1944 in baseball
Encyclopedia
Major League Baseball
- World Series1944 World Series-Game 1:Wednesday, October 4, 1944 at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, MissouriGeorge McQuinn hit the Brown's only home run of the series to put his team ahead in the fourth inning, while Denny Galehouse outpitched World Series veteran Mort Cooper to hold on for the win.-Game 2:Thursday, October 5,...
: St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
over St. Louis BrownsBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
(4-2), in the "Streetcar Series" - All-Star GameMajor League Baseball All-Star GameThe Major League Baseball All-Star Game, also known as the "Midsummer Classic", is an annual baseball game between players from the National League and the American League, currently selected by a combination of fans, players, coaches, and managers...
, July 11 at Forbes FieldForbes FieldForbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to 1971. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team, and the first home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's National Football League franchise...
: National League, 7-1
Other champions
- Negro League World SeriesNegro League World SeriesThe Negro League World Series was a post-season baseball tournament which was held from 1924-1927 and from 1942-1948 between the champions of the Negro leagues, matching the mid-western winners against their east coast counterparts....
: Homestead GraysHomestead GraysThe Homestead Grays were a professional baseball team that played in the Negro leagues in the United States. The team was formed in 1912 by Cumberland Posey, and would remain in continuous operation for 38 seasons. The team was based in Homestead, Pennsylvania, adjacent to Pittsburgh.-Franchise...
over Birmingham Black BaronsBirmingham Black BaronsThe Birmingham Black Barons played professional baseball for Birmingham, Alabama, in the Negro Leagues from 1920 to 1960 when the Major Leagues successfully integrated...
(4-1) - Negro League Baseball All-Star GameNegro League Baseball All-Star GameThe East-West All-Star Game was an annual all-star game for Negro league baseball players. The game was the brainchild of Gus Greenlee, owner of the Pittsburgh Crawfords. In 1933 he decided to match the Major League Baseball All-Star Game with Negro league players...
: West, 7-4 - All-American Girls Professional Baseball LeagueAll-American Girls Professional Baseball LeagueThe All-American Girls Professional Baseball League was a women's professional baseball league founded by Philip K. Wrigley which existed from 1943 to 1954. During the league's history, over 600 women played ball.-History:...
: Milwaukee ChicksMilwaukee ChicksThe Milwaukee Chicks were a women's professional baseball team which played in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League during the season. They were managed by Max Carey, former star player for the Pittsburgh Pirates and Brooklyn Robins and a future Hall of Famer.-History:By 1944 the...
over Kenosha CometsKenosha CometsBased in Kenosha, Wisconsin, the Kenosha Comets were a women's professional baseball team that played from through in the All-American Girls Professional Baseball League. The team played their home games at Kenosha's Lake Front Stadium, but later moved to Simmons Field.The Kenosha Comets were one...
Awards and honors
- Most Valuable PlayerMLB Most Valuable Player AwardThe Major League Baseball Most Valuable Player Award is an annual Major League Baseball award, given to one outstanding player in the American League and one in the National League. Since 1931, it has been awarded by the Baseball Writers Association of America...
- Hal NewhouserHal NewhouserHarold "Prince Hal" Newhouser was an American pitcher for Major League Baseball who played 17 seasons from 1939 to 1955, mostly with the Detroit Tigers of the American League...
(AL) - pitcher, Detroit Tigers - Marty MarionMarty MarionMartin Whiteford Marion was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played as a shortstop in Major League Baseball from to . Marion played with the St. Louis Cardinals for the majority of his career before ending with the St. Louis Browns as a player-manager...
(NL) - shortstop, St. Louis Cardinals
- Hal Newhouser
- The Sporting News Player of the Year AwardThe Sporting News Player of the Year AwardThis is a list of the Major League Baseball players chosen by The Sporting News since 1936 as recipients of the TSN Player of the Year Award. Until 1969, it was the only major award given to a single player from MLB, rather than to a player in each league. In 1969, Baseball Digest began its Player...
- Marty MarionMarty MarionMartin Whiteford Marion was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played as a shortstop in Major League Baseball from to . Marion played with the St. Louis Cardinals for the majority of his career before ending with the St. Louis Browns as a player-manager...
