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.