At the halfway point of the season, it’s anyone’s guess who will come out on top in the end, as no team has asserted itself so far. The magic number may be 21 — the previous three league champions all went 21-11. But for any of these eight teams to get there, they’ll have to outperform their first-half showings.
The 1957 Milwaukee Braves are the hottest team in the league, and they’re at 10-6, tied with the 1953 New York Yankees. After sweeping the 1959 Chicago White Sox, the Braves have won five in a row and seven of the last nine. They’re also the best offensive team in the league, averaging 4.3 runs plus a league-best 26 home runs (nine more than anyone else). Wes Covington hit three homers against the White Sox, tying him with teammate Eddie Mathews at six for the league lead. After a slow start, Hank Aaron may be heating up and he’s got four.
The Yankees have been consistent, as they’ve been in first or second place at the conclusion of each week so far. After splitting with the 1954 New York Giants, the Yankees may have the advantage in week 5 as they play the last-place 1950 Philadelphia Phillies. The Braves will go up against the Giants, who are just a game back.
| Week 4 | W | L | PCT | GB | R | RA | +/- | AVG | ERA | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 New York Yankees | 10 | 6 | .625 | — | 67 | 54 | +13 | .212 | 3.06 | Stats |
| 1957 Milwaukee Braves | 10 | 6 | .625 | — | 68 | 55 | +13 | .244 | 3.13 | Stats |
| 1954 New York Giants | 9 | 7 | .563 | 1.0 | 57 | 64 | -7 | .221 | 3.49 | Stats |
| 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates | 9 | 7 | .563 | 1.0 | 66 | 55 | +11 | .249 | 3.09 | Stats |
| 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers | 8 | 8 | .500 | 2.0 | 59 | 61 | -2 | .222 | 3.70 | Stats |
| 1959 Chicago White Sox | 7 | 9 | .438 | 3.0 | 40 | 55 | -15 | .192 | 3.23 | Stats |
| 1954 Cleveland Indians | 6 | 10 | .375 | 4.0 | 58 | 52 | +6 | .238 | 3.07 | Stats |
| 1950 Philadelphia Phillies | 5 | 11 | .313 | 5.0 | 65 | 84 | -19 | .244 | 4.53 | Stats |
Week 4 results:
> Cleveland d. Philadelphia 3-1
> Brooklyn d. Pittsburgh 3-1
> Milwaukee d. Chicago 4-0
> New York Giants and New York Yankees split 2-2
Week 4 recaps:
> Gameday #13
> Gameday #14
> Gameday #15
> Gameday #16
Week 4 featured YouTube broadcasts:
> 1953 Yankees vs. 1954 Giants (Gameday #14)
> 1959 White Sox vs. 1957 Braves (Gameday #16)
BATTING LEADERS
Average
.386 Jackie Robinson, 1953 Dodgers
.365 Bill Virdon, 1960 Pirates
.361 Roberto Clemente, 1960 Pirates
.344 Eddie Mathews, 1957 Braves
.328 Willie Mays, 1954 Giants
.323 Al Rosen, 1954 Indians
.322 Hank Bauer, 1953 Yankees
.319 Bobby Avila, 1954 Indians
.311 Bob Skinner, 1960 Pirates
.309 Larry Doby, 1954 Indians
Runs
15 Eddie Mathews, 1957 Braves
14 Al Smith, 1954 Indians
13 Hank Bauer, 1953 Yankees
13 Duke Snider, 1953 Dodgers
11 many
Hits
23 Bill Virdon, 1960 Pirates
22 Jackie Robinson, 1953 Dodgers
22 Roberto Clemente, 1960 Pirates
22 Bobby Avila, 1954 Indians
21 Eddie Mathews, 1957 Braves
21 Al Rosen, 1954 Indians
Doubles
9 Willie Mays, 1954 Giants
7 Eddie Mathews, 1957 Braves
7 Duke Snider, 1953 Dodgers
7 Eddie Waitkus, 1950 Phillies
6 Richie Ashburn. 1950 Phillies
6 Willie Jones, 1950 Phillies
Triples
6 Hank Bauer, 1953 Yankees
3 Bill Virdon, 1960 Pirates
2 Bill Bruton, 1957 Braves
2 Luis Aparicio, 1959 White Sox
2 Wes Covington, 1957 Braves
Home Runs
6 Wes Covington, 1957 Braves
6 Eddie Mathews, 1957 Braves
5 Duke Snider, 1953 Dodgers
5 Andy Seminick, 1950 Phillies
4 many
RBI
14 Duke Snider, 1953 Dodgers
13 Wes Covington, 1957 Braves
13 Dick Sisler, 1950 Phillies
13 Willie Mays, 1954 Giants
13 Jackie Robinson, 1953 Dodgers
Stolen Bases
5 Luis Aparicio, 1959 White Sox
4 Jackie Robinson, 1953 Dodgers
4 Al Rosen, 1954 Indians
3 Duke Snider, 1953 Dodgers
2 Al Dark, 1954 Giants
2 Bill Bruton, 1957 Braves
PITCHING LEADERS
Wins
3 Whitey Ford, 1953 Yankees
3 Vinegar Bend Mizell, 1960 Pirates
3 Warren Spahn, 1957 Braves
3 Gene Conley, 1957 Braves
3 Art Houtteman, 1954 Indians
3 Johnny Antonelli, 1954 Giants
ERA
2.03 Whitey Ford, 1953 Yankees
2.36 Billy Loes, 1953 Dodgers
2.45 Billy Pierce, 1959 White Sox
2.48 Vinegar Bend Mizell, 1960 Pirates
2.57 Mike Garcia, 1954 Indians
2.67 Bob Buhl, 1957 Braves
2.79 Johnny Sain, 1953 Yankees
2.89 Vic Raschi, 1953 Yankees
2.89 Sal Maglie, 1954 Giants
3.10 Harvey Haddix, 1960 Pirates
3.10 Lew Burdette, 1957 Braves
Complete Games
2 Billy Loes, 1953 Dodgers
2 Vinegar Bend Mizell, 1960 Pirates
2 Early Wynn, 1954 Indians
Shutouts
2 Billy Loes, 1953 Dodgers
Saves
5 Don McMahon, 1957 Braves
4 Hoyt Wilhelm, 1954 Giants
4 Roy Face, 1960 Pirates
4 Jim Konstanty, 1950 Phillies
3 several
Strikeouts
35 Curt Simmons, 1950 Phillies
22 Johnny Antonelli, 1954 Giants
22 Sal Maglie, 1954 Giants
20 Billy Loes, 1953 Dodgers
19 several
ROGER SPORTS & GAMES 