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.