Bob Feller Service on January 6

Cleveland Indians Pitching star Bob Feller becomes the first major leaguer to formally enlist in the military for World War II.

ByThis Day in Baseball

On January 6, 1942, Cleveland Indians pitching star Bob Feller becomes the first major leaguer to formally enlist in the military for World War II. Feller, who won a league-leading 25 games in 1941, reports to Norfolk, Virginia for duty in the U.S. Navy. Feller will miss the entire 1942, ‘43, and ‘44 seasons before…

Rogers Hornsby becomes the 14th player selected to the Hall of Fame
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Rogers Hornsby becomes the 14th player selected to the Hall of Fame

ByThis Day in Baseball

1942 – Rogers Hornsby becomes the 14th player selected to the Hall of Fame, getting 78 percent of the vote, while both Frank Chance (58%) and Rube Waddell (54%) miss out. Hornsby’s offensive numbers rival those of any player before or since. He and Ted Williams are the only players to win the Triple Crown twice, and Hornsby’s .424 mark in 1924 is the highest National League batting average in the 20th century.