This date in Baseball history

[rockin500]

I am now starting a this date in baseball history thread, similar to Gary's in the dugout. :)

December 10. Some interesting stuff happened this date.


1971 In one of the worst deals ever made, the Mets trade Nolan Ryan and three prospects to the Angels for six time all-star third baseman Jim Fergosi. The fireballer from Texas will set the all-time strike out record (5,714) and will become a member of the Hall of Fame while Fergosi will provide little help for New York.

1973 The American League vote unanimously to adopt the designated hitter rule on a trail basis for three years.

[Baseball Guru]

Originally posted by rockin500

1973 The American League vote unanimously to adopt the designated hitter rule on a trail basis for three years.

BOO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Anyways, here are a few more things that happend this day:

1918 National League secretary John Heydler is elected to be the president of the league.

1935 The Philadelphia A's trade Jimmie Foxx and Johnny Marcum to the Red Sox for Gordon Rhodes, prospect George Savino and $150,000.

1956 Similar to the National League, the Junior Circuit opts for a three-game playoff in case of a tie at the end of the regular season. Previously a tie in the American League had been broken with one-game winner-take-all format.

1975 The American League owners agree to let maverick Bill Vacua back into baseball by allowing him to purchase the White Sox from John Allyn for nearly $10 million dollars.

1981 The Cardinals and Padres trade shortstops as Garry Templeton goes to San Diego along with and outfielder Sixto Lezcano to San Diego as Ozzie Smith and right-hander Steve Mura head for St. Louis. The trade, however, will not be finalized until Smith's salary with his new club is determined by an outside arbitrator over two months later.

1998 After 24 years and 1,071 appearances, Dennis Eckersley, 44, who has pitched in more major league games than any other player retires as an active player.

1998 The Devil Rays signs the 34-year-old free agent Jose Canseco to a one-year deal to play left fielder and as a designated hitter.

[rockin500]

December 11

1941 The Giants trade hurler Bill Lohrman, catcher James O'Dea, first baseman Johnny McCarthy and $50,000 to the Cardinals to obtain first baseman Johnny Mize.

1950 In a close vote (9-7), the owners vote not to renew A. B. 'Happy' Chandler's contract for another term as commissioner.

1951 Joe DiMaggio officially retires from baseball. The Yankee Clipper ends his thirteen year career with a life time .325 BA and 361 HRs.

1952 Fred Haney is named as the Pirate manager for the upcoming season.

1956 A major league player association is formed, and Indian Bob Feller is named as the president.

1959 The Yankees trade Hank Bauer, Marv Throneberry, Don Larsen and Norm Siebern to the Kansas City A's for outfielder Roger Maris and two other players.

2000 The Astros and Tigers complete a six-player trade with outfielder Roger Cedeno, catcher Mitch Meluskey and right-hander Chris Holt going to Detroit and catcher Brad Ausmus, relievers Doug Brocail and Nelson Cruz headed for Houston.

2000 Alex Rodriguez signs the richest contract in sports history, a ten-year deal with the Rangers worth $252 million. The quarter billion dollars doubles the previous high of $126 million paid by the NBA's Timberwolves to Kevin Garnett in a six-year agreement signed in October, 1997.

2001 The Mets trade outfielders Matt Lawton and Alex Escobar, righthanded pitcher Jerrod Riggan and two players to be named to the Indians for 12-time All-Star second baseman Roberto Alomar (.336, 20, 100) , first baseman Danny Peoples and minor leaguer pitcher Mike Bacsik.

[rockin500]

not too much excitement today.

December 12

1913 The Reds trade outfielder Bob Bescher to the Giants for Buck Herzog. Herzog will play shortstop and will manage the team replacing Joe Tinker.

1933 The A's swap Lefty Grove, Rube Wallberg and Max Bishop to the Red Sox for Bob Kline, Rabbit Warstler and $125,000.

1941 The Dodgers obtain Arky Vaughn from the Pirates for Luke Hamlin, Jimmy Wasdell and Babe Phelps.

1950 The owners vote to drop the bonus and high school rule which was designed to prevent the wealthier clubs from buying up all of the available talent. The rule required all 'bonus' players had to stay on the major league roster one season in the minors.

1952 Peter J. McGovern becomes the president of the Little League replacing Charles Durban who resigned due to ill health; the league which started in 1939 with two leagues has now grown to 1,800 leagues in 48 states and international sites.

1966 Voting 4 to 3, the U.S. Supreme Court refuses to review Wisconsin's suit to block the Braves move to Atlanta.

1975 The Tigers trade pitcher Mickey Lolich and outfielder Billy Baldwin to the Mets in exchange for outfielder Rusty Staub and pitcher Bill Laxton.

1979 Re-entry free agents second baseman Rennie Stennett, catcher Milt May and outfielder Jim Wohlford sign with the Giants. The combined total of the contracts is nearly $5 million.

1998 After being given his last rites, Joe DiMaggio makes a miraculous recovery defying the doctors dire predictions.

1998 In a deal which upsets many other owners, pitcher Kevin Brown (18-7) becomes baseball's first 100+ million dollar man as he signs a seven-year deal with the Dodgers for an average yearly salary of 15 million dollars

[rockin500]

December 13

1906 The A's sell Andy Coakley, a twenty-game winner in 1905, to the Reds. Coakley will later enjoy a thirty-seven year career as the baseball coach for Columbia University.

1911 New York politician James E. Gaffney and former player Attorney Montgomery Ward purchase the National League franchise Boston Doves. Due to Gaffney's tie to Tammany Hall, the team will be called the Braves.

1956 The Dodgers trade Jackie Robinson to the cross-town rivals, the Giants, for pitcher Dick Littlefield and $35,000.

1994 Free agent relief pitcher Lee Smith, last year's major league saves leader with the Orioles, signs with the Angels. At the time of the deal, he has 434 career saves.

1996 Roger Clemens leaves Boston after thirteen seasons of service and signs as a free agent with the Blue Jays. The 'Rocket' leaves the team tied with Cy Young for the Red Sox record for wins (192) and shutouts (38) and the career leader in losses with 112 (Cy lost 111).

2000 Outbidding the Indians, the Red Sox sign free agent Manny Ramirez to a reported eight-year, $160 million contract.

2001 The Yankees sign free-agent Jason Giambi to a 7-year deal worth $120 million. The 2000 MVP and this year's runner-up drove in 120 runs, hit 38 home runs, and had a .342 batting average for the wild card Oakland A's this season.

2001 The Red Sox trade frustrated flychaser Carl Everret (.257, 14, 58) to the Rangers for left-hander Darren Oliver (11-11, 6.02). The former all star outfielder, who had his problems with players and managers in Boston, says he is looking forward to joining the veteran players in Texas.

2001 Writing a 24-page pun-filled opinion, U.S. District Judge Harvey Bartle III upholds most of an arbitrator's decision declaring nine of 22 umpires who lost their jobs following a 1999 mass resignation must be reinstated. To make his point, the judge said it was his job to make sure the arbitrator hadn't 'missed the ball' and both parties 'make(s) a pitch that all or part of the arbitrator's ruling should be scored as an error and set aside'.

[rockin500]

December 14th

1948 The Senators trade pitcher Early Wynn and first baseman Mickey Vernon to the Indians for first baseman Eddie Robinson and pitchers Joe Haynes and Eddie Klieman.

1948 It's a busy day for the Phillies as the team purchases Ken Trinkle from the Giants and trade pitchers Walter Dubiel and Dutch Leonard to the Cubs for first baseman Eddie Waitkas and pitcher Hank Borowy. Ruth Ann Steinhagen, a female fan totally obsessed with former Cub Waitkas, is very upset with the trade and will try to kill him upon his return to Chicago as a Phillie.

1950 Owners choose Lou Perini (Braves), Phil Wrigley (Cubs), Del Webb (Yankees) and Ellis Ryan (Indians) to select a new commissioner as soon as possible. The owners had chosen not to renew Happy Chandler's contract three days earlier.

1960 The two new AL franchises, the first expansion teams in over a half of a century, select their rosters in a player draft. The 'new' Washington Senators select Yankee southpaw Bobby Shantz and the Los Angeles Angels opt for Yankee righty Ed Grba.

1985 Roger Maris dies of cancer at the age of 51.

1977 The Red Sox trade Fergie Jenkins, a future Hall-Of-Famer, to the Rangers for 23-year-old pitcher named John Poloni, who will never play in another big league game. As a starter for both the Rangers and later with the Cubs, the Canadian right hander will post a 69-56 with a 3.71 ERA during the remaining six years of his career.

1994 In spite of the labor uncertainty, the Phillies sign the Cardinal free-agent Gregg Jefferies to a lucrative contract.

1995 Free-agent Lance Johnson signs a two-year pact with Mets for a reportedly worth more than five million dollars. Ol' One-Dog led the American League in hits last season with 186.

2000 In the wake of the Alex Rodriquez deal, the Rangers send Royce Clayton to the White Sox for right-handed pitchers Aaron Myette and Brian Schmack.

2000 The Cardinals third baseman Fernando Tatis and right-hander Britt Reames are traded to the Expos for right-hander Dustin Hermanson and left-hander closer Steve Kline.

2001 The Giants sign right-hander Jason Schmidt to a $31-million four-year deal. The 28 year-old free agent, after being traded by the Pirates, was 7-1 for San francisco last season.

2001 Needing to fill the void of a left-handed power hitter created by Jason Giambi's departure to the Yankees, the A's trade lefthanded reliever Mark Guthrie and minor leaguer Tyler Yates to the Mets for David Justice. The Mets had acquired the designated hitter-outfielder only a week ago in a deal which sent third baseman Robin Ventura to the Yankees.

[rockin500]

December 16

1938 The Braves trade catcher Ray Mueller to the Pirates for Al Todt and Johnny Dickshot.

1975 Bill Veeck gets back into baseball by heading a group which buys 80% of the White Sox from John Allyn.

1976 Reds' first baseman Tony Perez and pitcher Will McEnaney are traded to the Expos for pitchers Woody Fryman and Dale Murray

1982 Tom Seaver's trade back to the New York from the Reds is completed when 'Tom Terrific' comes to contract terms with the Mets. Cincinnati obtains pitcher Charlie Puleo and two minor leaguers in exchange for the 'Franchise'.

1983 Replacing Billy Martin (91-71, third place), Yogi Berra is hired for the second time to manage the Yankees.

2001 Giant southpaw Shawn Estes (9-8, 4.02) is traded to the Mets for outfielder Tsuyoshi Shinjo (.267, 10, 56) and utility man Desi Relaford (.302, 8, 36).

[rockin500]

December 17

1891 The American Association disbands with the Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Browns, Louisville Colonels and Washington Senators becoming part of the 12-team National League.

1924 The Yankees trade three pitchers to the Browns to get back Urban Shocker, a pitcher traded to St. Louis in 1918. Shocker had been a 20-game winner for four consecutive seasons.

1964 The Yankees fire long time television and radio voice Mel Allen. This well known broadcaster popularized the 'going, going, gone' HR call and often said 'how about that' to describe happenings on the ball field.

1975 Bill Veeck, who became the owner of the team yesterday, fires manager Chuck Tanner and selects old friend Paul Richards to manage the White Sox.

1992 The Twins sign free-agent DH/outfielder Dave Winfield. Last season for the World Champion Blue Jays, the St. Paul native hit .290 and had 108 RBIs and 26 HRs.

1993 Rickey Henderson returns to the A's signing a two-year $8.6 million dollar contract.

2000 City and club officials announce plans for the financing and construction of a new, downtown Miami retractable roof ballpark for the Marlins. The state-of-the-art $385 million stadium, which will be a 40,000-seat facility with 60 luxury suites, includes a 40-year lease and an agreement to rename the team the Miami Marlins.

[rockin500]

December 18th

1952 Indian president Ellis W. Ryan resigns after losing a showdown with general manager Hank Greenberg.

1973 Despite an impending legal showdown with Charlie Finley, the Yankees announce the signing of manager Dick Williams. American League president Joe Cronin will void deal two days later.

