This Date in Baseball

"I'm a sweet hitter. Not really a great hitter. Just a sweet hitter." -MARV
THRONEBERRY, Major league first baseman and outfielder (1955-63)

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 home runs.
1952 Fred Haney is named as the Pirate manager for the upcoming season.
1956 A major league player association is formed. Bob Feller, a star pitcher with the Indians, is named as the organization's first 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.
1968 The Angels trade two catchers, Ed Kirkpatrick and Dennis Paepke, to the Kansas City A's for right-handed knuckleballer Hoyt Wilhelm.
1975 In a busy day of trading, the Yankees acquire pitchers Dock Ellis and Ken Brett, and second baseman Willie Randolph from the Pirates for hurler Doc Medich. In a separate deal with the Angels, the club trades Bobby Bonds for outfielder Mickey Rivers and pitcher Ed Figueroa.
1987 The A's obtain Jesse Orosco from the Mets and then trades the southpaw reliever along with shortstop Alfredo Griffin and right-hander Jay Howell to the Dodgers for pitchers Matt Young, Bob Welch and Jack Savage. New York gets Savage as well as right-hand hurlers Wally Whitehurst and Kevin Tapini from Oakland to complete the three-team, eight player deal.
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.

2003 The Royals sign 18-year veteran Benito Santiago (279, 11, 56 ) to a two-year deal. Kansas City hopes the veteran catcher's, who is a three-time Gold Glove winner, experience will be helpful to the team's young pitching staff.
2003 Andy Pettitte inks a three-year, $31.5 million deal with his 'hometown' Astros. The thirty-one year old Texan, who compiled a 149-78 won-loss record with a 3.94 ERA during his nine-year stint in pinstripes turned down better offers to stay with the Yankees or go to the rival Red Sox.

This Date in Baseball

"Close don't count in baseball. Close only counts in horseshoes and hand
grenades." -FRANK ROBINSON, Hall of Fame outfielder (1956-76)

1953 The Senators trade Jackie Jensen to the Red Sox for Maury McDermott and Tom Umphlett.

1954 The Yankees and Orioles complete the largest trade in major league history as 17 players, including Don Larsen, Gene Woodling, Bob Turley change teams. The first phase of the transaction began November 18th and will conclude today after the major league draft.
1955 Pitcher Virgil Trucks returns to the Tigers in a trade for White Sox third baseman Bubba Phillips.

1956 In an unanimous vote, Reds outfielder Frank Robinson is selected as the National League Rookie of the Year.

1956 White Sox shortstop Luis Aparicio is selected as the American League Rookie of the Year beating out Indian Rocky Colavito and Oriole Tito Francona.
1964 The Houston Colt 45's become the Astros. The change in name for the three-year old franchise is necessitated due to a dispute with the Colt firearm company and the team's location to NASA.
1987 Free agent Brett Butler (.295, 9, 41) signs with the Giants. The former Indian 31-year old outfielder stole 33 bases for the tribe last season.
1998 Due the acquisition of all-star backstop Mike Piazza, the Mets deal fan favorite Todd Hundley along with right-hander Arnold Gooch to the Dodgers for outfielder Roger Cedeno and catcher Charles Johnson. New York then sends Johnson to Baltimore to obtain closer Armando Benitez.
1998 Bypassing his agent and making the deal himself, Rafael Palmeiro turns down a bigger offer from Orioles and signs a five-year $45 million contract to stay with the Rangers.

2000 Turk Wendell, who wears uniform number 99, agrees to a three-year deal worth $9,999,999.99 with the Mets. The New York reliever had asked that his pact include an option year in which he would play for free, but that plan was unworkable because baseball's collective bargaining agreement sets a $200,000 minimum salary.
2005 The Red Sox have petitioned a judge to keep the ball used to record the last out of 2004 World Series making the team World Champs for the first time in 86 years. Former first baseman Doug Mientkiewicz, who caught the ball after being thrown by Keith Foulke, loaned it to Boston but continues to claim ownership of the sensational sphere.

This Date in Baseball

"I'll probably get a million more than I should, but I didn't make the rules.
I'm just taking advantage of them." - REGGIE JACKSON, as an Oriole outfielder
commenting on becoming a free-agent in 1976

1964 The Red Sox trade first baseman Dick Stuart to the Phillies for pitcher Dennis Bennett.
1965 The Yankees trade utility player Phil Linz to the Phillies for Ruben Amaro.
1966 The Dodgers trade two-time batting champ Tommy Davis and outfielder Derrell Griffith to the Mets for outfielder Jim Hickman and infielder Ron Hunt.
1966 Yankee veteran third baseman Clete Boyer is traded to the Braves for outfielder Bill Robinson and a player to be named later.

