This day in baseball

[Lefty]

October 19.

1964 Reds' Fred Hutchinson resigns as manager after compiling an 60-49 record.


1964 Harry 'the Hat' Walker is named as manager of the Pirates.


1972 Using four straight singles (three by pinch-hitters), the A's score twice in the ninth to win Game 4 of the World Series defeating the Reds, 3-2.


1981 The first Canadian pennant hopes are dashed when Dodger Rick Monday's ninth inning two-out dramatic home run beats the Expos, 2-1, in the deciding game of the NLCS.


1987 The Yankees name Billy Martin as manager for the fifth time. This time the fiery skipper will stay at the team's helm until June 23,1988.


2000 Dusty Baker, who led the Giants to a National League West flag with baseball's best record (97-65), reaches agreement with the Giants on a two-year contract extension. The pact makes, the two-time National League Manager of the Year the second highest-paid skipper in the majors.


2002 In Game 1, Tsuyoshi Shinjo becomes the Japanese-born player to appear in the World Series. The Giant designated hitter goes 1-for-3 in the 4-3 victory over the Angels.


2004 In an ALCS game which features two reversed calls by the umpires, the Red Sox become the first team in baseball history after trailing the series 0-3 to force a Game 7. Boston, who was three outs from being swept in Game 4, gets an outstanding pitching performance from Curt Schilling, playing with a dislocated ankle tendon, to beat the Yankees at the stadium, 4-2.

 

[Lefty]

October 20.

1931 Mickey Mantle, the 'Commerce Comet' is born in Spavinaw, Oklahoma. The newborn's dad names his son after Mickey Cochrane not realizing the major leaguer catcher's real name is not Mickey but Gordon. The future Yankee outfielder is glad his father was not aware of this fact.


1964 Johnny Keane, three days after resigning as manager of World Champion Cardinals, replaces Yogi Berra as the Yankee's field boss.


1982 The Brewers, playing in their first World Series, are unable to hold on to a 3-1 lead in Game 7, as the Cardinals, thanks to Keith Hernandez's two-run sixth inning single, beats Milwaukee, 6-3.


1988 Dodger Orel Hershiser limits the A's to four singles in Game 5 of the World Series beating the A's, 5-1 as Los Angeles takes the Fall Classic, 4 games to 1.


1994 Receiving all 28 first votes, Raul Mondesi (.306, 16, 56) is named the National League's Rookie of the Year. The Los Angeles rightfielder, who easily outdistanced Astro hurler John Hudek and Braves outfielder Ryan Klesko, is the third consecutive Dodger to win the award.


1990 The Reds complete their four-game World Series sweep over the heavily favored A's. Jose Rijo, with ninth inning help from Randy Meyers, wins his second game of the series.


2000 The major league play-by-play broadcasters and color commentators select Carlos Delgado and Todd Helton as the Hank Aaron Award recipients. The new award, established last year, recognizes the Blue Jay and Rockies first basemen as the best overall hitters in each league.


2000 Toronto signs Carlos Delgado to a record four-year $68 million contract. The Blue Jay first baseman's average salary of $17 million is the most in major league history.


2002 Twenty-year old Venezuelan righthander Francisco Rodriguez becomes the youngest pitcher ever to win a World Series game. With just 15 days of major league experience, K-Rod throws 37 pitches retiring 9 consecutive batters in three innings to pick up the victory as the Angels outslug the Giants in Game 2, 11-10.


2004 After losing the first three games of the ALCS, the Red Sox become the first team in baseball history to win a best-of-seven series by beating the Yankees at stadium, 10-3. Johnny Damon’s two home runs, including a grand slam in the fourth, and Derek Lowe’s solid pitching performance helps Boston to join the 1942 Toronto Maple Leafs and the 1975 New York Islanders as the only teams in the history professional sports to overcome a 3-0 series deficit to win a seven-game series.

 

[Lefty]

October 21.

1973 The A's capture second consecutive World Series defeating the Mets, 5-2 in Game 7. Reggie Jackson and Bert Campaneris both hit two-run homers for Oakland.


1975 In the bottom of 12th inning of Game Six at Fenway Park, Red Sox backstop Carlton Fisk hits one of the most dramatic home runs in major league history forcing a seventh game with the Reds. This event was chosen as one of baseball's most memorable moments in 2002.


1976 The Reds beat the Yankees, 7-2, to complete the World Series sweep over the Bronx Bombers for their second consecutive World Championship. The ‘Big Red Machine’ is powered by Johnny Bench’s two-run and three-run home runs.


1980 In Game 6 in front of 65,838 fans at Veterans Stadium, the Phillies win their first World Series ever in the 98-year history of the franchise by defeating the Royals, 4-1. Winning pitcher Steve Carlton limits Kansas City to 4 hits in seven innings and Tug McGraw hurls the last two frames to pick up the save.


1986 After losing the first two World Series games at home, the Mets beat the Red Sox at Fenway Park, 7-1. Lenny Dykstra's first inning home run marks the third time in history in which the Mets lead off hitter has homered in the initial inning of Game 3 of the Fall Classic. The feat was also accomplished by Tommy Agee (1969) and Wayne Garrett (1973).


1993 Curt Schilling becomes the first Phillies' hurler to pitch a World Series shutout blanking the Blue Jays on five hits, 2-0.


1998 Defeating the Padres, 3-0, in Game 4, the Yankees sweep the Padres to win their 24th World Series championship. It is the 125th victory for the Bronx Bombers this season.


2000 In the longest World Series game ever played, the Yankees take Game 1 of the Subway Series, thanks to Jose Vizcaino's 12th inning two-out single, defeating the Mets, 4-3 in four hours and fifty-one minutes. The victory surpasses the streak established by the Murderers' Row clubs as the present Bronx Bombers win their 13th consecutive World Series game.


