The A’s trade Bob Johnson to the Senators for Jimmy Pofahl and Bobby Estalella. The former Philadelphia’s fan-favorite outfielder will make the All-Star squad for Washington and will receive consideration for the Most Valuable Player award.
On March 20, 1943, the Washington Senators acquire veteran outfielder Bob Johnson from the Philadelphia A’s for outfielder-third baseman Bobby Estalella and infielder Jimmy Pofahl. A member of the A’s since 1933, Johnson has led the Athletics in RBI in each of the last seven seasons – no team has ever traded a slugger with that…
1943 – Due to wartime travel restrictions, spring training camps begin opening in northern locations. Some of the locales include Bear Mountain, New York (Brooklyn Dodgers), French Lick Springs, Indiana (Cubs and White Sox), Asbury Park, New Jersey (Yankees), Medford, Massachusetts (Boston Red Sox) and Wallingford, Connecticut (Boston Braves).
1943 – The major leagues approve a new official ball manufactured by the Spalding Company for the upcoming season. Instead of the usual combination of cork and rubber, the inside of the ball is made up of recycled cork and balata, materials not needed in the war effort. Officials insist the ball will have the resiliency of the 1939 ball, but the players will express dismay that they cannot drive the new ball and point out the dearth of runs and homers in 1942 even with the old ball.
On March 13, 1943, the Spalding Company starts manufacturing a new kind of baseball for the upcoming season. The inside of the ball is made up of recycled cork and balata, instead of the usual combination of cork and rubber.
The Dodgers trade first baseman Babe Dahlgren to the Phillies for outfielder Lloyd Waner and infielder Al Glossop. Philadelphia’s new 31 year-old infielder will enjoy an all-star season during his only year in the City of Brotherly Love, hitting a solid .287 for the seventh-place team.
1943 – The woeful Philadelphia Phillies announce their new nickname – the Blue Jays. The winning entry in the contest was submitted by a Mrs. Elizabeth Crooks, and was chosen over a number of names ranging from Daisies to Stinkers. Team president Bob Carpenter says he hopes to have the farm system identified by the same blue color, with the Wilmington club called the Blue Rocks and possibly the new Bradford team as the Blue Wings. The Blue Jays will be the official team name in 1943 and 1944, but will be abandoned in 1945, though the team will still occasionally be referred to in newspaper accounts as the Blue Jays through 1949. Ms. Crooks wins a $100 war bond and a season ticket to the Blue Jays.
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