1976 The Yankees sign free-agent Reggie Jackson to five-year, $3.5 million dollar contract. During Mr. October's tenure, the Bronx Bombers will win four divisions, three pennants and two World Series.
1995 Charlie Smith, the player traded to Yankees from the Cardinals for Roger Maris in 1967, dies at age 57.

Team party

Remember our team party is this sunday from 2 until 4 at BRP. Please contribute 5 dollars to Loy for food. For more information contact the coaches or you can get in touch with Loy or Alice if you need directions or more information.

See you Dec. 2nd.

This Date in Baseball

"There are only two kinds of managers. Winning managers and ex-managers." -GIL
HODGES, Met manager (1968-73)

1947 Triple Crown winner Ted Williams (.343, 32,162) is edged out by the Yankee Clipper Joe DiMaggio (.315, 20, 97) for the American League MVP by one point.
1950 Former Cleveland shortstop standout Lou Boudreau signs a two-year contract with the Red Sox for $150,000.
1956 After winning the MVP last week and the Rookie of the Year in 1949, Don Newcombe (27-7, 3.06), hurler for the pennant-winning Dodgers, becomes baseball's first and only Cy Young winner as only one pitcher will be selected each season for this prestigious pitching award until 1967 when each league will name a winner. The Dodgers' director of Community Affairs remains the only player in baseball history to have won all three major post-season awards.
1967 The Mets obtain the rights to manager Gil Hodges by sending pitcher Bill Denehy and $100,000 to the Washington Senators.

1970 Expos' freshman hurler Carl Morton, who finishes the season with a record of 18-11 for his last place club, wins the National League Rookie of the Year beating out the Reds' Bernie Carbo, 11-8.
2001 The major league owners vote unanimously to extend baseball commissioner Bud Selig's contract through 2006.

This Date in Baseball

"I don't always swing at strikes. I swing at the ball when it looks big." -BILL
'MOOSE' SKOWRON, Yankee first baseman

1948 National League president Ford Frick steps in and pays $350 for funeral services, including the cost of a coffin, for the unclaimed body of Hack Wilson. The former slugger, who had died probably of alcohol abuse a few days earlier in a Baltimore hospital, is identified only as a white male.
1962 Batting champ Pete Runnels (.376) is traded by the Red Sox to Colt .45s for outfielder Roman Mejias. The Texas native will only hit .252 in Houston next season and will retire in May of 1964.

1962 The Dodgers trade pitcher Stan Williams (14-12, 4.46) for Yankee first baseman Bill Skowron (.270, 23, 80). In Game 2 of the World Series 'Moose' will home against his former teammates.
1975 Red Sox center fielder Fred Lynn (.331, 21, 105) becomes the first rookie ever to be named the league's MVP. The Boston freshman also wins Rookie of the Year honors.
1986 The Yankees trade prospects including Doug Drabek to the Pirates (a future Cy Young winner) for veterans Rick Rhoden, Cecilio Guante and Pat Clements.
2002 Prior to playing two regular-season games against the A's to open the major league season in Japan, the Mariners will face the Seibu Lions and Yomiuri Giants in exhibition contests on March 22 and 23.
2003 Hoping to add punch to their outfield, the A's trade catcher Ramon Hernandez and disgruntled flychaser Terrence Long to the Padres for outfielder Mark Kotsay. The deal will be delayed until Kotsay's back gets a clean bill of health.
2004 Receiving 21 of the 28 first-place votes, Vladimir Guerrero (.337, 39, 126) wins the 2004 American League's MVP Award. The 28-year old former Expo outfielder signed as free agent with the Angels, after the Mets refused to guarantee his salary based on advice from their medical staff.

2005 Closer B.J. Ryan, who saved 36 games last season for the Orioles agrees to a $47 million, five-year deal with the Blue Jays. The thirty-year old southpaw’s contract calls for the largest amount of money ever given to a reliever.

Happy Thanksgiving!

While we here @ Force Baseball HQ take a little break, we want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! If you're traveling we pray for your safe return and we would hope that all spend this time wisely in remembering all that we've been blessed with and are very thankful for. May the beginning to your holiday season bring peace as we all are reminded to the reason for our very being.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Date in Baseball

"Any time you think you have the game conquered, the game will turn around and
punch you in the nose; -MIKE SCHMIDT, Phillies' Hall of Fame third baseman

1884 League secretary Nick Young becomes National League president replacing Abe Mills, who had resigned from the post.
1960 James Vernon will pilot the new Senators in the team's inaugural season. During his three year tenure with new club, 'Mickey' will compile a 135-227 record.
1962 The Cardinals trade pitcher Don Cardwell and infielder Julio Gotay to the Pirates for shortstop Dick Groat and pitcher Diomedes Olivio Groat will become a cog in Cardinal World championship in 1964.

