1967 Former Yankee reliever Johnny Murphy becomes the Mets' third general manager in franchise history when he replaces Bing Devine. During his tenure, the team benefits from a talented farm system, especially its young pitching prospects, including Tom Seaver, Jerry Koosman, Nolan Ryan, and Gary Gentry, who will play a major role in the club's World Championship in 1969. 1984 Ed Whitson, 14-8 with the NL champion Padres, signs a five-year $4.4 million ill-fated contract with the Yankees. The free-agent deal becomes a nightmare when the right-hander lasts only a season and a half, compiling a 15-10 record and an ERA of 5.38 in 44 games with the Bronx Bombers. 2001 After 21 years on WABC, the Yankees will broadcast its spring training, regular-season, and postseason games on all-news station WCBS-AM, which Infinity Broadcasting owns. The five-year deal with the Yankees' YES Network, created earlier this year, is worth approximately $50 million. 2001 The Mets stay busy this offseason, acquiring first baseman Mo Vaughn for 13-year veteran right-hander Kevin Appier (11-10, 3.57) and cash. The 1995 American League MVP will join Roberto Alomar, Roger Cedeno, and Shawn Estes as the Shea Squad's newest members.
2003 In his hometown of Loza, Puerto Rico, former major league All-Star outfielder Ivan Calderon is shot and killed at a bar reportedly known where several other murders have occurred in the past year. During his ten-year major league career, the 41-year-old played with the Mariners (1984-86), White Sox (1986-1990, 1993), Expos (1991-92), and Red Sox (1993). 2004 After the Cubs decline Moises Alou's (.293, 39, 106) option, the Giants ink the free-agent outfielder to a one-year contract reportedly worth $13.25 million, with an opportunity for a second year for the career .300 hitter. The signing marks the 38-year-old All-Star's second time he will call his dad skipper, with Felipe managing him while he played with the Expos from 1992-96. 2007 Hoping he will continue to be a hot hitter at Kauffman Stadium (.415), the Royals sign free-agent Miguel Olivo (.237, 16, 60) to a one-year deal with a mutual option for the following season. The Marlins did not tender a contract to the 29-year-old backstop, the team's starting catcher for the past two seasons, after acquiring catching prospect Mike Rabelo in the blockbuster trade with the Tigers during the Winter Meetings.
2008 Adding speed at the top of their order and a superior glove in centerfield, the Reds sign Willy Taveras (.251, 1, 26) to a two-year contract. The 27-year-old speedster, who led the major leagues with 68 stolen bases last season, became a free agent earlier in the month when the Rockies declined to offer him a contract after the oft-injured outfielder spent two seasons with the team. 2013 The Rangers come to terms on a seven-year, $130 million deal with free-agent Shin-Soo Choo, who will join the recently acquired power-hitting first baseman Prince Fielder to provide the club more offense. The 31-year-old outfielder, who compiled a .423 on-base percentage, hit .285 with 21 home runs and drove in 54 runs for the Reds last season. 2020 In a seven-player trade, the Cubs deal 34-year-old Yu Darvish and his personal catcher Victor Caratini to the Padres for right-handed starter Zach Davies and four minor league prospects: Reginald Preciado, Yeison Santana, Owen Caissie, and Ismael Mena. San Diego's addition of Darvish, last season's NL Cy Young runner-up, comes less than a day after the team obtains southpaw Blake Snell, another top of the rotation hurler from the Rays. **************************************** 148,159
Today In 1919: The Boston #RedSox make a secret deal to sell Babe Ruth to the New York #Yankees, a move that would dramatically change the course of baseball history!
Ernie BanksErnie Banks played w KC Monarchs in Negro Leagues & was the 1st Black player to play for @Cubs. He credited Monarchs manager & Hall of Famer Buck O'Neil for making him a big-leaguer!
