Baseball from 1940 to 1949 Chronology

On Opening Day, Franklin D. Roosevelt's errant ceremonial first pitch smashes a Washington Post camera. The Chief Executive is not charged with a wild pitch as Red Sox hurler Lefty Grove blanks the Senators, 1-0.

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Bob Feller's pitches an Opening Day no-hitter (the first of three no-hitters he pitched for the Indians). No one has ever opened the season with a no-no.

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First televised baseball game, WGN-TV, (White Sox vs Cubs exhibition).

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Apr 23

NY Yankees dedicate a plaque to Jacob Rupert.

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Dodgers tie major league mark for consecutive wins from the begining of the season with style as James 'Tex' Carleton no-hits the Reds, 3-0 for the team's ninth straight win since Opening Day.

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May 07

The Brooklyn Dodgers become the first National League team to fly when they travel by air to Chicago from St. Louis.

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In a 23-2 rout of Brooklyn, the Reds' Harry Craft hits for the cycle (a home run, a triple, a double and two singles) as Cincinnati pounds out 27 hits.

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May 14

Boston's Jimmie Foxx homerun goes over Comiskey Park's left field roof.

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Trailing 7-1 in the 9th to Pittsburgh, Philadelphia wins 8-7.

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First night game at St Louis Sportsman Park (Indians 3, Browns 2).

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First night game at NY's Polo Grounds (Giants 8, Braves 1).

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Jun 04

First NL night game at Sportsman's Park (Dodgers 10, Cardinals 1).

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Jun 04

First night game at Forbes Field (Pirates 14, Braves 2).

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Jun 12

In a trade which stuns the baseball world, the Dodgers obtain Ducky Medwick and pitcher Curt Davis from the Cardinals for outfielder Ernie Koy, pitcher Carl Doyle, two minor leaguers and $125,000; the deal signals the emergence of Brooklyn as a serious contender.

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Jun 13

The Boston Red Sox and the Chicago Cubs were the first two major-league baseball teams to play at Doubleday Field at Cooperstown, NY in the Hall of Fame Game.

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Jun 18

Dodger Ducky Medwick, traded less than a week ago is beaned by former Cardinal teammate Bob Bowman and needs to be carried off the field on a stretcher; Brookyn president Lee MacPhail accuses the St. Louis pitcher of deliberately hitting Medwick in the head because the two had quarreled in a hotel elevator prior to the game.

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Jun 27

To honor the lyricist of Take Me Out to the Ballgame Jack Norworth Day is celebrated at Ebbets Field in Brooklyn. Norworth or his partner Albert Von Tilzer, who wrote the music, had never seen a game when they created the song in 1908.

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Jul 09

At Sportsman's Park, five National League hurlers combine to throw the first shutout in All-Star history. Paul Derringer, Bucky Walters, Whit Wyatt, Larry French, and Carl Hubbell three-hit the junior circuit, 4-0, with the help of Max West's three-run homer.

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Jul 28

Yankee Charle Keller hits 3 HRs to beat White Sox 10-9.

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Aug 03

Cincinnati Reds' backup catcher Willard Hershberger commits suicide in a Boston hotel, the first big leaguer ever to take his own life.

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Aug 05

In a rain-shortened 4-0 victory over the Tigers, Silent John Whitehead of the St. Louis Browns pitches a six inning no-hitter.

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Aug 18

Jimmy Powers, sport editor of the New York Daily News, causes a flap when he suggests the Yankees poor play this season can be attributed to "a mass polio epidemic" contracted from Lou Gehrig. The former Yankee first baseman and his roommate, Bill Dickey, file suit and the newspaper retracts the story (9/26/40) and apologizes.

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Aug 24

In the Tigers 12-1 victory at Fenway Park, Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams pitches the last two innings against Detroit allowing one run on three hits.

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Sep 08

Johnny Mize hits homers #'s 38, 39 and 40 in the first game of a doubleheader becoming the first player to hit three homers in one game four times in his career. Despite the 'Big Cat's' heroics, the Cardinals drop a pair to the Pirates, 16-14 and 9-4.

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Sep 15

Chicago Tribune sponsors Ted Lyons Day (White Sox pitcher).

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Sep 24

At Shibe Park, Red Sox Jimmie Foxx blasts his 500th career HR against A's pitcher George Caster. It was one of four HRs hit in the inning setting an AL mark.

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Sep 27

Floyd Giebells, first game, 2-0 pennant clinching beating Bob Feller.

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Oct 08

After winning their second NL pennant in a row, the Cincinnati Reds grab the World Championship, defeating the Detroit Tigers, four games to three.

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Oct 24

Japan eliminates US terms (strike, play ball) from baseball.

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Nov 12

Unwilling to yield to the players' demands during the season, Alva Bradley finally fires Indian manager Oscar Vitt and replaces him with Roger Peckinpaugh. It is Peckinpaugh's second time as Cleveland's field boss.

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Dec 20

A's manager Connie Mack, for a reported $42,000, buys a controlling interest in the club from the Shibe family.

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Dec 24

The Senators trade Ben Chapman to Cleveland for pitcher Joe Krakauskas.

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1941

Mar 08

'Losing Pitcher' Hugh Mulcahy of the Phillies becomes the first major league player to be drafted into the Armed Forces. The newest member of the 101st Artillery at Cape Cod's Camp Edwards on had lost 22 games last season and 20 in 1938 to lead the National League in defeats both years.

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Mar 10

The Brooklyn Dodgers announced that their players would wear batting helmets during the 1941 baseball season. General Manager Larry MacPhail (he started the Dodger dynasty in the thirties) predicted that all baseball players would soon be wearing the new devices. He was right.

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Mar 10

Larry MacPhail, Dodger GM predicts all players will wear batting helmets.

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Mar 19

Recently released Cardinal Paul Dean signs with the Giants and goes 4-for-4, but the Giants also release him.

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Dodgers start to wear liners in their caps.

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Apr 26

Wrigley Field becomes the first ballpark to employ an organ to entertain fans. Roy Nelson's pregame serenade doesn't help the Cubs as they fall to Max Lanier and the Cardinals, 4-2.

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Apr 29

The Boston Bees agreed to rename the National League team the Braves, the name they used prior to 1935.

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May 02

Ted Williams lowest average (.308) in the year he hit over .400.

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May 07

Pirate outfielder Lloyd Waner, known as Little Poison, is traded to the Braves for pitcher Nick Strincevich.

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May 12

After five years of being called the Bees, the National League franchise in Boston is once again known as the Braves.

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May 15

Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak begins with a single off Edgar Smith in a 13-1 loss vs. Chicago at Yankee Stadium.

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May 17

Pennsylvania declares legal holiday to honor A's manager Connie Mack.

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White Sox Taft Wright sets American League record of RBIs in 13 consecutive games.

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'Big Poison' Paul Waner is signed by the Braves after being released by Brooklyn. The former Dodger joins his brother 'Little Poison' Lloyd on the Boston roster.

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May 25

Ted Williams raises his batting average over .400 for first time in 1941.

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May 28

First night game at Washington DC, Griffith Stadium (Yankees 6, Senators 5).

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Jun 01

Mel Ott's 400th HR and his 1500th career run helps to beat the Reds, 3-2.

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Jun 02

Upon their arrival in Detroit the Yankees learn the sad news that Lou Gehrig has died of ALS in his Riverside home. It was on this day exactly 16 years ago he broke into the Bronx Bombers' starting line-up.

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Jun 06

The New York Giants become the first team to wear protective headgear as they don plastic helmets in a game against the Pirates.

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Jun 12

The Braves break up the Waners' brother act sending Lloyd to the Reds for pitcher Johnny Hutchings; �Big Poison� Paul will stay in Boston.

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Jun 19

Joe DiMaggio goes 3-for-3 against the White Sox to extend his consecutive game hit streak to 32.

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Jun 21

Lefty Grove's Fenway consecutive win streak, which started on May 3, 1938, ends at 20 games with a 13-9 loss to the St. Louis Browns.

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Jun 25

Breaking the record set by Wee Willie Keeler in 1897, Joe DiMaggio runs his hitting streak to 45 consecutive games, with a home run off of Red Sox hurler Heber Newsome.

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Jun 29

Joe DiMaggio gets a base hit in his 42nd consecutive game. DiMaggio passed George Sisler�s record for consecutive games with base hits (set in 1922).