1968 Yankee pitcher Stan Bahnsen (17-12, 2.05, 162) is named American League Rookie of the Year. The New York freshman easily outdistances outfielder Del Unser of the Washington Senators .
1975 In a landslide vote, Joe Morgan (.327, 17, 94) is overwhelming elected the National League MVP. The Reds' second baseman had a league-leading on-base percentage of .419.
1979 Former Angel Nolan Ryan becomes the first free agent to sign a million dollars per year contract with a new team. The 'Ryan Express' will post a 106-94 record for the Astros.

1986 Phillies' third baseman Mike Schmidt (.290, 37,119) joins Roy Campanella and Stan Musial becoming only the third player in National League history to win the MVP three times.
1990 Pirates' outfielder Barry Bonds (.301, 23, 114) wins the National League MVP Award. Pittsburgh teammate Bobby Bonilla is the runner-up.
1996 Free-agent Albert Belle signs a record five-year, $55 million deal with the White Sox making the left fielder the first $10 million a year player.
1998 Sammy Sosa is selected as the National League MVP creating an historic Latin American sweep of the MVP awards with Ranger Juan Gonzales winning the award in the American League this season.
2001 In a landslide vote (30 of 32 first-place votes) by the BBWAA, Giants' left fielder Barry Bonds (.328, 137, 73) wins the Most Valuable Player Award for an unprecedented fourth time (1990, 92-93 as a Pirate). Three-time MVPs include Yogi Berra, Roy Campanella, Joe DiMaggio, Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial and Mike Schmidt.

2002 Twenty-four year veteran Jesse Orosco, who is the all-time leader in games pitched at 1,187 agrees to a one-year contract with the Padres estimated at $800,000, At age 45, the lefty reliever, who started his major league with the Mets in 1979 (traded by the Twins for Jerry Koosman), is the oldest player in the majors.
2004 The Angels trade flychaser Jose Guillen (.294, 27, 104) to the Washington Expos for outfielder Juan Riveria and infielder Maicer Izturis. The Dominican Republic native, now playing for his sixth team in his 8-year career, was suspended by Anaheim after throwing a helmet during a tirade caused by being taken out for a pinch runner last September.

This Date in Baseball

"I don't regret for one minute the 12 years I've spent in baseball, but I could
regret one season too many." -SANDY KOUFAX, announcing his retirement (1966)

1886 The Pittsburgh Alleghenys leave the American Association to join the National League.
1914 The Cubs name future Hall of Famer Roger Bresnahan to manage the team. The former Cardinal skipper will be in the dugout for just one year as Chicago finishes fourth with a 73-80 record.

1947 The Browns trade All-Star shortstop Vern Stephens and pitcher Jack Kramer to the Red Sox for six players and $310,000. The dealing will continue tomorrow as Ellis Kinder and Billy Hitchcock also go to Boston in exchange for three more St. Louis players and $65,000 making the total number of players traded 13 (4 Browns, 9 Red Sox) with $375,000 going to the cash deprived Browns.
1949 Jackie Robinson (.342, 16, 124) becomes the first black player to win the MVP Award. Stan Musial, Ralph Kiner, and teammate Pee Wee Reese are the runner ups.

1951 Wanting to stay in California, PCL Los Angeles Angels first baseman Chuck Connors becomes the first player to refuse to participate in the major league draft. The former Cub first baseman and future star of the TV series The Rifleman refusal allows the minor leagues to ask for more money for big league talent.
1954 The A's hire Lou Boudreau as manager replacing Eddie Joost who is given his unconditional release. During his three-year tenure in Kansas City, the future Hall of Famer will pilot the second-division club to a 151-260 record.
1959 The A's announce Bob Elliott will replace Harry Craft as the team's manager. 'Wildfire' compiles a 162-196 (.453) during his three-year stint in Kansas City.

1966 After posting a 27-9 record with a 1.73 ERA, Dodger great Sandy Koufax unexpectedly retires. The Brooklyn native cites the fear of permanent damage of his arthritic elbow as the reason.
1966 Replacing the legendary Casey Stengel (175-404, .302) , the Mets name Wes Westrum as the team's second manager in the franchise's brief history. The former Giant catcher had taken over the club reins after the 'Old Perfessor' had fractured his hip in July.
1966 After finishing the Cy Young season with a 27-9 record and a league-leading 1.73 ERA, Sandy Koufax shocks the baseball world by announcing his retirement at the age of 30. The southpaw, who has thrown four no-hitters and set the single season strikeout record last year with 382, cites his arthritic arm and the fear of permanent damage as the reason for being placing himself on the voluntarily retired list.

