Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Schoolboy Rowe pinch hits with the bases loaded in the 6th inning and cracks a grand slam off the Boston Braves’ Al Javery to break a tie. The Phillies win, 6 – 5, but it takes them 12 innings. For Rowe, it is his second career grand slam. He hit one in 1939 while with Detroit, as he is the only pitcher in major league history to hit a grand slam in each league. Rowe will finish the season with a .306 batting average as a pinch hitter.

ByBaseball

Philadelphia Phillies pitcher Schoolboy Rowe pinch hits with the bases loaded in the 6th inning and cracks a grand slam off the Boston Braves’ Al Javery to break a tie. The Phillies win, 6 – 5, but it takes them 12 innings. For Rowe, it is his second career grand slam. He hit one in 1939 while with Detroit, as he is the only pitcher in major league history to hit a grand slam in each league. Rowe will finish the season with a .306 batting average as a pinch hitter.

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5/1/1943 – In the second game of a doubleheader at the Polo Grounds, the Dodgers batted out of turn in the first inning but discovered the problem themselves. Alex Kampouris batted one spot too early in place of Dee Moore and flew out. Dodger skipper Leo Durocher noticed the mistake and sent Kampouris up again, supposedly in his own place in the lineup. However, once Kampouris batted the next batter should have been Bobo Newsom who was listed after Kampouris. Kampy walked in his second trip to the plate. Brooklyn swept the twin bill by scores of 9-2 and 3-0.

ByTom

5/1/1943 – In the second game of a doubleheader at the Polo Grounds, the Dodgers batted out of turn in the first inning but discovered the problem themselves. Alex Kampouris batted one spot too early in place of Dee Moore and flew out. Dodger skipper Leo Durocher noticed the mistake and sent Kampouris up again, supposedly in his own place in the lineup. However, once Kampouris batted the next batter should have been Bobo Newsom who was listed after Kampouris. Kampy walked in his second trip to the plate. Brooklyn swept the twin bill by scores of 9-2 and 3-0.

1943 – The St. Louis Browns win their seventh consecutive Opening Day game in front of a reduced crowd of 4,000 fans due to war-time travel restrictions. Al Hollingsworth shuts out the Chicago White Sox, 3 – 0.

ByTom

1943 – The St. Louis Browns win their seventh consecutive Opening Day game in front of a reduced crowd of 4,000 fans due to war-time travel restrictions. Al Hollingsworth shuts out the Chicago White Sox, 3 – 0.

The A’s trade Bob Johnson to the Senators for Jimmy Pofahl and Bobby Estalella. The former Philadelphia’s fan-favorite outfielder will make the All-Star squad for Washington and will receive consideration for the Most Valuable Player award.

ByTom

The A’s trade Bob Johnson to the Senators for Jimmy Pofahl and Bobby Estalella. The former Philadelphia’s fan-favorite outfielder will make the All-Star squad for Washington and will receive consideration for the Most Valuable Player award.

Washington Senators acquire veteran outfielder Bob Johnson

Washington Senators acquire veteran outfielder Bob Johnson

ByThis Day in Baseball

On March 20, 1943, the Washington Senators acquire veteran outfielder Bob Johnson from the Philadelphia A’s for outfielder-third baseman Bobby Estalella and infielder Jimmy Pofahl. A member of the A’s since 1933, Johnson has led the Athletics in RBI in each of the last seven seasons – no team has ever traded a slugger with that…

1943 – Due to wartime travel restrictions, spring training camps begin opening in northern locations. Some of the locales include Bear Mountain, New York (Brooklyn Dodgers), French Lick Springs, Indiana (Cubs and White Sox), Asbury Park, New Jersey (Yankees), Medford, Massachusetts (Boston Red Sox) and Wallingford, Connecticut (Boston Braves).

1943 – Due to wartime travel restrictions, spring training camps begin opening in northern locations. Some of the locales include Bear Mountain, New York (Brooklyn Dodgers), French Lick Springs, Indiana (Cubs and White Sox), Asbury Park, New Jersey (Yankees), Medford, Massachusetts (Boston Red Sox) and Wallingford, Connecticut (Boston Braves).

ByTom

1943 – Due to wartime travel restrictions, spring training camps begin opening in northern locations. Some of the locales include Bear Mountain, New York (Brooklyn Dodgers), French Lick Springs, Indiana (Cubs and White Sox), Asbury Park, New Jersey (Yankees), Medford, Massachusetts (Boston Red Sox) and Wallingford, Connecticut (Boston Braves).

The major leagues approve a new official ball manufactured by the Spalding Company 

The major leagues approve a new official ball manufactured by the Spalding Company 

ByTom

1943 – The major leagues approve a new official ball manufactured by the Spalding Company for the upcoming season. Instead of the usual combination of cork and rubber, the inside of the ball is made up of recycled cork and balata, materials not needed in the war effort. Officials insist the ball will have the resiliency of the 1939 ball, but the players will express dismay that they cannot drive the new ball and point out the dearth of runs and homers in 1942 even with the old ball.