In 1939, the Boston Red Sox finished 17 games behind theNew York Yankees.[1]Lefty Grove won 15 games for the Red Sox whileJimmie Foxx hit .360, and had 35 home runs and 105 RBI.[1]Ted Williams made his major league debut in 1939, and batted .327 with 31 home runs. He led the American League with 145 RBIs.[1] After the first game he played against Williams, Yankees catcherBill Dickey said about Williams, "He's just a damned good hitter."[1] On July 18, the Red Sox traded then-minor league shortstopPee Wee Reese to theBrooklyn Dodgers, in exchange for $35,000 and twoplayers to be named later (pitcherRed Evans and outfielderArt Parks).[2] Reese would go on to play with the Dodgers for 16 seasons, was a 10-timeAll-Star, and was inducted to theBaseball Hall of Fame in 1984.
^Some sources also list "Dave Coble" as a Centreville manager during 1939.[5] It is unclear if that person may be theDave Coble who played 15 games with the1939 Philadelphia Phillies and later managed multiple minor league teams.[6]
