Champions
*
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB). It has been contested since between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winning team, determined through a best- ...
:
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...
over
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. One of the AL's eight chart ...
(4–1)
*
Southern Association
The Southern Association (SA) was a higher-level minor league in American organized baseball from 1901 through 1961. For most of its existence, the Southern Association was two steps below the Major Leagues; it was graded Class B (1902-19 ...
:
Nashville Vols
The Nashville Vols were a Minor League Baseball team that played in Nashville, Tennessee, from 1901 to 1963. Known as the Nashville Baseball Club during their first seven seasons, they became the Nashville Volunteers (regularly shortened to Vols) ...
over
New Orleans Pelicans
The New Orleans Pelicans are an American professional basketball team based in New Orleans. The Pelicans compete in the National Basketball Association (NBA) as a member of the Southwest Division (NBA), Southwest Division of the Western Confere ...
(1–0)
Statistical leaders
1 National League
Triple Crown pitching winner
Major league baseball final standings
American League final standings
National League final standings
Events
January–March
*February 27 – The
sacrifice fly rule is adopted. No time
at bat
In baseball, an at bat (AB) or time at bat is a batter's turn batting against a pitcher. An at bat is different from a plate appearance. A batter is credited with a plate appearance regardless of what happens upon completion of his turn at bat, ...
is charged if a
run scores after the catch of a
fly ball. The rule will be repealed in 1931, then reinstated (or changed) several times before gaining permanent acceptance in .
April–June
*June 30 –
Cy Young
Denton True "Cy" Young (March 29, 1867 – November 4, 1955) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) pitcher. Born in Gilmore, Ohio, he worked on his family's farm as a youth before starting his professional baseball career. Young entered t ...
pitches the third, and final,
no-hitter
In baseball, a no-hitter or no-hit game is a game in which a team does not record a hit (baseball), hit through conventional methods. Major League Baseball (MLB) officially defines a no-hitter as a completed game in which a team that batted in ...
of his career as the
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Founded in as one of the Ameri ...
defeat the
New York Highlanders, 8–0.
July–September
*July 4 – One batter away from a
perfect game,
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. The ...
pitcher
Hooks Wiltse hits
George McQuillan with two outs in the ninth inning. Wiltse continues to pitch and tosses a
no-hitter
In baseball, a no-hitter or no-hit game is a game in which a team does not record a hit (baseball), hit through conventional methods. Major League Baseball (MLB) officially defines a no-hitter as a completed game in which a team that batted in ...
against the
Philadelphia Phillies
The Philadelphia Phillies are an American professional baseball team based in Philadelphia. The Phillies compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (NL) East Division. Since 2004, the team's home stadium has ...
. The Giants win, 1–0, in 10 innings.
*August 4 – In a game between the
St. Louis Cardinals and the
Brooklyn Superbas only one baseball was used for the entire game. Brooklyn wins, 3–0.
*September 5 –
Nap Rucker pitches a
no-hitter
In baseball, a no-hitter or no-hit game is a game in which a team does not record a hit (baseball), hit through conventional methods. Major League Baseball (MLB) officially defines a no-hitter as a completed game in which a team that batted in ...
as the
Brooklyn Superbas defeat the
Boston Doves, 6–0.
*September 18 –
Cleveland Naps pitcher
Bob Rhoads tosses a
no-hitter
In baseball, a no-hitter or no-hit game is a game in which a team does not record a hit (baseball), hit through conventional methods. Major League Baseball (MLB) officially defines a no-hitter as a completed game in which a team that batted in ...
against the
Boston Red Sox
The Boston Red Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Boston. The Red Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League East, East Division. Founded in as one of the Ameri ...
, Cleveland wins, 2–1.
*September 20 –
Frank Smith of the
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...
throws a
no-hitter
In baseball, a no-hitter or no-hit game is a game in which a team does not record a hit (baseball), hit through conventional methods. Major League Baseball (MLB) officially defines a no-hitter as a completed game in which a team that batted in ...
against the
Philadelphia Athletics
The Philadelphia Athletics were a Major League Baseball team that played in Philadelphia from 1901 to 1954, when they moved to Kansas City, Missouri, and became the Kansas City Athletics. Following another move in 1967, they became the Oakland ...
, the White Sox win, 1–0. It is the second
no-hitter
In baseball, a no-hitter or no-hit game is a game in which a team does not record a hit (baseball), hit through conventional methods. Major League Baseball (MLB) officially defines a no-hitter as a completed game in which a team that batted in ...
of Smith's career.
*September 23 – The
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...
and
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. The ...
, involved in a tight pennant race, (also involving the
Pittsburgh Pirates
The Pittsburgh Pirates are an American professional baseball team based in Pittsburgh. The Pirates compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central ...
