Bill Veeck attempted to purchase the Phillies in late 1943. Veeck's plan was to sign players from the Negro leagues to make the Phillies competitive.[1]
The organization held a fan contest prior to the 1944 season to solicit a second nickname for the Phillies. Fans voted on Blue Jays and Elizabeth Crooks designed a logo of a blue jay perched on the Phillies word mark.[2][3]
Regular seasonedit
The Phillies got off to a 12–6 start, and on May 13 were 1.5 games out of first place. However, it was all downhill from there, as they finished with yet another losing season.
^[a]The second game on April 30, 1944, ended due to the Pennsylvania Sunday curfew after nine innings with the score tied 2–2,[7][66][67] and an additional game was played on June 13.
^[b]The game on May 16, 1944, was suspended (mutual consent between managers[68][69] to allow the Phillies to catch a train to Cincinnati[10]) after seven innings with the score 6–4 and was completed June 28 with different umpires.[9][70][71]
^[c]The second game on May 21, 1944, was suspended (Sunday curfew[72]) after eight innings with the score 9–4[73][74] and was completed July 5.[9][75][76]
^[d]The original schedule indicated single games on June 12, 14, and 15 with Boston; the June 12 game was moved to June 13 (originally an off-day) and combined with a makeup game (due to the April 30 tie game).[9][77]
^[e]The original schedule indicated single games on June 19, 20, 21, and 22 at Boston; the June 19 game was moved to June 21 (as a double-header) and ultimately to June 22 (as a double-header).[77]
^[f]The second game on July 16, 1944, was suspended (Sunday curfew[78]) after eight innings with the score 3–6[79][80] and was completed September 15.[81][82]
^[g]The original schedule indicated a single games on July 27 and 28 with St. Louis;[77] it was moved to July 27 (as a double-header).
^[h]Contemporary newspaper accounts indicate that the Phillies finished the August 4 game under protest.[83][84] Neither Baseball-Reference[85] nor Retrosheet[86] indicates an official protest.
^[i]The original schedule indicated a single game on September 9 with Brooklyn; it was moved to September 8 (originally an off-day).[77]
^[j]The original schedule indicated a single games on September 28, 29, 30, and October 1 with Pittsburgh;[77] variations included double-headers on September 28 and October 1 (with off days in between).[87] The schedule was revised for single games on September 29 and 30 with a double-header on October 1.[77]
^Opening Day: The Story of Jackie Robinson's First Season, p. 181, Jonathan Eig, Simon & Schuster, 2007, New York, ISBN 978-0-7432-9461-4
^"Phillies will be known as Blue Jays, but don't look it up". Lewiston Morning Tribune. (Idaho). Associated Press. March 5, 1944. p. 9.
^"Blue Jays Already Creating Squawks". The Sporting News. March 16, 1944. Archived from the original on December 17, 2013. Retrieved August 15, 2014.
^"1944 Philadelphia Phillies Schedule, Box Scores and Splits". Baseball-Reference.com.
^"Baseball". The Windsor Daily Star. Windsor, ON. April 22, 1944. p. 3 (Section 3). Retrieved November 23, 2018.
^"Major League Standings". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. April 28, 1944. p. 18. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
^ ab"Phils Beat Braves, 2-1, Then Tie, 2-2: Capture Opener In 14 Innings; Curfew Halts Second". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Associated Press (AP). May 1, 1944. p. 16. Retrieved November 26, 2018. [T]he second game ... was called at the end of the ninth because of a city [sic] curfew.
^ ab"Majors at a Glance". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. May 8, 1944. p. 18. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
^ abcde"Tie Play-Off Dates Announced By Senior Loop". Meriden Record. Meriden, CT. Associated Press (AP). June 7, 1944. p. 10. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
^ ab"Phils Lead Cards When Play Stops". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Associated Press (AP). May 17, 1944. p. 12. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
^"Baseball in a Nutshell". Milwaukee Sentinel. Milwaukee, WI. May 26, 1944. p. 3 (Part 2). Retrieved December 3, 2018.
^"Baseball in a Nutshell". Milwaukee Sentinel. Milwaukee, WI. May 28, 1944. p. 3 (Section B). Retrieved December 5, 2018.
