Headline event of the year
*On May 17, 1939,
Princeton University
Princeton University is a private university, private Ivy League research university in Princeton, New Jersey, United States. Founded in 1746 in Elizabeth, New Jersey, Elizabeth as the College of New Jersey, Princeton is the List of Colonial ...
and
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York, commonly referred to as Columbia University, is a Private university, private Ivy League research university in New York City. Established in 1754 as King's College on the grounds of Trinity Churc ...
played the first televised baseball game. On August 26, the
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...
and the
Brooklyn Dodgers
The Brooklyn Dodgers were a Major League Baseball team founded in 1883 as the Brooklyn Grays. In 1884, it became a member of the American Association as the Brooklyn Atlantics before joining the National League in 1890. They remained in Brook ...
played the first televised
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
game.
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 ...
announced the game.
*In this year, the Cuban Baseball Hall of Fame inducted its charter honorees, including
José Méndez and
Cristóbal Torriente
Cristóbal Torriente (November 16, 1893 – April 11, 1938) was a Cuban professional baseball outfielder and pitcher in the Negro leagues and the Cuban League with multiple teams.
He played from 1912 to 1932 and was primarily a pull hitter, t ...
.
Champions
Major League Baseball
*
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- ...
:
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
over
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...
(4–0)
*
All-Star Game
An all-star game is an exhibition game that showcases the best players (the "stars") of a sports league. The exhibition is between two teams organized solely for the event, usually representing the league's teams based on region or division, bu ...
, July 11 at
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium is a baseball stadium located in the Bronx in New York City. It is the home field of Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees and New York City FC of Major League Soccer.
The stadium opened in April 2009, replacing the Yankee S ...
: American League, 3–1
Other champions
*Negro American League Champion:
Kansas City Monarchs
*Negro National League Champion:
Baltimore Elite Giants
*
Amateur World Series:
Cuba
Cuba, officially the Republic of Cuba, is an island country, comprising the island of Cuba (largest island), Isla de la Juventud, and List of islands of Cuba, 4,195 islands, islets and cays surrounding the main island. It is located where the ...
*
Negro League Baseball All-Star Game: West, 4–2 (first game, at
Comiskey Park
Comiskey Park was a ballpark in Chicago, Illinois, located in the Armour Square neighborhood on the near-south side of the city. The stadium served as the home of the Chicago White Sox of the American League from 1910 through 1990. Built by Wh ...
); East, 10–2 (second game, in New York City)
Awards and honors
*
Baseball Hall of Fame
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by a private foundation. It serves as the central collection and gathering space for the history of baseball in the United S ...
**
Cap Anson
Adrian Constantine Anson (April 17, 1852 – April 14, 1922), nicknamed "Cap" (for "Captain"), "Pop", and "Baby" (early in his career) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman. Including his time in the National Association ...
**
Eddie Collins
**
Charles Comiskey
**
Candy Cummings
**
Buck Ewing
**
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis Gehrig ( ; June 19, 1903June 2, 1941), also known as Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig, was an American professional baseball first baseman who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees (1923–1939). Gehrig was ...
**
Willie Keeler
William Henry Keeler (March 3, 1872 – January 1, 1923), nicknamed "Wee Willie" because of his small stature, was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1892 to 1910, primarily for the Baltimore Orioles and Brooklyn ...
**
Charles Radbourn
**
George Sisler
George Harold Sisler (March 24, 1893 – March 26, 1973), nicknamed "Gorgeous George", was an American professional baseball first baseman and player-manager. From 1915 through 1930, he played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the History of t ...
**
Al Spalding
Albert Goodwill Spalding (September 2, 1849 – September 9, 1915) was an American pitcher, manager, and executive in the early years of professional baseball, and the co-founder of the Spalding sporting goods company. He was born and raised ...
*
Most Valuable Player
In team sports, a most valuable player (MVP) award is an honor typically bestowed upon an individual (or individuals, in the instance of a tie) whose individual performance is the greatest in an entire league, for a particular competition, or ...
**
Joe DiMaggio
Joseph Paul DiMaggio (; born Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio, ; November 25, 1914 – March 8, 1999), nicknamed "Joltin' Joe", "the Yankee Clipper" and "Joe D.", was an American professional baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career ...
,
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
, OF (AL)
**
Bucky Walters,
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...
, P (NL)
*
''The Sporting News'' Player of the Year Award
**
Joe DiMaggio
Joseph Paul DiMaggio (; born Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio, ; November 25, 1914 – March 8, 1999), nicknamed "Joltin' Joe", "the Yankee Clipper" and "Joe D.", was an American professional baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career ...
,
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
, OF
*
''The Sporting News'' Most Valuable Player Award
**
Joe DiMaggio
Joseph Paul DiMaggio (; born Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio, ; November 25, 1914 – March 8, 1999), nicknamed "Joltin' Joe", "the Yankee Clipper" and "Joe D.", was an American professional baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career ...
,
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
, OF
**
Bucky Walters,
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...
, P
*
''The Sporting News'' Manager of the Year Award
**
Leo Durocher
Leo Ernest Durocher (French spelling Léo Ernest Durocher) (; July 27, 1905 – October 7, 1991), nicknamed "Leo the Lip" and "Lippy", was an American professional baseball player, manager (baseball), manager and coach (baseball), coach. He playe ...
,
Brooklyn Dodgers
The Brooklyn Dodgers were a Major League Baseball team founded in 1883 as the Brooklyn Grays. In 1884, it became a member of the American Association as the Brooklyn Atlantics before joining the National League in 1890. They remained in Brook ...
Statistical leaders
Any team shown in indicates a previous team a player was on during the season.
1 National League
Triple Crown pitching winner
Major league baseball final standings
American League final standings
National League final standings
Negro league baseball final standings
All Negro leagues standings below are per Seamheads.
