1940 Brooklyn Dodgers season
Encyclopedia
The Brooklyn Dodgers
finished the season in second place. It was their best finish in 16 years.
Whit Wyatt
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...
finished the season in second place. It was their best finish in 16 years.
Offseason
- December 8, 1939: 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....
was traded by the Dodgers to 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...
for Gus MancusoGus MancusoAugust Rodney Mancuso , nicknamed "Blackie", was a professional baseball player, coach, scout and radio sports commentator. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball with the St. Louis Cardinals , New York Giants , Chicago Cubs , Brooklyn Dodgers and Philadelphia Phillies...
and Newt KimballNewt KimballNewell W. Kimball was an American right-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball.Born in Logan, Utah, Kimball was signed by the Chicago Cubs in 1934, winning twenty games for their Class C Ponca City, Oklahoma affiliate as a nineteen-year-old...
. - December 26, 1939: Boze BergerBoze BergerLouis William "Boze" Berger was an infielder who played for the Cleveland Indians , Chicago White Sox and Boston Red Sox...
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"...
. - February 6, 1940: Herman FranksHerman FranksHerman Louis Franks was a catcher, coach, manager, general manager and scout in American Major League Baseball. He was born in Price, Utah.-Catcher with Cardinals, Dodgers and A's:...
was purchased by the Dodgers from 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...
. - February 12, 1940: Joe VosmikJoe VosmikJoseph Franklin Vosmik born in Cleveland, Ohio was an Outfielder for the Cleveland Indians , St. Louis Browns , Boston Red Sox , Brooklyn Dodgers and Washington Senators . He helped the Dodgers win the 1941 National League Pennant.He was voted to the 1935 American League All-Star Team as a Right...
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"...
. - Prior to 1940 season: Wally WestlakeWally WestlakeWaldon Thomas Westlake was a utility player who had a ten-year career from 1947 to 1956. Born in Gridley, California, he played for the Pittsburgh Pirates, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds and Philadelphia Phillies of the National League, and the Cleveland Indians and Baltimore Orioles of the...
was signed as an amateur free agent by the Dodgers.
Notable transactions
- April 3, 1940: Jim WinfordJim WinfordJames Head Winford , was a former professional baseball player who pitched in the Major Leagues from 1932-1938 for the St. Louis Cardinals and the Brooklyn Dodgers....
was purchased from the Dodgers by 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...
. - April 11, 1940: Tony GiulianiTony GiulianiAngelo John Giuliani was an American catcher in Major League Baseball from 1936-1943. Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, he died there at age 91. He attended Saint Thomas Military Academy and has been selected to its Athletic Hall of Fame.-External links:...
was purchased by the Dodgers from the Washington SenatorsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. - April 11, 1940: 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 from the Dodgers by the Washington SenatorsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. - April 28, 1940: Roy HughesRoy Hughes (baseball)Roy Hughes , is a former professional baseball player who played second base in the Major Leagues from 1935-46.-Teams:* Cleveland Indians 1935-37* St. Louis Browns 1938-39...
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...
. - May 14, 1940: Goody Rosen was purchased from the Dodgers by the Pittsburgh PiratesPittsburgh PiratesThe Pittsburgh Pirates are a Major League Baseball club based in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. They play in the Central Division of the National League, and are five-time World Series Champions...
. - May 25, 1940: Jimmy WasdellJimmy WasdellJames Charles Wasdell born in Cleveland, Ohio was an Outfielder and First Baseman for the Washington Senators , Brooklyn Dodgers , Pittsburgh Pirates , Philadelphia Phillies and Cleveland Indians .He helped the Dodgers win the 1941 National League Pennant.In 11 seasons he played in 888 Games and...
was purchased by the Dodgers from the Washington SenatorsMinnesota TwinsThe Minnesota Twins are a professional baseball team based in Minneapolis, Minnesota. They play in the Central Division of Major League Baseball's American League. The team is named after the Twin Cities area of Minneapolis and St. Paul. They played in Metropolitan Stadium from 1961 to 1981 and the...
. - May 27, 1940: Roy CullenbineRoy CullenbineRoy Joseph Cullenbine was a Major League Baseball outfielder and first baseman. He played ten years in the Major Leagues for six teams: Detroit Tigers , Brooklyn Dodgers , St...
was traded by the Dodgers to 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...
for Joe GallagherJoe Gallagher (baseball)Joseph Emmett Gallagher , nicknamed "Muscles," was an American left and right fielder in Major League Baseball during the and baseball seasons....
. - May 29, 1940: Gene Moore was purchased from the Dodgers by 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....
. - June 12, 1940: Ernie KoyErnie KoyErnest Anyz Koy , nicknamed "Chief," was an American left fielder in Major League Baseball who played for four National League teams from 1938 - 1942. He was born in Sealy, Texas and was of American Indian ancestry. He attended the University of Texas at Austin and played with the Longhorns...
, Carl DoyleCarl DoyleWilliam Carl Doyle was a pitcher in Major League Baseball from 1935-1940.-External links:...
, Sam NahemSam NahemSamuel Ralph "Subway Sam" Nahem born in New York, New York was a pitcher for the Brooklyn Dodgers , St...
, Bert HaasBert HaasBerthold John Haas , is a former professional baseball player who played first base in the Major Leagues from 1933-1951. He played for the Cincinnati Reds, New York Giants, Brooklyn Dodgers, Chicago White Sox, and Philadelphia Phillies. In 1947, Haas was selected as a National League...