^Balinger, Ed. F. (May 29, 1944). "Pirates, Phils Divide Sunday Twin Bill: Sewell Shuts Out Jays, 6-0; Mates Then Bow, 8-2: Rip Captures Sixth; Jays Hit Strincevich Hard in Second". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. p. 14. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
^Balinger, Ed. F. (May 30, 1944). "Pirates Defeat Phils in 11th, 3 to 2: O'Brien Hits Triple To Help Decide: Dahlgren's Fly Brings in Run; Raffensberger Strikes Out 13". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. p. 16. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
^"Reds Win Twin Bill: Down Phillies, 4-3, in Opener and 7-4 in Nightcap". The Gazette. Montreal, QC. Associated Press (AP). May 31, 1944. pp. 14–15. Retrieved December 6, 2018.
^"Cards Swamp Phillies: 20,339 See St. Louis Rack Up 9-3 Victory". The Gazette. Montreal, QC. Associated Press (AP). June 3, 1944. p. 16. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
^"Cards Again". St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, FL. June 4, 1944. p. 21. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
^"Lee Checks Cards, 1-0, On Two Hits: Gives Blue Jays Split in Bill After Redbirds Win First, 4-2". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Associated Press (AP). June 5, 1944. p. 14. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
^"Major League Summaries". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. June 7, 1944. p. 14. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
^"Sports Programs Suspended by D-Day: Ball Games, Horse Races, Fights Off: Athletic World Pauses to Pray For Safety Of Fighting Men". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. June 7, 1944. p. 14. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
^Boyle, Havey J. (June 7, 1944). "Mirrors of Sport: Baseball Does the Right Thing". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. p. 14. Retrieved November 27, 2018.
^"Baseball". The Windsor Daily Star. Windsor, ON. June 12, 1944. p. 2 (Section 2). Retrieved November 26, 2018.
^"Baseball Results". The Southeast Missourian. Cape Girardeau, MO. June 12, 1944. p. 5. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
^"Major League Standings". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. June 15, 1944. p. 14. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
^"Dodger Top Phils, 5 to 4, Melton Fails to Last But Received Credit". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Associated Press (AP). June 17, 1944. p. 7. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
^"10-Inning Game Won By Single: Cubs Beat Reds 2-1; Phils Lose Close One: Wyatt Wins First". The Spokesman-Review. Spokane, WA. Associated Press (AP). June 18, 1944. p. 1 (Part 2). Retrieved November 24, 2018.
^"Dodgers Top Jays, 7-3, Then Are Beaten 6-2: Ed Head Victor In Opener; McLish Bows". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Associated Press (AP). June 19, 1944. p. 16. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
^"Baseball". The Windsor Daily Star. Windsor, ON. June 21, 1944. p. 3 (Section 2). Retrieved November 24, 2018.
^ ab"Major League Summaries". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. June 22, 1944. p. 12. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
^"The Majors". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. July 14, 1944. p. 26. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
^Annabel, Russell (July 16, 1944). "Detroit Splits With Sox; City Loop In Full Swing: Yanks Nearing Top-Spot Browns: Lupien Gets Homer". Eugene Register-Guard. Eugene, OR. Associated Press (AP). p. 10. Retrieved November 25, 2018.
^"Box Scores of Games in Major Leagues". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. July 17, 1944. p. 15. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
^Balinger, Ed. F. (July 21, 1944). "Bucs Beat Phils, 4 to 1; Lose, 3 to 2: Jays Cop Second in 11th After Starr Defeats Them: Ray Effective In Morning; Rescigno Fails In Relief Role". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. p. 14. Retrieved December 5, 2018.
^"Reds Split 2 With Phillies". Milwaukee Sentinel. Milwaukee, WI. Associated Press (AP). July 24, 1944. p. 4 (Section 2). Retrieved December 22, 2018.
^"Baseball Review—Indians, with Bagby, Seem Like Good Pennant Threat". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. United Press (UP). July 25, 1944. p. 18. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
^"Al Jurisich, Cards Blank Phillies, 9-0: Walker Cooper And Musial Clout Two-Run Homers In Night Game". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Associated Press (AP). July 26, 1944. p. 12. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
^"Cardinals Sweep Phillies, 8-7, 5-0: Cooper Gains 5th Shutout In Nightcap: Victory Is 13th For St. Louis Star; Three Hurlers Chased In First Game". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Associated Press (AP). June 28, 1944. p. 14. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
^ ab"Passing of an Era—Cooper-Wyatt Duel No Longer Packs Crowds". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. United Press (UP). August 2, 1944. p. 21. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
^ ab"Major Leagues". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. August 3, 1944. p. 12. Retrieved December 4, 2018.
