Joe DiMaggio connects for 3 homeruns including 2 against Bob Feller

New York Yankees become the earliest pennant-clinching team in major league history

ByThis Day in Baseball

On September 4, 1941, the New York Yankees become the earliest pennant-clinching team in major league history. The Yankees double up the Boston Red Sox, 6-3, to improve to 91-45 and guarantee another American League title. The Yankees will coast to a final ledger of 101-53… @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IGp1c3QgY2xpY2sgdGhlIHRhZ3MhICAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImxpbmtfdG9fdGVybV9wYWdlIjoib24iLCJzZXBhcmF0b3IiOiIgfCAiLCJjYXRlZ29yeV90eXBlIjoicG9zdF90YWcifX0=@

At Fenway Park‚ the Red Sox sweep two from the Senators‚ 13 – 9 and 10 – 3. Ted Williams has only 5 official at bats‚ but has 3 hits – all homers – to take over the American League lead from Charlie Keller. Ted walks 4 times.

At Fenway Park‚ the Red Sox sweep two from the Senators‚ 13 – 9 and 10 – 3. Ted Williams has only 5 official at bats‚ but has 3 hits – all homers – to take over the American League lead from Charlie Keller. Ted walks 4 times.

ByThis Day in Baseball

At Fenway Park‚ the Red Sox sweep two from the Senators‚ 13 – 9 and 10 – 3. Ted Williams has only 5 official at bats‚ but has 3 hits – all homers – to take over the American League lead from Charlie Keller. Ted walks 4 times.

charley root

1941 – Charlie Root uses his arm and then his bat with a clutch single in the ninth inning to win his 200th game. Trailing the Cincinnati Reds, 4 – 3, the Cubs win, 6 – 4, with the 42-year-old Root going the route.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1941 – Charlie Root uses his arm and then his bat with a clutch single in the ninth inning to win his 200th game. Trailing the Cincinnati Reds, 4 – 3, the Cubs win, 6 – 4, with the 42-year-old Root going the route.

brooklyn dodgers silly symphony

During a double-header against the Cardinals, a ragtag group of five ‘musicians’, dubbed the Dodger SymPhony by announcer Red Barber, makes their Ebbets Field’s debut. This band, in which none of the members can read music, performs their zany antics at all evening and weekend games.

ByThis Day in Baseball

During a double-header against the Cardinals, a ragtag group of five ‘musicians’, dubbed the Dodger SymPhony by announcer Red Barber, makes their Ebbets Field’s debut. This band, in which none of the members can read music, performs their zany antics at all evening and weekend games.

At Sportsman’s Park‚ a first in Cubs history occurs in the 5th inning when Phil Cavarretta‚ Stan Hack‚ and Bill Nicholson hit consecutive homers. It’s not enough as the Cards win, 7 – 5‚ but it’s a costly victory as they lose Enos Slaughter for the season. Chasing a line drive‚ Enos tries to avoid colliding with teammate Terry Moore and he hits the RF wall, breaking his collarbone.

ByThis Day in Baseball

At Sportsman’s Park‚ a first in Cubs history occurs in the 5th inning when Phil Cavarretta‚ Stan Hack‚ and Bill Nicholson hit consecutive homers. It’s not enough as the Cards win, 7 – 5‚ but it’s a costly victory as they lose Enos Slaughter for the season. Chasing a line drive‚ Enos tries to avoid colliding with teammate Terry Moore and he hits the RF wall, breaking his collarbone.

Mickey Owens becomes the first catcher to handle three foul pop ups in one frame. The Brooklyn backstop’s third inning defense contributes to the Dodgers’ 11-6 victory over New York at Ebbets Field.

Mickey Owens becomes the first catcher to handle three foul pop ups in one frame. The Brooklyn backstop’s third inning defense contributes to the Dodgers’ 11-6 victory over New York at Ebbets Field.

ByThis Day in Baseball

Mickey Owens becomes the first catcher to handle three foul pop ups in one frame. The Brooklyn backstop’s third inning defense contributes to the Dodgers’ 11-6 victory over New York at Ebbets Field.

On Ladies’ Day at Yankee Stadium, Lefty Gomez breaks the major league mark for walks in a shutout by issuing 11 free passes in the 9-0 victory over St. Louis

On Ladies’ Day at Yankee Stadium, Lefty Gomez breaks the major league mark for walks in a shutout by issuing 11 free passes in the 9-0 victory over St. Louis

ByThis Day in Baseball

On Ladies’ Day at Yankee Stadium, Lefty Gomez breaks the major league mark for walks in a shutout by issuing 11 free passes in the 9-0 victory over St. Louis. The New York southpaw, who extends the team’s streak of holding the opponents scoreless to 21 consecutive innings, tosses a five-hitter, improving his record to 10-3.

Dick Wakefield becomes baseball’s first “bonus baby” when he signs with the Tigers for $52,000 and a new car.

Dick Wakefield becomes baseball’s first “bonus baby” when he signs with the Tigers for $52,000 and a new car.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1941 – Dick Wakefield becomes baseball’s first “bonus baby” when he signs with the Tigers for $52,000 and a new car. The University of Michigan standout will hit .143 in seven at-bat this season but will eventually turn into a solid outfielder.

Joe DiMaggio's 56-game hitting streak ends in Cleveland's Municipal Stadium in front of 67,000 fans, July 17, 1941.

Joe DiMaggio sees his hitting streak halted at 56 games

ByThis Day in Baseball

On July 17, 1941, Cleveland’s Municipal Stadium in front of 67,000 fans, New York Yankees outfielder Joe DiMaggio sees his hitting streak halted at 56 games by two Cleveland Indians pitchers, Al Smith and Jim Bagby. Third baseman Ken Keltner makes two great plays on hot smashes by DiMaggio, robbing the “Yankee Clipper” of hits…