Week 1 Results (April 18, 1938 - April 24, 1938)

Monday, April 18, 1938 

Transactions:

 

Boston (AL) pitcher Jim Bagby made his Major League Debut on 04/18/1838

 

New York (AL) pitcher Joe Beggs made his Major League Debut on 04/19/1938. New York (AL) infielder Joe Gordon made his Major League Debut on 04/18/1938

 

Detroit outfielder Roy Cullenbine made his Major League Debut on 04/19/1938. Detroit infielder Don Ross made his Major League Debut on 04/19/1938

 

Cincinnati catcher Willard Hershberger made his Major League Debut on 04/19/1938

 

Pittsburgh pitcher Bob Klinger made his Major League Debut on 04/19/1938. Pittsburgh outfielder Johnny Rizzo made his Major League Debut on 04/19/1938

 

Brooklyn outfielder Ernie Koy made his Major League Debut on 04/19/1938

 

St. Louis (NL) outfielder Enos Slaughter made his Major League Debut on 04/19/1938. St. Louis (NL) pitcher Max Lanier made his Major League Debut on 04/20/1938

 

Philadelphia (AL) infielder Dario Lodigiani made his Major League Debut on 04/18/1938

 

Boston (NL) outfielder Harl Maggert made his Major League Debut on 04/19/1938. Boston (NL) outfielder Max West made his Major League Debut on 04/19/1938

 

Philadelphia (NL) infielder Emmitt Mueller made his Major League Debut on 04/19/1938. Philadelphia (NL) outfielder Art Rebel made his Major League Debut on 04/19/1938

 

Chicago (NL) outfielder Coaker Triplett made his Major League Debut on 04/19/1938

 

Washington outfielder Taffy Wright made his Major League Debut on 04/18/1938

 

New York (AL) 14 Boston (AL) (H) 4

 

The Yankees loaded the bases in the first two innings, but came away with zero runs when rookie pitcher Jim Bagby (0-1, 7.94) got out of both innings with no damage. New York loaded the bases again in the top of the sixth, and this time Lou Gehrig stroked a three-run double, followed by a two-run homerun (1) from Bill Dickey, and the rout was on. The Yankees pounded the Red Sox bullpen, with Gehrig adding a three-run homerun (1) and picking up seven RBI's on the day, plus Dickey added a second homerun (2). Yankees veteran hurler Red Ruffing (1-0, 4.50) tired a little towards the end, but went eight innings and picked up the win.

Note: Joe DiMaggio was absent from the Yankees lineup as he was still locked in a contract squabble. Neither side expects this to last long, but both sides also realize DiMaggio was a key component of the Yankees' success.

 

Washington (H) 7 Philadelphia  (AL) 3

 

This was a tight game through the seventh as both teams took turns taking the lead, but neither could pull away. Washington first baseman Zeke Bonura effectively ended the game when he smacked a three-run homerun (1) in the bottom of the eighth, and Wes Ferrell (1-0, 2.00) was able to go all the way for the win.

 

Tuesday, April 19, 1938

 

Transactions:

 

Detroit infielder Mark Christman made his Major League Debut on 04/20/1938

 

Boston (AL) (H) 4 New York (AL) 2 (GM 1)

 

Doc Cramer, Joe Vosmik, and Jimmie Foxx connected on consecutive doubles in the bottom of the seventh that scored two runs and gave Lefty Grove (1-0, 1.08) a 4-1 lead and Boston was able to hold on for the Game One win. Lefty Gomez (0-1, 3.00) pitched well but took the loss.

 

New York (AL) 4 Boston (AL) (H) 2 (GM 2)

 

New York bounced back to gain a split in the Patriots' Day doubleheader when Jake Powell stroked a two-out pinch-hit double to bring home two runs and stretch the Yankees' lead to 4-0. Monte Pearson (1-0, 0.00) and the Yankees bullpen kept the Boston bats quiet with Jack Wilson (0-1, 3.86) taking the loss.

 

Detroit 8 Chicago (AL) (H) 3

 

Detroit hurler Roxie Lawson (1-0, 1.00) gave up seven walks in the game but held the White Sox to only five hits, but had his chance for a shutout lost when shortstop Billy Rogell muffed a sure double play ball in the sixth. Rudy York threw out two runners attempting to steal and added a two-run double in the fifth and then he capped off a five-run fifth with a three-run homerun (1) in the sixth, six RBI's in all.