^"Bucs - Phils' Tilt Postponed". The Gazette. Montreal, QC. Associated Press (AP). August 17, 1944. p. 12. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
^Balinger, Ed. F. (August 17, 1944). "Rain Stops Buc Phil Game in Third: Jays Leading, 2-0, When Play Ceases; Doubleheader Today". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. p. 12. Retrieved December 16, 2018.
^"Boxscores of Games Played in Major Leagues". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. August 28, 1944. p. 17. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
^"Braves Top Phils, 7-4, 3-2: Double Victory Gives Boston Sixth Place". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Associated Press (AP). September 2, 1944. p. 7. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
^"Braves Beat Phils, 2-1, in 13 Innings". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. United Press. September 3, 1944. p. 13. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
^"Phillies and Braves Divide Bargain Bill: Schanz 5-0 Victor After Tobin Take 2-1 Slab Duel". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Associated Press (AP). September 4, 1944. p. 14. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
^"Philly Rally Takes Second: Wallop Giants by 14-8 After Losing, 7-0". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Associated Press (AP). September 5, 1944. p. 13. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
^"Phils Best Bums In Cellar Fight". The Windsor Daily Star. Windsor, ON. September 8, 1944. p. 2 (Section 2). Retrieved December 8, 2018.
^"Dodgers Edge Phils, 4 to 3: Push Over Winning Tally in Ninth". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Associated Press (AP). September 9, 1944. p. 7. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
^"Phils Split With Dodgers: Brooklyn Wins, 8-4, Then Loses, 3-2". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Associated Press (AP). September 11, 1944. p. 15. Retrieved December 8, 2018.
^ ab"The Majors". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. September 13, 1944. p. 22. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
^ ab"The Majors". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. September 14, 1944. p. 22. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
^"The Majors". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. September 15, 1944. p. 36. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
^"Baseball Review—Four-Way Struggle For Pennant Resumes In American League". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. United Press (UP). September 15, 1944. p. 36. Retrieved December 24, 2018.
^"Phils Down Giants, 7-3: Raffensberger Victor Over Feldman". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Associated Press (AP). September 16, 1944. p. 7. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
^"Phils Win Double". St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, FL. September 17, 1944. p. 18. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
^"Phillies Win Twice: Defeat Giants, 7-0 and 5-4, in Twin Bill". The Gazette. Montreal, QC. Associated Press (AP). September 18, 1944. p. 16. Retrieved December 25, 2018.
^ ab"Major Leagues". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. September 20, 1944. p. 12. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
^"Major League Scores". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. September 21, 1944. p. 23. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
^"Reds Down Phils, 8-4, 5-3: Ray Mueller Catches 144th Consecutive Game". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Associated Press (AP). September 22, 1944. p. 14. Retrieved December 22, 2018.
^"Cards Defeat Phils". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. United Press (UP). September 24, 1944. p. 31. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
^"Cards Win Twice Over the Phillies: Cooper Takes Opener, 4-3, as Wilks Captures Nightcap, 1-0—Kurowski Homers". The Gazette. Montreal, QC. Associated Press (AP). September 25, 1944. p. 16. Retrieved December 23, 2018.
^"Bruins Sweep Philly Bargain: Capture Opener by 7-6, Grab Second, 4-1". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Associated Press (AP). September 26, 1944. p. 13. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
^"Lots of Runs Here". St. Petersburg Times. St. Petersburg, FL. September 27, 1944. p. 6. Retrieved December 30, 2018.
^"Curtain Comes Down—Rain Spoils Buc-Blue Jay Game; Doubleheader Today". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. October 1, 1944. p. 33. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
^Balinger, Ed. F. (October 2, 1944). "Bucs Take Second Place; Beat Phils 9-1, Lose, 7-1: Sewell Wins 21st In Opener; Davis Sets League Mark". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. p. 15. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
^"Phillies Take Edge: Beat Braves in Opener, 2-1—Nightcap Tied". The Gazette. Montreal, QC. Associated Press (AP). May 1, 1944. p. 21. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
^"Philadelphia Phillies 2, Boston Braves 2 (2)". retrosheet.org. April 30, 1944. Retrieved November 26, 2018. [G]ame called due to curfew[.]
