Baseball History

Events in Sport

Events 1 - 100 of 931

  • 1838-06-04 First baseball-type game in Canada played at Beachville, Upper Canada
  • 1845-09-23 1st baseball team, NY Knickerbockers organize, adopt rule code
  • 1846-06-19 First officially recognised baseball game (played by Cartwright Rules) - NY Nines 23 defeat Knickerbockers 1 at Hoboken, New Jersey
  • 1848-09-18 Baseball rules 1st baseman can tag base for out instead of runner
  • 1851-06-03 1st baseball uniforms worn when the NY Knickerbockers wear a uniform of straw hats, white shirts and blue long trousers
  • 1857-03-07 Baseball decides 9 innings constitutes an official game, not 9 runs
  • 1858-07-20 Fee 1st charged to see a baseball game (50 cents) (NY beats Bkln 22-18)
  • 1859-05-31 Philadelphia A's organize to play "town ball" became baseball 20 years later
  • 1859-07-01 1st intercollegiate baseball game, Amherst beats Williams 66-32 in Pittsfield, Massachusetts
  • 1860-02-22 Organized baseball played in San Francisco for 1st time between the Eagles and the Red Rovers
  • 1860-07-24 Olympics beat St. George, 25-17 at St. Georges Cricket Grounds, Philadelphia in first baseball game played in enclosed field
  • 1862-05-15 First baseball enclosure opens at Union Grounds, Brooklyn
  • 1862-10-14 Baseballer James Creighton ruptures bladder hitting HR, dies 10/18
  • 1862-12-25 40,000 watch Union army men play baseball at Hilton Head, South Carolina
  • 1866-07-23 Cincinnati Baseball club (Red Stockings) forms
  • 1869-03-15 With 10 salaried players, Cincinnati Red Stockings become baseball's first professional team
  • 1869-04-23 1st professional baseball exhibition game - Cincinnati Red Stockings 24, Cincinnati amateurs 15
  • 1869-05-04 Cincinnati Red Stockings play their 1st official baseball game, a win against the Great Western Base Ball Club, 45-9
  • 1869-06-02 Cleveland's Forest City play their 1st baseball game, against the Cincinnati Red Stockings
  • 1870-11-27 The New York Times dubs baseball "The National Game"
  • 1871-10-30 Philadelphia Athletics beat Chicago for 1st National Association baseball pennant
  • 1874-02-27 Baseball 1st played in England at Lord's Cricket Ground
  • 1874-03-02 National Association of Professional Baseball Players officially adopts the batter's box; decide any player betting on his own team will be expelled; any player betting on any other team to forfeit his pay
  • 1874-07-30 1st baseball teams to play outside US, Boston-Philadelphia in British Isles
  • 1876-02-02 Baseball's National League forms at the Grand Central Hotel, NYC with teams in Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Hartford, Louisville, New York, Philadelphia and St Louis
  • 1876-02-03 Albert Spalding invests $800 to start sporting goods company, manufacturing first official baseball, tennis ball, basketball, golf ball and football
  • 1876-04-22 1st official National League baseball game is played; Boston Red Caps beat Philadelphia Athletics, 6-5 at the Jefferson Street Grounds, Philadelphia
  • 1876-04-22 Philadelphia native Tim McGinley of the Boston Red Caps scores baseball National League's 1st run, in Philadelphia
  • 1876-07-15 Baseball's first official no-hitter: George Bradley of the St Louis Brown Stockings no-hits the Hartford Dark Blues, 2-0
  • 1877-04-12 Catcher's mask 1st used in a baseball game
  • 1877-05-07 Cincinnati Enquirer first uses term "bullpen" to indicate baseball field foul territory where late-coming spectators were herded like cattle
  • 1878-02-12 Harvard player Frederick Thayer patents baseball catcher's mask (pat # 200,358)
  • 1879-10-01 Cincinnati Enquirer publishes first report on Baseball's reserve clause; rights to players retained by team upon the contract's expiration; replaced by free agency
  • 1880-09-29 1st pro baseball game at Polo Grounds, NY Metropolitans beat Washington Nationals 4-2 in 5 innings
  • 1882-06-24 National League expels umpire Richard Higham from baseball for dishonesty after his links with gambling on games are confirmed
  • 1882-09-25 1st baseball doubleheader (Providence & Worcester)
  • 1882-10-06 1st World Series Baseball Game 1: Cincinnati Red Stockings (AA) beat Chicago White Stockings (NL), 4-0 at Bank Street Grounds, Cincinnati
  • 1882-10-07 1st World Series Baseball Game 2: Chicago White Stockings (NL) beats Cincinnati Red Stockings (AA), 2-0 at Bank Street Grounds, Cincinnati
  • 1883-05-01 First National League baseball game in Philadelphia since 1876, Providence Greys beat Philadelphia Quakers, 4-3
  • 1883-06-02 1st night baseball under lights, Fort Wayne Indiana
  • 1883-06-16 1st baseball "Ladies' Day" - NY Gothams beat Cleveland Blues 5-2 at the Polo Grounds in NYC
  • 1884-05-01 Catcher Moses Walker is acknowledged as the first African-American to play major league baseball joining the Toledo Blue Stockings
  • 1884-10-22 Sporting Life announces that both pennant winners will meet in 3 game series Oct 23-25 at Polo Grounds NYC to determine baseball champion
  • 1884-10-25 1st "World Championship" Baseball Series, Polo Grounds, NYC: Providence Grays (NL) beat NY Mets (American Association), 12-2 in 6 innings for 3 game sweep; game abandoned because of bitter cold
  • 1885-10-17 Baseball sets all players salaries at $1,000-$2,000 for 1885 season
  • 1885-10-22 John Ward & several teammates secretly form Brotherhood of Prof Base Ball Players, 1st baseball union
  • 1885-10-24 "World Championship" Baseball Series, Cincinnati Base Ball Grounds: St. Louis Browns beat Chicago White Stockings, 13–4 in Game 7; disputed series tied at 3-3-1
  • 1886-10-23 "World Championship" Baseball Series, Sportsman's Park, St. Louis: St.L Browns edge Chicago White Stockings, 4-3 in 10 innings in Game 6 to take series, 4-2
  • 1887-10-26 "World Championship" Baseball Series, Sportsman's Park, Detroit Wolverines (NL) beat St Louis Browns (AA), 10 games to 5 in series played in bitterly cold conditions
  • 1887-12-02 International Baseball League disbands; teams in Syracuse, Toronto, Hamilton, and Buffalo form the International Association; those in Newark, Jersey City, Wilkes-Barre, and Scranton become the Central League
  • 1888-06-03 Baseball poem "Casey at the Bat" 1st published by the San Francisco Examiner
  • 1888-10-20 Chicago and All America baseball teams play exhibition in Auckland, New Zealand
  • 1888-10-27 "World Championship" Baseball Series, Sportsman's Park, St. Louis; St. Louis Browns rout NY Giants, 18-7 in Game 10 but lose series, 6-4
  • 1888-12-25 First indoor baseball game played at fairgrounds in Philadelphia; 2,000 watch the Uptowners beat the Downtowners, 6-1
  • 1889-06-22 Louisville Colonels set ML baseball record with 26th consecutive loss
  • 1889-10-18 First all-NYC "World Championship" Baseball Series; New York Giants (NL) play Brooklyn Bridegrooms (AA); Giants go on to win series, 6-3
  • 1889-10-24 Softball rules adopted by Mid Winter Indoor Baseball League
  • 1889-10-29 "World Championship" Baseball Series, Polo Grounds, NYC: defending champion NY Giants (NL) beat Brooklyn Bridegrooms (AA), 3-2 in Game 9 to claim series, 6-3
  • 1889-11-04 Players League begins, declaring independence from baseball's NL

