The 1939 Major League Baseball season was contested from April 17 to October 8, 1939. The Cincinnati Reds and New York Yankees were the regular season champions of the National League and American League, respectively. The Yankees then defeated the Reds in the World Series, four games to none. The Yankees became the first team to win the World Series four years in a row. Awards and honors Baseball Hall of Fame George Sisler Lou Gehrig Eddie Collins Willie Keeler Most Valuable Player Joe DiMaggio, New York Yankees, OF (AL) Bucky Walters, Cincinnati Reds, P (NL) The Sporting News Player of the Year Award Joe DiMaggio, New York Yankees, OF The Sporting News Most Valuable Player Award Joe DiMaggio, New York Yankees, OF Bucky Walters, Cincinnati Reds, P The Sporting News Manager of the Year Award Leo Durocher, Brooklyn Dodgers Statistical leaders Standings American League National League Postseason Bracket Managers American League National League Home Field Attendance Events January 24 – George Sisler, Eddie Collins and Willie Keeler are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers' Association of America. April 20 – The Boston Red Sox show off their prize rookie Ted Williams before 30,278 in Opening Day at Yankee Stadium, delayed two days because of rain. After striking out twice, Williams collects a double off pitcher Red Ruffing, who wins 2–0. Yankees first baseman Lou Gehrig makes an error, goes hitless, and lines into two double plays in the only game featuring the two great sluggers. Other notables in what will become a historic box score include Joe DiMaggio, Bill Dickey, Jimmie Foxx, Joe Cronin, Bobby Doerr, Red Rolfe, and losing pitcher Lefty Grove. The Yankees score their first run on a home run by Dickey and their second tally on an error by Foxx. Boston has baserunners in each inning, but Ruffing tosses just the second opening day shutout in Yankees history. Four umpires work the game including third base umpire George Pipgras, the starting pitcher for the Yankees in the 1929 opener; his opponent for the Red Sox that day was Ruffing. April 21 – Ted Williams plays his first game at Fenway Park, scoring the first run for the Boston Red Sox on a Frankie Hayes passed ball, in a Boston 9–2 victory over the Philadelphia Athletics. April 23 – In a Philadelphia Athletics 12–8 win over the Boston Red Sox, Ted Williams