(NL) - St. Louis Cardinals
- Marty Marion
- The Sporting News Most Valuable Player AwardThe Sporting News Most Valuable Player AwardThe Sporting News established The Sporting News Most Valuable Player Award in 1929. The award was given annually to the player judged by TSN baseball experts as being the most valuable in each league. The awards were discontinued in 1946....
- Bobby DoerrBobby DoerrRobert Pershing Doerr is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and coach. He played his entire 14-year baseball career for the Boston Red Sox . He led American League second basemen in double plays five times, tying a league record, in putouts and fielding percentage four times each, and...
(AL) - Second base, Boston Red Sox - Marty MarionMarty MarionMartin Whiteford Marion was an American professional baseball player and manager. He played as a shortstop in Major League Baseball from to . Marion played with the St. Louis Cardinals for the majority of his career before ending with the St. Louis Browns as a player-manager...
(NL) - Shortstop, St. Louis Cardinals
- Bobby Doerr
- The Sporting News Pitcher of the Year AwardThe Sporting News Pitcher of the Year AwardBefore there was a Cy Young Award, there was the Pitcher of the Year Award, established by The Sporting News in 1944, though no awards were given in 1946 or 1947. The award is given annually to the pitcher in each league judged by TSN baseball experts as having had the most outstanding season...
- Hal NewhouserHal NewhouserHarold "Prince Hal" Newhouser was an American pitcher for Major League Baseball who played 17 seasons from 1939 to 1955, mostly with the Detroit Tigers of the American League...
(AL) - Detroit Tigers - Bill VoiselleBill VoiselleWilliam Symmes Voiselle was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball. From 1942 through 1950, Voiselle played for the New York Giants , Boston Braves and Chicago Cubs . He batted and threw right-handed.While born in Greenwood, South Carolina, Voiselle grew up in the nearby town of Ninety Six...
(NL) - New York Giants
- Hal Newhouser
- The Sporting News Manager of the Year AwardThe Sporting News Manager of the Year AwardThe Sporting News Manager of the Year Award was established in 1936 by The Sporting News and was given annually to one manager in Major League Baseball...
- Luke SewellLuke SewellJames Luther Sewell was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Cleveland Indians , Washington Senators , Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Browns . Sewell batted and threw right-handed...
(AL) - St. Louis Browns
- Luke Sewell
MLB statistical leaders
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American League final standings
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National League final standings
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Negro National League final standings
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Club | Wins | Losses | Win % | GB |
Washington Homestead Grays Homestead Grays The Homestead Grays were a professional baseball team that played in the Negro leagues in the United States. The team was formed in 1912 by Cumberland Posey, and would remain in continuous operation for 38 seasons. The team was based in Homestead, Pennsylvania, adjacent to Pittsburgh.-Franchise... |
27 | 12 | .692 | --- |
Baltimore Elite Giants Baltimore Elite Giants The Baltimore Elite Giants were a professional baseball team that played in the Negro leagues from to . The team was established by Thomas T. Wilson, in Nashville, Tennessee as the semi-pro Nashville Standard Giants on March 26, 1920. The team was renamed the Elite Giants in , and would move to... |
24 | 20 | .545 | 5.5 |
New York Cubans New York Cubans The New York Cubans were a Negro league baseball team that played during the 1930s and from 1939 to 1950. Despite playing in the Negro leagues, the team occasionally employed white-skinned Hispanic baseball players as well, because Hispanics in general were largely ignored by the major league... |
16 | 14 | .533 | 6.5 |
Philadelphia Stars Philadelphia Stars (baseball) The Philadelphia Stars were a Negro league baseball team from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The Stars were founded in 1933 when Ed Bolden returned to professional black baseball after being idle since early 1930... |
19 | 18 | .514 | 7 |
Newark Eagles Newark Eagles The Newark Eagles was a professional Negro league baseball team that played in the second Negro National League from 1936 to 1948.- Formation :... |
19 | 22 | .463 | 9 |
New York Black Yankees New York Black Yankees The New York Black Yankees was a professional baseball team based in New York City, Paterson, NJ, and Rochester, NY which played in the Negro National League from 1936 to 1948. The Black Yankees played in Paterson, New Jersey from 1933-1937 and then from 1939-1945. The 1938 season saw the Black... |
4 | 24 | .154 | 17.5 |
April–June
- April 27 - Boston BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
pitcher Jim TobinJim TobinJames Anthony Tobin, known as Abba Dabba, was a right-handed major league baseball pitcher with the Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Bees/Braves and Detroit Tigers from 1937 to 1945...
