On July 7, 1948 The Indians stun the baseball world by signing Satchel Paige, veteran Negro League pitcher. The move is ridiculed by some as a Bill Veeck publicity stunt, and J.G. Taylor Spink in The Sporting News editorializes, “Veeck has gone too far in his quest for publicity. To sign a hurler at Paige’s…
The Phillies trade infielder Ralph LaPointe and give the Cardinals $30,000 to obtain first baseman Dick Sisler. The son of Hall of Famer George Sisler will hit .287 during his four-year tenure in Philadelphia, playing a pivotal role in the team’s 1950 National League championship.
The Braves acquire All-Star second baseman Eddie Stanky from the Dodgers for Bama Rowell and $60,000. The 32 year-old hard-nosed infielder, who is known as the Brat, will play a pivotal role in Boston’s National League championship this season.
1948 – The Chicago White Sox trade Ed Lopat to the New York Yankees for Aaron Robinson, Bill Wight and Fred Bradley. Lopat will star for seven seasons in pinstripes, winning 21 in 1951 and going 16-4 in 1953. Robinson’s main value to the Sox will come at the end of the season when he’s swapped for another lefty pitcher, Billy Pierce.
1948 – The Philadelphia Phillies acquire veteran shortstop Eddie Miller from the Boston Braves, sending outfielder Johnny Wyrostek in exchange.
In the first of two deals between the clubs on consecutive days, the Browns trade right-hander Jack Kramer along with All-Star shortstop Vern Stephens to the Red Sox for Pete Layden, Joe Ostrowski, Roy Partee, Eddie Pellagrini, Al Widmar, Jim Wilson, and $310,000. Boston plans to bat their new slugging middle infielder, known as Junior to his teammates, behind Ted Williams.
The Yankees trade Joe Gordon, a future Hall of Fame second baseman who will leave the Bronx after playing in precisely 1,000 games and collecting exactly 1,000 hits, to the Indians for Allie Reynolds, who is called Superchief by his teammates due to his Creek heritage. The trade works well for both teams when Cleveland’s newest infielder plays a significant role in the Tribe’s World Championship next season, with the Bronx Bombers’ recently arrived right-hander compiling an amazing 131-60 (.686) record during his eight years with the team.
On July 3, 1947, Cleveland Indians owner Bill Veeck purchases the contract of outfielder Larry Doby from the Newark Eagles of the Negro American League. Doby will play in his first game two days later, becoming the first African-American player in American League history. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IGp1c3QgY2xpY2sgdGhlIHRhZ3MhICAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImxpbmtfdG9fdGVybV9wYWdlIjoib24iLCJzZXBhcmF0b3IiOiIgfCAiLCJjYXRlZ29yeV90eXBlIjoicG9zdF90YWcifX0=@
On January 18, 1947, the Detroit Tigers sell star first baseman Hank Greenberg to the Pittsburgh Pirates. In 1946, Greenberg led the American League with 44 home runs and 127 RBIs, but will slump to 25 home runs and 74 RBIs with the Pirates. Greenberg will retire after the 1947 season. Due to a misunderstanding…
On October 19, 1946, the New York Yankees acquire pitcher Allie Reynolds from the Cleveland Indians for former American League MVP Joe Gordon and third baseman Eddie Bockman. Reynolds had struggled with Cleveland, losing 15 of 16 decisions during the 1946 season. Reynolds will reverse his fortunes in 1947, winning 19 games for the world…
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