[Leglaen]

But Doerr was only the first to change his tune in that fateful year.

In the Boston of June 1940, there were two kind of baseball fans: those who supported the Red Sox, and everyone else. Surprisingly, the three players given to the Sox by the Braves 6 months before had become an integral part of the Boston lineup, especially Bama Rowell, who endured months of torment upon replacing Doerr at second. Fans were lining up outside Fenway daily to root for their heroes, and led by the Kid, Ted Williams, the Sox were charging up the standings and only 2 games behind the hated Yankees.

Then, everything was turned upside down. Ask any American where they were when they heard the news of the bombing of Pearl Harbor, and they will tell you the exact spot. Ask any Bostonian where they were when they heard about the “Trade”, and they will take you to the spot.

June 16, 1940. At 3 o’clock in the afternoon, a sudden news bulletin went out across radios and teletype: Ted Williams had been traded to the Boston Braves for 7 players. Never mind the fact that these 7 players were to play pivotal roles in the Red Sox’s pennant attempt. Never mind that pitcher Jim Tobin would go on to win 12 games with an ERA under 3 for the Sox.
The outrage over this single event has sparked numerous autobiographies, fueled umpteen scandal-infused films and books, and caused more allegations of underhanded deals than any sporting event since the Black Sox Scandal.

What caused Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey to give the greatest player in the game to the cross-town cellar dwellers? Did Yawkey’s legendary generosity make him snap? What about the alleged late-night phone calls on June 14th from Brian Quinn’s office to Yawkey’s home? What role do the rumors of a disruption in the Red Sox dugout between manager Joe Cronin and Williams play? Opinions have ranged from the absurd to the well-founded, including several handsomely documented historical essays [Ed. See Bibliography for a list of pertinent works].

In any event, the Braves captured the greatest left fielder of his day in Ted Williams, yet their 1940 season would end in a disappointing 5th place. Struck by discord in the clubhouse between the “old guard” of Braves whose ability to catch firecrackers outweighed their ability to catch baseballs in contrast to the new leadership of Doerr, manager Coleman, and tacit support from Teddie Ballgame, the Braves provided continual ammunition for any rookie journalist.

Then, all of that changed.