1965 Major League Baseball season

This article is about the 1965 Major League Baseball season only. For information on all of baseball, see 1965 in baseball.
1965 MLB season
LeagueAmerican League (AL)
National League (NL)
SportBaseball
DurationRegular season:
  • April 12 – October 3, 1965
World Series:
  • October 6–14, 1965
Number of games162
Number of teams20 (10 per league)
TV partner(s)NBC, CBS, ABC
Draft
Top draft pickRick Monday
Picked byKansas City Athletics
Regular season
Season MVPAL: Zoilo Versalles (MIN)
NL: Willie Mays (SF)
AL championsMinnesota Twins
  AL runners-upChicago White Sox
NL championsLos Angeles Dodgers
  NL runners-upSan Francisco Giants
World Series
ChampionsLos Angeles Dodgers
  Runners-upMinnesota Twins
World Series MVPSandy Koufax (LAD)
Locations of teams for the 1965 American League season
American League
Locations of teams for the 1965 National League season
National League

The 1965 major league baseball season began on April 12, 1965. The regular season ended on October 3, with the Los Angeles Dodgers and Minnesota Twins as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 62nd World Series on October 6 and ended with Game 7 on October 14. The Dodgers defeated the Twins, four games to three, capturing their fourth championship in franchise history, since their previous in 1963. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the St. Louis Cardinals from the 1963 season.

The 36th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, was held on July 13 at Metropolitan Stadium in Bloomington, Minnesota, home of the Minnesota Twins. The National League won, 6–5.

The Houston Colt .45s became the Houston Astros, as they moved from Colt Stadium to the new Astrodome, becoming the first team to play their home games indoors, rather than outdoors. It was also the final season for the Milwaukee Braves, before relocating to Atlanta, Georgia and becoming the Atlanta Braves for the 1966 season. The Los Angeles Angels officially changed their name to California Angels on September 2, 1965, with only 28 games left in the season, in advance of their pending 1966 move to a new stadium in Anaheim, California.

In June, the first Major League Baseball draft was held in New York City. Teams chose players in reverse order of the previous season's standings, with picks alternating between American League and National League teams.[1] With the first pick of the 1965 MLB draft, the Kansas City Athletics took Rick Monday, an outfielder from Arizona State University.[2]

This was Ford Frick's last season of his 14-year tenure as Commissioner of Baseball, as he resigned following the season's end on November 16. US Army LTG William Eckert was elected and took office on November 17.[3][4]

Schedule

See also: Major League Baseball schedule

The 1965 schedule consisted of 162 games for all teams in the American League and National League, each of which had ten teams. Each team was scheduled to play 18 games against the other nine teams of their respective league. This continued the format put in place by the American League since the 1961 season and by the National League since the 1962 season, and would be used until 1969.

Opening Day took place on April 12, featuring 16 teams. The final day of the regular season was on October 3, which saw all 20 teams play. The World Series took place between October 6 and October 14.

Rule changes

The 1965 season saw the following rule changes:

  • The size of the catcher's mitt was regulated to be that of a leather mitt, not more than 15½ from top the bottom and not more than 38 inches in circumference.[5][6]
  • The 1964 rule allowing expansion teams (Houston Astros, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, and Washington Senators) to farm out four first-year players was ended.[7]
  • The Commissioner of Baseball had the power to veto any action by owners that were determined to be detrimental to baseball reinstated (having previously been stripped of said power following the death of commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis in 1944).[7]
  • If team owners disagreed with the Commissioner of Baseball, the commissioner was granted immunity from legal actions.[7]
  • In June 1965, the bonus rule was permanently rescinded, and in its place, the Rule 4 draft was introduced. This draft would take place three times per year, with the January draft intended for high-school midyear graduates, junior college players, and players who had dropped out of four-year colleges. Junior college players were required to wait until their current season was completed before they could sign.[8] the June draft was for high-school and college graduates in spring, and a September draft for players from amateur leagues.[7]

