roubled by a decline in attendance and uncertain over the future of the economy, many baseball owners believed there would be less interest in the game for the upcoming 1919 season. As a result, a number of cost cutting measures were taken.
Spring training began in late March, two weeks later than normal. Team rosters as well as players salaries were cut and the 154 game season was reduced to 140 games.
But postwar enthusiasm for baseball would make 1919 a season to remember. Attendance doubled from 3 million in 1918 to 6.5 million. On the field, several records were broken. Opening day saw Washington Senators pitcher Walter Johnson throw his fifth career opening day shutout. Fred Luderus of the Philadelphia Phillies set the record for most consecutive games played with 479 on August 2nd, breaking Eddie Collins former mark and Detriot Tigers Ty Cobb won his 12th and final batting title by hitting .384.
1919 also saw both old and new faces. Pitcher Grover Alexander returned from military service to play for the Chicago Cubs, while rookies Lefty O'Doul, Bucky Harris and Al Schacht careers were just beginning.
But the highlight of the 1919 baseball season was a young lefthanded pitcher from the Boston Red Sox named "Babe" Ruth. The Babe would end the season hitting a record 29 homeruns, including his first career grand slam on May 20th. On December 26, 1919, due to financial difficulties, Red Sox owner Harry Frazee
