Wally Moon (.304, 12, 106) becomes the first Cardinal player to be selected by the BBWAA as the National League’s Rookie of the Year. The 24 year-old center fielder, who replaced Enos Slaughter in the St. Louis outfield, gets 17 of the 24 writers’ votes, with runners-up including future Hall of Famers Ernie Banks (4) and Hank Aaron (1).
Brooklyn Dodgers offer a $14,000 contract – a sizable contract at the time – to 19-year-old left-hander Sandy Koufax
1954 – Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente lead the North to victory in the Puerto Rican Winter League’s annual all-star fund-raiser. The Sporting News correspondent Pita Alvarez De La Vega gives the exuberant young duo’s exploits some national exposure: “The league took a break from its pennant battle to stage the annual ‘Three Kings’ all-star game at Mayaguez. All proceeds went into a YMCA fund to buy gifts for the island’s poor children in keeping with the old Latin tradition of the Three Kings bringing gifts on January 6… The All-Star North team, made up of players from the Santurce and Mayaguez clubs, won the game, 7 to 5. Willie Mays and Roberto Clemente hit home runs for the winners.”
1954 – With the Athletics poised to move to Kansas City, the Phillies purchase Connie Mack Stadium.
On December 9, 1954, former umpire Bill McGowan died at the age of 58 at his home in Silver Spring, Maryland, two days after suffering a heart attack. McGowan umpired in the American League from 1925 until his death, officiating in eight World Series. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1992.
1954 – The Yankees and Orioles complete the largest trade in major league history as 17 players, including Don Larsen, Gene Woodling, Bob Turley change teams. The first phase of the transaction began November 18th and will conclude today after the major league draft.
1954 – The Pittsburgh Pirates draft outfielder Roberto Clemente from the AAA roster of the Brooklyn Dodgers. Although Clemente hit only .257 for the Montreal Royals last season, he will become a Hall of Fame member with the Pirates.
VINTAGE BASEBALL MEMORABILIA Vintage Baseball Memorabilia On November 18, 1954, In an enormous two-part trade that begun on November 14th, the New York Yankees and Baltimore Orioles complete exchange of 17 players. Included are first baseman Dick Kryhoski, pitchers Bob Turley and Don Larsen, catcher Darrell Johnson and shortstop Billy Hunter, from Baltimore. To the…
The Kansas City Athletics hire Lou Boudreau as manager, replacing Eddie Joost, who is given his unconditional release. During his three-year tenure in Kansas City, the future Hall of Famer will pilot the second-division club to a 151-260 record.
On November 16, 1954, the Chicago Cubs trade Hall of Famer Ralph Kiner to the Cleveland Indians for pitcher Sam Jones, minor league outfielder Gale Wade, and $60,000 in cash. The slugging outfielder will hit 18 home runs for the Indians in 1955-his final major league season…
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