The New York Giants’ four game sweep of the World Series highlighted a baseball year that also found the Baltimore Orioles back in the recognized majors after being away for over 50 years.
The Philadelphia A’s moved to Kansas City in 1954. The New York Yankees fell short of their bid for seven straight championships.
The largest crowd to watch a game in 1954 was a doubleheader in Cleveland Municipal Stadium, where 86,563 watched the Indians beat the Yankees, 4-1 and 3-2, to clinch the pennant.
Unheralded 27-ear-old Dusty Rhodes hit a three-run homer in the 10th inning of Game 1 to give the Giants at 5-2 victory.
Also in that game, was Willie Mays’ legendary center field, over-the-back catch that everyone has seen the replay of a million times.
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In Game 2, Rhodes struck again. He came in as a pinch hitter in the 5th inning and singled home Mays. On his next at bat, Rhodes hit a home run to help the Giants win again.
Willie Mays won the MVP award in 1954. Bobby Avila won the AL batting crown with a .341 average, but the MVP award went to Yogi Berra.
Ted Kluszewski hit 49 home runs for Cincinnati, which topped the league.
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