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Champions


Major League Baseball

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Negro League World Series The Negro World Series was a post-season baseball tournament that was held from 1924 to 1927 and from 1942 to 1948 between the champions of the Negro leagues, matching the mid-western winners against their east-coast counterparts. The series was a ...
:
Cleveland Buckeyes The Cleveland Buckeyes were a Negro league baseball team that played from 1942 to 1950 in the Negro American League. The Buckeyes played in two Negro World Series, defeating the Washington Homestead Grays in 1945, and losing to the New York Cub ...
over
Homestead Grays The Homestead Grays (also known as Washington Grays or Washington Homestead Grays) were a professional baseball team that played in the Negro league baseball, Negro leagues in the United States. The team was formed in 1912 in sports, 1912 by Cum ...
(4–0) *
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- ...
:
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 ...
over
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 ...
(4–3) * Negro League Baseball All-Star Game: West, 9–6 *
Major League Baseball All-Star Game The Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual professional baseball game sanctioned by Major League Baseball (MLB) and contested between the all-stars from the American League (AL) and National ...
cancelled due to flight restrictions. However, inter-league games were played during the All-Star break.


Other champions

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Amateur World Series The Baseball World Cup (BWC) was an international baseball tournament for national teams around the world, sanctioned by the International Baseball Federation (IBAF). First held in 1938 as the Amateur World Series (AWS), it was, for most of its ...
:
Venezuela Venezuela, officially the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, is a country on the northern coast of South America, consisting of a continental landmass and many Federal Dependencies of Venezuela, islands and islets in the Caribbean Sea. It com ...
*
All-American Girls Professional Baseball League The All-American Girls Professional Baseball League (AAGPBL) was a professional women's baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley, which existed from 1943 to 1954. The AAGPBL is the forerunner of women's professional league sports in the Uni ...
:
Rockford Peaches The Rockford Peaches were a women's professional baseball team who played from 1943 to 1954 in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. A founding member, the team represented Rockford, Illinois. The Peaches were one of 2 teams to p ...


Awards and honors

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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 ...
**
Roger Bresnahan Roger Philip Bresnahan (June 11, 1879 – December 4, 1944), nicknamed "the Duke of Tralee", was an American baseball player and manager (baseball), manager in Major League Baseball (MLB). As a player, Bresnahan competed in MLB for the Washingto ...
**
Dan Brouthers Dennis Joseph "Dan" Brouthers (; May 8, 1858 – August 2, 1932) was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball whose career spanned the period from to , with a brief return in . Nicknamed "Big Dan" for his size, he was and weighed , w ...
**
Fred Clarke Fred Clifford Clarke (October 3, 1872 – August 14, 1960) was an American Major League Baseball player from 1894 to and manager from 1897 to 1915. Clarke played for and managed both the Louisville Colonels and Pittsburgh Pirates. He was a le ...
**
Jimmy Collins James Joseph Collins (January 16, 1870 – March 6, 1943) was an American professional baseball player. He played 14 seasons in Major League Baseball. In 1945, Collins was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. He played for the Boston Beaneater ...
**
Ed Delahanty Edward James Delahanty (October 30, 1867 – July 2, 1903), nicknamed "Big Ed", was an American professional baseball player, who spent his Major League Baseball (MLB) playing career with the Philadelphia Quakers (NL), Philadelphia Quakers, Clev ...
**
Hugh Duffy Hugh Duffy (November 26, 1866 – October 19, 1954) was an American outfielder and manager in Major League Baseball. He was a player or player-manager for the Chicago White Stockings, Chicago Pirates, Boston Reds, Boston Beaneaters, Milwau ...
**
Hughie Jennings Hugh Ambrose Jennings (April 2, 1869 – February 1, 1928) was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager from 1891 to 1925. Jennings was a leader, both as a batter and as a shortstop, with the Baltimore Orioles teams that won N ...
**
King Kelly Michael Joseph "King" Kelly (December 31, 1857 – November 8, 1894), also commonly known as "$10,000 Kelly", was an American outfielder, catcher, and manager (baseball), manager in various professional American baseball leagues including the Na ...
** Jim O'Rourke **
Wilbert Robinson Wilbert Robinson (June 29, 1864 – August 8, 1934), nicknamed "Uncle Robbie", was an American catcher, coach and manager (baseball), manager in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played in MLB for the Philadelphia Athletics (American Association) ...
*
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 ...
**
Hal Newhouser Harold Newhouser (May 20, 1921 – November 10, 1998), nicknamed "Prince Hal" and "Hurricane Hal," was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a pitcher from 1939 to 1955, most notably for the Detroit Tige ...
(AL) – P, Detroit Tigers **
Phil Cavarretta Philip Joseph Cavarretta (July 19, 1916 – December 18, 2010) was an American professional baseball first baseman, outfielder, and manager. He was known to friends and family as "Phil" and was also called "Philibuck", a nickname bestowed by Cubs ...
(NL) – 1B, Chicago Cubs * ''The Sporting News'' Player of the Year Award **
Hal Newhouser Harold Newhouser (May 20, 1921 – November 10, 1998), nicknamed "Prince Hal" and "Hurricane Hal," was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a pitcher from 1939 to 1955, most notably for the Detroit Tige ...
– P, Detroit Tigers * ''The Sporting News'' Most Valuable Player Award **
Eddie Mayo Edward Joseph Mayo (born Edward Joseph Mayoski; April 15, 1910 – November 27, 2006), nicknamed "Hotshot" and "Steady Eddie", was an American professional baseball player. He played as an infielder in the Major League Baseball from to , most n ...
(AL) – 2B, Detroit Tigers **
Tommy Holmes Thomas Francis Holmes (March 29, 1917 – April 14, 2008) was an American right and center fielder and manager in Major League Baseball who played nearly his entire career for the Boston Braves. He hit over .300 lifetime (.302) and every year ...
(NL) – OF, Boston Braves * ''The Sporting News'' Pitcher of the Year Award **
Hal Newhouser Harold Newhouser (May 20, 1921 – November 10, 1998), nicknamed "Prince Hal" and "Hurricane Hal," was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a pitcher from 1939 to 1955, most notably for the Detroit Tige ...
(AL) – Detroit Tigers **
Hank Borowy Henry Ludwig Borowy (May 12, 1916 – August 23, 2004) was an American professional baseball starting pitcher, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1942 through 1951 for the New York Yankees (1942–45), Chicago Cubs (1945–48), Phi ...
(NL) – Chicago Cubs * ''The Sporting News'' Manager of the Year Award **
Ossie Bluege Oswald Louis Bluege (; October 24, 1900 – October 14, 1985) was an American third baseman, manager, coach and front-office executive in Major League Baseball who spent his entire playing career with the Washington Senators franchise from 1922 ...
– Washington Senators


Statistical leaders

Any team shown in indicates a previous team a player was on during the season. 1 American 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 National League final standings


Negro World Series

*
1945 Negro World Series In the 1945 Negro World Series, the Cleveland Buckeyes, champions of the Negro American League, swept the Homestead Grays, Washington Homestead Grays, champions of the Negro National League (1933–1948), Negro National League, four games to none ...
: Cleveland Buckeyes over Homestead Grays 4–0.


