This time--1920-39:
*1920*
I guess this is why they invented KY jelly....
The spitball is officially banned from baseball. Some say the impetus behind this ruling was the fatal beaning of the Indians Ray Chapman by Carl Mays. Chapman habitually hung over the plate so much that Mays claimed had the pitch not hit Chapman it would've been called a strike.
There are no Eighth Commandments in baseball....
Cleveland's Larry Gardner attempted 23 base thefts; he succeeded three times.
If a tie is like kissing your sister, I'm guessing you'd have to go Arkansas for this....
On May 1, Brooklyn's Leon Cadore and Joe Oeschger of the Boston Braves pitch all 26 innings of a 1-1 tie.
I'll bet the guy who started game three was told to pitch a complete game....
On October 2, the Pirates and Reds play the final tripleheader in MLB history.
John Kruk would be so proud....
The Philadelphia Phillies draw just 283 walks--an all-time record.
Designate THIS....
Former pitchers Babe Ruth and George Sisler set significant batting marks. Ruth slugs an all-time record .847 and Sisler bats .407.
Landis in Wonderland after chasing a white Rabbit Maranville....
Lost in the glare of the Black Sox scandal was that former Federal League batting champ Benny Kauff is thrown out of baseball for life by commissioner (and former judge) Kenesaw Mountain Landis. His crime? Being found not guilty in court for being a part of a stolen car ring. Landis felt, despite the court's ruling, that he was probably guilty anyway.
I wonder who Mom was rooting for?....
In the 1920 Fall Classic between Brooklyn and Cleveland, Jimmy Johnson (Brooklyn) and brother Doc (Cleveland) faced off. Doc hit .273 and Jimmy batted .214; neither garnered an extra base hit or an RBI.
*1921*
Now if we could only get the umpires to wear them....
St. Louis Cardinal "Specs" Toporcer becomes the first major league player to wear glasses on the field. Any guesses what bench jockeys around the NL called him?
Lucky seven....for the rest of the NL....
Reds' catcher Ivy Wingo leads the league in errors for the seventh straight year.
Usually you go to the cellar to avoid things that suck so bad they register on the Fujita Scale....
For the seventh straight year the Philadelphia Athletics finish dead last.
Don't look at me boys....
Waite Hoyt of the Yankees starts three games in the World Series, posts an ERA of 0.00 but loses the final game of the Fall Classic 1-0 against the Giants.
*1922*
Memo to Mr. Mack--walk him....
Detroit Tigers Harry Heilmann hits 21 HR. Ten of them are hit at Shibe Park against the Athletics.
Kind of makes you wonder why they bothered to go to the bullpen....
In late August, the Cubs beat the Phillies 26-23.
Jurisimprudence....
The Supreme Court rules that baseball is not a business and not subject to antitrust laws.
Why they didn't nickname him "Moose"....
Rabbit Maranville has 672 at bats and 0 home runs.
*1923*
Maybe if Rey Ordonez started in 1923....
Babe Ruth reaches base 379 times in 1923.
Did you know Miguel Batista pitched in 1923 for the Red Sox?....
On July 17, the Cleveland Indians score 13 runs against the BoSox in the sixth inning--all with two outs.
Urine sample size?....
New York Giants hurler Jack Bentley hits .406 while Cleveland Indians pitcher George Uhle sets a major league record by banging out 52 hits.
Why my great-grandchildren routinely take a leak on your grave....
Howard Ehmke of the Red Sox no-hits the A's on September 7. In his next start Ehmke tosses a one-hitter, the official scorer calls a potential error the only hit of the game.
Stranding 325....
Paul Strand of the PCL's Salt Lake City club notches 325 hits in 1923. Paul Schneider of the Vernon club rips five HR and a double in a single game.
*1924*
Mary had a little....er, make it a double....
Lyman Lamb of Tulsa in the Western League reaches the century mark in doubles 100.
Just dial 1-800-HR-BALCO....
World champion Washington Senators hit 22 HR as a team.