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Jul 01

In a rain shorten nightcap against the Red Sox, Joe DiMaggio ties Wee Willie Keeler's 1897's major league record consecutive game hit streak of 44 with the help of a difficult decision by the official scorer. Red Sox third baseman Jim Tabor makes a poor throw, but Joltin' Joe is given a hit by New York World Telegram's Dan Daniel.

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Jul 02

On sweltering day in front of 52,832 fans at Yankee Stadium, Joe DiMaggio breaks Wee Willie Keeler's 1897's major league record consecutive game hit streak of 45 with a three-run homer off Red Sox hurler Dick Newsome.

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A center field monument dedicated to Lou Gehrig is unveiled by the Yankees; the memorial is a tribute by his teammates of their beloved captain who died last month of ALS.

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Pittsburgh's Arky Vaughan becomes the first player to hit two home runs in an All-Star Game.

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In the 9th All-Star game, with a dramatic two-out, bottom of the ninth inning, three-run home run by Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams, the AL All-stars beat the National League at Briggs Stadium in Detroit, 7-5.

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Jul 16

Joe Dimaggio goes 3 for 4, hitting in his 56th straight game.

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Jul 17

Thanks to the outstanding defefensive work of Indian third baseman Ken Keltner, Yankee Clipper Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak ends at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland in front of 67,000 fans. DiMaggio then hits in the next 16 straight games to give him hits in 72 of 73 games.

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Jul 20

Yanks beat Tigers 12-6 in 17.

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Jul 22

Dick Wakefield becomes baseball's first 'bonus baby' when he signs with the Tigers for $52,000 and a new car. The University of Michigan standout will hit .143 in seven at-bat this season.

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Jul 25

In his third try, 41-year old Lefty Grove joins Cy Young, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Grover Cleveland Alexander, and Eddie Plank to achieve 300 career wins. The Red Sox lefthander gives up 12 hits beating the Indians, 10-6.

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Aug 01

Yankee Lefty Gomez breaks the major league mark for walks in a shutout by issuing 11 walks in a 9-0 victory over the Browns.

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Aug 04

At Ebbets Field, Dodger backstop Mickey Owens becomes the first catcher to handle three foul pop ups in one inning.

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Aug 06

Tiger pitcher Al Benton becomes the only major leaguer to have two sacrifice bunts in one inning as 17 batters come to bat in the third frame of a 11-2 rout of the Indians.

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Aug 08

Les Brown and His Band of Renown paid tribute to baseball�s �Yankee Clipper�, Joe DiMaggio of the NY Yankees, with the recording of Joltin� Joe DiMaggio on Okeh Records. From that time on, DiMaggio adopted the nickname, Joltin� Joe.

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Aug 15

In spite of leading 6-3, the Senators forfeited the game to the Red Sox because the league ruled the home ground crew deliberately refused to cover the field when it started to rain.

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Aug 18

Phillies commit 8 errors in a game.

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Aug 24

A rag tag group of five musicians, dubbed the Dodger SymPhony, by announcer Red Barber, make their Ebbets Field's debut. This band, none of which could read music, perform their zany antics at all evening and weekend games.

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Aug 27

Beating the Braves 6-4, Charlie Root, best known for giving up Babe Ruth's 'called' home run, becomes the first pitcher to win 200 games in a Cub uniform.

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Aug 30

St Louis Card Lon Warneke no-hits Cin Reds, 2-0.

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Sep 03

Yankees clinch the American League flag (third straight) on the earliest date in major league history as the Bronx Bombers beat the Red Sox, 6-3.

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Sep 04

The NY Yankees won their 12th American League baseball pennant. This was the earliest any American League team had clinched the title.

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Sep 04

Ken (Kenneth Smith) Harrelson �Hawk�: baseball: KC Athletics, Washington Senators, Boston Red Sox [World Series: 1967/all-star: 1968], Cleveland Indians; baseball broadcaster: WSBK-TV, Boston; GM: Chicago White Sox, is born.

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Sep 17

In front of only 3,585 fans in St. Louis, twenty-year old Stan Musial makes his major league debut against the Braves going 2-for-4 with 2 RBIs.

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Sep 25

With a 6-0 win over the Braves combined with a Cardinal defeat, the Dodgers win their first pennant in 21 years.

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Sep 28

On the final day of the season, Ted Williams collects 6 hits in 8 ABs to finish the season with a .406 BA; this is the last time a MLer has batted .400 for the season.

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Sep 28

Phillies lose club record 111th game.

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NY Yankees beat Dodgers 4 games to 1, in 38th World Series.

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Nov 25

With only three years of major league experience, Lou Boudreau is named as the Indian player-manager. At the age of 24 years, four months, and eight days, the Cleveland shortstop becomes the youngest skipper to pilot a team this century.

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Dec 02

Bill Terry is replaced by Mel Ott as the manager of the Giants. The former skipper will now direct NY's farm system.

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Dec 08

Yesterday's bombing of Pearl Harbor and America's sudden involvement in the war, changes the owners' plan at the American League meeting of shifting the Browns from St. Louis to Los Angeles.

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Dec 08

The Chicago Cubs donate their recently purchased lighting materials to the War Department in wake of Pearl Harbor bombing.

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Dec 09

Two days after the Japanese attack Pearl Harbor, Bob Feller of the Cleveland Indians, last year's AL leading pitcher with 27 victories, becomes the first major leaguer to enlist.

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Dec 11

The Giants trade hurler Bill Lohrman, catcher James O'Dea, first baseman Johnny McCarthy and $50,000 to the Cardinals to obtain first baseman Johnny Mize.

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Dec 12

The Dodgers obtain Arky Vaughn from the Pirates for Luke Hamlin, Jimmy Wasdell and Babe Phelps.

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Dec 13

The Dodgers obtain Arky Vaughn from the Pirates for Luke Hamlin, Jimmy Wasdell and Babe Phelps.

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Dec 27

Braves' mascot Chief Nokahoma is born.

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Dec 28

Braves' mascot Chief Nokahoma is born.

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1942

Jan 04

With 78 percent of the vote, Rogers Hornsby becomes the 14th player selected to the Hall of Fame. Frank Chance (58%) and Rube Waddell (54%) are not elected this year.

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Jan 06

Indian Bob Feller reports to Norfolk to begin his World War II enlistment in the Navy.

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Jan 15

Cubs, drop plans to install lights at Wrigley due to WWII.

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Feb 03

Owners agree to permit each team to have as many as 14 night games this up-coming season.

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Feb 05

The Yankees trade Tommie Holmes to the Braves for Gene Moore and Buddy Hassett. Holmes will play ten seasons hitting over .300 for Boston and will set a NL record with a 37 consecutive game hitting streak until it is broken by Pete Rose in 1978.

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Feb 07

The Reds trade catcher Ernie Lombardi to the Boston Braves for cash.

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Feb 09

One of the all-time great moves in sports took place on this winter day. The Philadelphia National League baseball team decided to change its nickname from the Phillies to the Phils. The name, the Phillies, had been in use since the 1880s. We know the team as both the Phillies and the Phils.

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Feb 19

Unable to find relief from migraine headaches, Indian first baseman Hal Trosky retires from baseball.

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Feb 19

The New York Yankees announces that they would admit 5,000 uniformed servicemen free to each of their home ball games during the coming season.

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Mar 01

Baseball decides that players in military can't play when on furlough.

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Mar 18

Manager Jimmy Dykes allows two blacks, Jackie Robinson and Nate Moreland, to work out in the White Sox Pasadena training camp, but dismisses both players.

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Apr 18

Due to the fear of a Japanese attack, west coast military leaders ask the Pacific Coast League to limit crowds to 3,000 fans.

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First twilight game in 24 years, the Dodgers top Giants 7-6 raising $60,000 for Navy Relief Fund

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May 13

Braves' pitcher Jim Tobin, enroute to a 6-5 victory over the Cubs, becomes the first hurler to hit three HRs in one game. The only out he makes is a fly ball which is caught against the right field fence.

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New York ends night baseball games for the rest of World War II.

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May 19

Atlanta Braves' Paul Waner is 3rd National Leaguer to get 3,000 hits (Anson & Wagner).

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May 22

Ted Williams is sworn into the US Navy, but will remain with the Red Sox until he is called for active duty.

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May 30

Satchel Paige pitches 5 innings to defeat Dizzy Dean All-Stars 8-1.

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Clyde Vollmer of the St. Louis Cardinals hits a home run in his first major league at bat on the first pitch (second game).

