In the first game of a doubleheader split, first baseman Phil Weintraub collects 11 RBI and player-manager Mel Ott scores six runs, drawing five walks as the New York Giants defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers, 26 – 8. Brooklyn wins the nightcap, 5 – 4, in a game shortened due to darkness.

ByTom

1944 – In the first game of a doubleheader split, first baseman Phil Weintraub collects 11 RBI and player-manager Mel Ott scores six runs, drawing five walks as the New York Giants defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers, 26 – 8. Brooklyn wins the nightcap, 5 – 4, in a game shortened due to darkness.

Jim Tobin

At Braves Field, Jim Tobin of the Boston Braves pitches a one-hit 6 – 0 shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies in the Braves’ home opener. Philadelphia second baseman Ford Mullen gets the only hit in the 6th inning. In his previous start, Tobin lost a three-hitter to the New York Giants, 2 – 1, at the Polo Grounds.

ByBaseball

At Braves Field, Jim Tobin of the Boston Braves pitches a one-hit 6 – 0 shutout against the Philadelphia Phillies in the Braves’ home opener. Philadelphia second baseman Ford Mullen gets the only hit in the 6th inning. In his previous start, Tobin lost a three-hitter to the New York Giants, 2 – 1, at the Polo Grounds.

After hitting just one home run in his last 297 games, Mike Kreevich hits two round-trippers in the Browns’ 5-3 victory over Chicago at Sportsman’s Park. The 35 year-old right fielder will finish the season with five homers for the eventual American League champs.

ByTom

After hitting just one home run in his last 297 games, Mike Kreevich hits two round-trippers in the Browns’ 5-3 victory over Chicago at Sportsman’s Park. The 35 year-old right fielder will finish the season with five homers for the eventual American League champs.

elmer gedeon

Elmer John Gedeon becomes the first major league player to lose his life serving in World War II

ByThis Day in Baseball

On April 20, 1944, Elmer John Gedeon becomes the first major league player to lose his life serving in World War II. The 26-year-old Gedeon, who played briefly as an outfielder for the Washington Senators in 1939, dies when his plane is shot down over St. Pol, France. Gedeon served in the Army Air Corps…