The 1953 Carolina League was a Class B baseball season played between April 22 and September 7. Eight teams played a 140-game schedule, with the top four teams qualifying for the post-season.
The Danville Leafs won the Carolina League championship, defeating the Reidsville Luckies in the final round of the playoffs.
Team changes The Danville Leafs ended their affiliation with the Washington Senators and began a new affiliation with the New York Giants. The Fayetteville Athletics are rebranded as the Fayetteville Highlanders. The club remains affiliated with the Philadelphia Athletics. The Greensboro Patriots ended their affiliation with the Chicago Cubs and began a new affiliation with the Boston Red Sox.
Teams 1953 Carolina League Team City MLB Affiliate Stadium Burlington-Graham Pirates Graham, North Carolina Pittsburgh Pirates Graham High School Danville Leafs Danville, Virginia New York Giants League Park Durham Bulls Durham, North Carolina Detroit Tigers Durham Athletic Park Fayetteville Highlanders Fayetteville, North Carolina Philadelphia Athletics Pittman Stadium Greensboro Patriots Greensboro, North Carolina Boston Red Sox World War Memorial Stadium Raleigh Capitals Raleigh, North Carolina None Devereaux Meadow Reidsville Luckies Reidsville, North Carolina None Kiker Stadium Winston-Salem Cardinals Winston-Salem, North Carolina St. Louis Cardinals South Side Park
Map of teams
Regular season Summary The Raleigh Capitals finished with the best record in the regular season for the second consecutive season.
Standings 1953 CL Standings at stats-crew.com, URL accessed December 3, 2024 Carolina League Team Win Loss % GB Raleigh Capitals 83 57 – Danville Leafs 79 59 3 Burlington-Graham Pirates 75 65 8 Reidsville Luckies 73 66 9.5 Greensboro Patriots 70 70 13 Winston-Salem Cardinals 69 70 13.5 Durham Bulls 64 75 18.5 Fayetteville Highlanders 44 95 38.5
League Leaders
Batting leaders 1953 CL Batting Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed December 3, 2024 Stat Player Total AVG John Radulovich, Durham Bulls .349 H Jack Mitchell, Reidsville Luckies 184 R George Hott, Burlington-Graham Pirates 104 2B Robert Caldwell, Danville Leafs 43 3B Jim Edwards, Raleigh Capitals 13 HR Jack Hussey, Raleigh Capitals 29 RBI Don Buddin, Greensboro Patriots 123 SB Jack Mitchell, Reidsville Luckies 52
Pitching leaders 1953 CL Pitching Leaders at baseball-reference.com, URL accessed December 3, 2024 Stat Player Total W Ramón Monzant, Danville Leafs 23 ERA Duane Wilson, Greensboro Patriots 2.21 CG Joseph Micich, Reidsville Luckies Eddie Neville, Durham Bulls 23 SHO Albert Cleary, Raleigh Capitals Duane Wilson, Greensboro Patriots 5 SO Ramón Monzant, Danville Leafs 232 IP Eddie Neville, Durham Bulls 264.0
Playoffs The Danville Leafs won their second Carolina League championship, defeating the Reidsville Luckies in six games.
Playoff bracket
Awards Carolina League awards Award name Recipient Most Valuable Player Ramón Monzant, Danville Leafs Manager of the Year Herb Brett, Raleigh Capitals
See also 1953 Major League Baseball season
References
External links Minor League Baseball official website