All-American Girls Professional Baseball League final standings


Events


January–July

*January 25 –
Dan Topping Daniel Reid Topping (June 11, 1912May 18, 1974) was an American sports executive who was part owner and president of the New York Yankees baseball team from 1945 to 1964. During Topping's tenure as chief executive of the Yankees, the team won 14 ...
, along with Del Webb and
Larry MacPhail Leland Stanford "Larry" MacPhail Sr. (February 3, 1890 – October 1, 1975) was an American lawyer and an executive in Major League Baseball. He served as a high-ranking executive, including club president and general manager, with the Cincin ...
purchase a majority control of ownership of the New York Yankees from the estate of Col. Ruppert for $2.8 million. The trio would later purchase the remaining 3.12% in March 1945, with Webb and Topping buying out MacPhail after a few years. *March 6 – Harry O'Neill, who appeared in one game for the Philadelphia A's in 1939, is killed in the battle for
Iwo Jima is one of the Japanese Volcano Islands, which lie south of the Bonin Islands and together with them make up the Ogasawara Subprefecture, Ogasawara Archipelago. Together with the Izu Islands, they make up Japan's Nanpō Islands. Although sout ...
. *April 7 – Pitcher Terris McDuffie and infielder Dave Thomas partake in a special tryout for the Brooklyn Dodgers. What made the tryout unique was that both players were black. *April 17 – Amputee
Pete Gray Peter James Gray (''Birth name, né'' Wyshner; March 6, 1915 – June 30, 2002) was an American professional baseball outfielder who played for the St. Louis Browns of Major League Baseball for one season in 1945. He was notable for playing ...
makes his major league debut with the
St. Louis Browns The St. Louis Browns were a Major League Baseball team that originated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the Milwaukee Brewers. A charter member of the American League (AL), the Brewers moved to St. Louis, Missouri, after the 1901 season, where they ...
. *April 24 –
Happy Chandler Albert Benjamin "Happy" Chandler Sr. (July 14, 1898 – June 15, 1991) was an American politician from Kentucky. He represented Kentucky in the U.S. Senate and served as its List of Governors of Kentucky, 44th and 49th governor. Aside from his ...
is selected by the owners to replace
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. ...
as commissioner of baseball. Landis died after being elected to a new seven-year term. Chandler agrees to fulfil his term in the U.S. Senate, which overlapped his first six months in office. *May 3 – The New York Yankees released outfielder
Paul Waner Paul Glee Waner (April 16, 1903 – August 29, 1965), nicknamed "Big Poison", was an American professional baseball right fielder who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for four teams between 1926 and 1945, most notably playing his first 15 s ...
after just one game. Waner had come out of retirement the previous season due to a shortage of players because of World War II. *May 17 – For the fourth time in four days, every American League game was postponed due to rain. *May 21 – The Brooklyn Dodgers released
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 ...
. *May 25 – In 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 ...
5–0 home loss to the
St. Louis Browns The St. Louis Browns were a Major League Baseball team that originated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the Milwaukee Brewers. A charter member of the American League (AL), the Brewers moved to St. Louis, Missouri, after the 1901 season, where they ...
, outfielder
Leon Culberson Delbert Leon Culberson (August 6, 1919 – September 17, 1989) was an American professional baseball player. He played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1943 to 1948 for the Boston Red Sox and the Washington Senators. Listed ...
of the Red Sox makes an unassisted double play. Culberson raced from center field to catch a short fly ball. He then ran to second and stepped on the bag and doubled up
Vern Stephens Vernon Decatur Stephens (October 23, 1920 – November 4, 1968) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop from through . An eight-time All-Star, Stephens was notable for being the American L ...
of the Browns. *July 1 –
Hank Greenberg Henry Benjamin Greenberg (January 1, 1911 – September 4, 1986), nicknamed "Hammerin' Hank", "Hankus Pankus", and "the Hebrew Hammer", was an American professional baseball player and team executive. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB), p ...
makes his return to the major leagues. Greenberg had been one of the first players to register for the peacetime draft. In his return after forty-seven months away from the majors, Greenberg hits a home run, helping 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 ...
beat the Philadelphia A's 9–5. *July 3 –
Stan Hack Stanley Camfield Hack (December 6, 1909 – December 15, 1979), nicknamed "Smiling Stan", was an American third baseman and manager (baseball), manager in Major League Baseball who played his entire career for the Chicago Cubs and was the Na ...
,
Phil Cavarretta Philip Joseph Cavarretta (July 19, 1916 – December 18, 2010) was an American professional baseball first baseman, outfielder, and manager. He was known to friends and family as "Phil" and was also called "Philibuck", a nickname bestowed by Cubs ...
and Don Johnson 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 ...
each scored five runs apiece, trying a major league record. The Cubs went on to defeat the Boston Braves 24–2. *July 4 –
Augie Bergamo August Samuel Bergamo (February 14, 1917 – August 19, 1974) was a Major League Baseball outfielder who played for the St. Louis Cardinals in 1944 and 1945. A native of Detroit, Michigan, he stood 5'9" and weighed 165 lbs. Bergamo is one ...
of the St. Louis Cardinals gets eight heads in a double header versus the New York Giants. In the second game alone, Bergamo in the second game got five of his eight hits. In the second game he hit three singles, a two run home run, and a grand slam. In all, Bergamo totaled 11 bases on the day as the Cardinals swept the Giants. *July 5 –
Whitey Lockman Carroll Walter "Whitey" Lockman (July 25, 1926 – March 17, 2009) was an American left-handed hitting first baseman and outfielder, coach, manager and front office executive in Major League Baseball. Playing career Born in Lowell, North Carol ...
hits a home run in his first major league at bat. In the game matching the Giants versus the Cardinals, Lockman hits his home run off Cardinals pitcher George Dockins, but the Giants end up losing 7–5. *July 6 –
Tommy Holmes Thomas Francis Holmes (March 29, 1917 – April 14, 2008) was an American right and center fielder and manager in Major League Baseball who played nearly his entire career for the Boston Braves. He hit over .300 lifetime (.302) and every year ...
of the Boston Braves passes
Rogers Hornsby Rogers Hornsby (April 27, 1896 – January 5, 1963), nicknamed "the Rajah", was an American baseball infielder, manager (baseball), manager, and coach (baseball), coach who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB). He played for the St. ...
in hitting in his 34th consecutive game. Hornsby's record had stood since 1922. Holmes record would stand until 1978 when it is broken by
Pete Rose Peter Edward Rose Sr. (April 14, 1941 – September 30, 2024), nicknamed "Charlie Hustle", was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1963 to 1986, most prominently as a member of ...
of the Cincinnati Reds. Holmes streak would end six days later. *July 21 – 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 ...
and
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 ...
battle for 24 innings, ending the game tied at one. Tigers starter
Les Mueller Leslie Clyde Mueller (March 4, 1919 – October 25, 2012) was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers in 1941 and 1945. He was born in Belleville, Illinois. In 1940, Mueller played for the Beau ...
pitches 19.2 innings, while his A's counterpart, Russ Christopher, lasts thirteen.


