September 20th, 1934 - News Item

Arrest Made in Lindbergh Kidnapping!!!
German Immigrant taken into custody in case that shocked the nation!

(New York - Sept. 19th) Police announced yesterday that they have apprehended one Richard Bruno Hauptmann, who they believe is responsible for the kidnapping and murder two years ago of the only son of national hero Charles "Lucky" Lindbergh (left). Hauptmann used a $5 gold certificate to pay for gas. The certificate was part of a ransom that had been paid right after the kidnapping. When they arrived, police found thousands of dollars in ransom money at his home.

See inside, p.2. for the complete details!

September 3rd, 1934 - Actual Event

A Story from the Real 1934 Baseball Season

In today's NL headline, we make reference to a real baseball event from 1934 and perhaps one of its most famous stories. After winning the 1933 World Series, New York manager Bill Terry was asked by a reporter from a Brooklyn paper whether he anticipated trouble from the Dodgers in 1934. Terry famously (or infamously) replied:

"Brooklyn? Haven't heard much about them lately. Is Brooklyn still in the league?"

At the end of the season, St. Louis and New York were deadlocked for first with only a weekend's worth of games left. When New York arrived at Ebbets Field, they were greeted with signs that read: "Is Brooklyn Still in the League?" and taunts. Needing to win both games, New York was shot down by a determined Van Lingle Mungo, and saw their best pitchers Hubbell and Schumaker knocked around. As a result, St. Louis was able to squeak by New York at the very end of the season, and subsequently win the World Series.

In our replay, something similar has occurred as the Dodgers took 2 out of three at the beginning of September, putting the Cardinals in the "cat bird" seat as the final month of the replay gets under way.

In his biography of Branch Rickey, Lee Lowenfish provides some background on this story. Rather than portraying it as a deliberate insult as the Brooklyn press did, Lowenfish says that Terry was referring to the fact that he hadn't heard much coverage of the Dodgers, and that their business office was still closed in February. As a result, Lowenfish writes, Terry's "plaintive question" would be turned into an "arrogant affront" by the papers.

August 9th, 1934

Wilbert "Uncle Robbie" Robinson Dies at 71

Legend Managed Brooklyn Ballclub from 1914-1931

Wilbert Robinson, the former manager of the Brooklyn ballclub died last night following a brain hemmorage in his suburban Atlanta home last night. The hemmorage followed a slip and fall in a shower. Robinson slipped into a coma, and did not emerge.

Robinson played professional baseball from 1886 to 1902, mostly with the Philadelphia Athletics of the American Association and the Baltimore Orioles of the National League.

Robinson, commonly known as "Uncle Robbie" had become a Brooklyn institution. After his 1931 retirement, he moved to Dover Hall, Georgia, where Robinson took hunting trips. In the past two years, he has managed the Atlanta Crackers of the Southern Association.

During his tenure, Brooklyn won NL pennants in 1916 and again in 1920. His lifetime record was nearly even at 1399 wins and 1398 losses. Robinson is the second legendary baseball manager to die this year. Long time New York Giants manager John McGraw died this February.

Current Brooklyn manager Casey Stengal relased the following statement about Robinson:

He was the finest man I ever knew in baseball and I felt his loss almost as much
as if he had been a close relative. I served under Uncle Robbie for seven
years. He not only taught me how to play the outfield but he taught me how
to live. I regard my after-game conversations with Robbie and his evening
fanning bees as the most enjoyable moments of my career. Baseball was its
pleasantest with Robbie around.

Ed. note: Robinson was inducted in the Hall of Fame in 1945. A short biographical sketch can be found here.

July 25, 1934

Yankee Outfield Crashes Into St. Louis Outfield Wall

Combs Sustains Life Threatening Injuries

Yankee Outfielder Earle Combs ran full throttle into the center field wall at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis yesterday during their game with the St. Louis Browns. Combs fractured a skull and tore muscles in his right shoulder said a spokesman at the St. Louis hospital where he was admitted. After being admitted, Combs slipped into a coma. Combs, known as "the Kentucky Colonel," to teammates and fans, has played for New York since coming up in 1924. The next year, 1925, he earned a starting role in the Yankees lineup and has rarely missed a game until this point. BT

Editors note: Combs was done for the season. He would only play one more year in the major leagues.

July 1st, 1934

Gehrig Returns to Yankees in Time to Resume Streak

Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig managed to return to his team in time to start yesterday's game and keep alive his streak of consecutive games started. Gehrig was expected to miss at least a few games after being hit in the head by a pitch in an exhibition game two days ago. Gehrig, however, checked himself out of the Norfolk hospital where he had been admitted and managed to catch a steamboat to Washington, DC to rejoin his teammates.