Negro American League final standings
Negro American League postseason
*Kansas City Monarchs over St. Louis Stars (4–1)
Negro National League final standings
Negro National League postseason
The National League had four playoff teams compete against each other
before the championship series.
*National League Playoff Series
*Homestead Grays over Philadelphia Stars (3–2)
*Baltimore Elite Giants over Newark Eagles (3–1)
* National League Championship Series
*Baltimore Elite Giants over Homestead Grays (3–1–1)
Events
January – May
*January 24 –
George Sisler
George Harold Sisler (March 24, 1893 – March 26, 1973), nicknamed "Gorgeous George", was an American professional baseball first baseman and player-manager. From 1915 through 1930, he played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the History of t ...
,
Eddie Collins and
Willie Keeler
William Henry Keeler (March 3, 1872 – January 1, 1923), nicknamed "Wee Willie" because of his small stature, was an American right fielder in Major League Baseball who played from 1892 to 1910, primarily for the Baltimore Orioles and Brooklyn ...
are
elected to the
Baseball Hall of Fame
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by a private foundation. It serves as the central collection and gathering space for the history of baseball in the United S ...
by the
Baseball Writers' Association of America
The Baseball Writers' Association of America (BBWAA) is a professional association for journalists writing about Major League Baseball for daily newspapers, magazines, and qualifying websites. The organization was founded in 1908 and is known fo ...
.
*April 17 – A new baseball tradition begins, as the baseball season opens in
Cincinnati
Cincinnati ( ; colloquially nicknamed Cincy) is a city in Hamilton County, Ohio, United States, and its county seat. Settled in 1788, the city is located on the northern side of the confluence of the Licking River (Kentucky), Licking and Ohio Ri ...
, home of
Major League Baseball
Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equally between the National League (baseball), National League (NL) and the American League (AL), with 29 in the United States and 1 in Canada. MLB i ...
's oldest franchise. The
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...
lose to 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 ...
, 7–5.
*April 20 – 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 ...
show off their prize rookie
Ted Williams
Theodore Samuel Williams (August 30, 1918 – July 5, 2002) was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 19-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, primarily as a left fielder, for the Boston Red Sox from 193 ...
before 30,278 in Opening Day at
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium is a baseball stadium located in the Bronx in New York City. It is the home field of Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees and New York City FC of Major League Soccer.
The stadium opened in April 2009, replacing the Yankee S ...
, in a game delayed two days because of rain. After striking out twice, Williams collects a
double
Double, The Double or Dubble may refer to:
Mathematics and computing
* Multiplication by 2
* Double precision, a floating-point representation of numbers that is typically 64 bits in length
* A double number of the form x+yj, where j^2=+1
* A ...
off
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
pitcher
Red Ruffing, who is credited with the win in a 2–0 victory. Yankees first baseman
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis Gehrig ( ; June 19, 1903June 2, 1941), also known as Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig, was an American professional baseball first baseman who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees (1923–1939). Gehrig was ...
makes an error, goes hitless, and lines into two
double play
In baseball and softball, a double play (denoted as DP in baseball statistics) is the act of making two outs during the same continuous play. Double plays can occur any time there is at least one baserunner and fewer than two outs.
In Major Le ...
s in the only game featuring the two great sluggers. Other notables in what will become a historic box score include
Joe DiMaggio
Joseph Paul DiMaggio (; born Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio, ; November 25, 1914 – March 8, 1999), nicknamed "Joltin' Joe", "the Yankee Clipper" and "Joe D.", was an American professional baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career ...
,
Bill Dickey,
Jimmie Foxx
James Emory Foxx (October 22, 1907 – July 21, 1967), nicknamed "Double X" and "the Beast", was an American professional baseball first baseman who played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red ...
,
Joe Cronin
Joseph Edward Cronin (October 12, 1906 – September 7, 1984) was an American professional baseball player, Manager (baseball), manager and executive. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a shortstop, most notably as a member of the Bost ...
,
Bobby Doerr,
Red Rolfe, and losing pitcher
Lefty Grove
Robert Moses "Lefty" Grove (March 6, 1900 – May 22, 1975) was an American professional baseball pitcher. After having success in the minor leagues during the early 1920s, Grove became a star in Major League Baseball with the American League's ...
. The Yankees score their first
run on a
home run
In baseball, a home run (abbreviated HR) is scored when the Baseball (ball), ball is hit in such a way that the batting (baseball), batter is able to circle the bases and reach home plate safe (baseball), safely in one play without any error ( ...
by Dickey and their second on an
error
An error (from the Latin , meaning 'to wander'Oxford English Dictionary, s.v. “error (n.), Etymology,” September 2023, .) is an inaccurate or incorrect action, thought, or judgement.
In statistics, "error" refers to the difference between t ...
by Foxx. Boston has baserunners in each inning, but Ruffing tosses just the second opening day shutout in Yankees history. Four umpires work the game including third base umpire
George Pipgras, who was the starting pitcher for the Yankees in the opener. Curiously, his opponent for the Red Sox that day was Ruffing.
*April 21 –
Ted Williams
Theodore Samuel Williams (August 30, 1918 – July 5, 2002) was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 19-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, primarily as a left fielder, for the Boston Red Sox from 193 ...
plays his first game at
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a ballpark located in Boston, Massachusetts, less than one mile from Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home field of Major League Baseball's (MLB) Boston Red Sox. While the stadium was built in 1912, it was substantia ...
, scoring the first run for 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 ...
on a
Frankie Hayes passed ball, in a Boston 9–2 victory over 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 ...
.
*April 23 – Rookie
Ted Williams
Theodore Samuel Williams (August 30, 1918 – July 5, 2002) was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played his entire 19-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career, primarily as a left fielder, for the Boston Red Sox from 193 ...
goes 4-for-5, including his first major-league home run, a three-run blast in the first inning off
Bud Thomas, but 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 ...
lose to 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 ...