August–September

*August 1 –
Mel Ott Melvin Thomas Ott (March 2, 1909 – November 21, 1958), nicknamed "Master Melvin", was an American professional baseball right fielder, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the New York Giants, from through . He batted left-handed ...
hits the 500th
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 ( ...
of his major league career. *August 4 **World War II
amputee Amputation is the removal of a limb or other body part by trauma, medical illness, or surgery. As a surgical measure, it is used to control pain or a disease process in the affected limb, such as malignancy or gangrene. In some cases, it is ...
Bert Shepard pitches in a game for the Washington Senators. ** Tom McBride of 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 ...
ties a major league record with 6 RBI in the 4th
inning In baseball, softball, and similar games, an inning is the basic unit of play, consisting of two halves or frames, the "top" (first half) and the "bottom" (second half). In each half, one team bats until three outs are made, with the other tea ...
of a game with the Washington Senators. **Senators pitcher
Joe Cleary Joseph Christopher Cleary (December 3, 1918 – June 3, 2004), nicknamed "Fire", was a Major League Baseball pitcher for one game in 1945. The right-hander was born in Cork, and he was the last native of Ireland to appear in a major league game ...
becomes the last native of Ireland as of today to appear in a major league game. ** Bill Salkeld, a catcher for the Pittsburgh Pirates, hits for the cycle and drives in all of Pittsburgh's runs in their 6–5 loss to the St. Louis Cardinals. *August 19 – In his final major league season, outfielder
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 ...
makes his debut as a pitcher. He pitches seven innings, giving up just four hits as the Phillies defeated the Cincinnati Reds 4–2. *August 28 – Seventeen year old Tommy Brown of the Brooklyn Dodgers hits a triple off Rene Monteagudo of 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 ...
. Brown then takes advantage of Monteagudo's wide-up to steal home. Brown became the youngest player in major league history to steal home plate. The Dodgers defeated the Phillies 7–1. *September 1 –
Vince DiMaggio Vincent Paul DiMaggio (September 6, 1912 – October 3, 1986) was an American Major League Baseball center fielder. During a 10-year baseball career, he played for the Boston Bees (1937–1938), Cincinnati Reds (1939–1940), Pittsburgh Pirates ( ...
of Philadelphia ties a major league mark with his fourth grand slam of the season. The Phillies defeated the Braves 8–3. *September 8 – In a contest between the Washington Senators and St. Louis Browns,
Harry Truman Harry S. Truman (May 8, 1884December 26, 1972) was the 33rd president of the United States, serving from 1945 to 1953. As the 34th vice president in 1945, he assumed the presidency upon the death of Franklin D. Roosevelt that year. Subsequen ...
, sworn in back in April after the death of FDR, becomes the first left hander and oldest president to ever throw out a ceremonial pitch. Washington defeated St. Louis 4–1. *September 9: **
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 ...
first baseman A first baseman, abbreviated 1B, is the player on a baseball or softball team who fields the area nearest first base, the first of four bases a baserunner must touch in succession to score a run. The first baseman is responsible for the majori ...
Mickey Rocco Michael Dominick Rocco (March 2, 1916 – June 1, 1997) was an American professional baseball player. A first baseman, Rocco played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for four seasons in the American League with the Cleveland Indians. In 440 career ...
leads the way to a doubleheader sweep of 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 ...
with two home runs, two doubles, and two singles. A crowd of 72,252 is on hand 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 ...
to see their team lose 10–3 and 4–3. **In the second game of a doubleheader, Dick Fowler 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
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 ...
defeat the
St. Louis Browns The St. Louis Browns were a Major League Baseball team that originated in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, as the Milwaukee Brewers. A charter member of the American League (AL), the Brewers moved to St. Louis, Missouri, after the 1901 season, where they ...
, 1–0. *September 13 – The Cincinnati Reds defeat the New York Giants 3–2. There were only 281 fans in attendance, making it the smallest crowd to see a game at Crosley Field. *September 29 –
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 ...
catcher Catcher is a position in baseball and softball. When a batter takes their turn to hit, the catcher crouches behind home plate, in front of the (home) umpire, and receives the ball from the pitcher. In addition to this primary duty, the catc ...
Paul Gillespie Paul Allen Gillespie (September 18, 1920 – August 11, 1970) was a Major League Baseball catcher for the Chicago Cubs in 1942, 1944, and 1945. A native of the Sugar Valley Community in Gordon County, Georgia, he stood and weighed 195 lbs. ...
homers in his final major league at bat. In 1942 he homered in his first major league at bat. He was the first player in MLB history to do both. John Miller was the second, in 1966 and 1969.


October–December

*October 6 – Attempting to promote his pub, the Billy Goat Tavern, William Sanis purchases a ticket to game 4 of the world series. He attempts to bring his Billy Goat, Murphy, into the stadium but is turned away by the ushers. Sanis is so angered that vows to place a curse on the team, ensuring they'd never win another World Series. This became part of Cubs fork lore, known as the
curse of the Billy Goat The Curse of the Billy Goat was a sports curse that was supposedly placed on the Chicago Cubs Major League Baseball (MLB) franchise in 1945, by Billy Goat Tavern owner William Sianis. The curse lasted 71 years, from 1945 to 2016. During Game 4 o ...
. *October 10 – 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 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 ...
, 9–3, in Game 7 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 their second World Series, four games to three. Chicago's next trip to the World Series occurred on 22 October 2016. *October 23 –
Jackie Robinson Jack Roosevelt Robinson (January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972) was an American professional baseball player who became the first Black American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era. Robinson broke the Baseball color line, ...
is signed by the Dodgers; he is later assigned to the
Montreal Royals The Montreal Royals were a minor league professional baseball team in Montreal, Quebec, during 1897–1917 and 1928–1960. A member of the International League, the Royals were the top farm club ( Class AAA) of the Brooklyn Dodgers from 1939; pi ...
for the 1946 season. *November 25 – A team of Negro league
all-star An all-star team is a group of people all having a high level of performance in their field. Originating in sports, it has since drifted into vernacular and has been borrowed heavily by the entertainment industry. Sports "All-star" as a sport ...
s, including
Jackie Robinson Jack Roosevelt Robinson (January 31, 1919 – October 24, 1972) was an American professional baseball player who became the first Black American to play in Major League Baseball (MLB) in the modern era. Robinson broke the Baseball color line, ...
and
Roy Campanella Roy Campanella (November 19, 1921 – June 26, 1993), nicknamed "Campy", was an American professional baseball player, primarily as a catcher. The Philadelphia native played in the Negro leagues and Mexican League for nine years before entering ...
, travel to Venezuela for the Serie Monumental, where they will play several Venezuelan all-star teams *December 14 – The
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 ...
traded outfielder Jeff Heath, who'd led the team in home runs, to the Washington Senators for George Case.


Date unknown

*The Mexican Winter League is born with the name ''Liga Invernal de Sonora''


Births


January

*January 3 –
Larry Barnett Lawrence Robert Barnett (born January 3, 1945) is an American former umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1969 to 1999 before becoming the major leagues' supervisor of umpires from 2000 to 2001. He is perhaps wel ...
*January 7 –
Tony Conigliaro Anthony Richard Conigliaro (January 7, 1945 – February 24, 1990), nicknamed "Tony C" and "Conig", was an American Major League Baseball outfielder and right-handed batter who played for the Boston Red Sox (1964–1967, 1969–1970, 1975) and C ...
*January 8 –
Jesús Hernáiz Jesús Rafael Hernáiz Rodríguez (born January 8, 1945) is a retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He played during one season at the major league level for the Philadelphia Phillies. He was signed by the Chicago Cubs as an amateur free agent ...
*January 12: ** Paul Gilliford ** Bob Reed *January 18: ** Tom Harrison ** Rich Severson *January 20 – Dave Boswell *January 22 – Jophery Brown *January 25 –
Wally Bunker Wallace Edward Bunker (born January 25, 1945) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. A right-hander, Bunker pitched for the Baltimore Orioles from to and Kansas City Royals from to . Early life Bunker pitched for the Capuchino ...
*January 29 – Dick Mills


