May 25th, 1934 - Transaction

Red Sox and Indians Reach Accord for Ferrell

Sox to send Bob Weiland to Tribe in exchange; Seeds and Porter also part of the package

The saga of Wes Ferrell in Cleveland has come to an end, and today Ferrell (pictured) happily donned a Red Sox cap as the news was announced that the Cleveland Indians were trading the contract of their hold-out starting pitcher and that of right fielder Dick Porter to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for Sox starter Bob Weiland and outfielder Bob Seeds.

Ferrell has not pitched for Cleveland this year due to a contract dispute. Ferrell played in last year's 'All Star' game, but was injured for part of the season, and did not win as many games as he did in 1932, which led the Indians to reduce his salary sharply for 1934. In joining the Red Sox, Weiland joins brother Rick who is the Sox catcher.

May 24th, 1934 - AL Player of the Week - Joe Cronin

AL Player of the Week - Joe Cronin

"Oh my, yes, Joe is the best there is in the clutch. With a man on third and one out, I'd rather have Cronin hitting for me more than anybody I've ever seen."

-Connie Mack

A "jovial, square jawed Irishman" is how Joe Cronin's official Hall of Fame biography describes him. Cronin started in Pittsburgh in 1926, but only stayed for two seasons before joining the first of the two teams he'd spend most of his career with.

In 1928, he want to Washington where be eventually became the player-manager (and son-in-law to owner Clark Griffith) and lead the Nationals to the pennant in 1933. After the 1934 season, however, Griffith sold him to Boston's new owner Tom Yawkey for a then-record of $225,000 or $250,000 (depending on the source) and Cronin spent the bulk of his career (11 seasons out of 20) as a player manager for the Red Sox, leading them to a pennant in 1946.

Cronin was a seven time All Star (the first All Star game was not until 1933) and finished in the top 10 for MVP votes five times. Although not an official title in 1930, Cronin was a consensus choice among sports writers for MVP in 1930.

After his playing days finished in 1945, Cronin remained as the bench manager of the Red Sox until after the 1947 season, when he became the General Manager - a post he held until he became President of the American League in January of 1959.

Cronin was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1956.

May 24th, 1934 - Current AL Totals

I thought everyone might enjoy a bird's eye view of the AL team stats at this point.

Strat-O-Matic Report

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LEAGUE GRAND TOTALS (primary report) FOR 1934 American League 

 

 

TEAM                   AVG    AB    R     H   2B  3B   HR  RBI   SB   CS    E

1934 Chicago          .314  1001  153   314   45   6   11  143   10    8   26

1934 Cleveland        .304   963  148   293   77   5   22  146    2    4   22

1934 Philadelphia     .301  1059  171   319   62  10   33  164   12    7   43

1934 Detroit          .298  1071  178   319   72  10   16  160   20    7   34

1934 Washington       .294  1106  158   325   65  18    8  148    2   12   32

1934 Boston           .285  1095  163   312   57  12   15  154   17    6   43

1934 St. Louis        .268   946  124   254   50  17   15  121    6    3   35

1934 New York         .260  1014  160   264   51   8   27  155    8    5   31

--------------------  ---- ----- ---- ----- ---- --- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----

LEAGUE TOTALS         .291  8255 1255  2400  479  86  147 1191   77   52  266

 

 

TEAM                   ERA   W   L      IP     H    R   ER   HR   BB    SO OAVG

1934 New York         4.08  14  16   265.0   274  145  120   20  109   138 .268

1934 Boston           4.26  17  14   279.0   330  155  132   12  105   105 .298

1934 Detroit          4.41  16  14   267.1   307  144  131   18  108   125 .289

1934 Philadelphia     4.56  19  11   268.1   285  167  136   18  147    90 .272

1934 Washington       4.70  18  14   281.2   335  169  147   12   99    94 .297

1934 Chicago          5.00  13  15   246.2   307  161  137   28  101    78 .307

1934 Cleveland        5.04  12  15   232.0   263  145  130   20  103    85 .288

1934 St. Louis        5.33   9  19   241.2   299  169  143   19  130    95 .307

-------------------- ----- --- --- ------- ----- ---- ---- ---- ---- ----- ----

LEAGUE TOTALS         4.65 118 118  2081.2  2400 1255 1076  147  902   810 .291

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May 24th, 1934 - NL Game Summaries

Dodgers Top Cards at Home, 7-3
"Dutch" Leonard Wins 4th in complete game

Cardinals....... 0 0 0 0 2 1 0 0 0 - 3 8 0
Dodgers......... 0 1 0 3 2 0 1 0 - 7 13 1

Dutch Leonard (pictured) allowed Casey Stengel to rest his bullpen, tossing a complete game as the Brooklyn Dodgers outscored the St. Louis Cardinals 7 to 3.

It was a good day for Brooklyn thanks to Tony Cuccinello. He doubled in the2nd inning, smacked a three-run homer (his 2nd of the season) in the 4thinning and slapped a one-base hit knocking in a run in the 7th inning. Brooklyn rapped out 13 hits for the afternoon.