^"Baseball Review—NL Rule Hits In Cards-Jays Shortened Tilt". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. United Press (UP). May 17, 1944. p. 22. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
^"Receipts To Go Into War Funds: Baseball Starts After Its Third $500,000 Goal Tonight: Yankees Play Browns: Important Series Between New York and St. Louis Nines". Daily Journal-World. Lawrence, KS. Associated Press (AP). June 28, 1944. p. 8. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
^Martin, Whitney (May 24, 1944). "Ford Frick Rules On What Constitutes A Ball Game". Meriden Record. Meriden, CT. Associated Press (AP). p. 5. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
^"Philadelphia Phillies 6, St. Louis Cardinals 5". retrosheet.org. May 16, 1944. Retrieved November 30, 2018.
^"Pirates Hold Edge: Win Opener from Phillies, 4-3—Nightcap Called". The Gazette. Montreal, QC. Associated Press (AP). May 22, 1944. pp. 16, 18. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
^Balinger, Ed. F. (May 22, 1944). "Pirates Win, 4-3; 2nd Game Called: Sunday Law Halts Nightcap in Eighth, Phils 9, Bucs 4: Butcher, in Relief Role, Beats Schanz In Opener to Widen Win Streak To Five; Visitors Hit Hard in Second". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. pp. 16–17. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
^"Detroit Grabs Spotlight By Winning 6th Straight: Sens Whipped Twice by Tigers; Yanks Beat Browns in 2 Games; Cards Split With Giants". Toledo Blade. Toledo, OH. Associated Press (AP). May 22, 1944. p. 18. Retrieved December 1, 2018.
^Hand, Jack (July 6, 1944). "All-Stars Shine In Big Leagues". Eugene Register-Guard. Eugene, OR. Associated Press (AP). p. 18. Retrieved December 2, 2018.
^"Philadelphia Phillies 9, Pittsburgh Pirates 4 (2)". retrosheet.org. May 21, 1944. Retrieved December 1, 2018. Game suspended at this point for Sunday law, completed on July 5[.]
^ abcdef"1944 Original Regular Season Schedules". retrosheet.org. Retrieved November 23, 2018.
^"Phillies Beat Giants, 6-2; Second Halted: New York Ahead By 6-3 Score When Umpire Stops Play". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Pittsburgh, PA. Associated Press (AP). July 17, 1944. p. 14. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
^"Curfew Halts Second Game In Double Bill". The Windsor Daily Star. Windsor, ON. July 17, 1944. p. 3 (Section 2). Retrieved November 24, 2018.
^"Phillies Lead Giants: Take Opener, 6-2, as Nightcap Called After Eighth". The Gazette. Montreal, QC. Associated Press (AP). July 17, 1944. p. 16. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
^"Giants, Phils Split: Raffensberger Winning Hurler, Feldman Is Loser". The Gazette. Montreal, QC. Associated Press (AP). September 16, 1944. p. 16. Retrieved November 24, 2018.
^"New York Giants 8, Philadelphia Phillies 3 (2)". retrosheet.org. July 16, 1944. Retrieved November 24, 2018. [G]ame called for curfew at 6:44 [p.m.], completed on 9/15 with same umpire crew[.]
^"Giants Win, 4-3, On Luby's Homer". Meriden Record. Meriden, CT. Associated Press (AP). August 5, 1944. p. 5. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
^Lundquist, Carl (August 5, 1944). "Fans New 'Cry Babies' At Cleveland as Tribe Pulls Familiar Foldup". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. United Press (UP). p. 8. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
^"Philadelphia Phillies at New York Giants Box Score, August 4, 1944". baseball-reference.com. sports-reference.com. August 4, 1944. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
^"New York Giants 4, Philadelphia Phillies 3". retrosheet.org. August 4, 1944. Retrieved November 26, 2018.
^"Bucs Rest Today—Pirates-Phils Card Revised". The Pittsburgh Press. Pittsburgh, PA. September 28, 1944. p. 22. Retrieved December 17, 2018.
^Johnson, Lloyd, and Wolff, Miles, ed., The Encyclopedia of Minor League Baseball, 2nd and 3rd editions. Durham, N.C.: Baseball America, 1997 and 2007
External linksedit
1944 Philadelphia Phillies season at Baseball Reference