A clogged toilet runs better....
The Cubs are caught stealing an NL record 149 times.
Of course a guy nicknamed Stuffy wouldn't whiff much....
Stuffy McInnis sets an NL record for fewest strikeouts by a 1B (six).
*1925*
John Kruk would never approve....
Cleveland Indians Joe Sewell whiffs four times in 608 AB. In 7132 career AB Sewell K's just 114 times.
If chicks dig the longball then this is a vow of celibacy....
The Washington Senators' Sam Rice hits an AL record 182 singles.
And you thought he was just another pretty pitcher....
Walter Johnson (in 97 AB) bats .433 and posts an OPS of 1.032.
He did O.K. in the majors too....
Tony Lazzeri hits 60 HR for Salt Lake City in the PCL.
Maybe if he made more productive outs....
On July 3, Brooklyn Dodgers Milt Stock has his fourth straight four hit game. He hit .328 that year and was out of MLB the following year.
I'm guessing the Blue Jay bullpen invented a time machine....
On June 15, the Indians are up 15-4 over the A's in the 8th inning. The A's rally to win 17-15.
Would a salary cap and revenue sharing help at all?....
The International League's Baltimore Orioles cop their seventh straight IL pennant.
Hero to zero....
Washington Senator Roger Peckinpaugh wins the AL MVP award then commits eight errors in the World Series.
*1926*
But he never got past first base until he turned 19....
A Giants 17 year-old rookie outfielder becomes the youngest NLer to get a pinch hit. His name? Mel Ott.
Charles Comiskey no doubt regrets he didn't pay by the hour....
White Sox hurler Ted Lyons no-hits the Red Sox in 1:07.
Reading the Hysterical Abstract....
Reading of the International League posts a .194 winning percentage (31-129). Fan Appreciation Day canceled when he didn't show up.
That sobbing you hear is from the concessionaires....
On September 26 the Yankees and Browns complete a doubleheader in 2:07.
*1927*
Oddly enough....
For the fourth odd year in succession, Harry Heilmann wins the AL batting crown (.398).
Thanks for nothing....
On May 17, Boston Braves' Bob Smith pitches a 22 inning CG losing 4-3 to the Cubs.
Eating Brownies....
The Yankees send the Browns packing 21 times in 1927.
John Kruk would never approve II....
The Philadelphia A's fan an AL record low 326 times.
Why you don't want to hit after the pitcher....
Lloyd Waner scores 133 runs but notches just 27 RBI.
How the manager lets the bullpen know he's lost all confidence in them....
35 year old Jack Scott (9-21, 5.10 ERA) becomes the oldest pitcher to hurl two CG in the same day.
*1928*
It's true! There's no such thing as a clutch hitter!....
Washington Senators' Milt Gaston pitches a 14-hit shutout against Cleveland on July 10.
Gigantic futility....
The New York Giants win 25 games in September and almost overtake the St. Louis Cardinals for the pennant.
Ruth and Gehrig enjoy a little Bondage....
Babe Ruth hits .625 in the World Series and Lou Gehrig bats .545 with a 1.727 SLG. They combine for 7 HR and 13 RBI.
*1929*
The defense not only rests, it's dead....
Poor fielding Ike Boone of the PCL's Mission Reds collects 553 total bases. He'd hit .370 over his minor league career and .321 (1159 AB) in the majors. He couldn't stick due to poor defense.
Perhaps a designated pitcher rule would help....
The Phillies have four players who notch 200 hits: Lefty O Doul (254), Fresco Thompson (202), Pinky Whitney (200), and Chuck Klein (219); they finish 71-82 as the pitching staff posts a 6.13 ERA--Russ Miller goes 0-12.
Did you expect him to beat himself?....
The White Sox Art Shires, who worked as a prizefighter in the offseason beats up manager Lena Blackburne three times.
Under threat of death....
Ivy Wingo retires with the most career errors by a catcher (234).
*1930*
Once a catcher, always a catcher....
