1931 Major League Baseball season

This article is about the 1931 Major League Baseball season only. For information on all of baseball, see 1931 in baseball.
1931 MLB season
LeagueAmerican League (AL)
National League (NL)
SportBaseball
DurationRegular season:
  • April 14 – September 27, 1931
World Series:
  • October 1–10, 1931
Games154
Teams16 (8 per league)
Regular season
Season MVPAL: Lefty Grove (PHA)
NL: Frankie Frisch (STL)
AL championsPhiladelphia Athletics
  AL runners-upNew York Yankees
NL championsSt. Louis Cardinals
  NL runners-upNew York Giants
World Series
ChampionsSt. Louis Cardinals
  Runners-upPhiladelphia Athletics
Locations of teams for the 1923–1931 American League seasons
American League
Locations of teams for the 1920–1931 National League seasons
National League

The 1931 major league baseball season began on April 14, 1931. The regular season ended on September 27, with the St. Louis Cardinals and Philadelphia Athletics as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 28th World Series on October 1 and ended with Game 7 on October 10. In the second iteration of this World Series matchup (and a rematch of the previous year), the Cardinals defeated the Athletics, four games to three, capturing their second championship in franchise history, since their previous in 1926. Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the Philadelphia Athletics from the 1930 season.

This was the first season that the Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) selected a Most Valuable Player in each league.

Schedule

See also: Major League Baseball schedule

The 1931 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, April 14, featured all sixteen teams, the first time since the 1926 season. The final day of the regular season was on September 27, which also saw all sixteen teams play on the final day continuing the trend which began the previous season. This was the first time that both Opening Day and the final day of the season saw all sixteen teams play. The World Series took place between October 1 and October 10.

Rule changes

The 1931 season saw the following rule changes:

  • The rule previously implemented in 1926, that a sacrifice hit was awarded when any base runner advanced on a fly out, was eliminated.[1][2][3]
  • Regulations referring to a batter contacting his own ball were clarified as was the area of bases awarded a batter when a defensive player threw his glove at a batted or thrown ball or in the case of spectator interference.[2]
  • In the National League:
    • The ground rule double rule was implemented, which states that balls that bounce over the fence entitle the batter to two bases.[1] The rule was previously implemented by the American League in 1929.[2][4][5]
    • Barnstorming rules were loosened, allowing a squad of players to go to Japan.[1]
    • A rule that only people in uniform be allowed on the playing field after ballpark gates were open was approved.[1]
  • The American League adopted the early-1920 rule that when calling home runs, balls are to be called based on where the ball crosses the outfield fence, no matter if the ball lands in the stands or leaves the ballpark.[1][2] The National League previously implemented this rule in 1929.[6]

Teams

An asterisk (*) denotes the ballpark a team played the minority of their home games at

League Team City Ballpark Capacity Manager[7]
American League Boston Red Sox Boston, Massachusetts Fenway Park 27,000 Shano Collins
Braves Field* 46,500*
Chicago White Sox Chicago, Illinois Comiskey Park 52,000 Donie Bush
Cleveland Indians Cleveland, Ohio League Park 21,414 Roger Peckinpaugh
Detroit Tigers Detroit, Michigan Navin Field 30,000 Bucky Harris
New York Yankees New York, New York Yankee Stadium 62,000 Joe McCarthy
Philadelphia Athletics Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Shibe Park 33,000 Connie Mack
St. Louis Browns St. Louis, Missouri Sportsman's Park 34,023 Bill Killefer
Washington Senators Washington, D.C. Griffith Stadium 27,000 Walter Johnson
National League Boston Braves Boston, Massachusetts Braves Field 46,500 Bill McKechnie
Brooklyn Robins New York, New York Ebbets Field 28,000 Wilbert Robinson
Chicago Cubs Chicago, Illinois Wrigley Field 40,000 Rogers Hornsby
Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati, Ohio Redland Field 26,060 Dan Howley
New York Giants New York, New York Polo Grounds 56,000 John McGraw
Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Baker Bowl 18,800 Burt Shotton
Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Forbes Field 41,000 Jewel Ens
St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis, Missouri Sportsman's Park 34,023 Gabby Street

