Babe Dahlgren

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Ellsworth Tenney (Babe) Dahlgren (June 15, 1912, San Francisco, California - September 4, 1996, Arcadia, California) was a Major League Baseball infielder from 1935 to 1946 for the Boston Red Sox, New York Yankees, Boston Braves, Chicago Cubs, St. Louis Browns, Brooklyn Dodgers, Philadelphia Phillies, and Pittsburgh Pirates. Dahlgren replaced Lou Gehrig in the line up on May 2, 1939, ending Gehrig's 14-year, 2,130 consecutive game streak.

In 1941, a rumor was circulated in Major League baseball that Dahlgren smoked marijuana. After discovering the existence of the rumor in 1943, Dahlgren became the first Major League Baseball player to take a drug test for a non-performance enhancing drug. He did so voluntarily to discredit the rumors circulating at the time. The test were all negative, clearing him of any wrongdoing. Dahlgren continued to play until 1946, a career spanning twelve years. Dahlgren spent decades trying to uncover the source of the rumor.^[1]

A hypothesis as to who the perpetrator of the rumor was has been recently brought forth by his grandson, Matt Dahlgren, in his self published book, Rumor in Town.

Also notable during this period, the Browns returned Dahlgren to the Cubs for a contract dispute once it is learned that he has become eligible for the draft in May of 1942.^[2] He is sold to the Dodgers soon after. In August of 1942 he sought voluntary retirement.^[3] In early 1943, Dahlgren is notified by the draft board to report for his physical, which occurs in mid-May of that year.^[4] After passing his physical, Dahlgren is to be inducted into the military in July of 1943.^[5] In July 1943, he plays on the National League All-star team. In October 1943, Dahlgren is rejected for military service.^[6]

[edit] Highlights

• Had a 621 consecutive game streak with the San Francisco Missions of the Pacific Coast League from 1931-1934
• Member of the 1934 Pacific Coast League All-Star Team
• Member of the 1936 International League All-Star Team as a member of the Syracuse Chiefs
• Member of the 1937 International League All-Star Team as a member of the Newark Bears
• Member of 1938-39 World Series Champions
• Hit the first home run of the 1939 World Series in game 2 off of Bucky Walters
• Named to 1943 National League All-Star Team
• Presided over the first American League pension plan meeting in 1946

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Babe Dahlgren career stats
• Rumorintown.com Rumor in Town - A grandsons promise to right a wrong by Matt Dahlgren
• babedahlgren.com - Website maintained in loving memory by grandchild of Babe Dahlgren.
• "Rumors of Drug Use Have Damaged for Decades," by Murray Chass, New York Times, November 18, 2007