Debs Garms

Boston Bees sell outfielder Debs Garms to the Pittsburgh Pirates

1940 – The Boston Bees sell outfielder Debs Garms to the Pittsburgh Pirates. Garms will get only 358 at bats for Pittsburgh but, nevertheless, will lead the National League in hitting with a .355 average. Unlike what is the case in the American League, where 400 at bats are required to be eligible for the batting title, the NL rules state that a player must appear in at least a hundred games: Garms will play in 103. Ford Frick, NL president, will clarify this in September when it is clear that Garms will not reach the 400 at bats. Pirates teammate Virgil Davis will be the nominal runner-up at .326, but will play just 99 games. Garms will drop to .264 in 1941 and he will be out of baseball a year later.

The A’s waive Lynn Nelson to Detroit. Nelson was the A’s top winner in 1939 with 10 victories, but he’ll go 1-1 with Detroit before bowing out.

The A’s waive Lynn Nelson to Detroit. Nelson was the A’s top winner in 1939 with 10 victories, but he’ll go 1-1 with Detroit before bowing out.

1940 – The A’s waive Lynn Nelson to Detroit. Nelson was the A’s top winner in 1939 with 10 victories, but he’ll go 1-1 with Detroit before bowing out.

In a trade of pitchers, the Cincinnati Reds send Lee Grissom to the New York Yankees for Joe Beggs, who had to clear waivers from all seven American League teams. This is due to the new rule voted last month barring the AL pennant winner from any trades within the league. Beggs will go 12-3 for the Reds, while Grissom will be sold to the Brooklyn Dodgers on May 15th.

1940 – In a trade of pitchers, the Cincinnati Reds send Lee Grissom to the New York Yankees for Joe Beggs, who had to clear waivers from all seven American League teams. This is due to the new rule voted last month barring the AL pennant winner from any trades within the league. Beggs will go 12-3 for the Reds, while Grissom will be sold to the Brooklyn Dodgers on May 15th.

Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis

Kenesaw Mountain Landis voids Tigers trades and releases 87 players

Pinterest Instagram Facebook Youtube In a decision which foreshadows a significant blow to Detroit’s farm system, Kenesaw Mountain Landis voids the last month’s trade which would have sent Tiger hurler George Coffman and second baseman Benny McCoy to the A’s for outfielder Wally Moses. The commissioner declares McCoy a free agent because the team hid…

In a trade of  “worn-out shortstops‚” Cubs and Tigers swap Billy Rogell for Dick Bartell

In a trade of “worn-out shortstops‚” Cubs and Tigers swap Billy Rogell for Dick Bartell

In a trade of veteran shortstops – or “worn-out shortstops‚” as one newspaper describes it – the Cubs acquire Billy Rogell from the Detroit Tigers for Dick Bartell. Rogell‚ who injured his arm playing handball the previous year‚ will hit just .136 before hanging up his spikes. The Tigers will release “Rowdy Richard” 5 games into the 1941 season‚ but he will stick with the Giants until 1946.

The Bees are busy clearing their pitching staff. Jim Turner goes to the Reds for 1B Les Scarsella and cash‚ while Johnny Lanning is sent to Pittsburgh for P Jim Tobin and cash.

The Bees are busy clearing their pitching staff. Jim Turner goes to the Reds for 1B Les Scarsella and cash‚ while Johnny Lanning is sent to Pittsburgh for P Jim Tobin and cash.

The Bees are busy clearing their pitching staff. Jim Turner goes to the Reds for 1B Les Scarsella and cash‚ while Johnny Lanning is sent to Pittsburgh for P Jim Tobin and cash.

The Red Sox send 21 year-old farmhand Pee Wee Reese to the Dodgers for $35,000 and a player to be named later

The Red Sox send 21 year-old farmhand Pee Wee Reese to the Dodgers for $35,000 and a player to be named later

The Red Sox send 21 year-old farmhand Pee Wee Reese to the Dodgers for $35,000 and a player to be named later (Red Evans), along with three minor leaguers due to a less-than-enthusiastic scouting report filed by Joe Cronin, the team’s current player-manager, who deliberately downplayed the prospect’s talent to keep his own job in the Boston infield. The Louisville Colonels regular shortstop, a future Hall of Famer, will become a crowd favorite, helping Brooklyn to win seven pennants during his 16 seasons with the team.