In Boston, Giants outfielder Benny Kauff is picked off first base three times by Lefty Tyler. The center fielder’s miscues don’t hurt the team when New York reels off its 14th consecutive road victory, beating the Braves, 12-1.
The Giants start the season on the road with a 5-4 loss to Philadelphia at the Baker Bowl. The game marks the debut of New York’s new purple plaid uniforms, fortunately, a trend that will last only a year.
1916 – Jack Dunn, owner of the International League Baltimore Orioles, buys the park built by the Baltimore Terrapins of the Federal League.
1916 – Energetic recruiting by Ban Johnson produces a pair of Chicago contractors to take over the Cleveland franchise from Charles W. Somers, a lavish spender at the American League’s creation but now in financial difficulties. J.C. Dunn and P.S. McCarthy pay $500,000 – $60,000 less than the asking price. E.S. Barnard will stay on as vice president and Lee Fohl, as manager.
With the emergence of Joe Judge at 1B, the Washington Senators sell Chick Gandil to Cleveland for $7,500.
1916 – After playing two seasons in Cleveland, OH, the American Association Mud Hens transfer back to Toledo. The franchise spent two seasons in Cleveland to block a Federal League team from moving in there.
The Giants ask for waivers on Chief Meyers, but Brooklyn and Boston both refuse the team’s request. When the Robins owner Charles Ebbets and Braves owners Percy D. Haughton disagree on the status of the veteran catcher, a coin toss determines the 35 year-old will play for Brooklyn, where he will hit .235 in limited action over the next two season.
In a sweet deal, the Chicago Cubs send cash to the sinking Chicago Whales of the Federal League and bring back defectors Three Finger Brown, Clem Clemens, Mickey Doolan, Bill Fischer, Max Flack, Claude Hendrix, Les Mann, Dykes Potter, Joe Tinker, Rollie Zeider and George McConnell.
The National League votes down a proposal by the Giants, Braves, and Cubs to increase club player limit from 21 to 22. (The Reds want a decrease to 20.)
1916 – The National League turns down a request from Brooklyn Robins owner Charles Ebbets, who had wanted to impose a limit of 2,000 seats that clubs can sell for 25 cents. The Boston Braves have 10,000 such seats, the St. Louis Cardinals 9,000, the Philadelphia Phillies 6,500, and the Cincinnati Reds 4,000.
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