 

Luke Appling

Note: On March 27, 1938, Chicago shortstop Luke Appling fractured his right leg in two places while sliding into second base in a Spring Training game versus the Chicago Cubs. Appling was expected to be laid up for three months.

St. Louis (AL) 5 Cleveland (H) 3

 

A rough day for the Indians as five errors ultimately doomed their chances in today's game. A pair of fielding blunders led to a three-run sixth for the visiting Browns, and then Willis Hudlin (0-1, 0.00) rifled a throw to first on a sacrifice attempt down the right field line, meaning that all five of the Browns runs were unearned. Bobo Newsom (1-0, 2.00) took advantage of the Cleveland largesse to walk away with the win.

 

Washington (H) 2 Philadelphia (AL) 1

 

The Nationals took a 2-1 lead after the second inning and then both teams got into a pitcher's duel. Monte Weaver (1-0, 1.00) finished with the complete game victory over Bud Thomas (0-1, 1.50)

 

Chicago (NL) 4 Cincinnati (H) 2

 

A two-out two-run double by Coaker Triplett was the big hit in the Cubs' three-run first, but that turned out to be enough for Chicago today. Alex Kampouris smacked a two-run homerun (1) in the second to keep it close, but that was all the scoring until Chicago added an insurance run in the ninth. Despite a rough start for both starters, Clay Bryant (1-0, 2.25) took the victory over Gene Schott (0-1, 3.38).

 

New York (NL) (H) 1 Boston (NL) 0

 

Dick Bartell slapped an RBI single in the bottom of the fifth that scored Harry Danning with the game's only run, and Cliff Melton (1-0, 0.00) made that small lead standup with a complete game win over Danny MacFayden (0-1, 1.13).

 

Burgess Whitehead

Note: Burgess Whitehead was the Giants starting second baseman in 1936 and 1937, but before the 1938 season started he had appendicitis and an ensuing surgery, but then following that experienced a bout of colitis. New York soon announced that Whitehead would miss the entire 1938 season. The Giants scrambled to find a suitable replacement but were unable to secure an equitable trade, so Lou Chiozza was given the second base job and Mel Ott was moved in from right field to cover third base. 

 Brooklyn 4 Philadelphia (NL) (H) 3 (11)

 

The Phillies tied the game when a ninth inning wild pitch brought home Pinky Whitney with the game tying run, eventually sending the game into extra innings. In the top of the eleventh Heinie Manush pinch-hit for Luke Hamlin (1-0, 4.50) and walked, moved to second on an infield out, and then scored on an Ernie Koy single. Max Butcher came in and closed out the eleventh for the Save (1).

 

Pittsburgh 6 St. Louis (NL) (H) 5

 

Both teams scored two runs in the first inning but then the Pirates slowly crept ahead to a 4-2 lead after the sixth. Pittsburgh added two more runs in the top of the ninth, which came in handy when the Cardinals offense came alive and scored three times in the bottom of the ninth. Cy Blanton (1-0 2.57) went seven innings and got the win with Bob Klinger having to come in and get the final two outs in the ninth for the save (1).

 

Wednesday, April 20, 1938

 

Transactions:

 

Pittsburgh infielder Lee Handley was injured (?) on 04/19/1938

 

Chicago (AL) infielder Joe Martin made his Major League Finale on 04/19/1938. Martin was later sent out to Buffalo (IL)

 

New York (AL) pitcher Joe Vance was sent out to Kansas City (AA) after 04/19/1938. New York (AL) pitcher Atley Donald made his Major League Debut on 04/21/1938

 

Philadelphia (AL) catcher Hal Wagner was sent out to Spartanburg (SALL) after 04/19/1938

 

Cincinnati pitcher Ray Benge (Team Debut 04/26/1938) was signed as a free agent following his release by St. Louis (NL) (DNP) on 04/18/1938

 

Brooklyn pitcher Tot Pressnel made his Major League Debut on 04/21/1938

 

St. Louis (NL) pitcher Max Macon made his Major League Debut on 04/21/1938

 

Boston (NL) outfielder Johnny Cooney (Team Debut 04/21/1938) was signed as a free agent on 04/19/1938 following his release by St. Louis (NL) (DNP) on 04/18/1938. Boston (NL) infielder Bob Kahle made his Major League Debut on 04/21/1938

 

Detroit 18 Chicago (AL) (H) 2 (Grand Slam!)

