RetroSeasons recaps past sports seasons through stories, photos, videos, and stats from every team, league, and stadium in history. Coverage includes the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL, as well as vintage media from defunct teams and leagues.
The 1920 Major League Baseball season was contested from April 14 to October 12, 1920. The Brooklyn Robins and Cleveland Indians were the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The Indians then defeated the Robins in the World Series, five games to two.
This was the first season to be presided over by the newly created office of Commissioner of Baseball. In the wake of the Black Sox scandal, the credibility of baseball had been tarnished with the public and fans and the owners of the teams clamored for credibility to be restored. A three-person National Commission ran the major and minor leagues—composed of the American League President, National League President, and one team owner—but the owners felt that creating one position with near-unlimited authority was the answer.
Each team had a 154-game regular season schedule, consisting of 22 games against the seven other teams in the same league. That scheduling had been used since 1904, except for 1919, and would be used until 1961 in the American League and 1962 in the National League.
On September 20, 1934, the New York Yankees faced off against the Detroit Tigers at Navin Field in Detroit. With the season nearing its end, both teams had different trajectories. The Yankees, who were out of pennant contention, still had star power with players like Lou Gehrig, while the Tigers were fighting for the American League pennant, led by Hank Greenberg and Charlie Gehringer. Starting on the mound for the Yankees was Johnny Broaca, while Detroit's Fred Marberry took the ball for the Tigers. As Detroit aimed to maintain their lead in the standings, this game carried significant weight for their postseason ambitions.
The game saw an explosive start, with the Yankees jumping ahead early, scoring two runs in the first and adding a six-run third inning, capitalizing on a mix of hits and Tigers errors. Detroit struggled to keep pace despite a late surge, including Goose Goslin’s two-run homer in the seventh inning. Key Yankees hitters like George Selkirk and Red Rolfe kept the pressure on Detroit’s pitching staff, who couldn’t contain New York's offense. While Broaca wasn't flawless on the mound, he managed to limit the damage from a Tigers lineup that had multiple scoring chances throughout the game.
New York emerged victorious with an 11-7 win, thanks to consistent hitting and capitalizing on Detroit’s defensive mistakes. While the Tigers would go on to win the American League pennant, this loss was a stumble in their otherwise successful campaign. The Yankees, meanwhile, ended their season on a high note with individual performances from players like Selkirk and Rolfe, although they would finish far from the top of the standings. Hank Greenberg and Goose Goslin, both critical to Detroit’s pennant run, would continue to be key players in the Tigers' push to the World Series.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Hall of Fame Infielder Joe Sewell / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Outfielder Bibb Falk / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Hall of Fame Pitcher Jesse Haines / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Hall of Fame Pitcher Waite Hoyt / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Baseball Player Charlie Grimm / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Baseball Player Louis Guisto / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Hall of Fame Pitcher Stan Coveleski / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Infielder Eddie Sicking / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.
In this engaging audio clip from August 16, 1955, Mel Allen, a renowned American sportscaster,...
The Legend of Babe Ruth Biography / In this engaging audio clip from August 16, 1955, Mel Allen, a renowned American sportscaster, famously known for his work with the New York Yankees, conducts a captivating radio interview focused on the enduring legacy of Babe Ruth, one of baseball's most legendary figures. At this point in history, Allen's career as the "Voice of the Yankees" was in full swing, making him a household name among baseball fans, while Babe Ruth, who had passed away in 1948, remained an iconic symbol of the sport's rich history. This interview offers a unique glimpse into Ruth's monumental impact on baseball, through the lens of one of the most influential sportscasters of the time, providing listeners with not only a reflection on Ruth's achievements but also on how his legend continued to inspire and shape the narrative of baseball.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Hall of Fame Pitcher Red Faber / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Infielder Larry Kopf / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Outfielder Elmer Smith / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Baseball Pitcher Bob Shawkey / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Baseball Pitcher Ernie Shore / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Hall of Fame Pitcher Rube Marquard / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.
Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s.
Interview with Baseball Player Smoky Joe Wood / Historian Eugene C. Murdock interviewed several former baseball players that had been active in baseball in the 1920s and 1930s. Murdock was chairman of the history department at Marietta College. The interviews were not professionally recorded, and the audio quality is variable.
The great Ty Cobb is interviewed by Leo Cloutier for WGIR Radio
in Manchester, on the...
Ty Cobb interviewed by Leo Cloutier in 1958 in Manchester NH / The great Ty Cobb is interviewed by Leo Cloutier for WGIR Radio
in Manchester, on the morning after the 1958 Baseball Dinner in which Ty Cobb was a guest of honor.
1 Comment
I sincerely appreciate the research work, and the information being shared. It is important and interesting history.
I sincerely appreciate the research work, and the information being shared. It is important and interesting history.