1975 Chuck Tanner signs a three-year deal to manage the A's.

1981 The Reds swap third baseman Ray Knight to the Astros for outfielder Cesar Cedeno.

1985 The Giants trade Rob Deer to the Brewers for farmhands Eric Pilkington and Dean Freeland.

1990 The National League announces the six finalist cities for the two 1993 expansion teams. The locations include Buffalo, Denver, Miami, Orlando, Tampa-St. Petersburg and Washington, DC.

2000 Charles Johnson, the catcher when the team won the 1997 World Series, agrees to return to the Marlins signing a $35 million, five-year contract. The 29-year old backstop batted .304 with 31 home runs and 91 RBIs for Orioles and White Sox last season.

2000 Free agent Sandy Alomar Jr. agrees to a $5.4 million, two-year deal with the White Sox. The former Indians catcher will replace Charles Johnson, who earlier in the day signed to a $35 million, five-year contract with the Marlins.

2001 Filling the void created by Mark McGwire's unexpected retirement, the Cardinals sign first baseman Tino Martinez to a $21 million, three-year contract. After he was replaced in the Yankees lineup by Jason Giambi, the former Bronx Bomber said the Cardinals were his first choice as a free agent.

2001 John Rocker is traded to the Rangers from the Indians for minor league pitcher David Elder. The reliever, not known for his clubhouse dipolmacy, will join recently acquired Carl Everett, who also has had difficulties with management and teammates.

[rockin500]

1928 Senators' player-manager Bucky Harris is traded to the Tigers for infielder Jack Warner. The future Hall of Famer will replace George Moriarity (68-86, 6th place) as the Motor City skipper.

1936 The Braves purchase Eddie Mayo from the Giants.

1976 A single-engine plane crashes into the upper deck of Baltimore's Memorial Stadium injuring the pilot and three others. Minutes prior to the mishap the plane had buzzed the stadium during the final moments of the Steelers play-off victory over the Colts.

1991 The Blue Jays sign free-agent veteran DH/outfielder Dave Winfield. The former Angel hit .286 and 28 HRs last season.

1991 The Orioles sign Rick Sutcliffe as a free agent. The former 1984 Cy Young Award winner was 6-5 with a 4.10 era with the Cubs last season.

2001 Several hours before a midnight deadline, Barry Bonds accepts the Giant's offer of salary arbitration. San Francisco's decision to go to arbitration avoids a bidding war for their franchise player, and this season's National League MVP's award will be likely worth at least $20 million for one year of service.

2001 Free agent Moises Alou (.331, 27, 108) signs a $27 million, three-year deal with the Cubs. The former Astro All-Star presence in the Chicago line-up, along with Fred McGriff and Sammay Sosa, will give the team a fearsome 3-4-5 threesome.

[rockin500]

1926 The World Champion Cardinals trade Rogers Hornsby to the Giants for Frankie Frish and Jimmy Ring. The trade gets complicated when the 'Rajah' refuses to sell his 1,167 shares of the team stock back to the Redbirds at the asking price.

1940 A's manager Connie Mack, for a reported $42,000, buys a controlling interest in the club from the Shibe family.

1973 Siding with the A's, AL president Joe Cronin rules the Yankees cannot sign manager Dick Williams. The Yankees had announced a deal with the Oakland's skipper two days earlier.

1978 Don Blasingame becomes the first American not of Japanese descent to be named as a manager of Japanese team. The former major league second baseman will pilot the Hanshin Tigers.

1980 Brewers obtain future Cy Young winners Rollie Fingers [1981] and Pete Vuckovich [1982] in a deal with the Cardinals sending pitcher Lary Sorensen, outfielder Sixto Lezcano and minor league players Dave Green and Dave LaPointe to St. Louis.

1980 Unless contracts are tendered to certain veterans by a today's deadline, the Basic Agreement requires they be allowed to become free agents. The Red Sox will miss the deadline permitting All-Stars Fred Lynn and Carlton Fisk to be eligible for free agency.

2000 After trading their all-star shortstop to the Mets last season, the Orioles get him back agreeing to a two-year deal with free agent Mike Bordick. The move will send Melvin Mora, the player obtained from the Mets to replace Bordick, to the outfield where is a stronger defensive player.

2001 Last season's American League strikeout leader with 220, free agent Hideo Nomo (13-10, 4.50), inks a $13.75 million, two-year deal with the Dodgers. The former Red Sox right-hander was the NL rookie of the year when he broke into the majors with Los Angeles in 1995.

2001 The Jean Yawkey Trust announces all the partners have unanimously voted to sell 100 percent of the Red Sox, a family owned business since 1933, to a group of investors led by Florida Marlins owner John Henry who also has a 1 percent share of the Yankees and is the managing partner-in-waiting of the Boston Red Sox. The price tag, rumored to be $600+ million, doubles the amount ever spent to buy a team.

[rockin500]

1960 Cub owner P.K. Wrigley announces the club will not have a manager next season, but will instead use a college of coaches.

1978 Sports cartoonist Willard Mullin, creator of the lovable character known as the 'Brooklyn Bum', dies in Corpus Christi at the age of 76.

1995 After considering an attractive offer from the Orioles, David Cone re-signs with the Yankees as a free agent. The 'hired hand' inks a three-year deal worth $18 million.

1995 The Orioles sign free-agent second baseman Roberto Alomar to a three-year $18 million contract.

2000 Hoping to pick it up where it all started , 41-year old outfielder Tim Raines agrees to a minor league contract with the Expos, the team he broke in with in 1979. After retiring in Yankee camp during spring training with .295 career batting average, he failed to make this year's U.S. Olympic team.

[rockin500]

1899 The fledging AL owners meet to map a strategy against the established National League. They agree to place a team in Chicago with Charles Comiskey as the owner-manager of the franchise.

1953 Jack Dunn III officially turns over the name Orioles to the major league franchise. His family had successfully operated the International League Orioles franchise for years in Baltimore.

1959 The upstart Continental League awards its last franchise to the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

1962 Harris County voters approve a bond issue to complete the financing of an all-weather stadium for the Colt 45's.

1980 The Red Sox mail Fred Lynn and Carlton Fisk their new contracts two days after the Basic Agreement December 20 deadline. Boston's inaction make their All-Stars eligible for free agency.

1982 Lee Mazzilli is traded for the third time this season. The Yankees move the first baseman/outfielder to the Pirates for four minor leaguers including Tim Burke.

2000 The Mariners sign Bret Boone to a $3.25 million, one-year deal. The former Padre second baseman played in only 127 games season due to a bruised right knee which ended his season in late August.

2000 Hoping to fill the void creating by the departure of Ellis Burks, the Giants sign veteran outfielder Eric Davis to a $1.5 million, one-year contract. The Players Choice Awards 'Man of the Year' had considered retirement, but the lure of more playing time change his mind.

2001 Highly sought free agent Chan Ho Park (15-11, 3.50) signs a five-year, $65 million deal with the Rangers. The Korean right-hander led the Dodgers last year in wins, starts, innings pitched, strikeouts and opponents' batting average.

[rockin500]

1905 Thirty-eight year old A's third baseman Lave Cross is sold to the Senators.

1953 Jim 'Junior' Gilliam (.278, 6, 63) wins the National League Rookie of the Year Award. The Dodger second baseman easily beats Harvey Haddix and Ray Jablonski.

1960 Rip Collins joins the Cubs' college of coaches.

1975 A landmark decision by Peter Seitz begins a new era in major league baseball as the arbitrator's judgment makes pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally the first true free-agents in baseball history.

1994 Major league owners implement a salary cap and revenue sharing on striking players.

[rockin500]

1940 The Senators trade Ben Chapman to Cleveland for pitcher Joe Krakauskas.

1949 Suffering from alcoholism and epilepsy, Hall of Fame hurler Grover Cleveland Alexander is found unconscious in an alley in Hollywood

1967 While skiing at Lake Tahoe, Boston hurler Jim Lonborg (22-9) tears the ligaments in his left knee. After surgery, the Cy Young Award winner will return at mid-season to post a 6-10 record for the Red Sox.

1959 The Braves sign 20-year old outfielder Rico Carty.

1969 In a letter to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, traded Cardinal outfielder Curt Flood states his refusal to report to the Phillies citing he is not a piece of property to be sold. The MLB Players' Association announces support Flood's suit against baseball and will pay legal fees. Text of Letter

1990 The Expos trade Tim Raines and two minor leaguers to the White Sox for outfielder Ivan Calderon and reliever Barry Jones

[rockin500]

1888 At the Philadelphia State Fairground Building, the Downtowners beat the Uptowners in the first indoor baseball game ever played, 6-1.

1989 Billy Martin dies at the age of 61 in a Christmas automobile accident as a passenger near his home in Binghamton, New York.

1927 Hall of Famer second baseman Nellie Fox, who played for 19 seasons and hit .288, is born in St. Thomas, Pennsylvania.

1958 All-time career stolen base leader outfielder Rickey Henderson is born in Chicago.

2001 Signing a one-year, $4.7 million contract to play for the Yomiuri Giants, Hideki Matsui became the highest-paid player in Japanese baseball history. The outfielder's salary surpasses the $4 million mark the Orix Blue Wave gave Ichiro Suzuki for 2000 season

[rockin500]

1874 At Palmar de Junco, a Havanan team plays Matanzas in the first documented baseball game played in Cuba. The game called after seven innings due to darkness with Havana leading, 51-9.

1941 Braves' mascot Chief Nokahoma is born.

1943 Former Yankee infielder Roy White is born. The Los Angeles native will play 15 years for the Bronx Bombers and compile a lifetime .271 batting average.

1984 Free agent Ed Whitson, 14-8 with Padres, signs a five-year $4.4 million contract with the Yankees. The deal becomes a nightmare for both the pitcher and the team.

2001 After 21 years being heard on WABC, the Yankees will broadcast its spring training , regular-season and postseason games on all -news station WCBS-AM which is owned by Infinity Broadcasting. The five-year deal with the Yankees' YES Network, created earlier this year, is worth approximately about $50 million.

2001 The Mets continue to stay busy this off season acquiring first baseman Mo Vaughn for 13-year veteran righthander Kevin Appier (11-10, 3.57) and cash. The 1995 American League MVP will join Roberto Alomar, Roger Cedeno, and Shawn Estes as newest members of the Shea Squad.

[Baseball Guru]

Originally posted by rockin500

2001 The Mets continue to stay busy this off season acquiring first baseman Mo Vaughn for 13-year veteran righthander Kevin Appier (11-10, 3.57) and cash. The 1995 American League MVP will join Roberto Alomar, Roger Cedeno, and Shawn Estes as newest members of the Shea Squad.


Ahh yes, I remember this day well......What looked as though was going to be a promissing season:barf: :angry:

[rockin500]

1895 Chicago's great shortstop Bill Dahlen fractures his left arm when he falls.

1926 Bob O'Farrell is named to replace Rogers Hornsby as the Cardinal manager.

1944 Former Senator third baseman Buddy Lewis wins the Distinguished Flying Cross for his service in the Burma War Theater.

1957 CBS announces it will not broadcast major league games into any area at the time a minor league game is scheduled.

1957 In a trade of first basemen, the Reds swap Ted Kluszewski to the Pirates for Dee Fondy.

1983 Free agent Warren Cromartie signs a $2.5 million contract with the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants. The former Expo is the best American player to date to leave the majors to play in Japan.

1998 Tigers acquire two players as the team signs free-agent Gregg Jefferies to a two-year contract and trades outfield prospect Luis Gonzalez to the Diamondbacks for Karim Garcia.

2001 Outgoing New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announces the Yankees and Mets have reached a tentative agreement with the city to build a pair of $800 million, retractable-roof stadiums. Mayor-elect Michael Bloomberg, who is concerned if the Big Apple can afford what is believed to be the largest private-public venture in baseball history, will have final word on the $1.6 billion cost of the proposed new ballparks agreements.

[rockin500]

1878 In Havana, the Professional Baseball League of Cuba is formed.

1932 The Boston Braves purchase Giant catcher Shanty Hogan for $25,000.

1933 Babe Ruth loses an opportunity to manage the Reds when Yankee owner Jacob Ruppert refuses to release him.

1969 The New York Times reports Curt Flood will challenge the reserve clause by suing major league baseball.

1977 Melissa Ludtke, female Sports Illustrated sports writer, files suit against major league baseball, the Yankees and New York City officials for denying her access to the locker room to interview players during the World Series.

