Was 1941 the Greatest Year in Baseball History?

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“Baseball in 1941” Photo Gallery
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Was 1941 the Greatest Year in Baseball History? 

Here’s a streak from 1941 you probably aren’t aware of! And no, I’m not talking about DiMaggio!

The 1941 baseball season is considered by many baseball historians to be one of the greatest ever. As we all know this was the year of Joe DiMaggio’s 56-game hitting streak. It was also the year of Ted Williams’ .406 average, the last time a player hit over .400. In addition, the Dodgers won their first pennant since 1920, and faced the Yankees in the Fall Classic.

But there was another memorable steak that year that often gets overlooked. Seventy-seven years ago this month, June 1, 1941, a largely forgotten Yankee player named Johnny Sturm hit a home run, his first in the majors, and one of only three he hit in his one year career. It was an eighth inning two-run blast into the right field stands at Cleveland Municipal Stadium, breaking a 1-1 deadlock.

Who would have thought it was the start of a recording-setting consecutive 24-game home run streak that would stand for 53 years? From June 1 to June 29, 1941, the Yankees homered in every game. The streak had New York fans buzzing…until it was overtaken by DiMaggio’s exciting and historic run. 

In the featured photo above, we see first baseman Johnny Sturm (L) with Yankee infield teammates Joe Gordon (2B), Phil Rizzuto (S), and Red Rolfe (3B).

It wasn’t until 1994 that the record would be broken when the Tigers homered in 25 straight games. The current record is held by the 2002 Rangers with homers in 27 consecutive games.

In an otherwise unremarkable career, Johnny Sturm hit .239, with three home runs, and 36 RBI. He was the player who replaced Babe Dahlgren at first base, after Dahlgren had replaced Lou Gehrig. Sturm hit .286 in the 1941 World Series.

Here’s a few other notable events from the 1941 baseball world:

May 15, 1941: In a game against the Chicago White Sox, Joe DiMaggio began his major league record 56 game hitting streak with a hit off Sox pitcher Eddie Smith

January 21 – Bob Feller signs with the Indians for a reported $30,000.

February 25 – Days after the start of spring training‚ the New York Yankees sell Babe Dahlgren‚ the man who took over first base from Lou Gehrig in 1939‚ to the Boston Braves.

June 1 – Johnny Sturm hits a home run to start a consecutive game home run streak of 24 games.

June 1 – Mel Ott’s two run homer, the 400th of his career and his 1,500th RBI, gives the New York Giants a 3-2 win over the Cincinnati Reds

July 16 – Joe DiMaggio’s hitting streak ends at 56 games against the Cleveland Indians.

July 25 – Lefty Grove of the Boston Red Sox earns his 300th career win, which is also his last

September 17 – 20 year old Stan Musial makes his major league debut with the St. Louis Cardinals

September 28 – Entering the last day of the season, Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox was hitting .3995, which would have been good for a .400 average. Williams decided to play in both games of a double-header to make it completely legitimate. He went 6 for 8 in the two games to leave his average at .406.

October 6 – The New York Yankees defeat the Brooklyn Dodgers, 3-1, in Game 5 of the World Series to win fifth title in six years, and their ninth overall, four games to one. This is the World Series made memorable by the Mickey Owen passed ball.

November 27 – in a controversial vote, Joe DiMaggio is named American League MVP over Ted Williams.

Gary Livacari

Photo Credits: All from Google search

Information: Excerpts edited from the 1941 Baseball Season Wikipedia page.

Check out my two books, both now available on Amazon in e-book and paperback:  “Paul Pryor in His Own Words: The Life and TImes of a 20-Year Major League Umpire” and “Memorable World Series Moments.” All profits go to the Illinois Veterans Foundation