1980 After batting nearly .400 all season, Royals third baseman George Brett (.390, 24, 118) is named the American League's MVP.
1981 Dick Williams replaces Frank Howard as manager of the last place Padres. Williams who has won three pennants and two World Series in last 14 years as a major league skipper, will pilot San Diego to a National League pennant in 1984.
1985 Pitching phenoms 20-year old Dwight Gooden (Mets - NL) and 21-year old Bret Saberhagen (Royals - AL) win the Cy Young Award. Both become the youngest players in their respective leagues to win the coveted pitching honor.
1986 Red Sox Roger Clemens is elected the American League's MVP Award becoming the first pitcher to accomplish the feat since Vida Blue won the honor in 1971. The 'Rocket' receives 19 of the 28 first place votes and Yankee first baseman Don Mattingly is the runner-up.
1987 Cubs outfielder Andre Dawson (.287, 49, 137) becomes the first player to win the MVP award as a member of a last place club.
1998 For the second time in three seasons, Juan Gonzalez is voted the American League's Most Valuable Player becoming the first Latin American native to win two MVP awards.

2000 The Mariners sign Orix Blue Wave's Ichiro Suzuki to a three-year deal making him the first Japanese position player in major league history. Although terms of the contract were not disclosed, Seattle agrees to pay $13 million to his former team for the right to negotiate with ` best hitter.
2004 Although the Expos may not know where they are playing next season (the final MLB approval for Washington, DC has been postponed) or the team’s new name, the former Montreal franchise will know who is the club’s manager. Frank Robinson, after compiling a 233-253 record despite many restrictions and hardships, will return to the helm for his fourth year as the skipper of this nomad ship.

This Date in Baseball

"You can observe a lot by just watching." - YOGI BERRA, Hall of Fame catcher
(1946-63, 65)

1913 Wilbert Robinson is named as the Dodgers' new manager. 'Uncle Robbie' will compile a 1375-1341 (.506) record during his 18 year tenure as the Brooklyn's skipper.

1964 The Mets sign Yogi Berra to a two-year contract as a player-coach. The recently fired Yankee manager will only have nine National League at-bats.
1965 William D. Eckert is selected by the owners to become baseball's fourth commissioner. The retired Air Force Lieutenant General succeeds Ford Frick.
1971 The A's lefty Vida Blue becomes the youngest player ever to win the MVP award and only the fourth to capture both the Cy Young Award and the MVP in the same season.
1982 Outfielder Dale Murphy (.281, 36, 113) becomes the first Braves player to win the National League MVP since Hank Aaron won the award in 1957.
1983 Willie Wilson, Willie Aikens and Jerry Martin become the first active players ever to be sent to prison for drug violations. The judge hands downs three-month sentences to the three Royal players for attempting to purchase cocaine.
1987 George Bell (.287, 49, 137) becomes the first Blue Jay to win the American League's MVP Award.

1999 Atlanta's third baseman Chipper Jones (.319, 45, 110) wins the National League MVP award joining Johnny Evers ('14) Bob Elliot ('47), Hank Aaron ('57) Dale Murphy ('82 &'83) and Terry Pendleton ('91) as the only Braves to receive the honor.
2000 Pittsburgh catcher Jason Kendall signs the richest contract in Pirates' history. The $60 million, six-year contract extension, which includes a $4 million signing bonus, starts with a base salary of $6 million in 2002 and peaks at $13 million in 2007.
2002 After dropping the first three contests, the American Major League team beat the Japanese stars, 4-2, to take their fourth straight victory. It is the visitors from the United States fifth straight series win, and they haven't dropped one since 1990.

2004 After being wined and dined by Tiger legend Al Kaline and owner Peter Ilitch, free agent Troy Percival signs a two-year, $12 million deal surprising everyone, including his agent, by announcing he wants to play in Detroit next season. Before the preliminary meeting in the Motor City, the former Angels closer had been scheduled to meet with the Indians and Cubs later in the week.
2006 Filing the final managerial opening in the big leagues, Bob Geren is hired by A's, the defending AL West champions. The rookie skipper, a veteran minor league manager, replaces Ken Macha who was dismissed after Oakland was defeated in the ALCS.
2006 Frank Thomas agrees to a $18.12 million, two-year deal to join the Blue Jays. After spending 16 years with the White Sox, the 38-year old designated hitter had a comeback season with the A's last season leading the club into the playoffs batting .270 with 39 homers and driving in 114 runs.