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1964 Major League Baseball season

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This article is about the 1964 Major League Baseball season only. For information on all of baseball, see 1964 in baseball.
1964 MLB season
LeagueAmerican League (AL)
National League (NL)
SportBaseball
DurationRegular season:
  • April 13 – October 4, 1964
World Series:
  • October 7–15, 1964
Games162
Teams20 (10 per league)
TV partner(s)NBC, CBS
Regular season
Season MVPAL: Brooks Robinson (BAL)
NL: Ken Boyer (STL)
AL championsNew York Yankees
  AL runners-upChicago White Sox
NL championsSt. Louis Cardinals
  NL runners-upPhiladelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds
World Series
ChampionsSt. Louis Cardinals
  Runners-upNew York Yankees
World Series MVPBob Gibson (STL)
MLB seasons
Locations of teams for the 1962–1964 American League seasons
American League
Locations of teams for the 1964 National League season
National League

The 1964 major league baseball season began on April 13, 1964. The regular season ended on October 4, with the St. Louis Cardinals and New York Yankees as the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The postseason began with Game 1 of the 61st World Series on October 7 and ended with Game 7 on October 15. In the fifth iteration of this World Series matchup, the Cardinals defeated the Yankees, four games to three, capturing their seventh championship in franchise history, since their previous in 1946. As of 2024, the Cardinals are the only National League team to have an edge over the Yankees in series played (3–2), despite holding a losing record in World Series games against them (13–15). Going into the season, the defending World Series champions were the Los Angeles Dodgers from the 1963 season.

The 35th Major League Baseball All-Star Game, was held on July 7 at Shea Stadium in New York, New York, home of the New York Mets. The National League won, 7–4.

This season is often remembered for the end of the New York Yankees' third dynasty, as they won their 29th American League Championship in 44 seasons.

Schedule

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See also: Major League Baseball schedule

The 1964 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 13, featuring four teams. The final day of the regular season was on October 4, which saw 18 teams play. The World Series took place between October 7 and October 15.

Rule changes

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The 1964 season saw the following rule changes:

  • In an attempt to help bolster the four expansion teams, (Houston Colt .45s, Los Angeles Angels, New York Mets, and Washington Senators), they were permitted to farm out four first-year players in addition to what all other sixteen teams could do. These four additional players did not count in each team's player roster, nor would the teams risk losing said players on waivers. The rules for the other sixteen teams limited the number of players to one.[1]
  • Colored bats, unless approved by the Rules Committee, were banned.[1][2]

Teams

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League Team City Ballpark Capacity Manager[3]
American League Baltimore Orioles Baltimore, Maryland Baltimore Memorial Stadium 51,991 Hank Bauer
Boston Red Sox Boston, Massachusetts Fenway Park 33,357 Johnny Pesky
Billy Herman
Chicago White Sox Chicago, Illinois White Sox Park 46,550 Al López
Cleveland Indians Cleveland, Ohio Cleveland Stadium 73,811 George Strickland
Birdie Tebbetts
Detroit Tigers Detroit, Michigan Tiger Stadium 53,089 Chuck Dressen
Kansas City Athletics Kansas City, Missouri Municipal Stadium 34,165 Ed Lopat
Mel McGaha
Los Angeles Angels Los Angeles, California Dodger Stadium[a] 56,000 Bill Rigney
Minnesota Twins Bloomington, Minnesota Metropolitan Stadium 40,073 Sam Mele
New York Yankees New York, New York Yankee Stadium 67,337 Yogi Berra
Washington Senators Washington, D.C. District of Columbia Stadium 43,500 Gil Hodges
National League Chicago Cubs Chicago, Illinois Wrigley Field 36,755 Bob Kennedy
Cincinnati Reds Cincinnati, Ohio Crosley Field 29,603 Fred Hutchinson
Dick Sisler
Houston Colt .45s Houston, Texas Colt Stadium 33,010 Harry Craft
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
Philadelphia Phillies Philadelphia, Pennsylvania Connie Mack Stadium 33,608 Gene Mauch
Pittsburgh Pirates Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania Forbes Field 35,500 Danny Murtaugh
San Francisco Giants San Francisco, California Candlestick Park 42,553 Alvin Dark
St. Louis Cardinals St. Louis, Missouri Busch Stadium 30,500 Johnny Keane

Standings

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American League

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American League
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
New York Yankees 99 63 .611 — 50‍–‍31 49‍–‍32
Chicago White Sox 98 64 .605 1 52‍–‍29 46‍–‍35
Baltimore Orioles 97 65 .599 2 49‍–‍32 48‍–‍33
Detroit Tigers 85 77 .525 14 46‍–‍35 39‍–‍42
Los Angeles Angels 82 80 .506 17 45‍–‍36 37‍–‍44
Cleveland Indians 79 83 .488 20 41‍–‍40 38‍–‍43
Minnesota Twins 79 83 .488 20 40‍–‍41 39‍–‍42
Boston Red Sox 72 90 .444 27 45‍–‍36 27‍–‍54
Washington Senators 62 100 .383 37 31‍–‍50 31‍–‍50
Kansas City Athletics 57 105 .352 42 26‍–‍55 31‍–‍50

