BB On this Date ~ Events & Birthdays #2

NOVEMBER 16 BASEBALL BIRTHDAYS
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1893 Cristóbal Torriente HOF outfielder (NgL NL batting champion 1920; NgL NL pennant 1920–22; Chicago American Giants; career batting average: .352)


1931 Frank Bolling second baseman (MLB All-Star 1961–62²; Gold Glove Award 1958; Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee/Atlanta Braves)


1964 Dwight Gooden pitcher (4 x MLB All-Star; NL Cy Young Award, Triple Crown 1985 NY Mets; no-hitter 1996 NY Yankees),


1966 Tim Scott pitcher (Montreal Expos)


1968 Chris Haney pitcher (KC Royals)


1978 Kip Bouknight

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This Day in Baseball History
November 16th​

1912 In failing health, Giants president John T. Brush dies aboard a train en route to California in his private car. Harry Hempstead, his son-in-law, will take over the club.

1961 Using blue and orange, the team colors of the departed Dodgers and Giants, the Mets unveil the franchise's logo selected from over 500 entries submitted in the expansion team's $1000 design contest. Sports cartoonist Ray Gatto's winning entry displays a skyline representing all five boroughs with various iconic symbols of the Big Apple.


1962 Lou Perini sells the Braves for $6.2 million to the Chicago-based Lasalle Corporation, led by 34-year-old insurance broker William Bartholomay. Team president John McHale, one of the primary stockholders in the purchase, will take the brunt of the wrath of the fanbase when the new ownership makes clear their intent to move the team out of Milwaukee.

1966 Roberto Clemente, edging out Dodger hurler Sandy Koufax (27-9, 1.73, 317 strikeouts), is named the National League MVP. The Pirates' 32-year-old right fielder hit .317 with 29 home runs and drove in 119 runs for the third-place team.

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1966 The Dodgers finish their tour Japan tour with the worst results ever compiled by an American big league team. Los Angeles loses the last four games of the trip, returning to the West Coast with a mediocre 9-8-1 record against their Japanese opponents.

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1976 California signs free-agent Don Baylor to a six-year, $1.6 million deal. The Austin (TX) native, who played with the A's last season after being dealt by the Orioles in the Reggie Jackson trade, will become the first Angel to win the MVP Award (1979) until Vladimir Guerrero cops the honor in 2004.

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1977 Rod Carew is selected by the BBWAA as the recipient of the American League's Most Valuable Player Award, easily outpointing right-fielders Al Cowens (A's) and Ken Singleton (Orioles), the runner-ups for the honor. The Twins' first baseman led the league in hitting with a .338 batting average.

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1979 Former Red and Expo infielder Tony Perez signs as a re-entry free agent with the Red Sox. The future Hall of Famer will spend three seasons in Boston, compiling a .266 batting average while appearing in 304 games, mostly as the team's designated hitter.

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1988 Jose Canseco, who led the circuit in homers, RBIs, and slugging percentage, is the unanimous choice of the BBWAA for the MVP of the American League. The A's right fielder is the first player to be selected unanimously since the writers chose Oakland outfielder Reggie Jackson in 1973.

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1989 Kevin Bass, who batted .300 for the Astros last season, signs as a free agent with the National League champion Giants. The 30-year-old outfielder will hit .249 during his three seasons with San Francisco.


1995 Boston slugger Mo Vaughn (.300, 39, 126), taking 12 first-place votes, wins the American League Most Valuable Player award, edging Cleveland's Albert Belle in the BBWAA voting, 308-301. The Red Sox first baseman becomes the eighth player in franchise history to win the prestigious prize.

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2000 Jeff Kent (.334, 33, 125) outpoints teammate Barry Bonds to become the National League's MVP. The Giants' infielder becomes the first second baseman to win the honor since Ryne Sandberg of the Cubs won the award in 1984.

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2001 "The welfare, recreation, prestige, prosperity, trade and commerce of the people of the community are at stake. The Twins brought the community together with Homer Hankies and Bobblehead dolls. The Twins are one of the few professional sports teams in town where a family can afford to take their children to enjoy a hot dog and peanuts and a stadium. The vital public interest, or trust, of the Twins substantially outweighs any private interest." - HARRY SEYMOUR CRUMP, Hennepin County District Judge ruling that thwarts the baseball owners' plan to eliminate two major league teams next season.
Judge Harry Seymour Crump rules that the Twins must continue to play home games at the Metrodome, prohibiting Twins owner Carl Pohlad from selling the team unless the new owner agrees to play next season's games at the team's current ballpark. The Hennepin County District's lower court decision, likely to be appealed, results from MLB's decision to contract two clubs, including the one expected to be Minnesota.

