In anticipation of the signing of the first black players, Bill Veeck, a resident of Phoenix, had set up a spring training camp there for the Cleveland Indians. Arizona was chosen because of its relatively tolerant racial climate. During the season, Veeck will sign the first AL black player, Larry Doby, who will train at the Arizona camp. The Giants also set up camp in Arizona, while the Dodgers moved their training camp from Florida to Havana.
IN THE NEWS: In Havana's new Stadium del Cerro, the Dodgers, behind three pitchers, beat the Yankees in 10 innings 1–0. Carl Furillo scores on Pete Reiser's double, and Snuffy Stirnweiss's 10th-inning single is the only Yankee hit. On hand to watch is Connie Zimmerman, an associate of mobster Lucky Luciano, and a racing handicapper, Memphis Engelberg. As Burt Solomon writes, Leo Durocher points out the men to sports writers Dick Young and Milt Gross, saying, "Look at that. If I had those guys in my box, I'd be kicked out of baseball. Are there two sets of rules? One applying to managers and one applying to club owners. When asked about if the me are his guests, Dodger GM Larry MacPhail snaps, "What are you. The goddam FBI?" MacPhail calls Durocher a liar, and in a bizarre turn, later files charges against the manager with the commissioner's office.
IN THE NEWS: In a meeting at the Sarasota Terrace Hotel, Leo Durocher admits to Commissioner Happy Chandler that he sometimes bets on card games with Kirby Higbe.
IN THE NEWS: Cleveland manager Lou Boudreau orders Johnny Price off the train at San Diego after Price lets loose two five-foot long snakes on the train from Los Angeles. A coach full of women returning from the American Bowling Congress are extremely upset by the prank. When Tribe owner Bill Veeck says that, "either the snakes go or Price goes," the 35-year-old infielder's days are numbered.
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