National League

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National League
Team W L Pct. GB Home Road
St. Louis Cardinals 93 69 .574 — 48‍–‍33 45‍–‍36
Philadelphia Phillies 92 70 .568 1 46‍–‍35 46‍–‍35
Cincinnati Reds 92 70 .568 1 47‍–‍34 45‍–‍36
San Francisco Giants 90 72 .556 3 44‍–‍37 46‍–‍35
Milwaukee Braves 88 74 .543 5 45‍–‍36 43‍–‍38
Pittsburgh Pirates 80 82 .494 13 42‍–‍39 38‍–‍43
Los Angeles Dodgers 80 82 .494 13 41‍–‍40 39‍–‍42
Chicago Cubs 76 86 .469 17 40‍–‍41 36‍–‍45
Houston Colt .45s 66 96 .407 27 41‍–‍40 25‍–‍56
New York Mets 53 109 .327 40 33‍–‍48 20‍–‍61

Tie games

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6 tie games (4 in AL, 2 in NL), which are not factored into winning percentage or games behind (and were often replayed again) occurred throughout the season.

American League

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The Cleveland Indians and New York Yankees had two tie games each. The Baltimore Orioles, Detroit Tigers, Kansas City Athletics, and Minnesota Twins had one each.

National League

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The Los Angeles Dodgers had two tie games. The Cincinnati Reds and New York Mets had one each.

Postseason

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The postseason began on October 7 and ended on October 15 with the St. Louis Cardinals defeating the New York Yankees in the 1964 World Series in seven games.

Bracket

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World Series
   
AL New York Yankees 3
NL St. Louis Cardinals 4

Managerial changes

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Off-season

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Team Former Manager New Manager
Baltimore Orioles Billy Hitchcock Hank Bauer
Cleveland Indians Birdie Tebbetts George Strickland
New York Yankees Ralph Houk Yogi Berra

In-season

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Team Former Manager New Manager
Boston Red Sox Johnny Pesky Billy Herman
Cincinnati Reds Fred Hutchinson Dick Sisler
Cleveland Indians George Strickland Birdie Tebbetts
Houston Colt .45s Harry Craft Lum Harris
Kansas City Athletics Ed Lopat Mel McGaha

League leaders

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American League

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Hitting leaders[10]
Stat Player Total
AVG Tony Oliva (MIN) .323
OPS Mickey Mantle (NYY) 1.015
HR Harmon Killebrew (MIN) 49
RBI Brooks Robinson (BAL) 118
R Tony Oliva (MIN) 109
H Tony Oliva (MIN) 217
SB Luis Aparicio (BAL) 57
Pitching leaders[11]
Stat Player Total
W Dean Chance (LAA)
Gary Peters (CWS) 		20
L Diego Seguí (KCA) 17
ERA Dean Chance (LAA) 1.65
K Al Downing (NYY) 217
IP Dean Chance (LAA) 278.1
SV Dick Radatz (BOS) 29
WHIP Joe Horlen (CWS) 0.935

National League

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Hitting leaders[12]
Stat Player Total
AVG Roberto Clemente (PIT) .339
OPS Willie Mays (SF) .990
HR Willie Mays (SF) 47
RBI Ken Boyer (STL) 119
R Dick Allen (PHI) 125
H Roberto Clemente (PIT)
Curt Flood (STL) 		211
SB Maury Wills (LAD) 53
Pitching leaders[13]
Stat Player Total
W Larry Jackson (CHC) 24
L Tracy Stallard (NYM) 20
ERA Sandy Koufax (LAD) 1.74
K Bob Veale (PIT) 250
IP Don Drysdale (LAD) 321.1
SV Hal Woodeshick (HOU) 23
WHIP Sandy Koufax (LAD) 0.928

Milestones

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Batters

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Cycles

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

Other batting accomplishments

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Pitchers

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Perfect games

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See also: List of Major League Baseball perfect games

No-hitters

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See also: List of Major League Baseball no-hitters
  • Ken Johnson (HOU):
    • Johnson threw his first career no-hitter and the second no-hitter in franchise history, in a 1–0 loss to the Cincinnati Reds on April 23. He walked two and struck out nine. This was the first instance of a team throwing a no-hitter but still losing the game.[22]
  • Sandy Koufax (LAD):
    • Koufax threw his third career no-hitter and the 16th no-hitter in franchise history, by defeating the Philadelphia Phillies 3–0 on June 4. He walked one and struck out 12, throwing 68 strikes on 97 pitches.[23]