 

Roy Cullenbine

After having gone 3-for-3 with three doubles in his career opener yesterday, Roy Cullenbine outdid himself today by going 6-for-6, with four runs scored and five RBI's. Hank Greenberg's Grand Slam homerun (1) capped off an eight-run second as the Tigers steamrolled their way to victory. Vern Kennedy (1-0, 1.00) cruised to the easy win, but Kennedy also chipped in with a 2-for-5 day at the plate that included three runs scored and a double.

St. Louis (AL) 8 Cleveland (H) 4

 

Bob Feller (0-1, 6.75) only walked two Browns batters, but both times they keyed a St. Louis rally and the Browns won going away. Harlond Clift nailed a two-run single in the ninth that put the game away for Jim Weaver (1-0, 4.00), who went all the way for the tough road win in Cleveland.

 

Washington (H) 5 Philadelphia (AL) 0

 

Dutch Leonard (1-0, 0.00) threw a three-hit shutout in his first start of the season as he simply overpowered the visiting Athletics. The Nationals jumped on Buck Ross (0-1, 4.50) early and led 4-0 after the third, setting the stage for Leonard to do his magic.

 

Chicago (NL) 5 Cincinnati (H) 3

 

Dizzy Dean (1-0, 2.57) picked up his first win of the season as he throttled the Reds for the first five innings. The Cincinnati bats woke up late, but it was too little too late. Ripper Collins' first inning two-run homerun (1) got the Cubs off to a fast start.

 

New York (NL) (H) 8 Boston (NL) 4

 

Hal Schumacher (1-0, 4.50) wasn't particularly happy with his performance in today's game, but he was happy to get the win regardless as the Giants' offense pummeled Boston pitchers for nineteen hits. Jimmy Ripple, Mel Ott, Hank Leiber, and Harry Danning all had three hits on the day as the outcome of this game was never in doubt.

 

Philadelphia (NL) (H) 2 Brooklyn 1

 

Bucky Walters (1-0, 1.00) came away with the tough victory over Freddie Fitzsimmons and the Dodgers as he held Brooklyn scoreless until the top of the eighth. The key hit turned out to be a four-base error in the bottom of the sixth when a Hersh Martin fly ball skipped off the glove of Goody Rosen and Martin's run put the Phillies up 2-0.

 

Pittsburgh 10 St. Louis (NL) (H) 1

 

Jim Tobin (1-0, 1.00) limited the Cardinals to only two hits and third baseman Bill Brubaker provided the timely hitting with a two-run double in the second, a two-run single in the fourth, and then an RBI single in the fifth. Three Cardinals errors opened the door for the Pirates to take advantage of.

 

Thursday, April 21, 1938

 

Transactions:

 

Cincinnati pitcher Ted Kleinhans (Major League Finale 04/20/1938) was sent out to Syracuse on 05/02/1938

 

St. Louis (NL) pitcher Clyde Shoun was injured (?) on 04/20/1938

 

St. Louis (AL) pitcher Ed Cole made his Major League Debut on 04/22/1938

 

Boston (AL) (H) 2 New York (AL) 1

 

Johnny Marcum (1-0, 1.86) made a mistake early and Bill Dickey took him deep (3), but the Yankees were held to only three hits on the day. Jimmie Foxx finally put the Red Sox on the board when he lined a two-out two-run double in the bottom of the eighth, spoiling an otherwise stellar outing by Atley Donald and Lee Stine (0-1, 12.00).

 

Detroit 9 Chicago (AL) (H) 8 (12)

 

The White Sox scored seven times in the first three innings, but couldn't hold the lead and when Hank Greenberg smacked a three-run homerun (2) in the top of the ninth, the score was tied at 8-8. In the top of the twelfth, Greenberg came through again when he popped a short single into right field to score Dixie Walker with the run that put Detroit ahead to stay.

