On July 23, 1944, In the eighth inning of the second game of a doubleheader, Giants manager Mel Ott orders his pitcher Andy Hansen to issue an intentional walk with the bases loaded to Bill Nicholson. The free pass to Swish, who has hit four consecutive home runs in the twin bill, doesn’t work when the Cubs…
1944 – In the first game of a doubleheader split, first baseman Phil Weintraub collects 11 RBI and player-manager Mel Ott scores six runs, drawing five walks as the New York Giants defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers, 26 – 8. Brooklyn wins the nightcap, 5 – 4, in a game shortened due to darkness.
1944 – Mel Ott of the New York Giants hits the first National League home run of the season, the 464th of his career, helping the Giants defeat the Boston Braves, 2 – 1.
On July 31, 1943, the Brooklyn Dodger Dolph Camilli, the league’s MVP in 1941, is traded with Johnny Allen to the New York Giants for Bill Sayles, Bill Lohrman and Joe Orengo. Camilli declines to report to his new team and retires to a California ranch for the season. Next year, he will manage in the…
8/4/1942: The Dodgers were playing the Giants at the Polo Grounds with wartime restrictions in effect that required the lights to be shut off at a predetermined time. Brooklyn scored four runs in the top of the tenth inning, including an inside-the-park grand slam by Peewee Reese, which flew over the head of center fielder Buster Maynard and rolled to the clubhouse area. After a pitching change, a walk and a fly out, the umpires stopped the game in the middle of an at bat by Joe Medwick. The game reverted back to a nine-inning, 1-1 tie. The contest was scheduled for a September 6 makeup. This was the first time a game had ended in a tie under the lights due to the dim out regulations. The game had started at 6:45pm. The only statement made by NL President Ford Frick was to say that he would “urge earlier start times.”
1942- The major league season starts with three new managers: Lou Boudreau (Cleveland Indians), Mel Ott (New York Giants) and Hans Lobert (Philadelphia Phillies).
1941 – The Giants acquire Johnny Mize from the Cardinals for three players – Bill Lohrman, Ken O’Dea and Johnny McCarthy – and $50,000. Because of injuries, Mize’s home run production fell from 43 to 16 in 1941, but he will bounce back to lead the National League in 1947 and 1948.
The Giants select Mel Ott to replace Bill Terry, who compiled an 823-661 (.550) record during his decade as the team’s skipper. The team’s new player-manager will spend all of his 22 years in the majors with the New York franchise, hitting 511 home runs during his Hall of Fame career.
Mickey Owens becomes the first catcher to handle three foul pop ups in one frame. The Brooklyn backstop’s third inning defense contributes to the Dodgers’ 11-6 victory over New York at Ebbets Field.
On June 1, 1941, At the Polo Grounds, Mel Ott hit his 400th career home run and collected his 1,500th career RBI in the Giants’ 3-2 victory over Cincinnati. His 2 run 3rd inning homerun came off Monte Pearson. ‘Master Melvin’ will finish his 22-year career, all with the Giants, with 511 home runs, the third…
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