2002 Florida team president David Samson, in an effort to get fans "falling back in love with the Marlins,'' announces plans which includes free hot dogs and a cozier atmosphere at Pro Player Stadium. The average crowd of 10,038 per home game, more than a third less than the previous season, was next-to-last in the major leagues in attendance this year.

 

[Lefty]

October 22.


1845 The first known box score appears in the New York Morning News a month after the first set of rules are written by Alexander Cartwright and some his fellow Knickerbockers.


1927 Future Hall of Famer Ross Youngs dies of Bright's disease. 'Pep' was a .322 hitter during his ten-year Giant career and was one of John McGraw's favorite players.


1929 Phillies' catcher Walt Lerian, age 26, is killed when a truck hits him.


1933 Millionaire owner of the Browns, Phill Ball dies. Manager Rogers Hornsby takes over the reins of the franchise.


1972 The A's win their first championship in 42 years as they defeat the Reds 3-2 in Game 7 of the Fall Classic. World Series MVP Gene Tenace, who had only hit five home runs in the regular season, connects for four round trippers in the seven games against Cincinnati.


1974 Two very well-known outfielders are traded for one another as the Giants send Bobby Bonds to the Yankees for Bobby Murcer. Considered to be the biggest one-for one trade in baseball history, the swap of the next 'Willie Mays' (Bonds) for the next 'Mickey Mantle (Murcer) marks the first time two $600,000 players have been exchanged.


1975 In a fitting finish to one of the most classic World Series ever played, the Reds beat the Red Sox in a thrilling Game 7 victory, 4-3. Joe Morgan's ninth inning looping single scoring Ken Griffey proves to be the decisive hit.


2000 In Game 2, the Yankees extend their World Series winning streak to 14 consecutive games defeating the Mets, 6-5 in a game which is overshadowed by Roger Clemens throwing the barrel of a shattered bat Mike Piazza as the Met catcher runs to first. The eagerly awaited at bat, due to the Rocket's beaning of the Mets' superstar in July, results in the two players confronting one another and the emptying of both benches.


2002 Giant P.A. announcer Rene Brooks-Moon become the first woman to announce a World Series. Her scorecard from Game 4 is being sent the Hall of Fame.

 

[Lefty]

October 23.

1910 A's hurler Jack Coombs picks up his record-tying third World Series win as he beats the Cubs, 7-1. Philadelphia takes the Fall Classic in five games.


1945 Dodger President, Branch Rickey, announces that Jackie Robinson has signed to play with Brooklyn's Triple A team in Montreal. The 26-year old Negro League star will be the first black player to play in organized baseball since 1884.


1951 The Associated Press selects Giants' skipper Leo Durocher as the manager of the year.


1952 The Pacific Coast League announces its teams will play 176-game schedule next season.


1993 The Blue Jays beat the Phillies 8-6 to win their second consecutive World Series thanks to Joe Carter's dramatic ninth inning three-run homer. The Toronto outfielder becomes just the second player to end the Fall Classic with a home run joining Bill Mazeroski whose Forbes Field's round tripper beat the Yankees in 1960.


1996 After losing the first two games of the Fall Classic at the Stadium, David Cone limits the Braves to four hits and one run in six innings en route to a Yankee 5-2 win. It will be first of 14 consecutive World Series victories as the Bronx Bombers start their run of four titles in five years.


1998 Davey Johnson is hired as the manager of the Dodgers. The former Met, Red and Oriole skipper has finished first with evey team he has managed.


2000 Although lacking big league managerial experience, Pirates' hitting coach Lloyd McClendon is named as the team's manager replacing recently-fired Gene Lamont.


2002 Lou Gehrig's consecutive games streak being broken by Cal Ripken Jr. in 1995 is voted as baseball's most memorable moment by the fan participating Major league baseball and MasterCard promotion. Hank Aaron breaking Babe Ruth's all-time home run record, Jackie Robinson becoming the first black to play in major league baseball, Mark McGwire breaking Roger Maris' single-season home run record and Lou Gehrig's farewell speech were also in the top five events selected by the fans.


2002 Joining Roberto Clemente and Thurman Munson, Darryl Kile will become the third player to appear on the 2003 Hall of Fame ballot before the mandatory five-year waiting period. The 33-year-old Cardinal pitcher, who died of heart disease, was found dead in his Chicago hotel room in June.

 

[Lefty]

October 24.

1908 Baseball's anthem, Take Me Out to the Ballgame, is introduced by Bill Murray. The song writing team of Albert Von Tilzer (music) and Jack Norworth (words) who created the immortal tune have never seen a game.


1911 The World Series is resumed after six days of rain. The A's, behind the pitching of Chief Bender, beat the Giants and Christy Mathewson 4-2 to give Philadelphia a 3-1 game lead in the Fall Classic.


1951 Larry MacPhail suggests there should be four new major leagues including one located on the West Coast.


1972 The first black player of 20th century, Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson, dies of heart disease at the age of 53.


1987 Amidst the deafening noise crowd of the hanky-waving fans in the Metrodome, the Twins staved off elimination as the team scores eight runs in the 5th and 6th innings of Game 6 to beat the Cardinals, 11-5.


1992 In Game 6, Canada wins its first-ever World Series as the Blue Jays beat the Braves, 4-3. Forty-one year old Dave Winfield's 11th inning double is the key hit in Toronto's victory.


2000 Orlando Hernandez (8-0, 1.90) losses his first postseason game as the Mets defeat the Yankees on a tie breaking eight inning double by Benny Agbayani, 4-2. New York native John Franco gets the win ending the Yankees' record 14-game World Series winning streak.