2002 After piloting the Giants to an 840-715 (.540) record during his ten-year tenure with the club and winning this season's National League pennant, Dusty Baker leaves the organization, inking a four-year deal to manage the Cubs. Chicago, a franchise that hasn't been to the World Series since 1945, made it clear the 53-year-old three-time NL Manager of the Year (1993, 1997, 2000) was the team's first choice to lead the way.

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2002 The New York Yankees and the Yomiuri Giants agree to form a working relationship. As the most successful teams in their respective leagues, the organizations hope to establish scouting and marketing ties to benefit both clubs.

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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 a free agent with the Angels after the Mets refused to guarantee his salary based on advice from their medical staff.

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2005 In a close vote, the Baseball Writers' Association of America selects Albert Pujols (.330, 41, 117) as the National League's MVP. The Cardinal first baseman outpoints Braves' center fielder Andruw Jones, 378-351.

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2006 The Nationals name Manny Acta as the team's new manager, replacing 71-year-old Frank Robinson, the oldest pilot in baseball. The 37-year-old Dominican, who served as the Mets' third-base coach for the past two seasons, is now the youngest skipper in the majors.

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2007 Scott Boras's reputation takes another hit when free agent Kenny Rogers, formerly with the Tigers, informs big-league teams that he has dismissed his agent and is now representing himself in contract talks. Earlier in the week, another client, Alex Rodriguez, contacted the Yankees to start negotiations without his involvement.

2007 After a five-year departure to play for the Mets, Tom Glavine returns to the Braves, agreeing to an $8 million, one-year deal. The 41-year-old southpaw, a two-time Cy Young winner with the team, left Atlanta in 2002 after negotiations as a free agent became acrimonious with team president Stan Kasten.

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2009 Chris Coghlan edges Phillies right-hander J.A. Happ, the only player named on all 32 ballots, to become the third Marlin in franchise history, along with Dontrelle Willis (2003) and Hanley Ramirez (2006), to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award. The 24-year-old leadoff hitter, a second baseman in the minors, hit .321 in 128 games, playing mostly left field after being called up in May.


2009 Andrew Bailey is named the American League Rookie of the Year, the eighth A's player in franchise history to cop the honor. After struggling in Double-A as a minor league starter last season, the 25-year-old right-handed closer compiled 26 saves with a 1.84 ERA for Oakland.

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2009 The Mets hire Wally Backman to manage the Brooklyn Cyclones, their farm team in the New York-Penn League. The team's new skipper, who played a vital role with the 1986 World Series championship club, was hired and fired to be Diamondbacks' skipper in 2004, shortly after the New York Times revealed the former second baseman had been arrested twice and had financial difficulties.

 

2010 The Marlins deal Dan Uggla (.287, 33, 105) to the Braves for infielder Omar Infante and left-hander Mike Dunn. Atlanta's acquisition of the two-time All-Star second baseman may signal the team is uncertain about Chipper Jones' status for next year after his surgery to repair a torn ligament in his left knee.

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2010 Roy Halladay joins Roger Clemens, Randy Johnson, Pedro Martinez, and Gaylord Perry as the fifth pitcher to win the Cy Young Award in both leagues. The Phillies right-hander, obtained as a free agent in the off-season, unanimously cops the National League honor after posting a 21-10 record and a 2.44 ERA during the major-league-leading 250.2 innings he hurled this season.

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2011 In his first full season as a skipper, Kirk Gibson is named the National League's manager of the year. The 54-year-old field boss, who received 28 of the 32 first-place votes from the writers, led the Diamondbacks to a run-away NL Western Division title with a 94-68 record.

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2011 Joe Maddon wins the American League Manager of the Year Award for the second time after guiding the Rays to a 91-71 record. Thanks to Boston's late-season collapse, Tampa Bay overcame a nine-game deficit at the beginning of September to win the American League Wild Card.

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2012 At Busch Stadium, the Cardinals unveil an alternate home Saturday jersey that features the words "St. Louis" in script on the front for the first time in eight decades. The Redbirds also announce the team will wear red hats on the road instead of navy, and their logo will have more detailed cardinals on the bat.

2012 The Negro Leagues Baseball Museum announces the winners of its Legacy Awards, naming Mike Trout as its choice for the AL's Oscar Charleston Award, recognizing the 20-year-old outfielder as the league's most valuable player. The Angels' freshman also receives the Larry Doby Award, an honor given to the top rookie of each circuit.

