1940 Baseball Season Highlights

The 1940 baseball season was filled with incredible highs and tragic lows. Opening Day 1940 was the only Opening Day no-hitter in American League history, the Cincinnati Reds won the 1940 World Series, and Willard Hershberger succumbed to pennant-race pressure by committing suicide.

Find the highlights from the 1940 baseball season below.

  • Detroit Tigers temporarily break the Yankee dynasty and cop the American League flag.
  • Cincinnati Reds score second straight National League flag.
  • The Reds win their first untainted World Championship in seven games.
  • Bucky Walters and Paul Derringer both collect two CG wins for the Reds in the 1940 World Series.
  • Forty-year-old catcher Jimmy Wilson, playing for injured Ernie Lombardi, is unlikely 1940 World Series hero, hitting .353.
  • Sub outfielder Jimmy Ripple hits .333 with six RBI for Reds in 1949 World Series.
  • The Reds win the National League flag by 12 games, the largest margin in the National League since 1931.
  • Frank McCormick is National League MVP -- the third-different Red in three years to win award.
  • Joe DiMaggio takes second-consecutive American League bat crown as he collects a .352 BA.
  • Bob Feller pitches the only American League Opening Day no-hitter on April 16 vs. Chicago.
  • Johnny Mize was also known as
    Johnny Mize was also
    known as "The Big Cat."
    Brooklyn's Tex Carleton no-hits Cincinnati on April 30.
  • Johnny Mize tops the National League in RBI (137) and homers (43).
  • Feller's 27 wins top majors.
  • Tigers win pennant by edging Cleveland by 1 game and New York by 2 games.
  • Indians nicknamed "The Cry Babies" when they go to club owner Alva Bradley and demand he fire manager Ossie Vitt.
  • Alva Bradley retains Ossie Vitt as manager.
  • On Sept. 27, Detroit no-name Floyd Giebell beats Cleveland's Feller 2-0 to clinch flag.
  • Feller's 261 Ks are the most by any pitcher in major league since 1924.
  • Greenberg tops the American League in homers (41) and RBI (150).
  • After the season, Greenberg becomes first major leaguer to enlist in the armed services in preparation for World War II.
  • Cub Stan Hack tops the National League in BA at .317, the lowest in National League history to this juncture by leader.
  • The National League wins the All-Star Game by a score of 4-0 at St. Louis.
  • The National League also beats the American League 2-1 in an impromptu All-Star Game on St. Patrick's Day for the benefit of Finnish Relief Fund.
See our final section for more highlights from the 1940 baseball season.

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