1943 – The Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Browns play four consecutive extra-inning games, working 45 innings in games between May 31 and today. Both leagues will set season records for extra-inning activity, 91 in the American League, 80 in the National League.

ByTom

1943 – The Boston Red Sox and the St. Louis Browns play four consecutive extra-inning games, working 45 innings in games between May 31 and today. Both leagues will set season records for extra-inning activity, 91 in the American League, 80 in the National League.

With contests played in Rockford (Illinois) and Racine (Wisconsin), the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League begins the first season of its 12-year existence. The original AAGPBL four-team circuit, which also includes the war-production cities of Kenosha (Wisconsin) and South Bend (Indiana), will attract 176,612 baseball enthusiasts during the league’s inaugural season.

ByTom

With contests played in Rockford (Illinois) and Racine (Wisconsin), the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League begins the first season of its 12-year existence. The original AAGPBL four-team circuit, which also includes the war-production cities of Kenosha (Wisconsin) and South Bend (Indiana), will attract 176,612 baseball enthusiasts during the league’s inaugural season.

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5/1/1943 – In the second game of a doubleheader at the Polo Grounds, the Dodgers batted out of turn in the first inning but discovered the problem themselves. Alex Kampouris batted one spot too early in place of Dee Moore and flew out. Dodger skipper Leo Durocher noticed the mistake and sent Kampouris up again, supposedly in his own place in the lineup. However, once Kampouris batted the next batter should have been Bobo Newsom who was listed after Kampouris. Kampy walked in his second trip to the plate. Brooklyn swept the twin bill by scores of 9-2 and 3-0.

ByTom

5/1/1943 – In the second game of a doubleheader at the Polo Grounds, the Dodgers batted out of turn in the first inning but discovered the problem themselves. Alex Kampouris batted one spot too early in place of Dee Moore and flew out. Dodger skipper Leo Durocher noticed the mistake and sent Kampouris up again, supposedly in his own place in the lineup. However, once Kampouris batted the next batter should have been Bobo Newsom who was listed after Kampouris. Kampy walked in his second trip to the plate. Brooklyn swept the twin bill by scores of 9-2 and 3-0.

1943 – The St. Louis Browns win their seventh consecutive Opening Day game in front of a reduced crowd of 4,000 fans due to war-time travel restrictions. Al Hollingsworth shuts out the Chicago White Sox, 3 – 0.

ByTom

1943 – The St. Louis Browns win their seventh consecutive Opening Day game in front of a reduced crowd of 4,000 fans due to war-time travel restrictions. Al Hollingsworth shuts out the Chicago White Sox, 3 – 0.

The A’s trade Bob Johnson to the Senators for Jimmy Pofahl and Bobby Estalella. The former Philadelphia’s fan-favorite outfielder will make the All-Star squad for Washington and will receive consideration for the Most Valuable Player award.

ByTom

The A’s trade Bob Johnson to the Senators for Jimmy Pofahl and Bobby Estalella. The former Philadelphia’s fan-favorite outfielder will make the All-Star squad for Washington and will receive consideration for the Most Valuable Player award.

1943 – Due to wartime travel restrictions, spring training camps begin opening in northern locations. Some of the locales include Bear Mountain, New York (Brooklyn Dodgers), French Lick Springs, Indiana (Cubs and White Sox), Asbury Park, New Jersey (Yankees), Medford, Massachusetts (Boston Red Sox) and Wallingford, Connecticut (Boston Braves).

1943 – Due to wartime travel restrictions, spring training camps begin opening in northern locations. Some of the locales include Bear Mountain, New York (Brooklyn Dodgers), French Lick Springs, Indiana (Cubs and White Sox), Asbury Park, New Jersey (Yankees), Medford, Massachusetts (Boston Red Sox) and Wallingford, Connecticut (Boston Braves).

ByTom

1943 – Due to wartime travel restrictions, spring training camps begin opening in northern locations. Some of the locales include Bear Mountain, New York (Brooklyn Dodgers), French Lick Springs, Indiana (Cubs and White Sox), Asbury Park, New Jersey (Yankees), Medford, Massachusetts (Boston Red Sox) and Wallingford, Connecticut (Boston Braves).

The major leagues approve a new official ball manufactured by the Spalding Company 

The major leagues approve a new official ball manufactured by the Spalding Company 

ByTom

1943 – The major leagues approve a new official ball manufactured by the Spalding Company for the upcoming season. Instead of the usual combination of cork and rubber, the inside of the ball is made up of recycled cork and balata, materials not needed in the war effort. Officials insist the ball will have the resiliency of the 1939 ball, but the players will express dismay that they cannot drive the new ball and point out the dearth of runs and homers in 1942 even with the old ball.

The Dodgers trade first baseman Babe Dahlgren to the Phillies for outfielder Lloyd Waner and infielder Al Glossop

The Dodgers trade first baseman Babe Dahlgren to the Phillies for outfielder Lloyd Waner and infielder Al Glossop

ByTom

The Dodgers trade first baseman Babe Dahlgren to the Phillies for outfielder Lloyd Waner and infielder Al Glossop. Philadelphia’s new 31 year-old infielder will enjoy an all-star season during his only year in the City of Brotherly Love, hitting a solid .287 for the seventh-place team.

1943 – The woeful Philadelphia Phillies announce their new nickname – the Blue Jays. The winning entry in the contest was submitted by a Mrs. Elizabeth Crooks, and was chosen over a number of names ranging from Daisies to Stinkers. Team president Bob Carpenter says he hopes to have the farm system identified by the same blue color, with the Wilmington club called the Blue Rocks and possibly the new Bradford team as the Blue Wings. The Blue Jays will be the official team name in 1943 and 1944, but will be abandoned in 1945, though the team will still occasionally be referred to in newspaper accounts as the Blue Jays through 1949. Ms. Crooks wins a $100 war bond and a season ticket to the Blue Jays.

ByTom

1943 – The woeful Philadelphia Phillies announce their new nickname – the Blue Jays. The winning entry in the contest was submitted by a Mrs. Elizabeth Crooks, and was chosen over a number of names ranging from Daisies to Stinkers. Team president Bob Carpenter says he hopes to have the farm system identified by the same blue color, with the Wilmington club called the Blue Rocks and possibly the new Bradford team as the Blue Wings. The Blue Jays will be the official team name in 1943 and 1944, but will be abandoned in 1945, though the team will still occasionally be referred to in newspaper accounts as the Blue Jays through 1949. Ms. Crooks wins a $100 war bond and a season ticket to the Blue Jays.

The Texas League announces it will suspend operations for the duration of the war

ByTom

1943 – The Texas League announces it will suspend operations for the duration of the war. The St. Louis Cardinals, with 260 farm players in the service, will reduce farm clubs from 22 to 6. Only nine minor leagues will start the 1943 season. Advertisements for players appear in The Sporting News.