February

*February 9 – Jim Nash *February 11 – John Paciorek *February 12 – Don Wilson *February 14 – Bob Terlecki *February 15 – Ross Moschitto *February 21 –
Tom Shopay Thomas Michael Shopay (born February 21, 1945) is a former Major League Baseball player. Shopay was a left-handed hitter who played outfielder for the New York Yankees (1967, 1969) and Baltimore Orioles (1971–72, 1975–77). Professional caree ...
*February 24 –
Gary Moore Robert William Gary Moore (4 April 19526 February 2011) was a Northern Irish musician. Over the course of his career, he played in various groups and performed a range of music including blues, blues rock, hard rock, Heavy metal music, heavy ...
*February 26 – Steve Hertz


March

*March 1 –
Jim Panther James Edward Panther (born March 1, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a right-handed pitcher from to , for the Oakland Athletics, Texas Rangers and the Atlanta Braves. Panther ...
*March 5 – Dave Bakenhaster *March 11 –
Dock Ellis Dock Phillip Ellis Jr. (March 11, 1945 – December 19, 2008) was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher from through , most notably as a member of the Pittsburgh Pirates team ...
*March 12: **
Don O'Riley Donald Lee O'Riley (March 12, 1945 – May 2, 1997) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played for two seasons. He pitched in 18 games for the Kansas City Royals during the inaugural 1969 season and nine games during the 1970 season. He w ...
**
Horacio Piña Horacio Piña García ee'-nyah(born March 12, 1945) is a Mexican former relief pitcher who played in Major League Baseball over eight seasons between and . Piña also played professionally in Mexico for all or portions of nine years. He batte ...
*March 25 – Jim Ellis *March 30 – Dick Woodson


April

*April 2: **
Mike Kekich Michael Dennis Kekich (born April 2, 1945) is an American former professional baseball pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers, New York Yankees, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers and Seattle Mariners in parts of n ...
**
Reggie Smith Carl Reginald Smith (born April 2, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder and afterwards served as a coach and front office executive. He also played in the Nippon Pr ...
**
Don Sutton Donald Howard Sutton (April 2, 1945 – January 19, 2021) was an American professional baseball pitcher who played 23 seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB), primarily for the Los Angeles Dodgers. Sutton won a total of 324 games, pitched 58 s ...
*April 4 –
Nick Bremigan Nicholas Gregory Bremigan (April 4, 1945 – March 28, 1989) was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1974 until his death. Biography Born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Bremigan grew up in Rochester, ...
*April 9 –
Jerry Hinsley Jerry Dean Hinsley (born April 9, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player, a right-handed pitcher whose career extended from 1963 through 1971. He had two trials in Major League Baseball for the and New York Mets. Hinsley stoo ...
*April 11 – Mike Kilkenny *April 15 –
Ted Sizemore Ted Crawford Sizemore (born April 15, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a second baseman from 1969 to 1980 for the Los Angeles Dodgers, St. Louis Cardinals, Philadelphia Phillies, Chic ...
*April 17 – Dennis Paepke *April 18 –
Mike Paul Michael George Paul (born April 18, 1945) is an American former left-handed Major League Baseball pitcher who played from 1968 to 1974 for the Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers and Chicago Cubs. Career Drafted in the 20th round of the 1967 amat ...
*April 19 – Tommy Gramly *April 23 – Jorge Rubio *April 30 – Ray Miller


May

*May 3 –
Davey Lopes David Earl Lopes (; born May 3, 1945) is an American former second baseman and manager in Major League Baseball (MLB). He batted and threw right-handed. He played in MLB for the Los Angeles Dodgers, Oakland Athletics, Chicago Cubs, and Houston A ...
*May 4 –
Rene Lachemann Rene George Lachemann (born May 4, 1945) is an American former professional baseball coach, catcher and manager. He spent 53 years in Major League Baseball (MLB), including service as the manager of the Seattle Mariners (1981–83), Milwaukee Br ...
*May 5 – Jimmy Rosario *May 25 – Bill Dillman *May 26 – Al Yates *May 29: ** Clyde Mashore **
Blue Moon Odom Johnny Lee "Blue Moon" Odom (born May 29, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player. He played as a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from through , most notably as a member of the Oakland Athletics dynasty that won ...


June

*June 5 –
Chip Coulter Thomas Lee "Chip" Coulter (born June 5, 1945) is an American former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the 1969 St. Louis Cardinals. Listed at 5'10" tall, weighing 172 pounds, Coulter was a switch-hitter and threw right-handed. ...
*June 6 –
Larry Howard Lawrence Rayford Howard (June 6, 1945 – May 11, 2019) was a Major League Baseball catcher. He played four seasons with the Houston Astros (1970–1973) and Atlanta Braves (1973). He died on May 11, 2019. Baseball career Howard attended Atwat ...
*June 7 –
George Mitterwald George Eugene Mitterwald (born June 7, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player, coach (baseball), coach and manager (baseball), manager. He played in 887 Major League Baseball games played, games for the Minnesota Twins and Chic ...
*June 12 – Gary Jones *June 20 – Ray Newman *June 25 –
Dick Drago Richard Anthony Drago (June 25, 1945 – November 2, 2023) was an American relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Kansas City Royals (1969–1973), Boston Red Sox (1974–1975, 1978–1980), California Angels (1976–1977), B ...
*June 30: **
Jerry Kenney Gerald Tennyson Kenney (born June 30, 1945) is an American former Major League Baseball infielder. He is from Beloit, Wisconsin. Baseball career The second hit of his major league career was an inside-the-park home run with the New York Yankees ...
** Otis Thornton


July

*July 1 – Billy Rohr *July 2 –
Ron Slocum Ronald Reece Slocum (July 2, 1945 — August 25, 1988) was an American professional baseball player. Slocum appeared in 80 games for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball during that team's first three seasons of existence, including the ...
*July 7: ** Chuck Goggin **
Bill Melton William Edwin Melton (July 7, 1945 – December 5, 2024), nicknamed "Beltin' Bill" and "Beltin' Melton", was an American professional baseball third baseman and television sports commentator. He played in Major League Baseball from 1968 through ...
*July 8 – Jim Ollom *July 10 –
Hal McRae Harold Abraham McRae (; born July 10, 1945) is an American former left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cincinnati Reds (1968, 1970–72) and Kansas City Royals (1973–87). Utilized as a designated hitter for most of his care ...
*July 17 –
Greg Riddoch Gregory Lee Riddoch (born July 17, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player, manager and coach who served as the manager for the San Diego Padres of Major League Baseball (MLB) from 1990 to 1992, compiling a career win–loss recor ...
*July 29 – Roy Foster


August

*August 4 –
Mike Davison Michael Davison may refer to: * Michael S. Davison (1917–2006), American general * Michael S. Davison Jr. (born 1941), American lieutenant general * Mike Davison (politician) Michael Norman Davison (born March 31, 1950) is a former politic ...
*August 6 –
Andy Messersmith John Alexander "Andy" Messersmith (born August 6, 1945) is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 12-year baseball career, he pitched for the California Angels (1968–72), Los Angeles Dodgers (1973–75 and 1979) ...
*August 15: **
Duffy Dyer Donald Robert "Duffy" Dyer (born August 15, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher from to , most prominently as a member of the New York Mets team that won two Nat ...
** Bobby Treviño *August 16 – Jan Dukes *August 21 –
Jerry DaVanon Frank Gerald DaVanon (born August 21, 1945) is a former professional baseball player. He played all or part of seven seasons in Major League Baseball, primarily as an infielder. Professional career First Cardinals stint DaVanon attended Ho ...
*August 30 – Tommy Dean