[rockin500]

1925 The Giants trade two pitchers, Jack Bentley and Wayland Dean, to the Phillies for hurler Jimmy Ring.

1926 The Chicago Tribune reports the 1917 Tigers had thrown a four-game series to the White Sox to help Chicago win the pennant. Within the week, Commissioner Judge Landis will begin a hearing to investigate the charges.

1935 Dodger left-hander Sanford Braun is born in Brooklyn. In his 12-year career, the southpaw will compile a winning percentage of .655 (165-87), whiff 300 batters or more in three seasons and fan18 to set major league mark for Ks a single game and will be better known as Sandy Koufax.

1943 In a trade of the Babes in Pennslyvania, the Phillies send first baseman Babe Dahlgren (the player who replaced Lou Gehrig) to the Pirates for catcher Babe Phelps and cash.

[rockin500]

1878 A reported eight million bats are sold in the United States

1897 At the age of 38, Charles H. Ebbets gains a controlling interest of eighty-percent of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

1962 The State of Ohio drops its suit against the Reds when owner Bill DeWitt agrees in writing the team will stay in Cincinnati for ten years.

1966 After fifteen years with the Braves, Eddie Mathews is traded to the Astros. The third baseman is the only person to play for the Boston, Milwaukee and Atlanta Braves.

1972 Pirate outfielder Roberto Clemente is tragically killed when a cargo plane crashes during a relief effort to bring much needed supplies to the victims of the Nicaraguan earthquake.

1974 Free-agent Catfish Hunter signs with the Yankees ending an unprecedented bidding war. The former A's ace inks a five-year, $3.75 million dollar contract (three times more than any other players) to pitch for the Bronx Bombers.

1990 A's third baseman Carney Lansford is severely hurt in a snowmobile accident

[Baseball Guru]

Originally posted by rockin500


1972 Pirate outfielder Roberto Clemente is tragically killed when a cargo plane crashes during a relief effort to bring much needed supplies to the victims of the Nicaraguan earthquake.



Truely a shame:cry:

[rockin500]

1927 The press is informed that outfielder Zack Wheat, after 18 consecutive seasons with the Robins, has been released. The Brooklyn outfielder, who led the National League in hitting in 1918 with a .335 batting average, will hit .324 in 88 games for Connie Mack's Philadelphia A's this season and will finsh his distinghished Hall of Fame career with a lifetime mark of .318.

1929 Cuba's Cienfuegos Jim Bell becomes the first player to hit three HRs in a professional game in Cuba. The third baseman accomplished the feat in 15-11 victory over Havana at Alda Park.

1943 Josh Gibson suffers a mental breakdown and is hospitalized. The black 'Babe Ruth' will be released in time for spring training in Hot Springs, Arkansas.

1961 Briggs Stadium officially becomes Tiger Stadium.

1970 Chub Feeney begins his 16-year presidency of the NL taking over for Warren Giles, who held the position for 18 years.

1974 Succeeding the retiring Joe Cronin, Lee MacPhail takes over as American League president and will serve in this role until 1984. MacPhail will join his dad, Larry, as a member of the Hall of Fame in 1998.

[Kiwideus]

I find this very interesting, i was looking thru baseball history and found this...
In 1882, Paul Hines is the first player to wear sunglasses on the field. I couldn't believe this in 1882 that they have a sunglasses back then? LOL

[rockin500]

1879 The Northwestern League, a minor league, is organized in Rockford, Illinois.

1912 Charles Ebbets announces the purchase of 4.5 acres to build an 18,000-seat concrete and steel stadium in Pigtown section of Brooklyn.

1918 The Dodgers trade outfielder Casey Stengel and infielder George Cutshaw to the Pirates for pitchers Burleigh Grimes, Al Mamaux and infielder Chuck Ward.

1946 The Senators sell pitcher Alex Carrasquel and shortstop Fred Vaughn to the White Sox.

1977 Braves' owner Ted Turner is suspended for one year by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn due to tampering charges in the free-agency signing of Gary Matthews .

[rockin500]

1920 The secret deal made on December 26 to sell Babe Ruth to New York for $125,000 (twice the amount previously ever paid for a player) is announced publicly. Harry Frazee, the cash-strapped owner of the Red Sox, also secures a $300,000 loan from the Yankees as part of the deal.

1946 The Tigers trade Eddie Lake to the Red Sox for Rudy York.

1973 Tampa ship builder George Steinbrenner, heading a limited partnership, purchases Yankees from CBS.

1974 The Yankees sign Bill Virdon as manager. Although the former Pirate skipper will manage for two years in New York, he will never win a game at Yankee Stadium (the Bronx Bombers will play home games at Shea due to renovations at the stadium).

2001 The Astros sign free agent Ken Bottenfield to a one-year contract. The 32-year old hurler started last season with the Angels after being traded by the Cardinals for Jim Emmonds. The deal does not work out for Anaheim as the former 19-game winner is 7-8 with an ERA of 5.71 before being dealt to the Phillies

[Kiwideus]

On January 3, 1923, the New York Yankees steal another standout player from the Boston Red Sox, acquiring pitcher Herb Pennock for three marginal players and $50,000 in cash. Known as "The Knight of Kenneth Square," Pennock will win 19 games in 1923, 21 games in 1924, 23 games in 1926, and 19 games in 1927.

[rockin500]

1920 Red Sox owner Harry Frazee defends selling Babe Ruth to the Yankees for cash by calling his former player "one of the most selfish and inconsiderate men ever to put on a baseball uniform".

1925 During the White Sox and Giants European tour, John McGraw, Charlie Comiskey and Hugh Jennings are honored by the French Baseball Federation for their efforts of promoting the game in France.


1927 Judge Landis begins a three day public hearing to investigate the allegation the Tigers threw a four-game series to the 1917 White Sox. A week later all are cleared.


1934 The new center field bleachers under construction at Fenway Park are destroyed by fire.


1946 The Giants buy catcher Walker Cooper from the Cardinals for $175,000. It is the largest amount ever paid for a single player.


1999 Receiving an apology from owner George Steinbrenner about his dismissal as Yankee manager in 1985 after only 16 games, Yogi Berra says he will end his self-exile from Yankee Stadium and the organization. The Bronx Bomber legend is expected to participate in future Opening Day and old timer's ceremonies.


1999 In their first year of eligibility, George Brett, Nolan Ryan and Robin Yount are elected into the Hall of Fame. It is the only time since the first inductees were selected in 1939 that more than two first-timers have made it into Cooperstown in the same year.


2001 Needing help due the departures of Shawon Dunston and Eric Davis, the Cardinals sign their first free agents of the off-season. The four include Bobby Bonilla, Bernard Gilkey, John Mabry and Shane Andrews.


2001 The Mariners sign Ichiro Suzuki to three-year $14,088,000 deal. The rights to the Japanese outfielder, who has won seven batting titles in Japan, were awarded to Seattle for approximately $13 million.


2001 The plan to name a new downtown Montreal ballpark Labatt Park dims as the Canadian brewery announces ending its 15-year sponsorship of the Expos. The company cited the lack of a local television contract and stalled stadium plans as factors in the decision

[Kiwideus]

Originally posted by rockin500
1888 At the Philadelphia State Fairground Building, the Downtowners beat the Uptowners in the first indoor baseball game ever played, 6-1.

Indoor baseball in 1888? I find this hard to believe. I wonder if they use natural grass or what? The roof is high enough? It just hard to believe, you know back in the late 1800's.

[rockin500]

1937 Shortstop Tommy Thevenow is bought from Reds by the Giants.

1942 Indian Bob Feller reports to Norfolk to begin his World War II enlistment in the Navy.

1950 Charlie Grimm leaves the Cubs as a vice president to manage the Dallas franchise in the Texas League for a record salary of $90,000.

1964 Owner Charlie Finley signs a two-year deal to move the A's from Kansas City to Louisville. The league vetoes the franchise shift, and the team will stay put until it moves to Oakland after the 1967 season.

1997 Phil Niekro becomes the 227th member of the Hall of Fame. The Blaine, Ohio native is only the 87th player to be elected by the BBWAA.

[rockin500]

1924 The Indians trade catcher Steve O'Neill, second baseman Bill Wambsganns and pitcher Danny Boone to the Red Sox for first baseman George Burns, second baseman Chick Fewster and catcher Al Walters.

1933 Baseball commissioner Judge Landis voluntarily cuts his pay by forty percent. The action is seen as a signal all salaries will be reduced during the depression years.

1945 Cuban Almendares outfielder Roberto Ortiz violently attacks homeplate umpire Bernardino Rodriguez and knocks him unconscious

1971 During an off-season basketball game, Red outfielder Bobby Tolan ruptures his Achilles tendon and will miss the entire 1971 season.

[Kiwideus]

On January 7, 1971, Cincinnati Reds star Bobby Tolan ruptures his Achilles tendon while playing basketball. Tolan will miss the entire season and will never regain the form that he displayed in 1970, when he batted .316 and stole a league-leading 57 bases.

On January 7, 1985, Lou Brock and Hoyt Wilhelm gain election to the Hall of Fame. During his career, Brock established the record for the most stolen bases in major league history-since broken by Rickey Henderson-while the knuckleballing Wilhelm pitched in more games than any other major league hurler.

On January 7, 1913, future Hall of Fame first baseman Johnny Mize is born in Demorest, Georgia. Known as "The Big Cat," Mize will hit 359 home runs and will gain election to the Hall of Fame in 1981.

On January 7, 1933, commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis announces that he is cutting his salary by 40 per cent. Landis' action is a sign of the times during the Depression; most players will have their salaries reduced for the coming season.

[rockin500]

1898 National League president, Nick Young, announces the more experienced umpire will stay behind the plate when the new two-umpire system is instituted. Previously, the lone ump would stand behind the pitcher only with men on base.

1913 Frank Chance becomes the manager of a very weak New York Yankee team.

1916 James E. Gaffney sells to the Boston Braves for $500,000 to the coach of the Harvard football team, Percy Haughton, and a business associate. He had bought the team in 1913 for $187,000.

1944 Bill Terry announces his retirement from baseball and plans to start a cotton business.

1953 Due to Bill Veeck's refusal to share telecast receipts, the Indians ban night games with the Browns.

2001 Needing only 145 hits to reach 3,000, Harold Baines agrees to a minor league contract with the White Sox. The 21-season veteran, who will turn 42-years of age during spring training played with Orioles and White Sox last season.

2001 The Royals, A's, and Devil Rays participate in nine-player trade which results with outfielders Johnny Damon and Ben Grieve and reliever Roberto Hernandez on new teams. The swap sends Damon from the Kansas City to Oakland, Grieve goes from Oakland to Tampa Bay and Hernandez from Tampa to the Kansas City.

2002 Turning down a deal worth a million dollars more with no deferred money offered by the Mets, Juan Gonzalez agrees to a $24 million, two-year deal with the Rangers that includes $10.5 million in deferred payments. The outfielder, who perferred to stay in the American League established franchise records for home runs, RBIs, total bases and extra-base hits while playing for Texas from 1989-1999.

2002 Ozzie Smith, a 15-time All-Star shortstop, becomes the 32nd player to be elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. Dubbed the 'Wizard of Oz' due to his remarkable defensive abilities won 13 Gold Glove Awards during his 19-year career with the Padres and Cardinals

[rockin500]

1903 Baltimore's AL franchise is sold for $18,000 and is moved to New York.

1982 While being driven to the airport by his brother Billy, Tony Conigliaro suffers a massive heart attack and lapses into a coma. The former Red Sox outfielder will remain hospitalized until March 2.

1984 In his native Dominican Republic, Pascual Perez is arrested for possession of cocaine and will remain in jail missing the start of the season. The Braves' pitcher maintains his innocence claiming he was given the package by an unknown woman.

1989 Johnny Bench and Carl Yastrzemski are elected to the Hall of Fame. Bench is named on 96.4% of the BBWAA Hall of Fame ballots making Ty Cobb and Hank Aaron the only players to receive a higher percentage.

