On October 18, 1932 Chuck Klein (.348, 38, 137), receiving all six first-place votes, is named the National League’s Most Valuable Player. The 27-year outfielder, who is the first Phillies player to win the award, led the Senior Circuit in hits (226), runs (152), home runs (38), and stolen bases (20).
1932 – The Baseball Writers Association of America MVP awards are announced, with Jimmie Foxx winning in the American League and Chuck Klein in the National League.
After his skipper compiles a 350-264 (.570) record in four seasons at the helm, Senators owner Clark Griffith, hinting that he may name himself as the next skipper of the club, announces Walter Johnson will not be returning to manage the team next season. The Washington legend will be replaced by Joe Cronin, who will lead the club to an American League pennant next year.
On October 1, 1932, Babe Ruth’s “called shot” home run allegedly takes place during the third game of the World Series, in the fifth inning of Game 3 of the World Series, baseball lore has Babe Ruth pointing to the outfield, predicting that he will hit a home run on the next pitch, before…
Eighteen year-old Joe DiMaggio makes his professional debut at the end of the San Francisco Seals campaign, playing shortstop for the team. Next year, the future Yankee superstar will hit .340 with 169 RBI’s and 28 home runs in his first full season in the Pacific Coast League.
On September 28, 1932, Philadelphia A’s owner Connie Mack sells three of his star players in an effort to reduce his payroll. Mack sends outfielder Al Simmons, outfielder Mule Haas, and infielder Jimmy Dykes to the Chicago White Sox for $150,000…
1932 – In a doubleheader split with the Giants, Chuck Klein of the Phillies is 0 for 8 but closes the season with 38 home runs and 20 stolen bases to become the only player of the lively-ball era (1920 and after) to lead his league in these two departments. Klein also finishes 2nd in RBIs (137), while teammates Don Hurst (143) and Pinky Whitney (124) finish 1st and 3rd. In this century, only the 1915 Tigers and 1928 Yankees have the top three RBI producers in a season.
Jimmie Foxx hits his 58th home run in the last game of the season to finish two short of Babe Ruth’s 1927 record of 60. Foxx adds two singles but the A’s lose, 2 – 1, to the Senators’ Alvin Crowder. Crowder wins his 26th and 15th straight game, one short of the American League record held by Walter Johnson, Smoky Joe Wood and Lefty Grove. Foxx finishes with 169 RBIs while teammate Al Simmons ties for 2nd with 151.
Paul Waner sets a new National League record with his 62nd double, as the Pirates defeat the Cardinals 7 – 1. The 2nd-place Pirates will be the first team to finish above .500 (86-68) while scoring fewer runs than their opponents (701 to 711). The NL won’t see it again in a full season until the 1984 Mets, while it won’t happen in the American League until 1948.
The Cubs clinch the National League pennant when they beat Pittsburgh, 5-2, thanks to Kiki Cuyler’s seventh-inning bases-loaded triple. The Wrigley Field contest features rookie second baseman Billy Herman’s 200th hit of the season.
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