Sports History

1890-08-06 Future Hall of Fame pitcher Cy Young throws 3-hit ball in his MLB debut for the Cleveland Spiders in 8-1 win vs Chicago Colts

  • 1890-09-01 Brooklyn Bridegrooms win 3 MLB games in one day‚ feasting on the Pittsburgh Alleghenys 10 - 9‚ 3 - 2‚ and 8 - 4
  • 1890-10-28 "World Championship" Baseball Series, Washington Park, NY: Louisville Colonels beat Brooklyn Bridegrooms, 6-2 in Game 7 to tie series 3-3-1; deciding game never played
  • 1892-04-17 1st Sunday NL baseball game, Reds beat Cards 5-1
  • 1892-04-29 Charlie Reilly is baseball's 1st pinch hitter
  • 1892-06-07 John J. Doyle of Clev Spiders is 1st to pinch hit in a baseball game
  • 1892-10-24 "World Championship" Baseball Series, South End Grounds, Boston: Boston Beaneaters beat Cleveland Spiders, 8-3 for a 5-0-1 championship victory; last of the pre-modern-era World Series
  • 1894-05-16 Fire in Boston destroys the South End Grounds baseball stadium and 200 other buildings
  • 1894-05-30 Boston Beaneaters baseball second baseman Bobby Lowe first to hit 4 home runs in MLB game in 20-11 win against Cincinnati Reds
  • 1897-05-18 New York Giants third baseman Bill Joyce becomes last player in baseball history to hit 4 triples in a game as Giants beat Pittsburgh Pirates, 11-5 at Exposition Park
  • 1897-06-29 Chicago Colts establish MLB record for most runs scored in a game by one team as they maul Louisville Colonels, 36 - 7 at the West Side Grounds, Chicago
  • 1898-07-05 Lizzie Arlington becomes first woman to play professional men's baseball when she pitches 9th inning for the Reading Coal Heavers against the Allentown Peanuts; allows 2 hits and walks a batter but preserves 5-0 win
  • 1900-11-13 Baltimore Orioles (now NY Yankees) enter baseball's American League
  • 1901-04-24 First game in baseball's American League: Chicago White Stockings win against the Cleveland Blues 8-2, other games rained out
  • 1901-04-25 In last of 9th, Detroit Tigers, trailing by 13-4, score 10 runs to win one of greatest comebacks in baseball (1st game in Detroit)
  • 1901-09-05 National Association of Professional Baseball Leagues, better known as Minor League Baseball is formed at the Leland Hotel in Chicago
  • 1901-09-19 11 baseball games canceled due to funeral of President William McKinley
  • 1902-06-15 Minor League's most lopsided baseball game: Corsicana 51; Texarkana 3 Justin Clark of Corsicana, Texas minors hits 8 home runs in 1 game
  • 1902-11-21 Baseball's Philadelphia Athletics & Phillies form pro football teams, joining Pitts Stars in 1st attempt at a National Football League
  • 1903-01-09 Baseball's National & American Leagues make peace
  • 1903-01-09 Frank Farrell and Bill Devery purchase the American League's Baltimore baseball franchise for $18,000 and move it to NYC (later the NY Yankees)
  • 1903-03-01 Major League Baseball Rules Committee rule that pitcher's mound must not be more than 15 inches higher than the baselines or home plate
  • 1903-03-12 New York Highlanders (Yankees) baseball franchise is approved as a member of the American League
  • 1903-08-31 New York Giants future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Joe McGinnity wins his 3rd doubleheader of month, beating the Philadelphia Phillies, 4-1 and 9-2 at the Polo Grounds
  • 1903-10-01 First Baseball World Series game ever played; Pittsburgh Pirates beat Boston Americans 7-3 at Huntington Avenue; Jimmy Sebring hits first home run; Deacon Phillippe is winning pitcher and Cy Young the loser
  • 1903-10-13 1st Baseball World Series: Boston Americans beat Pittsburgh Pirates, 3-0 in Game 8 at Huntington Avenue for a 5-3 series victory

Chesbro's 1st Win

1904-04-14 NY Highlanders' future Baseball HOF pitcher Jack Chesbro's first of 41 wins this season; pitches complete game and beats Boston Americans, 8-2 at Hilltop Park, NYC

  • 1904-05-05 Cy Young pitches the first perfect game in "modern" baseball as the Boston Americans beat Philadelphia Athletics, 3-0
  • 1904-09-09 Boston Herald again refers to NY baseball club as Yankees, when it reports "Yankees take 2," Yankee name not official till 1913
  • 1905-01-16 Baseball outfielder Frank Huelsman completes eighth transaction in 8 months
  • 1905-05-17 Waseda U of Tokyo defeats LA High School 5-3 in baseball
  • 1905-06-13 New York Giants future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Christy Mathewson throws his 2nd no-hitter, beating Chicago Cubs, 1-0 at West Side Grounds, Chicago
  • 1905-07-04 Baseball Hall of Fame pitchers Rube Waddell (A's) and Cy Young (Boston) matchup in 20-inning classic; Philadelphia win, 4-2
  • 1905-08-15 Philadelphia A's future Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Rube Waddell no-hits St Louis Browns, 2-0 in 5 innings

Ty Cobb Debuts

1905-08-30 Detroit Tigers future Baseball HOF center fielder Ty Cobb makes his MLB debut, doubling off Jack Chesbro in a 5-3 win over the NY Highlanders at Bennett Park, Detroit

  • 1905-10-09 First league sanctioned Baseball World Series begins; New York Giants (NL) beat Philadelphia A's (AL), 3-0 in Game 1 at Columbia Park
  • 1905-10-14 Baseball World Series: NY Giants (NL) beat Philadelphia A's (AL), 2-0 in Game 5 at the Polo Grounds to win first league sanctioned WS, 4-1; Christy Mathewson's 3rd straight WS shutout
  • 1906-06-07 Chicago Cubs score 11 runs in 1st inning of 19-0 drubbing of New York Giants off future Baseball Hall of Famers Christy Mathewson and Joe McGinnity; worst beating in Giants franchise history
  • 1906-09-01 Philadelphia beats the Red Sox 4-1 in 24 innings in Boston in the longest game in AL baseball history; both starters go the distance as A's hurler Jack Coombs overcomes Boston's Joe Harris
  • 1906-09-03 Philadelphia Giants win Negro Championship Cup in Philadelphia before 10,000 fans; black baseball's largest crowd ever
  • 1906-10-14 Baseball World Series: In all-Chicago series, White Sox beat Cubs, 8-3 at South Side Park to win title, 4-2; first AL victory