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Jun 19

Boston Brave Paul Waner singles off Pirate Rip Sewell to collect 3000 hits becoming the seventh major leaguer to accomplish this feat and the first to do it since 1925.

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Powered by first-inning home runs by Indian Lou Boudreau and Tiger Rudy York, the AL All-Stars defeats the NL at the Polo Grounds, 3-1. The game also features the first and only starting sibling battery in all-star history as losing pitcher Mort Cooper throws to backstop Walker Cooper, his brother.

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Aug 04

In a military relief game at the Polo Grounds, Pee Wee Reese's grand slam in the top of ninth, which puts the Dodgers up 5-1, doesn't count because of the 9:10 pm government curfew. The game ends up as a 1-1 tie with the Giants and, the contest will be the last war-time twilight game played.

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Sep 11

Paul Gillespie of the Chicago Cubs hits a home run in his first major league at bat.

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Cubs shortstop Leonard Merullo makes 4 errors in 1 inning.

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Sep 14

Yanks clinch pennant #13.

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Sep 27

St Louis Cards win NL pennant on last day of the season.

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Oct 05

Behind the outstanding pitching of rookie Johnny Beazley, the Cardinals stun the baseball world by beating the Yankees, 2-1 to win the World Series in five games.

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Oct 29

Branch Rickey named president/GM of Brooklyn Dodgers.

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1943

Jan 01

Josh Gibson suffers a mental breakdown and is hospitalized. The black 'Babe Ruth' will be released in time for spring training in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

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Jan 05

Teams agrees to start season later due to WWII.

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The Boston Braves buy Lefty Gomez from the Yankees. He will be released before playing a game and will sign with the Senators in May.

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The Reds trade pitcher Paul Derringer to the Cubs for cash.

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Feb 02

Cubs return to original uniform after experimenting with a vest.

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Feb 09

NL seeks buyer for Phillies, as owner Gerry Nugent, falls in arrears.

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Feb 17

Giving no notice to the Yankees, Joe DiMaggio enlists in the army.

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Feb 18

William D. Cox, a New York lumberman, buys the Phillies.

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Feb 24

The Texas League announces it will cease operations for the duration of the war.

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Mar 09

The Dodgers trade first baseman Babe Dahlgren to the Phillies for outfielder Lloyd Waner and infielder Al Glossop.

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Mar 13

Baseball approves official ball (with cork & balata).

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Mar 18

Due to wartime travel restrictions, spring training camps begin opening in northern locations. Some of the locales include Bear Mountain, NY (Dodgers), French Lick Springs, IN (Cubs and White Sox), Ashbury Park, NJ (Yankees), Medford, MA (Red Sox) and Wallingford, CT (Braves).

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Mar 20

Longtime favorite A's outfielder, Bob Johnson is traded to the Senators for Bob Estalella and Jimmy Pofahl.

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Atlanta Braves manager Casey Stengel is struck by a taxi, fractures a leg.

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The Browns win their seventh consecutive Opening Day game in front of a reduced crowd of 4000 due to war-time travel restrictions.

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Apr 25

Rufus Gentry, playing for Buffalo in the International Baseball League, tied a record originally set in 1916 by winning an 11-inning, no-hitter. Buffalo defeated Newark 1-0.

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May 04

National League's Ford Frick demonstrates revised balata ball to reporters by bouncing it on his office carpet ball proves to be 50% livelier.

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May 09

Due to poor grade of rubber cement used to make baseballs because of wartime rubber shortages, a different type of baseball is put into play today with dramatic results. In eight games, six HRs are hit compared to a total of nine homers tallied in the season�s first 72 games.

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The White Sox defeat the Senators, 1-0, in 89 minutes making the contest the fastest nine-inning game in AL history.

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Cardinals Mort Cooper pitches first of back-to-back one-hitters.

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Jun 04

St Louis Card Mort Cooper pitches his 2nd consecutive 1 hitter.

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Jun 17

Red Sox player-manger Joe Cronin pinch-hit homers in both ends of a doubleheader against the Philadelphia A's.

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Jul 02

Indians score 12 runs in 4th inning & beat Yankees 12-0.

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An Armed Forces All-Star team managed by Babe Ruth and featuring Joe DiMaggio and Ted Williams play a fund-raising game against the Braves in Boston. The All Stars win on a Splendid Splinter's' home run, 9-8.

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Jul 13

Thanks to a three-run HR by Red Sox Bobby Doerr, the American League defeats the National League in the first night All Star game, 5-4. Pirate Vince DiMaggio shines for the Senior Circuit hitting a single, triple and home run.

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Aug 07

The Giants leave eighteen runners on base, exactly two each inning in a 9-6 loss to the Phillies.

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Sep 05

The youngest player to appear in an American League game was pitcher Carl Scheib of the Philadelphia Athletics.

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Sep 06

The youngest player to appear in an American League game was pitcher Carl Scheib of the Philadelphia Athletics.

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Sep 08

Buddy Kerr of the New York Giants hits a home run in his first major league at bat.

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Sep 08

New York Giants player Ace Adams pitched his 62nd game, and set a major-league baseball record for number of games worked by a pitcher in a single season.

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Sep 14

Yanks clinch pennant #14.

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Oct 11

NY Yankees beat Cards 4 games to 1, in 40th World Series, 10th WS win NY Yankees become first team to win 10 World Series.

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Oct 19

Yankee 2nd baseman Joe Gordon announces retirement (hates NY).

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Nov 23

Phils owner William D Cox is permanently banned from baseball for betting on his own team.

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Dec 04

Commissioner Landis announces any baseball club may sign Negroes.

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Dec 22

Manufacturers get permission to use synthetic rubber for baseball core.

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Dec 30

In a trade of the Babes in Pennslyvania, the Phillies send first baseman Babe Dahlgren (the player who replaced Lou Gehrig) to the Pirates for catcher Babe Phelps and cash.

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1944

Jan 04

Joe Dugan, an AL infielder, is slightly injured as he hit by a car crossing a street in Boston.

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Jan 08

Bill Terry announces his retirement from baseball and plans to start a cotton business.

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Casey Stengel resigned as manager of the Boston Braves, a position he had held since 1938. He became manager of the New York Yankees in 1948. Here are some famous Stengelisms: �The Yankees don�t pay me to win every day -- just two out of three.�; �The secret of managing a club is to keep the five guys who hate you away from the five guys who are undecided.�; and �You have to draft a catcher, because if you don�t have one, the ball will roll all the way back to the screen.�

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Feb 02

Baseball meets in New York NY to discuss postwar action.

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Feb 12

After managing in the minors for twenty-three years, Bob Coleman is named as manager of the Boston Braves.

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Feb 18

Fifteen year old Joe Nuxhul signs a contract with the Reds just one day after playing a high school basketball game.

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Feb 29

Deemed too tall for service, 6-foot 6-inch Dodger first baseman Howie Schultz is rejected for military duty for the second time.

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Mar 08

The Tigers ask 6-foot-6 inch Ralph Stewart to attend spring training camp.

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Mar 29

During Pacific Coast League exhibition game, Oakland lends Los Angeles players after five teammates suffer an assortment of injuries in a car accident. LA beats Oakland, 6-2.

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Apr 04

Because he refused to pay his own expenses for road trips, Rogers Hornsby quit as the manager of the Vera Cruz, Mexico baseball club.

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Mel Ott hits the first NL HR of the season, the 464th of his career, helping the Giants defeat Braves, 2-1.

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After hitting just one home run in 297 games, Browns' outfielder Mike Kreevich hits two round-trippers to beat the White Sox, 5-3.

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Apr 23

Hack Wilson of the Detroit Tigers hits a home run in his first major league at bat (second game).

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Apr 27

In Boston, Jim Tobin not only tosses a no-hitter to defeat the Dodgers, 2-0, the Braves' hurler also hits a HR.

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In the first game of a doubleheader split, first baseman Phil Weintraub gets 11 RBIs and player-manager Mel Ott scores 6 runs drawing 5 walks as the Giants rout the Dodgers, 26-8. Brooklyn wins the nightcap 5-4 in a game shorten due to darkness.

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May 09

Joe McCarthy returns as Yankee manager after an illness.

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May 15

In his first start of the season in front of 1,014 fans at Crosley Field, Reds' hurler Clyde Shoun no-hits the Braves, 1-0. Chuck Aleno's only home run of the 1944 season accounts for the run.