1990 In their first year of eligibility, Jim Palmer (three-time AL Cy Young Winner) and Joe Morgan (two-time NL MVP) are elected to the Hall of Fame.

2001 The Expos agree to a one-year contract with RDS and TSN to telecast 55 games (46 on RDS, 12 on TSN and 3 on both) this year. The approximately $2 million pact with French-language Reseau des Sports ends the year-long local television blackout which resulted in the departure Dave van Horne, a respected play-by-play announcer, and the loss of the team's main sponsor, Labatt Brewery, which cited the lack of local TV rights as a factor in ending its 15-year relationship with the club.


2001 Hoping to fill the void creating by Manny Ramirez's departure to Boston, the Indians sign Juan Gonzalez to a one-year, $10 million deal. After turning down an $143 million, eight-year extension with the Tigers last year, the two-time AL MVP leaves the Detroit after hitting .289 with only 67 RBIs in a disappointing injuried-plagued season.

2002 Signing a $27 million deal with the Astros, Billy Wagner becomes one of baseball's highest-paid relievers. The thirty-year old will get $8 million in each of the next three seasons with a $9 million club option for 2005 with a $3 million buyout.

2002 Post-season sparkplug Craig Counsell (.275, 4, 38) signs a three-year, $7.25 million deal with the Diamondbacks. Cut by the Dodgers in 2000, the NLCS MVP played the infield in 141 games for the World Series champion Diamondbacks last season.

[Kiwideus]

On January 9, 1952, the U.S. Marines announce they will recall Boston Red Sox' star Ted Williams into active duty to serve in the Korean War. Williams will play briefly during the 1952 season but will not return to the Red Sox lineup on a full-time basis until late in 1953. As a pilot in Korea, Williams will fly 39 missions and will survive a crash-landing brought about by enemy fire

On January 9, 1971, Hall of Fame outfielder Elmer Flick dies at the age of 94. Flick batted over .300 eight times and won a batting title in 1905. During a 13-year career, Flick stole 330 bases

On January 9, 1989, Hall of Famer Bill Terry dies at the age of 92. Terry batted .341 over a 14-year tenure with the New York Giants, including a career-high .401 in 1930. Terry also served as the Giants' manager for 10 seasons, leading the team to three consecutive pennants. Terry gained election to the Hall of Fame in 1954

[rockin500]

hey, where you findin this additional info? just curious?

[Kiwideus]

sure no problem, i found some of it in http://www.baseballprimer.com/

[rockin500]

thanks dude. feel free to keep adding stuff i dont find from the site i go to.

[Kiwideus]

sure no problem :D

[rockin500]

1928 The Giants trade Rogers Hornsby to the Boston Braves for Shanty Hogan and Jimmy Welsh. It's the Rajah's third team in three years.

1934 William Walker is elected president of the Cubs replacing Bill Veeck, who died during the World Series.

1945 Baseball writers do not elect a new member for the Hall of Fame this year. Frank Chance, Rube Waddell and Ed Walsh get the most votes but fall short of the necessary three-fourths of the ballots.

1950 The Indians dismiss coach George Susce when his son signs with the Red Sox.

1957 Commissioner Ford Frick allows Bing Crosby to keep his token stock in the Tigers although he is part owner of the Pirates.

1983 A preliminary injunction is issued by New York Supreme Court barring the Yankees from playing their opening games against the Tigers in Denver. The Bronx Bombers sought to move games fearing the renovations to the stadium would not be completed on time.

1991 In one of the worst trades ever made in baseball history, the Orioles send pitchers Curt Schilling and Pete Harnish and outfielder Steve Finley to the Astros for first baseman Glen Davis. Davis, who averaged 27 home runs in six seasons playing in the Astrodome with Houston, will hit only 24 dingers in three injury-filled years as Schilling becomes one of the most dominant hurlers in the game and Harnish and Finley develop into solid major league players.

2001 In an effort to authenticate autographed and game-used merchandise sold by its licensees, Major League Baseball has hired Arthur Andersen, an accounting company to assure the authenticity of approximately 40,000 items this season. The memorabilia will have a tamper proof hologram and an ID number with a company official observing the removal of the item being physically taken from the player or event.

2001 As part of its 100th Anniversary festivities, the Indians present three-time All-Star Jim Thome with his very own bobblehead doll. The first baseman is one of seven current Cleveland players which will be part of the bobblehead doll promotional giveaways to celebrate the club's centennial this season.

2002 Although he missed most the second half of the season playing for the White Sox due to undergoing back surgery, the Yankees sign David Wells to a two-year, $7-million contract to re-join the team. After posting a 34-14 record including a perfect game from 1997-98, 'Boomer' was traded to the Blue Jays, where he had his only 20-win season, in a deal for Roger Clemens.

2002 Representative John Conyers Jr., the House Judiciary Committee's ranking Democrat, said he would back off asking Bud Selig to resign if the commissioner dropped his threat to eliminate teams this season. Selig in a two-page letter to the Michigan lawmaker was unequivocal in his response stating the suggestions made were wholly unacceptable.

[rockin500]

1915 Colonel Ruppert and Captain Huston buy the New York Yankees for $460,000.

1949 The Story Quarry site is selected as the site for the new Milwaukee County Stadium. Construction will begin October 19, 1950.

1968 Ewing Kauffman becomes owner of the new AL franchise in Kansas City.

1971 At the age of twenty-seven, Tiger pitcher John Hiller suffers a heart attack. He will make a great comeback after missing the 1971 season.

1973 For the first time since 1901, the AL and NL will play with different rules as all 24 owners approve the junior circuit's three-year experiment to use a designated hitter.

1977 In a five player trade, the Dodgers trade first baseman/outfielder Bill Buckner and shortstop Ivan DeJesus to the Cubs for Rick Monday.

1983 Billy Martin becomes the Yankee manager for the third time. The fiery skipper replaces Clyde King who will move to the front office.

2000 Carlton Fisk, in his second year of eligibility, and Tony Perez, on his ninth try, are elected to the Hall of Fame.

2001 David Cone agrees to a one-year contract with the Red Sox. The former Cy Young Award winner could make between $4 million and $5 million with Boston, compared to $500,000 guaranteed-offer made by the Yankees, if he makes the roster and pitches regularly during the season.

2002 After a one-year experiment, the Orioles plan to return Camden Yards to its original dimensions by moving in the fences. The team, which hit only 58 homers at home - 44 less than in the previous season, said the fences are returning to their initial distances because the new configuration "adversely affected the viewing angle of the batter's eye."

[awefullspellare]

Originally posted by rockin500
1915 Colonel Ruppert and Captain Huston buy the New York Yankees for $460,000.


Ill buy the Yankees for $460,000 ;) what a steal nowadays!!!!

[rockin500]

1961 Charlie Grimm and Verlon Walker are named to the Cubs' colleges of coaches. Using this system, a different coach will manage the team each month during the season.

1981 At the age of 42, Gaylord Perry signs a one-year contract with the Braves.

1983 Brooks Robinson becomes the 14th player elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. The BBWAA also selects Juan Marichal.

1984 The San Diego Padres sign reliever Rich 'Goose' Gossage.

1999 Setting an all-time record, Mark McGwire's 70th HR ball is purchased at an auction by an anonymous buyer for $3 million surpassing a $126,500 which bought a Babe Ruth home run ball.

[rockin500]

1922 Black Sox Buck Weaver applies unsuccessfully for reinstatement and remains banned for life due to allegations of throwing the 1919 World Series to the Reds along with seven other White Sox players.

1958 New York Senator Keating proposes a ban on major league telecasts within 100-mile radius of minor league territories.

1959 Hoping to lure the Phillies to New Jersey, State Senator Joe Cowgill introduces a bill to build a stadium in Camden. This action is motivated by Phillies owner Bob Carpenter's threat of leaving Philadelphia unless a new stadium is built.

1972 Housewife Bernice Gera wins her lawsuit against baseball. The former umpire will begin umping in New York-Penn League in June.

1978 At the age of 90, former Yankee manager Joe McCarthy dies.

1983 Both Henry Aaron and Frank Robinson are elected to the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. 'Hammering Hank' falls just nine votes short of being the first player to be elected unanimously by the BBWAA.

1988 After hitting a meager .211 last season and not being offered a new contract by the Padres, first baseman Steve Garvey decides to retire.

[rockin500]

1954 The Yankee Clipper, Joe DiMaggio, marries actress Marilyn Monroe.

1963 The White Sox trade shortstop Luis Aparicio and outfielder Al Smith to the Orioles for pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm, outfielder Dave Nicholson and two other players.

1970 After seeing his upstart team win the World Series last season, Mets general manager Johnny Murphy dies of a heat attack. Murphy was a top relief pitcher for the Yankees in the 1930's and early 40's.

1976 Ted Turner obtains 100% of the Atlanta Braves.

1981 Frank Robinson is named manager of the Giants.

1987 The BBWAA elects Catfish Hunter and Billy Williams to the Hall of Fame.

2000 The Cardinals third baseman Fernando Tatis and right-hander Britt Reames to the Expos for right-hander Dustin Hermanson and left-hander closer Steve Kline.

2002 Saying his heart has always been in San Francisco, Barry Bonds avoids arbitration agreeing to a five-year, $90 million deal with the Giants. The contract also calls for 10-year personal services commitment at the end of the 37-year left fielder's playing days.

[rockin500]

1878 Benjamin Douglas is hired as manager of the Providence Grays and Tom Carey is signed as team captain.

1886 Washington is admitted to the National League bringing the total to 7 teams.

1891 A new national agreement is signed by the National League, American Association and the Western Association creating a three-man panel to settle problems among the leagues.

1952 Stan Musial gets a salary raise to $85,000 despite a Korean War wage freeze; the U.S. Standardization Board gives its okay for teams to give individual players pay increases using a complex formula.

1960 In a benefit basketball game, the Steelers beat the Pirates in overtime, 22-20. Dick Groat scores 14 points for the Bucs

1964 With a 9-1 vote, the AL owners shoot down Charles Finley's proposal to move the A's to Louisville. The maverick owner is given an ultimatum to sign a lease in Kansas City or lose his franchise.

2001 In the first year of eligibility, Dave Winfield and Kirby Puckett are elected to the Hall of Fame The former Twins are the fourth pair of teammates selected by BBWAA in the same year.

2001 Free agent Jose Canseco, 36, agrees to terms with the Angels. The incentive-laden contract ranging from $200,000 to as much as $5 million will be based on plate appearances as a designated hitter.

2002 Free agent Pedro Astacio (8-14,5.09) agrees to a one-year, $5 million incentives-laden deal with the Mets. After being traded to the Astros by the Rockies last season, the 32-year-old righthander developed shoulder problems.

[rockin500]

1888 Kansas City is admitted to the American Association to replace the Mets. Although the Mets were bought by Brooklyn, the franchise is considered suspended until a Manhattan playing field can be located.

1916 The Giants buy the Federal League's best player, Benny Kauff, from the Tip Tops.

1970 The Yankees draft Fred Lynn in the January phrase of free-agent draft. The Chicago native chooses not to sign with Bronx Bombers.

1970 Willie Mays is named as the Player of the Decade for the sixties by the Sporting News.

1979 After resigning as the general manager of the Rangers nine day ago, Danny O'Brien signs a contract to become the Mariners' president and CEO.

2002 Commissioner Bud Selig indicates Washington, D.C. area is a 'prime candidate' to get a team if a franchise relocates in the near future. The nation's capital has two lost major league teams, the original franchise shifted to Minnestoa and became the Twins in 1961 and were replaced by the expansion Senators who moved to Texas a decade later becoming the Rangers.

2002 Avoiding arbitration, Darin Erstad (.258, 9, 63) and the Angels agree one-year contract worth $6.25 million. The first baseman/outfielder, who can be a free agent after the season, turned down a long-term deal from the Anaheim last spring estimated to be worth $50 million.

2002 Jermaine Dye agrees to a three-year extension worth $32 million to stay with the A's. Oakland is counting on the injured outfielder (shatter his left tibia fouling a ball off his leg just below the knee in Game 4 of the ALDS) to fill the void created by Jason Giabi's depature to New York.

