IN THE NEWS: Attendance in the ML is 20.2 million, down from 20.9 in 1948. The Yankees and the Indians each finish with over 2.2 million, but the Browns fall to 270,000. The Browns will try to cover their light attendance with $200,000 obtained in cash in December sales of Bob Dillinger, Gerry Priddy, and Paul Lehner. The Browns get five players in the transactions.
IN THE NEWS: By a 7-1 vote, the American League rejects a proposal to bring back the legal spitball. The rules committee also alters the strike zone to the space between the armpits and the top of the knees. The new rule eliminates the batter's shoulders being within the strike zone.
IN THE NEWS: The Browns send star 3B Bob Dillinger (.324) and OF Paul Lehner to the A's for a reported $100,000 and infielders Frankie Gustine, Bill DeMars, and outfielders Ray Coleman, and Ray Ippolitto. Dillinger will play just a half-season in Philley before being swapped to Pittsburgh.
IN THE NEWS: The Yankees and Detroit swap first baseman, the Tigers getting Dick Kryhoski while New York takes Dick Wakefield, signed by the Tigers in 1941 with a $52,000 bonus.
IN THE NEWS: The 1940s is the only decade in ML baseball history in which no new stadiums are built. After Cleveland opened Municipal Stadium in 1932, no new ballpark will be opened until County Stadium in Milwaukee is unveiled in 1953.
The 1940s will end with eight blacks on ML rosters: three each on the Dodgers and Indians, and two with the Giants. Although it will be another decade before all ML teams would be integrated, most teams will be playing blacks in the next two years. All but the Browns, Cubs, and Reds set attendance records in the 1940s. There were 81 scheduled night games in 1940 and 384 in 1949. The change to playing under the lights is underscored by the release of the 1950 schedule. The Cardinals have permission to open the season with the Pirates in a night game.
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