, 12–8, at
Fenway Park
Fenway Park is a ballpark located in Boston, Massachusetts, less than one mile from Kenmore Square. Since 1912, it has been the home field of Major League Baseball's (MLB) Boston Red Sox. While the stadium was built in 1912, it was substantia ...
.
*April 29 – In the seventh game of the season,
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
center fielder
A center fielder, abbreviated CF, is the outfielder in baseball who plays defense in center field – the baseball and softball fielding position between left field and right field. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the ...
Joe DiMaggio makes a sharp turn while fielding a liner facing the
Washington Senators and tears muscles in his right foot. The Yankees lose the game and DiMaggio will miss the next 35 games.
*April 30 –
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis Gehrig ( ; June 19, 1903June 2, 1941), also known as Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig, was an American professional baseball first baseman who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees (1923–1939). Gehrig was ...
goes hitless in four at-bats against the
Washington Senators and is now hitting just .143 this season. He had just played his 2,130th consecutive major league game. No one knew it would be the final game of his career.
*May 2 –
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
first baseman
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis Gehrig ( ; June 19, 1903June 2, 1941), also known as Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig, was an American professional baseball first baseman who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees (1923–1939). Gehrig was ...
voluntarily benches himself "for the good of the team" ending his consecutive-game streak at 2,130.
Babe Dahlgren replaces him in the line-up, and goes two-for-five with a home run. The Yankees beat the Detroit Tigers 22–2 behind
Red Ruffing.
*May 13 – In a 10-player mega-trade, the
St. Louis Browns sent
Beau Bell,
Red Kress,
Bobo Newsom and
Jim Walkup to 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 ...
in exchange for
Mark Christman,
George Gill,
Bob Harris,
Vern Kennedy,
Chet Laabs and
Roxie Lawson.
*May 17 – Princeton defeats Columbia 2–1 in the first televised baseball game. W2XBS, an experimental television stations based out of New York City, broadcast the game.
*May 24 – 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
New York Yankees
The New York Yankees are an American professional baseball team based in the Boroughs of New York City, New York City borough of the Bronx. The Yankees compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the American League (AL) Am ...
, 6–1, to spoil their twelve-game winning streak.
*May 27 – The
Cincinnati Reds
The Cincinnati Reds are an American professional baseball team based in Cincinnati. The Reds compete in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a member club of the National League (baseball), National League (NL) National League Central, Central Divisi ...
complete a twelve-game winning streak that lands them in first place in the
National League
National League often refers to:
*National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada
*National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...
by two games over the
St. Louis Cardinals. The Reds remain in first place for the remainder of the season.
*May 29 – 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 ...
acquire
Claude Passeau from 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 ...
in exchange for
Kirby Higbe,
Joe Marty and
Ray Harrell.
June – July
*June 4 – The St. Louis Browns sweep a double header from the Washington Senators to end an eleven-game losing streak. The Browns then go on to lose their next six in a row. The Browns never won more than two games in a row all season.
*June 5 – Detroit Tigers pitcher
Tommy Bridges holds the New York Yankees to just four hits as the Yankees are shut out for the only time all season, 3–0.
*June 6 – The first
Little League game took place in
Williamsport, Pennsylvania
Williamsport is a city in and the county seat of Lycoming County, Pennsylvania, United States. As of the 2020 census, it had a population of 27,754. It is the principal city of the Williamsport Metropolitan Statistical Area, which has a populati ...
. Lundy Lumber defeated Lycoming Dairy, 23–8.
*June 12 – In
Cooperstown, New York, the official dedication of the
National Baseball Hall of Fame
The National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum is a history museum and hall of fame in Cooperstown, New York, operated by a private foundation. It serves as the central collection and gathering space for the history of baseball in the United St ...
takes place.
Grover Alexander,
Ty Cobb
Tyrus Raymond Cobb (December 18, 1886 – July 17, 1961), nicknamed "the Georgia Peach", was an American professional baseball center fielder. A native of rural Narrows, Georgia, Cobb played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He spent ...
,
Eddie Collins,
Walter Johnson
Walter Perry Johnson (November 6, 1887 – December 10, 1946), nicknamed "Barney" and "the Big Train", was an American professional baseball player and Manager (baseball), manager. He played his entire 21-year baseball career in Major League Ba ...
,
Nap Lajoie
Napoléon Lajoie (; September 5, 1874 – February 7, 1959), also known as Larry Lajoie, was an American professional baseball second baseman who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). Nicknamed "the Frenchman", he represented both Ph ...
,
Babe Ruth
George Herman "Babe" Ruth (February 6, 1895 – August 16, 1948) was an American professional Baseball in the United States, baseball player whose career in Major League Baseball (MLB) spanned 22 seasons, from 1914 through 1935. Nickna ...
,
George Sisler
George Harold Sisler (March 24, 1893 – March 26, 1973), nicknamed "Gorgeous George", was an American professional baseball first baseman and player-manager. From 1915 through 1930, he played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the History of t ...
,
Tris Speaker
Tristram Edgar Speaker (April 4, 1888 – December 8, 1958), nicknamed "the Gray Eagle", was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a center fielder from 1907 to 1928. Considered one o ...
,
Honus Wagner
Johannes Peter "Honus" Wagner ( ; February 24, 1874 – December 6, 1955) was an American baseball shortstop who played 21 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1897 to 1917, mostly with the Pittsburgh Pirates. Nicknamed "the Flying Dutc ...
,
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 ...
and
Connie Mack
Cornelius McGillicuddy (December 22, 1862 – February 8, 1956), better known as Connie Mack, was an American professional baseball catcher, manager, and team owner. Mack holds records for the most wins (3,731), losses (3,948), ties (76), and ga ...
are all present, and accept their plaques.
