elmer gedeon

Elmer John Gedeon becomes the first major league player to lose his life serving in World War II

ByThis Day in Baseball

On April 20, 1944, Elmer John Gedeon becomes the first major league player to lose his life serving in World War II. The 26-year-old Gedeon, who played briefly as an outfielder for the Washington Senators in 1939, dies when his plane is shot down over St. Pol, France. Gedeon served in the Army Air Corps…

Denny McLain

Denny McLain Stats & Facts

ByThis Day in Baseball

Denny McLain Position: Pitcher Bats: Right  •  Throws: Right 6-1, 185lb (185cm, 83kg) Born: March 29, 1944 in Chicago, IL High School: Mount Carmel HS (Chicago, IL) Debut: September 21, 1963 ( 9,789th in MLB history) vs. CHW 9.0 IP, 7 H, 8 SO, 4 BB, 1 ER, W Last Game: September 12, 1972 vs. CIN 0.0 IP, 3 H, 0 SO, 0 BB, 2 ER, L Full Name: Dennis…

In Maryland, the Washington Senators start spring training with six knuckleballers likely to make the staff

In Maryland, the Washington Senators start spring training with six knuckleballers likely to make the staff

ByThis Day in Baseball

In Maryland, the Washington Senators start spring training with six knuckleballers likely to make the staff: Alex Carrasquel, Mickey Haefner, Dutch Leonard, Bill Lefebvre, Johnny Niggeling and Roger Wolff. Solid catcher Rick Ferrell will have to corral the flutterballs. Finally, Haefner, Leonard, Niggeling and Wolff will join Early Wynn in the starting rotation. The rest go to the bullpen.

Rick Ferrell

Future Hall of Fame catcher Rick Ferrell is traded by the St. Louis Browns

ByThis Day in Baseball

On March 1, 1944, future Hall of Fame catcher Rick Ferrell is traded by the St. Louis Browns to the Washington Senators for outfielder Gene “Rowdy” Moore and cash. Ferrell will hit .277 for Washington in 1944. future Hall of Fame catcher Rick Ferrell is traded by the St. Louis Browns to the Washington Senators…