2000 Roger Clemens is fined a reported $50,000 for throwing the jagged barrel of a shattered bat in the direction of Mets catcher Mike Piazza in the first inning Game 2 of the World Series.

 

[Lefty]

October 25.

1955 Branch Rickey steps down as the Pirates' general manager and will be replaced by Joe L. Brown.


1955 The Indians trade Larry Doby, the first black to play in the American League, to the White Sox for Chico Carrasquel and Jim Busby.


1956 White Sox manager Marty Marion resigns and will be replaced by Al Lopez.


1981 In Game 5 at Dodger Stadium, Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager's back-to-back solo home runs in the seventh inning off Yankee southpaw Ron Guidry give Los Angeles a 2-1 World Series victory.


1986 One strike from defeat, the Mets tie the game on a wild pitch and then, thanks to Bill Buckner's error, win Game 6 knotting the Fall Classic at three games apiece. This event will be selected as one of baseball's 30 most memorable moments.


1987 In a series in which each team never lose a game in its home park, the Twins win the World Championship as the beat the Cards, 4-2 in Game 7. The franchise's last championship came in 1924 as the Washington Senators.

 

[Lefty]

October 26:

1940 Tigers' slugging left fielder Hank Greenberg (.340, 41,150) is named the American League's Most Valuable Player with Indian hurler Bob Feller (27-11- 2.61) finishing second. Having won the award in 1935 as a first baseman, 'Hammerin' Hank' becomes the first player to win the MVP again playing a different position.


1949 The San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League complete an Asian tour which includes five Japanese games. One of the Japanese games draws over 100,00 fans to watch Lefty O'Doul's team.


1950 The BBWAA select Yankee shortstop Phil Rizzuto (.324, 7, 66) as the American League MVP. The ‘Scooter’, who receives 16 of 23 first-place votes, easily outpoints runner-ups Boston’s Billy Goodman and teammate Yogi Berra.


1950 Walter O'Malley succeeds Branch Rickey as president of the Dodgers.


1960 After operating the team in the nation's capital ever since Clark Griffith took over as manager of the club in 1912, Calvin Griffith, president of the Washington Senators, makes decision to move his club to the Minneapolis/St. Paul area.

1960 In a move designed to get a jump on the National League in the expansion race, the American League grants franchises to Washington and Los Angeles and okays the Senators move to Minnesota.


1982 The Phillies' thirty-seven year old 'Lefty' Steve Carlton (23-11, 3.10) wins the Cy Young Award for an unprecedented fourth time.


1985 Umpire Don Denkinger's controversial first base call helps the Royals to beat their cross-state rivals, 2-1 in Game 6 of the World Series. Jorge Orta was called safe even though it appeared Cardinal first baseman Jack Clark's throw to Todd Worrell covering the bag had beat him.


1996 After two one-sided losses at home, the Yankees win the next four games and take their first World Series since 1978 with a 3-2 victory over the defending World champs Braves in Game 6.


1997 With two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning of Game 7, Edgar Renteria singles home Craig Counsell giving the Florida Marlins their first World Series title with a 3-2 win over the Indians. The five-year old Marlins become the youngest expansion team to win the Fall classic.


1998 Potential free-agent all-star catcher Mike Piazza signs the most lucrative contract in major league history when he agrees to terms with the Mets. The seven-year deal is worth over $91 million and includes having a suite on road trips and a luxury box for home games at Shea.


2000 Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter becomes the first player to win the All-Star Game MVP and the World Series MVP honors in the same season.


2000 In Game 5 at Shea Stadium, the Yankees win their third consecutive World Series, the fourth title in five years and record 26th championship by defeating the Mets, 4-2. Luis Sojo's ninth inning two-out, tie-breaking single off starter Al Leiter is the decisive hit.


2000 Joining Hall of Famers Joe McCarthy (7) , Casey Stengel (7) , Connie Mack (5) and Walter Alston (4), Yankee manager Joe Torre becomes only the fifth skipper to win four World Series championships.


2002 When Russ Ortiz, tossing 5-0 shut-out strikes out Garret Anderson to begin the seventh, the Giants appeared destined to win their first World Series since 1954. Scoring six times in the 7th and 8th innings of Game 6, the Angels' rally from five runs down to stage the biggest comeback in Series history for a team facing elimination and beat the Giants, 6-5, forcing a Game 7.


2004 Prior to Game 3 of the World Series, Edgar Martinez receives the Roberto Clemente Award, an honor is given to the player who best exemplifies the game of baseball, sportsmanship, community involvement and the individual's contribution to his team. The Mariners designated hitter, a native of Puerto Rico like the award’s namesake, is involved Parent Project/Muscular Dystrophy, Children's Hospital, Make-A-Wish Foundation, and Big Brothers and Big Sisters.


2004 Curt Schilling becomes the first starting pitcher to win a World Series for three different teams. In addition to his Game 3 Red Sox victory over the Cardinals, his 8-2 lifetime post-season record includes wins for the Phillies (1993) and Diamondbacks (2002).

 

[BC867]

October 26:
1997 With two outs in the bottom of the 11th inning of Game 7, Edgar Renteria singles home Mark Counsell giving the Florida Marlins their first World Series title with a 3-2 win over the Indians.

Must be Craig's brother, huh.

 

[Lefty]

Must be Craig's brother, huh.

I read that after I posted it and corrected it.

 

[Lefty]

October 27.

1962 The Tigers begin a seventeen-game tour of Japan.


1985 The Royals become the sixth team to overcome a 3-1 deficit to win the Fall Classic as series MVP Bret Saberhagen blanks the Cardinals on five hits,11-0. Joaquin Andujar is thrown out of the game for arguing ball and strikes calls.