Teams

League Team City Stadium Capacity Manager[9]
American League Baltimore Orioles Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore Memorial Stadium 52,184 Hank Bauer
Boston Red Sox Boston, Massachusetts Fenway Park 33,524 Billy Herman
Chicago White Sox Chicago, Illinois White Sox Park 46,550 Al López
Cleveland Indians Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland Stadium 73,811 Birdie Tebbetts
Detroit Tigers Detroit, Michigan Tiger Stadium 53,089 Bob Swift
Chuck Dressen
Kansas City Athletics Kansas City, Missouri Municipal Stadium 34,165 Mel McGaha
Haywood Sullivan
Los Angeles / California Angels Los Angeles, California Dodger Stadium[a] 56,000 Bill Rigney
Minnesota Twins Bloomington, Minnesota Metropolitan Stadium 45,182 Sam Mele
New York Yankees New York, New York Yankee Stadium 67,000 Johnny Keane
Washington Senators Washington, D.C. District of Columbia Stadium 43,500 Gil Hodges
National League Chicago Cubs Chicago, Illinois Wrigley Field 36,644 Bob Kennedy
Lou Klein
Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati, Ohio Crosley Field 29,603 Dick Sisler
Houston Astros Houston, Texas Houston Astrodome 42,217 Lum Harris
Los Angeles Dodgers Los Angeles, California Dodger Stadium 56,000 Walter Alston
Milwaukee Braves Milwaukee, Wisconsin Milwaukee County Stadium 43,768 Bobby Bragan
New York Mets New York, New York Shea Stadium 55,300 Casey Stengel
Wes Westrum
Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Connie Mack Stadium 33,608 Gene Mauch
Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Forbes Field 35,500 Harry Walker
San Francisco Giants San Francisco, California Candlestick Park 42,500 Herman Franks
St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis, Missouri Busch Stadium 30,500 Red Schoendienst

Standings

American League

American League
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Minnesota Twins 102 60 .630 — 51‍–‍30 51‍–‍30
Chicago White Sox 95 67 .586 7 48‍–‍33 47‍–‍34
Baltimore Orioles 94 68 .580 8 46‍–‍33 48‍–‍35
Detroit Tigers 89 73 .549 13 47‍–‍34 42‍–‍39
Cleveland Indians 87 75 .537 15 52‍–‍30 35‍–‍45
New York Yankees 77 85 .475 25 40‍–‍43 37‍–‍42
Los Angeles / California Angels 75 87 .463 27 46‍–‍34 29‍–‍53
Washington Senators 70 92 .432 32 36‍–‍45 34‍–‍47
Boston Red Sox 62 100 .383 40 34‍–‍47 28‍–‍53
Kansas City Athletics 59 103 .364 43 33‍–‍48 26‍–‍55

National League

National League
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Los Angeles Dodgers 97 65 .599 — 50‍–‍31 47‍–‍34
San Francisco Giants 95 67 .586 2 51‍–‍30 44‍–‍37
Pittsburgh Pirates 90 72 .556 7 49‍–‍32 41‍–‍40
Cincinnati Reds 89 73 .549 8 49‍–‍32 40‍–‍41
Milwaukee Braves 86 76 .531 11 44‍–‍37 42‍–‍39
Philadelphia Phillies 85 76 .528 11½ 45‍–‍35 40‍–‍41
St. Louis Cardinals 80 81 .497 16½ 42‍–‍39 38‍–‍42
Chicago Cubs 72 90 .444 25 40‍–‍41 32‍–‍49
Houston Astros 65 97 .401 32 36‍–‍45 29‍–‍52
New York Mets 50 112 .309 47 29‍–‍52 21‍–‍60

Postseason

The postseason began on October 6 and ended on October 14 with the Los Angeles Dodgers defeating the Minnesota Twins in the 1965 World Series in seven games.

Bracket

World Series
   
AL Minnesota Twins 3
NL Los Angeles Dodgers 4

Managerial changes

Off-season

Team Former Manager New Manager Notes
Cleveland Indians George Strickland Birdie Tebbetts
Detroit Tigers Chuck Dressen Bob Swift Dressen replaced temporarily by Swift while recovering from a heart attack.
New York Yankees Yogi Berra Johnny Keane
Pittsburgh Pirates Danny Murtaugh Harry Walker
San Francisco Giants Alvin Dark Herman Franks
St. Louis Cardinals Johnny Keane Red Schoendienst

In-season

Team Former Manager New Manager
Chicago Cubs Bob Kennedy Lou Klein
Detroit Tigers Bob Swift Chuck Dressen
Kansas City Athletics Mel McGaha Haywood Sullivan
New York Mets Casey Stengel Wes Westrum

League leaders

American League

Hitting leaders[10]
Stat Player Total
AVG Tony Oliva (MIN) .321
OPS Carl Yastrzemski (BOS) .932
HR Tony Conigliaro (BOS) 49
RBI Rocky Colavito (CLE) 108
R Zoilo Versalles (MIN) 126
H Tony Oliva (MIN) 185
SB Bert Campaneris (KC) 51
Pitching leaders[11]
Stat Player Total
W Mudcat Grant (MIN) 21
L Bill Monbouquette (BOS) 18
ERA Sam McDowell (CLE) 2.18
K Sam McDowell (CLE) 325
IP Mel Stottlemyre (NYY) 291.0
SV Ron Kline (WSH) 29
WHIP Eddie Fisher (CWS) 0.974
Hall of Famer Sandy Koufax

