1The 1940s is the only decade in Major League Baseball history in which no new stadiums are built
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1The 1940s is the only decade in Major League Baseball history in which no new stadiums are built

ByThis Day in Baseball

1949 – The 1940s is the only decade in Major League Baseball history in which no new stadiums are built. After the Cleveland Indians opened Cleveland Stadium in 1932, no new ballpark will be opened until Milwaukee County Stadium is unveiled by the Braves in 1953. The decade also will end with eight black players on major league rosters: three each on the Brooklyn Dodgers and Indians rosters, and two with the New York Giants. Although it will be another decade before all major league teams will be integrated, most teams will be playing blacks in the next two years. Finally, all but the St. Louis Browns, Chicago Cubs, and Cincinnati Reds set attendance records in the 1940s. There were 81 scheduled night games in 1940 and 384 in 1949. The change to playing under the lights is underscored by the release of the 1950 schedule: the St. Louis Cardinals have permission to open the season with the Pittsburgh Pirates in a night game.

Grover Cleveland Alexander is found lying unconscious in an alley in Hollywood, CA

Grover Cleveland Alexander is found lying unconscious in an alley in Hollywood, CA

ByTom

1949 – Hall of Fame pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander is found lying unconscious in an alley in Hollywood, CA. The great Old Pete, who was elected to the HoF in 1938, is suffering from epilepsy and is missing one of his ears. He will die from liver disease less than a year later.

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Cecil Cooper is born in Brenham, TX. After a 17-year career in the American League, Cooper is named as the first African-American manager of the Astros in 2007. He would compile a 171-170 record until he is dismissed late in the 2009 season.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1949 – Cecil Cooper is born in Brenham, TX. After a 17-year career in the American League, Cooper is named as the first African-American manager of the Astros in 2007. He would compile a 171-170 record until he is dismissed late in the 2009 season.

1949 – The Yankees and Detroit swap first basemen, the Tigers getting Dick Kryhoski while New York takes Dick Wakefield, signed by the Tigers in 1941 to a $52,000 bonus.

ByTom

1949 – The Yankees and Detroit swap first basemen, the Tigers getting Dick Kryhoski while New York takes Dick Wakefield, signed by the Tigers in 1941 to a $52,000 bonus.

December 14, 1949 - In a major trade, the New York Giants get Alvin Dark and Eddie Stanky from the Boston Braves in a swap for Willard Marshall, Sid Gordon, Buddy Kerr and Sam Webb.

In a major trade, the New York Giants get Alvin Dark and Eddie Stanky from the Boston Braves in a swap for Willard Marshall, Sid Gordon, Buddy Kerr and Sam Webb.

ByThis Day in Baseball

In a major trade, the New York Giants get Alvin Dark and Eddie Stanky from the Boston Braves in a swap for Willard Marshall, Sid Gordon, Buddy Kerr and Sam Webb.

The Cubs send pitcher Bill Voiselle and $35,000 to the Braves for infielder Gene Mauch. The Cubs had hoped to come away with Warren Spahn or Johnny Antonelli.

ByTom

The Cubs send pitcher Bill Voiselle and $35,000 to the Braves for infielder Gene Mauch. The Cubs had hoped to come away with Warren Spahn or Johnny Antonelli.

Bob Dillinger

The Browns send star 3B Bob Dillinger (.324) and OF Paul Lehner to the A’s for a reported $100,000 and infielders Frankie Gustine and Billy DeMars, and outfielders Ray Coleman and Ray Ippolitto. Dillinger will play just a half-season in Philly before being swapped to Pittsburgh.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1949 – The Browns send star 3B Bob Dillinger (.324) and OF Paul Lehner to the A’s for a reported $100,000 and infielders Frankie Gustine and Billy DeMars, and outfielders Ray Coleman and Ray Ippolitto. Dillinger will play just a half-season in Philly before being swapped to Pittsburgh.

1949 – By a 7-1 vote, the American League rejects a proposal to bring back the legal spitball. The rules committee also alters the strike zone to the space between the armpits and the top of the knees. The new rule eliminates the batter’s shoulders being within the strike zone.

1949 – By a 7-1 vote, the American League rejects a proposal to bring back the legal spitball. The rules committee also alters the strike zone to the space between the armpits and the top of the knees. The new rule eliminates the batter’s shoulders being within the strike zone.

ByTom

1949 – By a 7-1 vote, the American League rejects a proposal to bring back the legal spitball. The rules committee also alters the strike zone to the space between the armpits and the top of the knees. The new rule eliminates the batter’s shoulders being within the strike zone.