1986 In another comeback win, the Mets defeat the Red Sox, 8-5 to win Game 7 of the World Series. Ray Knight makes amends for an earlier error by hitting a home run which puts the Mets ahead for good in the seventh inning.


1989 After a ten day delay due to the earthquake, the World Series resumes with the A's beating the Giants in Game 3, 13-7. Oakland uses the long ball hitting five home runs in securing the victory.


1991 In Game 7 of the 'worst to first' World Series, the Twins beat the Braves in ten innings, 1-0. Both Atlanta and Minnesota had finished last in their respective divisions last year.


1999 The Yankees, behind the solid pitching of Roger Clemens, sweeps its second straight Fall Classic beating the Braves, 4-1. Atlanta joins the New York Giants (1910-19) as the only teams to lose four World Series in a decade.


2000 New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani thinks it is okay for children to take a day off from school to watch the Yankees' ticker-tape parade. His Honor, believing baseball can be an educational experience, has allowed his own kids, Andrew and Caroline, to miss classes in the past to watch the Bronx Bombers' post-season celebrations.


2000 The Mets, this year's runner-ups in the Subway Series, turn down New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani's invitation to be part of the parade for the World Champion Yankees down the Canyon of Heroes in lower Manhattan.


2002 In the team's 42nd season, the Angels finally win a World Series title by beating the Giants, 4-1, in Game 7 at Edison Field . Garret Anderson's three-run double provides enough offense for John Lackey to become the first rookie to win a seventh game since 1909 when Babe Adams accomplished the feat for the Pirates.


2004 Under the moon’s reddish tint caused by a lunar eclipse, the Red Sox exorcised 86 year of agonizing losses by winning their first World Series since 1918. In one of the most dominating Fall Classic performances, Boston, who never trailed during the four games, blank the Cardinals, 3-0, to complete the sweep.


2004 After a 10-day Overstock.com on-line auction and 240 bids, Barry Bonds' 700th home run ball goes for $804,129. Steve Williams, who came up with the milestone ball in SBC’s left field bleachers on September 17, announced he was quitting his day job as a broker's assistant, but hadn't decided what to do with the windfall.

 

[Lefty]

October 28.

1953 The 'Old Redhead' Red Barber resigns as a Brooklyn Dodger broadcaster and takes the 'catbird' seat with the rival New York Yankees.


1954 Major league owners vote down the sale of the Philadelphia A's to a hometown syndicate. A week later the Mack family sells a controlling interest to Arnold Johnson who will move the team to Kansas City.


1958 In San Francisco, construction begins on the Giants' new ballpark in an area where the rocks look like candlesticks.


1961 Ground is broken for the Flushing Meadow Stadium. The future home of the New York Mets will be known as Shea Stadium in honor of Bill Shea, a lawyer who helped to bring back the National League to the Big Apple.


1979 Dick Howser replaces Billy Martin as Yankee manager.


1981 After losing the first two games, with the help of Pedro Guerrero's five RBIs and the solid pitching of Bert Hooten, the Dodgers defeat the Yankees, 9-2, to capture the World Championship in six games. It's the third time this post season Los Angeles come from behind to win a series (0-2 behind Astros NLDS and 1-2 behind the Expos in NLCS).


1988 The Padres trade Keith Moreland and Chris Brown to the Tigers for pitcher Walt Terrell.


1989 The A's complete the sweep of the Giants in the earthquake delayed Fall Classic with a 9-6 victory. Dave Stewart, who wins the series MVP, becomes the first hurler to win two games in both the LCS and World Series.


1995 In Game 6, Tom Glavine and Mark Wohlers combine on a one-hitter to defeat the Indians, 1-0 giving the Braves their first World Series since moving to Atlanta. David Justice's homer in the sixth inning proves to be the difference.


2001 Curt Schilling, who name his son Gehrig, receives the 2001 Roberto Clemente Award for his contributions to numerous charities, including ALS which is better known as Lou Gehrig's Disease. The Diamondback right-hander, who won World Series opener yesterday, was selected due his outstanding baseball skills combined with devoted work within the community.


2002 The Mets, after being unable to get permission to talk to Lou Piniella from Seattle and deciding not to wait ten days after World Series for the availability Giant skipper Dusty Baker, give Art Howe a four-year, $9.4 million deal to manage the team. New York's new skipper managed the A's to two AL West titles (2000, 2002) championships with his teams winning 383 games during the last four seasons matching Joe Torre's Yankee total.


2002 The Marlins do not renew the contract of John Routh, the 43-year-old man who has been Billy the Marlin, since the Florida's first game in 1993. Although 'Billy' will return next season, a new person will be hired to wear the 35- pound costume as the team is seeks to increase the mascot's visibility by changing the overall role of the character.


2002 Signing the veteran manager to a four-year contract, the Devil Rays name Lou Piniella as their team's new skipper. As compensation to sign 'Sweet Lou' away from Seattle, Tampa Bay sends their All-Star outfielder Randy Winn (.298, 14, 75) to Seattle for minor leaguer Antonio Perez.

 

[Lefty]

October 29.

1949 The A's trade Nellie Fox to the White Sox for catcher Joe Tipton.


1979 Hall of Fame outfielder Willie Mays, one of the game's most popular players, severs all ties with major league baseball when he accepts a public relations job with Atlantic City casino. Due to the gambling aspect of the position, he had been given an ultimatum by Commissioner Bowie Kuhn to disassociate himself from the national pastime.


1985 Cardinal pitcher Joaquin Andujar is suspended for the first ten games of next season as a result of bumping Don Denkinger twice during his Game 7 dispute with the home plate ump over ball and strikes calls.