National League

Hitting leaders[12]
Stat Player Total
AVG Roberto Clemente (PIT) .329
OPS Willie Mays (SF) 1.043
HR Willie Mays (SF) 52
RBI Deron Johnson (CIN) 130
R Tommy Harper (CIN) 126
H Pete Rose (CIN) 209
SB Maury Wills (LAD) 94
Pitching leaders[13]
Stat Player Total
W Sandy Koufax1 (LAD) 26
L Jack Fisher (NYM) 24
ERA Sandy Koufax1 (LAD) 2.04
K Sandy Koufax1 (LAD) 382
IP Sandy Koufax (LAD) 335.2
SV Ted Abernathy (CHC) 31
WHIP Sandy Koufax (LAD) 0.855

1 National League Triple Crown pitching winner

Awards and honors

Regular season

Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards
BBWAA Award National League American League
Rookie of the Year Jim Lefebvre (LAD) Curt Blefary (BAL)
Cy Young Award Sandy Koufax (LAD) —
Most Valuable Player Willie Mays (SF) Zoilo Versalles (MIN)
Babe Ruth Award
(World Series MVP) 		Sandy Koufax (LAD) —
Gold Glove Awards
Position National League American League
Pitcher Bob Gibson (STL) Jim Kaat (MIN)
Catcher Joe Torre (MIL) Bill Freehan (DET)
1st Base Bill White (STL) Joe Pepitone (NYY)
2nd Base Bill Mazeroski (PIT) Bobby Richardson (NYY)
3rd Base Ron Santo (CHC) Brooks Robinson (BAL)
Shortstop Leo Cárdenas (CIN) Zoilo Versalles (MIN)
Outfield Roberto Clemente (PIT) Al Kaline (DET)
Curt Flood (STL) Tom Tresh (NYY)
Willie Mays (SF) Carl Yastrzemski (BOS)

Other awards

The Sporting News Awards
Award National League American League
Player of the Year[14] Sandy Koufax (LAD) —
Pitcher of the Year[15] Sandy Koufax (LAD) Mudcat Grant (MIN)
Fireman of the Year[16]
(Relief pitcher) 		Ted Abernathy (CHC) Eddie Fisher (CWS)
Rookie Player of the Year[17] Joe Morgan (HOU) Curt Blefary (BAL)
Rookie Pitcher of the Year[18] Frank Linzy (SF) Marcelino López (LAA)
Comeback Player of the Year[19] Vern Law (PIT) Norm Cash (DET)
Manager of the Year[20] — Sam Mele (MIN)
Executive of the Year[21] — Calvin Griffith (MIN)

Monthly awards

Player of the Month

Main article: Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award
Month National League
May Joe Torre (MIL)
June Vern Law (PIT)
Willie Stargell (PIT)
July Pete Rose (CIN)
August Willie Mays (SF)

Baseball Hall of Fame

Main article: National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Further information: 1965 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting

Home field attendance

Team name Wins %± Home attendance %± Per game
Los Angeles Dodgers[22] 97 21.3% 2,553,577 14.6% 31,526
Houston Astros[23] 65 −1.5% 2,151,470 196.4% 26,561
New York Mets[24] 50 −5.7% 1,768,389 2.1% 21,566
San Francisco Giants[25] 95 5.6% 1,546,075 2.8% 19,087
Minnesota Twins[26] 102 29.1% 1,463,258 21.2% 18,065
St. Louis Cardinals[27] 80 −14.0% 1,241,201 8.6% 15,323
New York Yankees[28] 77 −22.2% 1,213,552 −7.1% 14,621
Philadelphia Phillies[29] 85 −7.6% 1,166,376 −18.2% 14,580
Chicago White Sox[30] 95 −3.1% 1,130,519 −9.6% 13,957
Cincinnati Reds[31] 89 −3.3% 1,047,824 21.5% 12,936
Detroit Tigers[32] 89 4.7% 1,029,645 26.2% 12,712
Cleveland Indians[33] 87 10.1% 934,786 43.1% 11,400
Pittsburgh Pirates[34] 90 12.5% 909,279 19.7% 11,089
Baltimore Orioles[35] 94 −3.1% 781,649 −30.0% 9,894
Boston Red Sox[36] 62 −13.9% 652,201 −26.2% 8,052
Chicago Cubs[37] 72 −5.3% 641,361 −14.7% 7,727
Los Angeles / California Angels[38] 75 −8.5% 566,727 −25.5% 7,084
Washington Senators[39] 70 12.9% 560,083 −6.7% 6,915
Milwaukee Braves[40] 86 −2.3% 555,584 −39.0% 6,859
Kansas City Athletics[41] 59 3.5% 528,344 −17.8% 6,523

Venues

The Houston Colt .45s open the Houston Astrodome (and aptly rename as the Houston Astros) after playing at Colt Stadium for three seasons. The team would play at the Houston Astrodome for 35 seasons through 1999.