[rockin500]

1887 Kansas City receives a franchise in the Western League. The team vows to compete with the NL team in town.

1938 Grover Cleveland Alexander is elected to the Hall of Fame.

1950 After a sub-par record of 15-14, Bob Feller takes a $20,000 cut. The decrease to $45,000 is Rapid Robert's idea.

1952 The White Sox accepts the resignation of Charlie A. Comiskey, Jr. after his request for more money is refused.

1973 Orlando Cepeda signs with the Red Sox making him the first player to be signed by a team as a designated hitter.

2002 The Mariners avoid arbitration with pitcher Freddy Garcia (18-6, 3.05) by signing him to a one-year, $3.8-million deal. The twenty-five year old standout right-handed hurler led the American League in earned run average last season.

2002 Kerry Wood (12-6, 3.36) avoids arbitration agreeing a one-year deal with the Cubs believed to be worth between $3.5 and 4 million. The right-handed fireballer, who struck out 217 batters in 174.1 innings, is again eligible for arbitration after each of the next two seasons and can become a free agent following the 2004 season.

2002 Scott Rolen (.289. 25, 107) avoids arbitration signing the largest contract in team history, a $8.6 million, one-year deal with the Phillies. The Gold Glove third baseman resisted any attempts made by Philadelphia to enter into a multiyear contract.

2002 Randomly selected from the crowd, Devil Rays' Randy Winn sinks a half court-shot at a NBA Los Angeles Clippers' game to win a Mitsubishi Lancer. The TampaBay outfielder played some college hoops at Santa Clara.

[rockin500]

1871 The Boston Red Stockings are incorporated by Ivers Whitney Adams with $15,000 and the help of Harry Wright, who had founded and managed the Cincinnati Red Stockings, America's first professional baseball team.

1882 Kentucky lawmakers revise ruling which inadvertently banned playing baseball in the commonwealth.

1906 Henry Mathewson signs with the Giants, but his performance will not remind anyone of his more talented brother, Christy.

1931 After being released by the Indians, Joe Sewell signs with the Yankees.

1947 Josh Gibson, a Negro League standout, dies at the age of 37 of a brain tumor.

1984 Met fans are shocked as the franchise loses future Hall of Famer Tom Seaver for the second time. The White Sox draft the unprotected 'Tom Terrific' as compensation for losing a Type A free agent.

[rockin500]

1953 Pitcher Dizzy Dean and outfielder Al Simmons are elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA, but the Yankee Clipper, Joe DiMaggio, is not.

1958 In an effort to fill the void of Dodger and Giant baseball in the Big Apple, the Phillies agree to televise 78 games in the New York City area which is without NL baseball for the first time since the league's inception in 1876.

1960 Stan Musial insists he take a $20,000 pay cut. 'Stan the Man' believes he was overpaid in 1957 and 1958 and his salary should be based on his play last season.

1969 Stan Musial and Roy Campanella are selected by the baseball writers to join the elite group of players enshrined in Cooperstown.

1971 No player receives three-fourths of the necessary votes to be elected into the Hall of Fame with Yogi Berra and Early Wynn coming the closest.

1981 Four-time gold glover Cesar Geronimo is traded by the Reds to the Royals for minor leaguer infielder German Barranca.

1987 Free agent Vida Blue comes to terms with the A's, but will surprise the team next month by announcing his retirement.

2001 In an effort to conserve electricity during California's energy crisis, the Angels turn off Edison International Field's Big A and the Little A signs. The landmark beacons, which are usually illuminated 24 hours a day, will be turned on only for stadium events.

[rockin500]

1967 Former Cardinal standout Stan Musial is named general manager of the team.

1968 Joe 'Ducky' Medwick is selected by the BBWAA to be in the Hall of Fame.

1975 By a single vote former slugger Ralph Kiner is elected into the Hall of Fame.

1979 Willie Mays is selected by the BBWAA as a member of the Hall of Fame. The 'Say-Hey Kid' receives 409 of the 432 votes cast.

1981 Due to a front office mistake, the Red Sox are forced to trade Fred Lynn to the Angels. Boston had failed to mail a new contract by the deadline allowing the former rookie of the year to become a possible free agent.

2002 The Rangers avoid salary arbitration with Jeff Zimmerman when their closer agrees to a $10 million, three-year contract. After replacing an injured Tim Crabtree, Zimmerman posted 28 saves for the Texas team.

[rockin500]

1939 'Wee' Willie Keeler, George Sisler and Eddie Collins are elected into the Hall of Fame.

1955 In an effort to speed up the game, major league baseball announces a new rule which requires pitchers to deliver the ball within 20 seconds after taking a pitching position.

1961 The A's trade Whitey Herzog and Russ Snyder to the Orioles for Wayne Causey, Jim Archer, Bob Boyd and Al Pilarcik.

1962 The Southern Association suspends operation due to decreasing yearly attendance.

1973 In his first year of eligibility, Warren Spahn receives 316 of the 380 votes cast to become a member of the Hall of Fame.

1980 Nelson Doubleday and Fred Wilpon purchase the Mets for an estimated $21.1 million. The price tag is the highest amount ever paid for a baseball franchise.

2001 Believed to be an historical first, sixty-eight major league umpires participate in a pre-season session to practice calling strikes as defined by the rule book. With the help of minor leaguers wearing tapes nine inches above their belts, the men in blue get a good look at pitches, normally called balls, which now will considered a strike as the correct interpret ion of the zone will be enforced this upcoming season.

[rockin500]

1934 Giant manager Bill Terry wakes a sleeping giant when he jests, "Is Brooklyn still in the league?", during an interview with the New York press. The Dodgers will knock the Giants out of the pennant race in September.

1943 The Boston Braves buy Lefty Gomez from the Yankees. He will be released before playing a game and will sign with the Senators in May.

1945 The Ruppert estate sells the Yankees to Dan Topping, Del Webb and Larry MacPhail for $2.8 million.

1947 Five players in the Class D Evangeline League who allegedly bet on the 1946 playoffs are made ineligible. Included in this group, and later reinstated, is the all-time minor league winningest pitcher, Bill Thomas (383 wins).

1949 Lou Boudreau signs a two-year $65,000 contact with the World Champion Indians to remain the team's player-manager.

1999 After being aired on WOR, Channel 9 since the team's inception in 1962, Met games this season will broadcast by WPIX, Channel 11. The Yankees games which had been aired for nearly 50 years on Channel 11 will now be seen on Channel 5, a Fox affiliate.

1999 The Oakland A's sign former Yankee free-agent outfielder Tim Raines for $600,00. The 39-year old switch hitter batted .290 for the World Champs last season and has a .296 career batting average.

[rockin500]

1933 Senator veteran first baseman Joe Judge is released and will later sign with Dodgers.

1934 Lou Perini, Guido Rugo and Joe Maney gain control of the Braves and relieve manager Casey Stengel of his duties.

1943 The Reds trade pitcher Paul Derringer to the Cubs for cash.

1949 Fred Saigh gains ninety percent control of the Cardinals when he buys out interest of Robert Hennegan. After just two years of ownership, Hennegan makes a tidy profit of $866,000.

1956 The New York football Giants switches its NFL home games to Yankee Stadium fueling speculation the baseball Giants will also be leaving the Polo Grounds.

1999 Former Met infielder Carlos Baerga signs a one-year free-agent contract with the Cardinals.

[rockin500]

1953 Cardinal owner, Fred Saigh, is found guilty of income tax evasion and is sentenced to a fifteen-month jail term.

1958 The Tigers trade Jim Finigan and $25,000 to the Giants for Gail Harris and Ozzie Virgil.

1961 The International League Board of Directors vote to move the Montreal franchise to Syracuse, New York.

1982 The Angels trade outfielder Dan Ford to the Orioles for third baseman Doug DeCinces and minor leaguer Jeff Schneider.

1986 The Rangers sign free-agent catcher Darrell Porter to a one-year contract.

[rockin500]

1919 During World War I, unable to get in touch with their manager Christy Mathewson, who is in France serving in the army, the Reds hire Pat Moran. The former Phillies skipper leads Cincinnati to a World Championship.

1953 Peter J. McGovern becomes the Little League's first full time president and the league's office is moved to Williamsport, PA.

1954 Giants trade playoff hero Bobby Thomson and Sam Calderone to the Braves for Johnny Antonelli, Don Liddle and Ebba St. Claire. Antonelli will go 21-7 and will lead the league in ERA.

1958 Commissioner Ford Frick announces fans will no longer vote for the all stars, but instead the teams will be selected by major league players and coaches.

1959 Reds trade catcher Smoky Burgess, pitcher Harvey Haddix and third baseman Don Hoak to the Pirates for third baseman Frank Thomas, pitchers Jim Pendleton and Whammy Douglas, outfielder Johnny Powers and cash.

1987 The Cubs trade veteran third baseman Ron Cey for the A's infielder Luis Quinones.

[rockin500]

1913 Olympic hero Jim Thorpe signs with the New York baseball Giants.

1914 In the very first game ever to take place in the Egyptian desert, the White Sox and Giants play to a 3-3 tie. The contest was part of a 56-game world tour promoting baseball.

1965 The National League adopts a disaster plan in the event a team's plane crashes.

1970 Former commissioner Ford Frick, Earle Combs and Jesse Haines are selected by the Special Veterans Committee to be in the Hall of Fame

1973 Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announces the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues selection of Monte Irvin to the Hall of Fame.

1976 Mike Marshall is arrested by the East Lansing police for taking batting practice on the campus of Michigan State University. MSU officials had asked the Dodger reliever not to hit baseballs near the tennis courts fearing for the students' safety.

1985 The Giants trade Jack Clark to the Cardinals for David Green, Jose Uribe, Dave LaPoint and Gary Rajsich.

1999 The Yankees trade highly touted third base prospect Mike Lowell to the Marlins for minor league pitchers Eddie Yarnall, Todd Noel and Mark Johnson. Scott Brosius' outstanding 1998 performance made the former minor league player-of-the-year expendable.

2001 Post season hero Jim Leyritz signs a $500,000, one-year minor league contract with the Mets. The former Yankee has hit one HR per every 7.6 postseason at-bats making it the third best performance for players with five or more postseason round trippers.

2002 Six-time All-Star Kenny Lofton (.261,14, 66) agrees to a $1.25 million, one-year contract with the White Sox. The 34-year center fielder, who has played with the Indians, Braves and Astros during his 11-year major league career has a .302 life-time batting average.

[rockin500]

1876 The National League is officially formed with teams located in Boston, Chicago, Cincinnati, Hartford, Louisville, New York, Philadelphia and St. Louis

1972 Former AL president William Harridge, Lefty Gomez and Ross Youngs are selected by the Special Veterans Committee to be enshrined in Cooperstown.

1976 Umpire Cal Hubbard becomes the first person to be elected to both the baseball and football Halls of Fame. He along with Roger Connor and Fred Lindstrom were selected by the Special Veterans Committee.

1986 After returning from a three year absence due to a knee injury, Dennis Leonard announces his retirement. The former three-time twenty game winner was 8-13 with an ERA of 4.44 in his comeback attempt with the Royals.

1987 The Braves trade Craig McMurty to the Blue Jays for second baseman Damaso Garcia and pitcher Luis Leal.

1989 Yankee broadcaster Bill White is elected NL president making him the highest ranking black official in U.S. professional sports.

1999 Padre Greg Vaughn becomes the first player in major league history to hit 50 HRs in a season and then be traded; the slugging outfielder is dealt to the Reds along with Mark Sweeney for Reggie Sanders, Damian Jackson and Josh Harris.

2001 It will take approximately seven more feet to hit a HR at Camden Yards this season as a result of the Orioles moving home plate. The new alignment of the field will also cut down the amount of foul territory available with the foul poles being almost flush against the left- and right-field corners.

[titanbaseball04]

January 31

(1959) Former Red Sox Joe Cronin signs a 7 year deal to become the American League president.


(1961) Houston voters approve financing for a domed stadium removing the hurdle to gain a ML franchise.


(1977) Joe Sewell, Amos Rusie and Al Lopez are elected to the HOF by the Veteran's committee.


(1980) Astros sign free-agent two time MVP 2bman Joe Morgan.