September

*September 8 – Ossie Blanco *September 13 –
Rick Wise Richard Charles Wise (born September 13, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball as a right-handed pitcher between and for the Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Boston Re ...
*September 14 –
Curtis Brown Curtis Lee "Curt" Brown Jr. (born March 11, 1956) is a former NASA astronaut and retired United States Air Force colonel. Background Colonel Brown was born March 11, 1956. He graduated from East Bladen High School in Elizabethtown, North Carolin ...
*September 16: ** Bob Chlupsa ** Ed Sprague **
Héctor Torres Héctor Epitacio Torres Marroquin (born September 16, 1945) is a Mexican former Major League Baseball shortstop. Nicknamed "La Malita" in his native Mexico, he played all or parts of nine seasons in the majors, between and , with the Houston A ...
*September 20 –
Mike Jurewicz Michael Allen Jurewicz (born September 20, 1945) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. Jurewicz played for the New York Yankees in . In 2 career games, he had a 0–0 record with a 7.71 ERA. He batted right and left and threw left- ...
*September 25: **
Steve Arlin Steven Ralph Arlin (September 25, 1945 – August 17, 2016) was an American pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the San Diego Padres and Cleveland Indians for six seasons. College star Born in Seattle, Arlin was a collegiate star at ...
** Bill Hepler *September 26 – Dave Duncan *September 28 – Gene Ratliff


October

*October 1 –
Rod Carew Rodney Cline Carew (born October 1, 1945) is a Panamanian-American former professional baseball player and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a second baseman, first baseman and designated hitter from 1967 to 1985 for the Minneso ...
*October 4 – John Duffie *October 7 –
Dick Bates Charles Richard Bates (born October 7, 1945) is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He graduated from McArthur (OH) High School now Vinton County High School and was signed by the Kansas City Athletics as an undrafted ...
*October 11 – Bob Stinson *October 12 – Herman Hill *October 14 – Tom Silverio *October 15 –
Jim Palmer James Alvin Palmer (born October 15, 1945) is an American former professional baseball pitcher who played 19 years in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Baltimore Orioles (1965–1967, 1969–1984). Palmer was the winningest MLB pitcher in the ...
*October 17 – Bob Christian *October 18 –
Don Young Donald Edwin Young (June 9, 1933 – March 18, 2022) was an American politician from Alaska. He is the List of members of the United States Congress by longevity of service, longest-serving Republican Party (United States), Republican in House ...
*October 19: ** Al Gallagher ** Gary Taylor *October 27 – Mike Lum *October 30 – Roe Skidmore


November

*November 1 – Bobby Brooks *November 3 –
Ken Holtzman Kenneth Dale Holtzman (November 3, 1945 – April 15, 2024) was an American professional baseball player and coach. He was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from through for the Chicago Cubs, Oakland Athletics, Baltimore Orioles, ...
*November 3 – Jim Johnson *November 7 – Dave Bennett *November 10 –
Bill Southworth William Frederick Southworth (born November 10, 1945) is a retired American professional baseball player and former Major League Baseball third baseman who appeared in three games for the Milwaukee Braves during a four-season pro career (1964 ...
*November 12 – Rafael Batista *November 17 – Bill Harrelson *November 19 –
Bobby Tolan Robert Tolan (born November 19, 1945) is an American former professional baseball center fielder / right fielder, and coach, who played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the St. Louis Cardinals (–), Cincinnati Reds (–), San Diego Padres ( ...
*November 20: **
Jay Johnstone John William Johnstone Jr. (November 20, 1945 – September 26, 2020) was an American professional baseball player and television sports announcer. He played in Major League Baseball as an outfielder from 1966 to 1985 for the California Angels, ...
**
Rick Monday Robert James "Rick" Monday Jr. (born November 20, 1945) is an American former professional baseball player who now serves as a broadcaster. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as a center fielder from 1966 to 1984, most notably as a member ...
** John Sanders *November 22 –
Denny Riddleberger Dennis Michael Riddleberger (born November 22, 1945) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher. Listed at , , Riddleberger threw left-handed and batted right-handed. Dennis attended Churchland High School and then Old Dominion Univers ...
*November 25 – Wayne Redmond


December

*December 3: **
Steve Huntz Stephen Michael Huntz (born December 3, 1945) is a retired American professional baseball player who played infielder in the Major Leagues between and for the St. Louis Cardinals, Chicago White Sox and San Diego Padres. Huntz threw and batte ...
** Lou Marone *December 6: **
Larry Bowa Lawrence Robert Bowa (born December 6, 1945) is an American former professional baseball shortstop, manager, and coach in Major League Baseball (MLB), who played for the Philadelphia Phillies, Chicago Cubs, and New York Mets. Bowa went on to ...
** Jay Dahl *December 12 –
Ralph Garr Ralph Allen Garr (born December 12, 1945), nicknamed "Road Runner", is an American former professional baseball player, scout, and coach. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) as an outfielder from through — most notably as a member of t ...
*December 14 – Greg Goossen *December 15 – Gil Blanco *December 19: **
Art Kusnyer Arthur William Kusnyer (born December 19, 1945) is an American former catcher in Major League Baseball who was drafted by the Chicago White Sox in the 37th round of the 1966 amateur draft. He played for the White Sox (1970), California Angels ( ...
**
Geoff Zahn Geoffrey Clayton Zahn (born December 19, 1945) is an American former professional baseball pitcher. He pitched thirteen seasons in Major League Baseball from 1973 to 1985. In his career, he had a Win–loss record of 111–109, an earned run ave ...
*December 20: **
Vince Colbert Vincent Norman Colbert (born December 20, 1945) is an American former Major League Baseball pitcher who appeared in 95 total games, 74 as a relief pitcher, for the Cleveland Indians from 1970 to 1972. Born in Washington, D.C., he threw and batte ...
** Keith Lampard *December 30 – Tom Murphy


Deaths


January

*January 3 – George Stone, 68, left fielder for the Boston Americans and St. Louis Browns during seven seasons spanning 1903–1910, who led the American League in his 1905 rookie season with 187 hits, and topped the league in 1906 with a .358 batting average, total bases (291), on-base percentage (.417) and slugging percentage (.501), while finishing second in hits (208) and triples (20), third in RBI (71), and seventh in home runs (6). *January 5 – Bill Hobbs, shortstop who played with the Cincinnati Reds in the 1913 and 1916 seasons. *January 11 – Harry McNeal, 67, pitcher for the 1901 Cleveland Bluebirds of the American League. *January 14 – Ted Blankenship, 43, a hard throwing pitcher who played from 1922 through 1930 for the Chicago White Sox. *January 17: ** Roy Radebaugh, 63, pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals in the 1911 season. ** Rube Ward, 65, backup outfielder for the 1902 Brooklyn Superbas of the National League. *January 18: ** Mike Fitzgerald, 53, outfielder who played for the New York Highlanders in 1911 and the Philadelphia Phillies in 1918. ** Gene Lansing, 47, pitcher who played briefly for the 1922 Boston Braves of the National League.


