The Browns, for the first and only time in their history, clinch the American League pennant when they beat the defending world champion Yankees at Sportsman’s Park, 5-2. A pair of two-run homers hit by Chet Laabs, an All-Star outfielder in 1943 who has seen limited duty this season due to his job at a wartime defense plant, provides most of the team’s offensive output.
Hal Newhouser wins his 29th as Detroit whips Washington, 7 – 3.
The Browns remain tied with Detroit as Denny Galehouse goes all the way, winning 2 – 0 for his 9th victory of the year.
1944 – The Browns give the lead back by insisting on playing the Red Sox in the rain under the arcs and then losing, 4 – 1. The Red Sox had just lost 10 straight.
At Fenway Park in front of 19,815 paid fans, the Boston Yanks lose their NFL debut, with B.C. Alumnus Teddy Williams scoring the squad’s only touchdown in the 28-7 loss to the Philadelphia Eagles. Team owner Ted Collins, who is singer Kate Smith’s manager, selected the name ‘Yanks’ because he initially thought the new franchise would represent New York with its home games played at Yankee Stadium, but the football Giants refused to let his team share the New York metropolitan area.
1944 – Going into the final Monday of the season, the Tigers hold a one-game lead over the Browns with the Yankees now out of the running. Russ Christopher of the A’s beats the Tigers, 2 – 1, to produce a tie for the lead.
Reds OF Dain Clay has no chances in a 21-inning doubleheader.
The Cardinals finally clinch the National League flag with a 5 – 4 win over Boston. Twenty games ahead on September 1st, the Cards then blew 15 of the next 20 games. They will finish with 105 victories and their 3rd title under Billy Southworth, whose clubs have won 316 games in 3 years. Pittsburgh finishes 14 1/2 games behind.
1944 – Jack Kramer’s one-hitter against the White Sox puts the Browns back into first place.
1944 – Radio announcer Bill Stern reports on a scandal involving the Browns. A Chicago newspaper attributes the Browns’ recent slump to the fact that the team wants a larger park for the World Series. Four days later, Stern repudiates the story.