Professional Sports 1954

1954 Baseball

Greatest catch in baseball by Willie Mays

World Series – With expectations of the Cleveland Indians sweeping the series, the New York Giants reverse fortunes and win the series over the Indians in 4 games. Willie Mays rejoins the team from the US Army and makes the 5th greatest play in baseball history. 1953 World Series

1954 Football

Paul Brown and quarterback Otto Graham

NFL Championship – The third year in a row the National Football League championship game was played between the Detroit Lions 9-2-1 and the Cleveland Browns at 9-3. The Browns let by coach Paul Brown and quarterback Otto Graham cream the Lions 56 to 10. 1954 NFL championship

1954 Basketball

The NBA finals has Minnesota Lakers again winning the title with 4 games to 3 over the Syracuse Nationals. NBA finals 1954

Milan High School with an enrollment of 16 students defeated Muncie Central High School with an enrollment of 1,600 by 32 to 30 winning the Indiana State High School title. The 1986 movie Hoosiers was based on the story.

1954 Hockey

Art Ross Memorial Trophy as the NHL's leading scorer during the regular season: Gordie Howe, Detroit Red Wings

Hart Memorial Trophy for the NHL's Most Valuable Player: Al Rollins, Chicago Black Hawks

Stanley Cup – Detroit Red Wings win 4 games to 3 over the Montreal Canadiens

World Hockey Championship: USSR wins 7-2 over Canada's East York Lyndhursts.

1954 Golf

Masters Tournament - Sam Snead
U.S. Open - Ed Furgol
British Open - Peter Thomson
PGA Championship - Chick Harbert
PGA Tour money leader - Bob Toski - $65,820

Women's Western Open - Betty Jameson
U.S. Women's Open - Babe Zaharias
Titleholders Championship - Louise Suggs
LPGA Tour money leader - Patty Berg - $16,011

Athletes of the Year 1954

Associated Press Male Athlete of the Year: Willie Mays, baseball

Associated Press Female Athlete of the Year: Babe Didrikson Zaharias, golf

1st Sports Illustrated August 1954

Sports Illustrated magazine begins publishing

Professional Sports 1954

1954 Boxing

Marciano Knocks out Charles in the 8th

Rocky Mariano defends his World Heavyweight title twice against Ezzard Charles who takes a beating both times.Ezza rd Charles

Grand Slam Tennis

Australian Open - Mervyn Rose
French Open - Tony Trabert
Wimbledon championships - Jaroslav Drobny
US Open - Vic Seixs

Australian Open - Thelma Long
French Open - Maureen Connolly
Wimbledon championships - Maureen Connolly
US Open - Doris Hart

Davis Cup – United States wins 3-2 over Australia in world tennis.

1954 Horseracing

Kentucky Derby – Determine
Preakness Stakes – Hasty Road
Belmont Stakes – High Gun

College Sports 1954

Football 1954

1954 Heisman Trophy - Alan Ameche, Wisconsin FB

1954 SUGAR BOWL: #5 Navy Midshipmen 21 over #6 Mississippi Rebels 0

1954 COTTON BOWL: Georgia Tech Yellow Jackets 14 over  #10 Arkansas Razorbacks 6

1954 ROSE BOWL: #1 Ohio State Buckeyes 20 over    #17 USC Trojans 7

1954 ORANGE BOWL: #14 Duke Blue Devils 34 over Nebraska Cornhuskers 7

1954 college football champions - Ohio State 

Basketball 1954

NCAA Men's Basketball Championship – La Salle wins 92-76 over Bradley