This Date in Baseball

"The baseball fan who come into our parks should always be sure that he's
watching the same game he played as a boy. He shouldn't be baffled by any
confounded new rules. There is no need for any." -CLARK GRIFFITH, owner of the
Washington Senators

1919 Clark Griffith becomes a club owner, along with William Richardson, and president when he buys a controlling interest in the Washington Senators. Unable to get financial help from the American League, he mortgages his ranch in Montana to secure the needed cash.

1950 Amidst much public protest, the Indians fire Lou Boudreau, their popular player-manager. The Harvey, Illinois native compiled a modest .529 winning percentage during his nine year tenure in the dugout.
1964 The Braves sign a twenty-five year lease to play in the newly constructed Atlanta Stadium and play there until the team moves next door to Turner Field in 1997. The park will become known Atlanta-Fulton County Stadium in 1975.
1978 The Yankees trade southpaws Sparky Lyle and Dave Rajsich along with righty Larry McCall, infielder, Domingo Ramos and catcher Mike Heath to the Rangers for lefties Dave Righetti and Paul Mirabella, right-hander Mike Griffin and outfielder Juan Beniquez.
1987 Phillies closer Steve Bedrosian (5-3, 40 saves) narrowly edges Cubs starter Rick Sutcliffe (18-10, 3.68) by two points (57-55) to win the Cy Young Award. 'Bedrock' is the third reliever to win the award in the National League.

1988 Dodgers' hurler Orel Hershiser becomes the ninth pitcher in National League history to win the Cy Young award unanimously. The 'Bulldog' receives all twenty-four first place votes from the sportswriters.

2003 Dontrelle Willis wins the National League Rookie of the Year Award. The Marlins right-hander is the only player in either league named on every ballot.
2004 After piloting the Rangers (89-73) to an 18 game improvement from the previous season, Buck Showalter wins his second American League Manager Award. The former Yankee manager also copped the honor in 1994.
2004 The BBWAA selects Bobby Cox as the National League Manager of the Year Award. Although the team loses Greg Maddux, Gary Sheffield, Javy Lopez and Vinny Castilla to free agency, the Braves (96-58) still capture their 13th straight, and unexpected, division flag.