Is Bob Gibson the greatest P in World Series history? He helped the Cardinals to 3 pennants & started 3 times in each WS. Went 7-2; 8 CG in 9 starts; 1.89 ERA
December 28 Baseball Birthdays 1900 Ted Lyons HOF pitcher (MLB All-Star 1939; AL wins leader 1925, 27; AL ERA leader 1942; no-hitter 1926; Chicago WS) and manager (Chicago WS 1926-28), born in Lake Charles, Louisiana (d. 1986) 1947 Aurelio Rodriguez Infielder Yankees, Angels, MudHens 1952 Ray Knight 3rd baseman (MLB All-Star 1980, 82; World Series MVP 1986 NY Mets; Cincinnati Reds, Houston Astros), born in Albany, Georgia 1960 Zane Smith pitcher (Braves, xpos, Pittsburgh Pirates), born in Madison, Wisconsin 1971 Benny Agbayani Mets, born in Honolulu, Hawaii 1971 Melvin Nieves outfielder (Detroit Tigers), born in San Juan, Puerto Rico 1979 Bill Hall born in Nettleton, Mississippi *********************************
This Day in Baseball History December 281926 Bob O'Farrell is named to replace Rogers Hornsby as the Cardinal manager. The 'Rajah,' who guided the Redbirds to a World Championship as the team's player-manager last season, was traded to the Giants eight days ago for Frankie Frisch and Jimmy Ring. Frisch Ring 1944 Buddy Lewis wins the Distinguished Flying Cross for his extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in the China Burma India Theater. During World War II, the 28-year-old Senators' outfielder/third baseman flew more than 500 missions for the U.S. Army Air Force as a transport pilot. 1957 After Representative Kenneth B. Keating (R-NY) indicated Congress should reopen its sports hearing, CBS announces they would not broadcast major league games into any area during a scheduled minor league game. The television network has agreed with six teams - Indians, Orioles, Phillies, Reds, White Sox, and Yankees - to telecast major league games nationally on Sundays next season.
1957 In a swap of first basemen, the Reds deal fan-favorite Ted Kluszewski to the Pirates for Dee Fondy, who will retire at the end of the season after hitting only .218 for Cincinnati. 'Big Klu' will play a season-and-a-half for his new team before being sent to the White Sox, where he plays a pivotal role for the eventual American League champions in 1959. 1983 Free agent Warren Cromartie signs a $2.5 million contract with the Tokyo Yomiuri Giants. The 30-year-old former Expo outfielder considered the best American player to date to leave the majors in his prime to play in Japan, will compile a .321 batting average along with 171 home runs and 558 RBIs during his seven seasons with the Nippon team.
1994 In the century's fourth-largest trade, the biggest since 1957, the Astros and Padres exchange a dozen players. Houston sends Ken Caminiti, Andujar Cedeno, Steve Finley, Roberto Petagine, Brian Williams, and a player to be named later (Sean Fesh) for Derek Bell, Doug Brocail, Ricky Gutierrez, Pedro Martinez, Phil Plantier, and Craig Shipley. 1998 The Tigers acquire two players when the team signs free-agent Gregg Jefferies to a two-year contract and trades outfield prospect Luis Gonzalez to the Diamondbacks for Karim Garcia. The 31-year-old California native will finish his controversial 14-year major league career in Detroit with a lifetime .289 batting average. Garcia Jefferies Gonzalez
1994 In the century's fourth-largest trade, the biggest since 1957, the Astros and Padres exchange a dozen players. Houston sends Ken Caminiti, Andujar Cedeno, Steve Finley, Roberto Petagine, Brian Williams, and a player to be named later (Sean Fesh) for Derek Bell, Doug Brocail, Ricky Gutierrez, Pedro Martinez, Phil Plantier, and Craig Shipley. 1998 The Tigers acquire two players when the team signs free-agent Gregg Jefferies to a two-year contract and trades outfield prospect Luis Gonzalez to the Diamondbacks for Karim Garcia. The 31-year-old California native will finish his controversial 14-year major league career in Detroit with a lifetime .289 batting average.
2005 The Diamondbacks send Troy Glaus and highly touted infield prospect Sergio Santos to the Blue Jays in exchange for Gold Glove second baseman Orlando Hudson and starter Miguel Batista. Toronto's active off-season, in which the team has also signed starter A.J. Burnett, closer B.J. Ryan, and first baseman Lyle Overbay, convinced the third baseman to waive his limited no-trade clause. **************************************** 148,487
Boston #RedSox catcher Bob Montgomery was the last major league player to step into the batter's box without a helmet! He only wore a thin plastic liner under his cap
Carl Yastrzemski goes to the plate without a helmet (but with an insert under his cap) and proceeds to hit a big 3-run HR vs. New York #Mets pitcher Tom Seaver at the 1975 Baseball All-Star Game in Milwaukee!
Rod Carew bunted for a base hit 91 times in his career. He had 126 attempts. That's an average success rate: 72.2%
