For the majors, returning servicemen are given increased protection for one year and the limiting of rosters to 25 players will be delayed until June 15th.
On December 10, 1944. Steve Renko is born in Kansas City, Kansas. He will go on to play 3 sports in college. He is a member of the Kansas Hall of Fame. He will be drafted by the Mets in 1969. His best season was in 1973 when he had 15 wins, 164 strikeouts, &…
1941 – The Reds sell 3B Bill Werber to the Giants.
The sacrifice fly rule, reinstituted last year, is eliminated for the 1941 season. Though he would hit .400 without the rule change, Ted Williams will have six flies that score runners from third base in 1941.
The Giants purchase Morrie Arnovich from the Reds and send SS Wayne Ambler to the Reds for P Milt Shoffner.
In Chicago, a curious rule that was designed to “break up the Yankees” is continued by the American League, a rule which prohibits the team winning the championship from trading with any other club. The rule was voted in at the December, 1939 meetings by the seven other AL owners after the New York Yankees won four straight World Series. The major and minor leagues agree that players taken into the military will not count against roster limits.
Umpire Bill Klem retires and is appointed National League chief of staff.
1936 – Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis announces his ruling on the Bob Feller case. Feller joined Cleveland in July and Des Moines (Western League) protested, claiming the pitcher for themselves. Landis let Feller stay with Cleveland, pending his final ruling, which is announced today in favor of the Indians.
The Tigers of Osaka are officially formed to become Japan’s second professional team.
After three years in Chicago, Al Simmons is sold by the White Sox to the Tigers for $75,000.
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