Force Baseball: 2007

Tuesday, December 11, 2007

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.

Saturday, December 1, 2007

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.

Thursday, November 29, 2007

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.

Tuesday, November 27, 2007

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.

Monday, November 26, 2007

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.

Tuesday, November 20, 2007

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!

Monday, November 19, 2007

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.

Sunday, November 18, 2007

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.

Saturday, November 17, 2007

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.

Friday, November 16, 2007

The Nation Grows On!

The season may ready itself to slumber under the dark of shortened fall days, but Force Baseball Nation continues to march on. We've experienced our heaviest traffic week ever here @ Force Baseball HQ & can expect nothing but bigger & better days ahead. We would like to thank the faithful who visit here regularly & refer us to fellow baseball believers. Our hopes are to parlay this ever increasing traffic load into corporate sponsorship dollars by the way of ads & direct links from this page, so continue to spread the gospel of Force Baseball.

The numbers don't lie!

Visits:

Total.................2,225
Average per day..........29
Average visit length...3:23
This week...............202

This Date in Baseball

"Baseball is the most intellectual game because most of the action takes place
in your head." -HENRY KISSINGER, American diplomat

1912 In failing health, Giant president John T. Brush dies aboard a train en route to California. Harry Hempstead, his son in-law, will take over the club.

1960 Dick Groat is selected as the National League's MVP. The World Champion Pirates shortstop led the league in hitting with a .325 average.
1951 Lou Boudreau, Boston's newly appointed manager, announces Ted Williams is available as part of trade. About a month later, the Red Sox skipper will change his mind about dealing the Red Sox most prolific hitter.
1961 The circular Mets logo, designed by sports cartoonist Ray Gatto is unveiled. The design, which represents all five boroughs with various symbols, is blue and orange, the team colors of the Dodgers and Giants, the franchises which left the 'Big Apple' and moved to the West Coast leaving New York without a National League representative.
1962 Braves' general manager John McHale and six others buy the team from Lou Perini. William Bartholomay, an insurance executive, will be chairman of the board.
1966 Edging out Dodger hurler Sandy Koufax (27-9, 1.73, 317Ks), Roberto Clemente is named the National League MVP. The Pirates right fielder hit .317 with 29 home runs and drove in 119 runs.

1976 The Angels acquire Don Baylor as a free agent. The Austin, Texas native, who played with the A's last season after being dealt by the Orioles in the Reggie Jackson trade, will become the first only Angel to win the MVP Award (1979) until Vladimir Guerrero cops the honor in 2004.
1977 Twins' first baseman Rod Carew wins the American League's MVP award. He led the league in hitting with a .338 batting average.
1979 Former Red and Expo Tony Perez signs as a re-entry free agent with the Red Sox.
1988 Jose Canseco becomes the American League's first unanimous MVP since Reggie Jackson won the award with Oakland in 1973.
1989 Astros' outfielder Kevin Bass, who batted .300 last season, signs with National League champs Giants as a free agent.
2000 Giant Jeff Kent (334, 33, 125) outpoints teammate Barry Bonds to become National League's MVP. The San Francisco infielder becomes the first second baseman to win the honor in since Ryne Sandberg of the Cubs won the award in 1984.
2001 In a four page decision, Hennepin County District Judge Harry Seymour Crump rules the Twins must play their home portion of the 2002 baseball season at the Metrodome and prohibits Twins owner Carl Pohlad from selling the team unless the new owner agrees to play next season's games in the Metrodome. The lower court decision, which is likely to be appealed, is the result of the major league's decision to contract two teams, one of which is likely to be Minnesota.
2002 After piloting the Giants for10 years and winning the 2002 National League pennant, Dusty Baker inks a four-year deal to manage the Cubs. Chicago, who hasn't been to the World Series since 1945, made it clear the 53-year old three-time National League Manager of the Year was the organization's first choice to the lead the team.