February

*February 1 –
Tubby Spencer Edward Russell "Tubby" Spencer (January 26, 1884 – February 1, 1945) was an American catcher for the St. Louis Browns (1905–08), Boston Red Sox (1909), Philadelphia Phillies (1911), and Detroit Tigers (1916–18). He led the American League ...
, 61, backup catcher who played for the St. Louis Browns, Boston Red Sox, Philadelphia Phillies and Detroit Tigers in all or parts of nine seasons spanning 1905–1918. *February 11 – Ham Iburg, 71, pitcher for the Philadelphia Phillies in 1902, who later posted three 20-win consecutive seasons at the Pacific Coast League from 1903 to 1905. *February 13 – Jocko Halligan, 76, backup outfielder who played from 1890 through 1892 in the National League for the Baltimore Orioles, Cincinnati Reds and Buffalo Bisons. *February 14 –
Jim Curtiss Ervin Duane Curtiss (December 27, 1861 – February 14, 1945) was a professional baseball player who played outfield in Major League Baseball Major League Baseball (MLB) is a professional baseball league composed of 30 teams, divided equa ...
, 83, outfielder who divided his playing time between the Cincinnati Reds and the Washington Statesmen from 1891 to 1892. *February 15 –
Steve Behel Stephen Arnold Douglas Behel (November 6, 1860 – February 15, 1945) was an American Major League Baseball player. He played nine games for the Milwaukee Brewers of the Union Association in 1884 and fifty-nine games for the New York Metropolita ...
, 84, backup outfielder who played with the Milwaukee Brewers of the Union Association in 1884 and for the New York Metropolitans of the American Association in 1886. *February 18 –
John Munyan John B. Munyan (November 14, 1860 – February 18, 1945) was an American Major League Baseball catcher. He played all or part of three seasons in the majors, between and , for the Cleveland Blues, Columbus Solons, and St. Louis Browns The S ...
, 84, catcher who played for the Cleveland Blues, Columbus Solons and St. Louis Browns of the National League in a span of three seasons from 1887 to 1891. *February 20 – Charlie Heard, 73, pitcher and outfielder who played for the Pittsburgh Alleghenys of the National League during the 1890 season. *February 21 –
Paul Radford Paul Revere Radford (October 14, 1861 – February 21, 1945) was an American Major League Baseball player in the late 19th century. Paul, nicknamed "Shorty", played with many teams over his 12-season career. He was a starting outfielder with the ...
, 83, outfielder and shortstop for nine different teams in a 12-season career from 1883 to 1894, who collected 1206 hits and 346 stolen bases in 1361 games, while being a member of the 1884 World Champion
Providence Grays The Providence Grays were a Major League Baseball team based in Providence, Rhode Island who played in the National League from until . The Grays played at the Messer Street Grounds in the Olneyville neighborhood. The team won the National ...
and three pennant-winning teams.


March

*March 6 – Harry O'Neill, 27, catcher for the 1939 Philadelphia Athletics, whose name is linked forever to that of
Elmer Gedeon Elmer John Gedeon (April 15, 1917 – April 20, 1944) was an American professional baseball player, appearing in several games for the Washington Senators (1901–60), Washington Senators in . Gedeon and Harry O'Neill (catcher), Harry O'Neill wer ...
as the only two major leaguers that were killed during World War II. *March 11 – Sam Mertes, 72, left fielder for five clubs in 10 seasons spanning 1896–1906, who was a member of the 1905 World Champions New York Giants and led the National League with 32 doubles and 104 RBI in 1903. *March 29: ** Ray Tift, 60, pitcher for the 1907 New York Highlanders of the American League. **
Jim Hughey James Ulysses Hughey (March 8, 1869 – March 29, 1945), born in Wakeshma, Michigan, was a pitcher for the Milwaukee Brewers (1891), Chicago Colts (1893), Pittsburgh Pirates (1896–97), St. Louis Browns/St. Louis Cardinals (1898 and 1900) and C ...
, 76, pitcher who played for the Milwaukee Brewers, Chicago Colts, St. Louis Browns, Cleveland Spiders and St. Louis Cardinals in a span of seven seasons from 1891 to 1900.


April

*April 4 –
Dick Cotter Richard D. Cotter (September 17, 1842 – March 12, 1927), also known as Dick Cotter and R. D. Cotter, was an Irish-born American member of the first California Geological Survey. Biography Richard D Cotter was orphaned at a young age and emi ...
, 55, catcher who played from 1911 to 1912 for the Philadelphia Phillies and Chicago Cubs. *April 9 –
Ted Cather Theodore Physick Cather (May 20, 1889 – April 9, 1945) was an American Major League Baseball player who played outfielder from –. He would play for the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Braves. In 1914, Cather was a member of the Braves team th ...
, 55, outfielder who played from 1912 through 1915 for the St. Louis Cardinals and Boston Braves, as well as a member of the 1914 World Champion Cardinals Team. *April 13 – Joe Kutina, 60, first baseman who played in 1911 and 1912 with the St. Louis Browns of the American League. *April 16 –
Chick Fewster Wilson Lloyd "Chick" Fewster (November 10, 1896 – April 16, 1945) was an American professional baseball second baseman. He played eleven seasons in Major League Baseball (MLB) between 1917 and 1927 for the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Cle ...
, 49, second baseman who played from 1917 through 1927 for the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox, Cleveland Indians and Brooklyn Robins, perhaps best known for being one of those involved in one of the most famous flubs in MLB history, the '' three men on third'' incident occurred in the 1926 season. *April 25 – Jim Murray, 67, outfielder who played for the Chicago Orphans, St. Louis Browns and Boston Braves in parts of three seasons spanning 1902–1914.


May

*May 2 –
Joe Corbett Joseph Aloysius Corbett (December 4, 1875 – May 2, 1945) was an American Major League Baseball starting pitcher who played in the National League. He was born in San Francisco, California. Corbett, the younger brother of World Heavyweight Bo ...
, 69, pitcher who played for the Washington Senators, Baltimore Orioles and St. Louis Cardinals National League clubs during four seasons between 1895 and 1904. *May 3 – Bill Stemmyer, 79, fireball pitcher for the Boston Beaneaters and Cleveland Blues from 1885 to 1898, who in 1886 led the National League in SO/9IP (6.17), but threw 63
wild pitch In baseball, a wild pitch (WP) is charged against a pitcher when his pitch is too high, too short, or too wide of home plate for the catcher to control with ordinary effort, thereby allowing a baserunner, or the batter (on an uncaught third st ...
es which is still the highest single-season total in MLB history. *May 6 – Eddie Zimmerman, 62, third baseman who played for with the St. Louis Cardinals in 1906 and for the 1911 Brooklyn Dodgers in 1911. *May 18 – Pete Cregan, 70, backup outfielder for the 1899 New York Giants and the 1903 Cincinnati Reds. *May 22 –
Jake Atz Jacob Henry Atz (July 7, 1879 – May 22, 1945) was an American professional baseball second baseman. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Washington Senators and Chicago White Sox. He also was the most successful minor league manag ...
, 65, middle infielder who played with the Washington Senators in 1902 and Chicago White Sox from 1907 to 1909; spent 27 years as a minor-league manager, winning six consecutive Texas League pennants with the Fort Worth Panthers from 1920 to 1925. *May 25 –
Charlie Frye Charles Thomas Frye (born August 28, 1981) is an American former football quarterback who currently serves as a defensive assistant for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League (NFL). He played six seasons in the National Football ...
, 30, pitcher for the 1940 Philadelphia Phillies. *May 27 –
Walter Carlisle Walter Carlisle (6 July 1881 – 27 May 1945) was an English-born professional baseball outfielder in the United States in the early 20th century. He played briefly in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the Boston Red Sox during the 1908 season. Ni ...
, 63, English left fielder for the 1908 Boston Red Sox, who entered the records books as the only outfielder ever to make an
unassisted triple play In baseball, an unassisted triple play occurs when a defensive player makes triple play, all three outs by himself in one continuous play, without his teammates making any Assist (baseball), assists. Neal Ball was the first to achieve this in Majo ...
in organized baseball, while playing for the 1911
Vernon Tigers The Vernon Tigers were a Minor League Baseball team that represented Vernon, California in the Pacific Coast League (PCL) from 1909 to 1925. The team won back-to-back PCL pennants in 1919 and 1920. The Tigers, together with the Sacramento Solons, ...
of the Pacific Coast League.


