1918 – Although the major leagues optimistically keep the schedules at 154 games, the owners agree to halve the spring training time in an attempt to save money with the United States now engaged in World War I, as the St. Louis Cardinals open their camp at Hot Springs, Arkansas. In fact, the season’s last month will never be played, with the World Series starting at the beginning of September.
March 17, 1918: A young Babe Ruth, still primarily a pitcher, slugs a pair of home runs during a spring training game at Whittington Park in Hot Springs, Arkansas. The second long ball is thought to be the first 500-plus foot blast in baseball history. The Herculean shot—hit off Brooklyn Robins hurler Norman Plitt—soared far…
1918 – Barney Dreyfuss of the Rules Committee launches a campaign to ban the spitter. He will succeed next year.
1918 – The Yankees trade catcher Les Nunamaker, third baseman Fritz Maisel, infielder Joe Gedeon, and pitchers Nick Cullop and Urban Shocker to the St. Louis Browns in exchange for pitcher Eddie Plank and second baseman Del Pratt. Plank, a 300-game winner, retires, but Pratt gives the Yankees three good years of services at second. Shocker is the gem, posting four straight seasons of 20 or more wins in St. Louis. Maisel, whom the Yankees refused to trade in early 1916 for either Boston Red Sox Tris Speaker (and cash) or Chicago White Sox Shoeless Joe Jackson, will hit just .232 in 90 games and be gone.
On January 22, 1918, the New York Yankees acquire future Hall of Famer Eddie Plank from the St. Louis Browns in a seven-player deal. Plank will never pitch for the Yankees, electing to retire instead. Plank leaves the game with a record of 326 wins and 194 losses. Vintage Baseball HOT ON EBAYCard Collections…
On January 10, 1918, the Philadelphia A’s trade first baseman Stuffy McInnis, the last remaining player from their famed $100,000 infield, to the Boston Red Sox for three players to be named later. The A’s will later receive third baseman Larry Gardner, outfielder Clarence Walker, and catcher Hick Cady in return for McInnis. Baseball HOT…
Acknowledging that Cobb‚ Speaker‚ and Collins are all good ball players‚ Cap Anson picks his all-time team‚ leaving them off. In the current issue of TSN‚ Anson selects C-Buck Ewing and King Kelly; P-Amos Rusie‚ John Clarkson‚ Jim McCormick; 1B-himself; 2B-Fred Pfeffer; 3B-Ed Williamson; SS-Ross Barnes; OF-Bill Lange‚ George Gore‚ Jimmy Ryan‚ and Hugh Duffy.
1918 – The Brooklyn Robins send outfielder Casey Stengel and infielder George Cutshaw to the Pittsburgh Pirates for pitchers Burleigh Grimes and Al Mamaux, and infielder Chuck Ward.
1918 – Veteran infielder Buck Herzog is traded by the New York Giants to the Boston Braves for second baseman Larry Doyle and pitcher Jesse Barnes. Barnes will go 6-1 this year and then win a league-high 25 games in 1919. Doyle, a former Giants and fan favorite, was acquired from the Chicago Cubs four days ago and his trade was rumored. He will play three years in New York before retiring.
1918 – The Chicago Cubs acquire Boston Braves pitcher Lefty Tyler in exchange for Larry Doyle, Art Wilson and $15,000. Tyler will win 19 games for the Cubs this year.
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