 

Note: After having started the season having reached base eleven straight times (nine hits, two walks) Roy Cullenbine returned to earth by going 0-for-6 in today's game.

 

St. Louis (AL) 12 Cleveland (H) 8

 

St. Louis exploded for a five-run second inning, powered by three homeruns, and took a 7-0 lead by the completion of the inning. Beau Bell kept the Browns hitting streak going as he added two homeruns (2) in the middle innings to put the Browns up 12-1 after the top of the seventh. Cleveland scored five times in the bottom of the ninth to make the game look closer than it really was, but the Browns' nineteen hits plus seven walks were too much for the home team to overcome.

 

Cincinnati (H) 9 Chicago (NL) 2

 

The Reds were nursing a 3-1 lead in the bottom of the sixth when Alex Kampouris came through with a two-run homerun (2) to extend their lead to 5-1. Cincinnati then poured it on, scoring four times in the seventh, allowing Paul Derringer (1-0, 2.00) to go all the way for the win.

 

New York (NL) (H) 7 Boston (NL) 1

 

Mell Ott

The Giants served notice to the rest of the league that they plan to win their third consecutive NL pennant as they pasted the lowly Bees from Boston for the third consecutive game. Left fielder Jo-Jo Moore went 5-for-5 from the leadoff spot, Mel Ott hit two homeruns (1, 2), and Carl Hubbell (1-0, 1.00) kept Cincinnati scoreless until the top of the ninth.

Philadelphia (H) 11 Brooklyn 3

 

Goody Rosen muffed a fly ball to center in the bottom of the first and allowed two runs in, but also opened the door for the Phillies who led 5-0 after the first. Brooklyn committed five errors in the game, the final two coming in Philadelphia's five-run eighth inning. Tot Pressnell (0-1, 3.38) only gave up three earned runs on the day and took the loss, with Hank Mulcahy (1-0, 3.12) walking away with the win.

 

Pittsburgh 4 St. Louis (NL) (H) 1

 

The Pirates completed a three-game sweep of the Cardinals as veteran hurler Ed Brandt (1-0, 1.13) scattered five hits and went all the way for the win. Rookie left fielder Johnny Rizzo had the big day at the plate by going 3-for-3 and a HBP and his RBI double in the first gave the Pirates their early lead and his solo homerun (1) in the third advanced the Bucco's lead.

 

Friday, April 22, 1938

 

Transactions:

 

Chicago (AL) pitcher George Gick made his Major League Finale on 04/21/1938

 

Brooklyn outfielder Bert Haas made his Season Finale on 04/22/1938. Haas was later sent out to Milwaukee (AA). Brooklyn pitcher Bill Posedel made his Major League Debut on 04/23/1938

 

St. Louis (NL) first baseman Dick Siebert (Team Finale 04/21/1938) was sent out to Columbus IL) after 04/21/1938. Siebert was later traded to Philadelphia (AL) on 05/14/1938 in return for Paul Easterling, Gene Hasson, and George Turbeville

 

Cincinnati outfielder Nino Bongiovanni made his Major League Debut on 04/23/1938

 

Philadelphia (NL) catcher Cap Clark made his Major League Debut on 04/23/1938

 

Detroit (H) 4 Cleveland 3 (13)

 

Cleveland third baseman Ken Keltner floated a solo homerun (1) in the top of the ninth that tied the game at 3-3 and the game soon moved into extra innings. Finally, in the bottom of the thirteenth, Dixie Walker led off with a single, stole second, and then was immediately singled home by Charlie Gehringer for the Tigers' victory.

 

Note: On this date in 1938, In their home opener at newly renovated Briggs Stadium, the Tigers lost, 4-3, to Cleveland’s Mel Harder. During the off-season the Tigers had spent $1 million on renovations to increase the capacity from 38,000 to 58,000. Today’s crowd was 54,500.

 

New York (AL) (H) 9 Washington 6

 

The Yankees scored seven times in the bottom of the fourth as Elon Hogsett's (0-1, 31.50) control problems opened the doors to a Yankees rally. Bill Dickey knocked a three-run triple to get the scoring started, and then rookie second baseman Joe Gordon finished the scoring when he stroked a three-run homerun (1). The Nationals kept up the pressure by battling Red Ruffing (2-0, 5.74), but Bump Hadley closed the door on them.