** In an exhibition game against the Kansas City Blues, a Yankees farm club,
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis Gehrig ( ; June 19, 1903June 2, 1941), also known as Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig, was an American professional baseball first baseman who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees (1923–1939). Gehrig was ...
makes his final appearance in a game for the Yankees. He hits a grounder in his only at bat and is thrown out at first.
*June 14 – The Cleveland Indians trade
Earl Averill to the Detroit Tigers for
Harry Eisenstat and cash, and send
Art Jacobs to the Cincinnati Reds for
Earl Cook and cash.
*June 19 – On his 36th birthday,
Lou Gehrig
Henry Louis Gehrig ( ; June 19, 1903June 2, 1941), also known as Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig, was an American professional baseball first baseman who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees (1923–1939). Gehrig was ...
is diagnosed with
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as motor neuron disease (MND) or—in the United States—Lou Gehrig's disease (LGD), is a rare, Terminal illness, terminal neurodegenerative disease, neurodegenerative disorder that results i ...
or ALS. Gehrig would die two years later of the disease that now bears his name.
*June 26 – The New York Yankees played the first night game in franchise history and they lost to the Philadelphia Athletics, 3–2, at
Shibe Park
Shibe Park ( , rhymes with "vibe"), known later as Connie Mack Stadium, was a ballpark located in Philadelphia. It was the home of the Philadelphia Athletics of the American League (AL) from 1909 to 1954 and the Philadelphia Phillies of the Natio ...
.
*June 28 – The New York Yankees defeat the Philadelphia Athletics 23–2 and 10–0 in a double header. In the first game, the Yankees hit eight home runs, and followed that with five more in the second. Both totals set a Major League record for most home runs in a game as well as their total of fifty-three total bases in a doubleheader.
*July 3 – In the St. Louis Cardinals' 5–3 victory over the Chicago Cubs,
Johnny Mize goes four-for-four, equaling a
National League
National League often refers to:
*National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada
*National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...
record four extra-base hits, including a
double
Double, The Double or Dubble may refer to:
Mathematics and computing
* Multiplication by 2
* Double precision, a floating-point representation of numbers that is typically 64 bits in length
* A double number of the form x+yj, where j^2=+1
* A ...
,
triple and two home runs.
*July 4 –
Lou Gehrig Appreciation Day
Henry Louis Gehrig ( ; June 19, 1903June 2, 1941), also known as Heinrich Ludwig Gehrig, was an American professional baseball first baseman who played 17 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Yankees (1923–1939). Gehrig was ...
is celebrated at Yankee Stadium. Numerous people, including many from other major league teams, came forward to give Gehrig gifts and to shower praise on the dying slugger. The Yankees retired his uniform number (4), becoming the first player in major league history to be afforded that honor.
Babe Ruth
George Herman "Babe" Ruth (February 6, 1895 – August 16, 1948) was an American professional Baseball in the United States, baseball player whose career in Major League Baseball (MLB) spanned 22 seasons, from 1914 through 1935. Nickna ...
even showed up and ended their long-standing feud by giving his old teammate a hug. After the presentations, Gehrig approached the microphone, and addressed the crowd:
*July 8 – The Washington Senators'
Mickey Vernon
James Barton "Mickey" Vernon (April 22, 1918 – September 24, 2008) was an American Major League Baseball (MLB) first baseman who played for the Washington Senators (1939–1948, 1950–1955), Cleveland Indians (1949–1950, 1958), Boston Red ...
makes his major league debut as a
pinch runner in the first game of a double header with the Philadelphia A's. He does not log an at-bat, however, he goes one-for-five in the second game and scores a run.
*July 9 – The Philadelphia Phillies defeat the Boston Bees, 3–1, to snap an eleven-game losing streak.
*July 11 – In the first of three times that the
All-Star Game
An all-star game is an exhibition game that showcases the best players (the "stars") of a sports league. The exhibition is between two teams organized solely for the event, usually representing the league's teams based on region or division, bu ...
has been held at
Yankee Stadium
Yankee Stadium is a baseball stadium located in the Bronx in New York City. It is the home field of Major League Baseball’s New York Yankees and New York City FC of Major League Soccer.
The stadium opened in April 2009, replacing the Yankee S ...
, 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 ...
defeats the
National League
National League often refers to:
*National League (baseball), one of the two baseball leagues constituting Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada
*National League (division), the fifth division of the English football (soccer) system ...
, 3–1, behind pitchers
Red Ruffing,
Tommy Bridges, and
Bob Feller
Robert William Andrew Feller (November 3, 1918 – December 15, 2010), nicknamed "the Heater from Van Meter", "Bullet Bob", and "Rapid Robert", was an American baseball pitcher who played 18 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Clevel ...
, and a home run by
Joe DiMaggio
Joseph Paul DiMaggio (; born Giuseppe Paolo DiMaggio, ; November 25, 1914 – March 8, 1999), nicknamed "Joltin' Joe", "the Yankee Clipper" and "Joe D.", was an American professional baseball center fielder who played his entire 13-year career ...
.
*July 16 – The Boston Red Sox sweep a double header from the Detroit Tigers that brings their winning streak to twelve games.
*July 18 – The Brooklyn Dodgers acquire Boston Red Sox farmhand
Pee Wee Reese
Harold Peter Henry "Pee Wee" Reese (July 23, 1918 – August 14, 1999) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Brooklyn / Los Angeles Dodgers from 1940 to 1958. ...
.
*July 25 – Yankees pitcher
Atley Donald sets a league record for consecutive wins by a rookie, bringing his record to 12–0 with a 5–1 victory over the St. Louis Browns.
*July 26 – The New York Yankees tied a major league record by scoring in every inning against the St. Louis Browns.
Bill Dickey hit three home runs in the 14–1 win.
August – September
*August 5 – The New York Yankees trade
Vince DiMaggio to the Cincinnati Reds.
