Sam Breadon sells the St. Louis Cardinals empire to Robert Hannegan and Fred Saigh

Sam Breadon sells the St. Louis Cardinals empire to Robert Hannegan and Fred Saigh

1947 – Sam Breadon sells the St. Louis Cardinals empire to Robert Hannegan and Fred Saigh. The price is in excess of $4 million with the new owners getting the Cardinal players, physical assets, 16 minor league franchises, $2.1 million in reserve funds and payment on a new ballpark site, four minor league parks, and the lease on Sportsman’s Park. Breadon had first acquired an interest in the Cardinals in 1917 and bought control in 1920 for an investment of $350,000.

All Star shortstop Vern Stephens ends up in Boston after 13 players over 2 days get traded between St Louis and Boston

All Star shortstop Vern Stephens ends up in Boston after 13 players over 2 days get traded between St Louis and Boston

In the second of two deals between the clubs on consecutive days, St. Louis obtains Sam Dente, Clem Dreisewerd, Bill Sommers, and $65,000 from the Red Sox in exchange for Ellis Kinder and Billy Hitchcock. When the dust settles on the two-day, 13-player transaction, Boston ends up with two top-of-the-rotation hurlers, Kinder and Jack Kramer, and an All-Star offensive shortstop to hit behind Ted Williams, Vern Stephens, and the cash-deprived Browns, in addition to its four new players, receive a total of $375,000.

All-Star shortstop Vern Stephens traded to the Red Sox in 8 player deal

All-Star shortstop Vern Stephens traded to the Red Sox in 8 player deal

In the first of two deals between the clubs on consecutive days, the Browns trade right-hander Jack Kramer along with All-Star shortstop Vern Stephens to the Red Sox for Pete Layden, Joe Ostrowski, Roy Partee, Eddie Pellagrini, Al Widmar, Jim Wilson, and $310,000. Boston plans to bat their new slugging middle infielder, known as Junior to his teammates, behind Ted Williams.

The Yankees trade Joe Gordon, a future Hall of Fame second baseman for Allie Reynolds

The Yankees trade Joe Gordon, a future Hall of Fame second baseman for Allie Reynolds

The Yankees trade Joe Gordon, a future Hall of Fame second baseman who will leave the Bronx after playing in precisely 1,000 games and collecting exactly 1,000 hits, to the Indians for Allie Reynolds, who is called Superchief by his teammates due to his Creek heritage. The trade works well for both teams when Cleveland’s newest infielder plays a significant role in the Tribe’s World Championship next season, with the Bronx Bombers’ recently arrived right-hander compiling an amazing 131-60 (.686) record during his eight years with the team.

Al Gionfriddo of the Brooklyn Dodgers makes a game-saving catch against Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees in the sixth game of the World Series

Al Gionfriddo of the Brooklyn Dodgers makes a game-saving catch against Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees in the sixth game of the World Series

  On October 5, 1947, Al Gionfriddo, inserted in left field for defensive purposes, makes one of most memorable catches in World Series history when he robs Joe DiMaggio of an extra-base hit with two men on base in the sixth inning. The outfielder’s heroics help to preserve an 8-5 Dodger victory in Game 6 of…

1947 – Pitcher Spec Shea throws a four-hitter and helps his own cause hitting two singles, as the New York Yankees win, 2 – 1, over the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series. A home run by Joe DiMaggio in the 5th inning is the margin.

1947 – Pitcher Spec Shea throws a four-hitter and helps his own cause hitting two singles, as the New York Yankees win, 2 – 1, over the Brooklyn Dodgers in Game 5 of the World Series. A home run by Joe DiMaggio in the 5th inning is the margin.

Bill Bevens loses World Series no hitter with 2 outs in 9th

Bill Bevens loses World Series no hitter with 2 outs in 9th

On October 3, 1947, in the 1947 World Series @ Ebbets Field – Cookie Lavagetto of the Brooklyn Dodgers breaks up Bill Bevens’ no-hit bid with two outs in the ninth, Lavagetto pinch-hitting for Eddie Stanky, hits a two-out ninth-inning double giving the “Bums” a dramatic and unlikely 3-2 win over the New York Yankees…

The Dodgers hold on to beat the Yankees, 9-8, for their first victory in the Fall Classic
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The Dodgers hold on to beat the Yankees, 9-8, for their first victory in the Fall Classic

After scoring six runs in the bottom of the second inning in Game 3, the Dodgers hold on to beat the Yankees, 9-8, for their first victory in the Fall Classic. The Ebbets Field contest takes three hours and five minutes to complete, making it the longest game ever played in World Series history.

Ralph Branca becomes the youngest player to start a World Series opener. At Yankee Stadium, the 21-year and 9 months old right hander and the Dodgers lose to the Bronx Bombers, 5-1.

Ralph Branca becomes the youngest player to start a World Series opener. At Yankee Stadium, the 21-year and 9 months old right hander and the Dodgers lose to the Bronx Bombers, 5-1.

Ralph Branca becomes the youngest player to start a World Series opener. At Yankee Stadium, the 21-year and 9 months old right hander and the Dodgers lose to the Bronx Bombers, 5-1.