1939 Brooklyn Dodgers season
Encyclopedia
The Brooklyn Dodgers
started the year with a new manager, Leo Durocher
, who became both the team's manager and starting shortstop
. They also became the first New York team to have a regular radio broadcast, with Red Barber
handed the announcers job. The team finished in third place, showing some improvement over the previous seasons.
Hugh Casey
Luke Hamlin
Cookie Lavagetto
Los Angeles Dodgers
The Los Angeles Dodgers are a professional baseball team based in Los Angeles, California. The Dodgers are members of Major League Baseball's National League West Division. Established in 1883, the team originated in Brooklyn, New York, where it was known by a number of nicknames before becoming...
started the year with a new manager, Leo Durocher
Leo Durocher
Leo Ernest Durocher , nicknamed Leo the Lip, was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Upon his retirement, he ranked fifth all-time among managers with 2,009 career victories, second only to John McGraw in National League history. Durocher still ranks tenth in career wins by...
, who became both the team's manager and starting shortstop
Shortstop
Shortstop, abbreviated SS, is the baseball fielding position between second and third base. Shortstop is often regarded as the most dynamic defensive position in baseball, because there are more right-handed hitters in baseball than left-handed hitters, and most hitters have a tendency to pull the...
. They also became the first New York team to have a regular radio broadcast, with Red Barber
Red Barber
Walter Lanier "Red" Barber was an American sportscaster.Barber, nicknamed "The Ol' Redhead", was primarily identified with radio broadcasts of Major League Baseball, calling play-by-play across four decades with the Cincinnati Reds , Brooklyn Dodgers , and New York Yankees...
handed the announcers job. The team finished in third place, showing some improvement over the previous seasons.
Offseason
- December 13, 1938: Fred FrankhouseFred FrankhouseFrederick Meloy Frankhouse was a Major League Baseball player. He made his major league debut on September 11, 1927 and was a pitcher for the St. Louis Cardinals , Boston Braves , and the Brooklyn Dodgers...
was traded by the Dodgers to the Boston BeesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Joe StrippJoe StrippJoseph Valentine Stripp , is a former professional baseball player who played third base in the Major Leagues from 1928-1938. He would play for the Cincinnati Reds, Boston Braves, Brooklyn Dodgers, and St...
. - December 13, 1938: Lew Krausse and cash were traded by the Dodgers to the St. Louis CardinalsSt. Louis CardinalsThe St. Louis Cardinals are a professional baseball team based in St. Louis, Missouri. They are members of the Central Division in the National League of Major League Baseball. The Cardinals have won eleven World Series championships, the most of any National League team, and second overall only to...
for Jimmy OutlawJimmy OutlawJames Paulus Outlaw was an outfielder and third baseman who played in Major League Baseball between the and season...
. - December 13, 1938: Jimmy OutlawJimmy OutlawJames Paulus Outlaw was an outfielder and third baseman who played in Major League Baseball between the and season...
and Buddy HassettBuddy HassettJohn Aloysius "Buddy" Hassett , was a professional baseball player who played first base in Major League Baseball from 1936-1942....
were traded by the Dodgers to the Boston BeesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Gene Moore and Ira HutchinsonIra HutchinsonIra Kendall Hutchinson was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1933-1945. Born in Chicago, Illinois, he was later a manager in the Chicago White Sox minor league system from 1951-1970....
. - December 19, 1938: Luke SewellLuke SewellJames Luther Sewell was an American professional baseball player, coach and manager. He played in Major League Baseball as a catcher for the Cleveland Indians , Washington Senators , Chicago White Sox and the St. Louis Browns . Sewell batted and threw right-handed...
was purchased by the Dodgers from the Chicago White SoxChicago White SoxThe Chicago White Sox are a Major League Baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois.The White Sox play in the American League's Central Division. Since , the White Sox have played in U.S. Cellular Field, which was originally called New Comiskey Park and nicknamed The Cell by local fans...
. - February 2, 1939: Tom LanningTom LanningThomas Newton Lanning was a professional baseball player. He was a left-handed pitcher for one season with the Philadelphia Phillies...
was purchased by the Dodgers from the Philadelphia PhilliesPhiladelphia PhilliesThe Philadelphia Phillies are a Major League Baseball team. They are the oldest continuous, one-name, one-city franchise in all of professional American sports, dating to 1883. The Phillies are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League...
