The 1949 Major League Baseball season was contested from April 18 through October 15, 1949. Both the American League (AL) and National League (NL) had eight teams, with each team playing a 154-game schedule. The New York Yankees won the World Series over the Brooklyn Dodgers in five games. Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox and Jackie Robinson of the Dodgers won the Most Valuable Player Award in the AL and NL, respectively. Standings American League National League Postseason Bracket Awards and honors Statistical leaders All-Star game Feats Cycles Wally Westlake, Pittsburgh Pirates, June 14 vs. Boston Braves Gil Hodges, Brooklyn Dodgers, June 25 at Pittsburgh Pirates Stan Musial, St. Louis Cardinals, July 24 at Brooklyn Dodgers Records American League National League Managers American League National League Home Field Attendance Notable events January–March January 28 – The New York Giants sign their first black players, outfielder Monte Irvin and pitcher Ford Smith, and assign them to a minor league affiliate at Jersey City. Irvin will eventually go on to have a Hall of Fame career for the Giants, but Smith never reaches the major leagues. February 7 – Joe DiMaggio signs a $100,000 contract with the New York Yankees. It is the first six-figure contract in major league history. March 2 – A slumping Joe DiMaggio leaves spring training in Florida to have his ailing right heel examined at Johns Hopkins Hospital. DiMaggio is assured that surgery is unnecessary and returns to the Yankees. The as yet undiagnosed heel ailment will continue to plague DiMaggio throughout the season. April–May April 12 – Joe DiMaggio returns to Johns Hopkins Hospital due to continuing pain in his right heel. The Yankee center fielder is diagnosed with a bone spur, which will cause him to miss 65 games during the season. April 18 – The regular season gets underway with the Philadelphia Phillies defeating the Boston Braves, 4–0, and the Washington Senators topping the Philadelphia Athletics, 3–2. April 19 – Prior to opening day at Yankee Stadium, the Yankees dedicate a granite monument to the recently deceased Babe Ruth in center field. Plaques honoring Lou Gehrig and Miller Huggins are also unveiled. Ruth's widow, Mayor William O'Dwyer, and Governor Thomas Dewey are among those in attendance who see the Yankees defeat the Senators, 3–2, on a two-out solo home run from Tommy Henrich in the bottom of the ninth. Gene Woodling plays