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May 19

Garey Ingram of the Los Angeles Dodgers hits a home run in his first major league at bat.

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May 23

Polo Grounds host first NYC night game since 1941.

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Jun 07

Future Tiger Hall of Famer Hal Newhouser walks nine in six innings helping the White Sox to beat Detroit, 3-1.

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Jun 10

Pitcher Joe Nuxhall of the Cincinnati Reds hurled his first major-league game. Nuxhall, the youngest pitcher in major-league baseball, was only 15 years, 10 months and 11 days old when he pitched that game against the St. Louis Cardinals.

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Jun 22

Longest shut out in Phillies history, Phils beat Braves 1-0 in 15 inn Boston Brave Jim Tobin 2nd no-hitter of yr beats Phils, 7-0 in 5 inn.

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Jun 26

At the Polo Grounds with over 50,000 fans looking on, the three NY major league teams played against each other in a six inning three-team game (a team played consective innings against the other two teams then sat out an inning). The contest, which was played to raise money for war bonds ended with the final score of Dodgers 5, Yankees 1, Giants 0.

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Jul 03

Oriole Park (minor league baseball stadium) burns down in Baltimore.

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Lieutenant Jackie Robinson of the U.S. Army, while riding a civilian bus from Camp Hoo, Texas, refuses to give up his seat to a white man.

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Jul 11

At Forbes Field, Phil Cavaretta sets an All-Star game record by reaching base five consecutive times. The Cub first baseman's triple, single and three walks helps the National League beat the junior circuit, 7-4.

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Jul 20

The Browns' Nels Potter, banned for ten days, is the first pitcher ever to be suspended for throwing a spitball.

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Jul 23

Cub Bill Nicholson hits four HRs in a doubleheader including three consecutive shots in the second game. Cubs win the first game, 7-4, but the Giants prevail in the nightcap,12-10.

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Aug 10

Braves' hurler Charles 'Red' Barrett throws only 58 pitches in beating the Reds, 2-0.

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Yanks Johnny Lindell ties record with 4 consecutive doubles in a game.

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St Louis Browns win their only AL pennant.

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Oct 04

The St Louis World Series-Cards vs Browns St Louis Browns win first World Series game in their only appearance (World Series #41).

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Oct 09

St Louis Cards beat St Louis Browns, 4 games to 2 in 41st World Series.

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Nov 27

Casey Stengel, manager of the Boston Braves since 1938, resigns Lou Perini, Guido Rugo, & Joseph Maney buy control of Boston Braves.

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Nov 28

Hal Newhouser (29-9, 2.22,187) edges his Tiger teammate Dizzy Trout (27-14, 2.12, 144) by four votes and is named the AL's MVP; the future hall of Hall of Famer had only won 34 games in the last four years.

Ref: 1

Dec 14

Major-league baseball representatives, who were meeting in New York City, decided to allow ball clubs to play night games any day except Sundays and holidays, providing the visiting team agreed. They also agreed to prohibit the scheduling of any football games before the home team�s baseball season ended.

Ref: 4

Dec 21

Cardinals' Marty Marion wins National League MVP.

Ref: 5

Dec 28

Former Senator third baseman Buddy Lewis wins the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in the Burma War Theater.

Ref: 1

1945

Jan 07

Cuban Almendares outfielder Roberto Ortiz violently attacks homeplate umpire Bernardino Rodriguez and knocks him unconscious

Ref: 1

Jan 10

Baseball writers do not elect a new HOFer this year; Frank Chance, Rube Waddell and Ed Walsh get the most votes but fall short of the necessary three-forths of the ballots.

Ref: 1

Dan Topping, Del Webb and Larry MacPhail purchase the Yankees for $2,800,000 from the estate of the late Col. Jacob Ruppert. MacPhail replaces Ed Barrow as President and General Manager.

Ref: 86

Feb 14

After forty-five years in professional baseball, Braves president Bob Quinn retires as the team's general manager. John, his son, will take his place.

Ref: 1

Mar 15

World War II vet Bert Shepard tries out for the Senators as a pitcher despite losing a leg in the war.

Ref: 1

Mar 15

Dodgers open spring training at Bear Mountain NY.

Ref: 5

Mar 25

Tryouts are granted to pitcher Terris McDuffie and first baseman Dave Thomas when a group of blacks appear at the Dodger offices in Brooklyn. The two players will work out at Ebbets Field in front of Branch Rickey on April 7.

Ref: 1

Apr 18

In a 7-1 victory over the Tigers, the Browns' Pete Gray, an one-arm outfielder, makes his major league debut with one hit in four at-bats.

Ref: 1

Albert B "Happy" Chandler is named 2nd baseball commissioner.

Ref: 5

May 07

Baseball owner Branch Rickey announced the organization of the United States Negro Baseball League, consisting of six teams.

Ref: 4

May 09

New balata ball used in baseball, 50% livilier.

Ref: 5

May 17

Every game on the American League schedule is rained out for the fourth consecutive day.

Ref: 1

Tigers & A's both have 7 straight games postponed due to rain.

Ref: 5

Pete Gray leads the St. Louis Browns to a doubleheader sweep of the Yankees scoring the winning run in the nightcap and three hits in the opener. In the twin bill, the one-armed outfielder makes ten put-outs in the field.

Ref: 1

May 23

The Cardinals trade three time 20-game winner Mort Cooper to the Braves for pitcher Red Barrett. Cooper was dissatisfied with his salary in St. Louis and had threaten to leave.

Ref: 1

Jul 01

Away from the game for four years, Hank Greenberg makes a dramatic return in front of an emotional crowd of 47,700 at Briggs Stadium as he homers in his first game following being released from the Armed Forces. 'Hammerin Hank's round-tripper helps the first-place Tiger beat the A's, 9-5.

Ref: 1

Jul 05

Whitey Lockman of the New York Giants hits a home run in his first major league at bat.

Ref: 12

Tommy Holmes hits safely in his 34th consecutive game surpassing Rogers Hornsby's modern NL record of 33 (Keeler had 44 pre-1900) established in 1922.

Ref: 1

Wash Senator Rick Ferrell catches a record 1,722 games

Ref: 5

Braves' outfielder Tommy Holmes goes hitless ending his consecutive-game hitting streak at 37 which sets a National League record. The mark will stand until Pete Rose surpasses it in 1978.

Ref: 1

Jul 21

Detroit Tigers & Phila A's play 24 inning 1-1 tie.

Ref: 5

Aug 01

At the Polo Grounds, Mel Ott hits his historic 500th career HR off of Boston Brave hurler Johnny Hutchings during a 9-2 Giant victory. Master Melvin is the third major leaguer to accomplish this career milestone.

Ref: 1

Aug 04

Red Sox Tom McBride is 3rd to get 6 RBIs in an inning (4th).

Ref: 5

Dodger Tommy Brown becomes the youngest player (17 years, 8 months. and 14 days) in major league history to hit a HR. 'Buckshot', who started his career as a 16 year-old high school student, connects off of Pirate hurler Preacher Roe.

Ref: 1

Aug 28

Baseball commissioner Branch Rickey and future baseball great Jackie Robinson met. They discussed the difficulties Robinson, a black athlete, would face in major league baseball. Robinson received $600 a month and a $3,500 signing bonus to play for Montreal of the International League. He would quickly move up and enjoy a brilliant career with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Ref: 4

Sep 01

Phillie outfielder Vince DiMaggio ties a major league record hitting his fourth grand slam of the season.

Ref: 1

Sep 09

Jimmie Foxx hits his 534th & final HR.

Ref: 5

Sep 09

In the second game of the a doubleheader, Philadelphia A's Dick Fowler tosses a 1-0 no-hitter against the Browns.

Ref: 1

Iran demands the withdrawal of Allied forces.

Ref: 2

Sep 22

Stan Musial gets 5 hits off 5 pitchers on 5 consecutive pitches.

Ref: 5

Sep 30

Hank Greenberg hits a pennant winning grand slam on final day of the season. The Tiger left fielder's ninth-inning bases-full homer beats the Browns,6-3, clinching the AL flag for Detroit over the second-place Senators.