On January 10, White Sox/Senator Art Shires K.O's knocks out Braves' catcher Al Spohrer at Boston Garden. Shires was obviously the better hitter. Shires hit .291 lifetime, Spohrer: .259.
It's the Baker Bowl silly....
The Phillies Chuck Klein sets NL 20th century records for runs (158), total bases (445), and runs produced (288). He also registers 44 outfield assists.
When pitching hell wasn't located in Colorado....
The Phillies' pitching staff has a team ERA of 6.71. Leo Sweetland goes 7-15, 7.71 ERA; Claude Willoughby posts a 4-17, 7.59 ERA; Hap Collard's mark is 6-12, 6.80 ERA; and Hal Elliot's ledger reads 6-11, 7.69 ERA. Opposing teams bat .342 off Phils' pitching and score 1199 runs.
Sit the bum down....
Babe Ruth becomes the first documented player to whiff 1000 times in his career.
From the "Aaaah, he won't do it again" department....
On May 6, Gene Rye, playing for Waco in the Texas League hits three homers in the same inning.
But he was only 22 years old in the Dominican Republic....
Jack Quinn of the Philadelphia A's becomes the oldest player to hit a major league home run (46). He'd lead the NL in saves (15) the following season with Brooklyn.
But he tested positive for prune juice....
Sam Rice of the Washington Senators registers 207 hits, 121 runs, and 271 total bases--at age 40.
Getting a little bush....
Cubbie hurler Guy Bush surrenders 155 earned runs.
Check the birth certificate dumbass....
St. Louis Cardinal rookie George Watkins hits .373, posts an OPS of 1.037. In 1932 he hits .312, his only other .300 season. He plays his final major league season in 1936.
Next time strike out and keep the inning going....
On July 25, the Cleveland Indians hit into two triple plays against the A's.
*1931*
Designed to specs....
The Cardinals' Chick Hafey wins the batting crown (.349), he's the first player with glasses to accomplish the feat.
Some splinters aren't splendid, just ask the scrubs....
Wes Ferrell of the Indians is 22-12, 3.75 ERA, rips nine home runs and has an OPS of .994 in 116 at bats. He also threw a no-hitter on April 29.
Double take....
Earl Webb of the Red Sox hits a MLB record 67 doubles.
I bet the umpires just loved reminding managers of this....
Balls hit over the fence on the bounce are now ruled doubles--not home runs.
Well, they were DIPS....
On July 17, the White Sox beat the Browns 10-8 in 12 innings. No pitcher whiffed a hitter the entire game.
Tricycle....
Babe Herman of the Brooklyn Dodgers hits for the cycle three times.
He couldn't even catch a buzz....
Buzz Arlett plays in his sole major league season. The giant (6' 4" 230 lb.) Buzz Arlett in his sole major league season with the Phillies finished fifth in slugging, fifth in OPS and fourth in home runs with 18. However early in his career a Cardinals' scout stuck the "good hit, no field" label on him and it haunted him the rest of his career. However his minor league career was eerily reminiscent of another pitcher turned slugger -- Babe Ruth. Arlett started his career as a right-handed spitball pitcher -- with the reputation of "he's a good hitter, for pitcher" -- with the hometown Oakland Oaks in 1918 and went on to win 108 games, twice going over 25 wins in a season. The Detroit Tigers looked at him, but without the spitball, which he wouldn't be able to use in the majors, they did not consider him a prospect.
However arm miseries set in early in 1923 and Arlett switched to the outfield, however, once becoming a regular outfielder turned into a monster hitter, averaging nearly .360 with 30 homers and 140 RBIs through the rest of the 1920s, however the label put on him by the Cardinal scout kept him in the minors until the Phillies took a chance on him in 1931 (the season when the National League introduced a "dead ball" in reaction to the hitting orgies of 1929-1930). Like his teammate Chuck Klein, he found hitting in the 'Baker Bowl' to be a tremendously rewarding experience. Regardless, at the end of the year Arlett was sent to Baltimore, where in 1932 he hit 4 homers in a game twice within a five-week period and led the league with 54 homers for the season, but he would never return to the majors.
