This Date in Baseball

"I'll probably get a million more than I should, but I didn't make the rules.
I'm just taking advantage of them." - REGGIE JACKSON, as an Oriole outfielder
commenting on becoming a free-agent in 1976

1964 The Red Sox trade first baseman Dick Stuart to the Phillies for pitcher Dennis Bennett.
1965 The Yankees trade utility player Phil Linz to the Phillies for Ruben Amaro.
1966 The Dodgers trade two-time batting champ Tommy Davis and outfielder Derrell Griffith to the Mets for outfielder Jim Hickman and infielder Ron Hunt.
1966 Yankee veteran third baseman Clete Boyer is traded to the Braves for outfielder Bill Robinson and a player to be named later.

1976 The Yankees sign free-agent Reggie Jackson to five-year, $3.5 million dollar contract. During Mr. October's tenure, the Bronx Bombers will win four divisions, three pennants and two World Series.
1995 Charlie Smith, the player traded to Yankees from the Cardinals for Roger Maris in 1967, dies at age 57.

Team party

Remember our team party is this sunday from 2 until 4 at BRP. Please contribute 5 dollars to Loy for food. For more information contact the coaches or you can get in touch with Loy or Alice if you need directions or more information.

See you Dec. 2nd.

This Date in Baseball

"There are only two kinds of managers. Winning managers and ex-managers." -GIL
HODGES, Met manager (1968-73)

1947 Triple Crown winner Ted Williams (.343, 32,162) is edged out by the Yankee Clipper Joe DiMaggio (.315, 20, 97) for the American League MVP by one point.
1950 Former Cleveland shortstop standout Lou Boudreau signs a two-year contract with the Red Sox for $150,000.
1956 After winning the MVP last week and the Rookie of the Year in 1949, Don Newcombe (27-7, 3.06), hurler for the pennant-winning Dodgers, becomes baseball's first and only Cy Young winner as only one pitcher will be selected each season for this prestigious pitching award until 1967 when each league will name a winner. The Dodgers' director of Community Affairs remains the only player in baseball history to have won all three major post-season awards.
1967 The Mets obtain the rights to manager Gil Hodges by sending pitcher Bill Denehy and $100,000 to the Washington Senators.

1970 Expos' freshman hurler Carl Morton, who finishes the season with a record of 18-11 for his last place club, wins the National League Rookie of the Year beating out the Reds' Bernie Carbo, 11-8.
2001 The major league owners vote unanimously to extend baseball commissioner Bud Selig's contract through 2006.

This Date in Baseball

"I don't always swing at strikes. I swing at the ball when it looks big." -BILL
'MOOSE' SKOWRON, Yankee first baseman

1948 National League president Ford Frick steps in and pays $350 for funeral services, including the cost of a coffin, for the unclaimed body of Hack Wilson. The former slugger, who had died probably of alcohol abuse a few days earlier in a Baltimore hospital, is identified only as a white male.
1962 Batting champ Pete Runnels (.376) is traded by the Red Sox to Colt .45s for outfielder Roman Mejias. The Texas native will only hit .252 in Houston next season and will retire in May of 1964.

1962 The Dodgers trade pitcher Stan Williams (14-12, 4.46) for Yankee first baseman Bill Skowron (.270, 23, 80). In Game 2 of the World Series 'Moose' will home against his former teammates.
1975 Red Sox center fielder Fred Lynn (.331, 21, 105) becomes the first rookie ever to be named the league's MVP. The Boston freshman also wins Rookie of the Year honors.
1986 The Yankees trade prospects including Doug Drabek to the Pirates (a future Cy Young winner) for veterans Rick Rhoden, Cecilio Guante and Pat Clements.
2002 Prior to playing two regular-season games against the A's to open the major league season in Japan, the Mariners will face the Seibu Lions and Yomiuri Giants in exhibition contests on March 22 and 23.
2003 Hoping to add punch to their outfield, the A's trade catcher Ramon Hernandez and disgruntled flychaser Terrence Long to the Padres for outfielder Mark Kotsay. The deal will be delayed until Kotsay's back gets a clean bill of health.
2004 Receiving 21 of the 28 first-place votes, Vladimir Guerrero (.337, 39, 126) wins the 2004 American League's MVP Award. The 28-year old former Expo outfielder signed as free agent with the Angels, after the Mets refused to guarantee his salary based on advice from their medical staff.

