1931 – Baseball owners, fearful of the effects of the Depression, vote to cut squads from 25 players to 23. Both leagues will stop awarding MVP trophies. The National League continues to prohibit uniform numbers. The NL loans the Phillies $35,000 and loans Judge Emil Fuchs, owner of the Braves, $20,000 secured by his stock. Fuchs’s finances are such that he won’t even pay the interest from 1935 to 1937, and will file for bankruptcy in 1938, three years after retiring from the Braves.

ByTom

1931 – Baseball owners, fearful of the effects of the Depression, vote to cut squads from 25 players to 23. Both leagues will stop awarding MVP trophies. The National League continues to prohibit uniform numbers. The NL loans the Phillies $35,000 and loans Judge Emil Fuchs, owner of the Braves, $20,000 secured by his stock. Fuchs’s finances are such that he won’t even pay the interest from 1935 to 1937, and will file for bankruptcy in 1938, three years after retiring from the Braves.

Andrew “Rube” Foster, the founder of the Negro National League, dies at the age of 52

ByThis Day in Baseball

On December 9, 1930, Andrew “Rube” Foster, the founder of the Negro National League, dies at the age of 52. The founder of the Negro National League, he excelled as a player, manager, and executive and will win election to the Hall of Fame in 1981…

At its annual meeting, the American League reelects E.S. Barnard to a five-year term as president. Barnard will pass away next March at the Mayo clinic.

ByTom

At its annual meeting, the American League reelects E.S. Barnard to a five-year term as president. Barnard will pass away next March at the Mayo clinic.

rogers hornsby

Cards player-manager Rogers Hornsby is named the MVP in the National League

ByTom

Cards player-manager Rogers Hornsby is named the MVP in the National League, gathering 73 out of a possible 80 votes. Hornsby was runner-up in 1924 to Dazzy Vance. Other strong contenders are Kiki Cuyler, the Pirates’ top hitter at .357; the Giants’ George Kelly; Pirates’ SS Glenn Wright; Brooklyn’s Vance; and Dave Bancroft, who hit .319 and topped NL shortstops in fielding average while managing the 5th-place Braves.

“Wild Bill” Donovan dies in a train crash in Forsyth, New York

“Wild Bill” Donovan dies in a train crash in Forsyth, New York

ByThis Day in Baseball

    On December 9, 1923, former major league pitcher and manager “Wild Bill” Donovan dies while traveling on the 20th Century Limited train to Chicago for Major League meetings, Donovan was the New Haven manager, in Forsyth, New York. Another well-known baseball passenger, Hall of Fame executive George Weiss, had swapped berths with Donovan…

John K. Tener, one-time pitcher and congressman, now governor of Pennsylvania, is elected National League president for four years

John K. Tener, one-time pitcher and congressman, now governor of Pennsylvania, is elected National League president for four years

ByThis Day in Baseball

1913 – John K. Tener, one-time pitcher and congressman, now governor of Pennsylvania, is elected National League president for four years. John Heydler is elected secretary.

The American League announces purchase of grounds for a stadium in New York, and the next day the National League declares its readiness to make peace.

The American League announces purchase of grounds for a stadium in New York, and the next day the National League declares its readiness to make peace.

ByTom

1902 – The American League announces purchase of grounds for a stadium in New York, and the next day the National League declares its readiness to make peace.

James H. Dudley initiates discussion concerning the formation of a black league with teams from New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Richmond

ByThis Day in Baseball

1882 – James H. Dudley, manager of a top black club in Richmond, VA, initiates discussion concerning the formation of a black league with teams from New York, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Baltimore, Washington, DC, and Richmond. On February 10, 1883, Pittsburgh manager W.C. Lee expresses interest in the plan, but nothing comes of it.