Miscellaneous

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Awards and honors

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Regular season

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Baseball Writers' Association of America Awards
BBWAA Award National League American League
Rookie of the Year Dick Allen (PHI) Tony Oliva (MIN)
Cy Young Award — Dean Chance (LAA)
Most Valuable Player Ken Boyer (STL) Brooks Robinson (BAL)
Babe Ruth Award
(World Series MVP) 		Bob Gibson (STL) —
Gold Glove Awards
Position National League American League
Pitcher Bobby Shantz (PHI/CHC/STL) Jim Kaat (MIN)
Catcher Johnny Edwards (CIN) Elston Howard (NYY)
1st Base Bill White (STL) Vic Power (PHI[b]/LAA/MIN)
2nd Base Bill Mazeroski (PIT) Bobby Richardson (NYY)
3rd Base Ron Santo (CHC) Brooks Robinson (BAL)
Shortstop Rubén Amaro (PHI) Luis Aparicio (BAL)
Outfield Roberto Clemente (PIT) Vic Davalillo (CLE)
Curt Flood (STL) Al Kaline (DET)
Willie Mays (SF) Jim Landis (CWS)

Other awards

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The Sporting News Awards
Award National League American League
Player of the Year[26] Ken Boyer (STL) —
Pitcher of the Year[27] Sandy Koufax (LAD) Dean Chance (LAA)
Fireman of the Year[28]
(Relief pitcher) 		Al McBean (PIT) Dick Radatz (BOS)
Rookie Player of the Year[29] Dick Allen (PHI) Tony Oliva (MIN)
Rookie Pitcher of the Year[30] Billy McCool (CIN) Wally Bunker (BAL)
Manager of the Year[31] Johnny Keane (STL) —
Executive of the Year[32] Bing Devine (STL) —

Monthly awards

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Player of the Month

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Main article: Major League Baseball Player of the Month Award
Month National League
May Billy Williams (CHC)
June Jim Bunning (PHI)
July Ron Santo (CHC)
August Frank Robinson (CIN)
September Bob Gibson (STL)

Baseball Hall of Fame

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Main article: National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum
Further information: 1964 Baseball Hall of Fame balloting

Home field attendance

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Team name Wins %± Home attendance %± Per game
Los Angeles Dodgers[33] 80 −19.2% 2,228,751 −12.2% 27,515
New York Mets[34] 53 3.9% 1,732,597 60.4% 21,129
San Francisco Giants[35] 90 2.3% 1,504,364 −4.3% 18,572
Philadelphia Phillies[36] 92 5.7% 1,425,891 57.2% 17,604
New York Yankees[37] 99 −4.8% 1,305,638 −0.3% 16,119
Chicago White Sox[38] 98 4.3% 1,250,053 7.9% 15,433
Minnesota Twins[39] 79 −13.2% 1,207,514 −14.2% 14,726
St. Louis Cardinals[40] 93 0.0% 1,143,294 −2.3% 14,115
Baltimore Orioles[41] 97 12.8% 1,116,215 44.1% 13,612
Milwaukee Braves[42] 88 4.8% 910,911 17.8% 11,246
Boston Red Sox[43] 72 −5.3% 883,276 −6.3% 10,905
Cincinnati Reds[44] 92 7.0% 862,466 0.4% 10,518
Detroit Tigers[45] 85 7.6% 816,139 −0.7% 9,953
Los Angeles Angels[46] 82 17.1% 760,439 −7.4% 9,388
Pittsburgh Pirates[47] 80 8.1% 759,496 −3.1% 9,376
Chicago Cubs[48] 76 −7.3% 751,647 −23.3% 9,280
Houston Colt .45s[49] 66 0.0% 725,773 0.9% 8,960
Cleveland Indians[50] 79 0.0% 653,293 16.1% 7,967
Kansas City Athletics[51] 57 −21.9% 642,478 −15.7% 7,932
Washington Senators[52] 62 10.7% 600,106 12.0% 7,409

Venues

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The New York Mets leave the Polo Grounds (where they played for two seasons) and open Shea Stadium (with the AFL's New York Jets) where they would go on to play 45 seasons through 2008. Excluding 1958–1961, the time in which there was no National League New York team (following the relocation of the New York Giants to San Francisco, California), this marked the first season to not see any iteration of the Polo Grounds not feature a major-league team since 1882, the season prior to founding of the Giants.

The Houston Colt .45s would play their final game at Colt Stadium on September 27 against the Los Angeles Dodgers, moving into the Houston Astrodome (as the Houston Astros) for the start of the 1965 season.

