Boston loses a pair – and the four-game series -to the Browns, 2 – 1 and 11 – 4, and drops out of first place. The Indians take over first with a 12 – 1 drubbing of the Senators. The new issue of The Sporting News headline reads “‘I’ll be Nice if I Can,’ says Ossie Vitt of Tribe Truce.”

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 20, Boston loses a pair – and the four-game series -to the Browns, 2 – 1 and 11 – 4, and drops out of first place. The Indians take over first with a 12 – 1 drubbing of the Senators. The new issue of The Sporting News headline reads “‘I’ll be Nice if I Can,’ says Ossie Vitt of Tribe Truce.”

The Yankees lose to the White Sox, 1 – 0, in 11 innings, their 6th straight loss, then protest a “catch” by Sox LF Moose Solters, contending he dropped the ball in the 2nd inning when he was reaching for his cap. Umpire John Quinn apparently missed the error and the protest is upheld. The game will be replayed September 18, but, for several years, all of today’s records, including Monte Pearson’s loss and Johnny Rigney’s win, will count. It is the first time since 1919 that the Yankees have been shut out in extra innings by one pitcher: they lost on May 19, 1935 in extra innings to two pitchers, Lefty Stewart and Lloyd Brown.

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 20, The Yankees lose to the White Sox, 1 – 0, in 11 innings, their 6th straight loss, then protest a “catch” by Sox LF Moose Solters, contending he dropped the ball in the 2nd inning when he was reaching for his cap. Umpire John Quinn apparently missed the error and the protest is upheld. The game will be replayed September 18, but,…

Joe Medwick
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Joe Medwick is beaned by St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bob Bowman

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 18, 1940, Joe Medwick of the Brooklyn Dodgers acquired in a trade less than a week ago is beaned by St. Louis Cardinals pitcher Bob Bowman and needs to be carried off the field on a stretcher. Brooklyn president Lee MacPhail accuses the St. Louis pitcher of deliberately hitting Medwick in the head…

Cleveland Indians players petitions owner Alva Bradley to fire Oscar Vitt as the team’s manager
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Cleveland Indians players petitions owner Alva Bradley to fire Oscar Vitt as the team’s manager

ByThis Day in Baseball

    On June 16, 1940, a disgruntled group of Cleveland Indians players petitions owner Alva Bradley to fire Oscar Vitt as the team’s manager. Bradley turns down the players’ request, but eventually watches the team lose its hold on first place during the final weeks of the regular season. Vett will never manage again…

Bill Nicholson
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Bill Nicholson of the Chicago Cubs becomes the first major league player to hit a home run at Doubleday Field

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 13 1940, In the inaugural Hall of Fame game, the Red Sox beat the Cubs at Doubleday Field, 10-9. Future Hall of Famer Ted Williams hits two home runs during the six-inning rain-shortened exhibition. Bill Nicholson of the Chicago Cubs becomes the first major league player to hit a home run at Doubleday Field in Cooperstown. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IGp1c3QgY2xpY2sgdGhlIHRhZ3MhICAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImxpbmtfdG9fdGVybV9wYWdlIjoib24iLCJzZXBhcmF0b3IiOiIgfCAiLCJjYXRlZ29yeV90eXBlIjoicG9zdF90YWcifX0=@

In a trade which stuns the baseball world, the Dodgers obtain Ducky Medwick and pitcher Curt Davis from the Cardinals for outfielder Ernie Koy, pitcher Carl Doyle, two minor leaguers, and $125,000. The deal to acquire the 1937 Triple Crown winner, which is engineered by GM Larry MacPhail, signals the emergence of Brooklyn as a serious contender.

ByTom

On June 12 1940, In a trade which stuns the baseball world, the Dodgers obtain Ducky Medwick and pitcher Curt Davis from the Cardinals for outfielder Ernie Koy, pitcher Carl Doyle, two minor leaguers, and $125,000. The deal to acquire the 1937 Triple Crown winner, which is engineered by GM Larry MacPhail, signals the emergence…

In Boston‚ the Red Sox chase Bob Feller‚ 9 – 2‚ on homers by Ted Williams and Joe Cronin

In Boston‚ the Red Sox chase Bob Feller‚ 9 – 2‚ on homers by Ted Williams and Joe Cronin

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 11, 1940 In Boston‚ the Red Sox chase Bob Feller‚ 9 – 2‚ on homers by Ted Williams and Joe Cronin. Williams adds a triple‚ while Lou Finney has four hits including a pair of doubles. During the game‚ Tribe manager Oscar Vitt openly criticizes Feller‚ saying “Look at him. He’s supposed to be my ace. How am I supposed to win a pennant with…

Paul Dean debuts with the Giants

Paul Dean debuts with the Giants and beats the Cubs‚ 3 – 1‚ on 4 hits

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 11, 1940 In the second of two games‚ Paul Dean debuts with the Giants and beats the Cubs‚ 3 – 1‚ on 4 hits. Joe Moore runs his hitting streak to 14 games when he belts an 8th inning homer off Claude Passeau. The Giants win the opener, 4 – 0, behind Bill Lohrman to pull within 1 1/2 games of the Reds and Dodgers. Bill Lee is the losing…

1940 – Harry Craft of the Cincinnati Reds hits for the cycle, connecting for a home run, a triple, a double and two singles in seven at-bats, to lead a 27-hit attack as the Reds pound the host Brooklyn Dodgers, 23 – 2.

ByTom

1940 – Harry Craft of the Cincinnati Reds hits for the cycle, connecting for a home run, a triple, a double and two singles in seven at-bats, to lead a 27-hit attack as the Reds pound the host Brooklyn Dodgers, 23 – 2.

Warren Spahn, who will become the winningest left-hander in baseball history with 363 victories, signs a contract with the Boston Bees (Braves). Due to a clash with manager Casey Stengel and his enlistment in the U.S. Army, the 19 year-old southpaw will have to wait six years before he gets his first major league win.

ByTom

Warren Spahn, who will become the winningest left-hander in baseball history with 363 victories, signs a contract with the Boston Bees (Braves). Due to a clash with manager Casey Stengel and his enlistment in the U.S. Army, the 19 year-old southpaw will have to wait six years before he gets his first major league win.