 

2016 With only eight of 30 first-place votes, Rick Porcello wins the American League Cy Young Award, outdistancing Justin Verlander, the Tigers ace placed on the top of a dozen ballots cast by the Baseball Writers Association of America. The 27-year-old Red Sox right-hander received 18 second-place votes from the writers in recognition of his 22-4 record while posting a 3.15 ERA for the first-place Red Sox.


2016 Max Scherzer is named the recipient of the National League's Cy Young Award, making the 32-year-old, who also won the American League award in 2013 with the Tigers, the sixth hurler in baseball history to cop the honor in both circuits. The Washington right-hander led the NL with 20 wins, compiling a major league-leading 284 strikeouts during his 228.1 innings for the first-place Nationals.

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2018 Babe Ruth becomes the twelfth MLB player honored with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the fourth to receive the nation's highest civilian honor posthumously. President Donald Trump presents the medal to Thomas Steven, who accepts the award on behalf of his grandfather.


2019 Veteran manager Joe Maddon (1,252-1,068), who spent nine seasons with the Rays and five more with the Cubs, comes to terms on a three-year deal with the Angels, reportedly worth $12 million to $15 million. The 65-year-old skipper, replacing first-year pilot Brad Ausmus, spent 31 years with the organization before leaving to manage Tampa Bay in 2006.


2022 Pedro Martinez, Sandy Alcantara's childhood hero, announces the Marlin ace has won the National League Cy Young Award, receiving all 30 of the first-place votes from the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The 27-year-old right-hander (14-9, 2.28) becomes the first hurler in franchise history and the third Dominican-born player to cop the prestigious pitching prize.

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something perfect about Clemente finishing at exactly 3000 hits. It's one of the most prestigious milestones in the game, and he gets to eternally be the gatekeeper of that stat. Anyone who reaches 3000 hits need to cross Roberto Clemente's threshold.

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Cristóbal Torriente, outfielder and pitcher for the Chicago American Giants and others, was born #OTD in 1893. He was a .340 career hitter who led the league with a .411 average in 1920. He was elected to the #HallofFame in 2006.
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"Hats off to Rod Carew, this week's recipient of the Gillette Special." ~ Mel Allen (This Week In Baseball - 1977)
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Spent Sunday 11/17 working outside

NOVEMBER 17 BASEBALL BIRTHDAYS
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1923 Mike Garcia pitcher (MLB All-Star 1952, 53, 54; AL ERA leader 1949, 54; World Series 1948 Cleveland Indians


1944 Tom Seaver HOF pitcher (NL Cy Young Award 1969, 73, 75; 12 x MLB All Star; NY Mets, Cincinnati Reds, Chicago WS)

1966 Jeff Nelson, pitcher (NY Yankees)

1973 Eli Marrero, 1997-2006 (St, Louis Cardinals and 5 other teams

1983 Nick Markakis outfielder (MLB All-Star 2018; Gold Glove Award 2011, 14, 18; Silver Slugger Award 2018; Baltimore Orioles, Atlanta Braves)

1990 Elías Díaz catcher (MVP MLB All Star Game 2023 Colorado Rockies; Pittsburgh Pirates)


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This Day in Baseball History
November 17th

1913 Wilbert Robinson is named the Dodgers' new manager, replacing Bill Dahlen. 'Uncle Robbie' will compile a 1375-1341 (.506) record during his 18-year Hall of Fame tenure as the Brooklyn skipper, capturing the National League pennant in 1916 and 1920.

1947 In the first deal between the clubs on consecutive days, the Browns trade righty Jack Kramer and All-Star shortstop Vern Stephens to the Red Sox for Pete Layden, Joe Ostrowski, Roy Partee, Eddie Pellagrini, Al Widmar, Jim Wilson, and $310,000. Boston plans to bat their new slugging middle infielder, known as Junior to his teammates, behind Ted Williams.

1960 Elvin Quesada, a native of the District of Columbia and presently the head of the Federal Aviation Administration, is awarded the American League's Washington expansion team. The new 'Senators' will take the original American League club, which moved to Minnesota to play as the Twins next season.

1960 Dick Groat, the Pirates' 30-year-old shortstop who led the league with a .325 average, is selected as the National League's Most Valuable Player, with Don Hoak, his partner on the left side of the Bucs' infield, being the runner-up for the honor. Another teammate, right-fielder Roberto Clemente, who will cop the prize in 1966, is very disappointed with being named eighth on the ballot.