Standings

American League

American League
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
Philadelphia Athletics 107 45 .704 — 60‍–‍15 47‍–‍30
New York Yankees 94 59 .614 13½ 51‍–‍25 43‍–‍34
Washington Senators 92 62 .597 16 55‍–‍22 37‍–‍40
Cleveland Indians 78 76 .506 30 45‍–‍31 33‍–‍45
St. Louis Browns 63 91 .409 45 39‍–‍38 24‍–‍53
Boston Red Sox 62 90 .408 45 39‍–‍40 23‍–‍50
Detroit Tigers 61 93 .396 47 36‍–‍41 25‍–‍52
Chicago White Sox 56 97 .366 51½ 31‍–‍45 25‍–‍52

National League

National League
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
St. Louis Cardinals 101 53 .656 — 54‍–‍24 47‍–‍29
New York Giants 87 65 .572 13 50‍–‍27 37‍–‍38
Chicago Cubs 84 70 .545 17 50‍–‍27 34‍–‍43
Brooklyn Robins 79 73 .520 21 46‍–‍29 33‍–‍44
Pittsburgh Pirates 75 79 .487 26 44‍–‍33 31‍–‍46
Philadelphia Phillies 66 88 .429 35 40‍–‍36 26‍–‍52
Boston Braves 64 90 .416 37 36‍–‍41 28‍–‍49
Cincinnati Reds 58 96 .377 43 38‍–‍39 20‍–‍57

Tie games

9 tie games (5 in AL, 4 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again) occurred throughout the season.

American League

  • Boston Red Sox, 1
  • Chicago White Sox, 3
  • Cleveland Indians, 1
  • New York Yankees, 2
  • Philadelphia Athletics, 1
  • Washington Senators, 2

National League

  • Boston Braves, 2
  • Brooklyn Robins, 1
  • Chicago Cubs, 2
  • New York Giants, 1
  • Philadelphia Phillies, 1
  • Pittsburgh Pirates, 1

Postseason

The postseason began on October 1 and ended on October 10 with the St. Louis Cardinals defeating the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1931 World Series in seven games.

Bracket

World Series
   
AL Philadelphia Athletics 3
NL St. Louis Cardinals 4

Managerial changes

Off-season

Team Former Manager New Manager
Boston Red Sox Heinie Wagner Shano Collins
New York Yankees Bob Shawkey Joe McCarthy

League leaders

American League

Hitting leaders[8]
Stat Player Total
AVG Al Simmons (PHA) .390
OPS Babe Ruth (NYY) 1.195
HR Lou Gehrig (NYY)
Babe Ruth (NYY) 		46
RBI Lou Gehrig (NYY) 185
R Lou Gehrig (NYY) 163
H Lou Gehrig (NYY) 211
SB Ben Chapman (NYY) 61
Pitching leaders[9]
Stat Player Total
W Lefty Grove1 (PHA) 31
L Pat Caraway (CWS)
Sam Gray (SLB) 		24
ERA Lefty Grove1 (PHA) 2.06
K Lefty Grove1 (PHA) 175
IP Rube Walberg (PHA) 291.0
SV Firpo Marberry (WSH)
Wilcy Moore (BBOS) 		8
WHIP Lefty Grove (PHA) 1.077

1 American League Triple Crown pitching winner

National League

Hitting leaders[10]
Stat Player Total
AVG Chick Hafey (STL) .349
OPS Rogers Hornsby (CHC) .996
HR Chuck Klein (PHI) 31
RBI Chuck Klein (PHI) 121
R Chuck Klein (PHI)
Bill Terry (NYG) 		121
H Lloyd Waner (PIT) 214
SB Frankie Frisch (STL) 28
Pitching leaders[11]
Stat Player Total
W Jumbo Elliott (PHI)
Bill Hallahan (STL)
Heinie Meine (PIT) 		19
L Si Johnson (CIN) 19
ERA Bill Walker (NYG) 2.26
K Bill Hallahan (STL) 159
IP Heinie Meine (PIT) 284.0
SV Jack Quinn (BRO) 13
WHIP Carl Hubbell (NYG) 1.121

Milestones

Batters

Cycles

See also: List of Major League Baseball players to hit for the cycle

Pitchers

No-hitters

See also: List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
  • Wes Ferrell (CLE):
    • Ferrell threw his first career no-hitter and the fifth no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the St. Louis Browns 9–0 on April 29. Ferrell walked three and struck out eight.[15]
  • Bobby Burke (WSH):
    • Burke threw his first career no-hitter and the second no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Boston Red Sox 5–0 on August 8. Burke walked five and struck out eight.[16]