Birthdays in Sport

Birthdays 1 - 100 of 1,008

  • 1819-06-26 Abner Doubleday, American Union Army General-Major, and inventor (San Francisco cable cars), born in Ballston Spa, New York (d. 1893)

Alexander Cartwright (1820-1892)

1820-04-17 American Baseball HOF pioneer (recognised as inventor of modern baseball, "father of baseball"), born in New York City

  • 1824-10-06 Henry Chadwick, English-American Baseball HOF pioneer (1st rule book; created game stats eg. BA, ERA; box scores), born in Exeter, England (d. 1908)
  • 1832-10-23 William Hulbert, American Baseball HOF executive (President Chicago White Stockings; National League 1877-82), born in Burlington Flats, New York (d. 1882)
  • 1835-09-25 Harry Wright, English Baseball Hall of Fame center fielder and manager (established baseball's first fully professional team, Cincinnati Red Stockings 1869), born in Sheffield, England (d. 1895)
  • 1836-02-29 Dickey Pearce, American baseball shortstop (pioneer shortstop position; introduced bunt) and manager (NY Mutuals, St. Louis Brown Stockings), born in Brooklyn, NY (d. 1908)
  • 1837-12-26 Morgan Bulkeley, American politician (US Senator - Connecticut 1905-11) and Baseball HOF administrator (NL President 1876), born in East Haddam, Connecticut (d. 1922)
  • 1847-01-28 George Wright, American Baseball HOF shortstop (NA pennant 1872-75 Boston Red Stockings; NL pennant 1877-78 Boston Red Caps, 1879 Providence Grays), born in Yonkers, New York (d. 1937)
  • 1847-12-02 Deacon White, American Baseball Hall of Fame catcher (NL batting champion, RBI leader 1877; Boston Red Stockings), born in Caton, New York (d. 1939)
  • 1848-10-17 William "Candy" Cummings, American Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher (credited with creating the curveball), born in Ware, Massachusetts (d. 1924)
  • 1850-09-01 Jim O'Rourke, American Baseball HOF left fielder (NL HR leader 1880 Boston Red Caps; NY Giants) and manager (Buffalo Bisons 1881-84, Washington Sens 1893), born in East Bridgeport, Connecticut (d. 1919)
  • 1852-04-30 Charley Jones, American MLB Baseball outfielder, and one of the first sluggers, 1875-88 (Cincinnati Reds; Boston Red Caps, and 3 other teams), born in Alamance County, North Carolina (d. 1911)
  • 1852-07-13 George Bradley, American baseball pitcher (first no-hitter in MLB history 1876; NL ERA leader 1876), born in Reading, Pennsylvania (d. 1931)
  • 1854-03-30 Stanley Robison, American civil engineer, streetcar magnate, and baseball team owner (Cleveland Spiders, 1887-99; St. Louis Cardinals, 1899-1911), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (d. 1911)
  • 1855-02-19 John Morrill, American baseball first baseman and manager (National League pennant: 1877, 78, 83; Boston Red Caps/Beaneaters), born in Boston, Massachusetts (d. 1932)
  • 1856-04-02 Tommy Bond, Irish baseball pitcher and right fielder (Triple Crown 1877; Boston Red Caps; first man born in Ireland to play MLB), born in Granard, Ireland (d. 1941)
  • 1856-12-25 James "Pud" Galvin, American Baseball HOF pitcher (MLB's first 300-game winner; no-hitters 1880, 84; Buffalo Bisons), born in St. Louis, Missouri (d. 1902)

Tim Keefe (1857-1933)

1857-01-01 American Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher (Triple Crown 1888; MLB record 0.86 ERA, single season 1880; NY Giants), born in Cambridge, Massachusetts

  • 1857-05-05 Lee Richmond, American baseball pitcher (first ever MLB perfect game 1880), born in Sheffield, Ohio (d. 1929)
  • 1857-07-01 Roger Connor, American Baseball Hall of Fame 1st baseman (career HR record 138 stood for 23 years; NL batting champion 1885; NL RBI leader 1889; NY Giants), born in Waterbury, Connecticut (d. 1931)
  • 1857-10-07 Moses Walker, American baseball catcher (first African-American open about his heritage to play MLB; Toledo Blue Stockings), born in Mt. Pleasant, Ohio (d. 1924)
  • 1858-03-16 Bud Fowler, American Baseball HOF executive (earliest known African-American player in organized pro baseball), born in Fort Plain, New York (d. 1913)
  • 1859-03-19 Edward J. McKeever, American baseball executive (co-owner Brooklyn Dodgers), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 1925)
  • 1859-07-04 Mickey Welch, American Baseball HOF pitcher (third to 300 career wins; Troy Trojans, New York Giants), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 1941)
  • 1859-07-08 Hank O'Day, American Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher/umpire/manager (umpire 10 World Series), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1935)
  • 1859-08-19 Charles Comiskey, American Baseball HOF infielder (St. Louis Brown Stockings/Browns), team owner (Chicago White Sox) and manager (St. Louis Browns), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1931)
  • 1859-10-17 William "Buck" Ewing, American Baseball HOF catcher (NL home run leader 1883 NY Giants; Cincinnati Reds) and manager (NY Giants, Cincinnati Reds), born in Hoagland, Ohio (d. 1906)
  • 1859-10-26 Frank Selee, American Baseball HOF manager (5 x NL C'ship Boston Beaneaters; Chicago Orphans/Cubs), born in Amherst, New Hampshire (d. 1909)
  • 1859-11-01 Bid McPhee, American Baseball HOF second baseman (AA HR leader 1886 Cincinnati Reds; last 2nd baseman to play without a glove), born in Massena, NY (d. 1943)
  • 1860-03-05 Sam Thompson, American Baseball HOF right fielder (NL batting champion 1887 Detroit Wolverines; NL HR leader 1889, 1895 Philadelphia Quakers), born in Danville, Indiana (d. 1922)
  • 1861-07-01 John Clarkson, American Baseball HOF pitcher (Triple Crown 1889; no-hitter 1885; 3 × NL wins leader; 3 × NL strikeout leader; Chicago White Stockings, Boston Beaneaters), born in Cambridge, Massachusetts (d. 1909)
  • 1862-04-30 Jack Sheridan, American Baseball Hall of Fame umpire (World Series 1905, 07-08, 10), born in Decatur, Illinois (d. 1914)

Connie Mack (1862-1956)

1862-12-22 American Baseball Hall of Fame catcher, manager and owner (World Series 1910, 11, 13, 29, 30; most managerial wins, losses and games managed in MLB history; Philadelphia A's), born in East Brookfield, Massachusetts