tosses a no-hitterNo-hitterA no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
in a 2-0 win over the Brooklyn Dodgers. - May 1 - George MyattGeorge MyattGeorge Edward Myatt was an infielder, coach and interim manager in American Major League Baseball. In 1936, Boston Red Sox general manager Eddie Collins traveled to San Diego to scout Myatt in a Pacific Coast League game, but came away more impressed with his 17-year-old teammate, a San Diegan and...
of the Washington SenatorsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
goes 6-for-6 as the Nats beat the Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
, 11-4. - May 4 - The St. Louis BrownsBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
announce that they are dropping their segregationRacial segregationRacial segregation is the separation of humans into racial groups in daily life. It may apply to activities such as eating in a restaurant, drinking from a water fountain, using a public toilet, attending school, going to the movies, or in the rental or purchase of a home...
policy restricting NegroNegroThe word Negro is used in the English-speaking world to refer to a person of black ancestry or appearance, whether of African descent or not...
fans to the bleachers. - May 15 - Clyde ShounClyde ShounClyde Mitchell Shoun was an American professional baseball player. A left-handed pitcher, he was born in Mountain City, Tennessee, and known as "Hardrock", due to his fastball....
pitches a no-hitterNo-hitterA no-hitter is a baseball game in which one team has no hits. In Major League Baseball, the team must be without hits during the entire game, and the game must be at least nine innings. A pitcher who prevents the opposing team from achieving a hit is said to have "thrown a no-hitter"...
, leading the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
to a 1-0 win over the Boston BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
. - June 6 - All games cancelled due to D-DayD-DayD-Day is a term often used in military parlance to denote the day on which a combat attack or operation is to be initiated. "D-Day" often represents a variable, designating the day upon which some significant event will occur or has occurred; see Military designation of days and hours for similar...
. - June 10–15-year-old pitcherPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Joe NuxhallJoe NuxhallJoseph Henry Nuxhall was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball, mostly for the Cincinnati Reds. Immediately after retiring as a player, he became a radio broadcaster for the Reds from 1967 through 2004, and continued part-time up until his death in 2007...
of the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
makes his major league debut. He is the youngest person ever to play in a major league game. After giving up five runs to the Cardinals in 2/3 of an inning, he is relieved by Jake EisenhartJake EisenhartJacob Henry Eisenhart was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who appeared in one game for the Cincinnati Reds in 1944. The 6'3½", 195 lb. left-hander was a native of Perkasie, Pennsylvania....
, who gets the final out in his only major league appearance.
July–September
- July 11 - At Forbes FieldForbes FieldForbes Field was a baseball park in the Oakland neighborhood of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, from 1909 to 1971. It was the third home of the Pittsburgh Pirates Major League Baseball team, and the first home of the Pittsburgh Steelers, the city's National Football League franchise...
, home of the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
, the National LeagueNational LeagueThe National League of Professional Baseball Clubs, known simply as the National League , is the older of two leagues constituting Major League Baseball, and the world's oldest extant professional team sports league. Founded on February 2, 1876, to replace the National Association of Professional...
defeats the American LeagueAmerican LeagueThe American League of Professional Baseball Clubs, or simply the American League , is one of two leagues that make up Major League Baseball in the United States and Canada. It developed from the Western League, a minor league based in the Great Lakes states, which eventually aspired to major...
, 7-1, in the All-Star Game1944 Major League Baseball All-Star GameThe 1944 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 12th playing of the midsummer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 11, 1944, at Forbes Field in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania the home...