*August 6 – Already behind 10–1 to the Detroit Tigers, Boston Red Sox manager
Joe Cronin
Joseph Edward Cronin (October 12, 1906 – September 7, 1984) was an American professional baseball player, Manager (baseball), manager and executive. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a shortstop, most notably as a member of the Bost ...
sends
Jimmie Foxx
James Emory Foxx (October 22, 1907 – July 21, 1967), nicknamed "Double X" and "the Beast", was an American professional baseball first baseman who played 20 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Philadelphia Athletics, Boston Red ...
to the mound to pitch the ninth inning. He records a perfect 1–2–3 inning.
** In The East/West Negro League All Star Game,
Ted Radcliffe leads the West to a 4–2 win. The game is played at Comiskey Park, with a recorded attendance of 40,000 fans.
*August 9
**
Red Rolfe of the New York Yankees started a streak of 18 consecutive games in which he scored at least one run. During those games, he scored a total of 30 runs.
**With a 5–3 victory over the Pittsburgh Pirates, the St. Louis Cardinals complete a ten-game winning streak. They are still, however, eight games back of the first place Cincinnati Reds. The Reds snap the streak on August 12, however, the Cards take two of their three meetings at
Sportsman's Park
Sportsman's Park was the name of several former Major League Baseball ballpark structures in St. Louis, Missouri. All but one of these were located on the same piece of land, at the northwest corner of Grand Boulevard and Dodier Street, on t ...
to move within 6.5 of first place.
*August 14 – The Chicago White Sox defeat the St. Louis Browns 5–2. it was the first night baseball game ever played in the city of Chicago.
*August 20 – The Pittsburgh Pirates and Chicago Cubs split a double header at
Forbes Field
Forbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland (Pittsburgh), Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to June 28, 1970. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, the city's Major League Baseball (MLB) team, and the fir ...
. The victory in the second game snaps a twelve-game losing streak for the Bucs.
*August 22 – The New York Yankees defeat the Chicago White Sox 14–5 at Comiskey Park, with the Yankees winning their first night game in franchise history.
*August 26 – The double header between the Brooklyn Dodgers and Cincinnati Reds at
Ebbets Field
Ebbets Field was a Major League Baseball stadium in the Flatbush, Brooklyn, Flatbush section of Brooklyn, New York City, New York. It is mainly known for having been the home of the History of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Brooklyn Dodgers baseball tea ...
is telecast on Channel W2XBS in Brooklyn.
*September 13 –
Early Wynn loses his major league debut, 4–2 to the Chicago White Sox.
*September 18 – The St. Louis Browns lose their 100th game of the season, 6–2 to the New York Yankees.
*September 19 – The New York Yankees defeat the Chicago White Sox, 6–2, for their 100th victory of the season.
*September 23 – The Brooklyn Dodgers defeat the Philadelphia Phillies 22–4. The Dodgers go on to sweep the Phillies in the four game set at
Shibe Park
Shibe Park ( , rhymes with "vibe"), known later as Connie Mack Stadium, was a ballpark located in Philadelphia. It was the home of the Philadelphia Athletics of the American League (AL) from 1909 to 1954 and the Philadelphia Phillies of the Natio ...
, handing them losses number 100 and 101 on the 24th.
*September 29 – The second game of the double header between the Cleveland Indians and Detroit Tigers at
Briggs Stadium
Tiger Stadium, previously known as Navin Field and Briggs Stadium, was a multi-use stadium located in the Corktown neighborhood of Detroit, Michigan, United States. The stadium was nicknamed "The Corner" for its location at the intersection of ...
is called after five innings due to rain.
Hal Newhouser pitches all five innings for Detroit, and is the losing pitcher in his major league debut.
*September 30 – In the second game of a double header with the Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Cardinals pitcher
Murry Dickson makes his major league debut. He pitches 3.2 without giving up a run, and strikes out in his only at-bat.
October – December
*October 4 – Bill Dickey's single in the bottom of the ninth wins game one of the
1939 World Series for the New York Yankees, 2–1. This is the first
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- ...
appearance for the Cincinnati Reds in
20 years.
*October 5 –
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 ...
holds the Cincinnati Reds to just two hits, as the Yankees take game two of the World Series, 4–0.
*October 7 – The Reds take a 3–2 lead in the second inning only to have Joe DiMaggio hit a two-run home run in the top of the third to put the Yankees on top for good on their way to a 7–3 victory.
*October 8 – An error by
Billy Myers allows the Yankees to tie it in the ninth. Then, costly errors in the tenth inning by Myers,
Ival Goodman and
Bucky Walters lead to three runs as the New York Yankees defeat the Cincinnati Reds, 7–4, in Game Four 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 a record fourth 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 ...
, and eighth overall, four games to none.
*November 12:
**
Dom DiMaggio, the youngest of the three DiMaggio brothers, is acquired for $40,000 by 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 ...
from the
San Francisco Seals of the
Pacific Coast League
The Pacific Coast League (PCL) is a Minor League Baseball league that operates in the Western United States. Along with the International League, it is one of two leagues playing at the Triple-A (baseball), Triple-A level, which is one grade bel ...
. DiMaggio will spend his entire Major League career with the Red Sox, hitting .298 in 1399 games and making seven All-Star AL teams.
**Pitcher
Victor Starffin wins his 42nd game in a 96-game season of the
Japanese Professional Baseball League, leading the
Yomiuri Giants
The are a Japanese professional baseball team competing in Nippon Professional Baseball's Central League. Based in Bunkyo, Tokyo, they are one of two professional baseball teams based in Tokyo, the other being the Tokyo Yakult Swallows. They h ...
to the Championship title, while setting a post-1900 World Record for season victories that will be equaled by
Kazuhisa Inao in but never broken. Starffin will follow his record performance with another 38 wins in 1940. Born in Russia, he moved to
Asahikawa, Hokkaidō at a young age, and was selected as part of the national baseball team for an exhibition game against the United States in . From 1936 through 1955 Starffin won 303 games, to become the first pitcher in Japanese baseball history to reach 300 victories.
