1917 – Dave Fultz, president of the Players Fraternity, calls off a strike set to begin within the week. One of demands of the union is to abolish the ten-day clause, in which a team ceases to pay an injured player after he has been out of action for ten days. Organized Baseball officially severs relations with the union, leaving the players without representation.
1917 – Pitcher Grover Cleveland Alexander announces he is ready to retire from professional baseball and join a semipro team if his salary demands are not met. Alexander wants a three-year contract at $15,000 per year.
1917 – The Cubs send P Jimmy Lavender and $5,000 to the Phillies for P Al Demaree, who will be sent to the Giants in July.
1917 – With Bill Carrigan reaffirming his decision to leave the Boston Red Sox, shortstop Jack Barry is named the team’s new manager.
1916 – The Chicago Cubs swap OF Joe Kelly to the Boston Braves for coach Fred Mitchell, who will become Chicago’s new manager.
1916 – The National Commission fines 51 players $25 to $100 for performing in post-season exhibitions. Among the guilty: Babe Ruth, Jack Barry, Duffy Lewis, 10 other Red Sox players, and Ty Cobb.
1916 – The National Commission orders that injured players shall get full pay for the duration of their contracts. The injury clause previously let clubs suspend players after 15 days’ pay.
1916 – In Kansas City, MO, Walter Johnson and Grover Cleveland Alexander face each other for the first time. The exhibition game between the two stars features Zach Wheat, Casey Stengel, Max Carey, Hal Chase and others. The “Johnsons” prevail over the “Alexanders”, 3 – 2.
In his 153rd game, Tiger 3B Ossie Vitt raises his season total chances to 615, a mark that will stand for 21 years.
In the opener of a doubleheader, Giants pitcher Rube Benton takes a no-hitter into the 8th inning before Braves 1B Ed Konetchy repeats his performance of two days ago by lacing a hit, the only Boston safety. Benton wins the one-hitter, 4 – 0, for New York’s record 26th win in a row. Boston then wins the second game, 8 – 3, behind Lefty Tyler to snap the historic streak. Jeff Tesreau, in relief of Slim Sallee, is ineffective. Despite the winning streak, and an earlier skein of 17 victories on the road, New York finishes in 4th place.
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