) were tied in the bottom of the ninth inning at the
Polo Grounds
The Polo Grounds was the name of three stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used mainly for professional baseball and American football from 1880 to 1963. The original Polo Grounds, opened in 1876 and demolished in 1889, was built for the ...
. The Giants had runners on first and third and two outs when
Al Bridwell hit a single to center field, scoring
Moose McCormick from third with the Giants' apparent winning run, but the runner on first base, rookie
Fred Merkle, thinking the game was over, went halfway to second and then sprinted to the clubhouse after McCormick touched home plate. As fans swarmed the field, Cub infielder
Johnny Evers retrieved the ball and touched second. A forceout was called at second base, nullifying the single, and since there were 2 outs when the play started, the run was also nullified and the inning ended. The game was declared a
tie and would be made up at the end of the season if the Cubs and Giants were tied for first place. The incident became known as "
Merkle's Boner".
*September 26 –
Ed Reulbach of the
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...
pitches two
shutout
In team sports, a shutout (North American English, US) or clean sheet (Commonwealth English, UK) is a game in which the losing team fails to score. While possible in most major sports, they are highly improbable in some sports, such as basketba ...
s in the same day, whitewashing the
Brooklyn Superbas 5–0 on a five-hitter and 3–0 on a three-hitter. The entire doubleheader is played in less than three hours. Reulbach allows five hits in the a.m. game, and is even stingier in the afternoon, yielding three hits and a walk.
Kaiser Wilhelm and
Jim Pastorius are the losing pitchers.
October–December
*October 2
**In a game involving the
Cleveland Naps and the
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...
,
Ed Walsh
Edward Augustine Walsh (May 14, 1881 – May 26, 1959) was an American pitcher and manager (baseball), manager in Major League Baseball, nicknamed "Big Ed". From 1906 to 1912, he had several seasons where he was one of the best pitchers in baseb ...
struck out 15 Naps and walked one batter, pitching a complete game, but it was not enough as
Addie Joss pitched a
perfect game, as the Naps beat the White Sox, 1–0, during the heat of a
pennant race. Cleveland center fielder
Joe Birmingham scored the game's only run. Joss'
perfect game is the second in the modern era and fourth all time. It is perhaps the finest pitching duel in baseball history.
**
Washington Senators outfielder
Otis Clymer hits for the cycle in a 12–2 Washington victory over the
New York Highlanders.
*October 6 – The
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. One of the AL's eight chart ...
defeat the
Chicago White Sox
The Chicago White Sox are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The White Sox compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. The club plays its ...
, 7–0, to win the
American League
The American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the American League (AL), is the younger of two sports leagues, leagues constituting Major League Baseball (MLB) in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western L ...
pennant on the last day of the season.
*October 8 – The
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...
defeat the
New York Giants
The New York Giants are a professional American football team based in the New York metropolitan area. The Giants compete in the National Football League (NFL) as a member of the National Football Conference (NFC) NFC East, East division. The ...
, 4–2, in the make-up of "The
Merkle's Boner" game, giving the Cubs the
National League pennant.
*October 14 – The
Chicago Cubs
The Chicago Cubs are an American professional baseball team based in Chicago. The Cubs compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Division. Th ...
defeat the
Detroit Tigers
The Detroit Tigers are an American professional baseball team based in Detroit. The Tigers compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. One of the AL's eight chart ...
, 2–0, in Game 5 of the
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB). It has been contested since between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winning team, determined through a best- ...
to win the series four games to one. It is the second consecutive
World Championship
A world championship is generally an international competition open to elite competitors from around the world, representing their nations, and winning such an event will be considered the highest or near highest achievement in the sport, game ...
for the Cubs and the second year in a row they have defeated the Tigers in the
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB). It has been contested since between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winning team, determined through a best- ...
. The Cubs did not win another
World Series
The World Series is the annual championship series of Major League Baseball (MLB). It has been contested since between the champion teams of the American League (AL) and the National League (NL). The winning team, determined through a best- ...
until 2016, when they defeated
Cleveland Indians
The Cleveland Guardians are an American professional baseball team based in Cleveland. The Guardians compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) American League Central, Central Division. Since , the team ...
in seven games, this ended its 108 year championship drought.
*October 14 – The baseball season of 1908 ends with the lowest runs per game average in major league baseball history at 3.38. This outcome was likely an important factor in the decision to trial a livelier "cork center" ball in both leagues the following season.
*October 24 – "
Take Me Out to the Ball Game" is introduced by singer
Billy Murray. The songwriting team of
Albert Von Tilzer (music) and
Jack Norworth (lyrics) who created the immortal tune have never seen a game. Over the past 100 years, more than 400 musicians from every conceivable genre have recorded the song.
*November 22 – In the first game ever between a Japanese and an American professional team, the Reach All-Americans defeat Waseda University in Tokyo, 5–0.