Leonard(4-0) was the winner allowing 3 runs for the game. Tex Carleton(3-3)took the loss. He allowed 13 hits and 2 walks in 8 innings.



Braves Outslug Visiting Bucs, 12-5
Brandt wins complete game; "long afternoon's work"

Pirates......... 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 1 1 - 5 12 0
Braves.......... 1 3 0 4 0 0 1 3 - 12 17 1

Ed Brandt pitched a complete game at Braves Field where the Boston Braves beat the Pittsburgh Pirates 12 to 5. Hal Lee made sure the Boston fans enjoyed themselves. He slapped a base-hitbringing in a run in the 2nd inning, hit a 'grand salami' to the delight ofhis teammates (his 1st of the season) in the 4th inning and laced a single in the 6th inning.

Due to a poorly pitched ballgame, scoring in 5 different innings was still not enough for Pittsburgh to come away with the victory. The victory went to Brandt(3-4) who went the distance allowing 5 runs. BillSwift(2-2) was the losing pitcher. He was touched for 8 hits and 2 walks in3 and 1/3 innings. Boston now has a record of 11-19. With this loss, Pittsburgh has a 4-6 record of late, 15-14 overall.



Reds Nip Phils in Hard Fought Pitchers' Duel
Johnson keeps Phils bats just cool enough in 3-2 win

Reds............ 0 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 1 - 3 13 1
Phillies........ 0 0 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 - 2 6 0

Si Johnson (pictured) had a strong outing as the Cincinnati Reds outscored the Philadelphia Phillies 3 to 2.

Cincinnati scored the deciding run in the top of the 9th inning. After two outs Sparky Adams doubled. Tony Piet came next and he banged out a single, scoring the run. Cincinnati had 13 hits for the afternoon. Johnson (2-6) got the victory, allowing 2 runs for the game. Former Red Syl Johnson(0-1) ended up with the loss in relief. He pitched 1 and 1/3 innings giving up 3 hits and no walks.



Cubs Deal Hubbell His First Loss, 8-2
It's Tinning with complete game win this time

Cubs............ 0 0 2 0 3 1 0 0 2 - 8 12 0
Giants.......... 0 0 2 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 3 6 0

Bud Tinning was able to finish what he started and was credited with a complete game at the Polo Grounds as the Chicago Cubs beat the New York Giants by the count of 8 to 3.

Kiki Cuyler led the offense for Chicago. He banged out a single, which was good for two runs in the 3rd inning and belted a three-run homer (his 4th of the season) in the 5th inning. Chicago finished with 12 hits in the victory. Tinning(3-1) picked up the complete game victory, allowing 3 runs.

Carl Hubbell (8-1) was charged with the loss. He allowed 6 runs and 9 hits in 8 innings. Hubbell, who has started and won eight straight games, told reporters 'It's been a good run and I knew it wouldn't last forever. Hopefully I'll get started on a new streak in my next start.'

When it was announced that George Grantham would pinch hit for Hubbell in the bottom of the 8th, marking the first time all season Hubbell has been pulled, he received a standing ovation from the 13,300 fans in attendance, and play was paused momentarily as he acknowledged the crowd.

May 24th, 1934 - AL Game Summaries

A's Defeat Tigers 6-4 at Navin Field
Coleman provides power today for A's

Athletics....... 3 0 1 1 0 1 0 0 0 - 6 13 0
Tigers.......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 3 1 - 4 8 2

Right fielder Ed Coleman left the yard and had 3 RBI at Navin Field as thePhiladelphia Athletics beat the Detroit Tigers 6 to 4. Detroit fell behind quickly as the Philadelphia offense came through in the first inning when they scored 3 runs on 3 hits. The critical plate appearance was by Coleman who deflated the mood of the partisan fans when he smashed a two-run homer (his 2nd of the season).

Detroit had a chance in the 9th but they came up short. Johnny Marcum(4-2) got the win allowing 2 runs in 7 and 2/3 innings. Marcum was helped out by Bob Kline who recorded his 2nd save.

The losing pitcher was Firpo Marberry(2-4). Philadelphia scored big getting 5 runs off him in 3 innings. Tigers second baseman Charlie Gehringer was especially disappointed in his two errors, which cost it two unearned runs. 'It's a disheartening loss, no question about it' said Gehringer. 'But we have to get over it and get ready for the next game.'



Nats Need Extra Innings in 2-0 Win Over Browns
Weaver "awesome today" says Cronin

Nationals....... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 2 - 2 6 1
Browns.......... 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 0 4 1

Monte Weaver allowed only 4 hits resulting in a big goose egg on the scoreboard for St. Louis as the Washington Nationals defeated the St. Louis Browns in 10 innings by a score of 2 to 0 at Sportsman's Park.

Neither team managed to score in the first nine innings. Washington won the hard fought contest in the 10th inning. Joe Cronin kicked off the action when he banged out a single. Fred Schulte came next and he slapped a single. Schulte took second on the throw. John Stone then drew a walk to load thebases. After an out was recorded, Eddie Phillips stepped in and he drew awalk resulting in a run. One out later, Buddy Myer stepped up to the plateand he drew a walk scoring the final run of the inning. Washington finishedwith just 6 hits in the victory.

