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 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 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 City. 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 10 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 LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManagerBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium49,373Boston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park33,357Chicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisWhite Sox Park46,550Cleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium73,811Detroit TigersDetroit, MichiganTiger Stadium52,850Kansas City AthleticsKansas City, MissouriMunicipal Stadium34,165Los Angeles AngelsLos Angeles, CaliforniaDodger Stadium56,000Minnesota TwinsBloomington, MinnesotaMetropolitan Stadium39,525New York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium67,337Washington SenatorsWashington, D.C.District of Columbia Stadium43,500Chicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field36,755College of CoachesCincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field30,322Houston Colt .45sHouston, TexasColt Stadium32,601Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles, CaliforniaDodger Stadium56,000Milwaukee BravesMilwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee County Stadium43,768New York MetsNew York, New YorkPolo Grounds56,000Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia, PennsylvaniaConnie Mack Stadium33,608Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh, PennsylvaniaForbes Field35,500San Francisco GiantsSan Francisco, CaliforniaCandlestick Park42,553St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis, MissouriBusch Stadium30,500
Standings
American League
National League
The San Francisco Giants defeated the Los Angeles Dodgers in a best-of-three tie-breaker series to earn the National League pennant.
Tie games 3 tie games (1 in AL, 2 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again) occurred throughout the season.
American League The Minnesota Twins and Washington Senators had one each. August 22, Minnesota Twins vs. Washington Senators, tied at 8 after 10 innings on account of curfew.
National League The Houston Colt .45s had two tie games. The New York Mets and St. Louis Cardinals had one each. April 25, Houston Colt .45s vs. St. Louis Cardinals, tied at 5 after 17 innings on account of curfew. September 9, Houston Colt .45s vs. New York Mets, tied at 7 after a shortened eight innings on account of 7:00 p.m. curfew.
Postseason
The postseason began on October 1 and ended on October 16 with the New York Yankees defeating the San Francisco Giants in the 1962 World Series in seven games.
Bracket
Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBaltimore Orioles Lum HarrisBilly HitchcockCleveland IndiansMel HarderMel McGahaHouston Colt .45sTeam enfranchisedHarry CraftNew York MetsTeam enfranchisedCasey Stengel
In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerCleveland IndiansMel McGahaMel Harder
League leaders American League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Pete Runnels (BOS) .326 OPS Mickey Mantle (NYY) 1.091 HR Harmon Killebrew (MIN) 48 RBI Harmon Killebrew (MIN) 126 R Albie Pearson (LAA) 115 H Bobby Richardson (NYY) 209 SB Luis Aparicio (CWS) 31
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Ralph Terry (NYY) 23 L Chuck Estrada (BAL)Ed Rakow (KCA) 17 ERA Hank Aguirre (DET) 2.21 K Camilo Pascual (MIN) 206 IP Ralph Terry (NYY) 298.2 SV Dick Radatz (BOS) 24 WHIP Hank Aguirre (DET) 1.051
National League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Tommy Davis (LAD) .346 OPS Frank Robinson (CIN) 1.045 HR Willie Mays (SF) 49 RBI Tommy Davis (LAD) 153 R Frank Robinson (CIN) 134 H Tommy Davis (LAD) 230 SB Maury Wills (LAD) 104
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Don Drysdale (LAD) 25 L Roger Craig (NYM) 24 ERA Sandy Koufax (LAD) 2.54 K Don Drysdale (LAD) 232 IP Don Drysdale (LAD) 314.1 SV Roy Face (PIT) 28 WHIP Sandy Koufax (LAD) 1.036
Milestones Batters Cycles
Lou Clinton (BOS): Clinton hit for his first cycle and 13th in franchise history, on July 13 against the Kansas City Athletics.
Other batting accomplishments Earl Averill Jr. (LAA): Tied a Major League record by reaching base in 17 consecutive plate appearances between June 3 and 10, previously set by Piggy Ward in . Bob Allison / Harmon Killebrew (MIN): Became the first duo to hit two grand slams in the same inning, in the midst of an 11-run first inning against the Cleveland Indians on July 18. Warren Spahn (MIL): Set a National League record for most career home runs by a pitcher by hitting his 35th home run on July 26 against the New York Mets. Mickey Mantle (NYY): Became the seventh player in Major League history to hit 400 home runs in the fifth inning against the Detroit Tigers on September 10.
