The 1955 major league baseball season began on April 11, 1955. The regular season ended on September 25, with the Brooklyn Dodgers 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 52nd World Series on September 28 and ended with Game 7 on October 4. In the sixth iteration of this Subway Series World Series matchup, The Dodgers defeated the Yankees, four games to three, capturing their first championship in franchise history. This was the first World Series between the two teams to see the Dodgers win over the Yankees. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the New York Giants from the 1954 season.
The 1955 schedule consisted of 154 games for all teams in the American League and National League, each of which had eight teams. Each team was scheduled to play 22 games against the other seven teams of their respective league. This continued the format put in place since the 1904 season (except for 1919) and would be used until 1961 in the American League and 1962 in the National League.
Opening Day took place on April 11, featuring four teams. The final day of the regular season was on September 25, which saw all sixteen teams play, the first time since 1953. The World Series took place between September 28 and October 4.
Rule changes
The 1955 season saw the following rule changes:
A 1901 rule regarding a pitcher's necessity to deliver a pitch within 20 seconds of the pitcher taking the rubber was adjusted. Now, pitchers must pitch the ball within 20 seconds of having the ball returned. To enforce this, the third-base umpire used a stopwatch to monitor the time passed. However, this predecessor to the modern-day pitch clock was hardly ever enforced, and it wouldn't be until 68 years later in 2023 that a strictly enforced pitch clock was introduced.[2][3]
The catcher's triangle (created by extending the foul lines behind the home plate) was removed. Due to this, the rules on intentional base on balls required change, and so now, the catcher was required to remain behind the batter's box during an intentional walk.[2]
Rules surrounding lineup card submissions were adjusted to make up for an oversight. When there were obvious errors (such as duplicate names) occurring before a game, umpires were give the right to change said lineup to correct errors.[2]
Rules regarding catcher interference were amended. Not only was the batter still rewarded first base, but now, and additional runners on base, regardless of whether or not there was a runner on the preceding base was occupied, were also rewarded an extra base.[2]
The ability for someone to own stock in multiple teams was prohibited.[2]
A few requests by players regarding player-team relations were approved:[2]
The deadline to issue player contracts was moved up from February 1 to January 15.
Teams will serve dinner to players on trains after night games.
When players were housed in private homes during spring training, they will be compensated with the existing hotel rate.
To allow major-league teams to select players from minor-league team rosters at the end of the season, major-league teams would pay various amounts to minor-league teams—Class-B at $3,500 (equivalent to $41,100in 2024), Class-C at $3,000 (equivalent to $35,200in 2024), and Class-D at $2,500 (equivalent to $29,300in 2024)[2]
In addition, minor-league teams now had the cost of spring training, including transportation, as well as manager's salary underwritten by their respective major-league teams affiliate.[2]
Teams were now barred from signing a college player who had finished freshman year, was under 21, or, given he dropped out following freshman year, his class had not yet graduated.[2]
Rules regarding balks were amended; if a ball is put in play and all runners on base advance at least one base, the play overrides the balk call.[4]
If a bases on balls occurs due to a wild pitch, and the baserunners take an additional base than what is already guaranteed by a bases on balls, the pitcher is charged with an error.[4]
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