. - August 10 - Red BarrettRed BarrettCharles Henry "Red" Barrett was a Major League Baseball pitcher who played 11 total career seasons in the National League. He played for the Cincinnati Reds, Boston Braves and St. Louis Cardinals. He pitched the shortest complete night game with the fewest number of pitches in history.Barrett was...
of the Boston BravesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
throws a shutout with just 58 pitches - a record for fewest pitches in a nine-inning game. The game lasted 75 minutes. Barrett gave up only two hits. He did not strikeout or walk any batters, and threw an average of only 2 pitches per batter. In 1944, 96 of the Reds games was completed in under two hours. - September 30 - Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
pitcherPitcherIn baseball, the pitcher is the player who throwsthe baseball from the pitcher's mound toward the catcher to begin each play, with the goal of retiring a batter, who attempts to either make contact with the pitched ball or draw a walk. In the numbering system used to record defensive plays, the...
Hal NewhouserHal NewhouserHarold "Prince Hal" Newhouser was an American pitcher for Major League Baseball who played 17 seasons from 1939 to 1955, mostly with the Detroit Tigers of the American League...
wins his 29th game, defeating the Washington SenatorsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
, 7-3.
October–December
- October 9 - The St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
defeated the St. Louis BrownsBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
, 3–1, in Game 6 of the World Series1944 World Series-Game 1:Wednesday, October 4, 1944 at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, MissouriGeorge McQuinn hit the Brown's only home run of the series to put his team ahead in the fourth inning, while Denny Galehouse outpitched World Series veteran Mort Cooper to hold on for the win.-Game 2:Thursday, October 5,...
to win their fifth World Series, four games to two. The Browns are the last of the original eight members of the American League to win the pennant. It would be their only World Series appearance before relocating to BaltimoreBaltimoreBaltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
ten years later. This only marked only the third time in World Series history in which both teams had the same home field, Sportsman's ParkSportsman's ParkSportsman's Park was the name of several former Major League Baseball ballpark structures in St. Louis, Missouri, USA, all but one of which were located on the same piece of land, the northwest corner of Grand Boulevard and Dodier Street on the north side of the city.- History :From...
, with the other two being in 19211921 World SeriesIn the 1921 World Series, the New York Giants beat the New York Yankees five games to three. This was the last of the experimental best-five-of-nine series....
and 19221922 World SeriesIn the 1922 World Series, the New York Giants beat the New York Yankees in five games...
at the Polo GroundsPolo GroundsThe Polo Grounds was the name given to four different stadiums in Upper Manhattan, New York City, used by many professional teams in both baseball and American football from 1880 until 1963...
. The Series was also known as the "Streetcar Series", or the "St. Louis Showdown."
- November 28 - Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
pitcher Hal NewhouserHal NewhouserHarold "Prince Hal" Newhouser was an American pitcher for Major League Baseball who played 17 seasons from 1939 to 1955, mostly with the Detroit Tigers of the American League...
, who posted a 29-9 record with 187 strikeouts and a 2.22 ERA, is named the American League Most Valuable Player, gathering four more votes than pitching teammate Dizzy TroutDizzy TroutPaul Howard "Dizzy" Trout was a Major League Baseball pitcher primarily for the Detroit Tigers. Born in Sandcut, Indiana, he first played professionally in 1935 with the Terre Haute Tots in the Three-I League before signing with Detroit in 1939.Trout played for the Tigers for fourteen seasons,...
(27-14, 144, 2.12).
- December 2 - Japan, where baseball has been banned as an undesirable enemy influence, mourns the death of Eiji SawamuraEiji SawamuraEiji Sawamura was a Japanese professional baseball player...
. The Japanese pitcher, who is killed in action in the Pacific, became a national hero by striking out Babe RuthBabe RuthGeorge Herman Ruth, Jr. , best known as "Babe" Ruth and nicknamed "the Bambino" and "the Sultan of Swat", was an American Major League baseball player from 1914–1935...
in an exhibition game.
January–March
- January 4 - Tito FuentesTito FuentesRigoberto "Tito" Fuentes Peat is a retired second baseman who played for 13 seasons in the Major Leagues between 1965 and 1978...
- January 4 - Charlie ManuelCharlie ManuelCharles Fuqua Manuel, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball and Nippon Professional Baseball outfielder and current Major League Baseball manager of the Philadelphia Phillies...