(1983) Veteran 1bman Tony Perez signs a one year contract with the Phillies.

[awefullspellare]

welcome to the site Titan, i met u at the Station site right ;)

[titanbaseball04]

Originally posted by awefullspellare
welcome to the site Titan, i met u at the Station site right ;)
yea

[titanbaseball04]

January 30

(1953) Peter J. McGovern becomes the Little League's first full time president and the league's office is moved to Williamsport, PA.


(1954) Giants trade plyoff hero Bobby Thomson and Sam Calderone to the Braves for Johnny Antonelli, Don Liddle and Ebba St. Clair; Antonelli will go 21-7 and will lead the league in ERA.


(1958) Commissioner Ford Frick announce fans will no longer vote for the all stars, but instead the teams will be selected by MLB players and coaches.


(1959) Reds trade C Smokey Burgess, P Harvey Haddix and 3bman Don Hoak to the Pirates for 3bman Frank Thomas, P Jim Pendleton, P Whammy Douglas, OFer Johnny Powers and cash.


(1987) The Cubs trade veteran 3bman Ron Cey for the A's Infielder Luis Quinones.

[titanbaseball04]

January 26

(1957) Joe Cairnes replaces Lou Perini as Braves president.


(1960) Due to his fear of flying, Boston OFer Jackie Jensen announces his retirement; he will later change his mind.


(1983) The White Sox trade pitchers Steve Trout and Warren Brusstar to their cross-town rivals for pitchers Dick Tidrow and Randy Martz and infielders Pat Tabler and Scott Fletcher.


(1989) The tougher balk rules initiated last season are rescinded and are replaced by the pre-1988 rules.


(1990) Red Sox hire Elaine Weddington as assistant general manager; this makes her the highest ranking black female executive in MLB.

[titanbaseball04]

January 22

(1953) Immigration Comish Mackey warns alien players they will face deportation if found jumping U.S. pro contracts.


(1969) Expos trade 1bman Donn Cleedenon and Ofer Jesus Alou to the Astros for 1bman/Ofer Rusty Staub


(1976) Pitchers Robin Roberts and Bob Lemon are elected to the HOF.


(1982) Free agent Reggie Jackson signs a four year, nearly 4 million dollar contract with the Angels ending his five year roller coast ride with the Yankees


(1988) Arbitrator T. Roberts declares 7 presently contracted players no-risk free agents as a result of the collusion suit; the players, which include K. Gibson, C. Fisk and J. Niekro, have until March 1 to make deals with other clubs.

[titanbaseball04]

January 19

(1889) Dallas catcher Charlie Brady is shot dead by his girlfriend's old boyfriend, Tom Angus.


(1916) Under the terms of the peace agreement, a list 123 Federal League free agents is released by the National Association.


(1931) Under the terms of a new agreement, Brooklyn purchases the contract of Ernie Lombardo from the PCL Oakland club.


(1932) Shoeless Joe Jackson's appeal for re-instatement is denied by Commissioner Judge Landis.


(1937) Cy Young, Nap Lajoie and Tris Speaker are elected into the Hall of Fame.

[titanbaseball04]

January 15

(1957) Dodgers add three addtional years to their 5 yr lease on Ebbet's Field with real estate developer Marvin Kratter; the field was bought by Kratter in 1953.


(1958) The Yankees announced 140 games will be televised this season; the deal is worth over one million dollars.


(1964) Giant OFer Willie Mays, the highest paid player in baseball, signs for $105,000.


(1964) Baseball executives vote to hold a free-agent draft in NYC.


(1981) Bob Gibson is the only player elected to HOF this year; player falling short of the votes needed include Don Drysdale, Gil Hodges and Harmon Killebrew.

[titanbaseball04]

January 4

1928) SS Lyn Lary and Infer Jimmy Reese are bought by the Yankees from the PCL.


(1932) Casey Stengel returns from the minor leagues to become a coach for the Dodgers.


(1936) Red Sox get Doc Kramer and Eric McNair from the A's for Henry Johnson, Al Niemiec and $75K; this deal completed the Dec. 10 trade for Jimmy Foxx.


(1942) Roger Hornsby becomes the 14th player elected to the Hall of Fame.


(1944) Joe Dugan, an AL infer, is slightly injured as he hit by a car crossing a street in Boston.

[Baseball Guru]

Welcome to the site titanbaseball04
:)

[rockin500]

thanks for the updates. i was too busy those days to take care of em. lol

[Baseball Guru]

Your slacking Ray;)

[rockin500]

:eviltongu yah, im such a bad boy. hehehehe

[titanbaseball04]

On February 2, 1923, future Hall of Fame infielder Red Schoendienst is born in Germantown, Illinois. Playing mostly as a second baseman, Schoendienst will bat .289 during a 19-year career with the St. Louis Cardinals, New York Giants and Milwaukee Braves. Schoendienst will win election to the Hall of Fame in 1989... On February 2, 1930, the New York Yankees waive shortstop Leo Durocher, who batted only .246 in 1929. The future Hall of Fame manager will eventually sign with the Cincinnati Reds... On February 2, 1976, the Veterans Committee selects players Roger Connor and Fred Lindstrom and umpire Cal Hubbard as the newest class of Hall of Famers. Connor batted .317 with 138 home runs, making him one of the 19th century's top sluggers. Lindstrom batted .311 during a 13-year career.


On February 2, 1936, the Baseball Writers' Association announces the results of the first Hall of Fame vote. Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, Christy Mathewson, Babe Ruth, and Honus Wagner comprise the inaugural class of Hall of Famers. Several other stars like Cy Young fail to make the grade, but will enter the Hall in later elections... On February 2, 1987, longtime Kansas City Royals pitcher Dennis Leonard announces his retirement. A three-time 20-game winner, Leonard had struggled in his comeback from knee problems, winning just eight of 21 decisions in 1986... On February 2, 1989, former major league star Bill White is elected president of the National League. White succeeds Chub Feeney, becoming the first African-American to be named president of either league and the highest ranking black executive in the four major sports.

[titanbaseball04]

December 26

On December 26, 1947, future Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk is born in Bellows Falls, Vermont. Fisk will hit a record 351 home runs as a catcher with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox... On December 26, 1964, the Seattle Angels of the Pacific Coast League name Bob Lemon their new manager. Lemon, who last pitched in the majors in 1958, will eventually become the manager of the Kansas City Royals in 1970... On December 26, 1990, the Senior Professional Baseball Association folds in the middle of its second season. The Fort Myers franchise is the first to close its doors; the other five teams will quickly follow Fort Myers' lead. The league, which starred retired major leaguer players like Amos Otis, Dave Kingman, and Vida Blue, was plagued by poor attendance, among many financial problems.


On December 26, 1954, future major league star Ozzie Smith is born in Mobile, Alabama. In 1978, the "Wizard of Oz" will make his debut with the San Diego Padres and will eventually establish himself as one of the game's greatest defensive shortstops... On December 26, 1919, Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee makes a secret agreement to sell Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $400,000 in cash plus other considerations. The sale will be announced publicly one week later... On December 26, 1906, National League umpire Hank O'Day recommends that rubber strips-and not chalk lines-be used to outline the batter's box. O'Day's suggestion would prevent hitters from wiping out the lines of the batter's box, but will never be implemented.

[titanbaseball04]

December 15

On December 15, 1967, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquire future Hall of Fame pitcher Jim Bunning from the Philadelphia Phillies for four players, including infielder Don Money and pitcher Woodie Fryman. Money will eventually become the Phillies' regular third baseman, until the arrival of a young slugger named Mike Schmidt in 1973... On the same day as the Bunning trade, the New York Mets trade well-traveled outfielder Tommy Davis and three other players to the Chicago White Sox for outfielder Tommie Agee and shortstop Al Weiss. Agee and Weiss will become important players for the World Champion "Miracle Mets" of 1969... On December 15, 1940, Hall of Fame outfielder Billy Hamilton dies at the age of 74. Hamilton stole 912 bases and batted .344 over a 14-year career, placing him in the top 10 on the all-time batting list.


On December 15, 1980, the New York Yankees announce the signing of heralded free agent Dave Winfield to a 10-year contract worth as much as $25 million. The former San Diego Padres' star becomes the game's highest paid player and will play eight full seasons in the Bronx... On December 15, 1961, the game's most well-known deaf player, William "Dummy" Hoy, dies at the age of 99. A slick-fielding outfielder, Hoy set a major league record by picking up three assists in one inning... On December 15, 1953, Hall of Fame executive Ed Barrow dies at the age of 85. Barrow had been inducted into the Hall of Fame earlier in the year. During his long tenure as general manager of the New York Yankees, the team won 10 World Series and 14 American League pennants.


On December 15, 1900, the New York Giants and Cincinnati Reds swap future Hall of Famers. The Giants reacquire 20-year-old Christy Mathewson from the Reds for 29-year-old Amos Rusie. As a rookie, Mathewson went 0-3 in six appearances for the Giants, but will win 373 games over the next 16 seasons... On December 15, 1961, the Comiskey family sells its interest in the Chicago White Sox for $3.3 million. The Comiskeys had been involved with the White Sox since the turn of the century... On December 15, 1968, Los Angeles Dodgers general manager Al Campanis makes an unusual trade. Campanis sends his son, Jim, to the Kansas City Royals for two minor leaguers. Jim, a light-hitting catcher, will bat only .147 over a six-year career with the Dodgers, Royals, and Pittsburgh Pirates.

[rockin500]

1886 Albert Spalding begins a sporting goods company with $800. He will become the manufacturer of the first official baseball as well as the tennis ball, basketball, golf ball, and football.

1942 Owners agree to permit each team to have as many as 14 night games this up-coming season.

1975 The special Veterans Committee selects Billy Herman, Earl Averill and Bucky Harris to the Hall of Fame.

1977 The Hall of Fame's Special Committee on the Negro Leagues selects Martin Dihigo and John Lloyd. The committee is dissolved and its duties are turned over to the veterans committee.

1978 Under the financial reorganization of the club, F.J. 'Steve' O'Neill becomes the principal owner of the Cleveland Indians.

1979 The Twins trade perennial all-star and batting champ Rod Carew to the Angels for outfielders Ken Landreaux and Dave Engle and pitchers Paul Hartzell and Brad Havens.

1982 For the second time, minor league catcher Angel Rodriguez is suspended from organized baseball for tipping off opposing Latin American batters of the upcoming pitch about to be thrown.

1987 The Expos trade top reliever Jeff Reardon and catcher Ton Nieto to the Twins for pitcher Neal Heaton, catcher Jeff Reed and two minor leaguers.

1998 The Yankees replace recently resigned general manager Bob Watson with Brian Cashman.

1999 After 16 years of doing local telecasts, the Mets do not ask Tim McCarver to return to the broadcast booth. Tom Seaver will replace the highly regarded broadcaster and will assume other duties within the organization.

2002 Yankee catcher Jorge Posada (.277, 22, 95) signs a five-year contract with the club. Terms are not announced, but the Bronx Bomber backstop was asking for $7.75 million in arbitration which would make the 30-year-old the second best paid receiver in baseball history.

[titanbaseball04]

February 4

1861 Wearing ice skates, the champion Atlantics defeat the Charter Oak Club, 36-27 on a game played on frozen Litchfield Pond in South Brooklyn.


1909 Nineteenth century pitcher John Clarkson, a 326-game winner, dies at the age of 47.


1956 During spring training, the American League plans to test automatic intentional walks.


1969 Bowie Kuhn, former NL attorney, is named baseball commissioner by the major league owners.


1971 Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announces former Negro League players will have a separate wing in the Hall of Fame. Due to the controversy the announcement causes, it is decided inclusion in regular Hall of Fame is more fitting and more of an honor for the former black players.


1976 The Andy Messersmith free-agency decision is upheld by federal judge John W. Oliver.


1984 The Yankees obtain third baseman Toby Harrah and minor leaguer Rick Brown from the Indians for Dan Boitano, Otis Nixon and minor leaguer Guy Elston.


1990 The St. Petersburg Pelicans defeat the Palm Beach Tropics to win the first Senior Professional Baseball Association Championship, 12-4. Former major leaguers Steve Kemp and Lamar Johnson go deep for the newly crowned champs.


