Champions Major League Baseball World Series: Brooklyn Dodgers over New York Yankees (4-3); Johnny Podres, MVP All-Star Game, July 12 at County Stadium: National League, 6-5 (12 innings) Other champions College World Series: Wake Forest University Japan Series: Yomiuri Giants over Nankai Hawks (4-3) Little League World Series: Morrisville, Pennsylvania Pan American Games: Dominican Republic over USA Winter Leagues 1955 Caribbean Series: Cangrejeros de Santurce Cuban League: Alacranes del Almendares Dominican Republic League: Leones del Escogido Mexican Pacific League: Venados de Mazatlán Panamanian League: Carta Vieja Yankees Puerto Rican League: Cangrejeros de Santurce Venezuelan League: Navegantes del Magallanes Awards and honors Baseball Hall of Fame Frank Baker Joe DiMaggio Ted Lyons Dazzy Vance Gabby Hartnett Ray Schalk Most Valuable Player American League: Yogi Berra, New York Yankees National League: Roy Campanella, Brooklyn Dodgers Rookie of the Year American League: Herb Score, Cleveland Indians National League: Bill Virdon, St. Louis Cardinals MLB statistical leaders Major league baseball final standings American League final standings National League final standings Events Before the Athletics arrive in town, the Kansas City Monarchs move their base of operations to Grand Rapids, Michigan. They retain the name "Kansas City Monarchs" and continue in the Negro American League as a barnstorming team. January January 24 – In an effort to speed up the game, Major League Baseball announces a new rule which requires a pitcher to deliver the ball within 20 seconds after taking a pitching position. February February 17 – - The Baltimore Orioles obtained pitcher Erv Palica from the Brooklyn Dodgers in exchange for first baseman Frank Kellert and cash considerations. This replaces the previous Preacher Roe deal, which fell through when the Brooklyn pitcher announced his retirement. February 28 – The National League fines the Milwaukee Braves $500 for opening their spring training camp before the official March 1 date. March March 7 – Commissioner Ford Frick advocated for the return of the spitball, arguing that it is "a great pitch and one of the easiest to throw. There was nothing dangerous about it." The spitball was banned following the 1920 season. Despite the Commissioner's enthusiasm, the pitch remained illegal. April April 12 – After a big civic parade, the Athletics open their first season in Kansas City with a win over the Detroit Tigers, 6–2, before a crowd of 32,844. April 14 – Elston Howard becomes the first African-American to wear the New York