June

*June 5 –
Fred Lewis Frederick Deshaun Lewis (born December 9, 1980) is an American former professional baseball outfielder. He played in Major League Baseball (MLB) for the San Francisco Giants, Toronto Blue Jays, Cincinnati Reds, and New York Mets, and in Nippon ...
, 86, outfielder who played from 1881 through 1886 for the Boston Red Caps, Philadelphia Quakers, St. Louis Browns, St. Louis Maroons, and Cincinnati Red Stockings National League clubs. *June 8 –
Bill Kemmer William Edward Kemmer (November 15, 1873 – June 8, 1945), nicknamed "Big Bill", was a third baseman in Major League Baseball. He played for the Louisville Colonels in 1895 and also had a 17-year minor league career. Kenner stood at and weighe ...
, 71, third baseman for the 1895 Louisville Colonels of the National League. *June 17 – Joe Visner, 85, catcher and outfielder who played with the Baltimore Orioles, Brooklyn Bridegrooms, Pittsburgh Burghers, Washington Statesmen and St. Louis Browns in a span of four seasons from 1885 to 1891, being also a member of the Brooklyn club that won the 1889 American Association pennant title. *June 18 –
Sid Mercer James Sidney Mercer (August 4, 1880 – June 19, 1945) was an American sports journalism, sports writer who covered mostly boxing and baseball in St. Louis and in New York City. Biography Mercer was born to James H. and Laura Ann Search Mercer ...
, 64, Hall of Fame sportswriter who covered mostly boxing and baseball in St. Louis, Missouri and in New York City, and also served as an official with the St. Louis Browns from 1903 through 1905. *June 19 –
Bob Gandy Robert Brinkley Gandy (August 25, 1893 – June 19, 1945) was a Major League Baseball center fielder. Gandy stood at 6'3 180 lbs (which was considered tall for his time), earning him the nickname "String", for his more than average size. Gandy ...
, 51, outfielder for the 1916 Philadelphia Phillies. *June 25 –
Jack Mercer Winfield Bennett Mercer (January 31, 1910 – December 7, 1984), known professionally as Jack Mercer, was an American voice actor. He is best known as the voice of cartoon characters Popeye the Sailor Man and Felix the Cat. The son of vaudevil ...
, 56, pitcher who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates in 1910. *June 29 –
Clarence Winters Clarence John Winters (September 7, 1899 – June 29, 1945) was a professional baseball pitcher. He appeared in four games in Major League Baseball for the Boston Red Sox during the 1924 season. He was born in Detroit, Michigan. Winters began h ...
, 45, pitcher who made four mound appearances for the 1924 Boston Red Sox.


July

*July 2 –
Frank Grube Franklin Thomas Grube (January 7, 1905 – July 2, 1945) was an American professional baseball and professional football player. In baseball, he was a catcher whose career lasted for 14 seasons (1928–1941), including 394 games in Major League ...
, 40, catcher who played in 394 games from 1931 through 1936 and in 1941 for the Chicago White Sox and St. Louis Browns. *July 7: **
Ollie Anderson Oliver Otis Anderson (November 16, 1879 – July 7, 1945) was an American professional baseball umpire. Anderson played Minor League Baseball from 1897 to 1902. After his playing days, he became an umpire for the Northern League from 1903 t ...
, 65, who spent almost 40 years as a minor-league umpire, and officiated in 152 games for the 1914 Federal League, then considered an "outlaw" circuit now thought of as a major league. ** Cal Crum, 55, pitcher who played for the Boston Braves in the 1917 and 1918 seasons. *July 10 – Bill Barnes, 87, outfielder who played in 1887 for the St. Paul Saints of the Union Association. *July 16 – Tuck Turner, 72, outfielder who played from 1893 through 1898 for the Philadelphia Phillies and St. Louis Browns of the National League, a .320 career hitter who accomplished a rare feat by hitting an inside-the-park grand slam in 1897, whose .418 batting average posted in 1894 is ninth all-time for a single-season in MLB history, as well as the highest for a
switch hitter In baseball, a switch hitter is a player who bats both right-handed and left-handed, usually right-handed against left-handed pitchers and left-handed against right-handed pitchers, although there are some exceptions. Characteristics Right-han ...
. *July 18 – Frank Butler, 85, backup outfielder for the 1895 New York Giants. *July 31 – Snapper Kennedy, 66, outfielder who played in 1902 with the Chicago Orphans of the National League.


August

*August 7 –
Bobby Veach Robert Hayes Veach (June 29, 1888 – August 7, 1945) was an American professional baseball player from 1910 to 1930 including 14 seasons in the major leagues. He was the starting left fielder for the Detroit Tigers from 1912 to 1923 and also pl ...
, 57, left fielder for the Detroit Tigers who batted .310 lifetime, while leading the American League in RBI three times and in doubles twice. *August 9 – Art Nichols, 74, catcher, first baseman and outfielder who played from 1898 through 1903 for the Chicago Orphans and the St. Louis Cardinals. *August 14 – Tommy Clarke, 57, a fine defensive catcher who spent ten years from 1909 to 1918 for the Cincinnati Reds and Chicago Cubs, and also served as a coach on the 1933 World Championship Giants team.