1991 Buck Showalter replaces Stump Merrill as the Yankee manager. During his four-year reign as the Bronx Bomber skipper, the 36-year old will compile a 313 -268 (.539) record capturing the AL manager of the Year award and AL East title in 1994 and first AL wild card the following year.


2001 Commissioner Bud Selig says major league baseball is considering eliminating two teams could by the start of next season. Contraction would include the Montreal Expos and either the Minnesota Twins or the Florida Marlins.


2001 Matt Williams becomes the first player in World Series history to hit home runs with three different teams. He homered in the Fall Classic for the Indians in 1997 and the Giants in 1989.


2002 Bringing the total to seven this month, three new managers are named including Ned Yost (Brewers), Ken Macha (A's) and Eric Wedge (Indians). Being younger than two of his players (Ellis Burks and Omar Vizquel), the Tribe's skipper, at the age of 34, becomes youngest manager in the major leagues.

 

[Lefty]

October 30.

1963 Sandy Koufax, who unanimously won the CY Young Award six days ago, is also named the National League's MVP. The Dodger legend out points Pirates' infielder Dick Groat, 237-190.


1964 American hurler Joe Stanka wins the league's MVP award pitching for the Nankai Hawks. His three straight victories over the Yomiuri Giants helps his team capture the Japanese Series.


1967 The White Sox announce the team will play nine regular season games in Milwaukee during the 1968 season. It's the first time since 1905 an American League team has played outside its own city.


1974 After leading the league with 25 wins and a 2.49 era, A's hurler Catfish Hunter is named the AL's Cy Young winner.


1975 Giants pitcher John Montefusco (15-9, 2.88, 215) 'the Count', wins the National League Rookie of the Year Award. Expo catcher Gary Carter finishes second.


1986 The Orioles trade Storm Davis to the Padres for catcher Terry Kennedy and minor leaguer Mark Williamson.


2000 Signing a three-year, $2 million contract, broadcaster Bob Brenly, 46, is named as manager of the Diamondbacks. The former major league catcher replaces Buck Showalter, the clubs' only manager, who was let go at the end of the season.


2001 George W. Bush becomes the eighth president to attend a World Series game and the first since Dwight D. Eisenhower to throw out the ceremonial first pitch. Wearing a New York Fire Department windbreaker in honor of the heroes of the September 11 attacks, the Commander in Chief walks to the mound by himself, gives a thumbs up, and throws a perfect strike to the Yankees' backup catcher much to the delight of the stadium faithful.

 

[Lefty]

October 31.

1931 The Cardinals release the last legal spitballer and future Hall of Famer Burleigh Grimes.


1953 After touring Japan with the Giants, Commissioner Ford Frick compares the level of Japanese play to that of Class A of the American minors.


1957 Yogi Berra says the Yankees returned fine money to players involved in the Copacabana fight.


1979 Orioles' Mike Flanagan (23-9, 3.08) wins the Cy Young Award outdistancing Tommy John (21-9, 2.97).


2001 For the first time since Philadelphia A's Mule Haas hit a game-tying two-run homer in Game 5 of the 1929 World Series, a team comes from behind to tie a Fall Classic game in the ninth and goes on to win in extra innings. Tino Martinez sends the game into overtime with a two-out homer off Diamondbacks' closer Byung-Hyun Kim and Derek Jeter, dubbed Mr. November, wins it after the stroke of midnight with a full count two-out round tripper giving the Bronx Bombers a 3-2 victory and knots the series at two games apiece.

 

[IndyDevil]

October 31.

2001 For the first time since Philadelphia A's Mule Haas hit a game-tying two-run homer in Game 5 of the 1929 World Series, a team comes from behind to tie a Fall Classic game in the ninth and goes on to win in extra innings. Tino Martinez sends the game into overtime with a two-out homer off Diamondbacks' closer Byung-Hyun Kim and Derek Jeter, dubbed Mr. November, wins it after the stroke of midnight with a full count two-out round tripper giving the Bronx Bombers a 3-2 victory and knots the series at two games apiece.

The horror...

 

[Lefty]

November 1.

1951 Dodger backstop Roy Campanella (.325, 33, 108) wins the first of his three National League MVP Awards.


1978 After dominating the American League, Yankee lefty Ron Guidry (25-3,1.74) wins the league's Cy Young Award unanimously.


1979 Edward Bennett Williams buys the Orioles for a reported $12.3 million from Jerold Hoffberger.


1982 Doug Rader becomes the twelfth manager in the Rangers' twelve-year history. The 38-year old managed the Padres' Triple A club for the past three years.


1982 The National League owners block the re-election of Bowie Kuhn thus ending his fourteen-year rein as commissioner.


2000 Larry Bowa is hired as the Phillies manager replacing the recently released Terry Franconia. The former Phillies' shortstop had managed the Padres in 1987-88 to a record of 81-127.


2000 Succeeding Davey Johnson, Jim Tracy, the team's bench coach, is hired as the Dodgers' manager.


2001 The first major league game ever started in the month of November is a memorable one as the Yankees, for the second consecutive night, make a dramatic comeback in the bottom of the ninth to tie the game and go on to victory in extra innings. Tonight's heroes are Scot Brosius, who hits a game-tying two out two-run homer to knot the game at 2-2, and Alfonso Soriano, who singles in Chuck Knoblach in the 12th giving the Yankees a 3-2 victory and 3-2 lead in the Series over the Diamondbacks.


2001 The Astros name Jimy Williams, 58, as the franchise's thirteenth skipper. The 35-year veteran, who also managed the Blue Jays and Red Sox, replaces Larry Dierker, who despite of reaching the post-season four times in five seasons was unable to win a playoff series.