*November 29 –
Judge Landis fines the
Brooklyn Dodgers
The Brooklyn Dodgers were a Major League Baseball team founded in 1883 as the Brooklyn Grays. In 1884, it became a member of the American Association as the Brooklyn Atlantics before joining the National League in 1890. They remained in Brook ...
,
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 ...
and the
St. Louis Browns minor league club, Columbus, for manipulating player contracts. Landis frees seven farm hands.
*December 6 – In a trade of veteran
shortstops, or "worn-out shortstops", as one newspaper described it, the Chicago Cubs acquire
Billy Rogell from the Detroit Tigers for
Dick Bartell. Rogell, who injured his arm playing handball the previous year, hits just .136 before hanging up his spikes. The Tigers will release "Rowdy Richard" five games into the season, but he will stick with the New York Giants until .
*December 9 – The Detroit Tigers trade
Benny McCoy and
George Coffman to the Philadelphia A's for
Wally Moses. The trade is voided by Commissioner
Kenesaw Mountain Landis
Kenesaw Mountain Landis (; November 20, 1866 – November 25, 1944) was an American jurist who served as a United States federal judge from 1905 to 1922 and the first Commissioner of Baseball, commissioner of baseball from 1920 until his death. ...
, and the players return to their original teams on January 14, . The commissioner declared McCoy a free agent because he had been "hidden" from other teams. Judge Landis declares 87 more Tigers farmhands free agents due to their concealment in the minor leagues.
*December 29 – The Chicago White Sox sell the contracts of
Norm Schlueter and
Hank Steinbacher to the St. Louis Browns, then send
Tony Rensa, Jesse Landrum and cash to Oklahoma City (Texas) for
Don Kolloway.
Births
January
*January 9 –
Guido Grilli
*January 14:
**
Tim Talton
**
Sandy Valdespino
*January 21 –
Norm Bass
*January 29 –
Bobby Bolin
February
*February 7 –
Frank Kreutzer
*February 8 –
Harvey Branch
*February 11 –
Willie Smith
*February 12:
**
Jim Lawrence
**
Jerry Walker
*February 18:
**
Jesse Hickman
**
Dal Maxvill
**
Bob Miller
*February 19:
**
Jackie Moore
**
Jim Weaver
*February 25 –
Denny Lemaster
March
*March 4 –
Jack Fisher
*March 6 –
Cookie Rojas
*March 8 –
Jim Bouton
*March 10 –
Bill Heath
*March 12 –
Johnny Callison
*March 13 –
Al Luplow
*March 21 –
Tommy Davis
*March 23 –
Bobby Dews
*March 26 –
Al Neiger
April
*April 1:
**
Phil Niekro
Philip Henry Niekro ( ; April 1, 1939 – December 26, 2020), nicknamed "Knucksie", was an American baseball pitcher who played 24 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Atlanta Braves, Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves, Cleveland Indians, N ...
**
Nick Peters
*April 3 –
Hawk Taylor
*April 16 –
Bernie Allen
*April 18 –
Von McDaniel
*April 19 –
Gustavo Gil
*April 23 –
Chico Fernández
Humberto "Chico" Fernández Pérez (March 2, 1932 – June 11, 2016) was a Cubans, Cuban professional baseball shortstop who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) with the History of the Brooklyn Dodgers, Brooklyn Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillie ...
*April 30 –
Bob Hendley
May
*May 2 –
Gates Brown
*May 6 –
Russ Gibson
*May 9 –
Herb Hippauf
*May 11:
**
Héctor Martínez
**
Milt Pappas
**
Frank Quilici
*May 17 –
Dick Smith
*May 24 –
Jim Duckworth
*May 25 –
Gene Budig
June
*June 4 –
Phil Linz
*June 9
**
Doug Clemens
**
Julio Gotay
*June 11 –
Jimmy Stewart
*June 15 –
Ty Cline
*June 18 –
Lou Brock
July
*July 8 –
Ed Keegan
*July 15 –
Mike Shannon
*July 25 –
Santiago Rosario
*July 31 –
Vic Davalillo
August
*August 4:
**
Dennis Higgins
**
Bob Meyer
*August 5 –
Tommie Aaron
*August 9 –
Claude Osteen
*August 10:
**
Johnny Lewis
**
Charlie Shoemaker
*August 13 –
Bill Stafford
*August 18 –
Joe Azcue
*August 21 –
Jim Beauchamp
*August 22 –
Carl Yastrzemski
*August 24 –
Rick Joseph
*August 25 –
Dooley Womack
*August 29:
**
Dave Nicholson
**
Frank Zupo
September
*September 1 –
Rico Carty
*September 13 –
Tom Parsons
*September 17:
**
Carl Bouldin
Carl Edward Bouldin (born September 17, 1939) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher who also played college baseball and college basketball for the University of Cincinnati, where he was a member of the NCAA Championship-winning 19 ...
**
Jim Woods
*September 22 –
Stover McIlwain
*September 24 –
Dick Nen
*September 28 –
Bruce Froemming
October
*October 2 –
Paul Doyle
*October 4 –
Ted Davidson
*October 5 –
Dennis Bennett
*October 6 –
Jack Cullen
*October 7:
**
John O'Donoghue
**
Phil Ortega
*October 9 –
Mike Hershberger
*October 15 –
Lou Klimchock
*October 21 –
Ted Uhlaender
*October 23 –
George Williams
*October 25 –
Pete Mikkelsen
*October 29 –
Pete Richert
*October 31 –
Ed Stroud
November
*November 13 –
Wes Parker
*November 24 –
Jim Northrup
*November 27 –
Dave Giusti
*November 29:
**
Jim Derrington
**
Dick McAuliffe
**
Joe Reliford
December
*December 3:
**
Ed Connolly
**
Ron Stillwell
*December 10 –
Bob Priddy Robert Priddy may refer to:
* Robert L. Priddy, American co-founder of several airline companies
* Bob Priddy (baseball) (1939–2023), American baseball player from 1962-71
* Bob Priddy (basketball) (1930–2021), American basketball player fo ...
