Events from the year 1944 in Michigan.
Top stories
The Associated Press polled editors of its member newspapers in Michigan and ranked the state's top news stories of 1944 as follows: Judge Leland Carr's grand jury investigation into graft in the Michigan Legislature (213 points) Dewey loses Michigan to Roosevelt Gov. Kelly defeats Frank McKay as Republican national committeeman Strike hamper war production Detroit Tigers finish in second place in the American League, one game out of first Principals of Detroit spy ring sentenced to long terms Fisher Brothers leave General Motors to found their own company The acquittal of David Filgas in the torch death of Patricia Winters Mistakes snarl vote-counting in November election
Office holders
State office holders
Governor of Michigan: Harry Kelly (Republican) Lieutenant Governor of Michigan: Eugene C. Keyes (Republican) Michigan Attorney General: Herbert J. Rushton (Republican) Michigan Secretary of State: Herman H. Dignan (Republican) Speaker of the Michigan House of Representatives: Howard Nugent (Republican) Chief Justice, Michigan Supreme Court:
Mayors of major cities
Mayor of Detroit: Edward Jeffries (Republican) Mayor of Grand Rapids: George W. Welsh (Republican) Mayor of Flint: William Osmund Kelly/Edwin C. McLogan Mayor of Lansing: Ralph Crego Mayor of Saginaw: Eric F. Wieneke
Federal office holders
U.S. Senator from Michigan: Homer S. Ferguson (Republican) U.S. Senator from Michigan: Arthur Vandenberg (Republican) House District 1: George G. Sadowski (Democrat) House District 2: Earl C. Michener (Republican) House District 3: Paul W. Shafer (Republican) House District 4: Clare Hoffman (Republican) House District 5: Bartel J. Jonkman (Republican) House District 6: William W. Blackney (Republican) House District 7: Jesse P. Wolcott (Republican) House District 8: Fred L. Crawford (Republican) House District 9: Albert J. Engel (Republican) House District 10: Roy O. Woodruff (Republican) House District 11: Frederick Van Ness Bradley (Republican) House District 12: John B. Bennett (Republican) House District 13: George D. O'Brien (Democrat) House District 14: Louis C. Rabaut (Democrat) House District 15: John D. Dingell Sr. (Democrat) House District 16: John Lesinski Sr. (Democrat) House District 17: George Anthony Dondero (Republican)
Population
Companies
The following is a list of major companies based in Michigan in 1944.
Sports
Baseball
1944 Detroit Tigers season – The Tigers compiled an 88–66 record and finished one game behind the St. Louis Browns. The team had one of the best pitching staffs in club history. Hal Newhouser was selected as the American League Most Valuable Player after compiling a 29–9 record and leading the league with 187 strikeouts. Dizzy Trout finished second in the AL MVP voting after leading the league with a 2.12 earned run average, 33 complete games, and seven shutouts. The team's batting leaders included first baseman Rudy York with 18 home runs and 98 RBIs and Dick Wakefield with a .355 batting average. 1944 Michigan Wolverines baseball season - Under head coach Ray Fisher, the Wolverines compiled a 15–4–1 record and won the Big Ten Conference championship. Howard Wike was the team captain.
American football
1944 Detroit Lions season – Under head coach Gus Dorais, the Lions compiled a 6–3–1 record and finished second in the NFL's Western Conference. Frankie Sinkwich led the team with 1,060 passing yards and 563 rushing yards. Bob Westfall added 342 passing yards and 277 rushing yards. 1944 Michigan Wolverines football team – Under head coach Fritz Crisler, the Wolverines compiled an 8–2 record, outscored opponents 204 to 91, finished in second place in the Big Nine Conference, and were ranked No. 8 in the final AP Poll. Tackle Milan Lazetich, quarterback Joe Ponsetto, and fullback Bob Wiese were selected as first-team players on the All-Big Ten Conference team. 1944 Michigan State Spartans football team – Under head coach Charlie Bachman, the Spartans compiled a 6–1 record and outscored opponents 167 to 31. 1944 Western Michigan Broncos football team - Under head coach John Gill, the Broncos compiled a 4–3 record and outscored their opponents, 162 to 123. 1944 Central Michigan Chippewas football team - Under head coach Ron Finch, the Chippewas compiled a 5–2 record and outscored all opponents by a combined total of 150 to 106.