Most of the teams in the league have made a run at first place during the first 20 games. The 1957 Milwaukee Braves became the latest squad to do so partway through week 5. But only one team has been consistently at or near the top, and that’s the 1953 New York Yankees, who have a one-game lead over the Braves and a two-game lead over three other teams at the conclusion of week 5.
The Yankees (13-7) took three of four from the 1950 Philadelphia Phillies, with all three wins coming in one-run games. The Yankees have won five of their last six. The Braves (12-8) won their first two against the 1954 New York Giants to climb into first place, but lost the next two to fall a game back. The 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers (11-9) won their second straight series to move into a tie for third place with the Giants and the 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates.
Wes Covington of the Braves hit three more home runs in week 5, bringing his league-leading total to nine, two better than teammate Eddie Mathews.
Three weeks and 12 games remain in the season. Week 6 is highlighted by a matchup between the Yankees and Pirates, the only series featuring two teams with winning records.
| Week 5 | W | L | PCT | GB | R | RA | +/- | AVG | ERA | Stats |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1953 New York Yankees | 13 | 7 | .650 | — | 79 | 73 | +6 | .212 | 3.35 | Stats |
| 1957 Milwaukee Braves | 12 | 8 | .600 | 1.0 | 88 | 79 | +9 | .246 | 3.69 | Stats |
| 1953 Brooklyn Dodgers | 11 | 9 | .550 | 2.0 | 86 | 74 | +12 | .228 | 3.61 | Stats |
| 1954 New York Giants | 11 | 9 | .550 | 2.0 | 81 | 84 | -3 | .234 | 3.78 | Stats |
| 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates | 11 | 9 | .550 | 2.0 | 76 | 71 | +5 | .248 | 3.19 | Stats |
| 1954 Cleveland Indians | 8 | 12 | .400 | 5.0 | 74 | 62 | +12 | .245 | 2.97 | Stats |
| 1959 Chicago White Sox | 8 | 12 | .400 | 5.0 | 53 | 82 | -29 | .202 | 3.76 | Stats |
| 1950 Philadelphia Phillies | 6 | 14 | .300 | 7.0 | 84 | 96 | -12 | .247 | 4.24 | Stats |
Week 5 results:
> Yankees d. Phillies 3-1
> Dodgers d. White Sox 3-1
> Pirates and Indians split 2-2
> Braves and Giants split 2-2
Week 5 recaps:
> Gameday #17
> Gameday #18
> Gameday #19
> Gameday #20
Week 5 featured YouTube broadcasts:
> 1954 Giants vs. 1957 Braves (Gameday #18)
> 1953 Yankees vs. 1950 Phillies (Gameday #20)
BATTING LEADERS
Average
.397 Jackie Robinson, 1953 Dodgers
.355 Bob Skinner, 1960 Pirates
.338 Eddie Mathews, 1957 Braves
.329 Willie Mays, 1954 Giants
.329 Bill Virdon, 1960 Pirates
.329 Roberto Clemente, 1960 Pirates
.325 Al Rosen, 1954 Indians
.319 Mickey Mantle, 1953 Yankees
.317 Al Smith, 1954 Indians
.313 Wes Covington, 1957 Braves
Runs
20 Eddie Mathews, 1957 Braves
17 Al Smith, 1954 Indians
15 Jackie Robinson, 1953 Dodgers
15 Wes Covington, 1957 Braves
15 Pee Wee Reese, 1953 Dodgers
15 Whitey Lockman, 1954 Giants
Hits
29 Jackie Robinson, 1953 Dodgers
27 Bob Skinner, 1960 Pirates
26 Al Smith, 1954 Indians
26 Willie Mays, 1954 Giants
26 Bill Virdon, 1960 Pirates
26 Al Rosen, 1954 Indians
Doubles
12 Willie Mays, 1954 Giants
8 Eddie Mathews, 1957 Braves
8 Eddie Waitkus, 1950 Phillies
8 Duke Snider, 1953 Dodgers
7 several
Triples
6 Hank Bauer, 1953 Yankees
3 Bill Virdon, 1960 Pirates
3 Bill Bruton, 1957 Braves
2 many
Home Runs
9 Wes Covington, 1957 Braves
7 Eddie Mathews, 1957 Braves
6 Al Rosen, 1954 Indians
6 Ray Katt, 1954 Giants
6 Andy Seminick, 1950 Phillies
RBI
19 Wes Covington, 1957 Braves
19 Willie Mays, 1954 Giants
19 Jackie Robinson, 1953 Dodgers
15 Duke Snider, 1953 Dodgers
15 Dick Sisler, 1950 Phillies
15 Larry Doby, 1954 Indians
Stolen Bases
6 Jackie Robinson, 1953 Dodgers
6 Luis Aparicio, 1959 White Sox
4 Duke Snider, 1953 Dodgers
4 Al Rosen, 1954 Indians
2 several
PITCHING LEADERS
Wins
4 Whitey Ford, 1953 Yankees
4 Gene Conley, 1957 Braves
3 many
ERA
1.85 Whitey Ford, 1953 Yankees
2.08 Billy Loes, 1953 Dodgers
2.25 Mike Garcia, 1954 Indians
2.50 Bob Friend, 1960 Pirates
2.61 Bob Lemon, 1954 Indians
2.61 Don Liddle, 1954 Giants
2.68 Johnny Sain, 1953 Yankees
2.72 Vinegar Bend Mizell, 1960 Pirates
2.72 Billy Pierce, 1959 White Sox
2.88 Bob Buhl, 1957 Braves
Complete Games
2 Billy Loes, 1953 Dodgers
2 Bob Friend, 1960 Pirates
2 Bob Lemon, 1954 Indians
2 Vinegar Bend Mizell, 1960 Pirates
2 Early Wynn, 1954 Indians
Shutouts
2 Billy Loes, 1953 Dodgers
Saves
7 Don McMahon, 1957 Braves
5 Roy Face, 1960 Pirates
4 Jim Konstanty, 1950 Phillies
4 Gerry Staley, 1959 White Sox
4 Hoyt Wilhelm, 1954 Giants
Strikeouts
47 Curt Simmons, 1950 Phillies
28 Johnny Antonelli, 1954 Giants
28 Sal Maglie, 1954 Giants
26 Early Wynn, 1954 Indians
24 Mike Garcia, 1954 Indians
ROGER SPORTS & GAMES 