  • 1863-07-24 Tommy McCarthy, American Baseball HOF outfielder (Boston Beaneaters, Philadelphia Quakers, St. Louis Browns), born in Boston, Massachusetts (d. 1922)
  • 1863-08-14 Ernest Thayer, American poet who wrote the famous baseball poem "Casey", born in Lawrence, Massachusetts (d. 1940)

Ban Johnson (1864-1931)

1864-01-06 American Baseball HOF executive (founder, President American League), born in Norwalk, Connecticut

  • 1864-06-29 Wilbert Robinson, American Baseball HOF catcher (Philadelphia A's, Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Cardinals) and manager (Baltimore Orioles, Brooklyn Robins), born in Bolton, Massachusetts (d. 1934)
  • 1865-02-23 Barney Dreyfuss, American Baseball HOF executive (owner Pittsburgh Pirates 1900-32; World Series 1909, 25), born in Freiburg, Germany (d. 1932)
  • 1865-07-10 Bobby Lowe, American baseball second baseman (first player to hit 4 HRs in one MLB game, 1894 Boston Beaneaters), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (d. 1951)
  • 1865-08-01 Frank Grant, American Baseball HOF 2nd baseman (International League; pioneer early Negro leagues; considered greatest African-American player of 19th century), born in Pittsfield, Massachusetts (d. 1937)
  • 1866-05-12 Lafayette "Lave" Cross [Vratislav Kriz], American MLB baseball infielder, 1892-1907 (Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Athletics, and 5 other teams), born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (d. 1927)
  • 1866-06-21 Matt Kilroy, American baseball pitcher (MLB single-season record 513 strikeouts 1886; MLB no-hitter 1886; Baltimore Orioles), born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania (d. 1940)
  • 1866-10-26 William "Kid" Gleason, American baseball utility (St. Louis Browns, NY Giants, Philadelphia Phillies) and manager (Chicago White Sox, during "Black Sox" scandal), born in Camden, New Jersey (d. 1933)
  • 1866-11-03 Harry Staley, American baseball pitcher (MLB record 9 RBI 1893; record lasts 70+ years), born in Jacksonville, Illinois (d. 1910)

Kenesaw Mountain Landis (1866-1944)

1866-11-20 American federal judge (1905-22), Baseball HOF executive and 1st MLB Commissioner (1920-44), born in Millville, Ohio

  • 1866-11-26 Hugh Duffy, American Baseball HOF outfielder (Triple Crown & MLB record .440 batting average, single season 1894 Boston Beaneaters), born in Cranston, Rhode Island (d. 1954)

Cy Young (1867-1955)

1867-03-29 American Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher (Cleveland Spiders, Boston Americans; most wins in MLB history 511), born in Gilmore, Ohio

  • 1867-08-05 Jacob Ruppert Jr., American Baseball HOF executive (owner New York Yankees 1915-39; signed Babe Ruth; built Yankee Stadium), born in New York City (d. 1939)
  • 1867-10-30 Ed Delahanty, American Baseball HOF left fielder (NL batting champion 1899; NL home run leader 1893, 96; 3 × NL RBI leader; Philadelphia Phillies), born in Cleveland, Ohio (d. 1903)
  • 1868-05-10 Ed Barrow, American Baseball HOF manager (World Series 1918 Boston Red Sox) and executive (10 x World Series NY Yankees), born in Springfield, Illinois (d. 1953)
  • 1868-06-12 Sol White, American Baseball HOF executive (Philadelphia Giants 4 x consecutive black C'ships 1904–1907), born in Bellaire, Ohio (d. 1955)
  • 1869-04-02 Hughie Jennings, American Baseball Hall of Fame infielder (Baltimore Orioles) and manager (Detroit Tigers 1907-20), born in Pittston, Pennsylvania (d. 1928)
  • 1870-01-16 Jimmy Collins, American Baseball HOF 3rd baseman (World Series 1903 Boston Americans; NL HR leader 1898 Boston Beaneaters) and manager (Boston Americans 1901–06), born in Niagara Falls, NY (d. 1943)
  • 1870-02-14 Bob Quinn, American baseball executive (owner Boston Red Sox 1923–33; part owner Boston Braves 1936–45; President National Baseball Hall of Fame 1948–51), born in Columbus, Ohio (d. 1954)
  • 1870-08-23 George Davis, American Baseball HOF shortstop and manager (New York Giants; World Series 1906 Chicago WS), born in Cohoes, New York (d. 1940)
  • 1870-12-31 Tom Connolly, American Baseball HOF umpire (AL-record 8 x World Series), born in Manchester, England (d. 1961)
  • 1871-03-20 Joe McGinnity, American Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher (World Series 1905; 5 × NL wins leader; NL ERA leader 1904; Baltimore Orioles, NY Giants), born in Rock Island, Illinois (d. 1929)
  • 1871-05-30 Amos Rusie, American Baseball HOF pitcher (Triple Crown & NL wins leader 1894; 5 × NL strikeout leader; pitched no-hitter 1891; NY Giants), born in Mooresville, Indiana (d. 1942)
  • 1872-03-03 Willie Keeler, American Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder (highest career AB-per-strikeout ratio in MLB history; NL batting champion 1897, 98 Baltimore Orioles), born in Brooklyn, New York (d. 1923)
  • 1872-10-03 Fred Clarke, American Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder and manager (Louisville Colonels, Pittsburgh Pirates; World Series 1909 [PP]), born in Winterset, Iowa (d. 1960)
  • 1873-11-04 Bobby Wallace, Baseball HOF shortstop, pitcher (Temple Cup 1895 Cleveland Spiders) and manager (St. Louis Browns, Cincinnati Reds), born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (d. 1960)
  • 1874-01-14 Jack Taylor, American baseball pitcher (MLB record 187 consecutive complete games; World Series 1907, NL ERA leader 1902 Chicago Cubs), born in New Straitsville, Ohio (d. 1938)
  • 1874-02-22 Bill Klem, American Baseball HOF umpire (record 18 x World Series), born in Rochester, New York (d. 1951)

Honus Wagner (1874-1955)

1874-02-24 American Baseball Hall of Fame shortstop (8 x NL batting champion; 5 × NL RBI / stolen base leader; Pittsburgh Pirates), born in Chartiers Borough, Pennsylvania

  • 1874-03-18 Jimmy 'Nixey' Callahan, American baseball pitcher, outfielder and manager (Chicago White Sox; first AL no-hitter 1902), born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts (d. 1934)

Jack Chesbro (1874-1931)

1874-06-05 American Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher (MLB wins leader 1902, 04 [41 wins], NY Highlanders), born in North Adams, Massachusetts

