8%609,802−9.4%7,528

Venues

The 1962 season saw two new teams in the National League, and with it, one new venue and one returning venue:

  • The Houston Colt .45s played at Colt Stadium, where they would play for three seasons through .
  • The New York Mets played at the Polo Grounds, where they would play for two seasons through . The Polo Grounds (in all its iterations) were previously occupied by the New York Giants from through before their relocation to San Francisco, California as the San Francisco Giants. The 1962 season also saw three teams move into new venues:
  • The Los Angeles Angels and Los Angeles Dodgers each moved into Dodger Stadium. The Angels, who previously played at Wrigley Field during their inaugural season the previous year, would play at Dodger Stadium for four seasons through . The Dodgers, who previously played at Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum for four seasons, continue to play at Dodger Stadium to the present day.
  • The Washington Senators open District of Columbia Stadium after playing at Griffith Stadium for their inaugural season the previous year. The team would play at District of Columbia Stadium for 10 seasons through . Comiskey Park, home of the Chicago White Sox, renamed to White Sox Park.

Television coverage

CBS and NBC continued to air weekend Game of the Week broadcasts. CBS dropped its Sunday broadcasts once the NFL season started in mid-September, dropping the option clause for affiliates to carry baseball or football in place since 1957.

The All-Star Game, the National League tie-breaker series, and the World Series aired on NBC.

Retired numbers

  • Robin Roberts had his No. 36 retired by the Philadelphia Phillies on March 21. This was the first number retired by the team.

Notes

References

References

  1. Matthews, Christopher. "1961 Winter Meetings: The Mets, the Colt .45s, and Debating the Return of the Spitball – Society for American Baseball Research".
  2. "1962 Major League Managers".
  3. "1962 American League Batting Leaders".
  4. "1962 American League Pitching Leaders".
  5. "1962 National League Batting Leaders".
  6. "1962 National League Pitching Leaders".
  7. "Major League Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News {{!}} Baseball Almanac".
  8. "Pitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News {{!}} Baseball Almanac".
  9. "Fireman of the Year Award / Reliever of the Year Award by The Sporting News {{!}} Baseball Almanac".
  10. "Rookie of the Year Award by The Sporting News {{!}} Baseball Almanac".
  11. "Manager of the Year Award by The Sporting News {{!}} Baseball Almanac".
  12. "MLB Executive of the Year Award {{!}} Baseball Almanac".
  13. "Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  14. "San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  15. "New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  16. "Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  17. "Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  18. "Los Angeles Angels Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  19. "Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  20. "Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  21. "Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  22. "St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  23. "Houston Astros Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  24. "New York Mets Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  25. "Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  26. "Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  27. "Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  28. "Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  29. "Texas Rangers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  30. "Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  31. "Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  32. "Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". [[Baseball-Reference.com]].
  33. Brulia, Tim. "A CHRONOLOGY OF PRO FOOTBALL ON TELEVISION: Part 1".
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