- January 10 - Chuck DobsonChuck DobsonCharles Thomas Dobson is a retired professional baseball player who played 9 seasons for the Kansas City and Oakland Athletics, and the California Angels of Major League Baseball.-References:...
- January 11 - Jim McAndrewJim McAndrewJames Clement McAndrew was a Major League Baseball pitcher from to ; he pitched for the New York Mets for his first six years, and the San Diego Padres in the last....
- January 13 - Larry JasterLarry JasterLarry Edward Jaster is a former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the St. Louis Cardinals, Montreal Expos and Atlanta Braves between 1965 and 1972 with the exception of 1971....
- January 17 - Denny DoyleDenny DoyleRobert Dennis Doyle is a former Major League Baseball second baseman who played for the Philadelphia Phillies , California Angels and Boston Red Sox . He batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
- January 18 - Carl MortonCarl MortonCarl Wendle Morton was a former starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Montreal Expos and Atlanta Braves...
- February 1 - Paul BlairPaul Blair (baseball)Paul L. D. Blair is a former outfielder who spent seventeen seasons in Major League Baseball with the Baltimore Orioles , New York Yankees and Cincinnati Reds...
- February 1 - Hal KingHal KingHarold King , is a retired Major League Baseball player who played catcher from -. He played for the Houston Astros, Texas Rangers, Atlanta Braves, and Cincinnati Reds....
- February 3 - Celerino SánchezCelerino SanchezCelerino Sánchez was a Major League baseball third baseman. He was known primarily as an excellent fielder....
- February 11 - Ollie Brown
- February 13 - Sal BandoSal BandoSalvatore Leonard Bando is a former third baseman and executive in professional baseball who played for the Kansas City & Oakland Athletics and Milwaukee Brewers . He batted and threw right-handed. During the A's championship years of 1971-75, he captained the team and led the club in runs batted...
- February 17 - Dick BosmanDick BosmanRichard Allen Bosman is an American former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He pitched for the Washington Senators , Texas Rangers , Cleveland Indians and Oakland Athletics . Bosman started the final game for the expansion Senators and the first game for the Texas Rangers...
- February 25 - Stump MerrillStump MerrillCarl "Stump" Merrill is a former manager in Major League Baseball who served as manager of the New York Yankees in and...
- February 29 - Steve MingoriSteve MingoriSteven Bernard Mingori was an American left-handed relief pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians and Kansas City Royals...
- March 15 - Wayne GrangerWayne GrangerWayne Allan Granger is a former Major League Baseball right-handed relief pitcher who played for the St. Louis Cardinals , Cincinnati Reds , Minnesota Twins , St. Louis Cardinals , New York Yankees , Chicago White Sox , Houston Astros and Montreal Expos...
- March 17 - Cito GastonCito GastonClarence Edwin "Cito" Gaston is a former Major League Baseball outfielder and manager. His major league career as a player lasted from 1967–1978, most notably for the San Diego Padres and the Atlanta Braves...
- March 21 - Manny SanguillénManny SanguillenManuel De Jesus Sanguillen Magan, better known as Manny Sanguillen or "Sangy" , is a former professional baseball player who was a catcher in the Major Leagues. He was named to the All-Star team three times, in , , and . He played primarily for the Pittsburgh Pirates, but also for the Oakland...
- March 23 - George Scott
- March 29 - Denny McLainDenny McLainDennis Dale "Denny" McLain is a former American professional baseball player, and the last major league pitcher to win 30 or more games during a season —a feat accomplished by only thirteen players in the 20th century....
April–June
- April 1 - Rusty StaubRusty StaubDaniel Joseph "Rusty" Staub is an American former Major League Baseball right fielder, designated hitter, and first baseman. He enjoyed a 23-year baseball career with 5 different teams...
- April 3 - Gomer HodgeGomer HodgeHarold Morris Hodge was a Major League Baseball player for the Cleveland Indians in 1971. He died May 13, 2007 from Lou Gehrig's Disease.-External links:...
