1944 – The fourth straight bad start by Bucky Walters of Cincinnati will deprive him of the ERA title. Bucky gives up 27 runs in 24 innings after a brilliant start of the season. He will recover to win 23 games and finish with an ERA of 2.40, but teammate Ed Heusser will be the ERA champ with 2.38.

ByBaseball

1944 – The fourth straight bad start by Bucky Walters of Cincinnati will deprive him of the ERA title. Bucky gives up 27 runs in 24 innings after a brilliant start of the season. He will recover to win 23 games and finish with an ERA of 2.40, but teammate Ed Heusser will be the ERA champ with 2.38.

Bill Nicholson

Bill Nicholson is walked with bases loaded during power serge

ByThis Day in Baseball

On July 23, 1944, In the eighth inning of the second game of a doubleheader, Giants manager Mel Ott orders his pitcher Andy Hansen to issue an intentional walk with the bases loaded to Bill Nicholson. The free pass to Swish, who has hit four consecutive home runs in the twin bill, doesn’t work when the Cubs…

Nelson Potter

Nelson Potter of the St. Louis Browns becomes the first major league pitcher to be suspended for throwing a spitball

ByThis Day in Baseball

On July 20, 1944 — Browns’ hurler Nels Potter is banned for ten days, becoming the first pitcher ever to be suspended for throwing a spitball. The spitball, shine ball, and emery ball were outlawed by the major league’s Joint Rules Committee in 1920, which allowed the seventeen pitchers using the doctored pitches at the…

The Dodgers score eight unearned runs against the Braves to win, 8 – 5, and break their 16-game losing streak. They will lose another five in a row.

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The Dodgers score eight unearned runs against the Braves to win, 8 – 5, and break their 16-game losing streak. They will lose another five in a row.

Dick Wakefield finishes Navy air training and then is released from the service pending assignment

Dick Wakefield finishes Navy air training and then is released from the service pending assignment

ByThis Day in Baseball

A .300 hitter as a rookie for the Tigers in 1943, Dick Wakefield finishes Navy air training and then is released from the service pending assignment. He rejoins the Tigers and will hit .355 the rest of the season, pushing Detroit near the flag despite the loss of 12 of its first 13 home games. In the first week after the All-Star Game, Wakefield homers twice, and goes 9 for 24.

Phil Cavarretta
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Phil Cavaretta sets an All-Star Game record by reaching base five consecutive times in the NL’s 7-1 victory

ByThis Day in Baseball

At Pittsburgh’s Forbes Field, Phil Cavaretta sets an All-Star Game record by reaching base five consecutive times. The 27 year-old Cub first baseman’s triple, single, and three walks help the National League beat the Junior Circuit, 7-1.

Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis
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Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis is the lone inductee into Hall of Fame

ByThis Day in Baseball

On July 10, 1944, the second Hall of Fame induction ceremony is held after a four-year wait, mostly due to World War II travel restrictions. Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis is the lone inductee. Four months later, Landis will pass away.

Baltimore’s Oriole Park, erected in 1914 for the Federal League, burns down. The Orioles moves to the city’s unroofed Venable Stadium. It will be used this way until a second tier is added and the ballpark is re-named “Memorial Stadium” when the St. Louis Browns move in for the 1954 season.

Baltimore’s Oriole Park, erected in 1914 for the Federal League, burns down. The Orioles moves to the city’s unroofed Venable Stadium. It will be used this way until a second tier is added and the ballpark is re-named “Memorial Stadium” when the St. Louis Browns move in for the 1954 season.

ByBaseball

Baltimore’s Oriole Park, erected in 1914 for the Federal League, burns down. The Orioles moves to the city’s unroofed Venable Stadium. It will be used this way until a second tier is added and the ballpark is re-named “Memorial Stadium” when the St. Louis Browns move in for the 1954 season.