Joe McCarthy

oe McCarthy returns to manage the New York Yankees after missing most of spring training and the early season due to illness

On May 9, 1944, Joe McCarthy returns to manage the New York Yankees after missing most of spring training and the early season due to illness. With his roster heavily affected by World War II, McCarthy and the Yankees will finish in third place in the American League pennant race.

Due to the poor grade of rubber cement used to make baseballs because of wartime rubber shortages, a different type of baseball is put into play today with dramatic results. In eight games, six home runs are hit compared to a total of nine homers tallied in the season’s first 72 games.

Due to the poor grade of rubber cement used to make baseballs because of wartime rubber shortages, a different type of baseball is put into play today with dramatic results. In eight games, six home runs are hit compared to a total of nine homers tallied in the season’s first 72 games.

The press reports the impending sale of the New York Yankees by the Ruppert estate to political bigwigs Jim Farley and Jesse Jones. The Sporting News declares the sale will be for $4 million. The imminent sale will resurface on the front page several times during the next year, but it will never happen.

The press reports the impending sale of the New York Yankees by the Ruppert estate to political bigwigs Jim Farley and Jesse Jones. The Sporting News declares the sale will be for $4 million. The imminent sale will resurface on the front page several times during the next year, but it will never happen.

After the previous day’s rainout at Wrigley Field, the Brooklyn Dodgers score three in the 10th to beat Larry French, 4 – 1. Newt Kimball is the winner.

After the previous day’s rainout at Wrigley Field, the Brooklyn Dodgers score three in the 10th to beat Larry French, 4 – 1. Newt Kimball is the winner.

Ernie Lombardi goes 6-for-6 and Alex Kampouris drives in eight runs in 21-10 blowout
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Ernie Lombardi goes 6-for-6 and Alex Kampouris drives in eight runs in 21-10 blowout

On May 9, 1937, future Hall of Famer Ernie Lombardi goes 6-for-6 and ties the modern major league record with six hits (5 singles and a double) in six consecutive times at bat. Alex Kampouris hits 3 home runs including a grand slam driving in eight runs,  helping the Cincinnati Reds to a 21-10 blowout…

carl hubbell

At the Polo Grounds, Carl Hubbell wins his 4th straight and his 20th in a row, subduing the Cubs, 4 – 1. The game is scoreless for six innings. Hubbell matches the mark of Rube Marquard, who won one game in 1911 and 19 straight more in 1912.

At the Polo Grounds, Carl Hubbell wins his 4th straight and his 20th in a row, subduing the Cubs, 4 – 1. The game is scoreless for six innings. Hubbell matches the mark of Rube Marquard, who won one game in 1911 and 19 straight more in 1912.

Reds’ starter Peaches Davis gives up 15 hits but goes the distance in the Reds’ 21-10 rout of Philadelphia. The right-hander’s batterymate, Ernie Lombardi, goes 6-for-6 in the Baker Bowl ballgame, collecting five singles and a double.

Reds’ starter Peaches Davis gives up 15 hits but goes the distance in the Reds’ 21-10 rout of Philadelphia. The right-hander’s batterymate, Ernie Lombardi, goes 6-for-6 in the Baker Bowl ballgame, collecting five singles and a double.

The Braves’ Rabbit Maranville sets a new record for National League service by appearing in his 23rd season. It is his first appearance since breaking his ankle in last year’s spring training. The Rabbit has a single but Tex Carleton is too much for the Braves and the Cubs win, 8 – 1.

The Braves’ Rabbit Maranville sets a new record for National League service by appearing in his 23rd season. It is his first appearance since breaking his ankle in last year’s spring training. The Rabbit has a single but Tex Carleton is too much for the Braves and the Cubs win, 8 – 1.

The Braves’ Rabbit Maranville sets a new record for National League service by appearing in his 23rd season. It is his first appearance since breaking his ankle in last year’s spring training. The Rabbit has a single but Tex Carleton is too much for the Braves and the Cubs win, 8 – 1.

At Philadelphia, Charlie Gelbert of the Cardinals plays his first game since a 1932 hunting accident almost severed his leg. Gelbert’s error in the 7th paves the way for the Phils’first run as they win, 2 – 1. The victory goes to Bucky Walters, the infielder whom manager Jimmy Wilson has been endeavoring to convert to a pitcher all spring. Bucky allows four hits and scores the winning run in the 9th to win his first major league game.

At Philadelphia, Charlie Gelbert of the Cardinals plays his first game since a 1932 hunting accident almost severed his leg. Gelbert’s error in the 7th paves the way for the Phils’first run as they win, 2 – 1. The victory goes to Bucky Walters, the infielder whom manager Jimmy Wilson has been endeavoring to convert to a pitcher all spring. Bucky allows four hits and scores the winning run in the 9th to win his first major league game.