2002 The Braves, Marlins, Rockies complete a three-team trade which sends starting pitcher Mike Hampton and outfielder Juan Pierre to Florida with backstop Charles Johnson, outfielder Preston Wilson, southpaw reliever Vic Darensbourg and infield prospect Pablo Ozuna to the Colorado. The Marlins then sent Hampton to the Braves in exchange for righty reliever Tim Spooneybarger and pitching prospect Ryan Baker.
2002 The New York Yankees and the Yomiuri Giants sign an agreement to form a working relationship. Being the most successful teams in their respective leagues, the organizations hope to establish scouting and marketing ties which will benefit both teams.
2005 In a close vote, the Baseball Writers' Association of America select Albert Pujols (.330, 41,117) as the National League’s MVP. The Cardinal first baseman outpoints Braves’ centerfielder Andruw Jones, 378-351.

Thursday, November 15, 2007

This Date in Baseball

"He was great, and I really liked him." - MICKEY MANTLE, Hall of Fame outfielder
speaking of Yankee teammate Roger Maris

1886 In the first trade ever, the Red Stocking of the American Association deal rookie catcher Jack Boyle and $400 to the Browns for outfielder Hugh Nicol.
1933 The Phillies trade hard hitting Virgil Davis to the Cardinals for Jimmy Wilson. The Phillies make the trade because they want the St. Louis catcher to become the team's manager.

1961 For the second consecutive year, Roger Maris is named American League MVP. The new single-season home run record holder with 61 edges his Yankee teammate Mickey Mantle by four votes, 202-198.
1962 The White Sox release 299-game winner Early Wynn enabling him to deal with other clubs to reach the 300 career victory milestone.
1979 Twins' pitcher David Goltz (14-13, 4.16) becomes the first player to be selected by the maximum thirteen teams in the first round of the free agent draft. He will sign a six-year, three-million dollar contract with the Dodgers.
1983 Oriole shortstop Cal Ripken is named the American League's MVP becoming the first player to win the Rookie of the Year and Most Valuable Player Award in consecutive years.

1988 Dodger World Series hero Kirk Gibson edges out Met outfielders Darryl Strawberry and Kevin McReynolds for the National League MVP Award.
2000 A's Jason Giambi (.333, 43, 137) wins the American League MVP Award edging out two-time winner White Sox first baseman Frank Thomas.
2001 Yankee right right-hander Roger Clemens (20-3, 3.51 ERA) wins the Cy Young Award for an unprecedented sixth time (Red Sox -1986, '87, '91 and Blue Jays -1997, '98). The 'Rocket' becomes the first Pinstripper to win the award since 1978 when Ron Guidry copped the honor.
2002 Diamondbacks bench coach Bob Melvin is selected to be the Mariners' 12th manager in franchise history. The 41-year-old former major league catcher is replacing Lou Pinella, who asked to be release from his contract to take a job closer to his home and will pilot the Devil Rays next season.

2004 Barry Bonds (.362, 45, 101), who is the only player to be the league’s MVP more than three times, is named by BBWAA for a record seventh time, including an unprecedented fourth consecutive season. Winning the honor at the age of 40, the Giants’ left-fielder surpasses Willie Stargell (39 1⁄2) as the oldest player to win the award.
2005 The players’ association and owners agree to toughen the current penalties ( 10 days-first offense, 30 days-second offense and 60 days for the third time) for the use of steroids using a 50-game suspension for a first offense, 100 games for a second and then lifetime ban for a third. The agreement also adds the much needed testing for amphetamines which will result with mandatory additional testing if the test is positive the first time, with a second offense drawing a 25-game suspension, and a third offense meaning an 80 game suspension.

Wednesday, November 14, 2007

This Date in Baseball

"Fans don't boo nobodies." -REGGIE JACKSON, Hall of Fame outfielder and DH.