*1932*
This would buy you 54 games from Kevin Cash today....
Connie Mack sells HOFer Al Simmons, Jimmy Dykes, and Mule Haas to the White Sox for $100,000.
Pinch me, I'm dreaming....
Brooklyn Dodger Johnny Frederick hits six pinch hit home runs.
Another chapter from the "Cito Gaston--Confidence For Dummies" book....
On July 10, A's hurler Ed Rommel coughs up 29 hits and 14 runs in a relief appearance.
It's a pity he couldn't go to arbitration....
Wes Ferrell posts his fourth straight 20-win campaign in his fourth full major league season. He is 91-48, 3.57 ERA over those years.
There's no place like home....there's no place like home....there's no place like home....
The Yankees go 62-15 at Yankee Stadium.
That scream you heard was John Kruk waking up from this nightmare....
The Yanks' Joe Sewell whiffs just three times in 503 AB.
Was he as annoying as Tim McCarver and John Cerutti?....
Former Indians OF Jack Graney (.250 18 HR 420 RBI lifetime) becomes the first former player to be hired as a play-by-play announcer (by Cleveland).
Mission: Control....
Alvin Crowder (26-13, 3.33 ERA) of the Washington Senators pitches 327 innings and doesn't throw a wild pitch or hit a batter. He walked just 77 hitters.
*1933*
And I bet they both got booed....
Philadelphia saw two players cop the triple crown. Philadelphia A's 1B Jimmy Foxx went .356 48 HR 163 RBI; and Philadelphia Phillies' OF Chuck Klein batted .368 28 HR 120 RBI.
Ever wonder what a Bud Selig wet dream looks like?....
Despite winning the triple crown, A's owner forced Jimmy Foxx to take a pay cut because his HR totals dropped from 58 to 48.
Waiting for Lefty....
Lefty Grove shuts out the Yankees on August 3, the first time in 309 games that the Bronx Bombers were held scoreless.
And you can't blame the DH....
The NL (3.34) posts an ERA nearly a full run lower than the AL (4.28).
There was rampant speculation that BALCO was supplying him with Geritol....
Nick Altrock pinch hits for the Washington Senators--he was 57 at the time.
If only he could pitch....
On April 25, Yankee rookie pitcher Russ Van Atta sets a MLB record for hits by a pitcher in his first start (four). He was 33-41, 5.59 ERA for his career.
Blame the pitching staff....
Phillies infielder Mickey Finn dies from an ulcer.
This will get you 120 games from Kevin Cash today....
The A's sell/trade Mickey Cochrane, Lefty Grove, Rube Walberg, and Max Bishop to the Tigers and Red Sox for $225,000.
*1934*
Sealed with a Clip....
The New York Yankees purchase an OF from the San Francisco Seals for $25,000. His name? Joe DiMaggio.
They must have been awfully ugly grandchildren....
Senators' owner Clark Griffith sells his son-in-law Joe Cronin to the Red Sox for $250,000 and Lyn Lary.
Junior achievement....
Tribe rookie Hal Trosky collects 374 total bases.
Your [pink] slip is showing....
The Yankees release Herb Pennock and Joe Sewell on the same day--both will eventually be enshrined in the Hall of Fame.
Spit happens one last time....
Burleigh Grimes wins the last game ever by a pitcher who could throw a legal spitball on May 1.
Jack Russell terror....
Jack Russell (5-10, 4.16 ERA; 7 saves) of the Senators becomes the first reliever selected as an all star (he was 12-6, 2.69 ERA; 13 saves the previous year).
Did they stop the game to commemorate the feat?....
Firpo Marberry becomes first reliever to notch 100 saves.
And he did it on merit....
Milt Gaston retires with a 97-164, 4.55 ERA ledger. He posted winning seasons in his first two seasons and none thereafter. Gaston was 23-71 over his final four ML campaigns.
Ed Sprague played his entire career trying to duplicate the feat thinking it was his ticket to the Hall-of-Fame....
