On January 31, 1959, former major league star Joe Cronin succeeds Will Harridge as president of the American League. A Hall of Fame shortstop who played for Pittsburgh, Washington, and Boston, Cronin batted .301 over a 20-year playing career. Cronin will remain in office until his retirement in 1973.
1938 – Major league teams adopt several resolutions. The National League allows the Cincinnati Reds to play their season opener one day before other teams, as a way of honoring the 100th anniversary of baseball and of the 1869 Red Stockings being the first professional team. In other news, Will Harridge is re-elected as American League president and given a 10-year term. The AL permits the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Athletics to play night games. Finally, the major leagues agree on a standard ball but disagree on increasing rosters from 23 to 25 players. Judge Landis will eventually decide on 25.
The American League announces that in 1901, it intends to put a team in Baltimore, MD led by John McGraw, and one in Washington, DC. But the league pledges to stay out of Philadelphia and St. Louis unless the National League starts a fight.
1899 – The fledging American League owners meet to map a strategy against the established National League. They agree to place a team in Chicago with Charles Comiskey as the owner-manager of the franchise.
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