Ref: 1

William Sianis was nicknamed "Billy Goat" because he wore a goatee and pigtail and liked to bring his pet goat to sporting events, including Cubs games. He purchases two box seats to Game 4 of the 1945 World Series between the Cubs and Tigers, one for him, one for his goat. When they get to the gate, they are denied entry. Sianis whips off a telegram to the Cubs' owners, the Wrigley family, vowing the Cubs would lose the World Series and never get in another. The Tigers, trailing 2 games to 1 in the series, come back to win in seven games. (USA Today, p 2C, 10/16/2003)

Ref: 13

Oct 08

Stan Hack reaches safely in six of seven plate appearances and drives in winning run in 12th inning as the Chicago Cubs beat the Detroit Tigers 8-7 to force World Series Game 7, which the team loses two days later, 9-3.

Ref: 86

Oct 10

Detroit Tigers beat Chicago Cubs, 4 games to 3 in 42nd World Series.

Ref: 5

Oct 23

Dodger President, Branch Rickey, announces that Jackie Robinson has signed to play with Brooklyn's Triple A team in Montreal. The 26-year old Negro League star will be the first black player to play in organized baseball since 1884.

Ref: 1

1946

Jan 02

The Senators sell pitcher Alex Carrasquel and shortstop Fred Vaughn to the White Sox.

Ref: 1

Jan 03

The Tigers trade Eddie Lake (.254, 8, 31) to the Red Sox for Rudy York (.276, 17, 119).

Ref: 1

Jan 05

The Giants buy catcher Walker Cooper from the Cardinals for $175,000. It is the largest amount ever paid for a single player.

Ref: 1

The NY Yankees announced that they were to be the first major-league baseball team to travel by airplane during the entire 1946 season.

Ref: 4

Feb 10

1st black pro-baseball player Jackie Robinson marries Rachel Isum.

Ref: 5

Feb 15

Edith Houghton, age 33, was signed as a baseball scout by the Philadelphia Phillies; the first female scout in the major leagues.

Ref: 4

Feb 15

Hank Greenberg signs a Tiger contract for $60,000; three days later he will marry New York department store heiress, Coral Gimbel.

Ref: 1

Feb 19

Giants outfielder Danny Gardella is first major leaguer to announce he is jumping to the "outlaw" Mexican League.

Ref: 5

Feb 26

Bucky Harris is signed by the Phillies to manage the club. Philadelphia is the fourth team the future Hall of Famer (1975) has piloted.

Ref: 1

Mar 09

Ted Williams is offered $500,000 to play in Mexican League, he refuses.

Ref: 5

Apr 13

Eddie Klepp, a white pitcher signed by defending Negro League champion Cleveland Buckeyes, is barred from field in Birmingham AL.

Ref: 5

On Opening Day at the Polo Grounds, Mel Ott goes deep for the final time of his career. The Giants' legend hits his 511 career home run off Philadelphia A's left-hander Oscar Judd.

Ref: 1

Yankees switch from 3rd base to 1st base dug out.

Ref: 5

The Cubs are shut out by Cardinal southpaw Harry Brecheen in their home opener at Wrigley Field, 2-0. The game is the first in the club's history be televised as 'Whispering' Joe Wilson does the play-by-play for WBKB.

Ref: 1

Cleveland's Frank Hayes plays the last of his 1,312th consecutive games as a catcher. The streak started as a player with the Browns on October 12, 1943.

Ref: 1

Apr 22

Eddie Pellagrini of the Boston Red Sox hits a home run in his first major league at bat.

Ref: 12

Apr 23

Brooklyn Dodger Ed Head no-hits Boston Braves, 5-0.

Ref: 5

11 players Tinker, Evers, Chance, Burkett, McCarthy, Waddell, Plank, Walsh, Chesbro, Griffith, & McGinnity are named to Hall of Fame.

Ref: 5

Apr 26

Giant pitchers Harry Feldman and Ace Adams defect to the Mexican League.

Ref: 1

Striking out 11 batters, Indian hurler Bob Feller's throws his second career no-hitter edging the Yankees, 1-0; Frankie Hayes' 9th inning HR proves to be the difference.

Ref: 1

May 04

Washington Senator's Cecil Travis gets 6 straight hits before being stopped.

Ref: 5

May 06

The New York Yankees announced that they were to be the first major-league baseball team to travel by airplane during the entire 1946 season.

Ref: 4

Red Sox Johnny Pesky scores 6 runs in 1 game

Ref: 2

May 10

Red Sox win 15th straight beat Yankees 5-4, DiMaggio hits Grand Slam.

Ref: 2

May 11

First night game at Boston Braves Field (Giants 5, Braves 1).

Ref: 5

Cubs Claude Passeau makes his first error since September 21, 1941, ending pitcher's fielding record of 273 consecutive errorless chances.

Ref: 5

May 22

Yankees turn triple-play & defeat Tigers' 5-3.

Ref: 5

Bill Dickey replaces Joe McCarthy as Yankee manager.

Ref: 5

May 26

2-for-42 & hitting .048 for 1946, Mel Ott stops playing baseball.

Ref: 5

May 28

The first night game is played at Yankee Stadium and the Yankees suffer a 2-1 loss vs. Washington before 49,917 fans.

Ref: 86

May 30

Braves Bernard Malamud homerun shatters Bulova clock in Ebbets Field.

Ref: 5

Jun 09

NY Giant Mel Ott becomes the first manager to be ejected from both games of a doubleheader.

Ref: 5

Jun 09

66,545 fans help Yanks break million attendance mark, the earliest.

Ref: 5

Jun 23

The Cubs lose to the Giants, 15-10 despite back-to-back inside-the-park home runs by Eddie Waitkus and Marv Rickert.

Ref: 1

Jun 26

After batting only .048 (2 for 48), Mel Ott decides to stop playing and only manage the Giants.

Ref: 1

Jul 09

At Boston's Fenway Park, hometown favorite Ted Williams hits two homers, two singles and has five RBIs in the most one-sided game in All-Star history as the American League soundly defeats the National League , 12-0.

Ref: 1

Vance Dinges hits the only Phillie pinch hit inside-the-park HR.

Ref: 5

Jul 14

Despite a home run and four doubles by Lou Boudreau, the Indians still lose to the Red Sox 11-10 thanks to Ted Williams' three homers and eight RBIs. During the second game of the twin bill, player-manager Boudreau will become the first skipper to employ the 'Williams' Shift' which puts four infielders and two outfielders on the right side of the field. Laughing at the unusual alignment, the 'Splendid Splinter' doubles in his first at-bat against the new defense.

Ref: 1

Jul 27

Rudy York hits two grand slam home runs in the same game. (2003 Sports Illustrated Almanac, ISBN 1-929049-55-2)

Aug 09

First time all major-league baseball games (8) are played at night.

Ref: 5

Aug 11

Sweeping a doubleheader, the Phillies end the Dodgers' 18-game winning streak in Philadelphia, a major league record. The Dodgers hadn't lost in the City of Brotherly Love since May 5,1945.

Ref: 1

Prior to the start of the game against the Senators in Washington, using the US Army's Sky Screen Chronograph, Bob Feller's fastball is clocked at 98.6 miles-per-hour breaking Richard Donald's speed record of 94 mph.

Ref: 1

Sep 02

Johnny Neun replaces Bill Dickey as Yankee manager.

Ref: 5

Sep 05

Joe Garagiola plays his first major league baseball game.

Ref: 5

Sep 15

During the fifth inning of the second game of doubleheader, a giant swarm of gnats engulfs Ebbets Field causing the game to be postponed.

Ref: 1

Sep 27

In Detroit's Briggs Stadium, Indian fireballer Bob Feller ties Rube Wadell's strikeout mark with his 343rd K of the season. Future research, however, will show Rube Waddell had struck out 349 in 1904.

Ref: 1

Sep 29

On the last day of the campaign, by striking out opposing pitcher Hal Newhouser and four others, Bob Feller establishes a major league record striking out his 348 batters in one season. Future research, however, will show Rube Waddell had struck out 349 in 1904.

Ref: 1

Sep 29

First time NL pennant ends in a tie (Cards & Dodgers).

Ref: 5

The first baseball play-off game for a league championship featured the St. Louis Cardinals beating the Brooklyn Dodgers, 4-2. St. Louis wins 2 games to 0.

Ref: 4

Bob Feller 348th strikeout of the season.

Ref: 5

Oct 15

In Game 7, the Cards beat the Red Sox, 4-3 as Enos Slaughter streaked home from first on Harry Walker's single, surprising everyone including cut-off man shortstop Johnny Pesky who hesitated, as legend has it, throwing the ball home.