Births
January
*January 4 –
George Selkirk
*January 5 –
Regis Leheny
*January 13 –
Jimmy Jordan
*January 16 –
Johnny Watson
*January 17 –
Les Willis
February
*February 1 –
Vince Barton
*February 2 –
Bobby Coombs
*February 2 –
Wes Ferrell
*February 4 –
Hank Garrity
*February 9 –
Buzz Boyle
*February 13 –
Gilly Campbell
*February 14 –
Oscar Judd
*February 17 –
Red Barber
Walter Lanier "Red" Barber (February 17, 1908 – October 22, 1992) was an American sports announcer and author. Nicknamed "The Ol' Redhead", he was primarily identified with broadcasts of Major League Baseball, calling play-by-play across four ...
*February 23 –
Ray Brown
*February 23 –
Bob Boken
*February 25 –
Al Hollingsworth
March
*March 1 –
Tadashi Wakabayashi
*March 2 –
Orville Armbrust
*March 7 –
Harry Davis
*March 9 –
Myril Hoag
*March 12 –
Bob Barr
*March 13 –
Harlin Pool
*March 19 –
Gee Walker
*March 29 –
Gibby Brack
*March 29 –
Bill Strickland
April
*April 6 –
Dick Gyselman
*April 6 –
Ernie Lombardi
*April 6 –
Joe Mowry
*April 7 –
George Hockette
*April 8 –
Buck Fausett
*April 12 –
Joe Vitelli
*April 16 –
Babe Phelps
*April 18 –
Ed Boland
*April 22 –
Fabian Kowalik
May
*May 5 –
Tony Freitas
*May 6 –
Jack Owens
*May 9 –
Billy Jurges
*May 17 –
Leo Norris
*May 25 –
Howard Craghead
*May 27 –
Euel Moore
June
*June 4 –
Orville Jorgens
*June 4 –
Bob Klinger
*June 6 –
Izzy Goldstein
*June 9 –
Paul Gregory
*June 10 –
Mike Kreevich
*June 19 –
Bill Swift
*June 20 –
Billy Werber
*June 22 –
Harry Rosenberg
*June 25 –
Joe Becker
July
*July 6 –
Cy Blanton
*July 14 –
Johnny Murphy
*July 15 –
Jake Powell
*July 16 –
Floyd Newkirk
*July 17 –
Ed Connolly
*July 20 –
Ed Madjeski
*July 23 –
Ival Goodman
*July 30 –
Frankie Pytlak
August
*August 7 –
Clyde Hatter
*August 8 –
Bo Briggery
*August 10 –
Odell Hale
*August 10 –
Bill Trotter
*August 15 –
Bernie Walter
*August 16 –
Andy Bednar
*August 18 –
Jim Peterson
*August 20 –
Al López
*August 28 –
Don Savidge
September
*September 2 –
Monte Pearson
Montgomery Marcellus Pearson (September 2, 1908 – January 27, 1978) was an American baseball pitcher who played ten seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed "Hoot", he played for the Cleveland Indians, New York Yankees and Cincinnati ...
*September 12 –
Jim McLeod
*September 13 –
Otho Nitcholas
*September 14 –
John Bottarini
*September 16 –
Buster Mills
*September 18 –
Lefty Guise
*September 20 –
Zeke Bonura
*September 20 –
Eddie Hurley
*September 22 –
Jim Holloway
*September 28 –
Carl Sumner
October
*October 2 –
Ray Lucas
*October 6 –
Tom Padden
*October 12 –
Johnny Markham
*October 15 –
Hugo Klaerner
*October 17 –
Red Rolfe
*October 18 –
Andy Spognardi
*October 24 –
Ralph Onis
November
*November 3 –
Red Phillips
*November 5 –
Ralph Birkofer
*November 8 –
John Stoneham
*November 9 –
Roy Schalk
*November 13 –
John Kroner
*November 19 –
Harley Boss
*November 19 –
Joe Glenn
*November 21 –
Paul Richards
*November 26 –
Lefty Gomez
*November 29 –
Pat Simmons
December
*December 1 –
Les Munns
*December 10 –
Earl Cook
*December 12 –
Flea Clifton
*December 14 –
Terry Lyons
*December 16 –
Emil Mailho
*December 18 –
Jimmy Pattison
*December 20 –
Art McLarney
*December 22 –
Ed Fallenstein
*December 23 –
Sol Carter
*December 25 –
Ben Chapman
*December 25 –
Alta Cohen
*December 25 –
Jo-Jo Moore
Deaths
January–April
* January 14 –
Sim Bullas, 45, outfielder for the 1884 Toledo Blue Stockings.
* January 14 –
Henry Krug, 41, utility for the 1902 Philadelphia Phillies.
