1943 – Happy New Year to a couple of Babes that swap places. The Philadelphia Blue Jays (Phillies) send much-traveled first baseman Babe Dahlgren to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for catcher Babe Phelps and cash considerations. A former Yankees first baseman, Dahlgren gained most of his notoriety after replacing Lou Gehrig when the “Iron Horse’s” playing streak ended in 1939.
Major League Baseball Season Recap 1943 World Series – New York Yankees AL over St. Louis Cardinals NL 4 games to 1 World Series MVP – Babe Ruth Award – Awards – MVP Awards – NL Stan Musial AL Spud Chandler All-Star Game – July 13th – A.L. 5 over N.L. 3, played at Shibe Park (AL) AL Starter D. Leonard…
On December 13, 1943, future Hall of Famer Ferguson Jenkins is born in Chatham, Ontario. Jenkins will pile up seven 20-win seasons and become the first Canadian to gain election to the Hall of Fame.
1943 – After one disappointing season in Washington, the Senators sell veteran slugger Indian Bob Johnson to the Red Sox. Clark Griffith will later call it the worst trade he ever made. Johnson will have two solid years in Fenway before retiring.
1943 – With only nine leagues operating during the season, the minor league convention in New York has an incipient revolt to oust longtime head William G. Bramham in favor of Frank Shaughnessy, president of the International League, who has five pledges. But Bramham rules that 15 non-operating circuits which have paid dues are eligible to vote. Five of the leagues have given proxies. A later appeal to Commissioner Landis fails.
Commissioner Landis suspends William Cox indefinitely after the Phillies owner acknowledges making some “sentimental” bets on his team, not knowing it was against the rules. The gambling allegations first surfaced in July when the club’s recently fired manager, Bucky Harris, revealed he had evidence that his former boss was wagering on games played by Philadelphia.
1943 – The Most Valuable Player Awards for both leagues are named. Yankees pitcher Spud Chandler wins it in the American League and Cardinals outfielder Stan Musial in the National League.
1943 – Brooklyn Dodgers manager Leo Durocher signs his 1944 contract, which calls for a base salary of $20,000 plus $5,000 for every 100,000 fans over 600,000.
1943 – New York Yankees pitcher Spud Chandler shuts out the St. Louis Cardinals, 2 – 0, as the Yankees win the World Series in five games. Chandler gives up 10 hits and strands 11 runners. Bill Dickey’s two-run homer in the 6th inning is the difference.
On October 10, 1943 In Game 4, of the World Series, St Louis Cardinals vs New York Yankees, the Yankees struck first when Joe Gordon doubled with two outs in the fourth off of Max Lanier and scored on Bill Dickey’s single. In the seventh, Marius Russo got two outs, then allowed the Cardinals to…