1964 Yogi Berra signs a two-year contract with the Mets as a player-coach, earning $35,000 per season. The recently fired Yankee manager, donning his familiar number 8, will collect two hits in his limited nine National League at-bats.

1965 By a unanimous vote of the owners, retired Air Force Lieutenant General William Eckert becomes the fourth Commissioner of Major League Baseball, succeeding the retiring Ford Frick, who served 14 years in the position. The game's unfamiliar new leader, who hasn't attended a game in a decade, will quickly be dubbed in the press as "the Unknown Soldier."


1971 Vida Blue (24-8, 1.82) becomes the youngest player to win the MVP award, receiving 14 of 24 first-place votes to outdistance runner-up Mickey Lolich of the Tigers. The 22-year-old A's southpaw is only the fifth hurler to capture both the Cy Young Award and the MVP in the same season, joining Don Newcombe (1956 Dodgers), Sandy Koufax (1963 Dodgers), Bob Gibson (1968 Cardinals), and Denny McLain (1968 Tigers).

1975 The Braves trade 27-year-old Dusty Baker (.261, 19, 72) and utility player Ed Goodson to the Dodgers for veteran slugger Jimmy Wynn, Lee Lacy, Tom Paciorek, and Jerry Royster. The hard-hitting outfielder will play a key role for his new team, helping Los Angeles win pennants in 1977 and 1978 and the World Series in 1981.

1976 Yankee catcher Thurman Munson (.302, 17, 105), receiving 18 of the 24 first-place votes, easily outdistances Royals' third baseman George Brett to become the American League's MVP. The team's captain won the Rookie of the Year award in 1970 and is the first Bronx Bomber selected as the league's Most Valuable Player since Elston Howard copped the prestigious award in 1963.

1977 White Sox owner Bill Veeck gives Yankee free agent Ron Blomberg, who has played in only one game during the last two seasons, a generous four-year contract worth $500,000 that includes an additional $80,000 signing bonus. The questionable deal will be a complete bust when 'Boomer' hits only .231 in 169 plate appearances in one year with Chicago.

1982 Dale Murphy (.281, 36, 113) becomes the first Braves player to win the National League MVP since Hank Aaron won the award in 1957. The Atlanta outfielder will win the prestigious prize again next season, becoming the fourth National Leaguer to be honored in consecutive seasons.

1983 Willie Wilson, Willie Aikens, and Jerry Martin become the first active players sent to prison for drug violations. The judge hands down three-month sentences to the three members of the Royals for attempting to purchase cocaine.

1987 George Bell becomes the first Blue Jay player to capture the American League's MVP Award. The 27-year-old Dominican outfielder hit .287, blasted 49 home runs, and drove in a league-leading 137 runs for the second-place Toronto club.

1989 Twenty-five-year-old right-hander Bret Saberhagen (23-6, 2.16) signs a three-year extension for $8.9 million with the Royals. The Cy Young Award recipient barely misses being baseball's first $3 million-a-year player, a mark Kirby Puckett will reach in five days when he comes to terms with the Twins for $9 million over three years.

1992 Colorado selects right-hander David Nied from the Braves as their first player in the expansion draft. The 23-year-old right-hander, who was 3-0 for Atlanta last season, will pitch the first regular-season game in Rockies history, losing to the Mets and Dwight Gooden at Shea Stadium, 3-0.

2000 Pittsburgh catcher Jason Kendall signs the richest deal 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 in Japan, the American Major League team wins their fourth consecutive game, beating the Japanese stars, 4-2. The victory gives the United States, which hasn't lost a series to its Asian hosts since 1990, its fifth straight winning tour in the Land of the Rising Sun.

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, announces he will pitch for Detroit next season. Before the preliminary meeting in the Motor City, the former Angels' closer also scheduled meetings with the Indians and Cubs later in the week.

2006 Bob Geren, filling the final managerial opening in the big leagues, is hired by the A's to pilot the defending AL West champions. The rookie skipper, a veteran minor league manager, replaces the recently dismissed Ken Macha, fired after the Tigers swept Oakland in the ALCS.

2006 After spending 16 years with the White Sox, Frank Thomas joins the Blue Jays, agreeing to a $18.12 million, two-year deal plus a vesting option for a third year. The traditionally slow starter becomes disgruntled when benched indefinitely in April 2008, believing the decision was based on preventing him from reaching approximately 350 plate appearances, taking away his opportunity to earn $10 million to play in Toronto in 2009.