*December 18 –
Zoilo Versalles
*December 22 –
Al Ferrara
*December 25 –
Chris Krug
*December 26 –
John Braun
Deaths
January
*January 7 –
Bert Weeden
Charles Albert "Bert" Weeden (December 21, 1882 – January 7, 1939) was an American professional baseball player.
Weeden was a catcher during his long minor-league career, which spanned 1902 to 1923. He also had several jobs as a manager (base ...
, 56, pinch-hitter for the 1911 Boston Rustlers and also a catcher/manager in the minors during 17 seasons spanning 1903–1923.
*January 9 –
Louis Pelouze, 75, outfielder for the St. Louis Maroons in the 1886 season.
*January 13 –
Jacob Ruppert, 71, brewery magnate who was co-owner (1915–1923), then sole owner (1923 until his death), of the New York Yankees; acquired Babe Ruth (1919), built Yankee Stadium (1923), and oversaw creation of a "Bronx Bombers" dynasty that would win ten American League pennants and seven World Series titles between 1921 and 1938; elected posthumously to Baseball Hall of Fame (2013).
*January 18 –
Cliff Heathcote
Clifton Earl Heathcote (January 24, 1898 – January 18, 1939) was a center fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals (1918–1922), Chicago Cubs (1922–1930), Cincinnati Reds (1931–1932), and Philadelphia Phi ...
, 40, outfielder who hit .275 with 42 home runs and 448 RBI for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago Cubs, Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies over 15 seasons from 1918 to 1932, and a member of the Cubs club that won the National League pennant in 1929.
*January 25 –
Abner Dalrymple, 81, outfielder who played from 1878 through 1891 for the Milwaukee Grays, Chicago White Stockings, Pittsburgh Alleghenys, and Milwaukee Brewers, and also a prolific hitter who, at the time of his retirement, had collected several titles in batting average, home runs, hits, and runs scored.
*January 28 –
Bill Cristall, 63, Ukrainian born pitcher who played briefly for the Cleveland Blues in 1901.
February
*February 6 –
Joe Crisp, 53, catcher who played from 1910 to 1911 for the St. Louis Browns.
*February 12 –
George Fair, 83, second baseman who played briefly for the New York Mutuals in the 1876 season.
*February 22 –
Frank Morrissey, 62, pitcher who played with the Boston Americans in 1901 and for the Chicago Orphans in 1902.
March
*March 2 –
Alex McFarlan, 59, outfielder for the 1892 Louisville Colonels.
*March 8 –
Scott Stratton, 69, pitcher for three teams from 1888 to 1895, primarily with the Louisville Colonels, who posted 34 wins in 1890 which included 15 straight victories, while leading the American Association in winning percentage and ERA in the same season.
*March 15 –
Cal Broughton, 78, catcher who played for six different American Association and National League teams in part of four seasons spanning 1883–1888.
*March 16 –
Sam Dungan, 72, right fielder who hit .301 for three teams in a span of five seasons from 1892 to 1901, while posting a very solid 3.14
walk-to-strikeout ratio In baseball statistics
Baseball statistics include a variety of metrics used to evaluate player and team performance in the sport of baseball.
Because the flow of a baseball game has natural breaks to it, and player activity is characteristica ...
(116-to-37) in 382 games.
*March 17 –
William Burke, 73, pitcher/outfielder for the 1887 Detroit Wolverines of the National League.
*March 18 –
Ralph Miller, 43, third baseman who played from 1920 to 1921 with the Philadelphia Phillies and for the Washington Senators in 1924.
*March 25 –
Tiny Chaplin, 33, pitcher who played for the New York Giants and the Boston Bees in four seasons between 1928 and 1936.
*March 28 –
Fred Goldsmith, 82, pitcher for four different teams between 1875 and 1884, who steadfastly claimed that he had first thrown the
curveball in 1870, six years earlier than
Candy Cummings, who gained credit for the development of the pitch.
April
*April 5 –
Fred Curtis, 58, first baseman who played for the New York Highlanders in the 1905 season.
*April 27 –
Chauncey Fisher, 67, pitcher for the Cleveland Spiders, Cincinnati Reds, Brooklyn Bridegrooms, New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals in parts or all of 16 seasons from 1893 to 1901.
May

*May 16 –
Hal Kime, 41, pitcher who played with the St. Louis Cardinals during the 1920 season.
*May 22 –
Fred Link, 53, pitcher who played for the Cleveland Naps and the St. Louis Browns in the 1910 season.
*May 24 –
Barney Pelty, 58, pitcher for the St. Louis Browns from 1903 to 1912, as well as one of the first Jewish players to play in the American League.
*May 29 –
Bill McCarthy, 57, pitcher for the 1906 Boston Beaneaters.
June
*June 6 –
Simmy Murch, 58, infielder who played for the St. Louis Cardinals and Brooklyn Superbas in part of three seasons spanning 1904–1908.
*June 8 –
Pat Paige, 57, pitcher for the Cleveland Naps during the 1911 season.
*June 11 –
John Henry, 75, outfielder/pitcher for the Cleveland Blues, Baltimore Orioles, Washington Nationals and New York Giants in a span of four seasons from 1884 to 1890.
*June 17 –
Allen Sothoron
AllenFaber, Charles"Allen Sothoron" SABR Biography Project Sutton Sothoron (April 27, 1893 – June 17, 1939) was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager. As a player, he was a spitball pitcher who spent 11 years in the ma ...