. - February 6, 1939: Kemp WickerKemp WickerKemp Caswell Wicker was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the New York Yankees from 1936 to 1938 and the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1941. Whicker was born in Kernersville, North Carolina to Jasper Newton and Alice Crews Whicker. He played collegiately at North...
and Chris HartjeChris HartjeChristian Henry Hartje was a catcher in Major League Baseball. He played in nine games for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1939 baseball season....
were purchased by the Dodgers from the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. - February 23, 1939: Woody EnglishWoody EnglishElwood George "Woody" English was an American shortstop who played in Major League Baseball for twelve seasons with the Chicago Cubs and the Brooklyn Dodgers.- Early life :...
was purchased from the Dodgers by the Chicago CubsChicago CubsThe Chicago Cubs are a professional baseball team located in Chicago, Illinois. They are members of the Central Division of Major League Baseball's National League. They are one of two Major League clubs based in Chicago . The Cubs are also one of the two remaining charter members of the National...
. - March 31, 1939: Bill PosedelBill PosedelWilliam John Posedel , nicknamed "Barnacle Bill," was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Boston Braves from 1938–1941 and in 1946....
was traded by the Dodgers to the Boston BeesAtlanta BravesThe Atlanta Braves are a professional baseball club based in Atlanta, Georgia. The Braves are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's National League. The Braves have played in Turner Field since 1997....
for Al ToddAl ToddAlfred Chester Todd was an American catcher in Major League Baseball. Born in Troy, New York, he played from 1932-1943 with the Philadelphia Phillies, Pittsburgh Pirates, Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Cubs....
.
Notable transactions
- May 3, 1939: Lyn LaryLyn LaryLynford Hobart Lary was a shortstop in Major League Baseball from through , primarily for the New York Yankees. Lary batted and threw right-handed...
was purchased by the Dodgers from the Cleveland IndiansCleveland IndiansThe Cleveland Indians are a professional baseball team based in Cleveland, Ohio. They are in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. Since , they have played in Progressive Field. The team's spring training facility is in Goodyear, Arizona...
. - June 15, 1939: Mel AlmadaMel AlmadaBaldomero "Mel" Almada was a center fielder in Major League Baseball who played from through for the Boston Red Sox , Washington Senators , St. Louis Browns and Brooklyn Dodgers...
was purchased by the Dodgers from the St. Louis BrownsBaltimore OriolesThe Baltimore Orioles are a professional baseball team based in Baltimore, Maryland in the United States. They are a member of the Eastern Division of Major League Baseball's American League. One of the American League's eight charter franchises in 1901, it spent its first year as a major league...
. - July 18, 1939: Pee Wee ReesePee Wee ReeseHarold Peter Henry "Pee Wee" Reese was an American professional baseball player. He played in Major League Baseball as a shortstop for the Brooklyn and Los Angeles Dodgers from to . A ten-time All Star, Reese contributed to seven National League championships for the Dodgers and, was inducted...
was purchased by the Dodgers from the Boston Red SoxBoston Red SoxThe Boston Red Sox are a professional baseball team based in Boston, Massachusetts, and a member of Major League Baseball’s American League Eastern Division. Founded in as one of the American League's eight charter franchises, the Red Sox's home ballpark has been Fenway Park since . The "Red Sox"...
. - August 12, 1939: Herman BesseHerman BesseHerman A. Besse was an American Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Philadelphia Athletics during five seasons from to .-References:...
was purchased from the Dodgers by the Philadelphia AthleticsOakland AthleticsThe Oakland Athletics are a Major League Baseball team based in Oakland, California. The Athletics are a member of the Western Division of Major League Baseball's American League. From to the present, the Athletics have played in the O.co Coliseum....
. - August 12, 1939: Al HollingsworthAl HollingsworthAlbert Wayne Hollingsworth was an American left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1935–1946, most notably with the Cincinnati Reds and St. Louis Browns. Born in Cincinnati, Ohio, he appeared in four innings of the 1944 World Series for the Browns and was a coach for the St. Louis...
was purchased by the Dodgers from the New York YankeesNew York YankeesThe New York Yankees are a professional baseball team based in the The Bronx, New York. They compete in Major League Baseball in the American League's East Division...
. - August 17, 1939: Rae BlaemireRae BlaemireRae Bertrum Blaemire was an American major league baseball player. He played in two games for the New York Giants during the 1941 baseball season.-External links:**...
was purchased from the Dodgers by the New York GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
. - August 23, 1939: Ray HayworthRay HayworthRaymond Hall Hayworth was a catcher in Major League Baseball. From 1926 through 1945, Hayworth played for the Detroit Tigers, Brooklyn Dodgers, New York Giants and St. Louis Browns. He batted and threw right-handed....
was traded by the Dodgers to the New York GiantsSan Francisco GiantsThe San Francisco Giants are a Major League Baseball team based in San Francisco, California, playing in the National League West Division....
for Jimmy RippleJimmy RippleJames Albert "Jimmy" Ripple was an American professional baseball player who played as an outfielder in Major League Baseball for seven seasons from 1936 to 1943. He played for the New York Giants , the Brooklyn Dodgers , the Cincinnati Reds , and the Philadelphia Athletics...
