Provost Marshal Enoch Crowder issues a “work-or-fight” order, originally setting July 1 as the deadline for players to enter needed war workforce or face induction into military service. Secretary of War Newton D. Baker, who ignores Woodrow Wilson’s letter stating that the President saw “no necessity” for curtailing major-league play, does permit the major leaguers to continue to play through Labor Day, allowing the completion of the shortened season and the World Series with the teams’ rosters staying intact.

Provost Marshal Enoch Crowder issues a “work-or-fight” order, originally setting July 1 as the deadline for players to enter needed war workforce or face induction into military service. Secretary of War Newton D. Baker, who ignores Woodrow Wilson’s letter stating that the President saw “no necessity” for curtailing major-league play, does permit the major leaguers to continue to play through Labor Day, allowing the completion of the shortened season and the World Series with the teams’ rosters staying intact.

The Senators play the District’s first Sunday game, beating Cleveland in a dramatic, 1-0 twelve-inning contest in front of the largest crowd in the history of American League Park. The 17,000 spectators packed into the Washington D.C. ballpark include 2,000 soldiers, who are guests of the team, several U.S. Senators, and a Justice from the Supreme Court.

The Senators play the District’s first Sunday game, beating Cleveland in a dramatic, 1-0 twelve-inning contest in front of the largest crowd in the history of American League Park. The 17,000 spectators packed into the Washington D.C. ballpark include 2,000 soldiers, who are guests of the team, several U.S. Senators, and a Justice from the Supreme Court.

In a game that takes only 2 hours and 47 minutes to play, Senators’ legend Walter Johnson goes the distance in an 18-inning contest, defeating Larry Williams, who also tosses a complete game, and the White Sox at Comiskey Park, 1-0. Eddie Ainsworth, who advances to third base on the ‘Big Train’s’ single, scores the winning run on a wild pitch.

In a game that takes only 2 hours and 47 minutes to play, Senators’ legend Walter Johnson goes the distance in an 18-inning contest, defeating Larry Williams, who also tosses a complete game, and the White Sox at Comiskey Park, 1-0. Eddie Ainsworth, who advances to third base on the ‘Big Train’s’ single, scores the winning run on a wild pitch.

Walter Johnson beats Ruth 4-3 on a bunt

Walter Johnson beats Ruth 4-3 on a bunt

May 9, 1918 – At Griffith Stadium Babe Ruth went 5-5 with three doubles and a triple. He threw a complete game, but lost, 4-3, in the 10th. The winning run scored on a bunt by Walter Johnson, who came in, to replace Doc Ayers in the 10th. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IGp1c3QgY2xpY2sgdGhlIHRhZ3MhICAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImxpbmtfdG9fdGVybV9wYWdlIjoib24iLCJzZXBhcmF0b3IiOiIgfCAiLCJjYXRlZ29yeV90eXBlIjoicG9zdF90YWcifX0=@

The New York Giants’ 9-0 start and the Brooklyn Robins’ 0-9 losing streak are both stopped, as the Robins win, 5 – 3, in the opening game of a doubleheader behind Larry Cheney’s strong pitching.

The New York Giants’ 9-0 start and the Brooklyn Robins’ 0-9 losing streak are both stopped, as the Robins win, 5 – 3, in the opening game of a doubleheader behind Larry Cheney’s strong pitching.

1918 – The New York Giants’ 9-0 start and the Brooklyn Robins’ 0-9 losing streak are both stopped, as the Robins win, 5 – 3, in the opening game of a doubleheader behind Larry Cheney’s strong pitching.

The American League season opens with Babe Ruth pitching a four-hit, 7 – 1, victory over the Philadelphia Athletics

The American League season opens with Babe Ruth pitching a four-hit, 7 – 1, victory over the Philadelphia Athletics

1918 – The American League season opens with Babe Ruth pitching a four-hit, 7 – 1, victory over the Philadelphia Athletics. Boston Red Sox manager Ed Barrow will start Ruth’s conversion to slugger later that season by working him into 72 games in the outfield and at first base.

1918 – International League owners vote 6-2 to disband the league. The two teams voting to continue play are Richmond and Newark. Despite the apparent dissolution of the league, a reborn IL will indeed play in 1918 and beyond.

1918 – International League owners vote 6-2 to disband the league. The two teams voting to continue play are Richmond and Newark. Despite the apparent dissolution of the league, a reborn IL will indeed play in 1918 and beyond.

1918 – The Yankees trade catcher Les Nunamaker, third baseman Fritz Maisel, infielder Joe Gedeon, and pitchers Nick Cullop and Urban Shocker to the St. Louis Browns in exchange for pitcher Eddie Plank and second baseman Del Pratt. Plank, a 300-game winner, retires, but Pratt gives the Yankees three good years of services at second. Shocker is the gem, posting four straight seasons of 20 or more wins in St. Louis. Maisel, whom the Yankees refused to trade in early 1916 for either Boston Red Sox Tris Speaker (and cash) or Chicago White Sox Shoeless Joe Jackson, will hit just .232 in 90 games and be gone.

1918 – The Yankees trade catcher Les Nunamaker, third baseman Fritz Maisel, infielder Joe Gedeon, and pitchers Nick Cullop and Urban Shocker to the St. Louis Browns in exchange for pitcher Eddie Plank and second baseman Del Pratt. Plank, a 300-game winner, retires, but Pratt gives the Yankees three good years of services at second. Shocker is the gem, posting four straight seasons of 20 or more wins in St. Louis. Maisel, whom the Yankees refused to trade in early 1916 for either Boston Red Sox Tris Speaker (and cash) or Chicago White Sox Shoeless Joe Jackson, will hit just .232 in 90 games and be gone.

Buck Herzog

Veteran infielder Buck Herzog is traded by the New York Giants to the Boston Braves for second baseman Larry Doyle and pitcher Jesse Barnes. Barnes will go 6-1 this year and then win a league-high 25 games in 1919. Doyle, a former Giants and fan favorite, was acquired from the Chicago Cubs four days ago and his trade was rumored. He will play three years in New York before retiring.

1918 – Veteran infielder Buck Herzog is traded by the New York Giants to the Boston Braves for second baseman Larry Doyle and pitcher Jesse Barnes. Barnes will go 6-1 this year and then win a league-high 25 games in 1919. Doyle, a former Giants and fan favorite, was acquired from the Chicago Cubs four days ago and his trade was rumored. He will play three years in New York before retiring.