September

*September 4 – William Fischer, 54, catcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers/Robins,
Chicago Whales The Chicago Whales were a professional baseball team based in Chicago. They played in the Federal League, a short-lived "third Major League", in 1914 and 1915. They originally lacked a formal nickname, and were known simply as the "Chicago Fed ...
, Chicago Cubs and Pittsburgh Pirates during five seasons from 1913 to 1917, who led the Whales to the 1915 Federal League pennant. *September 12: **
Cy Pieh Edwin John "Cy" Pieh (September 29, 1886 – September 12, 1945) was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played from to with the New York Yankees. He was a right-handed batter and pitcher. His nickname "Cy" was short for "Cyclone" because his ...
, 58, pitcher who played from 1913 to 1915 with the New York Yankees. ** Dave Zearfoss, 77, backup catcher for the New York Giants and St. Louis Cardinals in parts of five seasons spanning 1896–1905. *September 13 –
Cy Blanton Darrell Elijah (Cy) Blanton (July 6, 1908 – September 13, 1945) was an American starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Philadelphia Phillies. Blanton batted left-handed and threw right-handed. Blant ...
, 37, All-Star pitcher and one of the mainstays of the Pittsburgh Pirates rotation in the 1930s, who won 18 games and led the National League in earned run average (2.58) and shutouts (4) in his 1935 rookie season, while leading again the league in shutouts in 1936 (4) and starts in 1937 (34). *September 18 –
Ducky Holmes James William "Ducky" Holmes (January 28, 1869 – August 6, 1932) was an outfielder in Major League Baseball. He played ten seasons in the National League and American League with the Louisville Colonels (1895–97), New York Giants (1897), St ...
, 63, fine outfielder and smart base runner for seven different teams from 1895 through 1905, who posted a .281 career average and stole 236 bases in 933 games, and also managed 13 seasons in the Minor Leagues. *September 21 –
Bert Humphries Albert Humphries (September 26, 1880 – September 21, 1945), was a professional baseball player who played pitcher in the Major Leagues from -. He would play for the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies The Philadelphia P ...
, 64, pitcher who played from 1910 through 1915 for the Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs and Philadelphia Phillies. *September 27 –
Lou Nordyke Louis Ellis Nordyke (August 7, 1876 – September 27, 1945) was an American Major League Baseball first baseman who played for the St. Louis Browns for one season, from April 18 to June 27, 1906. He was sold to the Browns by the Tacoma Tiger ...
, 69, first baseman who played for the St. Louis Browns of the American League in 1906. *September 29 –
George Van Haltren George Edward Martin Van Haltren (March 30, 1866 – October 1, 1945) was an American center fielder in Major League Baseball. In his 17-year career, lasting from 1887 through 1903, he played for the Chicago White Stockings, Brooklyn Ward's Won ...
, 79, center fielder, primarily with the New York Giants, who hit a .316 lifetime average and ranked sixth all-time in both hits (2500+) and runs upon retirement; led the National League in triples and stolen bases once each, and also won 40 games as pitcher, including a six-inning no-hitter.


October

*October 9 – Bob Ganley, 70, outfielder who played from 1905 through 1909 for the Pittsburgh Pirates, Washington Senators and Philadelphia Athletics. *October 12 – Henry Oxley, 87, a Canadian catcher who played in 1884 with the New York Gothams and the New York Metropolitans. *October 14 –
Fred Tyler Frederick Daniel Tyler (born March 15, 1954) is an American competitive swimmer and aquatics coach, winner of several high school and college championships and a gold medal in the 4×200-meter freestyle relay at the 1972 Summer Olympics and au ...
, 53, catcher for the 1914 Boston Braves. *October 16 – Hack Eibel, 51, outfielder and pitcher who played in 1912 with the Cleveland Naps and for the Boston Red Sox in 1920. *October 18 – Monty Pfyl, 59, first baseman for the New York Giants in the 1907 season. *October 25 –
Ernie Baker Earnest Gould Baker (August 8, 1875 – October 25, 1945) was an American professional baseball pitcher. He had a 62-74 minor league record, however, emerged as the ace of the Cotton States League champion Baton Rouge Red Sticks with a 22–9 r ...
, 70, pitcher for the 1905 Cincinnati Reds. *October 26 – Ernie Gust, 57, first baseman who played in 1911 for the St. Louis Browns of the American League. *October 27: ** Jack Hannifin, 62, infielder who played for the Philadelphia Athletics, New York Giants and Boston Doves in a span of three seasons from 1906 through 1908. **
Taylor Shafer Zachary Taylor Shafer (July 13, 1866 – October 27, 1945) was a Major League Baseball player in the 19th century. Career Shafer was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1866. He started his professional baseball career in 1884, when he played ...
, 79, second baseman and outfielder who divided his playing time between the Altoona Mountain City, Kansas City Cowboys and Baltimore Monumentals of the Union Association in 1883, and later played for the Philadelphia Athletics of the National League in 1890.


November

*November 1 –
George Hale George Ellery Hale (June 29, 1868 – February 21, 1938) was an American astrophysicist, best known for his discovery of magnetic fields in sunspots, and as the leader or key figure in the planning or construction of several world-leadi ...
, 51, backup catcher for the St. Louis Browns in four seasons from 1914 to 1918. *November 3 – Mike Smith, 77, left fielder and pitcher who posted a .310 career batting average and a 75–57 pitching record with six teams from 1886 through 1901, while leading the American Association pitchers with a 2.94 ERA in 1887. *November 16 – Jake Northrop, pitcher for the Boston Braves from 1918 to 1919. *November 18 – Morrie Rath, 58, speedy and skilled second baseman for four teams in a span of six years from 1909 to 1920, who led both the American and National Leagues in fielding percentage, putouts, assists and double plays, and also was a member of the 1919 World Champion Cincinnati Reds. *November 22 –
Dick Carroll Richard Leo Carroll (April 28, 1885 – January 20, 1952) was a Canadian ice hockey coach. He led the Toronto team in the National Hockey League to the Stanley Cup championship in 1918 and the Toronto Canoe Club junior hockey team to the Memori ...
, 61, pitcher for the 1909 New York Highlanders of the American League. *November 25 – Ham Patterson, 68, first baseman and outfielder who played for the St. Louis Browns and the Chicago White Sox during the 1909 season.


December

*December 3 – Bill Kay, 67, outfielder who played in 1907 for the Washington Senators of the American League. *December 8 – Henry Fournier, 80, pitcher for the 1894 Cincinnati Reds. *December 14 – Connie Murphy, 75, catcher who played from 1893 to 1894 for the Cincinnati Reds. *December 15 – Tom Hess, 70, catcher for the 1892 Baltimore Orioles of the National League. *December 22 – Bill Crouch, 59, pitcher who played in 1910 with the St. Louis Browns of the American League. *December 24 – Hughie Miller, 59, first baseman who played with the Philadelphia Phillies in 1911 and from 1914 to 1915 for the St. Louis Terriers of the Federal League. *December 26 – Frank Lange, 62, pitcher for the 1910 Chicago White Sox. *December 27: ** Gene Cocreham, pitcher who played from 1897 to 1898 for the Washington Senators of the National League. **
Hugh Fullerton Hugh Stuart Fullerton III (10 September 1873 – 27 December 1945) was an American sportswriter in the first half of the 20th century. He was one of the founders of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. He is best remembered for his role ...
, 72, Chicago sportswriter who helped break the story of the
Black Sox Scandal The Black Sox Scandal was a match fixing, game-fixing scandal in Major League Baseball (MLB) in which eight members of the Chicago White Sox were accused of intentionally losing the 1919 World Series against the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for p ...
and, as an early advocate of the value of baseball statistics, gained wide attention for correctly predicting the White Sox' upset of the Cubs in the
1906 World Series The 1906 World Series was the championship series in Major League Baseball for the 1906 season. The third edition of the World Series, it featured a crosstown matchup between the American League champion Chicago White Sox and the National Leag ...
, even getting right the winner of each game and the day of a rainout. **
Cy Swaim John Hillary Swaim (March 11, 1874 – December 27, 1945) was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He played with the Washington Senators of the National League in 1897 and 1898. Prior to that he played with Mount Union College. He died from pneum ...
, 71, pitcher who played with the Washington Senators of the National League in the 1897 and 1898 seasons.


Sources


External links


Baseball Reference – 1945 MLB Season Summary

Baseball Reference – MLB Players born in 1945Baseball Reference – MLB Players died in 1945
{{DEFAULTSORT:1945 In Baseball