Year In Review : 1935 American League

Off the field...

American political leader Huey Long was assassinated in Louisiana. Known as "The Kingfish", Long narrowly defeated for governor of Louisiana in 1924 and moved into office four years later. When the state legislature obstructed his program of economic and social reform, he established control of the state through extensive use of patronage. Long was responsible for the building of badly needed roads and bridges, the expansion of state-owned hospitals, and the extension of the school system into remote rural regions. He also increased the taxes of large businesses in Louisiana, especially those of the big oil companies. In September, he was assassinated by Dr. Carl A. Weiss, who was also slain by Long's bodyguards. Despite his untimely death, Long's administration continued to prosper for several years and the Long family remained an important political power in the state.

In the American League...

Jo-Jo White of the Detroit Tigers and Lou Gehrig of the New York Yankees both tied an American League record after tallying five walks each in a single game.

The Cleveland Indians set a new American League marathon mark (forty-one innings) on April 21^st after playing in their third consecutive overtime game: fourteen innings against the St. Louis Browns and twenty-four and thirteen innings against the Detroit Tigers.

On August 31^st, Chicago White Sox ace Vern Kennedy tossed the first no-hitter (5-0) ever at Comiskey Park as well as the first no-no in Major League Baseball since 1931.

In the National League...

Blondy Ryan of the Philadelphia Phillies tied a Major League record (for an individual) on April 21^st after turning five separate double plays against the New York Giants. After collectively adding a sixth, the Phillies themselves tied the National League record (for a team) with six double plays.

Cincinnati Reds catcher Ernie Lombardi tied the Major League record for most consecutive doubles after hitting four straight (off of four different pitchers) en route to a 15-4 victory over the Philadelphia Phillies on May 8^th.

Pittsburgh Pirates centerfielder Lloyd Waner set a still-standing Major League record with eighteen put outs during a doubleheader sweep against the Boston Braves on June 26^th.

Around the league...

Babe Ruth, who was recently released by the New York Yankees, signed a short-term contract with the National League's Boston Braves that included $20,000 and a substantial share in the team's profits.

The Cincinnati Reds hosted the Philadelphia Phillies for the first ever night game on May 24^th. Under the lights, the home team prevailed 2-1 before a Crosley Field crowd of 24,422.

On May 25^th, Babe Ruth hit the last three homeruns of his career (712, 713, 714) during an 11-7 loss to the Pittsburgh Pirates at Forbes Field. "The Sultan", who had a previously boasted a three-homer game in the American League (May 21, 1930), became the first Major League player ever to turn a "hat trick" in both leagues.

In November, the National League temporarily assumed control over the bankrupt Boston Braves after several failed attempts to sell the club. Finishing the season with one-hundred fifteen losses, (a record that remained until the 1962 expansion New York Mets lost one-hundred twenty) the fledgling franchise had barely managed a winning percentage of .248, which remained a twentieth century low.