IN THE NEWS: In a trade of veteran shortstops–or "worn-out shortstops," as one newspaper described it–the Cubs acquire Billy Rogell from the Detroit Tigers for Dick Bartell. Rogell, who injured his arm playing handball the previous year, will hit just .136 before hanging up his spikes. The Tigers will release "Rowdy Richard" five games into the 1941 season, but he will stick with the Giants until 1946.
The Bees are busy clearing their pitching staff. Jim Turner goes to the Reds for 1B Les Scarsella and cash, while Johnny Lanning is sent to Pittsburgh for P Jim Tobin and cash. On December 8th, P Danny MacFaydan joins Tobin in a trade for P Bill Swift.
IN THE NEWS: Lou Gehrig, age 36, is unanimously elected to Baseball's Hall of Fame, the sole choice this year. The five-year waiting period is waived for the Iron Horse.
At the December meeting of both leagues in Cincinnati, Judge Landis votes against all amendments favorable to farm systems. The Rules committee, with an eye towards raising declining batting averages, votes to restore the sacrifice fly for 1940. Seven American League owners push through a new rule barring the American League champion from making any trades within the league. Clearly aimed at the Yankees, winners of the last four world series, the National League owners decline to vote it for their league.
IN THE NEWS: Wally Moses is traded by the Philadelphia A's to Detroit for Benny McCoy and George Coffman. The deal is later voided by Judge Landis, who declares McCoy a free agent because of a Tigers cover-up. He gets a $10,000 bonus to sign with the A's.
IN THE NEWS: The Yomiuri Giants beat the Hanshin Tigers, 4–2, to clinch the Japanese league pennant. The Giants will win the pennant for the next four years.