1961 John Fetzer becomes the lone owner of the Tigers when he buys out the estate of Fred Knorr.

1973 A's Reggie Jackson (.293, 32,117) is selected unanimously as the American League's MVP.
1973 Jim Palmer (22-9, 2.40) is named as the American League's Cy Young Award winner.
1985 The all-time major league save leader with 341, Rollie Fingers, is released by the Brewers at the age of 39.
1986 Nelson Doubleday and Fred Wilpon buy the World Champion Mets from the Doubleday Publishing Company for $80.75 million. In 1980, the company had bought the franchise for a then-record $21.1 million.
1988 The Angels name Doug Rader as manager of the team. Rader had compiled a record piloting the Rangers from 1982 to 1985.

1996 In the closest vote for the award since 1960, Ranger Juan Gonzalez (.314, 47, 144) wins the American League MVP edging out Mariner Alex Rodriguez by just three votes.
2000 Winning his second straight award and third of his career, the 'Big Unit' Randy Johnson ( 19-7, 2.64) of the Diamondbacks overwhelming wins the National League Cy Young Award.
2001 For the second time in his career, Seattle skipper Lou Piniella is named the American League Manager of the Year. 'Sweet Lou', the only person to appear on every ballot, guided to the Mariners to an historical 116 victories which tied 1906 Cubs as the winningest team in major league history.
2001 Larry Bowa (86-76, .531) becomes the first Phillies manager to be named by the BBWAA as the National League Manager of the Year. In his first year at the helm, Philadelphia improves by 21 games finishing the season two games behind the first-place Atlanta.

2006 Brandon Webb (16-8, 3.10) garners 15 of the possible 32 BBWAA's first-place votes to win the NL Cy Young Award beating out Padres closer Trevor Hoffman and Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter. The Diamondback right-hander's win total for a full season is the lowest amount for any starter who has ever won the prestigious pitching prize.

Tuesday, November 13, 2007

This Date in Baseball

"Having Willie Stargell on your ball club is like having a diamond ring on your
finger." CHUCK TANNER Stargell's manager

1899 The National League announces starting next season there will be two umpires working each game.
1931 Yankee owner Jacob Ruppert buys the International League's Newark franchise. The Bears will be very successful and will send many players to the Bronx.

1934 Bucky Harris is hired again in Washington replacing manager Joe Cronin, who has been sold to Boston. The 'Boy Wonder' previously managed the Senators to American League championships in 1924 and 1925.
1951 The Japanese Pacific League All-Star team beats Lefty O'Doul's All-Stars, 3-1. It is the first time an American professional team has lost to professional players of another country.
1958 New York's mayor Robert Wagner announces the preliminary plans for the Continental League. Chairman William Shea implies that the new third major league might raid National and American League rosters.
1968 Edging out Pete Rose, Bob Gibson (22-9, 268 , 1.12 ) wins the National League MVP award.

1974 Steve Garvey wins the National League MVP Award. The Dodger first baseman had a .312 BA, with 21 home runs and 111 RBIs .
1978 The Yankees sign pitcher Luis Tiant as free agent to a two-year $875,000 contract.
1979 For the first time in major league history two players are named co-winners of National League MVP award as Cardinal first baseman Keith Hernandez shares the honor with outfielder Pirate Willie Stargell.
1984 Ryne Sandberg (314, 19, 84) becomes the first Cub to win the National MVP League Award since Ernie Banks did it in 1959.
1989 After 16 years with the same team, Jim Rice is released by the Red Sox. The Boston outfielder retires from the game with a career .298 average with 382 home runs.
1990 Bob Welch (27-6, 2.95,127) wins the American League Cy Young Award. The A's hurler wins are the most in the majors since 1972 when Steve Carlton won that many for the last place Phillies.

