Although he will continue to play in the minor leagues until 1955, Ed Levy appears in his 40th and final game of his three-year tenure in the major leagues. The Irish Catholic first baseman, born as Edward Clarence Whitner in 1911, is asked to start using his stepfather’s surname by Yankee team president Ed Barrow to help the club attract more Jewish fans to the Bronx ballpark.

This Day In Baseball

On June 17, 1944 — Although he will continue to play in the minor leagues until 1955, Ed Levy appears in his 40th and final game of his three-year tenure in the major leagues. The Irish Catholic first baseman, born as Edward Clarence Whitner in 1911, is asked to start using his stepfather’s surname by Yankee team president Ed Barrow to help the club attract more Jewish fans to the Bronx ballpark.

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