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.