The 1964 major league baseball season began on April 13, 1964. The regular season ended on October 4, with the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 61st World Series on October 7 and ended with Game 7 on October 15. In the fifth iteration of this World Series matchup, the Cardinals defeated the Yankees, four games to three, capturing their seventh championship in franchise history, since their previous in . As of 2024, the Cardinals are the only National League team to have an edge over the Yankees in series played (3–2), despite holding a losing record in World Series games against them (13–15). Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the Los Angeles Dodgers from the season.
The 35th All-Star Game was held on July 7 at Shea Stadium in New York, New York, home of the New York Mets. The National League won, 7–4.
This season is often remembered for the end of the New York Yankees' third dynasty, as they won their 29th American League Championship in 44 seasons.
Schedule
The 1964 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. This continued the format put in place by the American League since the season and by the National League since the season, and would be used until .
Opening Day took place on April 13, featuring four teams. The final day of the regular season was on October 4, which saw 18 teams play. The World Series took place between October 7 and October 15.
Rule changes The 1964 season saw the following rule changes: In an attempt to help bolster the four expansion teams, (Houston Colt .45s, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, and Washington Senators), they were permitted to farm out four first-year players in addition to what all other sixteen teams could do. These four additional players did not count in each team's player roster, nor would the teams risk losing said players on waivers. The rules for the other sixteen teams limited the number of players to one. Colored bats, unless approved by the Rules Committee, were banned.
Teams LeagueTeamCityBallparkCapacityManagerBaltimore OriolesBaltimore, MarylandBaltimore Memorial Stadium51,991Boston Red SoxBoston, MassachusettsFenway Park33,357Chicago White SoxChicago, IllinoisWhite Sox Park46,550Cleveland IndiansCleveland, OhioCleveland Stadium73,811Detroit TigersDetroit, MichiganTiger Stadium53,089Kansas City AthleticsKansas City, MissouriMunicipal Stadium34,165Los Angeles AngelsLos Angeles, CaliforniaDodger Stadium56,000Minnesota TwinsBloomington, MinnesotaMetropolitan Stadium40,073New York YankeesNew York, New YorkYankee Stadium67,337Washington SenatorsWashington, D.C.District of Columbia Stadium43,500Chicago CubsChicago, IllinoisWrigley Field36,755Cincinnati RedsCincinnati, OhioCrosley Field29,603Houston Colt .45sHouston, TexasColt Stadium33,010Los Angeles DodgersLos Angeles, CaliforniaDodger Stadium56,000Milwaukee BravesMilwaukee, WisconsinMilwaukee County Stadium43,768New York MetsNew York, New YorkShea Stadium55,300Philadelphia 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
Tie games 6 tie games (4 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 Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees had two tie games each. The Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athletics, and Minnesota Twins had one each. May 13, Detroit Tigers vs. New York Yankees, tied at 1 after a shortened six innings due to rain. 36 minute rain delay began during first at bat of the top of the seventh, which was negated. June 22, Minnesota Twins vs. Cleveland Indians, tied at 8 during the top of the 11th inning due to rain. July 4, Baltimore Orioles vs. Kansas City Athletics, tied at 6 after nine innings on account of curfew. July 12, Cleveland Indians vs. New York Yankees, tied at 2 after a shortened game in the middle of the seventh inning due to rain.
National League The Los Angeles Dodgers had two tie games. The Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets had one each. May 28, Cincinnati Reds vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, tied at 2 after 17 innings on account of curfew. June 7, New York Mets vs. Los Angeles Dodgers, tied at 1 after a shortened five innings due to rain. Game called after 64 minute rain delay.
Postseason The postseason began on October 7 and ended on October 15 with the St. Louis Cardinals defeating the New York Yankees in the 1964 World Series in seven games.
Bracket
Managerial changes Off-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBaltimore Orioles Billy HitchcockHank BauerCleveland IndiansBirdie TebbettsGeorge StricklandNew York YankeesRalph HoukYogi Berra
In-season Team Former Manager New ManagerBoston Red SoxJohnny PeskyBilly HermanCincinnati RedsFred HutchinsonDick SislerCleveland IndiansGeorge StricklandBirdie TebbettsHouston Colt .45sHarry CraftLum HarrisKansas City AthleticsEd LopatMel McGaha
League leaders American League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Tony Oliva (MIN) .323 OPS Mickey Mantle (NYY) 1.015 HR Harmon Killebrew (MIN) 49 RBI Brooks Robinson (BAL) 118 R Tony Oliva (MIN) 109 H Tony Oliva (MIN) 217 SB Luis Aparicio (BAL) 57
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Dean Chance (LAA)Gary Peters (CWS) 20 L Diego Seguí (KCA) 17 ERA Dean Chance (LAA) 1.65 K Al Downing (NYY) 217 IP Dean Chance (LAA) 278.1 SV Dick Radatz (BOS) 29 WHIP Joe Horlen (CWS) 0.935
National League
+ Hitting leaders Stat Player Total AVG Roberto Clemente (PIT) .339 OPS Willie Mays (SF) .990 HR Willie Mays (SF) 47 RBI Ken Boyer (STL) 119 R Dick Allen (PHI) 125 H Roberto Clemente (PIT)Curt Flood (STL) 211 SB Maury Wills (LAD) 53
+ Pitching leaders Stat Player Total W Larry Jackson (CHC) 24 L Tracy Stallard (NYM) 20 ERA Sandy Koufax (LAD) 1.74 K Bob Veale (PIT) 250 IP Don Drysdale (LAD) 321.1 SV Hal Woodeshick (HOU) 23 WHIP Sandy Koufax (LAD) 0.928
Milestones Batters Cycles
Jim King (WAS): King hit for his first cycle and first in franchise history, on May 26 against the Boston Red Sox. Ken Boyer (STL): Boyer hit for his second cycle, 13th in franchise history, and eighth natural cycle in major league history, on June 16 against the Houston Colt .45s. Willie Stargell (PIT): Stargell hit for his first cycle and 18th in franchise history, on July 22 against the St. Louis Cardinals. Jim Fregosi (LAA): Fregosi hit for his first cycle and first in franchise history, on July 28 against the New York Yankees.
