July 20 in Yankees History: Nelson Potter of the St. Louis Browns becomes the first major league pitcher to be suspended for throwing a spitball (1944)

[adrotate banner=”32″] On July 20, 1944 — Browns’ hurler Nels Potter is banned for ten days, becoming the first pitcher ever to be suspended for throwing a spitball. The spitball, shine ball, and emery ball were outlawed by the major league’s Joint Rules Committee in 1920, which allowed the seventee

More Yankees history & fan-cave gifts →

Source: Historical record

Back to blog