  • 1874-09-05 Napoleon "Nap" Lajoie, American Baseball HOF second baseman (Triple Crown 1901; AL batting champion 1901–04, 10; Philadelphia A's, Cleveland Naps), born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island (d. 1959)
  • 1875-08-31 Eddie Plank, American Baseball HOF pitcher (World Series 1910, 11, 13 Philadelphia A's), born in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania (d. 1926)
  • 1876-01-20 William Veeck, Sr, American sportswriter and baseball executive (Chicago Cubs president, 1919-33), born in Boonville, Indiana (d. 1933) [1]
  • 1876-02-07 Pat Moran, American baseball catcher (World Series 1907 Chicago Cubs) and manager (World Series 1919 Cincinnati Reds), born in Fitchburg, Massachusetts (d. 1924)
  • 1876-04-12 Vic Willis, American Baseball HOF pitcher (no-hitter 1899; World Series 1909; MLB ERA leader 1899 & strikeout leader 1902; Boston Beaneaters, Pittsburgh Pirates), born in Cecil County, Maryland (d. 1947)
  • 1876-10-19 Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown, American Baseball HOF pitcher (World Series 1907, 08; NL wins leader 1909; MLB ERA leader 1906; Chicago Cubs), born in Nyesville, Indiana (d. 1948)
  • 1876-11-12 Archibald "Moonlight" Graham, American MLB baseball outfielder (New York Giants - 1 game, 1905), medical doctor, and subject of "Field of Dreams" film, born in Fayetteville, North Carolina (d. 1965)
  • 1877-08-31 Lizzie Arlington, American baseball pitcher (first woman to play professional men's baseball 1898 Reading Coal Heavers), born in Mahanoy City, Pennsylvania (d. 1919)
  • 1878-02-12 Clarence "Pants" Rowland, American baseball manager (World Series 1917; Chicago White Sox 1915-18) and MLB umpire (American League 1923-27), born in Platteville, Wisconsin (d. 1969)
  • 1878-05-14 J. L. Wilkinson, American Baseball HOF executive (founder All Nations Baseball club 1912 & NgL Kansas City Monarchs 1920), born in Algona, Iowa (d. 1964)
  • 1880-04-12 Addie Joss, American Baseball HOF pitcher (perfect game 1908; no hitters 1908, 10; 1.89 career ERA 2nd-lowest in MLB history; career WHIP 0.968 MLB record; Cleveland Bronchos), born in Woodland, Wisconsin (d. 1911)
  • 1880-06-29 Harry Frazee, American MLB team owner (Boston Red Sox), born in Peoria, Illinois (d. 1929)
  • 1880-07-04 George Mullin, American baseball pitcher (Detroit Tigers; no-hitter 1912), born in Toledo, Ohio (d. 1944)
  • 1880-07-27 Jack Doscher, American baseball pitcher (1st son of a major leaguer to play MLB), born in Troy, New York (d. 1971)
  • 1880-07-27 Joe Tinker, American Baseball HOF shortstop (World Series 1907, 08 Chicago Orphans/Cubs) and manager (Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs), born in Muscotah, Kansas (d. 1948)
  • 1880-08-12 Christy Mathewson, American Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher (World Series 1905, 21; Triple Crown 1905, 08; NL wins leader 1905, 07, 08, 10; 2 x no-hitters; NY Giants), born in Factoryville, Pennsylvania (d. 1925)

Ed Walsh (1881-1959)

1881-05-14 American baseball HOF pitcher (World Series 1906; no-hitter 1911; MLB record 1.82 career ERA; Chicago White Sox) and manager (Chicago WS 1924), born in Plains Township, Pennsylvania

  • 1881-07-21 Johnny Evers, American Baseball HOF 2nd baseman (World Series 1907, 08 Chicago Orphans/Cubs; WS & NL MVP 1914 Boston Braves) and manager (Chicago Cubs/WS), born in Troy, New York (d. 1947)

Branch Rickey (1881-1965)

1881-12-20 American Baseball HOF catcher (St. Louis Browns), manager (St. Louis Browns, St. Louis Cardinals), and executive (GM St. Louis Cardinals - 4X World Series champions, Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates), noted for bfreaking MLB color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson, born in Stockdale, Ohio

  • 1882-09-17 Frank Schulte, American baseball outfielder (NL MVP 1911; Chicago Cubs), born in Cochecton, New York (d. 1949)
  • 1882-10-12 Pete Hill, American Baseball HOF outfielder (NgL lifetime batting average: .326) and manager (Detroit Stars, Baltimore Black Sox), born in Culpeper, Virginia (d. 1951)
  • 1883-05-05 Charles "Chief" Bender, American Baseball HOF pitcher (only indigenous American in BHOF; World Series 1910, 11, 13; no-hitter 1910; Philadelphia A's), born in Crow Wing County, Minnesota (d. 1954)
  • 1883-10-16 Will Harridge, American Baseball HOF executive (President American League 1931-59), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1971)
  • 1883-12-10 Jesse Harper, American College Football HOF coach (Notre Dame 57–17–7 [football; 67–29 [basketball]; 88–53–1 [baseball]), born in Paw Paw, Illinois (d. 1961)
  • 1884-02-10 Billy Evans, American Baseball HOF umpire (American League 1906-27; at age 22, youngest umpire in MLB history), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1956)
  • 1884-04-25 John Henry "Pop" Lloyd, American Baseball HOF shortstop (career batting average: .349 NgLs) and manager (Lincoln Giants, Bacharach Giants), born in Palatka, Florida (d. 1964)
  • 1884-09-12 Bob Groom, American baseball pitcher (Washington Senators; no-hitter 1917 St. Louis Browns), born in Belleville, Illinois (d. 1948)
  • 1885-01-02 José Méndez, Cuban Baseball HOF pitcher (NgL World Series 1924; 3 × NgL NL pennants; Kansas City Monarchs), born in Cárdenas, Cuba (d. 1928)
  • 1885-10-08 Johnny Lush, American MLB baseball pitcher, 1904-10 (Philadelphia Phillies, St . Louis Cardinals 2 no-hitters - 1 official, 1 rain-shortened), born in Williamsport, Pennsylvania (d. 1946)
  • 1886-03-13 John 'Home Run' Baker, American Baseball HOF third baseman (World Series 1910, 11, 13; AL HR leader 1911–14; AL RBI leader 1912, 13; Philadelphia A's), born in Trappe, Maryland (d. 1963)
  • 1886-04-06 "Smokey" Joe Williams, American Baseball HOF pitcher (NgL, Mexico, Caribbean 1905-32; no-hitter 1919 NY Lincoln Giants), born in Seguin, Texas (d. 1951)
  • 1886-07-31 Larry Doyle, American baseball second baseman (NL MVP 1912, NL batting champion 1915; NY Giants), born in Caseyville, Illinois (d. 1974)
  • 1886-08-07 Bill McKechnie, American Baseball HOF manager (World Series 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates, 1940 Cincinnati Reds) and coach (World Series 1948 Cleveland Indians), born in Wilkinsburg, Pennsylvania (d. 1965)
  • 1886-10-23 Lena Blackburne, American baseball infielder, manager, coach (Chicago White Sox; discovered rubbing clay to take the shine off baseballs), born in Clifton Heights, Pennsylvania (d. 1968)

Weddings in Sport

Connie Mack

1887-11-02 Baseball legend Connie Mack (24) weds Margaret Hogan

Babe Ruth

1914-10-17 American baseball legend Babe Ruth (19) weds waitress Helen Woodford (17) at St. Paul's Catholic Church in Ellicott City, Maryland

