The Cincinnati Reds ran away with the National League using great defense and the top-notch pitching of Bucky Walters (22-10, 2.48 ERA) and Paul Derringer (20-12, 3.06 ERA). The Junior Circuit was tight all the way with Cleveland, Detroit, and New York fighting it out to the last weekend. Detroit nosed ahead to…
1940 – The New York Yankees send Bump Hadley to the New York Giants for the waiver price and trade infielder Bill Knickerbocker to the Chicago White Sox for catcher Ken Silvestri. The military will claim Silvestri for the next four years.
1940 – The New York Yankees swap pitcher Monte Pearson to the Cincinnati Reds for a player and cash.
1940 – South Side Park, the first home of the Chicago White Sox, burns down.
1940 – The Cleveland Indians trade veteran outfielder Ben Chapman to the Washington Senators for pitcher Joe Krakauskas. Cleveland also sells pitcher Johnny Allen to the Browns.
1940 – Chicago writers name Cleveland Indians shortstop Lou Boudreau as the outstanding rookie in the major leagues. Boudreau will be honored at the annual January banquet. The Rookie of the Year Award won’t be created until 1947, however.
Connie Mack announces he has acquired the controlling interest in the A’s, a team he has managed for the past 40 years, for a reported $42,000. The Philadelphia skipper, who will celebrate his 78th birthday in three days, had shared the ownership with the heirs of Benjamin Shibe, who started the franchise on a joint basis in 1901.
1940 – The White Sox ship P Jack Knott to the A’s for IF Dario Lodigiani.
On December 15, 1940, Hall of Fame outfielder “Sliding Billy” Hamilton dies at the age of 74. Hamilton stole 912 bases and batted .344 over a 14-year career, placing him in the top 10 on the all-time batting list.
1940 – Veteran umpire George Moriarty is removed from the active staff and transferred to the American League promotional department.
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