Tigers' OF and future HOFer Goose Goslin bangs into four double plays.
*1935*
How to take all the fun out of a double switch....
Wes Ferrell (25-14, 3.52 ERA) bangs out 52 hits. He rips seven HR and posts an OPS of .960.
How bad were the Braves? Even Babe Ruth couldn't help....
Babe Ruth is released from the Yankees and inks a three-year contract with the Braves. On May 25 he slugs three HR at Forbes Field and retires shortly thereafter. Ruth's lifetime OPS is 1.164. The Braves finish the year 38-115.
The perfect guest....
The Braves are 13-65 on the road.
Hey, didn't you used to be Ben Cantwell?....
Cantwell of the Braves who was 20-10, 2.61 ERA in 1933 tumbled to 4-25, 4.61 ERA.
I'm surrounded by idiots....
Wally Berger of the Braves leads the NL in HR (34) and RBI (130).
Not much point in keeping you too--is there?....
The A's sell Jimmy Foxx and Johnny Marcum to the Red Sox for $150,000.
Turn on the lights this party's starting....
On May 24, the first night time games is played. The Reds beat the Phillies at Crosley Field.
*1936*
Das boot....
The Phillies commit 252 errors.
However he never relieved himself on the mound....
Dizzy Dean is the last ML pitcher to lead the loop in wins (28) and saves (11).
Tom Yawkey grabs Connie's boob....
The A's trade Boob McNair and Doc Cramer to the Red Sox for two minor leaguers and $75,000.
Professional courtesy....
Pirates' catcher Hal Finney goes 0-35, doesn't draw a single walk but scores three runs and drives in three.
*1937*
TINSTAAPP....
The Braves have two 30+ year-old rookie pitchers: Lou Fette (20-10, 2.88 ERA) and Jim Turner (20-11, 2.38 ERA).
You can't always get what you want....
The Braves have the best staff ERA in the majors (3.22), but the worst team batting average (.247).
*1938*
O.K. let's see you do it a third time....
Johnny Vander Meer throws no-hitters in consecutive starts on June 11 (Braves) and June 15 (Dodgers).
Pitch count hell....
Bob Feller leads MLB in strikeouts (240) and walks (208).
This achievement was positively seismic....
Hack Wilson leads the NL in stolen bases with 16.
The best support not found in a Victoria Secrets catalogue....
St. Louis Browns hurler Bobo Newsom wins 20 games (20-16) despite an ERA of 5.08.
What the Truck?....
Virgil Trucks (177-135, 3.38 ERA) fans 418 in the Alabama-Florida League while apprenticing in the minors.
He also never got to first base with Marilyn Monroe....
Vince DiMaggio sets a then-ML record by whiffing 134 times (since broken--repeatedly).
Have you got a better idea?....
On June 16, Jimmy Foxx was walked six times by the St. Louis Browns.
*1939*
Fourth of July fireworks....
Red Sox Jim Tabor hits two grandslams on Independence Day.
Planting couch potatoes....
Baseball is first televised on August 26 as the Reds visit the Dodgers at Ebbets Field.
And his manager needed a triple bypass....
On August 4, White Sox OF Mike Kreevich hits into four double plays.
Maybe he just took a sip of HGH....
Braves' OF Johnny Cooney plays from 1921-38 (1953 AB) without hitting a home run. He hit a home run both on September 24 and 25 and then never hit another in his career (2 HR/3372 AB).
But he knew how to win!....
Earl Whitehill retires with a 218-185, 4.36 ERA record. It's the highest ERA for a pitcher with 200+ wins.
Schmidt happens....
Northern Leaguer Bob Schmidt of Duluth bats an organized baseball record .441.
Come over for a visit and you can eat some Brownies....
The Browns finish with a home record of 18-59.
It's big, it's bad, and it's baseball. Big Bad Baseball is the haunt of the "baseball crank" Don Malcolm. Always edgy, always informative, always fun.
Best Regards
John