- April 7 - Bill StonemanBill StonemanWilliam Hambly Stoneman III is a consultant for the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim of Major League Baseball. From 1999 to October 15, 2007, he served as the general manager of the Angels...
- April 9 - Joe BrinkmanJoe BrinkmanJoseph Norbert Brinkman is a former umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the American League from 1973 to 1999 and throughout both major leagues from 2000 until his retirement during the 2006 season....
- April 12 - Terry HarmonTerry HarmonTerry Walter Harmon was a second baseman and shortstop for the Philadelphia Phillies . He was a 5th round pick of the Phillies in the 1965 draft....
- April 16 - Bob Montgomery
- April 24 - Bill SingerBill SingerWilliam Robert Singer is a former baseball pitcher with a 14-year career from 1964 to 1977. He played primarily for the Los Angeles Dodgers and the California Angels , spending his final two seasons with the Texas Rangers , Minnesota Twins and Toronto Blue Jays .-Los Angeles Dodgers:Singer made...
- April 25 - Drew BaurDrew BaurAndrew 'Drew' Baur was a co-owner of the St. Louis Cardinals baseball team. Baur was a key member of the ownership group which purchased the team from Anheuser-Busch in March 1996. Baur served as the team's treasurer, and was a member of the Cardinals Board of Directors.-Early Life:Baur was born...
- May 6 - Masanori MurakamiMasanori MurakamiMasanori "Mashi" Murakami is a former pitcher for the San Francisco Giants....
- May 14 - Jim DriscollJim Driscoll (baseball)James Bernard Driscoll is a former Major League Baseball second baseman and shortstop who played two seasons with the Oakland Athletics and Texas Rangers. He batted left-handed and threw right-handed....
- June 6 - Bud HarrelsonBud HarrelsonDerrel McKinley "Bud" Harrelson is a former Major League Baseball shortstop who played for the New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies and Texas Rangers from to . After retiring, he served as a coach for the World Champion Mets, and as manager of the Mets in 1990 and 1991...
- June 7 - Roger NelsonRoger Nelson (baseball)Roger Eugene Nelson is a former professional baseball pitcher. Nelson pitched all or part of nine seasons in Major League Baseball between 1967 and 1976 with a record of 29 wins, 32 losses, and 5 saves....
- June 8 - Mark BelangerMark BelangerMark Henry Belanger was an American shortstop in Major League Baseball who played almost his entire career with the Baltimore Orioles...
- June 11 - Frank BakerFrank Baker (outfielder)Frank Baker, Jr. was an American professional baseball player. He was a backup outfielder in Major League Baseball who played for the Cleveland Indians in the and seasons...
- June 20 - Dave NelsonDave NelsonDavid Earl Nelson is a former Major League Baseball player and one of the current broadcasters for the Milwaukee Brewers baseball team on Fox Sports Wisconsin...
- June 30 - Ron SwobodaRon SwobodaRonald Alan Swoboda is a former Major League Baseball outfielder best remembered as a member of the Amazin' Mets.-MLB debut:...
July–September
- July 9 - Sonny Jackson
- July 14 - Billy McCoolBilly McCoolWilliam John McCool was a left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball. He played the bulk of his short career with the Cincinnati Reds and spent a year each with the San Diego Padres and St. Louis Cardinals. In 1965 and '66 he was second in the National League in saves and in 1966, he was named a...
- July 18 - Rudy MayRudy MayRudolph May, Jr. is a former pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from to for the California Angels, New York Yankees, Baltimore Orioles and Montreal Expos...
- July 22 - Sparky LyleSparky LyleAlbert Walter "Sparky" Lyle is an American former left-handed relief pitcher who spent sixteen seasons in Major League Baseball . He was a closer from 1969 to 1977, first for the Boston Red Sox and then the New York Yankees. A three-time All-Star, he won the American League Cy Young Award in 1977...
- July 25 - Fred SchermanFred SchermanFrederick John Scherman, Jr. was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher for eight years with the Detroit Tigers , Houston Astros , and Montreal Expos . Born in Dayton, Ohio, Scherman was a left-handed pitcher who attended Ohio State University before making his major league debut for the Tigers...