Joe DiMaggio

1939-11-19 Baseball legend Joe DiMaggio (24) weds "Freshies" actress Dorothy Arnold at St. Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco

Ty Cobb

1949-09-24 Retired American MLB outfielder Ty Cobb (61) weds American divorcée Frances Cass (40); divorce in 1956

Tommy Lasorda

1950-04-14 American minor league pitcher and future Dodgers' manager Tommy Lasorda (22) weds Joan Miller in South Carolina

Tom Seaver

1966-07-09 American MLB pitcher Tom Seaver (21) weds Nancy Lynn McIntyre in Jacksonville, Florida, until his death in 2020

Leo Durocher

1969-06-19 American baseball manager Leo Durocher (63) weds socialite Lynne Walker Goldblatt (40) at the Ambassador West Hotel in Chicago; divorce in 1980

Vin Scully

1973-11-10 American Baseball Hall of Fame broadcaster Vin Scully (45) weds Sandra Hunt, until her death in 2021

Ernie Banks

1984-06-14 MLB baseball 's "Mr. Cub" Ernie Banks (53) weds Marjorie Wardlawholm in Los Angeles, California: divorce in 1997

Johnny Bench

1987-12-19 Retired baseball catcher Johnny Bench (40) weds Laura Cwikowski

George Brett

1991-02-15 Baseball superstar George Brett (37) weds Leslie Davenport in Manhattan Beach, California

Sammy Sosa

1992-01-13 MLB baseball right fielder Sammy Sosa (23) weds Sonia Rodriguez

Barry Bonds

1998-01-10 Major League Baseball outfielder Barry Bonds (33) weds Elizabeth Watson (28) at Ritz-Carlton Hotel in San Francisco

  • 2010-11-13 Major League Baseball pitcher Kyle Kendrick (26) married three-time "Survivor" contestant Stephanie LaGrossa (30) at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, California
  • 2012-12-01 Minnesota Twins baseball catcher Joe Mauer (29) weds Maddie Bisanz at Nativity of Our Lord Catholic Church in St. Paul, Minnesota

Divorces in Sport

Pete Rose

1980-07-31 Karolyn Englehardt divorces baseball manager Pete Rose (39) after 16 years of marriage

Deaths in Sport

Deaths 1 - 100 of 563

  • 1882-04-10 William Hulbert, American Baseball HOF executive (President Chicago White Stockings; National League 1877-82), dies from a heart attack at 49

Alexander Cartwright (1820-1892)

1892-07-12 American Baseball HOF pioneer (recognised as inventor of modern baseball, "father of baseball"), dies at 72

  • 1893-01-26 Abner Doubleday, American Union Army General-Major, and inventor (San Francisco cable cars), dies at 73
  • 1894-11-08 Michael "King" Kelly, American Baseball HOF utility (NL batting champion 1884, 86; NL runs scored 1884–86, Chicago White Sox) and manager (Boston Beaneaters, Reds; Cincinnati KK's), dies from pneumonia at 36
  • 1895-10-03 Harry Wright, English Baseball Hall of Fame center fielder and manager (established baseball's first fully professional team, Cincinnati Red Stockings 1869), dies of a lung ailment at 60
  • 1902-03-07 James "Pud" Galvin, American Baseball HOF pitcher (MLB's first 300-game winner; no-hitters 1880, 84; Buffalo Bisons), dies at 45
  • 1906-10-20 William "Buck" Ewing, American Baseball HOF catcher (NL home run leader 1883 NY Giants; Cincinnati Reds) and manager (NY Giants, Cincinnati Reds), dies of diabetes at 67
  • 1908-04-20 Henry Chadwick, English-American Baseball HOF pioneer (1st rule book; created game stats eg. BA, ERA; box scores), dies at 85
  • 1908-09-18 Dickey Pearce, American baseball shortstop (pioneer shortstop position; introduced bunt) and manager (NY Mutuals, St. Louis Brown Stockings), dies at 72
  • 1909-02-04 John Clarkson, American Baseball HOF pitcher (Triple Crown 1889; no-hitter 1885; 3 × NL wins leader; 3 × NL strikeout leader; Chicago White Stockings, Boston Beaneaters), dies of mental illness & pneumonia at 47
  • 1909-07-05 Frank Selee, American Baseball HOF manager (5 x NL C'ship Boston Beaneaters; Chicago Orphans/Cubs), dies of tuberculosis at 49
  • 1910-01-12 Harry Staley, American baseball pitcher (MLB record 9 RBI 1893; record lasts 70+ years), dies at 43
  • 1911-03-24 Stanley Robison, American civil engineer, streetcar magnate, and baseball team owner (Cleveland Spiders, 1887-99; St. Louis Cardinals, 1899-1911), dies from complications of locomotor ataxia at 56
  • 1911-06-06 Charley Jones, American MLB Baseball outfielder, and one of the first sluggers, 1875-88 (Cincinnati Reds; Boston Red Caps, and 3 other teams), dies at 59
  • 1913-02-26 Bud Fowler, American Baseball HOF executive (earliest known African-American player in organized pro baseball), dies at 54
  • 1913-06-05 Chris von der Ahe, German entrepreneur and owner of St. Louis Brown Stockings, dies at 61
  • 1914-04-01 Rube Waddell, American Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher (Triple Crown, AL wins leader 1905; ERA leader 1900, 05; strikeout leader 1902–07; Philadelphia A's), dies from tuberculosis at 37
  • 1914-11-02 Jack Sheridan, American Baseball Hall of Fame umpire (World Series 1905, 07-08, 10), dies from effects of sunstroke at 52
  • 1918-03-10 Jim McCormick, Scottish-born American baseball pitcher and manager (first Scot in MLB; NL wins leader 1880, 82; NL ERA leader 1883), dies at 61
  • 1919-01-08 Jim O'Rourke, American Baseball HOF left fielder (NL HR leader 1880 Boston Red Caps; NY Giants) and manager (Buffalo Bisons 1881-84, Washington Sens 1893), dies at 68
  • 1920-08-17 Ray Chapman, American baseball shortstop (Cleveland Indians), dies after being hit in the head by a pitch from NY Yankees Carl Mays at 29
  • 1922-04-14 Cap Anson, American Baseball HOF first baseman (NL batting champion 1881, 88; 8 × NL RBI leader; Chicago White Stockings/Colts) and manager (Philadelphia A's, Chicago White Stockings/Colts, NY Giants), dies from a glandular ailment at 69
  • 1922-08-05 Tommy McCarthy, American Baseball HOF outfielder (Boston Beaneaters, Philadelphia Quakers, St. Louis Browns), dies from cancer at 59
  • 1922-11-06 Morgan Bulkeley, American politician (US Senator - Connecticut 1905-11) and Baseball HOF administrator (NL President 1876), dies at 84
  • 1923-01-01 Willie Keeler, American Baseball Hall of Fame outfielder (highest career AB-per-strikeout ratio in MLB history; NL batting champion 1897, 98 Baltimore Orioles), dies of tuberculosis at 50
  • 1924-03-07 Pat Moran, American baseball catcher (World Series 1907 Chicago Cubs) and manager (World Series 1919 Cincinnati Reds), dies of Bright's Disease at 48
  • 1924-05-11 Moses Walker, American baseball catcher (first African-American open about his heritage to play MLB; Toledo Blue Stockings), dies at 66
  • 1924-05-16 William "Candy" Cummings, American Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher (credited with creating the curveball), dies at 75