Pitchers No-hitters
Bo Belinsky (LAA): Belinsky threw his first career no-hitter and first no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Baltimore Orioles 2–0 on May 5. Belinsky walked four, hitting two by pitch, and struck out nine. Earl Wilson (BOS): Wilson threw his first career no-hitter and 12th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Los Angeles Angels 2–0 on June 26. Wilson walked four and struck out five. Sandy Koufax (LAD): Koufax threw his first career no-hitter and 14th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the New York Mets 5–0 on June 30. Koufax walked five and struck out 13, throwing 80 strikes on 138 pitches. Bill Monbouquette (BOS): Monbouquette threw his first career no-hitter and 13th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Chicago White Sox 1–0 on August 1. Monbouquette walked one and struck out seven. Jack Kralick (MIN): Kralick threw his first career no-hitter and third no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Kansas City Athletics 1–0 on August 26. Kralick walked one and struck out three.
Other pitching accomplishments Sandy Koufax (LAD): Became the third player to strike out 18 batters in a modern Major League game (including his previous record in ) for most strikeouts in a single game in a 10–2 win against the Chicago Cubs on April 24. Tom Cheney (WAS): Set a Major League record (when including extra innings) for most strikeouts in a single game, throwing 21 strikeouts in a 16-inning 2–1 win against the Baltimore Orioles on September 12.
Miscellaneous New York Yankees: Set a Major League record for most runs scored in the 22nd inning, by scoring two runs against the Detroit Tigers on September 1. New York Mets: Set the modern Major League record for most losses in a season on September 30 with 120. The previous record of 117 was set by the Philadelphia Athletics in .
Awards and honors
Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards BBWAA Award National League American League Rookie of the Year Ken Hubbs (CHC) Tom Tresh (NYY) Cy Young Award Don Drysdale (LAD) — Most Valuable Player Maury Wills (LAD) Mickey Mantle (NYY)Babe Ruth Award(World Series MVP) — Ralph Terry (NYY)Gold Glove Awards Position National League American League Pitcher Bobby Shantz (STL/HOU) Jim Kaat (MIN) Catcher Del Crandall (MIL) Earl Battey (MIN) 1st Base Bill White (STL) Vic Power (MIN) 2nd Base Ken Hubbs (CHC) Bobby Richardson (NYY) 3rd Base Jim Davenport (SF) Brooks Robinson (BAL) Shortstop Maury Wills (LAD) Luis Aparicio (CWS)Outfield Bill 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 Awards Award National League American League Player of the Year Don Drysdale (LAD)Maury Wills (LAD) — Pitcher of the Year Don Drysdale (LAD) Dick Donovan (CLE) Fireman of the Year(Relief pitcher) Roy Face (PIT) Dick Radatz (BOS) Rookie of the Year Ken 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
Month National League May Bob Purkey (CIN) June Sandy Koufax (LAD) July Frank Howard (LAD) August Jack Sanford (SF)
Baseball Hall of Fame
Bob Feller Jackie Robinson Edd Roush Bill McKechnie (manager)
Home field attendance Team nameWinsHome attendanceLos Angeles Dodgers10214.6%2,755,18452.7%33,195San Francisco Giants10321.2%1,592,59414.5%19,422New York Yankees96 −11.9%1,493,574 −14.5%18,670Minnesota Twins9130.0%1,433,11614.0%17,477Detroit Tigers85 −15.8%1,207,881 −24.5%14,730Los Angeles Angels8622.9%1,144,06389.6%14,124Chicago White Sox85 −1.2%1,131,562 −1.3%13,970Pittsburgh Pirates9324.0%1,090,648 −9.0%13,465Cincinnati Reds985.4%982,095 −12.1%12,125St. Louis Cardinals845.0%953,89511.5%11,776Houston Colt .45s64924,45611,274New York Mets40922,53011,532Baltimore Orioles77 −18.9%790,254 −16.9%9,637Milwaukee Braves863.6%766,921 −30.4%9,468Philadelphia Phillies8172.3%762,03429.1%9,525Boston Red Sox760.0%733,080 −13.8%9,279Washington Senators60 −1.6%729,77522.2%9,122Cleveland Indians802.6%716,076 −1.3%8,840Kansas City Athletics7218.0%635,675 −7.0%7,848Chicago 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 .