, 46, spitball pitcher and a master of trick deliveries between the 1914 and 1926 seasons, who spent most of his career with the St. Louis Browns and the St. Louis Cardinals, and later coached and managed in the minors from 1928 to 1938.
*June 18 –
Murphy Currie, 45, pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1916.
*June 25 –
Heinie Smith, 67, second baseman for the Louisville Colonels, Pittsburgh Pirates, New York Giants and Detroit Tigers between 1897 and 1903, who also managed the Giants in the 1902 season.
July
*July 7 –
Deacon White, 91, Hall of Fame catcher and third baseman who, despite playing without a glove, mask, chest protector and shin guards, caught more games (409) than any catcher during the 1870s and later became a member of the legendary ''Big Four'' infield with
Dan Brouthers (1B),
Hardy Richardson (2B) and
Jack Rowe (SS), while being one of the game's most feared hitters – winning two batting titles (1875; 1877) and three RBI crowns (1873; 1876–1877) – as well as a major figure on five consecutive championship teams from 1873 through 1877.
*July 15 –
Ed Biecher, 63, outfielder who played from 1897 to 1898 with the St. Louis Browns and Cleveland Spiders, and remained active as a player/manager in the Minor Leagues through 1903.
*July 18 –
J. Louis Comiskey, 53, son of
Charles Comiskey and owner of the Chicago White Sox from October 26, 1931 until his death.
*July 20 –
Jack Reis, 48, pitcher who played briefly for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1911 season.
*July 26 –
Peaches Graham, 62, catcher who played for the Cleveland Bronchos, Chicago Cubs, Boston Doves/Rustlers and Philadelphia Phillies over seven seasons spanning 1902–1912.
*July 29 –
John Sowders, 72, pitcher who played with the Indianapolis Hoosiers in 1887 and for the Kansas City Cowboys and Brooklyn Ward's Wonders from 1889 to 1890.
August
*August 12 –
Jack Darragh, 73, first baseman for the 1891 Louisville Colonels of the National League.
*August 28 –
Dave Oldfield, 74, catcher/outfielder who played with the Baltimore Orioles in 1883 and for the Brooklyn Grays and Washington Nationals from 1885 to 1886.
September
*September 17 –
Tom Hart, 70, catcher/outfielder for the 1891 Washington Statesmen.
*September 18 –
Toots Coyne, 44, third baseman who played for the Philadelphia Athletics during the 1914 season.
*September 25 –
Frank LaPorte, 59, infielder who posted four .300 seasons in an eleven-year career, led the Federal League for the most RBI in 1914, and was the first man to play both for the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox intense rivals.
*September 27 –
Sweetbread Bailey, 44, pitcher who played from 1919 through 1921 for the Chicago Cubs and Brooklyn Robins, and also served in the military during World War I conflict.
October
*October 9 –
Biff Schaller, 50, outfielder who played with the Detroit Tigers in 1911 and the Chicago White Sox in 1913.
*October 16 –
Nick Allen, 51, catcher for the Buffalo Buffeds, Chicago Cubs and Cincinnati Reds in a span of six seasons from 1914 to 1920, who later played and managed in the minor leagues through 1936 and earned the nickname "Roarin' Nick" for his notorious altercations with umpires.
SABR BioProject – Nick Allen Biography
/ref>
*October 17 – George Bristow, 69, outfielder for the 1899 Cleveland Spiders and later a long time player and manager in the minor leagues.
*October 19 – Red Downs, 56, second baseman for the Detroit Tigers, Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Cubs from 1907 through 1912, and also a member of the Tigers club that won the American League pennant in 1908, who gained notoriety later as an armed robber during the Great Depression.
*October 22 – Dale Williams, 84, pitcher for the Cincinnati Reds in the 1876 season.
*October 26 – Ed Lennox, 55, third baseman who played for the Philadelphia Athletics, Brooklyn Superbas, Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Rebels in parts of six seasons spanning 1906–1915.
November
*November 4 – Pete Henning, 51, pitcher who played for the Kansas City Packers in the 1914 and 1915 seasons.
*November 11 – Frank Abercrombie, 88, shortstop for the 1871 Philadelphia Athletics.
*November 15 – Tom Richardson, 56, pinch-hitter in one game for the St. Louis Browns of the American League.
*November 18 – Horace Helmbold, 72, pitcher for the Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association in 1890.
*November 19 – Frank Mountain, 79, pitcher for six different teams in seven seasons from 1880 to 1886, who won 20 games twice and hurled a no-hitter in 1884.
*November 26 – Frank Harris
Frank Harris (14 February 1856 – 26 August 1931) was an Irish-American editor, novelist, short story writer, journalist and publisher, who was friendly with many well-known figures of his day.
Born in Ireland, he emigrated to the United State ...
, 81, pitcher who played with the Altoona Mountain City of the Union Association in 1884.
*November 27 – Jack Fifield, 68, pitcher who played from 1897 through 1899 for the Philadelphia Phillies and Washington Senators of the National League.
December
*December 3 – Frank Killen, 69, pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers, Washington Senators, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Beaneaters and Chicago Orphans, who won 164 games from 1891 to 1900, including two 30-win seasons and two 20-win seasons.
*December 11 – Dallas Bradshaw, 44, second baseman who played briefly for the Philadelphia Athletics in the 1917 season.
*December 18 – Heywood Broun, 51, sportswriter and editor in New York City since the early 1910s.
*December 26 – Clyde Engle, 55, valuable utility at all positions except pitcher and catcher for four teams from 1909 through 1916, who scored the tying run for the Boston Red Sox in the 10th inning of final Game 8 of the 1912 World Series after his earlier pop fly had been dropped, preserving the victory for the eventual champions Red Sox.
References
{{Year in baseball, this year=1939