Frank Chance (1877-1924)

1924-09-15 American Baseball HOF first baseman (World Series 1907, 08; 2 x NL stolen base leader; NL runs leader 1906 Chicago Orphans/Cubs) and manager (Chicago Cubs, NY Yankees, Boston RS), dies at 47

  • 1925-04-29 Edward J. McKeever, American baseball executive (co-owner Brooklyn Dodgers), dies of influenza at 66
  • 1926-02-24 Eddie Plank, American Baseball HOF pitcher (World Series 1910, 11, 13 Philadelphia A's), dies from a stroke at 51
  • 1927-09-06 Lafayette "Lave" Cross [Vratislav Kriz], American MLB baseball infielder, 1892-1907 (Philadelphia Phillies, Philadelphia Athletics, and 5 other teams), dies of a heart attack at 61
  • 1928-10-31 José Méndez, Cuban Baseball HOF pitcher (NgL World Series 1924; 3 × NgL NL pennants; Kansas City Monarchs), dies at 43
  • 1929-06-04 Harry Frazee, American MLB team owner (Boston Red Sox), dies of kidney failure at 48
  • 1929-09-25 Miller Huggins, American Baseball Hall of Fame manager (World Series 1923, 27, 28; 6 x AL pennants NY Yankees), dies of pyaemia at 51
  • 1929-10-01 Lee Richmond, American baseball pitcher (first ever MLB perfect game, 1880), dies at 72
  • 1929-11-14 Joe McGinnity, American Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher (World Series 1905; 5 × NL wins leader; NL ERA leader 1904; Baltimore Orioles, NY Giants), dies at 58
  • 1930-12-09 Rube Foster, American Baseball HOF manager and executive (Negro National League pennant 1920–22, 26; Chicago American Giants), dies from insanity at 51
  • 1931-01-04 Roger Connor, American Baseball Hall of Fame 1st baseman (career HR record 138 stood for 23 years; NL batting champion 1885; NL RBI leader 1889; NY Giants), dies of a stomach illness at 73

Ban Johnson (1864-1931)

1931-03-28 American Baseball HOF executive (founder, President American League), dies after a long illness at 67

  • 1931-10-02 George Bradley, American baseball pitcher (first no-hitter in MLB history 1876; NL ERA leader 1876), dies at 79
  • 1931-10-26 Charles Comiskey, American Baseball HOF infielder (St. Louis Brown Stockings/Browns), team owner (Chicago White Sox) and manager (St. Louis Browns), dies at 72

Jack Chesbro (1874-1931)

1931-11-06 American Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher (MLB wins leader 1902, 04 [41 wins], NY Highlanders), dies of a heart attack at 57

  • 1932-02-05 Barney Dreyfuss, American Baseball HOF executive (owner Pittsburgh Pirates 1900-32; World Series 1909, 25), dies at 66
  • 1932-04-02 John Morrill, American baseball first baseman and manager (National League pennant: 1877, 78, 83; Boston Red Caps/Beaneaters), dies of pneumonia at 77
  • 1932-08-02 Dan Brouthers, American Baseball HOF first baseman (first great MLB slugger; 4×NL batting champion; Buffalo Bisons, Detroit Wolverines, Boston Beaneaters, Brooklyn Grooms), dies at 74
  • 1933-01-02 William "Kid" Gleason, American baseball utility (St. Louis Browns, NY Giants, Philadelphia Phillies) and manager (Chicago White Sox, during "Black Sox" scandal), dies from a heart condition at 66

Tim Keefe (1857-1933)

1933-04-23 American Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher (Triple Crown 1888; MLB record 0.86 ERA, single season 1880; NY Giants), dies at 76

  • 1933-10-05 William Veeck, Sr, American sportswriter and baseball executive (Chicago Cubs president, 1919-33), dies at 57 [1]
  • 1934-02-25 John McGraw, American Baseball Hall of Fame infielder/manager (manager NY Giants World Series champions 1905, 21-22), dies of uremic poisoning at 60
  • 1934-08-08 Wilbert Robinson, American Baseball HOF catcher (Philadelphia A's, Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Cardinals) and manager (Baltimore Orioles, Brooklyn Robins), dies at 71
  • 1934-10-04 Jimmy 'Nixey' Callahan, American baseball pitcher, outfielder and manager (Chicago White Sox; first AL no-hitter 1902), dies at 60
  • 1935-07-02 Hank O'Day, American Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher, umpire, manager (umpire 10 World Series), dies of bronchial pneumonia at 75
  • 1937-04-15 Ned Hanlon, American Baseball HOF center fielder (NL pennant 1887 Detroit Wolverines) and manager (5 × NL pennant Baltimore Orioles, Brooklyn Superbas), dies at 79
  • 1937-05-27 Frank Grant, American Baseball HOF 2nd baseman (International League; pioneer early Negro leagues; considered greatest African-American player of 19th century), dies at 71
  • 1937-08-21 George Wright, American Baseball HOF shortstop (NA pennant 1872-75 Boston Red Stockings; NL pennant 1877-78 Boston Red Caps, 1879 Providence Grays), dies at 90
  • 1938-04-11 Cristóbal Torriente, Cuban Baseball HOF outfielder (NgL NL batting champion 1920; NgL NL pennant 1920–22; Chicago American Giants; career batting average: .352), dies from alcoholism & tuberculosis at 44
  • 1939-01-13 Jacob Ruppert Jr., American Baseball HOF executive (owner New York Yankees 1915-39; signed Babe Ruth; built Yankee Stadium), dies from phlebitis at 71
  • 1939-07-07 Deacon White, American Baseball Hall of Fame catcher (NL batting champion, RBI leader 1877; Boston Red Stockings), dies from heat stroke at 91
  • 1940-03-02 Matt Kilroy, American baseball pitcher (MLB single-season record 513 strikeouts 1886; MLB no-hitter 1886; Baltimore Orioles), dies at 73
  • 1940-08-03 Willard Hershberger, American baseball catcher (Cincinnati Reds), commits suicide at 30
  • 1940-08-21 Ernest Thayer, American poet who wrote the famous baseball poem "Casey", dies at 77
  • 1940-10-17 George Davis, American Baseball HOF shortstop and manager (New York Giants; World Series 1906 Chicago WS), dies at 70
  • 1941-01-24 Tommy Bond, Irish baseball pitcher and right fielder (Triple Crown 1877; Boston Red Caps; first man born in Ireland to play MLB), dies at 84

Lou Gehrig (1903-1941)