1996 Padres third baseman Ken Caminiti is the fourth unanimous winner of the National League MVP.
1997 Rockies outfielder Larry Walker (.366, 49, 130) is named the National League MVP becoming the first Canadian in either league to win the honor.
1998 The ball thrown by Red Sox hurler Howard Ehmke and hit by Babe Ruth for first home run hit in Yankee Stadium is sold at an auction for 126, 500 (110,000 bid + 15% commission). Mark Scala found the 1923 historic ball ago in the attic of his grandmother's home several years ago.
2000 Becoming the first pitcher to win the American League Cy Young award unanimously in consecutive years, Red Sox hurler Pedro Martinez (18-6,1.74) has copped the 'top pitcher' honor three of the last four seasons.
2001 Randy Johnson (21-6, 2.49, 372) wins his fourth Cy Young Award, his third straight as a member of the Diamondbacks. The 'Big Unit', who also won the honor in 1995 with the Mariners, is the second pitcher to win three consecutive Cy Young awards joining Greg Maddux who won four in a row from 1992-95.
2002 The Giants select former Expo veteran skipper Felipe Alou to replace Dusty Baker as their new manager. The 67-year-old Dominican Republic native compiled a 691-717 record during his ten years at the helm with Montreal and was selected as the National League Manager of the Year in the 1994 strike-shortened season.

2003 Eric Gagne, who saved 55 consecutive games for the Dodgers, becomes the ninth reliever to win a Cy Young Award. The runner up is Jason Schmidt of the Giants, the pitcher with the NL’s best won-lost percentage (17-4, 77%) and who also had an ERA of 2.34 to lead the circuit.
2006 Delmon Young is suspended for 50 games by the International League for throwing a bat which hit a replacement umpire in the chest. The Devil Rays' top prospect, the brother of Tiger star Dmitri Young, was selected as the minor league player of the year by Baseball America in 2005.
2006 The Mets stage a groundbreaking ceremony to mark the construction of the 45,000-seat ballpark which will replace Shea Stadium in 2009. The new $800 million ballpark, named CitiiField in association with Citigroup Inc., will be reminiscent of Ebbets Field and will feature a statue of Jackie Robinson in a rotunda which will be named after the immortal Brooklyn Dodger infielder.
2006 Tigers right-hander Jason Verlander (17-9, 3.63) cops the AL Rookie of the Year Award award receiving 26 of a possible 28 first place votes cast by the BBWAA. The 23-year old hard-throwing hurler becomes the first starting pitcher to win the freshman award since Yankee newcomer Dave Righetti accomplished the feat 1981.

Monday, November 12, 2007

This Date in Baseball

"With my team I am the absolute czar." - JOHN McGRAW, Giant Manager (1902-32)

1923 Giant manager John McGraw trades outfielders Casey Stengel and Bill Cunningham along with shortstop Dave Bracroft to the Braves for pitchers Joe Oeschger and Bill Southworth.
1940 Unwilling to yield to the players' demands during the season, Alva Bradley finally fires Indian manager Oscar Vitt and replaces him with Roger Peckinpaugh. It is Peckinpaugh's second time as Cleveland's field boss.

1952 Philadelphia A's hurler Bobby Shantz (24-7, 2.48) is named as American League MVP by the baseball writers.
1955 Fred Hutchinson replaces Harry Walker as Cardinal manager. With the departure of 'the Hat', next season will be the first time in National League history without a player-manager.
1986 Red Sox Roger Clemens becomes only the second American League pitcher to unanimously win the Cy Young Award. Denny McLain was the first to accomplish the feat in 1968.
2001 One year after playing Class-A ball, Albert Pujols (.329, 37, 130) is named the National League Rookie of the Year by BBWAA. The Cardinal freshman set NL rookie marks RBIs (130), total bases (360)and extra base hits (88) and fell one home run shy of tying the National League rookie record of 38 established by Frank Robinson in 1956 as a member of the Reds.

2001 Although disappointed not winning the award unanimously, Mariners outfielder Ichiro, who led the circuit in hitting, is named the American League Rookie of the Year by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Chris Assenheimer of the Elyria (Ohio) Chronicle-Telegram voted for C.C. Sabathia (17-4) as his top choice citing the nine years of professional experience in Japan made Ichiro less of a rookie than Indian hurler Sabathia.
2002 Miguel Tejada, who receives 356 points from the Baseball Writers' Association, including 21 first-place votes of the 28 cast, is selected as the American League's Most Valuable Player. The A's shortstop joins countrymen Sammy Sosa and George Bell as Dominican Republic natives to win the award.