Other batting accomplishments Tony Oliva / Bob Allison / Jimmie Hall / Harmon Killebrew (MIN): Became the third group of players to hit four consecutive home runs in the 11th inning on May 2 against the Kansas City Athletics. Bert Campaneris (KCA): Became the third player to hit two home runs in his Major League debut on July 23 against the Minnesota Twins, hitting a home runs in the first and seventh innings."Kansas City Athletics 4, Minnesota Twins 3." Retrosheet box score (July 23, 1964).
Pitchers Perfect games
Jim Bunning (PHI) Pitched the seventh perfect game in major league history and the first in franchise history in game one of a doubleheader on June 21 against the New York Mets. Bunning threw 89 pitches, 68 for strikes, and struck out 10 in the 6–0 victory.
No-hitters
Ken Johnson (HOU): Johnson threw his first career no-hitter and the second no-hitter in franchise history, in a 1–0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on April 23. He walked two and struck out nine. This was the first instance of a team throwing a no-hitter but still losing the game. Sandy Koufax (LAD): Koufax threw his third career no-hitter and the 16th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 3–0 on June 4. He walked one and struck out 12, throwing 68 strikes on 97 pitches.
Miscellaneous San Francisco Giants: Set a major league record for most runs scored in the 23th inning, by scoring two runs against the New York Mets in game two of a doubleheader on September 1.
Awards and honors Regular season Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards BBWAA Award National League American League Rookie of the Year Dick Allen (PHI) Tony Oliva (MIN) Cy Young Award — Dean Chance (LAA) Most Valuable Player Ken Boyer (STL) Brooks Robinson (BAL) Babe Ruth Award(World Series MVP) Bob Gibson (STL) —Gold Glove Awards Position National League American League Pitcher Bobby Shantz (PHI/) Jim Kaat (MIN) Catcher Johnny Edwards (CIN) Elston Howard (NYY) 1st Base Bill White (STL) Vic Power (PHI/) 2nd Base Bill Mazeroski (PIT) Bobby Richardson (NYY) 3rd Base Ron Santo (CHC) Brooks Robinson (BAL) Shortstop Rubén Amaro (PHI) Luis Aparicio (BAL)Outfield Roberto Clemente (PIT) Vic Davalillo (CLE) Curt Flood (STL) Al Kaline (DET) Willie Mays (SF) Jim Landis (CWS)
Other awards Sport Magazine's World Series Most Valuable Player Award: Bob Gibson (STL)
The Sporting News Awards Award National League American League Player of the Year Ken Boyer (STL) — Pitcher of the Year Sandy Koufax (LAD) Dean Chance (LAA) Fireman of the Year(Relief pitcher) Al McBean (PIT) Dick Radatz (BOS) Rookie Player of the Year Dick Allen (PHI) Tony Oliva (MIN) Rookie Pitcher of the Year Billy McCool (CIN) Wally Bunker (BAL) Manager of the Year Johnny Keane (STL) — Executive of the Year Bing Devine (STL) —
Monthly awards Player of the Month
Month National League May Billy Williams (CHC) June Jim Bunning (PHI) July Ron Santo (CHC) August Frank Robinson (CIN) September Bob Gibson (STL)
Baseball Hall of Fame
Luke Appling Red Faber Burleigh Grimes Tim Keefe Heinie Manush John Montgomery Ward Miller Huggins (manager)
Home field attendance Team nameWinsHome attendanceLos Angeles Dodgers80 −19.2%2,228,751 −12.2%27,515New York Mets533.9%1,732,59760.4%21,129San Francisco Giants902.3%1,504,364 −4.3%18,572Philadelphia Phillies925.7%1,425,89157.2%17,604New York Yankees99 −4.8%1,305,638 −0.3%16,119Chicago White Sox984.3%1,250,0537.9%15,433Minnesota Twins79 −13.2%1,207,514 −14.2%14,726St. Louis Cardinals930.0%1,143,294 −2.3%14,115Baltimore Orioles9712.8%1,116,21544.1%13,612Milwaukee Braves884.8%910,91117.8%11,246Boston Red Sox72 −5.3%883,276 −6.3%10,905Cincinnati Reds927.0%862,4660.4%10,518Detroit Tigers857.6%816,139 −0.7%9,953Los Angeles Angels8217.1%760,439 −7.4%9,388Pittsburgh Pirates808.1%759,496 −3.1%9,376Chicago Cubs76 −7.3%751,647 −23.3%9,280Houston Colt .45s660.0%725,7730.9%8,960Cleveland Indians790.0%653,29316.1%7,967Kansas City Athletics57 −21.9%642,478 −15.7%7,932Washington Senators6210.7%600,10612.0%7,409
Venues The New York Mets leave the Polo Grounds (where they played for two seasons) and open Shea Stadium (with the AFL's New York Jets) where they would go on to play 45 seasons through . Excluding –, the time in which there was no National League New York team (following the relocation of the New York Giants to San Francisco, California), this marked the first season to not see any iteration of the Polo Grounds not feature a major-league team since , the season prior to founding of the Giants.
The Houston Colt .45s would play their final game at Colt Stadium on September 27 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, moving into the Houston Astrodome (as the Houston Astros) for the start of the season.
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