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 Joe MedwickJoe MedwickJoseph Michael Medwick , nicknamed "Ducky", was an American Major League Baseball player. A left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals during the "Gashouse Gang" era of the 1930s, he also played for the Brooklyn Dodgers , New York Giants , and Boston Braves...
and Curt DavisCurt DavisCurtis Benton Davis was a Major League Baseball pitcher. On October 2, 1933 he was drafted by the Philadelphia Phillies from the Pacific Coast League San Francisco Seals in the 1933 rule V draft. He played for the Phillies , Chicago Cubs , St. Louis Cardinals , and Brooklyn Dodgers...
. - June 13, 1940: 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....
was purchased from the Dodgers by 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...
. - July 30, 1940: Tuck StainbackTuck StainbackGeorge Tucker "Tuck" Stainback was a Major League Baseball outfielder for 13 seasons with the Chicago Cubs , St. Louis Cardinals , Philadelphia Phillies , Brooklyn Dodgers , Detroit Tigers , New York Yankees , and Philadelphia Athletics...
was purchased from the Dodgers by the Detroit TigersDetroit TigersThe Detroit Tigers are a Major League Baseball team located in Detroit, Michigan. One of the American League's eight charter franchises, the club was founded in Detroit in as part of the Western League. The Tigers have won four World Series championships and have won the American League pennant...
. - August 2, 1940: Wes FlowersWes FlowersCharles Wesley Flowers was a knuckleball pitcher in Major League Baseball, appearing in 14 games for the Brooklyn Dodgers during the 1940 and 1944 seasons.He served in the Navy during World War II.-External links:...
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 23, 1940: 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...
was selected off waivers from the Dodgers by the Cincinnati RedsCincinnati RedsThe Cincinnati Reds are a Major League Baseball team based in Cincinnati, Ohio. They are members of the National League Central Division. The club was established in 1882 as a charter member of the American Association and joined the National League in 1890....
.
Roster
| 1940 Brooklyn Dodgers | |||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Roster | |||||||||
| Pitchers |
Catchers Infielders |
Outfielders |
Manager Coaches |
||||||
Starters by position
Note: Pos = Position; G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = runs; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Pos | Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| C | 118 | 370 | 40 | 109 | .295 | 13 | 61 | 2 | |
| 1B | 142 | 512 | 92 | 147 | .287 | 23 | 96 | 9 | |
| 2B | 143 | 506 | 55 | 120 | .237 | 9 | 58 | 5 | |
| 3B | 118 | 448 | 56 | 115 | .257 | 4 | 43 | 4 | |
| SS | |||||||||
| OF | |||||||||
| OF | |||||||||
| OF | 116 | 404 | 45 | 114 | .282 | 1 | 42 | 0 |
Other batters
Note: G = Games played; AB = At bats; R = runs; H = Hits; Avg. = Batting average; HR = Home runs; RBI = Runs batted in; SB = Stolen bases| Player | G | AB | R | H | Avg. | HR | RBI | SB |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 60 | 144 | 16 | 33 | .229 | 0 | 16 | 0 | |
| 65 | 131 | 11 | 24 | .183 | 1 | 14 | 2 | |
| 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | .000 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Starting pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; CG = Complete games; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Bases on balls; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | GS | CG | IP | W | L | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 22 | 18 | 9 | 137 | 8 | 7 | 3.81 | 19 | 46 | |
Other pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; GS = Games started; CG = Complete games; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Bases on balls; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | GS | CG | IP | W | L | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 44 | 10 | 5 | 154 | 11 | 8 | 3.62 | 51 | 53 | |
| 34 | 17 | 4 | 149 | 6 | 6 | 3.81 | 47 | 88 | |
Relief pitchers
Note: G = Games pitched; IP = Innings pitched; W = Wins; L = Losses; SV = Saves; ERA = Earned run average; BB = Bases on balls; SO = Strikeouts| Player | G | IP | W | L | SV | ERA | BB | SO |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 21 | 33.2 | 3 | 1 | 1 | 3.21 | 15 | 21 | |
| 1 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 6.75 | 4 | 4 | |
Awards and honors
- 1940 Major League Baseball All-Star Game1940 Major League Baseball All-Star GameThe 1940 Major League Baseball All-Star Game was the 8th 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 9, 1940 at Sportsman's Park in St. Louis, Missouri, the home of...
- 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...
starter - Joe MedwickJoe MedwickJoseph Michael Medwick , nicknamed "Ducky", was an American Major League Baseball player. A left fielder for the St. Louis Cardinals during the "Gashouse Gang" era of the 1930s, he also played for the Brooklyn Dodgers , New York Giants , and Boston Braves...
starter - 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...
reserve - Pete CoscarartPete CoscarartPeter Joseph Coscarart was a second baseman/shortstop in Major League Baseball who played for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Pittsburgh Pirates . Coscarart batted and threw right-handed. He was born in Escondido, California...
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
- Cookie Lavagetto
League top ten 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 slugging percentage (.529)
- #3 in NL in bases on balls (89)
- #4 in NL in home runs (23)
- #4 in NL in on-base percentage (.397)
Whit Wyatt
Whit Wyatt
John 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...
- #2 in NL in strikeouts (124)