- July 30 - Doug RaderDoug RaderDouglas Lee Rader , nicknamed "The Red Rooster", is a former third baseman in Major League Baseball who was known primarily for his defensive ability, winning five straight Gold Glove Awards from 1970 to 1974....
- August 4 - Rich NyeRich NyeRichard Raymond Nye , is a retired American professional baseball player who was a left-handed pitcher in the Major Leagues from 1966-1970....
- August 18 - Mike FerraroMike FerraroMichael Dennis Ferraro is an American former Major League Baseball third baseman. He played for the New York Yankees , Seattle Pilots , and the Milwaukee Brewers...
- August 20 - Graig NettlesGraig NettlesGraig Nettles , nicknamed "Puff", is a former Major League Baseball third baseman. During a 22-year baseball career, he played for the Minnesota Twins , Cleveland Indians , New York Yankees , San Diego Padres , Atlanta Braves and Montreal Expos .Nettles was one of the best...
- August 30 - Tug McGrawTug McGrawFrank Edwin "Tug" McGraw Jr. was a Major League Baseball relief pitcher and the father of Country music singer Tim McGraw and actor/TV personality Mark McGraw and Cari McGraw...
- September 7 - Barry LerschBarry LerschBarry Lee Lersch was an American Major League Baseball player who played pitcher from -. He played for the Philadelphia Phillies from 1969–1973 and the St. Louis Cardinals in 1974....
- September 11 - John McSherryJohn McSherryJohn Patrick McSherry was an American umpire in Major League Baseball who worked in the National League from 1971 to 1996. Although McSherry originally wore uniform #9 when he entered the National League, he switched to #10 in 1979 when the league reorganized the umpires' numbers and he wore that...
- September 11 - Dave RobertsDave Roberts (pitcher)David Arthur Roberts was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for eight teams from 1969 to 1981. He was second in the National League with a 2.10 earned run average in for the San Diego Padres, after which he was traded to the Houston Astros, where he spent the...
- September 20 - Ed Phillips
- September 27 - Gary SutherlandGary SutherlandGary Lynn Sutherland was a Major League Second Baseman and Shortstop for 13 seasons from 1966-1978....
October–December
- October 4 - Tony La RussaTony La RussaAnthony "Tony" La Russa, Jr. is a former Major League Baseball manager and infielder, best known for his tenures as manager of the Chicago White Sox, Oakland Athletics, and St. Louis Cardinals...
- October 8 - Ed KirkpatrickEd KirkpatrickEdgar Leon Kirkpatrick , nicknamed "Spanky", was a baseball utility player for the Los Angeles/California Angels , Kansas City Royals , Pittsburgh Pirates , Texas Rangers , and Milwaukee Brewers .He helped the Pirates win the National League Eastern Division in 1974 and 1975...
- October 9 - Freddie PatekFreddie PatekFrederick Joseph Patek is a former Major League Baseball shortstop. At 5'5" tall , he was the shortest player of his time.-Pittsburgh Pirates:...
- October 29 - Jim BibbyJim BibbyJames Blair Bibby was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. During a 12-year baseball career, he pitched from 1972-1984 with the St. Louis Cardinals, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, and Pittsburgh Pirates, with whom he was a member of its 1979 World Series Champions...
- November 7 - Joe NiekroJoe NiekroJoseph Franklin Niekro was an American Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher. He was the younger brother of pitcher Phil Niekro, and the father of Minor League Baseball pitcher Lance Niekro. A native of Blaine, Ohio, Niekro attended Bridgeport High School in Bridgeport, Ohio and attended West...
- November 8 - Ed KranepoolEd KranepoolEdward Emil Kranepool is a former first baseman who spent his entire Major League Baseball career with the New York Mets....
- November 17 - Tom SeaverTom SeaverGeorge Thomas "Tom" Seaver , nicknamed "Tom Terrific" and "The Franchise", is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched from 1967-1986 for four different teams in his career, but is noted primarily for his time with the New York Mets...
- December 6 - Tony Horton
- December 9 - Del UnserDel UnserDelbert Bernard Unser is a retired Major League Baseball center fielder and utility player who had a 15-year career from 1968 to 1982. Unser played for the Washington Senators from 1968 to 1971 and the Cleveland Indians in 1972...
