Baseball in 1949: The Last Day of the Season

In 1949, the Yankees chalked up their 12th world championship out of 16 post-season series total, by defeating the Dodgers, four games to one.

The top player deal in 1949 transferred pitcher Murry Dickson from the Cardinals to the Pirates for $125,000. The Dodgers brought up pitcher Don Newcombe from their farm at Montreal, on May 15, and the right-hander immediately became one of the aces of Manager Burt Shotton’s staff.

The Boston Red Sox also sought to strengthen their hill staff by trading pitcher Mickey Harris and outfielder Sam Mele to the Washington Senators for hurler Walter Masterson.

After more than two months on the side lines because of an injured heel, Joe DiMaggio made his 1949 debut at Boston, on June 28. In his first game. the Yankee Clipper smashed a two-run homer leading to a 5-4 victory.

The next day he crushed two more round-trippers, one with two on, to highlight a 9-7 victory. On the third day from his return he smacked a three-run homer en route to a 6-3 win.

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In what were probably the most dramatic races in big league history, the New York Yankees and Brooklyn Dodgers captured the American and National League championships, respectively. Each pennant was decided on the closing day of the season with the Yankees defeating the Boston Red Sox, 5-3, to edge out Joe McCarthy’s club by one game.

The Dodgers defeated the Phillies, 9-7, to protect their one-game margin over the St. Louis Cardinals, who beat the Chicago Cubs to keep it suspenseful.

Ted Williams’ bid to win the triple crown was thwarted on the final day of the season when George Kell, Detroit third baseman, passed up the Boston outfielder, posting a mark of .3429 to Ted’s .3427. Yep, that’s .0002 percentage points.

Williams won the HR crown with 43, and tied for RBI with teammate Vern Stephens with 159.

Jackie Robinson won the MVP award and the NL batting title with .342, beating Stan Musial, who finished with .339.

1949 MLB Standings

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