Mort Cooper goes AWOL from the Cardinals, returning to St. Louis. A 20-game winner for three previous seasons, Cooper, along with his brother Walker Cooper, has had his salary frozen at $12,000 for three years, and is in a salary dispute with owner Sam Breadon. Without Cooper, the Cards drop a pair to the Braves, losing 5 – 4 in 14 innings and 4 – 1.

ByBaseball

Mort Cooper goes AWOL from the Cardinals, returning to St. Louis. A 20-game winner for three previous seasons, Cooper, along with his brother Walker Cooper, has had his salary frozen at $12,000 for three years, and is in a salary dispute with owner Sam Breadon. Without Cooper, the Cards drop a pair to the Braves, losing 5 – 4 in 14 innings and 4 – 1.

The Yankees bench top prospects Phil Rizzuto and Jerry Priddy, putting Joe Gordon and Frankie Crosetti back in the lineup. New York then rallies in the 9th to beat the White Sox, 5 – 4.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The Yankees bench top prospects Phil Rizzuto and Jerry Priddy, putting Joe Gordon and Frankie Crosetti back in the lineup. New York then rallies in the 9th to beat the White Sox, 5 – 4.

Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Athletics play the first night game in American League history
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Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Athletics play the first night game in American League history

ByThis Day in Baseball

On May 16, 1939, Four years after the Senior Circuit began playing evening tilts the Cleveland Indians and Philadelphia Athletics play the first night game in American League history. A gathering of 15,109 fans watches the contest at Philadelphia’s Shibe Park, which becomes the third major league park to feature lights. The cold weather halved…

In Kansas City, Hilton Smith pitches a no-hitter as the Kansas City Monarchs beat the Chicago American Giants, 4 – 0. Smith allows only one Chicago batter to reach base when he walks Melvin Powell in the 4th. Powell is erased on a double play and Smith faces the minimum 27 men. Sug Cornelius pitches a three-hitter in a losing cause.

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In Kansas City, Hilton Smith pitches a no-hitter as the Kansas City Monarchs beat the Chicago American Giants, 4 – 0. Smith allows only one Chicago batter to reach base when he walks Melvin Powell in the 4th. Powell is erased on a double play and Smith faces the minimum 27 men. Sug Cornelius pitches a three-hitter in a losing cause.

A sacrifice fly by Chick Hafey in the 9th gives the Reds a 3 – 2 win over the Cubs. Hafey makes his first appearance since retiring in May 1935.

ByThis Day in Baseball

A sacrifice fly by Chick Hafey in the 9th gives the Reds a 3 – 2 win over the Cubs. Hafey makes his first appearance since retiring in May 1935.

Browns 3B Harlond Clift equals the American League record at the hot corner with nine assists in a 5 – 4 loss to the Tigers. A fumble and late throw in the 1st inning would have given him a 10th assist. By the end of the season, Clift will set a new record for total chances and the still-standing mark of 405 assists. The Tigers’ Gee Walker has a single to run his hitting streak to 21 games.

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Browns 3B Harlond Clift equals the American League record at the hot corner with nine assists in a 5 – 4 loss to the Tigers. A fumble and late throw in the 1st inning would have given him a 10th assist. By the end of the season, Clift will set a new record for total chances and the still-standing mark of 405 assists. The Tigers’ Gee Walker has a single to run his hitting streak to 21 games.

The Reds send pitcher Syl Johnson and OF Johnny Moore to the Phils for pitcher Ted Kleinhans and OFs Art Ruble and Wes Schulmerich. Moore will turn out to be the class of the swap, hitting .300+ in the next three years.

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The Reds send pitcher Syl Johnson and OF Johnny Moore to the Phils for pitcher Ted Kleinhans and OFs Art Ruble and Wes Schulmerich. Moore will turn out to be the class of the swap, hitting .300+ in the next three years.

Cecil Travis of the Washington Senators makes an incredible major league debut.

Cecil Travis of the Washington Senators makes an incredible major league debut.

ByThis Day in Baseball

On May 16, 1933, Cecil Travis of the Washington Senators makes an incredible major league debut. Travis sets a modern day record by collecting five singles in his first five at-bats. Travis is retired in his final two at-bats, but his Senators still defeat the Cleveland Indians, 11-10, in 12 innings. Senators third baseman Cecil…

The Yankees record their fourth straight shutout to equal the record set by Cleveland and Boston in 1903 and 1906 respectively. Johnny Allen, George Pipgras, Red Ruffingand Lefty Gomez were the hurlers. Lefty stops Cleveland on five hits to win, 8 – 0, New York’s fifth shutout in seven games.

ByBaseball

The Yankees record their fourth straight shutout to equal the record set by Cleveland and Boston in 1903 and 1906 respectively. Johnny Allen, George Pipgras, Red Ruffingand Lefty Gomez were the hurlers. Lefty stops Cleveland on five hits to win, 8 – 0, New York’s fifth shutout in seven games.