 

Chicago (AL) 11 St. Louis (AL) (H) 5

 

The White Sox motored into St. Louis and promptly jumped on Oral Hildebrand (0-1, 43.20) by pounding out nine runs in the top of the second inning. Second baseman Jackie Hayes went 4-for-5 with three doubles and third baseman Marv Owen had a 4-for-4 day with two doubles and four RBI's. Thornton Lee (1-0, 4.00) smacked the only Chicago homerun (1) of the game.

 

New York (NL) 7 Brooklyn (H) 2

 

New York hit four homeruns today, the big hit being Jimmy Ripple's three-run homerun in the Giants' five-run third. Harry Gumbert (1-0, 2.00) shut down the Dodgers offense on five hits and took home the win.

 

St. Louis (NL) 5 Chicago (NL) (H) 2

 

Don Padgett

The Cubs outhit the visiting Cardinals 10-8, but St. Louis bunched most of their hits in a five-run fifth and came away with the win. Center fielder Don Padgett smacked a two-run homerun to cap the run-scoring in the fateful fifth, Lon Warneke (1-0, 2.25) collected the win over  (0-1, 5.63).

Note: On this date in 1938, the Cubs and St. Louis matched bases-loaded triples to tie a MLB record for most by 2 teams. Hitting the three-baggers were Joe Marty, in the third for the Cubs, and Enos Slaughter, in the ninth for the Cardinals. It is the last time in this century that two NL teams will match sack-full triples in a game.

 

Cincinnati 5 Pittsburgh (H) 1

 

Johnny Vander Meer (1-0, 1.00) scattered five hits and didn’t give up a run until two outs in the eighth and got the win over Red Lucas (0-1, 4.50). The Reds felt they should have scored more than five runs (they had thirteen hits) but could not get that one extra hit when they really needed it.

 

Saturday, April 23, 1938

 

Transactions:

 

Boston (AL) pitcher Byron Humphrey made his Major League Debut on 04/24/1938. Boston (AL) pitcher Dick Midkiff made his Major League Debut on 04/24/1938

 

Detroit (H) 4 Cleveland 2

 

Detroit starter Jake Wade complained of shoulder stiffness when he took the mound and was replaced by George Gill (2-0, 0.00) and Gill pitched a gem, holding the Indians to only two runs on five hits and he went all the way for the win. Hank Greenberg got things started with a three-run homerun (3) in the bottom of the first and Gill did the rest.

 

Washington 9 New York (AL) (H) 4

 

The Nationals jumped on Lefty Gomez (0-2, 4.50) for five first inning runs (four unearned) as Gomez was plagued with wildness all day. Wes Ferrell (2-0, 3.00) held off the Yankees attack all game and the Nationals' lead was never in trouble.

 

Boston (AL) 4 Philadelphia (AL) (H) 2

 

The Red Sox scored three runs in the second inning and had the bases loaded against A's starter Eddie Smith (0-1. 2.45), but Bud Thomas came in and got out of the inning with no more runs scored, and then Thomas effectively held down Boston and gave Philadelphia a fighting chance. Lefty Grove (2-0, 1.72) required some assistance toward the end of the game, but still was able to walk away with his second win of the young season.

 

St. Louis (AL) (H) 4 Chicago (AL) 0

 

The White Sox could only manage to singles against Bobo Newsom (2-0, 1.00) who went all the way for the complete game victory over Ted Lyons (0-1, 5.14). Light-hitting second baseman Don Heffner smacked a two-run homerun (2) in the bottom of the fifth to clear the way for Newsom to do his magic.

 

Boston (NL) (H) 8 Philadelphia (NL) 1

 

Lou Fette

The Bees jumped on Bill Hallahan (0-1, 11.25) for three runs in the bottom of the second nd they continued to pour it on from there and won easily. Lou Fette (1-0, 1.00) was never challenged as he went all the way for the win.

