1917 – Tim Murnane, a first baseman on the original Boston National League team of 1876, and later a leading baseball writer, dies in Boston at age of 64.
1917 – Pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander announces he is ready to retire from professional baseball and join a semipro team if his salary demands are not met. Alexander wants a three-year contract at $15,000 per year.
1917 – The Cubs send P Jimmy Lavender and $5,000 to the Phillies for P Al Demaree, who will be sent to the Giants in July.
1917 – With Bill Carrigan reaffirming his decision to leave the Boston Red Sox, shortstop Jack Barry is named the team’s new manager.
1916 – The Chicago Cubs swap OF Joe Kelly to the Boston Braves for coach Fred Mitchell, who will become Chicago’s new manager.
1916 – American League owners unanimously approve the sale of the Red Sox to Harry Frazee and Hugh Ward.
1916 – The National Commission fines 51 players $25 to $100 for performing in post-season exhibitions. Among the guilty: Babe Ruth, Jack Barry, Duffy Lewis, 10 other Red Sox players, and Ty Cobb.
1916 – The National Commission orders that injured players shall get full pay for the duration of their contracts. The injury clause previously let clubs suspend players after 15 days’ pay.
1916 – In Kansas City, MO, Walter Johnson and Grover Cleveland Alexander face each other for the first time. The exhibition game between the two stars features Zach Wheat, Casey Stengel, Max Carey, Hal Chase and others. The “Johnsons” prevail over the “Alexanders”, 3 – 2.
George Sisler outduels the Senators’ legend Walter Johnson, 1-0. The game will marks Gorgeous George’s last big league pitching victory, but the former Browns’ hurler will become a member of the Hall of Fame as a first baseman, finishing his 15-year major league career with a .340 lifetime batting average.
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!