WhileWorld War I had ended in November 1918, players who had beendrafted returned gradually during 1919. The season was shortened from 154 to 140 games and did not begin until mid-April,[1] with the Red Sox playing their first game on April 23.[2]
In his last year playing for the Red Sox,Babe Ruth had his breakout offensive season having been converted into anoutfielder. He set a major league record with 29home runs and also led the league in runs batted in and runs scored. Ruth also made 15 pitching starts, going 9–5 with a 2.97earned run average.
On July 31,Waite Hoyt made his first start for the Boston Red Sox, beating theDetroit Tigers 2–1 in twelve innings for his first major league victory.[3]
^Mayer, Ronald A. (2010).The 1923 New York Yankees: A History of Their First World Championship Season. Jefferson, North Carolina:McFarland & Company. p. 103.ISBN978-0-7864-4404-5.
^Golenbock, Peter (2015).Red Sox Nation: The Rich and Colorful History of the Boston Red Sox (4th ed.). Chicago, Illinois:Triumph Books. p. 58.ISBN978-1-62937-050-7.
^Cook, William A. (2004).Waite Hoyt: A Biography of the Yankee's Schoolboy Wonder. Jefferson, North Carolina:McFarland & Company. p. 18.ISBN0-7864-1960-1.