Brooklyn (H) 3 New York (NL) 2

 

The Dodgers led 3-0 after the fourth inning and Fred Frankhouse (1-0, 2.00) was able to hold off a belated Giants' rally to clinch the win. Cliff Melton (1-1, 1.80) gave up two runs in the first but the New York offense was never able to come back,

 

St. Louis (NL) 4 Chicago (NL) (H) 3

 

St. Louis third baseman Terry Moore poked a two-out two-run homerun (1) in the top of the eighth that put the Cardinals ahead 4-3 and Howie Krist went the final two innings to secure the win for Si Johnson (1-1, 6.52).

 

Pittsburgh (H) 8 Cincinnati 2

 

The Reds scored two runs in the top of the first to take a quick 2-0 lead, but Cy Blanton (2-0, 2.25) tightened up from there and allowed no more runs and allowed the Pirates offense to come back and grab the win. Paul Waner had a 5-for-5 day with a run, two RBI's, and a double to spark the Pittsburgh offense.

 

Sunday, April 24, 1938

 

Transactions:

 

Chicago (NL) infielder Billy Jurges was injured (?) on 04/23/1938. Chicago (NL) pitcher Al Epperly made his Major League Debut on 04/25/1938

 

Detroit (H) 1 Cleveland 0 (12)

 

Right fielder Dixie Walker was the hero for the Tigers today as he threw out Cleveland shortstop Lyn Lary at the plate to close out the top of the twelfth, and then in the bottom half of the inning Walker drilled a single that scored George Coffman (1-0, 1.42) with the game winner. Bob Feller (0-2, 3.20) only allowed three hits but took the hard-luck loss.

 

New York (AL) (H) 11 Washington 5

 

The Yankees scored two runs in each of their first two innings, and they held on to that 4-0 lead until the top of the sixth when the Nationals suddenly came alive and scored four times to tie the score at 4-4. The New York offense went right back to work and scored five times in the bottom half of the inning. Bump Hadley took the mound and went the final three innings to shut down Washington's hopes for good.

 

Boston (AL) 5 Philadelphia (AL) (H) (10)

 

Archie McKain

The Red Sox scored twice in the top of the first but could never quite put the hometown Athletics away. Boston took a 4-3 lead with a run in the top of the eighth, but Philadelphia responded with a solo run in the bottom half of the ninth to tie the game back up and to send the game into extra innings. Once again the Red Sox grabbed the lead, and this time Archie McKain (1-0, 11.25) didn't blow the save but was able to hold on for the win in extra-innings.

St. Louis (AL) (H) 5 Chicago (AL) 3

 

A four-run seventh blew this game open for the Browns. Jim Walkup (1-0, 3.88) required some ninth inning assistance from Ed Linke, but St. Louis held off a White Sox belated ninth inning rally attempt to capture the win.

 

New York (NL) 3 Brooklyn (H) 2

 

The Dodgers outhit the visiting Giants 10-8, but the Giants took the win with clutch hitting and by turning two clutch double plays to shut down the Brooklyn opportunities. Mel Ott's homerun (4) in the sixth got the scoring started and a two-out double by Harry Danning plated Johnny McCarthy in the top of the ninth for the win.

 

Philadelphia (NL) 1 Boston (NL) (H) 0

 

The Phillies scored their run when a Boston starter Danny MacFayden (0-2, 1.06) walked home a run in the top of the fourth, and that was all Bucky Walters (2-0, 0.50) needed to grab the tough win.

 

Chicago (NL) (H) 10 St. Louis (NL) 7

 

The Cubs jumped ahead early with a six-run second inning that knocked Max Macon (0-1, 23.63) out of the box. Dizzy Dean (2-0, 5.93) was cruising along until he tired in the seventh and the Cardinals scored five times to get the score close, an Enos Slaughter three-run homerun (1) being the big hit in the inning. The Cubs bullpen put an end to that rally and allowed the Cubs to grab the win.

 

Pittsburgh (H) 8 Cincinnati 3

 

Reds right fielder Ival Goodman (1) slugged a homerun on the first pitch of the game and Cincinnati led through the first half of the game, but the Pirates slowly crept back into it, regained the lead, and then they secured their win when they scored three times in the bottom of the seventh. Jim Tobin (2-0, 2.00) recovered from his shaky start to get the win over Peaches Davis (0-1, 8.00)