Roster
| 1939 Brooklyn Dodgers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Pos | Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 98 | 323 | 92 | .285 | 6 | 42 | |
| 1B | 157 | 565 | 164 | .290 | 26 | 104 | |
| 2B | 115 | 419 | 116 | .277 | 4 | 43 | |
| 3B | 153 | 587 | 176 | .300 | 10 | 87 | |
| SS | 116 | 390 | 108 | .277 | 1 | 34 | |
| OF | 107 | 306 | 69 | .225 | 3 | 39 | |
| OF | |||||||
| OF |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in| Player | G | AB | H | Avg. | HR | RBI |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | 39 | 11 | .282 | 3 | 6 | |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 40 | 227.1 | 15 | 10 | 2.93 | 79 | |
| 24 | 64.1 | 1 | 8 | 5.18 | 28 | |
| 6 | 38.1 | 4 | 0 | 2.58 | 10 | |
| 5 | 17.2 | 1 | 2 | 1.02 | 7 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | W | L | SV | ERA | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 41 | 5 | 2 | 1 | 4.34 | 46 | |
Awards and honors
- 1939 Major League Baseball All-Star Game1939 Major League Baseball All-Star GameThe 1939 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 7th playing of the mid-summer classic between the all-stars of the American League and National League , the two leagues comprising Major League Baseball. The game was held on July 11, 1939 at Yankee Stadium in The Bronx, New York City, the home...
- Dolph CamilliDolph CamilliAdolph Louis Camilli was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies and Brooklyn Dodgers. He was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in after leading the league in home runs and runs batted in as the Dodgers won the...
reserve - Cookie LavagettoCookie LavagettoHarry Arthur "Cookie" Lavagetto was a third baseman, manager and coach in American Major League Baseball. He is most widely known as the pinch hitter whose double ruined Bill Bevens' no-hitter in Game 4 of the 1947 World Series and gave his Brooklyn Dodgers a breathtaking victory over the New...
reserve - Babe PhelpsBabe PhelpsErnest Gordon Phelps born in Odenton, Maryland, United States was a Catcher for the Washington Senators , Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates...
reserve - Whit WyattWhit WyattJohn Whitlow Wyatt was a starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Detroit Tigers , Chicago White Sox , Cleveland Indians , Brooklyn Dodgers , and Philadelphia Phillies...
reserve
- Dolph Camilli
- TSN Manager of the Year AwardThe Sporting News Manager of the Year AwardThe Sporting News Manager of the Year Award was established in 1936 by The Sporting News and was given annually to one manager in Major League Baseball...
- Leo DurocherLeo DurocherLeo Ernest Durocher , nicknamed Leo the Lip, was an American infielder and manager in Major League Baseball. Upon his retirement, he ranked fifth all-time among managers with 2,009 career victories, second only to John McGraw in National League history. Durocher still ranks tenth in career wins by...
- Leo Durocher
- TSN Major League Executive of the Year Award
- Larry MacPhailLarry MacPhailLeland Stanford "Larry" MacPhail, Sr. was an American lawyer, and an executive and innovator in Major League Baseball.-Biography:...
- Larry MacPhail
League top five finishers
Dolph CamilliDolph Camilli
Adolph Louis Camilli was an American first baseman in Major League Baseball who spent most of his career with the Philadelphia Phillies and Brooklyn Dodgers. He was named the National League's Most Valuable Player in after leading the league in home runs and runs batted in as the Dodgers won the...
- #3 in NL in home runs (26)
- #4 in NL in runs batted in (104)
- #4 in NL in runs scored (105)
- #4 in NL in on-base percentage (.409)
- #4 in NL in slugging percentage (.524)
Hugh Casey
Hugh Casey
Hugh Thomas "Fireman" Casey was a Major League Baseball pitcher. He played for the Chicago Cubs , the Brooklyn Dodgers , the Pittsburgh Pirates , and the New York Yankees ....
- #4 in NL in earned run average (2.93)
Luke Hamlin
Luke Hamlin
Luke Daniel Hamlin , nicknamed "Hot Potato," was a right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball for 9 years with the Detroit Tigers , Brooklyn Dodgers , Pittsburgh Pirates , and Philadelphia Athletics .Born in Ferris Center, Michigan, Hamlin won the nickname "Hot Potato" because of his tendency to...
- #4 in NL in wins (20)
Cookie Lavagetto
Cookie Lavagetto
Harry Arthur "Cookie" Lavagetto was a third baseman, manager and coach in American Major League Baseball. He is most widely known as the pinch hitter whose double ruined Bill Bevens' no-hitter in Game 4 of the 1947 World Series and gave his Brooklyn Dodgers a breathtaking victory over the New...
- #4 in NL in stolen bases (14)
