Walter Johnson accepts a $6,000 bonus from the Federal League’s Chicago Whales and signs a three-year contract for $17,500 per year

Walter Johnson accepts a $6,000 bonus from the Federal League’s Chicago Whales and signs a three-year contract for $17,500 per year

ByThis Day in Baseball

1914 – Walter Johnson accepts a $6,000 bonus from the Federal League’s Chicago Whales and signs a three-year contract for $17,500 per year. Clark Griffith threatens to take Johnson to court, claiming he has paid Johnson for the reserve option in his contract. American League President Ban Johnson asserts that Johnson was on the market and is “damaged goods,” worth getting rid of. Griffith travels to Coffeyville, KS, to persuade his franchise player that the option clause is legal and binding. Two weeks later Griffith signs Johnson for three years at $12,500 per year and returns the bonus to the Feds.

Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio is born in Martinez, California

Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio is born in Martinez, California

ByThis Day in Baseball

    On November 25, 1914, future Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio is born in Martinez, California. The son of Italian immigrants, DiMaggio will make his major league debut in 1936 after starring in the Pacific Coast League. He will spend his entire big league playing career with the New York Yankees. One of three…

The Court of Appeals upholds the ban prohibiting Sunday amusements in Washington D.C, after the law, which would have allowed the playing of baseball on this day of the week, had previously been overturned. The Senators, during the brief legal interval, had still decided against scheduling games on the day of worship out of fear it might alienate its church-going fans, and will not play its first home game on a Sunday until 1918.

ByBaseball

The Court of Appeals upholds the ban prohibiting Sunday amusements in Washington D.C, after the law, which would have allowed the playing of baseball on this day of the week, had previously been overturned. The Senators, during the brief legal interval, had still decided against scheduling games on the day of worship out of fear it might alienate its church-going fans, and will not play its first home game on a Sunday until 1918.

 Philadelphia Athletics owner Connie Mack begins cleaning house, asking waivers on Jack Coombs, Eddie Plank and Chief Bender

 Philadelphia Athletics owner Connie Mack begins cleaning house, asking waivers on Jack Coombs, Eddie Plank and Chief Bender

ByThis Day in Baseball

1914 – Philadelphia Athletics owner Connie Mack begins cleaning house, asking waivers on Jack Coombs, Eddie Plank and Chief Bender. Coombs goes to the Brooklyn Robins as Plank and Bender escape Mack’s manoeuvering by jumping to the Federal League. Despite winning the American League pennant, Philadelphia fans did not support the Athletics and the club lost $50,000.

Boston Braves complete a remarkable sweep of the Philadelphia A’s to win the World Series
|

Boston Braves complete a remarkable sweep of the Philadelphia A’s to win the World Series

ByThis Day in Baseball

  On October 13, 1914, At Fenway Park the “Miracle Braves” Boston Braves complete a remarkable sweep of the Philadelphia A’s to win the World Series. Johnny Evers’ two-out, two-run single in the bottom of the fifth broke a 1–1 tie and the collective backs of the heavily favored Athletics. Game 1 winner Dick Rudolph…

The Robins stop Grover Cleveland Alexander’s win streak at nine games, defeating the Phils, 2 – 1, behind Jeff Pfeffer. Alex is done in by three Phillie errors.

ByBaseball

The Robins stop Grover Cleveland Alexander’s win streak at nine games, defeating the Phils, 2 – 1, behind Jeff Pfeffer. Alex is done in by three Phillie errors.