Greenberg Gardens are built at Forbes Field
Discover the story behind “Greenberg Gardens” at Forbes Field and how the Pittsburgh Pirates tailored the ballpark for Hank Greenberg’s hitting prowess.
Bucky Harris highlights 4 New managers in spring training
New managers in spring training camps are Billy Herman with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Muddy Ruel with the St. Louis Browns, Bucky Harris with the New York Yankees, and Johnny Neun with the Cincinnati Reds. Neun ended 1946 as manager of the Yankees after both Joe McCarthy and Bill Dickey quit.
Father Vincent Powell announces the diocese’s Catholic Youth Organization will no longer participate in the Dodgers’ Knothole Club because of Leo Durocher
Father Vincent Powell announces the diocese’s Catholic Youth Organization will no longer participate in the Dodgers’ Knothole Club, stating the church cannot continue to have their youngsters associated with the team’s manager, Leo Durocher. The monsignor, who has been the director of the local CYO since 1940, believes the Brooklyn skipper “represents an example in complete contradiction” to the faith’s moral teachings.
Bill Veeck, a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, sets up a spring training camp there for the Cleveland Indians after Larry Doby signing
In anticipation of the signing of the team’s first black players, Bill Veeck, a resident of Phoenix, Arizona, sets up a spring training camp there for the Cleveland Indians. Arizona is chosen because of its relatively tolerant racial climate. During the season, Veeck will sign the American League’s first black player, Larry Doby, who will train at the camp. The New York Giants also set up camp in Arizona, while the Brooklyn Dodgers move their training camp from Florida to Havana, Cuba.
Happy Chandler announces the creation of a pension plan for players
Commissioner A.B. “Happy” Chandler announces the creation of a pension plan for American and National League players
Nolan Ryan is born in Refugio, Texas
On January 31, 1947, Hall of Famer – Lynn Nolan Ryan is born in Refugio, TX . He will make his major league debut in 1966 with the New York Mets, kicking off a major league record 27-year career. Ryan will win 324 games with the Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers and…
Mickey Cochrane, Frankie Frisch, Lefty Grove and Carl Hubbell join the Hall of fame
1947 – A rule change that allows voting only for players who were active after 1921 produces four new Hall of Fame members: catcher Mickey Cochrane, second baseman Frankie Frisch, and pitchers Lefty Grove and Carl Hubbell, all former Most Valuable Players and World Series winners. Pie Traynor misses selection by two votes. Hubbell was forbidden by Ty Cobb to throw his screwball in Detroit’s farm system, but used it to win 253 games for the New York Giants; Frisch went to the World Series eight times and batted .316 over 19 seasons; Grove won 300 games, and his battery-mate Cochrane retired with .320, the highest lifetime batting average of any catcher.
Negro Leagues legend Josh Gibson at the age of 35
On January 20, 1947, Negro Leagues legend Josh Gibson, suffers a stroke at a movie theater, dying a few hours later at his mother’s house at the age of 35. The stroke was believed to be caused by a brain tumor. He will be put to rest in an unmarked grave in Allegheny…
Detroit Tigers sell star first baseman Hank Greenberg to the Pittsburgh Pirates
On January 18, 1947, the Detroit Tigers sell star first baseman Hank Greenberg to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1946, Greenberg led the American League with 44 home runs and 127 RBIs, but will slump to 25 home runs and 74 RBIs with the Pirates. Greenberg will retire after the 1947 season. Due to a misunderstanding…
History of the World Series – 1946
After seven innings at Sportsman’s Park, the St. Louis Cardinals held a 3-1 lead over the Boston Red Sox. Cardinals righthander Murry Dickson, after giving up singles to the first two batters, Wally Moses and Johnny Pesky, had allowed only one hit since the first inning. In the fifth, Dickson had broken a 1-1 tie…
