The 61-year history of Shibe Park begins with the A’s defeating the Red Sox, 8-1. The Philadelphia stadium, which will be renamed to honor Connie Mack in 1953, is the first concrete and steel ballpark in major league history.
While at spring training, Hal Chase of the New York Highlanders contracts smallpox. The entire team is vaccinated and quarantined while traveling north.
1909 – The National Commission rules that players who jump contracts will be suspended for five years. Players joining outlaw organizations will be suspended for three years as punishment for going outside organized baseball.
On March 2, 1909, future Hall of Famer, Mel Ott is born in Gretna, Louisiana. Known as “Master Melvin,” Ott will make his major league debut with the New York Giants as a 17 year-old boy wonder 1926. He will quickly become a fan favorite. Using an unorthodox batting style in which he lifted his…
1909 – The Pittsburgh Pirates begin construction of their new stadium near Schenley Park near the Oakland section of Pittsburgh. The state-of-the-art stadium will be named Forbes Field in honor of John Forbes, a pre-Revolutionary British general.
New York Giants release “Iron Man” Joe McGinnity
1909 – Jimmy Potter sells the Philadelphia Phillies to a group headed by Israel Durham. Durham will become president, but will pass away on June 28th.
Boston Red Sox trade Cy Young to the Cleveland Naps
National League president Harry Pulliam, in ill health, is granted a leave of absence. The league secretary, John Heydler, assumes his duties. The NL abolishes Ladies Days, and sets a 25-player limit from May 15th to August 20th.
1909 – The National League deprives umpires of the power to fine players and decrees that relief pitchers must retire at least one batter before being relieved.
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