Afraid of losing his unsigned second baseman to the upstart Federal League, Connie Mack sells Eddie Collins to the White Sox for the hefty sum of $50,000. The A’s have already lost Eddie Plank and Chief Bender to the new league.
1914 – Walter Johnson accepts a $6,000 bonus from the Federal League’s Chicago Whales and signs a three-year contract for $17,500 per year. Clark Griffith threatens to take Johnson to court, claiming he has paid Johnson for the reserve option in his contract. American League President Ban Johnson asserts that Johnson was on the market and is “damaged goods,” worth getting rid of. Griffith travels to Coffeyville, KS, to persuade his franchise player that the option clause is legal and binding. Two weeks later Griffith signs Johnson for three years at $12,500 per year and returns the bonus to the Feds.
Dick Rudolph, a 27-game winner for the Braves, was chosen to start Game 1 against Chief Bender, whose .850 winning percentage(l7 victories in 20 decisions) led the majors in 1914. Rudolph spun a five-hitter and batterymate Hank Gowdy singled, doubled and tripled. Boston won, 7-1. The next day, Stallings called on his other ace, Bill…
On November 25, 1914, future Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio is born in Martinez, California. The son of Italian immigrants, DiMaggio will make his major league debut in 1936 after starring in the Pacific Coast League. He will spend his entire big league playing career with the New York Yankees. One of three brothers who…
The Cubs hire future Hall of Famer Roger Bresnahan to manage the team. The former Cardinal skipper will stay for just a year as Chicago finishes the season in fourth place with a 73-80 record.
Johnny Vander Meer was born on November 2, 1914 in Prospect Park, New Jersey and moved with his family to Midland Park, New Jersey in 1918. He was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who was a four time All Star (1938, 1939, 1942, 1943), three time National League strikeout leader, a World Series champion…
1914 – Philadelphia Athletics owner Connie Mack begins cleaning house, asking waivers on Jack Coombs, Eddie Plank and Chief Bender. Coombs goes to the Brooklyn Robins as Plank and Bender escape Mack’s manoeuvering by jumping to the Federal League. Despite winning the American League pennant, Philadelphia fans did not support the Athletics and the club lost $50,000.
On October 13, 1914, At Fenway Park the “Miracle Braves” Boston Braves complete a remarkable sweep of the Philadelphia A’s to win the World Series. Johnny Evers’ two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the fifth broke a 1–1 tie and the collective backs of the heavily favored Athletics. Game 1 winner Dick Rudolph…
On September 29, 1914, the Boston Braves clinch the pennant, completing an incredible second-half comeback. The Braves, who were in last place in mid-July, will win the pennant by 10 and a half games over the New York Giants.
On September 27, 1914, Napoleon Lajoie of the Cleveland Indians becomes only the second player of the modern era to reach 3,000 hits. He joins Honus Wagner, at the time Cap Anisin was also thought to have achieved 3,000 hits. Lajoie doubles against Marty McHale of the New York Yankees in the Indians’ 5-3 victory…
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!