On April 18, 1923, an overflow crowd of 74,200 attended the first game in the history of Yankee Stadium. Bob Shawkey beats Howard Ehmke and the Boston Red Sox, 4 – 1. Appropriately enough, Babe Ruth hits a three-run homer in the “House That Ruth Built,” highlighting the New York Yankees’ victory. The new $2.5…
Expelled players Happy Felsch and Swede Risberg file suit against the White Sox for back salary and $400,000 in damages. Both players, acquitted for allegedly fixing the 1919 World Series, were still banned from baseball by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, even though they were found not guilty of the wrongdoing in a much-publicized court case.
1923 – Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis allows former New York Giants pitcher Rube Benton to return to the National League. Benton had admitted prior knowledge of the 1919 World Series fix, but remained active, winning 22 games for St. Paul (American Association). NL President John Heydler disagrees with Landis, calling Benton undesirable, but does not stop the Cincinnati Reds from signing him. Benton, at age 35, will be 14-10 for the second-place Reds.
After sitting out most of last season, Fred Toney signs for one more year with the St. Louis Cardinals.
Christy Mathewson becomes president and owner of the Boston Braves
February 2, 1923, future Hall of Fame infielder Red Schoendienst is born in Germantown, Illinois. One of the most popular figures in St. Louis baseball history
1923 – The Boston Red Sox continue to work on improving the New York Yankees, sending future Hall of Fame pitcher Herb Pennock, who is entering the prime of his career, to New York in exchange for infielder Norm McMillan, pitcher George Murray, outfielder Camp Skinner, and $50,000.
On January 3, 1923, the New York Yankees steal another standout player from the Boston Red Sox, acquiring pitcher Herb Pennock for Norm McMillan, George Murray, Camp Skinner and $50,000 in cash. Known as “The Knight of Kenneth Square,” Pennock will win 19 games in 1923, 21 games in 1924, 23 games in 1926, and 19 games…
1923 – The Yankees pluck two rookies from the Red Sox, pitcher George Pipgras and outfielder Harvey Hendrick, in exchange for backup catcher Al DeVormer.
On January 1, 1923, 19th century star Wee Willie Keeler dies at the age of 50. Having promised his fans and former teammates he’d live to see 1923, Wee Willie Keeler dies on New Year’s Day of that year as a result of heart failure. The five-foot, four-and-a-half-inch Keeler amassed 2,932 hits, and…
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