Awards and honors

Regular season

Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards
BBWAA Award National League American League
Most Valuable Player Frankie Frisch (STL) Lefty Grove (PHA)
The Sporting News Awards
Award National League American League
Most Valuable Player[17] Chuck Klein (PHI) Lou Gehrig (NYY)

Home field attendance

Team name Wins %± Home attendance %± Per game
Chicago Cubs[18] 84 −6.7% 1,086,422 −25.8% 14,109
New York Yankees[19] 94 9.3% 912,437 −22.0% 11,850
New York Giants[20] 87 0.0% 812,163 −6.5% 10,412
Brooklyn Robins[21] 79 −8.1% 753,133 −31.4% 9,910
Philadelphia Athletics[22] 107 4.9% 627,464 −13.1% 8,366
St. Louis Cardinals[23] 101 9.8% 608,535 19.7% 7,802
Boston Braves[24] 64 −8.6% 515,005 10.8% 6,603
Washington Senators[25] 92 −2.1% 492,657 −19.8% 6,236
Cleveland Indians[26] 78 −3.7% 483,027 −8.6% 6,356
Detroit Tigers[27] 61 −18.7% 434,056 −33.2% 5,637
Chicago White Sox[28] 56 −9.7% 403,550 −0.6% 5,241
Boston Red Sox[29] 62 19.2% 350,975 −21.0% 4,387
Philadelphia Phillies[30] 66 26.9% 284,849 −4.7% 3,748
Cincinnati Reds[31] 58 −1.7% 263,316 −31.9% 3,420
Pittsburgh Pirates[32] 75 −6.3% 260,392 −27.2% 3,338
St. Louis Browns[33] 63 −1.6% 179,126 17.8% 2,326

Venues

Across 80 homes games, the Boston Red Sox played all 15 of their Sunday games at the Boston Braves home field of Braves Field (the remaining 65 home games were played at Fenway Park).[34][35] This was the last of three consecutive seasons playing all Sunday games at Braves Field and 3rd of four consecutive season playing some games at Braves Field.

This was the last of 31 consecutive seasons that the Cleveland Indians played at their inaugural field, League Park (they would play full seasons at the Park in 1934 and 1935, while 1932, and 1936 to 1946 saw home games split with Cleveland Stadium.

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e Levy, Gary. "1930 Winter Meetings: The Judge and the Mahatma Debate the Chain Store System – Society for American Baseball Research". Retrieved April 1, 2025.
  2. ^ a b c d "MLB Rule Changes | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  3. ^ Krabbenhoft, Herm. "Impact of the Varying Sacrifice Fly Rules on Batting Champs, 1931–2019 – Society for American Baseball Research". Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  4. ^ O'Gara, Connor. "Future Hall of Famer Al López Hits the Last 'Bounce' Home Run in Big League History". Baseball Hall of Fame. Retrieved April 16, 2020.
  5. ^ "Changes are Made in the Baseball Playing Rules by Joint Rules Committee". Santa Cruz Evening News. Santa Cruz, California. December 17, 1930. p. 8. Retrieved April 16, 2020 – via newspapers.com.
  6. ^ Vincent, David. "How Rules Changes in 1920 Affected Home Runs – Society for American Baseball Research". Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  7. ^ "1931 Major League Managers". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  8. ^ "1931 American League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  9. ^ "1931 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  10. ^ "1931 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  11. ^ "1931 National League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  12. ^ "Brooklyn Robins 14, Cincinnati Reds 4". Retrosheet.org. May 18, 1931. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  13. ^ "Philadelphia Phillies 11, Chicago Cubs 6". Retrosheet.org. July 1, 1931. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  14. ^ "Philadelphia Phillies 11, Chicago Cubs 6". Retrosheet.org. July 1, 1931. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 8, 2011.
  15. ^ "St. Louis Browns vs Cleveland Indians Box Score: April 29, 1931". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  16. ^ "Boston Red Sox vs Washington Nationals Box Score: August 8, 1931". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved March 17, 2026.
  17. ^ "Most Valuable Player Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  18. ^ "Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  19. ^ "New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  20. ^ "San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  21. ^ "Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  22. ^ "Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  23. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  24. ^ "Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  25. ^ "Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  26. ^ "Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  27. ^ "Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  28. ^ "Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  29. ^ "Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  30. ^ "Philadelphia Phillies 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. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  33. ^ "Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  34. ^ "Seamheads.com Ballparks Database — 1931 Season". www.seamheads.com. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
  35. ^ "Seamheads.com Ballparks Database". seamheads.com. Retrieved November 17, 2025.
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