2002 The Minnesota Supreme Court refuses to consider an appeal of an injunction that forces the Twins to fulfill their Metrodome lease in 2002. The decision puts an end for this season any possibility of contraction in major league baseball.

[titanbaseball04]

February 5

1931 Cub Hack Wilson, who set National League marks for home runs and RBIs the previous season, signs for $35,000. Wilson's RBI record is still standing today.


1934 Future all-time HR leader Hammerin' Hank Aaron is born in Mobile, Alabama.


1935 The Yankees release 39-year old Babe Ruth.


1942 The Yankees trade Tommie Holmes to the Braves for Gene Moore and Buddy Hassett. Holmes will play ten seasons hitting over .300 for Boston and will set a NL record with a 37 consecutive game hitting streak until it is broken by Pete Rose in 1978.


1951 California governor Earl Warren denies the rumor he is a candidate for baseball commissioner.


1999 Major league baseball will honor each league's best hitter with an award named after Hank Aaron. The all-time home run king learns about the honor on his 65th birthday at an event which includes President Bill Clinton, Ernie Banks and Reggie Jackson.


2002 Luis Arroyo is inducted into the Latin American Baseball Hall of Fame Museum. The Puerto Rican reliever, who made the the National League All Star squad as a rookie with Cardinals in 1955, had a 8-year career mark of 40-32 saving 36 games with a 3.93 ERA and is best remembered for his 1961 season with the Yankees (15-5, 29 saves).


2002 Baseball announces the withdrawal of its plan for contraction this upcoming season, but the sport is still determined to eliminate two teams in 2003. Attempts to contract the Twins and Expos this season could not be accomplished due to a series of legal decisions and fierce opposition from the Players Association.


2002 Troy Percival's seven-year tenure with Anaheim, which is the longest on the current roster, will increase as the All-Star reliever signs two-year contract extension with the club. The 32-year-old righthander, who is Angels' all-time leader with 210 career saves, converted 39 of 42 save opportunities last season.


2002 The Astros file a motion in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York asking the court to determine whether the 30-year naming agreement with Enron signed in 1999 should continue. The team does not want to call its stadium Enron Field any longer due to the financial burden placed on many Houston-area residents caused by the bankrupt energy company business practices.

[rockin500]

1934 Ford Frick, a New York news reporter and broadcaster, is named the NL's public relations director.

1935 Demanding a yearly salary of $25,000, Dizzy Dean becomes a holdout. The Cardinal ace will sign for $19,500 the following day.

1956 Supporting the Wagner-Cashmore plan to build a $30-million downtown Brooklyn sports center, Walter O'Malley promises to buy four million dollars worth of bonds.

1958 The Red Sox sign Ted Williams for $135,000 making him the highest paid player in major league history.

1986 The Yankees sign free-agent Al Holland. Holland saved five games for three different teams last season.

[rockin500]

1942 The Reds trade catcher Ernie Lombardi to the Boston Braves for cash.

1949 Yankee outfielder Joe DiMaggio becomes the first player to make $100,000 in one season.

1979 Jesse Orosco becomes 'the player to be named later' in the Met trade of Jerry Koosman to the Twins.

1983 The Mariners select Reds minor leaguer Danny Tartabull as compensation for the loss of Floyd Bannister to the White Sox.

1987 For only the second time, a player is forced to take a pay cut due to salary arbitration. Dodger pitcher Orel Hershiser signs for $800,000 which is a twenty percent reduction.

[rockin500]

1901 It is rumored the NL's leading hitter and the Phillies' top player, Napoleon Lajoie, has jumped to the new AL Philadelphia franchise.

1956 At the age of 93, Connie Mack dies in Philadelphia. The 'Tall Tactician' is the major league's all-time winningest (3731 victories) and losingest (3948 defeats) manager.

1972 Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announces the Special Committee on the Negro League Hall of Fame selection of Buck Leonard and Josh Gibson.

1973 'Early Bird' spring training is canceled until negotiations with the players' association are completed.

1982 The longest-playing infield foursome is broken up as the Dodgers trade Davey Lopes to the A's for minor leaguer Lance Hudson. The second baseman had played with Steve Garvey, Ron Cey and Bill Russell since 1974.

[titanbaseball04]

February 8

On February 8, 1941, the Detroit Tigers release future Hall of Famer Earl Averill and sign outfielder Hoot Evers, a star at the University of Illinois. Averill will eventually sign a contract with the Boston Braves but will hit only .118 in 17 at-bats, ending his major league career.

On February 8, 1916, the National League turns down a request from Brooklyn Dodgers owner Charles Ebbets, who had wanted to limit the number of .25 cent tickets that teams could sell at their ballparks.

On February 8, 1983, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn orders Mickey Mantle to sever all ties with Major League Baseball after he accepts a position with the Claridge Hotel and Casino in Atlantic City. Kuhn previously made a similar ruling with Willie Mays, who also took a job with a casino.

[rockin500]

1971 Satchel Paige becomes the first Negro League star to be selected to the Hall of Fame.

1976 The Hall of Fame Special Committee on the Negro Leagues selects Oscar Charleston.

1980 The late Yankee catcher Thurman Munson is inducted into the Athletic Hall of Fame of Kent State University

1981 At the age of thirty-seven, Joe Morgan inks a one-year deal with the Giants

1984 After refusing a trade to the A's, two-time all-star Dusty Baker is waived by the Dodgers.

1988 The A's sign a one year deal with free agent Don Baylor.

2000 The Reds send four players, pitcher Brett Tomko, outfielder Mike Cameron and two minor leaguers to the Mariners and agree to a contract extension to obtain Seattle's superstar Ken Griffey Jr. Junior's nine-year $116.5 million contract is the richest package in baseball history, but in the current market is considered quite a bargain.

[rockin500]

1910 Major League owners are now forbidden to own more than one baseball franchise.

1916 After Chief Meyers is waived by the Giants to the Robins, Brooklyn owners Ebbets and Haughton disagree on his status. A coin toss, won by Ebbets, decides the catcher will remain with the team.

1920 The spitball, shineball, emeryball and other doctored pitches are outlawed by the American and National League Joint Rules Committee.

1971 The Yankees announced their former star first baseman, Bill White, will join the WPIX broadcast team becoming the first black announcer in major league history.

1982 The Mets agree to a five-year deal with George Foster completing the trade with the Reds which sent Jim Kern, Greg Harris and Alex Trevino to Cincinnati.

[titanbaseball04]

February 11

On February 11, 1977, the Chicago Cubs trade two-time National League batting champion Bill Madlock and infielder Rob Sperring to the San Francisco Giants for outfielder Bobby Murcer, third baseman Steve Ontiveros, and a minor league pitcher. Madlock led the NL with a .339 mark, while Murcer had 23 home runs and 90 RBIs.

On February 11, 1974, a total of 48 players exercise their rights to settle their contracts through the new arbitration procedure. Pitcher Dick Woodson will become the first player to go through arbitration, winning his case against the Minnesota Twins.

On February 11, 1900, the Baltimore Orioles sell three of their stars-third baseman John McGraw, catcher Wilbert Robinson, and infielder Bill Keister-to the St. Louis Cardinals. McGraw, the team's player-manager, batted .391 in 1899.

On February 11, 1994, longtime Milwaukee Brewers star Robin Yount announces his retirement. The 38-year-old Yount leaves the game with 3,142 hits, 251 home runs, and two MVP Awards in 21 seasons. Yount will gain election to the Hall of Fame in 1999-his first year of eligibility.

February 11, 1982, the St. Louis Cardinals complete one of their best trades ever, acquiring Ozzie Smith from the San Diego Padres for fellow shortstop Garry Templeton. Smith batted only .222 for the Padres in 1981, but will blossom into stardom in St. Louis.

On February 11, 1950, Hall of Fame outfielder Hazen "Kiki" Cuyler dies at the age of 50. Considered an outstanding defensive player and baserunner, Cuyler also hit .321 during an 18-year career. Cuyler was serving the Boston Red Sox as a coach at the time of his death.

[rockin500]

1924 The National League announces it will join the AL in awarding a thousand dollars to the player selected by writers as the league's MVP.

1930 After leading his A's to a world championship, Connie Mack becomes the first Philadelphian sports figure to receive the prestigious Edward W. Bok Prize.

1942 Former Texarkana outfielder Gordon Houston is the first professional ballplayer to be killed in WW II.

1944 After managing in the minors for twenty-three years, Bob Coleman is named as manager of the Boston Braves.

1980 Charles Finley's plan to sell his A's to oil man Marv Davis is thwarted when the AL offers to buy out the Oakland Coliseum lease. Davis had hoped to move the franchise to Denver.

2002 For the first time in its history, Major League Baseball will own a team after acquiring the Expos from Jeffrey Loria. The former Montreal owner sells the Expos for $120 million then buys the Florida Marlins for $158.5 million with the difference being made up with a loan from MLB.

2002 With unanimous approval of the sale of the Florida Marlins to the former owner of the Montreal Expos, Jeffrey Loria, and Major League Baseball's acquisition of the Montreal franchise, personnel changes are announced. The Expos name Frank Robinson as manager, Tony Tavares as president of the club with Omar Minaya becoming the major leagues' first Hispanic general manager, and south of the border former Expo manger Jeff Torborg will manage the Marlins with former Expos' interim general manager Larry Beinfest as the GM and David Samson will take over the duties of team president.

[rockin500]

1935 Signing a contact written in French, Senator outfielder Gus Dugas, a French-Canadian, is obtained by Montreal of the International League.

1953 In honor of their longtime owner and manager. The A's rename their ballpark from Shibe Park to Connie Mack Stadium.

1986 Recently acquired by the White Sox from the Yankees, catcher Ron Hassey is traded back to the Bronx Bombers along with three minor-leaguers for Neil Allen, Scott Bradley and a minor leaguer

1987 The highest arbitration award to date is won by pitcher Jack Morris. The Tigers will pay him 1.85 million for his services next season.

1995 The Dodgers sign five-time Japanese all-star pitcher, Hideo Nomo. 'Tornado Boy' is the first player to move directly from the majors in Japan to the North American majors.

2002 The Red Sox sign 43-year-old Rickey Henderson to a minor-league contract. Last season with the Padres, the future Hall of Famer got his 3000th career hit and broke the all-time records for walks and runs.

[rockin500]

1897 For a record price of $10,000, the Cubs, then known as the White Stockings, sell Mike 'King' Kelly to Boston Beaneaters.

1928 The American Legion receives $50,000 from MLB Advisory Council to develop a national championship program.

1934 After playing 19 years with the Senators, Sam Rice ends his career playing one season with the Indians. He will amass 2,987 career hits in his two decades as a player.

1945 After forty-five years in professional baseball, Braves president Bob Quinn retires as the team's general manager. John, his son, will take his place.

1957 The Georgia Senate unanimously approves a bill which prohibits blacks from playing baseball with whites except at religious gatherings.

1996 Kevin McClatchy and his group of investors purchase the Pirates from the Pittsburgh Associates.

2001 The Ford C. Frick Award, named in memory of the former baseball commissioner who was a broadcaster, will be given to Marlin's radio announcer Rafael Ramirez during Hall of Fame induction ceremonies this summer. 'Felo', who began his 56-year career broadcasting games in Cuba, has been in the Miami broadcast booth since the team's inaugural season in 1993.

2001 According to the Detroit Free Press major league baseball is informing umpires to remove pitchers from the game, without warning, who deliberately throw a beanball at a batter's head. The crackdown, according to officials, is a clarification and reinforcement of an existing rule.

2002 The Tigers sign Dmitri Young (.302, 21, 69) to four-year contract with two team options. The Tigers traded outfielder Juan Encarnacion (.242, 12, 52) and minor league righthander Luis Pineda in December to acquire the first baseman/outfielder from the Reds.

[rockin500]

1931 The Yankees rename their spring training site in St. Petersburg Miller Huggins Field in honor of their late manager.