2005 Closer B.J. Ryan, who saved 36 games last season for the Orioles agrees to a $47 million, five-year deal with the Blue Jays. The thirty-year old southpaw’s contract calls for the largest amount of money ever given to a reliever.

Happy Thanksgiving!

While we here @ Force Baseball HQ take a little break, we want to wish everyone a very Happy Thanksgiving! If you're traveling we pray for your safe return and we would hope that all spend this time wisely in remembering all that we've been blessed with and are very thankful for. May the beginning to your holiday season bring peace as we all are reminded to the reason for our very being.

Happy Thanksgiving!

This Date in Baseball

"Any time you think you have the game conquered, the game will turn around and
punch you in the nose; -MIKE SCHMIDT, Phillies' Hall of Fame third baseman

1884 League secretary Nick Young becomes National League president replacing Abe Mills, who had resigned from the post.
1960 James Vernon will pilot the new Senators in the team's inaugural season. During his three year tenure with new club, 'Mickey' will compile a 135-227 record.
1962 The Cardinals trade pitcher Don Cardwell and infielder Julio Gotay to the Pirates for shortstop Dick Groat and pitcher Diomedes Olivio Groat will become a cog in Cardinal World championship in 1964.

1968 Yankee pitcher Stan Bahnsen (17-12, 2.05, 162) is named American League Rookie of the Year. The New York freshman easily outdistances outfielder Del Unser of the Washington Senators .
1975 In a landslide vote, Joe Morgan (.327, 17, 94) is overwhelming elected the National League MVP. The Reds' second baseman had a league-leading on-base percentage of .419.
1979 Former Angel Nolan Ryan becomes the first free agent to sign a million dollars per year contract with a new team. The 'Ryan Express' will post a 106-94 record for the Astros.

1986 Phillies' third baseman Mike Schmidt (.290, 37,119) joins Roy Campanella and Stan Musial becoming only the third player in National League history to win the MVP three times.
1990 Pirates' outfielder Barry Bonds (.301, 23, 114) wins the National League MVP Award. Pittsburgh teammate Bobby Bonilla is the runner-up.
1996 Free-agent Albert Belle signs a record five-year, $55 million deal with the White Sox making the left fielder the first $10 million a year player.
1998 Sammy Sosa is selected as the National League MVP creating an historic Latin American sweep of the MVP awards with Ranger Juan Gonzales winning the award in the American League this season.
2001 In a landslide vote (30 of 32 first-place votes) by the BBWAA, Giants' left fielder Barry Bonds (.328, 137, 73) wins the Most Valuable Player Award for an unprecedented fourth time (1990, 92-93 as a Pirate). Three-time MVPs include Yogi Berra, Roy Campanella, Joe DiMaggio, Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial and Mike Schmidt.

2002 Twenty-four year veteran Jesse Orosco, who is the all-time leader in games pitched at 1,187 agrees to a one-year contract with the Padres estimated at $800,000, At age 45, the lefty reliever, who started his major league with the Mets in 1979 (traded by the Twins for Jerry Koosman), is the oldest player in the majors.
2004 The Angels trade flychaser Jose Guillen (.294, 27, 104) to the Washington Expos for outfielder Juan Riveria and infielder Maicer Izturis. The Dominican Republic native, now playing for his sixth team in his 8-year career, was suspended by Anaheim after throwing a helmet during a tirade caused by being taken out for a pinch runner last September.

This Date in Baseball

"I don't regret for one minute the 12 years I've spent in baseball, but I could
regret one season too many." -SANDY KOUFAX, announcing his retirement (1966)

1886 The Pittsburgh Alleghenys leave the American Association to join the National League.
1914 The Cubs name future Hall of Famer Roger Bresnahan to manage the team. The former Cardinal skipper will be in the dugout for just one year as Chicago finishes fourth with a 73-80 record.

