At 24, standout shortstop Lou Boudreau made his case to be the manager of the Cleveland club. He and his teammates had gone through a variety of managers, had one revolt and several firings, and the young infielder thought he could be a leader of men, so why not? He wrote letter to make his case, and was awarded the job. At least the least the kid manager would be a spectacle that might sell a few tickets.

Like Chicago and St. Louis, Cleveland shares in the baseball history of the Veeck Family, and it was Bill Veeck who purchased Cleveland’s American League franchise during the 1946 season. In 1947, Veeck’s first full year as owner, Boudreau led the majors with 45 doubles, batting .307 and had a .811 OPS – at shortstop. He was an All-Star and he’d finish third in the MVP voting that summer. With him at shortstop and at the helm, Cleveland went 80-74, good enough for fourth in the AL.

Veeck adored his shortstop.

He was less enamored with his manager.

Boudreau said he had to be both – or neither.