- December 10 - Steve RenkoSteve RenkoSteve Renko, Jr. is a former right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for the Montreal Expos , Chicago Cubs , Chicago White Sox , Oakland Athletics , Boston Red Sox , California Angels and Kansas City Royals .He helped the Angels win the 1982 American League Western...
- December 15 - Stan BahnsenStan BahnsenStanley Raymond Bahnsen is a former Major League Baseball pitcher. Nicknamed the "Bahnsen Burner," he once made 118 starts over a three year stretch while playing with the Chicago White Sox in the mid 1970s.-New York Yankees:...
- December 15 - Jim LeylandJim LeylandJames Richard "Jim" Leyland is a Major League Baseball manager, currently with the Detroit Tigers.He led the Florida Marlins to a World Series championship in 1997, and previously won three straight division titles with the Pittsburgh Pirates...
- December 22 - Steve CarltonSteve CarltonSteven Norman Carlton , nicknamed "Lefty", is a former Major League Baseball left-handed pitcher. He pitched from 1965-1988 for six different teams in his career, but it is his time with the Philadelphia Phillies where he received his greatest acclaim as a professional and won four Cy Young Awards...
- December 30 - José Morales
Deaths
- January 7 - George MullinGeorge Mullin (baseball)George Joseph Mullin was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played fourteen seasons with the Detroit Tigers and Washington Senators of the American League and the Indianapolis Hoosiers/Newark Pepper of the Federal League.-Career Overview:Mullin holds the Detroit Tigers...
, 63, pitcher who won 228 games including a no-hitter, mainly with the Tigers, having five 20-win seasons - April 25 - Tony MullaneTony MullaneAnthony John "Tony" Mullane , nickamed "Count" and "The Apollo of the Box", was an Irish Major League Baseball player who pitched for seven teams during his 13-season career...
, 85, pitcher who won 284 games, including five 30-win seasons, throwing with both hands; led league in shutouts twice and strikeouts once - June 28 - Dan Stearns, 82, first baseman for seven season from 1880 to 1885, and 1889.
- July 3 - Charlie Reynolds, 79, catcher for two teams in 1889, the Kansas City Cowboys and the Brooklyn Bridegrooms.
- August 4 - Camp SkinnerCamp SkinnerElisha Harrison Skinner was a reserve outfielder in Major League Baseball, playing mainly at center field for the New York Yankees and Boston Red Sox . Listed at 5' 11", 165 lb., Skinner batted left-handed and threw right-handed...
, 47, backup outfielder for the New York Yankees (1922) and Boston Red Sox (1923) - October 10 - Louis LeroyLouis Leroy (baseball player)Louis Paul Leroy [Chief ] was a pitcher in Major League Baseball who played from through for the New York Highlanders and Boston Red Sox . Listed at 5' 10", 180 lb., Leroy batted and threw right-handed...
, 65, pitcher for the New York Highlanders and Boston Red Sox between 1905 and 1910 - October 17 - Jack Powell, 70, pitcher who won 245 games, primarily for the St. Louis Browns and Cardinals
- November 25 - Kenesaw Mountain LandisKenesaw Mountain LandisKenesaw Mountain Landis was an American jurist who served as a federal judge from 1905 to 1922 and as the first Commissioner of Baseball from 1920 until his death...
, 78, commissioner of baseball since that office's creation in 1920 who established the position's authority in overseeing cleanup of corruption in wake of the Black Sox scandal, banishing eight players from the sport for life for involvement in throwing 1919 World Series; as federal judge, had presided over 1914 case in which Federal League challenged major leagues under antitrust law; strong advocate of the independence of minor leagues from control of majors - December 4 - Roger BresnahanRoger BresnahanRoger Philip Bresnahan , nicknamed "The Duke of Tralee" for his Irish roots, was an American player in Major League Baseball who starred primarily as a catcher and a player-manager...
, 65, catcher and leadoff hitter who starred for the New York Giants from 1902–1908, and was first major leaguer to wear shinguards; led NL in walks in 1908, and was only catcher to steal 200 bases.