Television coverage

In 1965, ABC provided the first-ever nationwide baseball coverage with weekly Saturday broadcasts on a regional basis. ABC paid $5.7 million for the rights to the 28 Saturday/holiday Games of the Week. ABC's deal[42][43] covered all of the teams except the New York Yankees and Philadelphia Phillies[44] (who had their own television deals) and called for two regionalized games on Saturdays, Independence Day, and Labor Day.[45] Each Saturday, ABC broadcast two 2 p.m. ET games and one game for the Pacific Time Zone at 5 p.m. ET/2 p.m local time.

Although MLB ended the Game of the Week blackouts in cities with MLB clubs, ABC blacked out the games in the home cities of the clubs playing those games.[46]

Meanwhile, CBS continued to air its own slate of Games of the Week with the rights to individual teams, with its New York Yankees games in particular beating ABC in the ratings. At the end of the season, ABC declined to exercise its $6.5 million option for 1966, citing poor ratings,[47][48] especially in New York.

Although it did not air Games of the Week this season, NBC continued to air the All-Star Game and World Series.

Retired numbers

See also

Notes

  1. ^ Dodger Stadium was referred to as "Chavez Ravine Stadium" by the Angels during their tenure.

References

  1. ^ Koppett, Leonard (February 28, 1965). "Baseball's New Draft" (PDF). The New York Times. p. 2-S. Retrieved August 28, 2015.
  2. ^ "826 Players Picked in Baseball Draft". The Burlington Free Press. Burlington, Vermont. AP. June 10, 1965. p. 26. Retrieved August 7, 2018 – via newspapers.com.
  3. ^ Bokser, Andy. "1965 Winter Meetings: Exit the Sportswriter and Enter the General – Society for American Baseball Research". Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  4. ^ "Major League Baseball Commissioners | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  5. ^ "MLB Rule Changes | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved June 3, 2024.
  6. ^ Rosciam, Chuck. "The Evolution of Catcher's Equipment – Society for American Baseball Research". Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c d Frank, Donald. "1964 Winter Meetings: Commissioner's Powers, Free-Agent Draft & All-Star Voting – Society for American Baseball Research". Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  8. ^ Desmond, Dave (January 15, 1986). "Baseball's Draft Has Everyone Guessing". Los Angeles Times. Archived from the original on December 11, 2015.
  9. ^ "1965 Major League Managers". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  10. ^ "1965 American League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  11. ^ "1965 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  12. ^ "1965 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  13. ^ "1965 National League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 6, 2025.
  14. ^ "Major League Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  15. ^ "Pitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  16. ^ "Fireman of the Year Award / Reliever of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  17. ^ "Rookie Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  18. ^ "Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  19. ^ "The Sporting News Comeback Player of the Year Award | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  20. ^ "Manager of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  21. ^ "MLB Executive of the Year Award | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved March 7, 2025.
  22. ^ "Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  23. ^ "Houston Astros Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  24. ^ "New York Mets Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  25. ^ "San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  26. ^ "Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  27. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  28. ^ "New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  29. ^ "Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  30. ^ "Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  31. ^ "Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  32. ^ "Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  33. ^ "Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  34. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  35. ^ "Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  36. ^ "Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  37. ^ "Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  38. ^ "Los Angeles Angels Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  39. ^ "Texas Rangers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  40. ^ "Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  41. ^ "Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  42. ^ "Television Package is Baseball's Aim". The Tuscaloosa News. Associated Press. December 11, 1964. p. 7.
  43. ^ "ABC Signs $12.2 Million Baseball Pact". Reading Eagle. Associated Press. December 15, 1964. p. 14.
  44. ^ New York Times (April 8, 1965). "ABC Plans on 'Instant Replays'". The Miami News. p. 6B.
  45. ^ "Tele-Log". Deseret News. April 14, 1965. p. 2B.
  46. ^ Dubrow, Rick (April 16, 1965). "Baseball in New Venture". Beaver County Times. United Press International. p. 7.
  47. ^ Adams, Val (August 19, 1965). "ABC Doubtful About Televising Baseball in '66". New York Times. p. 61.
  48. ^ Reichler, Joe (August 22, 1965). "TV Baseball Has Problems". The Herald-Tribune. Associated Press. p. 4D.
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