Media

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Television

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CBS and NBC aired weekend Game of the Week broadcasts. Although it had been three years since the Sports Broadcasting Act of 1961 was passed to authorize sports leagues to enter into television contracts that "pooled" the TV rights of all their teams, MLB still operated under the older system where the networks purchased the regular season rights to individual clubs. By 1964, CBS paid $895,000 total for the rights to six teams, with the New York Yankees getting a $550,000 share. The six clubs that exclusively played nationally televised games on NBC were paid $1.2 million total.[53]

The All-Star Game and World Series aired on NBC.

Retired numbers

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See also

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Notes

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  1. ^ Dodger Stadium was referred to as "Chavez Ravine Stadium" by the Angels during their tenure.
  2. ^ Power was traded from the Angels to NL team Philadelphia Phillies on September 9, 1964.[25]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b Jones, Chris. "1963 Winter Meetings: No Little League Bats Allowed – Society for American Baseball Research". Retrieved July 16, 2025.
  2. ^ "Rules History". www.retrosheet.org. Retrieved July 17, 2025.
  3. ^ "1964 Major League Managers". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  4. ^ "Retrosheet Boxscore: Detroit Tigers 1, New York Yankees 1". www.retrosheet.org. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  5. ^ "Retrosheet Boxscore: Minnesota Twins 8, Cleveland Indians 8". www.retrosheet.org. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  6. ^ "Retrosheet Boxscore: Baltimore Orioles 6, Kansas City Athletics 6". www.retrosheet.org. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  7. ^ "Retrosheet Boxscore: Cleveland Indians 2, New York Yankees 2". www.retrosheet.org. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  8. ^ "Retrosheet Boxscore: Cincinnati Reds 2, Los Angeles Dodgers 2". www.retrosheet.org. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  9. ^ "Retrosheet Boxscore: New York Mets 1, Los Angeles Dodgers 1 (2)". www.retrosheet.org. Retrieved May 1, 2026.
  10. ^ "1964 American League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  11. ^ "1964 American League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  12. ^ "1964 National League Batting Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  13. ^ "1964 National League Pitching Leaders". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved February 5, 2025.
  14. ^ "Boston Red Sox 3, Washington Senators 2". Retrosheet.org. May 26, 1964. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  15. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals 7, Houston Colt .45s 1". Retrosheet.org. June 16, 1964. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  16. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates 13, St. Louis Cardinals 2". Retrosheet.org. July 22, 1964. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  17. ^ "Los Angeles Angels 3, New York Yankees 1". Retrosheet.org. July 28, 1964. Archived from the original on September 24, 2015. Retrieved September 11, 2011.
  18. ^ Eagle, Ed. "Teams that have hit four straight home runs". MLB.com. Retrieved April 30, 2026.
  19. ^ "Kansas City Athletics 4, Minnesota Twins 3." Retrosheet box score (July 23, 1964).
  20. ^ "Players to homer twice in their regular-season debuts". MLB.com. Retrieved April 22, 2026.
  21. ^ "Philadelphia Phillies vs New York Mets Box Score: June 21, 1964". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  22. ^ "Cincinnati Reds vs Houston Colt .45s Box Score: April 23, 1964". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  23. ^ "Los Angeles Dodgers vs Philadelphia Phillies Box Score: June 4, 1964". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved May 6, 2026.
  24. ^ DeRosa, Theo. "The most runs scored in each inning, from the 1st to the 26th(!)". MLB.com. Retrieved April 20, 2026.
  25. ^ "Vic Power Stats, Height, Weight, Position, Rookie Status & More". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved January 21, 2025.
  26. ^ "Major League Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  27. ^ "Pitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  28. ^ "Fireman of the Year Award / Reliever of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  29. ^ "Rookie Player of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  30. ^ "Rookie Pitcher of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  31. ^ "Manager of the Year Award by The Sporting News | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  32. ^ "MLB Executive of the Year Award | Baseball Almanac". www.baseball-almanac.com. Retrieved January 14, 2025.
  33. ^ "Los Angeles Dodgers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  34. ^ "New York Mets Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  35. ^ "San Francisco Giants Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  36. ^ "Philadelphia Phillies Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  37. ^ "New York Yankees Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  38. ^ "Chicago White Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  39. ^ "Minnesota Twins Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  40. ^ "St. Louis Cardinals Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  41. ^ "Baltimore Orioles Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  42. ^ "Atlanta Braves Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  43. ^ "Boston Red Sox Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  44. ^ "Cincinnati Reds Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  45. ^ "Detroit Tigers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  46. ^ "Los Angeles Angels Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  47. ^ "Pittsburgh Pirates Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  48. ^ "Chicago Cubs Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  49. ^ "Houston Astros Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  50. ^ "Cleveland Indians Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  51. ^ "Oakland Athletics Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  52. ^ "Texas Rangers Attendance, Stadiums and Park Factors". Baseball-Reference.com. Retrieved September 8, 2020.
  53. ^ "Baseball Gets Slightly More for TV Rights". Chicago Tribune. Tribune Publishing. February 25, 1964. p. B2.
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