The Giants complete the World Series sweep of the Indians when Don Liddle beats Bob Lemon, 7-4. The Tribe, who had lost four consecutive games only once during the regular season, completed the campaign with a 111-43 record, establishing an American League mark for victories.
The first episode of NBC’s Tonight Show, featuring Steve Allen as the host along with announcer Gene Rayburn and bandleader Skitch Henderson, airs nationally for the first time. Giants center fielder Willie Mays, the NL’s leader in batting and eventual MVP of the circuit, appears as one of the first guests on the 90-minute innovative broadcast that will become a staple of late-night television.
Going into the last day of the National League season, Don Mueller leads in hitting with .3426; Duke Snider is 2nd at .3425, followed by Willie Mays at .3422. The Giants win in 11 innings over the Phillies’ Robin Roberts, as Mays garners a single, double, and triple in 4 at-bats. He finishes at .345 while Mueller slips to .341, the same as Snider.
Although they lose 100 games, the same as in the previous season when the club was in St. Louis, the Orioles draw over a million fans.
A crowd of 14,175 Fenway faithful fans pays tribute to retiring Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams, who is playing his last game at home. The Splendid Splinter’s retirement lasts only until May when his divorce becomes finalized, keeping his contract from being part of the settlement.
1954 – Phillie Murry Dickson loses his 20th game of the season, 1 – 0 to New York’s Don Liddle. It marks the third consecutive season he leads the National League in losses.
Karl Spooner, in his major league debut, blanks the Giants at Ebbets Field, 3-0. The 23 year-old Dodger southpaw fans 15 batters, including six straight, recording the most strikeouts in a first appearance by a rookie.
Rookie pitcher Bob Grim wins his 20th game when the Yankees defeat the Senators, 3-1. Due to arm troubles, the 24 year-old right-hander will eventually be used exclusively in relief, becoming a selection for the All-Star team in that role for the American League squad in 1957.
The Giants clinch the pennant when they beat the Dodgers at Ebbets Field, 7-1. The National League champs, finishing the season five games ahead of second-place Brooklyn, will go on to sweep Cleveland in the Fall Classic.
The Giants’ Don Mueller makes his 200th hit an inside-the-park home run, making him the first Giant to get 200 hits since Joe Moore in 1936. Willie Mays also has an inside-the park homer, as the Giants beat the Phils, 8 – 1.
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