Ref: 1

Dec 06

Except for choosing the pitchers, major league baseball agrees to return the selection of the All-Star teams back to the fans.

Ref: 1

1947

Jan 11

Baseball great Honus Wagner signed his 36th professional contract by agreeing to coach the Pittsburgh Pirates. His claim to the Baseball Hall of Fame was a .329 21-year career batting average. He also wore the title of �The Flying Dutchman�, earned by stealing bases.

Ref: 4

Jan 18

Due to a misunderstanding of the Tigers' owner, who believed Hank Greenberg had posed in a Yankee jersey, the 1946 American League home run leader (44) is sold to the Pirates. In Pittsburgh, Hammerin' Hank will join the National League home run leader, Ralph Kiner (23).

Ref: 1

Five players in the Class D Evangeline League who allegedly bet on the 1946 playoffs are made ineligible. Included in this group, and later reinstated, is the all-time minor league winningest pitcher, Bill Thomas (383 wins).

Ref: 1

Mar 08

In Havana's new stadium delCerro, the Dodgers beat the Yankees, 1-0 on Snuffy Stirnweiss's tenth inning single which is the Bronx Bombers only hit.

Ref: 1

Mar 24

During a four-hour hearing with Commissioner Chandler at the Sarasota Terrace Hotel, Leo Durocher admits to playing occassional card games for money with Kirby Higbe.

Ref: 1

Apr 09

Dodger skipper Leo Durocher is suspended for one year by commissioner Happy Chandler for an assortment of actions deemed detrimental to baseball.

Ref: 1

Apr 09

Branch Rickey of the Brooklyn Dodgers announced the purchase of the baseball contract that would bring slugger Jackie Roosevelt Robinson to the Dodgers from Montreal.

Ref: 4

Apr 10

During the sixth inning of an exhibition game at Ebbet's Field against their minor league team, the Montreal Royals, Dodger president Branch Rickey issues a two sentence statement to the press which will forever change the game; it reads "The Brooklyn Dodgers today purchased the contract of Jackie Roosevelt Robinson from the Montreal Royals. He will report immediately."

Ref: 1

Apr 11

Jackie Robinson became the first black player in major-league history when he played in an exhibition game for the Brooklyn Dodgers.

Ref: 4

Apr 15

In his National League debut, Hank Greenberg has the lone RBI in the Pirate's 1-0 win over the Cubs.

Ref: 1

Apr 15

Jackie Robinson played his first major-league baseball game (he had played exhibition games previously) for the Brooklyn Dodgers. He went 0-for-4 against Boston. Robinson did get on base due to an error and scored the winning run in a 5-3 win for the Dodgers.

Ref: 4

Apr 17

Jackie Robinson bunts for his first major league hit.

Ref: 2

Giants' Johnny Mize homers thee times against Johnny Sain and the Braves becoming the first major leaguer to hit three home runs in one game five different times.

Ref: 1

Apr 27

A crowd of 58,000, attending Babe Ruth Day at Yankee Stadium to honor the ailing legend, is treated to a pitching duel as the Senator hurler Sid Hudson edges Spud Chandler, 1-0.

Ref: 1

May 01

Cleveland Indians abandon League Park to play all games at Municipal Stadium.

Ref: 5

A movement among Card players to protest its first meeting with Jackie Robinson & the Dodgers is aborted by a talk from owner Sam Breadon

Ref: 2

A's catcher Warren Rosar catches his 147th game without an error.

Ref: 5

Brooklyn Dodger Jackie Robinson makes his Chicago debut before largest single-game paid attendance in Wrigley Field history (46,572), but Dodgers beat Cubs 4-2.

Ref: 86

Philadelphia A's catcher Buddy Rosar makes an error to halt his record-setting streak of 147 errorless games.

Ref: 1

Joe DiMaggio and five other Yankees are slapped with $100 fines for not fulfilling contract requirements to do promotional duties for the Bronx Bombers.

Ref: 1

Jun 13

First night game at Fenway Park (Red Sox 5, White Sox 3).

Ref: 5

Jun 15

First night game at Detroit Briggs Stadium (Tigers 4, Athletics 1).

Ref: 5

Jun 18

Cincinnati Reds' hurler Ewell Blackwell no-hits the Boston Braves, 6-0.

Ref: 1

Jun 22

After pitching a no-hitter four days ago against the Reds, Ewell Blackwell loses his chance for a second consecutive no-hitter with one out in the ninth against the Dodgers.

Ref: 1

Jun 24

In 4-2 win over Pittsburgh, Jackie Robinson steals home. It is the first of 19 times the Dodger rookie will accomplish the feat in his career.

Ref: 1

Jun 29

Yanks beat Senators 3-1 starting a 19 game win streak.

Ref: 5

Jul 03

Larry Doby becomes the first black to play in the American League when the Indians purchase him from the Newark Eagles.

Ref: 1

Jul 05

Striking out as a pinch hitter in an Indian 6-5 loss to the White Sox, Larry Doby becomes the first black to play in the AL.

Ref: 1

At Wrigley Field, the American League edges the NL, 2-1, making Frank Shea the first winning rookie pitcher in All Star history.

Ref: 1

Jul 10

Cleveland Indian Don Black no-hits Phila A's, 3-0.

Ref: 5

Jul 16

Bobo Newsom wins 200th game, first as a Yankee & Yanks 18th straight. In the nightcap Vic Rashi extends streak to 19.

Ref: 5

Jul 18

Tigers shut out Yanks 2-0, end 19 game win streak.

Ref: 5

Jul 27

Yogi Berra starts record 148 game errorless streak.

Ref: 5

Jul 30

Ewell Blackwell's 16-game winning streak ends as the Reds are defeated by the Giants in ten innings, 6-5; during the streak 'the Whip' completes every game and throws five shutouts including a no-hitter.

Ref: 1

Aug 16

At Forbes Field, the Pirates beat the Cardinals 12-7 thanks to Ralph Kiner's three consecutive home runs. The future Hall of Famer is the first Pirate to accomplish this feat.

Ref: 1

Aug 21

The first Little League World Series tourney is held at Williamsport, Pennsylvania. With a .625 team batting average, the hometown Maynard Midgets easily win the tournament, 16-7.

Ref: 1

Aug 26

Don Bankhead became the first black pitcher in major-league baseball. The Brooklyn Dodger hurler helped his own cause by slamming a home run in his first appearance at the plate but doesn't do well as a relief pitcher giving up ten hits and six runs in a 16-3 loss to the Pirates.

Ref: 12

Sep 01

NY Giants 183-185 HR of year breaks Yankee mark of 182 in 1936.

Ref: 5

Sep 03

Phila A's Bill McCahan no-hits Wash Senators, 3-0.

Ref: 5

Sep 03

At Fenway Park, Tommy Henrich and Joe DiMaggio lead the way with four hits each as the Yankees bang out a total eighteen hits, all singles, defeating the Red Sox, 11-2.

Ref: 1

Sep 12

Pirate outfielder Ralph Kiner hits a record eight HRs in four games; Tony Lazzeri had hit seven round-trippers in four games in 1936.

Ref: 1

Sep 15

Yanks clinch pennant #15.

Ref: 5

Sep 17

Jackie Robinson is the 1st player named Rookie of the Year.

Sep 26

Happy Chandler announces Ford & Gillette to sponsor World Series.

Ref: 5

Sep 30

The World Series came to television for the first time. The New York Yankees beat the Brooklyn Dodgers 5-3.

Ref: 4

Oct 02

In Game 3 of the the Fall Classic, Yogi Berra hits the first pinch-hit home run in World Series history. The Dodgers, however, rally to win the game defeating the Yankees, 9-8.

Ref: 1

Oct 03

With only 1 out to go, Yankee Floyd Beven gives up a double breaking his world series no-hit bid, it scored 2 runs & he lost the game (World Series #44).

Ref: 5

Oct 05

Al Gionfriddo, inserted in left field for defensive purposes, makes one of most historic catches in World Series history as he robs Joe DiMaggio with two men on base in the sixth; Giofriddo's heroics helped to preserve a 8-5 Dodger victory in Game 6 of the Fall Classic.

Ref: 1

NY Yankees beat Dodgers 4 games to 3, in 44th World Series.

