X-Nico

13 unusual facts about 1956 in baseball


1956 Caribbean Series

The VIII edition of the Caribbean Series (Serie del Caribe) was played in 1956.

Big State League

The league was further weakened when a traditionally strong member, Austin, moved up to the AA Texas League in 1956.

Bill Bradford

William D. Bradford (August 28, 1921 – August 22, 2000) was a relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played in one game for the Kansas City Athletics during the 1956 season.

Cholly Naranjo

Drafted by the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1954, he entered the majors in 1956 with the Pirates, appearing for them in 17 games.

Clay Dalrymple

Clay E. Dalrymple began his professional baseball career with the Sacramento Solons of the Pacific Coast League in 1956, and was obtained by the Milwaukee Braves before the 1959 season.

Florida International League

Miami eventually would join the International League as the Miami Marlins in 1956 and other cities joined the Class D (now Class A) Florida State League.

Joe B. Scott

A left-handed hitter, Scott played professionally from 1936 until 1956.

Kerby Farrell

At the close of the 1956 season, when the Indians finished as runners-up to the New York Yankees, Cleveland manager Al Lopez resigned to become the new skipper of the White Sox and Farrell was promoted to succeed him.

Mr. Red

The following season, 1956, saw the Reds adopt sleeveless jerseys, and Mr. Red was eliminated from the home uniform.

Owen Friend

Owen Lacey Friend (March 21, 1927 – October 14, 2007) was a Major League Baseball second baseman for five different teams between 1949 and 1956.

Pete Whisenant

In his only year as a semi-regular, in 1956, he played in 103 games for the Cubs and reached career highs in homers (11), RBI (46) and batting average (.239).

Rance Pless

A third baseman, first baseman and outfielder over the course of a 14-year professional career, he played part of one season of Major League Baseball with the 1956 Kansas City Athletics.

Walter Briggs, Jr.

Though Briggs wanted to keep his ownership of the Tigers and of Briggs Stadium, family estate administrators ordered both sold in 1956.