2004 Wally Backman signs a two-year contract to manage the Diamondbacks, last season’s worst team in the majors. The 45-year former major league infielder, who replaces interim manager Al Pedrique, was the skipper of the Lancaster JetHawks , Arizona's Class A team in California, posting an 86-54 record.

 

[Lefty]

November 2.

1944 Japan, where baseball has been banned as an undesirable enemy influence, mourns the death of Eiji Sawamura. The Japanese pitcher, who is killed in action in the Pacific, became a national hero by striking out Babe Ruth in an exhibition game.


1964 CBS becomes first corporate owner of a major league team buying eighty percent of Yankees for $11,200,000.


1972 Leading the league in victories (27), ERA (1.97), starts (41), complete games (30), and strike outs (310), Steve Carlton wins the National League's Cy Young Award. 'Lefty's' 27 victories nearly accounts for nearly half (45.8%) of the last-place Phillies wins.


1974 The Braves trade Hank Aaron to the Brewers for Dave May and Roger Alexander. The move allows the all-time career home run champ to finish his career in Milwaukee, the city in which he started in the majors.


1976 After winning 22 games, Randy Jones captures the National League's Cy Young Award. Two years ago the Padre hurler had lost 22 games.


1983 John Denny wins the National League's Cy Young Award. The Prescott, Arizona native posted a 19-6 record with a 2.37 ERA for National League Champion Phillies.


2000 After a 15-year big league career, first baseman Will Clark announces his retirement. 'The Thrill' ends his playing days with the McGwire-less Cardinals supplying the Redbirds with much needed offense (.345,12 HRs and 42 RBIs) in a two-month span after being traded from the Orioles.


1999 Ken Griffey Jr. asks the Seattle Mariners to trade him. The superstar outfielder wants be closer to Orlando, Florida, where his family resides.


2000 Former Blue Jay catcher (1981-86) and the team's present TV color analyst, Buck Martinez, is hired as the Toronto manager. Replacing Jim Fregosi, the 51-year ESPN commentator joins Astros' Larry Dierker and Diamondbacks' Bob Brenly as first-time major league skippers hired from the broadcast booth.


2000 Wrigley Field has been granted preliminary landmark status by the Commission on Chicago Landmarks. Any plans to refurbish or tear down Cubs' home since 1916 will have to be reviewed by this panel.


2004 After a grounds keeper finds a grenade in the Wrigley Field turf, police bomb and arson investigators are called to evaluate the right field discovery. The rusty, hollowed-out shell turns out to be harmless and its origins remain a mystery.

 

[Lefty]

October 3.

1953 The Rules Committee re-establishes the sacrifice fly ruling which credits a batter with a RBI who flies out driving in a run without charging the hitter with a time at bat. The rule had been dropped in 1939.


1964 Philadelphia voters approve $25 million bond issue to build a new sport stadium. Due cost overruns, a 1967 measure is needed to authorized an additional $13 million making Veteran Stadiums most expensive ballparks with a final cost of $50 million.


1965 In a winter league game, A's pitcher Lew Krausse strikes out a record 21 Lara batters as he tosses a one-hitter for Caracas.


1965 In an unanimous vote, Dodger southpaw Sandy Koufax (26-8, 2.04, 382) is named the Cy Young Award winner.


1970 Curt Flood is traded by the Phillies to the Senators for three minor leaguers.


1979 The AL and NL all-star teams depart on an exhibition tour of Japan. The National League squad will take four of seven from the American League counterparts, but the teams will combine to split a pair of games with the Japanese all-stars.


1992 The Reds trade Paul O'Neill and Joe DeBerry, a minor leaguer, to the Yankees for Roberto Kelly. The deal works well for the Bronx Bombers as the popular outfielder will become a team leader playing an important in four World Series championships before he retires prior to the 2002 season.


1999 In a nine-player deal, the Rangers trade super star Juan Gonzalez along with pitcher Danny Patterson and catcher Greg Zaun to the Tigers for pitchers Justin Thompson, Alan Webb and Francisco Cordero, outfielder Gabe Kapler, catcher Bill Haselman and infielder Frank Catalanotto.


2000 After being turned down by Yankees third base coach Willie Randolph and their own third base coach, Ron Oester, because of below market contract offers, the Reds hire Bob Boone as manager replacing Jack McKeon. The former catcher and present special assistant to general manager Jim Bowden had a 181-206 record as manager of the Royals.


2001 In Game 6, the Diamondbacks get 21 hits in the first six innings against the Yankees to set a record for hits in a World Series game. The previous record of 20 was established by the 1921 Giants (Game 3 vs Yankees) and the 1946 Cardinals (Game 4 vs Red Sox).


2003 ESPN analyst Bobby Valentine will return to Japan to manage the Chiba Lotte Marines, the club which fired him a solid second-place finish in 1995. The former Mets and Ranger skipper signs a three-year deal with an option for two more years worth for an estimated $6.4 million.

 

[Lefty]

November 4.

I thought I would finish this year today. Not a bad day to stop. See ya next year.


1935 Former Green Bay Packers' pro football tackle Cal Hubbard becomes an American League umpire.


1957 With a new balk rule, the hitter now has an option after the call is made. If a player gets a hit, he can accept the outcome of the pitch, instead of being only limited to the advance of the base runner(s).


1959 Cubs' shortstop Ernie Banks wins his second consecutive MVP award. Braves' third baseman Eddie Mathews is the runner-up.


1963 The Cardinals trade outfielder George Altman and pitcher Bill Wakefield to the Mets for veteran hurler Roger Craig.


1965 Chicago manager Al Lopez resigns as the field boss of the White Sox.


1980 Japan's all-time home run hitter, Sadaharu Oh, retires from professional baseball. The Tokyo Yomiuri Giants' first baseman hit a record 868 home runs in his 22-year playing career.