* February 6 –
Samuel F. Angus, 52, owner of the Detroit Tigers from November 1901 to October 1903.
* February 20 –
Wallace Terry, 57, first baseman/outfielder for the 1875 Washington Nationals.
* March 12 –
Fred Ketcham, 32, outfielder for the Louisville Colonels (1899) and Philadelphia Athletics (1901).
* March 27 –
Forrest Crawford, 26, shortstop who played 1906 through 1907 for the St. Louis Cardinals.
* March 30 –
Charlie Sweasy, 60, second baseman for 1869 Cincinnati Red Stockings. Played seven years in the National Association and the National League.
* April 6 –
Jim Brown
James Nathaniel Brown (February 17, 1936 – May 18, 2023) was an American professional American football, football player, civil rights activist, and actor. He played as a Fullback (gridiron football), fullback for the Cleveland Browns of the ...
, 47, pitcher and outfielder for two seasons, 1884 and 1886.
* April 10 –
Mike Griffin, 43, center fielder for Baltimore and Brooklyn who batted .300 six times, scored 100 runs ten times; led league in runs and doubles once each.
* April 13 –
John Kelly, 49, 19th century catcher, manager and umpire.
* April 20 –
Henry Chadwick, 83, the "Father of Baseball", who through his writings, analysis of statistics and service in developing the sport's rules played a principal role in establishing baseball as the "national pastime"; devised the box score, developed scoring system which enabled recording of every play, authored the first rule book in 1858, and created statistics including batting average and earned run average; worked to revise sport's rules so as to balance offense and defense, and to increase mental demands as well as physical ones.
May–August
*May 9 –
Charlie Nyce, 37, shortstop for the 1895 Boston Beaneaters.
*May 14 –
John O'Connell, 35, played in only the 1891 and 1902 seasons.
*May 24 –
Pete Hasney, 43, played for the 1890 Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association.
*June 16 –
Ned Garvin, 34, pitcher who posted a 57–97 record and a 2.72 ERA for five different teams between 1896 and 1904.
*June 22 –
Everett Mills, 63, first baseman for six seasons, 1871–1876.
*June 23 –
Bill Traffley, 38, catcher for the 1878 Chicago White Stockings.
*July 18 –
John Brown, 31, pitcher for the 1897 Brooklyn Bridegrooms.
*July 22 –
Andy Sommers, 42, catcher who played with six clubs from 1897 to 1890.
*August 19 –
Doc Bushong, 51, catcher for 13 seasons (1875–1876, 1880–1890), who played on five league championship teams.
*August 20 –
Marty Honan, 39, catcher for the 1891 Chicago Colts of the National League.
*August 24 –
George Meister, 44, German third baseman who hit .194 in 34 games for the 1884 Toledo Blue Stockings.
September–December
*September 7 –
Bill Morgan, 52, outfielder and shortstop who played with the Pittsburgh Alleghenys (1883) and Washington Nationals (1884).
*September 14 –
Ike Van Zandt, 32, outfielder and pitcher who played for the New York Giants (1901), Chicago Cubs (1904) and St. Louis Browns (1905).
*September 18 –
Dickey Pearce, 72, shortstop (in the sport's earliest era) whose career spanned the years 1856 to 1877; introduced the bunt and pioneered defensive play at his position, later became an umpire.
*September 25 –
Frank Robison, 55 or 56, co-owner (with his brother
Stanford) of the St. Louis Cardinals from 1899 until his death; previously co-owner of the
Cleveland Spiders from 1897 to 1899.
*September 28 –
Tom Pratt, 64, played at first base for one game with the 1871 Philadelphia Athletics.
*November 5 –
Pat Hannivan, 42, outfielder and second baseman for the 1897 Brooklyn Bridegrooms.
*December 8 –
Frank Griffith, 36, pitcher for the Chicago Cubs (1892) and Cleveland Spiders (1894).
*December 10 –
Wild Bill Widner, 41, pitcher who posted a 22–36 record and a 4.36 ERA with the Red Stockings, Nationals, Solons and Kelly's Killers from 1887 to 1891.
*December 19 –
Reddy Foster, 44, pinch hitter for the 1896 New York Giants.
*December 26 –
Charlie Householder
Charles W. Householder (February 8, 1854 – September 3, 1913) was an American Major League Baseball played mainly as a first baseman and catcher for the Baltimore Orioles (19th century), Baltimore Orioles in and the Brooklyn Dodgers, Brooklyn ...
, 52, third baseman/left fielder/shortstop who hit .239 in 83 games for the 1884 Chicago/Pittsburgh team of the Union Association.
*December 26 –
Shadow Pyle, 47, pitcher for the Philadelphia Quakers (1884) and Chicago White Stockings (1887).
Bibliography
*
*
{{Year in baseball, this year=1908