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.

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.

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.

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.

1949 – Attendance in the major leagues is 20.2 million, down from 20.9 in 1948. The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians each finish with over 2.2 million, but the St. Louis Browns fall to 270,000. The Browns will try to cover their light attendance with $200,000 obtained in cash in December sales of Bob Dillinger, Jerry Priddy and Paul Lehner as the team gets five players in the transactions.

ByTom

1949 – Attendance in the major leagues is 20.2 million, down from 20.9 in 1948. The New York Yankees and the Cleveland Indians each finish with over 2.2 million, but the St. Louis Browns fall to 270,000. The Browns will try to cover their light attendance with $200,000 obtained in cash in December sales of Bob Dillinger, Jerry Priddy and Paul Lehner as the team gets five players in the transactions.

Stephens drives in 7

Stephens drives in 7

ByTom

Vern Stephens connects at Griffith Stadium, DC, 9/28/49. Stephens had 7 RBIs final week of season but Boston would lose last 2 to Yankees to miss pennant by 1 game. Stephens would finish with 159 RBIs (tied with teammate Ted Williams), a total not surpassed for 50 years [jetpack_subscription_form title=”Join the Community” subscribe_text=”We bring you…

In front of a cheering crowd of 33,977 attending the Indians’ final home game, Charley Lupica, after spending 113 days in the air waiting for the Tribe to take first place or be eliminated from the pennant race, climbs down from his flagpole perch, which was recently shifted five miles from his confectionery store to the ballpark on a hydraulic lift. After the wobbly loyal fan kisses the Municipal Stadium’s home plate, he receives a new automobile from team owner Bill Veeck, in addition to receiving a 50-foot flagpole as a souvenir.

ByTom

In front of a cheering crowd of 33,977 attending the Indians’ final home game, Charley Lupica, after spending 113 days in the air waiting for the Tribe to take first place or be eliminated from the pennant race, climbs down from his flagpole perch, which was recently shifted five miles from his confectionery store to the ballpark on a hydraulic lift. After the wobbly loyal fan kisses the Municipal Stadium’s home plate, he receives a new automobile from team owner Bill Veeck, in addition to receiving a 50-foot flagpole as a souvenir.