2001 In Game 7 of a classic World Series, Arizona rallies for two runs in the bottom of the ninth defeating the Yankees and their usually unbeatable closer, Mariano Rivera, 3-2. The four-year old Diamondbacks, the youngest franchise to win a Fall Classic, ends New York's string of three consecutive World Championships.


2001 Randy Johnson and Curt Schilling are named co-MVPs of the World Series. The Diamondback hurlers are the first multiple winners since a trio of Dodgers( Ron Cey, Pedro Guerrero and Steve Yeager) shared the award in 1981.


2002 Eric Hinske (.279, 24, 84 ) wins American League Rookie of the Year. The 25-year-old Blue Jays third baseman receives 19 of 28 first-place votes cast by the Baseball Writers Association of America with Oriole starter Rodrigo Lopez getting the other nine first-place votes.


2002 Colorado Rockies right-hander Jason Jennings (16-6, 4.52 ) becomes first member of the Rockies to be selected by the BBWAA as the National League Rookie of the Year. The 24-year old right-hander receives 27 first-place votes from the 32 writers participating in the balloting.


2003 Former Yankee captain Don Mattingly is named as the Bronx Bombers' hitting coach replacing Rick Down, who did not have his contract renewed last week. The 42-year-old, who retired due back problems, will be a top candidate to replace Joe Torre as manager in 2005.


2003 Miami-Dade County Commissioners approved a plan committing $73 million in tax money toward a new major league ballpark for the Marlins. The World Champions, who have agreed to change their name to the Miami Marlins if the city builds the ballpark, want to begin playing in the$325 million new park in 2007, but still doesn't have a plan for raising $137 million needed as part of their commitment.


2004 Former Indians manager Charlie Manuel is named to replace Larry Bowa as the Phillies skipper. The 60-year old piloted Cleveland from 2000-02.

 

[Lefty]

The 2006 baseball season begins today!

April 2:

1931 Chattanooga Lookouts' pitcher Jackie Mitchell, a seventeen-year old girl, strikes out a good-natured Babe Ruth and Lou Gehrig on six pitches in an exhibition game.


1952 In Denver, Giant's Monte Irvin breaks his ankle sliding into third during an exhibition game against the Indians.


1962 The Indians trade first baseman Vic Power and pitcher Dick Stigman to Twins for pitcher Pedro Ramos


1984 For the first time in ten years, the Mets lose on Opening Day bowing to the Reds, 8-1.


1995 Having the first 23 days of this season canceled and 252 games of the last season lost, the owners accept the players' March 31 unconditional offer to return to work. The players' decision to return to work is made after a U.S. District judge issues an injunction restoring terms and conditions of the expired agreement. Teams will play 144-game schedules.


1996 Due to renovations in the coliseum, the A's played their season opener in Las Vegas losing to the Blue Jays 9-6 in front of only 7,296 fans at Cashman Field.


1996 Tiger first baseman Cecil Fielder steals the first base of his eleven-year career. The swipe of second comes in the 1,097th game 'Big Daddy's' has played in the majors establishing the longest duration a player has ever gone without a stolen base.


1997 For the first time in major league history, the salary of one player is more than the payroll of an entire team. The White Sox will pay Albert Belle $10 million for the season which is $928,333 more than the entire Pirate payroll.


2001 On Opening Day, Yankee fireballer Roger Clemens becomes the all-time AL career strike out leader passing Walter Johnson as he Ks Royals Joe Randa for his 3,509 Junior circuit victim. Passing the 'Big Train, the 'Rocket' now takes over the seventh spot in major league history.


2001 For the first time in major league history, a Japanese-born position player participates in a regular-season major league game. Ichiro Suzuki, hitless in his first three at-bats, singles in the seventh inning to ignite a two-run rally and bunts for a hit in the eighth in his Mariner debut at Safeco Field.


2002 In his major league debut, 6’-11” hurler Jon Rauch of the White Sox pitches a perfect 1.1 innings in a 7-4 loss to the Mariners at Safeco Field, the Louisville, Kentucky native, who was member of the 2000 U.S. Olympic team, becomes tallest pitcher to appear in a big league game.

2003 Mike Bordick's record streak for games and chances without an error by a shortstop ends as Yankee outfielder Bubba Trammell's third inning grounder tips off his glove. After converting a fielder's choice in the first inning he misplays his second chance of the game establishing 544 chances and 110 consecutive games without an error a new major league mark for shortstops.


2003 According to the Elias Sports Bureau, the Tigers become the first major league team to have four pitchers make their big league debuts during the same game. Starter 20-year Jeremy Bonderman, who gave up gives up six runs on nine hits in four innings, is followed by rookies Wilfredo Ledezma, Chris Spurling and Matt Roney in the 8-1 loss the Minnesota Twins.


2003 Todd Zeile homers in first at-bat as a Yankee becoming the only major leaguer to hit a home run for ten different teams. In addition to homering with the Bronx Bomber, the infielder has also gone deep for the Cardinals, Cubs, Phillies, Orioles, Dodgers, Marlins, Rangers, Mets, and Rockies.

 

[Lefty]

April 3:

1901 After jumping back to the Giants, Christy Matthewson is accused by Connie Mack of reneging on his Philadelphia contract.


1923 Expelled players Happy Felsch and Swede Risberg, both who were indicted on fixing the 1919 World Series, file suit against the White Sox for back salary and $400,000 in damages.


1950 Considered a well-guarded secret, Mel Parnell reveals he pitched all but three of his 39 games with a sore elbow last season. The 27-year 'Dusty' finished the season 25-7 with a 2.77 ERA for the second-place Red Sox.