June 30, 1934 - Breaking News

Gehrig Hit During Exhibition
"There Goes the Pennant," Laments Yankees Skipper

Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig was hit in the head by a wild pitch from Norfolk Tars pitcher Ray White. Gehrig, who laid on the ground unconscious for five minutes before being taken to the hospital and diagnosed with a concussion, is expected to miss at least a few games starting with today's with the Washington Senators, breaking his streak of consecutive games started.

May 23rd, 1934 - News Item - Bonnie and Clyde

Texas Ranger Hunts Down, Kills Notorious Bank Robbers

Bonnie and Clyde shot dead in ambush by law enforcement

The notiorious bank robbers Bonnie Parker and Clyde Barrow were killed today as law enforcement officials from Texas and Louisiana confronted them near their hidout in Bienville Parish, LA.

The hunt and raid was conducted by former Texas Ranger Frank A. Hamer, an expert manhunter. Since Barrow masterminded an escape from prison, during which a guard was killed, he has been on the run, avoiding state officials by moving from state to state. Barrow and another member of the gang, Henry Methvin, also murdered two Texas Highway Patrolmen during their flight.

Officials are unclear on whether Barrow or Parker were ordered to surrender by police prior to shots being fired.

For more, see the Wikipedia article on Bonnie and Clyde.

March 28th, 1934 - Injury News

Maranville Breaks Leg in Exhibition Game

The Boston Braves suffered a blow today when their second baseman, 42 year old veteran Rabbit Maranville, broke his leg in an exhibition game with the New York Yankees today. Despite his age, Maranville has shown no sign of slowing down in recent years, finishing in the top 20 for league MVP in each of the past three seasons. The effort with which he has played the game since coming up with the Braves in 1912 was on display in the dramatic collision with Yankee catcher Norman Kies on a double steal. Doctors are doubtful that Maranville can return to baseball this season.

February 26th, 1934 - News Item

Giants Great McGraw Dies

Long time skipper led team to 10 NL pennants in 31 years

John McGraw, the long time manager of the New York Giants and former baseball player, died last night at the age of 60 from cancer. McGraw played for Baltimore mostly from 1891 to 1902, when he became player-manager of the Giants. He held that dual role for four more years, when he retired as a player and continued to manage the Giants until two years ago when current player-manager Bill Terry took over. Irish playwright George Bernard Shaw called McGraw "the real and most authentic most remarkable man in America." Umpire Bill Klem, with whom McGraw often had furious rows, said "John McGraw off the field was a man in every old fashioned sense of the word." Klem said that McGraw was very charitable towards those in need, but shunned attention for his acts of kindness.

http://www.dickperez.com/ag_main.asp

January 19, 1934

"How Are they Going to Stop Us?" asks Cardinals Pitching Ace

Dean predicts Pennant for St. Louis

Cardinals pitcher Dizzy Dean turned heads at an interview yesterday when he made bold predictions for himself, his brother, and his team. The Cardinals WILL win the Pennant, he promised. His brother Paul would play a key part in making that happen, said Dean. "Paul's going to be a sensation. He'll win 18-20 games. I'll count 20 to 25 for myself. I won 20 last season and I know I'll pass that figure," said a confident Dean.

Editors Note: IRL, Dean made good on his prediction. The Cardinals, of course, did win the NL pennant. Dizzy won 30, and his rookie brother Paul (known as "Daffy") won 19. Dizzy is known for making the observation "It ain't braggin if you can do it."

January 6, 1934 - Fenway Fire

January 6th, 1934

Fenway Park Catches Fire

Boston Field was under Construction - "We'll Call Out the National Guard" to Complete by Opening Day if Necessary, vows Sox Owner Yawkey

A four alarm blaze engulfed Fenway Park last night. Firemen worked for five hours before the blaze was brought under control. The fire was the second such at Fenway in eight years. Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey was informed of the bad news while at his vacation home in Charleston, South Carolina.

The Red Sox are spending $750,000 renovating Fenway by adding a large left field wall and new scoreboard, which Yawkey says he still hopes will be operable by opening day. The 37 foot wall will replace the shorter 25 foot left field wall and screen currently protecting traffic on Landsdown Street from flying baseballs. The plans for Fenway Park also include bringing in the backstop from 68' to 60' and moving the left field wall in from 320' to 312'. Most dramatically, however, the new plans call for center field to be moved in from its current depth of 468' to 389'. Finally, a flagpole is planned to be added to center field.

Osborn Construction, the park's original 1912 architect, has been called on once again to oversee the park's overhaul.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fenway_Park

http://www.sonsofsamhorn.net/wiki/index.php/Fenway_Park

http://www.baseball-almanac.com/stadium/fenway_park.shtml