Beggs failed as a starter with the Yankees in 1938 after a 21-4 record at Newark.
Using his breaking ball and sinker, his strong relief pitching (12 wins, 7 saves)
helped the 1940 Reds to the World Championship.
(JK)
FROM THE BASEBALL CHRONOLOGY
»May 31, 1938: At New York, Jimmie Foxx hits a grand slam off Yankee P Joe Beggs, the first of three he'll hit off Beggs this season, but the Yanks prevail, 12–5. Lou Gehrig plays his 2,000th consecutive game and has an RBI single.
»January 4, 1940: The Reds send sore-armed lefty Lee Grissom to the Yankees for 26-year-old pitcher Joe Beggs. As noted by Lyle Spatz, Beggs had to clear waivers from all seven American League teams, who likely were not aware of the impending swap. This is due to the new rule voted last month barring the AL pennant winner (read Yankees) from any trades within the league. Beggs will go 12–3 for the Reds, while Grissom will be sold to the Dodgers on May 15.
»September 18, 1940:
The Reds clinch the NL flag, outdistancing
the Dodgers and the late-rushing Cardinals. Bill McKechnie's
Cincinnati team makes only 117 errors during the season,
18 less than any previous team. The .981 fielding
mark is the best up to this time. The defense, plus
the pitching of Bucky Walters, Paul Derringer, and
reliever Joe Beggs, brings the 2nd straight NL flag
to the Reds, despite multiple injuries to Ernie Lombardi.
The big catcher went down again September 15th, and
with Hershberger's suicide, the club turns to 39-year-old
coach Jimmy Wilson for some of the backstopping. Wilson
will end up as a WS hero.
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