1961 Connie Mack Stadium (formerly known as Shibe Park) is sold and will be torn down after the 1963 season to make room for bowling alleys.


1966 After his name is picked from a hat in a special draft, Tom Seaver signs with the Mets for a reported $50,000 bonus.


1974 The Indians trade 17-year old Pedro Guerrero to Dodgers for pitcher Bruce Ellingsen.


1985 The owners' proposal of expanding the 1985 League Championship Series from the best-of-five games to best-of-seven is agreed to by the Players' Association .


1987 The Cubs trade starter Dennis Eckersley and minor leaguer Dan Rohn to the A's for three minor leaguers. The 'Eck' will become one of the game's top relievers in Oakland.


1989 In his first major league at bat, Ken Griffey Jr. doubles off of A's Dave Stewart.


1989 With an 8-4 victory over Cardinals, the Mets win their 11th consecutive home opener. The Amazins' now have won on Opening Day in 18 of the last 20 seasons.


1994 In the first Sunday night major league season opener, the Cardinals beat the Reds, 6-4


2003 At 27 years, 249 days of age, Alex Rodriguez becomes the youngest player in major league history to hit 300 home runs. The Ranger shortstop's fifth inning three-run blast surpasses Hall of Famer Jimmie Foxx's mark who had accomplished the feat at 27 years, 328 days of age.


2005 Alex Sanchez becomes the first major leaguer to be publicly identified under baseball’s new steroid policy. The Tampa Bay outfielder will be suspended for 10 days for testing positive for performance-enhancing drugs.

 

[Ryanwb]

Ugh.... aren't we going to repeat the same things from last year? Must you put us through the misery again?

 

[Lefty]

April 4:

1948 Phillie manager Connie Mack, who is 84-years-old, challenges Clark Griffith, the 78-year-old owner of the Senators, to a foot race from home plate to first base. The contest ends in a photo finish tie.


1974 In front a crowd of 52,000 at Riverfront Stadium on Opening Day in Cincinnati, Hank Aaron ties Babe Ruth's all-time home run record of 714 by hitting a first-inning two-run homer off Jack Billingham. The Atlanta front office had considered keeping 'Hammerin' Hank' on the bench during road games so the slugger could try to equal the mark in front of the hometown fans, but commissioner Bowie Kuhn ordered the Braves to put outfielder into the lineup for at least two of the three games.

1988 In a 10-6 victory over the Expos, Kevin McReynolds and Darryl Strawberry hit two home runs apiece helping the Mets to establish an Opening Day record with six homers. The 'Strawman's' second shot is estimated at 525 feet and is believed to be the longest dinger ever hit at Olympic Stadium.


1988 Blue Jay designated hitter George Bell becomes the first player to hit three home runs on Opening Day helping Toronto defeat the Royals 5-3. All of the homers are off Bret Saberhagen.


1989 On Opening Day, Tommy John ties record by playing in 26 seasons. The Yankee veteran hurler beats the Twins, 4-2 for his 287th win putting him 19th overall in career wins.


1993 At Camden Yards, William Jefferson Clinton becomes the first U.S. president to throw the first pitch of the season from the pitcher's mound.


1994 A total of 56,706 fans attend Opening Day making it the largest crowd ever at new Yankee Stadium.


1994 President Clinton throws out the first ball and 'El Presidente' Dennis Martinez throws the first pitch as the Indians defeat the Mariners, 4-3 In 11 innings in the first game ever played at Jacobs Field. With Bob Feller, the author of the only Opening Day no-hitter game in major league history in attendance, Mariner southpaw Randy Johnson holds the tribe hitless for the first seven innings.


1994 Playing his 2,403rd game at first base, Indian infielder Eddie Murray becomes baseball's all-time leader in games played at that position.


1994 On Opening Day at Wrigley Field, Cub rookie Tuffy Rhodes becomes first player to homer in his first three at-bats starting the season. The three solo round-trippers are off Doc Gooden, the winning pitcher in the Mets 12-8 victory.


1998 Mark McGwire begins what will be a historic season homering in the fourth consecutive game to tie Willie Mays' National League record for most homers to start a season. Big Mac's three-run blast in the sixth inning helps the Cardinals beat the Padres, 8-6.


1999 Opening Day starts in Mexico, making it the first time baseball's first pitch comes outside the U.S. or Canada as the Rockies defeat the National League's defending champs Padres.


2001 For the first time since June 7, 1995, the Indians do not have a sellout crowd at Jacobs Field. The streak of 455 games of consecutive full houses is a major league record.


2001 Throwing the earliest no-hitter in major league history, Hideo Nomo blanks the Orioles, 3-0 at Camden Yards in his first start in a Red Sox uniform. Second baseman Mike Lansing makes an outstanding play with one out in the ninth to preserve the Japanese-born hurler's second career no-hitter.


2003 At Cincinnati’s new Great American Ball Park, Sammy Sosa becomes the first Latin American player and 18th overall to hit 500 career home runs. The milestone is reached in the seventh inning as 'Slammin' Sammy' drives a Scott Sullivan 1-2 pitch into the right-field seats.

2003 The Coneheads stage a reunion at Shea Stadium as David Cone returns to the mound after taking a year off and hurls an impressive 5 innings of shutout ball in the Mets, 4-0, victory over the Expos. In memory of one of the founders of this unique idea which started in 1988, the group hangs a banner featuring a picture of Scott Saber, who was killed during the terrorist attacks at the World Trade Center, smiling in his Conehead.

 

[nathan]

Ugh.... aren't we going to repeat the same things from last year? Must you put us through the misery again?

Seriously, this takes up space at the top of the forum and it's not like people can't read this in their newspaper or elsewhere on the internet (http://www.nationalpastime.com/).