1953 – U.S. Senator Edwin C. Johnson offers a bill to give clubs the sole right to ban radio-TV broadcasts of major league games in their own territory. The antitrust division of the Justice Department outlawed this practice in 1949. Johnson believes that it started the decline of baseball in small towns and cities throughout the country. His bill aims to restore the equity between large communities and the small areas.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1953 – U.S. Senator Edwin C. Johnson offers a bill to give clubs the sole right to ban radio-TV broadcasts of major league games in their own territory. The antitrust division of the Justice Department outlawed this practice in 1949. Johnson believes that it started the decline of baseball in small towns and cities throughout the country. His bill aims to restore the equity between large communities and the small areas.

Tris Speaker

Babe Ruth all time, All Star Team

ByBobby

Shortly before his death in 1948, Babe Ruth, in an interview with The Saturday Evening Post, picked an all-time all-star team, minus the right fielder—though he offered some suggestions. “I just don’t want to pick myself,” he said. His most surprising omission, however, was that of Lou Gehrig. You’re probably thinking: “Maybe he went with…

Washington Senators acquire veteran outfielder Bob Johnson

Washington Senators acquire veteran outfielder Bob Johnson

ByThis Day in Baseball

On March 20, 1943, the Washington Senators acquire veteran outfielder Bob Johnson from the Philadelphia A’s for outfielder-third baseman Bobby Estalella and infielder Jimmy Pofahl. A member of the A’s since 1933, Johnson has led the Athletics in RBI in each of the last seven seasons – no team has ever traded a slugger with that…

Josh Gibson

Homestead Grays of the Negro Leagues acquire future Hall of Famers Josh Gibson and Judy Johnson

ByThis Day in Baseball

On March 20, 1937, the Homestead Grays of the Negro Leagues acquire future Hall of Famers Josh Gibson and Judy Johnson for $2,500 in cash and a pair of journeymen players. The trade is considered the largest transaction in the history of the Negro Leagues. The Baseball’s Hall of Fame will induct both players, with…

At St. Petersburg, the St. Louis Cardinals set a spring training record, drawing 6,467 in a match against the Boston Braves. The big draw is Babe Ruth, who hits a towering fly against Dizzy Dean, then, after Dean departs, laces two doubles into the overflowing crowd. The Cardinals win, 5 – 4.

At St. Petersburg, the St. Louis Cardinals set a spring training record, drawing 6,467 in a match against the Boston Braves. The big draw is Babe Ruth, who hits a towering fly against Dizzy Dean, then, after Dean departs, laces two doubles into the overflowing crowd. The Cardinals win, 5 – 4.

ByTom

At St. Petersburg, the St. Louis Cardinals set a spring training record, drawing 6,467 in a match against the Boston Braves. The big draw is Babe Ruth, who hits a towering fly against Dizzy Dean, then, after Dean departs, laces two doubles into the overflowing crowd. The Cardinals win, 5 – 4.

Mildred Didrickson (also known as Babe Zaharias), the renowned all-around female athlete, pitches the 1st inning for the Philadelphia Athletics in a spring training exhibition game against the Brooklyn Dodgers. She gives up one walk but no hits.

Mildred Didrickson (also known as Babe Zaharias), the renowned all-around female athlete, pitches the 1st inning for the Philadelphia Athletics in a spring training exhibition game against the Brooklyn Dodgers

ByThis Day in Baseball

1934 – Mildred Didrickson (also known as Babe Zaharias), the renowned all-around female athlete, pitches the 1st inning for the Philadelphia Athletics in a spring training exhibition game against the Brooklyn Dodgers. She gives up one walk but no hits. Two days later she pitches again, this time one inning for the St. Louis Cardinals against the Boston Red Sox. Didrickson is less successful the second time, giving up four hits and three runs. Bill Hallahan relieves her, as she does not have an at bat in either game. She will also play several games for the House of David this season. Didrickson is the second female to play exhibitions with a major league team. Previously, first baseman Lizzie Murphy played for an American League All-Star team on August 14, 1922.

1925 – In a reprise of the 1924 World Series, the New York Giants edge the Washington Senators, 2 – 1, at West Palm Beach’s new Municipal Athletic Field.

ByTom

1925 – In a reprise of the 1924 World Series, the New York Giants edge the Washington Senators, 2 – 1, at West Palm Beach’s new Municipal Athletic Field.

Although the major leagues optimistically keep the schedules at 154 games despite the war

ByThis Day in Baseball

1918 – Although the major leagues optimistically keep the schedules at 154 games, the owners agree to halve the spring training time in an attempt to save money with the United States now engaged in World War I, as the St. Louis Cardinals open their camp at Hot Springs, Arkansas. In fact, the season’s last month will never be played, with the World Series starting at the beginning of September.

Braves Field

The Boston Braves break ground on Commonwealth Avenue and begin construction of Braves Field.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1915 – The Boston Braves break ground on Commonwealth Avenue and begin construction of Braves Field. Owner James E. Gaffney wants a large enough park so that inside-the-park homers can be hit in three directions. The field will open on August 18th.