In 1940, Waitkus played for the Tulsa Oilers of the Class A Texas League. During road trips, Waitkus roomed with Dizzy Dean, who was nearing the end of his famed career.

Class A Tulsa Oilers Stadium

Waitkus batted above .300 and led the league in stolen bases. He then spent the following spring on Catalina Island, the site of the Cubs spring training camp. This, he noted, as one of the best years of his life and it only got better from there.

1940 Tulsa Oilers

The still-raw Waitkus impressed the organization and he was one of three rookies to earn a spot on the opening day roster.

Appearing in 12 big league games (9 at first base), the 21-year-old batted .179 with 0 RBI in 28 plate appearances. By the middle of May, Waitkus was back in Tulsa where he finished a second season in the hot and dusty Texas League.

1940 Tulsa Oilers