Today is Sunday, January 4, 2015 Today in Baseball History 1898 - After the death of Charles H. Byrne, team secretary Charles Ebbets replaces the one-third owner as president of the Bridegrooms (Dodgers). The teams former office boy and future owner will also manage the Brooklyn nine for the last 110 games of the season, finishing tenth in the 12-team National League circuit. 1902 - Bill Dineen, who has averaged nearly 18 wins over the past two seasons for the NLs Beaneaters, signs with the year-old Boston Americans. The 24-year old right-hander, known as Big Bill, will win 20 or more contests for the next three years for the cross-town rivals in the upstart American League. 1904 - The Highlanders (Yankees) announce plans to play their Sunday home games this season at Long Islands Ridgewood Park. In March the National Commissions chairman August Herrman will announce he will not allow the club to play there due to the close proximity of the ballpark to Brooklyn, the home of the National Leagues Superbas (Dodgers). 1920 - The National Negro Baseball League was organized. 1932 - After leading the Toledo Mud Hens to their first-ever pennant, Casey Stengel returns to majors to become a coach for the Dodgers, when the minor league team goes bankrupt. The Old Perfessor will get his first big league managerial position when Brooklyn fires Max Carey prior to the 1934 season, naming him to be the disposed skippers successor. 1936 - The Red Sox get Doc Cramer and Eric McNair from the As for Henry Johnson, Al Niemiec and $75,000. The deal completes the December 10th trade for Jimmie Foxx. 1942 - With 78 percent of the vote, Rogers Hornsby becomes the 14th player selected to the Hall of Fame. Frank Chance (58%) and Rube Waddell (54%) are not elected this year. 1943 - Due to World War II, Commissioner Landis mandates clubs to conduct spring training close to home. With the exception of the Cardinals and the Browns, who may stay in-state and train in Missouri, big league teams are told all camps must operate north of the Potomac and Ohio rivers and be located east of the Mississippi River. 1957 - The Dodgers become the first team to own their own aircraft when the team buys a 44-passenger two-engine airplane for $775,000. 1971 - In Philadelphia, the Phillies dedicated their new ballpark, Veterans Stadium. The teams new home will be harshly criticized for the height of its upper deck, and for many of its seats being so distant from the field that it will difficult to enjoy the game without binoculars. 2002 - In spite of the franchises uncertain future due to possible contraction, Ron Gardenhire is named to replace Tom Kelly as the Minnesota manager. The Twins coach is given a two-year pact to pilot the team. 2002 - The Cardinals announce the team has agreed to a three-year, $27 million deal with their ace Matt Morris (22-8, 3.16 ERA). The 27-year-old right-hander, who missed all of the 1999 season due to elbow surgery, finished third in the Cy Young balloting last season. 2002 - The Indians sign 18-year-old Matthew Haynes, a participant in the major leagues first-ever Australian Baseball Academy. The Tribe believes the 6-3, 185-pound right-hander, considered one of the best sixty players from Down Under, will become a starting pitcher in the major leagues. 2002 - Tired of losing, Tony Tavares resigns as the president of Angels. The 52-year old executive, who until today also was the chairman of the NHLs Mighty Ducks, assumed the baseball post after Disney bought the team from Jackie Autry in 1996. 2004 - Five-time batting champ Wade Boggs, who receives 92% of the record number of 516 votes cast, becomes the 41st player elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. The Baseball Writers also give the nod to Ryne Sandberg, the 1984 National League MVP. 2007 - On his way to begin a goodwill tour of the Dominican Republic with other big league players, Jake Peavy is arrested outside the terminal building at the Mobile Regional Airport. Due to a double-parking violation and his refusal to move his car, the 25-year-old Padres pitcher is charged with disorderly conduct and is taken to the Mobile County Metro Jail. 2008 - Although he hasnt pitched in the big leagues since 2005, Japanese hurler Hideo Nomo signs a minor league pact with the Royals. The 39-year old right-hander, who tossed no-hitters for the Dodgers and the Red Sox, has been invited to spring training by the club. 2008 - The city of Chicago gives approval for the Cubs to add 70 bullpen box seats and to incorporate additional signage at Wrigley Field. The 93-year-old ballpark, due to its landmark status, needed permission from the Department of Planning and Development to make the changes. 2010 - Rory Markas, recently named by the Angels as the teams lead play-by-play television announcer, dies unexpectedly at home. The popular 54-year old broadcaster, who also spent parts of 11 seasons in the Brewers booth before starting his eight-year tenure with Los Angeles, was well-known for his signature line, Just another Halo victory!. 2011 - David Price is selected this seasons recipient of the Warren Spahn Award, recognition given annually to the best left-handed major league pitcher in Major League Baseball by the Oklahoma Sports Museum. The Rays 25-year old All-Star southpaw compiled a 19-6 record along with an ERA of 2.72 for the AL East champs. 2012 - Joe Torre resigns as MLBs executive vice president for baseball operations, a position he has held since last February, to become part of a group interested in purchasing the Dodgers from Frank McCourt. The former L.A. skipper, who managed the team from 2008-2010, is partnering with real estate developer Rick Caruso, who is heading up the ownership bid. 2013 - Brett Myers signs a one-year, $7 million contract to become part of the Indians starting rotation behind Justin Masterson and Ubaldo Jimenez. The 32 year-old right-hander, who has started 249 major league contests during the first 11 years of his career, appeared in 70 games, all as a reliever, for the Astros and White Sox last season.
Posted on: Sun, 04 Jan 2015 18:33:21 +0000
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