Tris Speaker and Commissioner Landis at spring training in Dallas, Texas – 1922.
Tris Speaker and Commissioner Landis at spring training in Dallas, Texas – 1922.
Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis resigns his federal judgeship, claiming the two jobs (judge and Commissioner) take up too much time.
Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis resigns his federal judgeship, claiming the two jobs (judge and Commissioner) take up too much time.
Judge Kenesaw Landis cracks down on phony player deals
1922 – Judge Kenesaw Landis cracks down on phony player deals. He fines the Cards and Tigers $150 each, and three minor league clubs a total of $1,400 for violating waiver rules. In March, he will assess the Giants $1,764 for the improper transfer of a player.
Joe Harris, formerly with the Cleveland Indians, is reinstated by Judge Landis
1922 – Joe Harris, formerly with the Cleveland Indians, is reinstated by Judge Landis because of his good World War I record. Harris had been on the ineligible list for having played with and against ineligible players in independent games. “His service in France, where he was gassed after bitter fighting, caused him to do things he might not have done,” says Judge Landis in reinstating him. Last December, Harris was traded by Cleveland along with “Tioga” George Burns and Elmer Smith to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Stuffy McInnis.
Benny Kauff’s suit for an injunction to restrain the decision to keep him out of baseball is rejected by the appellate court
1922 – Benny Kauff’s suit for an injunction to restrain the decision to keep him out of baseball is rejected by the appellate court. Kauff was acquitted of auto theft in 1921, but Commissioner Landis still barred him from baseball, stating, “That acquittal was one of the worst miscarriages of justice that ever came under my observation.”
Chicago White Sox star Buck Weaver applies for reinstatement to baseball
On January 13, 1922, former Chicago White Sox star Buck Weaver applies for reinstatement to baseball. Weaver, one of the eight “Black Sox” players banned for their involvement in throwing the 1919 World Series, is turned down by Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis. THIS Was one of six attempts to clear his name… The “Black Sox”…
The Cincinnati Reds trade Heinie Groh to the New York Giants for George Burns, Mike Gonzalez and cash.
1921 – The Cincinnati Reds trade Heinie Groh to the New York Giants for George Burns, Mike Gonzalez and cash.
Babe Ruth and two other members of the New York Yankees are suspended for participating in an “illegal” barnstorming
Babe Ruth and two other members of the New York Yankees are suspended for participating in an “illegal” barnstorming
In defiance of a Kenesaw Mountain Landis ban on World Series participants playing post-season exhibitions, Babe Ruth, Bob Meusel and Bill Piercy launch a barnstorming tour in Buffalo
1921 – In defiance of a Kenesaw Mountain Landis ban on World Series participants playing post-season exhibitions, Babe Ruth, Bob Meusel and Bill Piercy launch a barnstorming tour in Buffalo. Five days later, they cut it short in Scranton. In the meantime Ruth openly challenges Judge Landis to act. The judge does, fining the players their World Series shares ($3,362.26), and suspending them until May 20th of the following season. Judge Landis also outlaws gentleman’s agreements and cover-ups of players optioned to the minors without proper paperwork. He declares six players free agents, including Heinie Manush, who will ride a 17-year career .330 batting average into the Hall of Fame in 1964.
During an impressive Memorial Day ceremony at the Polo Grounds, Eddie Grant Memorial, erected in memory of a former Giants player killed in World War I
On May 30, 1921 During an impressive Memorial Day ceremony at the Polo Grounds, Eddie Grant Memorial, erected in memory of a former Giants player killed in World War I, is dedicated. Under the watchful eye of Baseball commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, the five-foot-high monument, located at the base of the clubhouse wall in center…