1941-06-02 American Baseball Hall of Fame first baseman (6 x World Series, 2 x AL MVP; 7 x MLB All Star; NY Yankees), dies of Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), a disorder now commonly referred to as Lou Gehrig's Disease at 37

  • 1941-06-03 Andy Cooper, American Baseball HOF pitcher (East-West All-Star 1933, 36; Negro NL pennant 1929; 3 x Negro AL pennants; Detroit Stars, Kansas City Monarchs), dies from a heart attack at 44
  • 1941-07-30 Mickey Welch, American Baseball HOF pitcher (third to 300 career wins; Troy Trojans, New York Giants), dies from complications of gangrene of the foot at 82
  • 1941-11-12 Ernie Koob, American baseball pitcher (no-hitter 1917; St. Louis Browns), dies from a lung ailment at 49
  • 1942-01-22 Louis Santop, American Baseball HOF catcher (5 x NgL East All-Star; Hilldale Athletic Club), dies at 52
  • 1942-05-09 Graham McNamee, American sportscaster (originated play-by-play sports broadcasting; Baseball HOF Ford C. Frick Award; 1st Rose Bowl), dies at 53
  • 1942-12-06 Amos Rusie, American Baseball HOF pitcher (Triple Crown & NL wins leader 1894; 5 × NL strikeout leader; pitched no-hitter 1891; NY Giants), dies at 71
  • 1943-01-03 Bid McPhee, American Baseball HOF second baseman (AA HR leader 1886 Cincinnati Reds; last 2nd baseman to play without a glove), dies at 83
  • 1943-04-06 Jimmy Collins, American Baseball HOF 3rd baseman (World Series 1903 Boston Americans; NL HR leader 1898 Boston Beaneaters) and manager (Boston Americans 1901–06), dies at 73
  • 1944-01-07 George Mullin, American baseball pitcher (Detroit Tigers; no-hitter 1912), dies at 63

Kenesaw Mountain Landis (1866-1944)

1944-11-25 American federal judge (1905-22), Baseball HOF executive and 1st MLB Commissioner (1920-44), dies at 78

  • 1944-12-02 Eiji Sawamura, Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher (first no-hitter in Japanese pro baseball 1936), dies in battle when his ship torpedoed, at 27
  • 1946-03-28 Cum Posey, American Baseball HOF executive (owner NgL Homestead Grays; 9 x consecutive NL pennants 1937–45); and Basketball HOF guard (5 x Coloured World C'ships), dies from cancer at 55
  • 1946-11-18 Johnny Lush, American MLB baseball pitcher, 1904-10 (Philadelphia Phillies, St . Louis Cardinals 2 no-hitters - 1 official, 1 rain-shortened), dies at 61

Josh Gibson (1911-1947)

1947-01-20 American Baseball HOF catcher (Negro World Series 1943, 44; 12 × NL All-Star; Triple Crown 1936, 37; batting average .466 1943), dies of a brain tumor at 35

  • 1947-03-28 Johnny Evers, American Baseball HOF 2nd baseman (World Series 1907, 08 Chicago Orphans/Cubs; WS & NL MVP 1914 Boston Braves) and manager (Chicago Cubs/WS), dies of a cerebral hemorrhage at 65
  • 1947-08-03 Vic Willis, American Baseball HOF pitcher (no-hitter 1899; World Series 1909; MLB ERA leader 1899 & strikeout leader 1902; Boston Beaneaters, Pittsburgh Pirates), dies at 71
  • 1948-01-30 Herb Pennock, American Baseball HOF pitcher (6 × World Series; Philadelphia A's, Boston Red Sox, NY Yankees), dies at 53
  • 1948-02-19 Bob Groom, American baseball pitcher (Washington Senators; no-hitter 1917 St. Louis Browns), dies at 63
  • 1948-07-27 Joe Tinker, American Baseball HOF shortstop (World Series 1907, 08 Chicago Orphans/Cubs) and manager (Cincinnati Reds, Chicago Cubs), dies of complications from diabetes at 68

Babe Ruth (1895-1948)

1948-08-16 American Baseball Hall of Fame slugger (MLB All-Star 1933, 34; 7 x World Series champion; 12 × AL home run leader 1918–21, 23-24, 1926–31; Boston RS, NY Yankees), dies of Nasopharynx cancer at 53

  • 1949-10-02 Frank Schulte, American baseball outfielder (NL MVP 1911; Chicago Cubs), dies at 67
  • 1950-02-11 Kiki Cuyler, American Baseball HOF right fielder (World Series 1925 Pittsburgh Pirates; 4 × NL stolen base leader; MLB All Star 1934 Chicago Cubs), dies at 51
  • 1950-09-23 Sam Barry, American collegiate basketball, football and baseball coach (University of Southern California, 1929-50), dies of a heart attack at 57
  • 1951-02-25 "Smokey" Joe Williams, American Baseball HOF pitcher (NgL, Mexico, Caribbean 1905-32; no-hitter 1919 NY Lincoln Giants), dies at 64

Eddie Collins (1887-1951)

1951-03-25 American Baseball Hall of Fame infielder (World Series 1910, 11, 13, 17, 29, 30; AL MVP 1914; 4 x AL stolen base leader; Philadelphia A's, Chicago White Sox), dies of heart problems at 63

  • 1951-09-16 Bill Klem, American Baseball HOF umpire (record 18 x World Series), dies at of a heart attack at 77
  • 1951-11-19 Pete Hill, American Baseball HOF outfielder (NgL lifetime batting average: .326) and manager (Detroit Stars, Baltimore Black Sox), dies at 69
  • 1951-12-08 Bobby Lowe, American baseball second baseman (first player to hit 4 HRs in one MLB game, 1894 Boston Beaneaters), dies at 86
  • 1952-08-30 (Joseph) "Arky" Vaughan, American Baseball HOF shortstop (9 × MLB All-Star; NL batting champion 1935; NL stolen base leader 1943; Pittsburgh Pirates, Brooklyn Dodgers), dies in a boating accident at 40
  • 1953-01-24 Ben Taylor, American Baseball Hall of Fame 1st baseman (Indianapolis ABCs) and manager (Washington Potomacs, Baltimore Black Sox), dies of pneumonia at 64
  • 1953-08-07 Abner Powell, American baseball utility, team owner and executive (first to use infield tarpaulin after rain), dies at 92
  • 1953-12-15 Ed Barrow, American Baseball HOF manager (World Series 1918 Boston Red Sox) and executive (10 x World Series NY Yankees), dies at 85
  • 1954-01-06 Rabbit Maranville, American Baseball HOF infielder (World Series 1914 Boston Braves) and manager (Chicago Cubs), dies at 62
  • 1954-03-12 Bob Quinn, American baseball executive (owner Boston Red Sox 1923–33; part owner Boston Braves 1936–45; President National Baseball Hall of Fame 1948–51), dies at 84
  • 1954-05-22 Charles "Chief" Bender, American Baseball HOF pitcher (only indigenous American in BHOF; World Series 1910, 11, 13; no-hitter 1910; Philadelphia A's), dies at 70