Ref: 5

Nov 18

The Browns trade All-Star shortstop Vern Stephens and pitcher Jack Kramer to the Red Sox for six players and $310,000. The dealing will continue tomorrow as Ellis Kinder and Billy Hitchcock also go to Boston in exchange for three more St. Louis players and $65,000 making the total number of players traded 13 (4 Browns, 9 Red Sox) with $375,000 going to the cash deprived Browns.

Ref: 1

Nov 24

The Cleveland Indians renewed the managerial contract of Lou Boudreau for an additional two years.

Ref: 4

Nov 27

Triple Crown winner Ted Williams (.343, 32, 162) is edged out by the Yankee Clipper Joe DiMaggio (.315, 20, 97) for the AL MVP by one point.

Ref: 1

Dec 11

Pacific Coast League application for major league status rejected.

Ref: 5

1948

Jan 29

Commissioner Happy Chandler fines the Yankees, Cubs, & Phillies $500 each for signing high school players.

Ref: 5

Feb 24

The White Sox trade Ed Lopat to the Yankees for Aaron Robinson, Bill Wight and Fred Bradley.

Ref: 1

Feb 27

Pie Traynor and Herb Pennock are elected to the Hall of Fame.

Ref: 1

Mar 04

Stan Musial ends his hold out signing a contract for $31,000 with the Cardinals.

Ref: 1

Mar 06

The Braves acquire Eddie Stanky from the Dodgers for Bama Rowell and $60,000.

Ref: 1

Mar 06

The Dodgers buy heavy-hitting first baseman Dolph Camilli from the Phillies for $45,000.

Ref: 1

Mar 29

Yankees & Red Sox tie at 2-2 in 17, spring training game

Ref: 5

Apr 04

Phillie manager Connie Mack, who is 84-years-old, challenges Clark Griffith, the 78-year-old owner of the Senators, to a foot race from home plate to first base. The contest ends in a photo finish tie.

Ref: 1

Apr 07

The Phillies trade infielder Ralph LaPointe and give $30,000 to the Cardinals to obtain first baseman Dick Sisler.

Ref: 1

The future super station WGN-TV televises a baseball game for the first time. With Jack Brickhouse doing the play-by-play, the White Sox beat the Cubs 4-1 in the first game of the Windy City Classic played at Wrigley Field.

Ref: 1

The Red Sox become the first team to hit three consecutive homers (Spence, Stephens and Doerr) on Opening Day, but the long ball isn't enough as the A's beats Boston in 11 innings, 5-4.

Ref: 1

George Vico of the Detroit Tigers hits a home run in his first major league at bat on the first pitch.

Ref: 12

Returning after a one-year suspension, Dodger manager Leo Durocher uses 24 players in a 9-5 loss to the Giants.

Ref: 1

In a 7-4 Cleveland victory, Indian second baseman Larry Doby ties a major league record by stiking out five times in one game.

Ref: 1

Apr 29

Cardinal relief pitcher Ted Wilks loses his first game in 77 consecutive appearances dating back to September 8,1945. He was 12-0 during the streak which included four starts.

Ref: 1

In front of only 5,001 fans in Chicago, Joe DiMaggio strokes four extra base hits for the fourth time in his career as he hits for the cycle for a second time in a 13-2 rout of the White Sox. The 'Yankee Clipper' paces the Bombers' 22-hit attack with a two home runs, a triple, a double and a single and drives in 6 runs.

Ref: 1

Cleveland Indians tie American League record of 18 walks (beat Red Sox 13-4).

Ref: 5

Les Layton of the New York Giants hits a home run in his first major league at bat.

Ref: 12

Joe DiMaggio hits for the cycle as he delivers two home runs, a triple, double and single helping the Yankees beat the White Sox, 13-2.

Ref: 1

May 23

Yankee Joe DiMaggio hits three consecutive HRs (first two off Bob Feller) as Yankees defeat Indians, 6-5.

Ref: 1

May 27

Hank Greenberg buys an interest in the Cleveland Indians.

Ref: 5

May 30

Schenectady Blue Jays Tom Lasorda strikes out 25 in 15-inning game.

Ref: 5

Tommy Lasorda strikes out 25 Amsterdam Rugmakers (in 15 innings).

Ref: 5

Jun 05

At Wrigley Field, Phillie outfielder Richie Ashburn extends his consecutive hitting streak to 23 games tying the major league rookie record.

Ref: 1

Jun 06

Phillies' pitcher Charlie Bicknell gives up four homers (Dusak, Schoendienst, Slaughter and Jones) in the sixth inning of a 11-1 loss to the Cardinals.

Ref: 1

Jun 06

For the second time this season, the Red Sox hit three consecutive homers (Spence, Stephens and Williams) in one inning becoming the first team to accomplish this feat twice in one season.

Ref: 1

Jun 13

With the crowd of 49,641 singing 'Auld Lang Syne' to the Babe, the Yankees celebrate the silver anniversity of Yankee Stadium by holding 'Babe Ruth Day'. With members of the 1923 team (the first team to play in the stadium) looking on, the dying superstar's uniform number 3 is retired and sent to Cooperstown.

Ref: 1

Jun 15

The Tigers play their first home game under the lights defeating the Philadelphia A's, 4-1. Actually, 52 years earlier a the club played night game but the results never made it into the books as an official game.

Ref: 1

Jun 17

Joe Cronin pinch hit HRs in both ends of a doubleheader.

Ref: 5

Jun 18

Phillies pitching great Robin Roberts debut, loses 2-0 to Pirates.

Ref: 5

Jun 30

At Briggs Stadium, Bob Lemon throws the first American League night time no-hitter blanking the Tigers, 2-0. The Tigers' home was last park in the junior circuit to use lights, installing illumination only two weeks ago.

Ref: 1

Jul 03

Muskegon's Dick Lane hits five homers in a Fort Wayne Central League game.

Ref: 1

Jul 07

The Indians signed forty-two year old Negro League star Satchel Paige, Though viewed as a publicity stunt, the crafty veteran will finish the season 6-1.

Ref: 1

Indians signed forty-two year old Negro League star Satchel Paige, Though viewed as a publicity stunt, the crafty veteran will finish the season 6-1.

Ref: 1

Jul 09

Satchel Paige, 42, debuts in majors pitching 2 scoreless inn for Cleveland.

Ref: 5

Jul 10

After yielding a two-run homer to A's Hank Majeski tying the score, reliever Satchel Paige gets his first major league win when Larry Doby hits two-run homer and Indians tack on another in the ninth to beat Philadelphia, 8-5.

Ref: 1

Jul 13

At Sportsman Park, the American League defeats theNational League for 11th time in 15 All Star contests, 5-2. Vic Raschi pitches three scoreless innings to pick up the win and hits a two-run single as well.

Ref: 1

Jul 16

Former Dodger manager Leo Durocher becomes the Giants' manager replacing the popular Mel Ott. Burt Shotton takes 'The Lip's' place in Brooklyn.

Ref: 1

Jul 18

Pat Seerey was a one-man wrecking crew for one game at Philadelphia's Shibe Park. The portly left fielder became the only White Sox player to hit four home runs in a game, a 12-11, 11-inning Chicago victory. Seerey dented the roof twice, cleared it once and punctuated the day with a game-winning blast in the 11th inning.

Ref: 86

Jul 24

Six days after hitting four HRs in one game, White Sox outfielder Pat Seerey again makes the record book becoming the first major leaguer to strike out 7 times in a doubleheader.

Ref: 1

Jul 26

Babe Ruth was seen by the public for the last time as he attended the NY City premiere of the the motion picture, The Babe Ruth Story.

Ref: 4

Aug 03

Negro League legend Satchel Paige makes his Major League debut going seven innings leading Indians over the Senators, 5-3.

Ref: 1

Aug 12

The Indians set a Major League record as 14 different players get a hit as the Tribe with a total of 29 hits rout the Browns, 26-3.

Ref: 1

Aug 13

Cleveland Indians rookie pitcher Satchel Paige threw his first complete game in the major leagues. He allowed the Chicago White Sox only five hits in the 5-0 shutout. Incidentally, the rookie pitcher was 42 years old.

Ref: 4

Phillies commit 8 errors in a game.

Ref: 5

An estimated crowd of 100,000 fans pass by the body of Babe Ruth which is on display at Yankee Stadium.

Ref: 1

A day after Babe Ruth dies, Yankee Tommy Henrich hits his fourth grand slam of the season tying one of the Bambino's records.