It was the 2nd shutout of the year for Weaver (3-4). Dick Coffman(0-3) was the losing pitcher. He allowed just 6 hits and no walks in 9 innings. Browns manager Rogers Hornsby was obviously impressed with the pitching of Weaver, 'That guymade us look a little silly out there this afternoon. We just couldn't get to him at all - everything was working for him. I just hope that he got thatkinda performance out of his system.' Nationals player manager Cronin said 'Weaver was a one man show out there - he bailed us out.'



Yankees Win Over Sox 4-3
Gomez wins 5th with complete game

Yankees........ 0 2 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 4 9 1
White Sox..... 0 3 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 - 3 7 1

Lefty Gomez pitched a complete game as the New York Yankees outscored theChicago White Sox 4 to 3. New York had 2 runs cross the plate in the top of the 3rd inning. That was all the offense they were to need. Neither team managed to score after the 3rd inning.

The winning pitcher was Gomez(5-3) who allowed 3 runs for the game. Milt Gaston(3-2) was the loser. He surrendered 4 runs and 9 hits in 9 innings.

The New York ballclub's record now stands at 15-16. With the loss, Chicago has a record of 3-7 lately, 13-16 overall.

May 23rd, 1934 - NL Game Summaries

Cards Prevail in Close 5-3 Win Over Dodgers
Visitors turn triple play with fancy glove work


Cardinals....... 2 0 0 0 0 1 1 0 1 - 5 13 1
Dodgers......... 0 1 1 0 0 1 0 0 0 - 3 8 0


Second baseman Frankie Frisch had 4 hits and 2 RBI at Ebbetts Field as the St.Louis Cardinals beat the Brooklyn Dodgers by the count of 5 to 3.


Jim Mooney(2-1) had a solid outing for St. Louis. He went 7 innings, surrendering 7 hits and 5 walks lowering his ERA from 3.95 to 3.48. Overall, St. Louis out-hit Brooklyn 13 to 8. Jesse Haines earned his 4th save.


Ray Benge(5-3) was the losing pitcher. He got hit pretty hard, allowing 13 hits and 3 walks in 8 and 2/3 innings. 'I always am most impressed when a pitcher finds a way to win even without hisbest stuff,' Frisch said after the game. 'Mooney did not have command of his pitches most of the afternoon, but he proved he really knew how to pitch!'


Meine Outduels Frankhouse in 2-1 Bucs Win
Braves outhit visitors but can't bring runners home

Pirates......... 1 0 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 - 2 4 0
Braves.......... 0 0 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 - 1 8 0

Heinie Meine completed the game without help from the bullpen at Braves Field as the Pittsburgh Pirates beat the Boston Braves 2 to 1.

Meine(2-0) pitched well for Pittsburgh in their victory. He was reached for 8 hits and no walks in 9 innings reducing his ERA from 4.64 to 3.56. Boston threatened in the 9th but Pittsburgh was able to put down the rally. Fred Frankhouse(2-5) was the loser. He allowed just 2 runs and 4 hits in 8 innings.

'Some losses are harder to take than others' Braves manager Bill McKechnie lamented after the game. 'This was one of the tough ones.'



Phils Pummel Reds at Baker Bowl
23 hits decimates Reds pitchers

Reds............ 0 0 3 0 1 0 2 0 0 - 6 11 1
Phillies........ 6 3 0 0 5 0 1 0 - 15 23 3

Mickey Haslin had 4 hits and 3 RBI at Baker Bowl as the Philadelphia Phillies beat the reeling Cincinnati Reds 15 to 6. Philadelphia drew first blood jumping out to an early lead in the first inning when they scored 6 runs on 8 hits.

Philadelphia bats were very productive in the 1st inning when they had 6 runs on 8 hits and the 5th inning which saw them plate 5 runs on 6 hits. Philadelphia ended up with 23 hits for the game while Cincinnati had 11. Phil Collins(4-3) allowed 6 runs in 8 innings, and picked up the victory. Benny Frey(0-4) took the loss. He surrendered 6 runs and 6 hits in 2/3 of an inning.


Giants Defeat Cubs 3-2 at Polo Grounds
Watkins walk off home home run clinches win

Cubs............ 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 2 6 0
Giants.......... 2 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 1 - 3 7 0

Center fielder George Watkins touched them all as the sizzling New York Giantswon at Polo Grounds in dramatic fashion over the Chicago Cubs, the final score, 3 to 2.

New York won the game with a run in the bottom of the 9th inning. After an out was recorded, Watkins lofted a solo-blast 'downtown' (his 1st of the season) giving New York the win and sending the home town fans into a frenzy.

New York had 7 hits for the afternoon. The winning pitcher was Jack Salveson (3-0) who allowed no runs in 1/3 of aninning. Pat Malone(4-3) suffered the loss in relief. He allowed 2 hits and no walks in 1 and 1/3 innings.

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.