Spud Chandler won a league-leading 20 games in 1943 on his way to winning the American League Most Valuable Player Award. His season was dominant — he led the AL in wins, ERA, shutouts, complete games, and winning percentage. Shown here is Chandler’s player’s contract for the 1945 season. A borderline Hall of Fame candidate, Spud Chandler’s name can be found atop the all-time list for winning percentage by a pitcher with at least 100 decisions since 1900.

The signature page contains that of Spud Chandler and of Hall of Famer Larry MacPhail. A longtime executive, MacPhail was the General Manager of the Reds before assuming the same position along with the title of president for the Brooklyn Dodgers. After accepting a commission in the army, MacPhail stayed in the armed forces throughout most of the war, leaving with the rank of colonel. In 1945 upon his return he took over GM duties for the Yankees, later becoming president and co.-owner.

As part of the “Regulations” page the contract stipulates, “The Player must keep himself in first-class physical condition and must at all times conform his personal conduct to standards of good citizenship and sportsmanship.” Particularly of interest here is that the club “may require the Player to practice at such places as the Club may designate and participate in exhibition contests as may be arranged by the club for a period of sixty days prior to the playing season.” Though originally intended as a sort of Spring Training clause, it could also apply here to Spud Chandler as he came back from World War II.

Just two seasons removed from his 1943 Most Valuable Player season, Spud Chandler signed this contract with the New York Yankees. An All Star in four of his eleven years, Chandler enlisted into the US Army after just one start in 1944. After spending nearly two years away from the game, Chandler returned in late 1945. This contract, signed on September 8th, calls for $19,000 prorated for the rest of the 1945 season.