1947 The Browns trade All-Star shortstop Vern Stephens and pitcher Jack Kramer to the Red Sox for six players and $310,000. The dealing will continue tomorrow as Ellis Kinder and Billy Hitchcock also go to Boston in exchange for three more St. Louis players and $65,000 making the total number of players traded 13 (4 Browns, 9 Red Sox) with $375,000 going to the cash deprived Browns.
1949 Jackie Robinson (.342, 16, 124) becomes the first black player to win the MVP Award. Stan Musial, Ralph Kiner, and teammate Pee Wee Reese are the runner ups.

1951 Wanting to stay in California, PCL Los Angeles Angels first baseman Chuck Connors becomes the first player to refuse to participate in the major league draft. The former Cub first baseman and future star of the TV series The Rifleman refusal allows the minor leagues to ask for more money for big league talent.
1954 The A's hire Lou Boudreau as manager replacing Eddie Joost who is given his unconditional release. During his three-year tenure in Kansas City, the future Hall of Famer will pilot the second-division club to a 151-260 record.
1959 The A's announce Bob Elliott will replace Harry Craft as the team's manager. 'Wildfire' compiles a 162-196 (.453) during his three-year stint in Kansas City.

1966 After posting a 27-9 record with a 1.73 ERA, Dodger great Sandy Koufax unexpectedly retires. The Brooklyn native cites the fear of permanent damage of his arthritic elbow as the reason.
1966 Replacing the legendary Casey Stengel (175-404, .302) , the Mets name Wes Westrum as the team's second manager in the franchise's brief history. The former Giant catcher had taken over the club reins after the 'Old Perfessor' had fractured his hip in July.
1966 After finishing the Cy Young season with a 27-9 record and a league-leading 1.73 ERA, Sandy Koufax shocks the baseball world by announcing his retirement at the age of 30. The southpaw, who has thrown four no-hitters and set the single season strikeout record last year with 382, cites his arthritic arm and the fear of permanent damage as the reason for being placing himself on the voluntarily retired list.

1980 After batting nearly .400 all season, Royals third baseman George Brett (.390, 24, 118) is named the American League's MVP.
1981 Dick Williams replaces Frank Howard as manager of the last place Padres. Williams who has won three pennants and two World Series in last 14 years as a major league skipper, will pilot San Diego to a National League pennant in 1984.
1985 Pitching phenoms 20-year old Dwight Gooden (Mets - NL) and 21-year old Bret Saberhagen (Royals - AL) win the Cy Young Award. Both become the youngest players in their respective leagues to win the coveted pitching honor.
1986 Red Sox Roger Clemens is elected the American League's MVP Award becoming the first pitcher to accomplish the feat since Vida Blue won the honor in 1971. The 'Rocket' receives 19 of the 28 first place votes and Yankee first baseman Don Mattingly is the runner-up.
1987 Cubs outfielder Andre Dawson (.287, 49, 137) becomes the first player to win the MVP award as a member of a last place club.
1998 For the second time in three seasons, Juan Gonzalez is voted the American League's Most Valuable Player becoming the first Latin American native to win two MVP awards.

2000 The Mariners sign Orix Blue Wave's Ichiro Suzuki to a three-year deal making him the first Japanese position player in major league history. Although terms of the contract were not disclosed, Seattle agrees to pay $13 million to his former team for the right to negotiate with ` best hitter.
2004 Although the Expos may not know where they are playing next season (the final MLB approval for Washington, DC has been postponed) or the team’s new name, the former Montreal franchise will know who is the club’s manager. Frank Robinson, after compiling a 233-253 record despite many restrictions and hardships, will return to the helm for his fourth year as the skipper of this nomad ship.

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.

The Nation Grows On!

The season may ready itself to slumber under the dark of shortened fall days, but Force Baseball Nation continues to march on. We've experienced our heaviest traffic week ever here @ Force Baseball HQ & can expect nothing but bigger & better days ahead. We would like to thank the faithful who visit here regularly & refer us to fellow baseball believers. Our hopes are to parlay this ever increasing traffic load into corporate sponsorship dollars by the way of ads & direct links from this page, so continue to spread the gospel of Force Baseball.

The numbers don't lie!

Visits:

Total.................2,225
Average per day..........29
Average visit length...3:23
This week...............202

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.