This Date in Baseball

"He is sittin' in the catbird seat." - RED BARBER, Hall of
Fame announcer referring to a pitcher sitting on a lead

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.