Ref: 1

The largest crowd (78,382) ever to attend a night game sees Satchel Paige become the fourth consecutive Indian to throw a shutout. The ageless wonder joins Gene Bearden, Sam Zoldak and Bob Lemon in blanking the opposition.

Ref: 1

Aug 21

Cleveland's streak of victories (8) shutouts (4) and scoreless innings (47) ends in the ninth inning when Bob Lemon walks Pat Seerey and yields HRs to Aaron Robinson and Dave Philley in a 3-2 loss to the White Sox.

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Aug 29

In St. Louis, Jackie Robinson hits for the cycle, drives in two runs, scores three times and steals a base helping the Dodgers to beat the Cardinals, 12-7.

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Sep 09

At the Polo Grounds, Dodger Rex Barney no-hits the Giants, 2-0.

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While batting, 32-year old Indian pitcher Don Black suffers a cerebral hemorrhage and is rushed to the hospital in critical condition. The hurler will survive, but his major league career is over.

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Sep 16

Joe DiMaggio hits his 300th career HR joining Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, Mel Ott, Jimmie Foxx, Rogers Hornsby, Chuck Klein and Hank Greenberg as the only major leaguers to reach this milestone.

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Sep 20

Mexican Baseball league disbanded.

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Sep 22

For the fourth time this season, Stan Musial has 5 hits in 5 at-bats setting a National League record and tying the major league record with Ty Cobb. The five hits 'Stan the Man' collect come off five different pitchers, on five consecutive pitches.

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Sep 26

Boston Braves win first NL championship since 1914.

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Sep 28

A crowd of 60,405 attend Joe Early Night at Cleveland's Municipal Stadium. Early is a 26-year old night watchman who wrote Bill Veeck asking why an average fan never gets a 'Day', and the Indians' owner responded by giving the World War II veteran a day of his own.

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Oct 04

In a one-game playoff, the Indians, behind rookie Gene Bearden, beat the Red Sox for the AL flag, 8-3. It is the young knuckleballer's 20th victory of the season.

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In Game 1, the Boston Braves manage only two hits but beat Bob Feller and the Cleveland Indians, 1-0 to take the early World Series lead.

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Oct 08

Facing only thirty batters, Indian rookie pitching sensation Gene Bearden five-hits the Braves for a 2-0 victory in front of 70,000 fans in Cleveland. The Tribe takes a 2-1 World Series game lead.

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Oct 09

Behind the solid pitching of Steve Gromek, the Indians win pivotal Game 4 of the Fall Classic edging the Braves, 2-1, to take a 3-1 series lead. Larry Doby's home run, the first by a black player in World Serfies history, provides the difference in the Tribe's victory.

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Oct 10

The largest crowd ever to attend an American League game, 86,288 fans, jam Cleveland's Municipal Stadium to witness Boston Brave hurler Warren Spahn beat Bob Feller and the Indians, 11-5 in Game 5 of the Fall Classic.

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Oct 11

In Game 6, the Indians beat the Braves, 4-3 to win the World Series. Bob Lemon gets the win with Gene Bearden pitching the final one and two-thirds innings to get the save.

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Oct 12

The Yankees announce that Casey Stengel will replace Bucky Harris as manager.

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Nov 11

The Yankee Clipper, Joe DiMaggio, undergoes surgery to remove bone spurs on his right heel at Johns Hopkins Hospital in Baltimore.

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Nov 26

National League president Ford Frick steps in and pays $350 for funeral services, including the cost of a coffin, for the unclaimed body of Hack Wilson. The former slugger, who had died probably of alcohol abuse a few days earlier in a Baltimore hospital, is identified only as a white male.

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Nov 30

Baseball's Negro National League disbands.

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Dec 02

Stan Musial is picked National League MVP.

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Dec 14

It's a busy day for the Phillies as the team purchases Ken Trinkle from the Giants and trade pitchers Walter Dubiel and Dutch Leonard to the Cubs for first baseman Eddie Waitkas and pitcher Hank Borowy. Ruth Ann Steinhagen, a female fan totally obsessed with former Cub Waitkas, is very upset with the trade and will try to kill him upon his return to Chicago as a Phillie.

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Dec 14

The Senators trade pitcher Early Wynn and first baseman Mickey Vernon to the Indians for first baseman Eddie Robinson and pitchers Joe Haynes and Eddie Klieman.

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Dec 15

The Dodgers trade the much heralded, but injury prone Pete Reiser to the Braves for outfielder Myron McCormick.

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1949

Jan 11

The Story Quarry site is selected as the site for the new Milwaukee County Stadium; construction will begin October 19, 1950.

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Lou Boudreau signs a two-year $65,000 contact with the World Champion Indians to remain the team's player-manager.

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Fred Saigh gains ninety percent control of the Cardinals when he buys out the interest of Robert Hennegan. After just two years of ownership, Hennegan makes a tidy profit of $866,000.

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Feb 07

Yankee outfielder Joe DiMaggio becomes the first player ever to make $100,000 in one season.

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Mar 01

The Browns, owners of Sportsman's Park, move to evict the Cardinals.

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Mar 10

Detroit Tiger pitcher Art Houtteman is critically injured in an auto accident but recovers to win 15 games in 1949.

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Monuments honoring Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig and Miller Huggins are unveiled in centerfield during Opening Day ceremonies held at Yankee Stadium.

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Apr 28

Brooklyn's Commish Chandler suspends Durocher but he is absolved on May 3 New York fan charges Leo Durocher with assault after Giants lose 15-2 to.

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Eddie Yost of the Washington Nationals, plays the first of 829 consecutive games. ("The 1999 ESPN Sports Almanac")

May 01

A's Elmer Valo is first American League'er to hit 2 bases-loaded triples in a game.

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May 02

Don Newcombe, first start, shuts out Cincinnati on 5 hits to win 3-0.

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May 05

Tiger 2nd baseman Charlie Gehringer selected to Hall of Fame.

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May 11

Scoring in every inning, the White Sox beat the Red Sox, 12-8. A team tallying in every inning has only occurred five times in American League history.

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May 27

Indians start 12-17, owner Bill Veeck arranges a "Second Opening Day".

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Charley Lupica begins stay on 4-foot-square platform platform atop a 60' pole, vowing to stay until Indians clinch pennant. (They don't, and he comes down 117 days later).

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Jun 02

The Phillies hit five home runs (A. Seminick [2], D. Ennis, W. Jones & S. Rowe) in the eighth inning against the Reds.

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Jun 28

Joe DiMaggio returns to the line-up after missing the first 69 games of the season due to an ailing heel. The Yankee Clipper will hit four HRs in a three-game sweep against the Red Sox.

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Jul 05

NY Giants purchase Monty Irvin & Henry Thompson, their first blacks.

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At Crosley Field, Walker Cooper goes 6-for-7, including three HRs and three singles, five runs scored and ten RBIs, to power the Reds over the Cubs, 23-4.

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Hank Thompson, the first black to play with the St. Louis Browns, also becomes the New York Giants' first African-American player. The former Kansas City Monarchs' standout broke in to the majors 12 days after Larry Doby's American League debut with the Indians in 1947.

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The first All-Star game which includes black players is played at Ebbets Field. Roy Campanella, Jackie Robinson and Don Newcombe represent the National League in an 11-7 loss to Larry Dolby and his AL teammates.

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Baseball owners agree to erect warning paths before each fence.

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Jul 25

St Louis Cardinal Stan Musial hits for the cycle beating Bkln 14-1.

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Jul 31

Lightning strikes a baseball field in Fla, kills the SS & 3rd baseman.

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Aug 06

Chicago White Sox baseball star Luke Appling played in the 2,154th game of his 19-year, major-league career.

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Aug 09

Hitless in his first four at bats against Yankee hurler Vic Raschi, Red Sox outfielder Dom DiMaggio's 34-game hitting streak comes to an end as his brother Joe makes a shoestring catch in the eighth inning to taking away a hit.

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Cleveland�s Indians and Chicago�s White Sox played at Municipal Stadium in Cleveland before the largest crowd to see a nighttime major-league baseball game: 78,382.

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Aug 21

NY Giants beat Phillies on a forfeit, due to fan's throwing debris.

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For the second time in his career, Ralph Kiner hits four consecutive homers. After homering in his last two at-bat in the previous game (Sept.11) he goes deep in his first two at bats in today's contest.

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Sep 14

Ed Sanicki of the Philadelphia Phillies hits a home run in his first major league at bat.

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Sep 18

Baseball major league record 4 grand slams hit.

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