1934 Radio broadcast rights are granted to Boston, Chicago, Detroit and Cincinnati.

1946 Hank Greenberg signs a Tiger contract for $60,000. Three days later he will marry New York department store heiress, Coral Gimbel

1964 At the age of twenty-two, 1962 NL Rookie of the Year Cub Ken Hubbs dies in a Pravo, Utah plane crash.

1980 Gaylord Perry is traded by the Padres to the Rangers for first baseman Willie Montanez.

1990 A thirty-two day lockout begins as major league owners refuse to open spring training camp without reaching a new Basic Agreement with the players. The season will be delayed one week due to the lock-out.

[titanbaseball04]

1924 Boston Braves' shortstop Tony Boeckel dies from injuries received in an automobile accident yesterday. He is the first major leaguer to be killed in a car mishap.


1950 Former Giants Mel Ott and Bill Terry are the top vote getters, but fail to be elected into the Hall of Fame.


1952 After 40 years in the major leagues as a player and coach, Honus Wagner retires. The 'Flying Dutchman' will receive a pension from the Pirates.


1967 Former Yankee pitcher Red Ruffing, author of 273 major league wins, is elected to the Hall of fame.


1989 Orel Hershiser becomes baseball's first three-million dollar man when he signs a three-year $7.9 million contract with the Dodgers. The 'Bulldog' will earn $3,166,167 in 1991.


1996 General Mills announces a special edition Wheaties cereal box honoring Negro League superstars Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson and 'Cool Papa' Bell.


2001 Yankee premier reliever, Mariano Rivera (7-4, 2.85 , 36 saves) signs a four-year approximately $40 million contract with the Bronx Bombers. The 31-year old Panama native surpassed Dennis Eckersley major league record with 16 saves in post-season games.

[rockin500]

btw, thanks for the help. somedays ive just got too many things on my mind to do it. lol

thanks. :)

[titanbaseball04]

1952, Hall of Famer Honus Wagner announces his retirement after a lifetime in baseball. The 77-year-old Wagner had served for 40 years as a player and coach. Wagner, a career .327 hitter, was one of the first five players elected to the Hall of Fame in 1936, along with Babe Ruth, Ty Cobb, Walter Johnson, and Christy Mathewson.

1934, future Hall of Famer Eppa Rixey announces his retirement as an active player. Rixey won 266 games during a 21-year major league career with the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds.

1924, Boston Braves third baseman Tony Boeckel dies one day after sustaining major injuries in an automobile crash. Boeckel is the first major league player to die in an accident involving a motor vehicle. In 1923, Boeckel batted .298 with seven home runs.

1967, former New York Yankees pitching great Red Ruffing is elected to the Hall of Fame in a special runoff election. The runoff had been necessitated by the failure of any player to receive 75 per cent of the ballots cast in the January election. Ruffing won 273 games over his 22-year career.

1961, Hall of Famer Clarence "Dazzy" Vance dies at the age of 69. Vance went 197-140 over a 16-year career. Vance led the National League in wins in 1924 and '25 with the Brooklyn Dodgers.

1953, an unusual four-way trade is made among the Braves, Dodgers, Phillies, and Reds. The Braves acquire first baseman Joe Adcock and outfielder Jim Pendleton; the Dodgers pick up pitcher Russ "Monk" Meyer; the Reds net infielder Rocky Bridges; and the Phillies pick up first baseman Earl Torgeson.

[titanbaseball04]

1891 The American Association withdraws from the National Agreement thus starting a war with the National League. The AA moves its Chicago team to Cincinnati to compete with the NL team.


1900 In lieu of unpaid alimony, Mary H. VonDerbeck becomes the owner of the American League franchise in Detroit. Her ex-husband will later regain control the team.


1937 Babe Dahlgren is bought by the Yankees from the Red Sox. He will become the player who replaces Lou Gehrig.


1943 Giving no notice to the Yankees, Joe DiMaggio enlists in the army.


1964 White Sox shortstop Luke Appling is elected to the Hall of Fame. 'Old Aches and Pains' holds the single-season highest average for his position hitting .388 in 1936.


1987 Yankee Don Mattingly wins his $1.975 arbitration case breaking the record for the largest amount ever awarded to a player set by Jack Morris just four days ago.

[titanbaseball04]

1971, future Hall of Famer Carl Yastrzemski signs a three-year contract with the Boston Red Sox worth $500,000. The deal is believed to be the largest in major league history. In 1970, Yastrzemski enjoyed one of his finest seasons, batting .329, with 40 home runs, 102 RBIs, and a career-high 23 stolen bases.

1964, the Baseball Writers Association of America elects shortstop Luke Appling to the Hall of Fame. Appling played 20 seasons with the Chicago White Sox, compiling a lifetime batting average of .310 and a total of 1,116 RBIs.

1958, former major league star Bob Feller is hired as a broadcaster by the Mutual Broadcasting System. The Hall of Fame right-hander will serve as a color analyst on the radio network's "game of the week" broadcast.

1989, Hall of Fame pitcher Lefty Gomez dies at the age of 80. Gomez won 189 games over a 14-year career with the New York Yankees and Washington Senators. Gomez pitched exceptionally well in World Series play, winning six games without a loss.

1986, Hall of Famer Red Ruffing dies at the age of 81. The former New York Yankee great won 273 games over a 22-year career, including four straight seasons of 20 or more wins. Ruffing won election to the Hall of Fame in 1967.

1909, the Cleveland Naps acquire Cy Young from the Boston Red Sox for two pitchers, Charlie Chech and Jack Ryan. In 1908, Young won 21 games for the Red Sox while spinning an ERA of 1.26. Young will not pitch as effectively in 1909, but will still notch 19 wins and a 2.26 ERA.

[rockin500]

1916 Major league baseball initiates an option plan to protect minor league players.

1943 New York lumberman William D. Cox buys the Phillies.

1944 Fifteen-year old Joe Nuxhall signs a contract with the Reds just one day after playing a high school basketball game.

1967 During a special softball exhibition game, pitcher Eddie Feinger strikes six consecutive major leaguers. The victims include Willie Mays, Willie McCovey, Brooks Robinson, Harmon Killebrew, Roberto Clemente and Maury Wills.

1999 The Blue Jays trade Roger Clemens to the Yankees for David Wells, Graeme Lloyd, and Homer Bush.

[rockin500]

1935 Lou Gehrig signs a contract with the Yankees for $30,000.

1942 Unable to find relief from migraine headaches, Indian first baseman Hal Trosky retires from baseball.

1970 Effective April 1st, Tiger pitcher Denny McLain is suspended for three months by Commissioner Kuhn for his alleged connection with bookmakers.

1977 Pitcher Paul Lindblad is sold by the A's to Rangers for $400,000.

1987 After signing a contract as a free agent with the A's less than a month ago, Vida Blue unexpectedly retires from baseball.

2002 The 37-year-old Jose Canseco (.258, 16, 49) signs a minor league contract with the lame duck Expos. The 17-year veteran, who was the 1985 American League Rookie of the Year in 1985 and its 1986 MVP, is 38 homers shy of the coveted 5000 mark.

[titanbaseball04]

1953, Boston Red Sox star Ted Williams crash-lands his fighter plane after flying a combat mission during the Korean War. Williams survives the landing and will return to the Red Sox during the 1953 season. Williams also served in the Armed Forces during World War II.


1957, the New York Yankees and Kansas City A's make a massive 12-player trade. The deal sends pitchers Art Ditmar and Bobby Shantz to the Yankees for infielder Billy Hunter and pitchers Mickey McDermott and Tom Morgan. The trade also involves two players to be named later, including slick-fielding third baseman Clete Boyer, who will become a key contributor to New York's World Championships in 1961 and '62.

1983, Fernando Valenzuela of the Los Angeles Dodgers becomes the first player to earn a $1 million salary through arbitration. Valenzuela's victory makes him the third highest paid player in the game.

[rockin500]

1923 After buying the club along with two partners for $300,000, Christy Mathewson becomes the president of the Boston Braves.

1929 The Red Sox announce it will play newly allowed Sunday games at Braves Field because Fenway Park is too close to a church.

1953 During the Korean War, pilot Ted Williams safely crash lands a crippled jet after completing a combat mission.

1953 Pledging not to move the team from St. Louis, beer baron August A. Busch convinces the Board of Directors of Anheuser-Busch to purchase the Cardinals for $3.75 million dollars.

1963 After leading the Giants to the pennant the previous season, Willie Mays becomes the highest paid player signing a $100,000 contract.

1980 The era of 'Billy Ball' begins in Oakland as Billy Martin is hired as manager of the A's for $125,000.

1984 Pedro Guerrero becomes the highest paid Dodger when he signs a five-year, seven million dollar contract to play in Los Angeles.

[rockin500]

1931 The White Sox and Giants become the first major league teams to play a night game. The Buffs Stadium (Houston, Texas) exhibition game lasts ten innings with the teams collecting a total of 23 hits.

1931 The Dodgers arrive in Cuba to start a series of five intersquad games.

1974 Tom Seaver becomes the highest-paid pitcher in baseball history when he signs a contract for $172,000 per season to hurl for the Mets.

1986 In defiance of the Reds' policy, Rollie Fingers refuses to cut off his trademark handlebar mustache and retires from baseball.

1989 Pete Rose meets with Commissioner Peter Ueberroth and Commissioner-elect Bart Giamatti to explain the allegations concerning his gambling habits.

2000 Denying the acquisition of Ken Griffey, Jr. as the reason, the Reds announce the team has dropped its ban on earrings. Players have worn them in the clubhouse, but weren't allowed on the field with them.

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1969, Hall of Famer Ted Williams makes a return to baseball by signing a five-year contract to manage the Washington Senators. Williams will lead the Senators to their best record ever, a mark of 86-76, and is named American League Manager of the Year.

1974, New York Mets ace Tom Seaver becomes the highest paid player in major league history. Known as "The Franchise," Seaver signs a one-year contract worth $172,500. In 1973, Seaver won 19 games while leading the National League in ERA.

1903, future Hall of Fame owner Tom Yawkey is born in Detroit Michigan. Born under the name "Thomas Austin," Yawkey will own and operate the Boston Red Sox for 44 years.

1968, the major league owners and the Players Association sign the first "Basic Agreement" in the game's history. The agreement will serve as a working contract between players and owners, dictating the working relationship between the two sides along with financial rules and parameters.

1985, New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner gives manager Yogi Berra the dreaded vote of confidence. Steinbrenner says that Berra will remain Yankee skipper for the entire season, regardless of how badly the team might struggle. Berra will last only 16 games.

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1881 George Wright signs a contract with the Boston Reds which he states allows him not to travel with the team on western road trips, but just play in games played in New England and Troy. The arrangement is necessary due to his business commitments.


1889 Italy's King Humbert is among the fans who witness the Chicagos beat the All-Americans, 3-2, outside of Rome at the Villia Borghesi.


1915 Newly acquired second baseman Nap Lajoie contributes to a 7-6 loss to the Red Sox by committing five errors. This feat has been accomplished seven times to this date but will not occur again this century.


1921 Shortstop 'Rabbit' Maranville is traded by Brooklyn to the Pirates for Billy Southworth, Fred Nicholson and Walter Barbare.


1938 The Cardinals sign All-American and NFL Washington Redskin quarterback Sammy Baugh as an infielder.

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1922, St. Louis Cardinals catcher Bill "Pickles" Dillhoefer dies from typhoid-pneumonia at the age of 26. Dillhoefer, who had shared catching duties with the Cardinals for the past three seasons, was a popular player with fans because of his hustle on the playing field.

1999, Pittsburgh Pirates scout Howie Haak dies at the age of 87 of complications from a stroke. Haak, who worked for the Pirates from 1950 to 1988, scouted Roberto Clemente while he played in the Brooklyn Dodgers' farm system and recommended that the Pirates sign him. Dubbed the "King of the Caribbean," Haak also signed Manny Sanguillen and Tony Pena during his trips to Latin America.

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1934 Replacing skipper Max Carey, Brooklyn coach Casey Stengel signs a two-year deal to manage the Dodgers.


1986 Although he loses his arbitration case, Red Sox Wade Boggs receives the largest amount (1.35 million) ever awarded by this process.


1987 After three days of spring training, Billy Gardner replaces Dick Howser as Royals' manager. The frail-looking skipper had tried to comeback from brain