2008 Despite nursing a sore elbow during the season, Albert Pujols (.357, 37, 116) wins his second Most Valuable Player award of his eight-year major league career. The 28-year-old All-Star first baseman of the fourth-place Cardinals, the only player listed on every ballot, receives 18 of the 32 first-place votes cast by the BBWAA to outpoint runner-up Ryan Howard of the World Champions Phillies, 369-308.

2008 A new Hall of Fame Classic contest, replacing the discontinued annual exhibition game between major league teams, will feature the game's legends and old-timers in Cooperstown. The event will take place on Father's Day and be part of a weekend of planned activities and programs, including a skills clinic, a hitting contest, and autograph sessions.

2009 Zack Greinke (16-8, 2.16), with 25 of the 28 first-place votes cast by the writers, wins the American League Cy Young Award, joining Steve Carlton of the 1972 Phillies as the only hurlers to win the prestigious pitching prize while toiling for a last-place club. This Saturday, the Royals' right-hander will have another big day when he marries his high school sweetheart, Emily Kuchar, a former Dallas Cowboys cheerleader.

2010 In the second trade of the general managers' meetings, the A's deal Rajai Davis to the Blue Jays for a pair of right-handed minor leaguers, Trystan Magnuson and Daniel Farquhar. Last week, Oakland acquired outfielder David DeJesus from the Royals, making their former fleet outfielder expendable.

2010 After being the runner-up five times, Ron Gardenhire is finally named the American League's Manager of the Year. The only field boss listed on all 28 ballots, the Twins skipper led his team to its sixth Central Division title in nine seasons.

2010 Bud Black edges Cincinnati skipper Dusty Baker by one point for the National League Manager of the Year honors. The Padres manager kept his underdog team in the playoff race until the last day of the season when San Francisco, the eventual World Champions, knocked them out of contention.

2011 The BBWAA names Clayton Kershaw as the National League's Cy Young Award recipient, easily outpointing Philadelphia's Roy Halladay, who had won the prestigious pitching prize last year. The 23-year-old southpaw earned the NL's triple crown by posting a 2.28 ERA, striking out 248 opponents, and notching the most victories in the circuit, along with Arizona's Ian Kennedy, with a record of 21-5.

2011 The baseball owners unanimously approve the long-delayed sale of the Astros from Drayton McLane to Jim Crane. The deal depended on the new owner's acceptance of the franchise switching from the NL Central to the AL West in 2013, which reportedly lowered the sale price from $680 million to $615 million.

2014 The Braves trade Gold Glove outfielder Jayson Heyward and set-up man Jordan Walden to the Cardinals for right-handers Shelby Miller and 22-year-old minor leaguer Tyrell Jenkins. The move appears to start a rebuilding period for Atlanta under the team's new general manager, John Hart.

2016 After signing Brian McCann to a five-year, $85 million deal two seasons ago, the Yankees trade the 32-year-old catcher with cash to the Astros for minor league right-handers Albert Abreu and Jorge Guzman. The backstop, who waived his no-trade clause, played well with New York but didn't put up the offensive numbers he displayed with the Braves.

2018 Norte Dame, wearing unique Yankees-themed uniforms, beats Syracuse, 36-3, in the Shamrock Series played at Yankee Stadium. The Fighting Irish, clad in pinstriped sleeves and pants, includes Cole Kmet, a tight end who pitches for the university's baseball team.
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NOVEMBER 18 BASEBALL BIRTHDAYS
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1915 Ken Burkhart (St. Louis Cardinals) and umpire


1962 Jamie Moyer pitcher (MLB All-Star 2003, Rockies, Seattle Mariners; World Series 2008 Philadelphia Phillies; Roberto Clemente Award 2003)


1963 Dante Bichette, outfielder (Colorado Rockies)


1965 Mark Petkovsek, pitcher (St Louis Cardinals

1967 Tom Gordon pitcher (Kansas City Royals, Boston Red Sox

1968 Gary Sheffield, outfielder (Florida Marlins

1969 Lee Anne Ketcham pitcher (Silver Bullets)

1970 Allen Watson pitcher (SF Giants)

1983 Travis Buck

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This Day in Baseball History
November 18th​

1886 After spending five seasons in the American Association, the Pittsburgh Alleghenys leave the circuit, joining the National League as an expansion team. The team in 1891 will become known as the Pirates, a name derived from an incident involving the franchise accused of being "piratical" for taking a player from the defunct Players' League.


1914 The Cubs hire future Hall of Fame catcher Roger Bresnahan to manage the team. The former Cardinal skipper stays for just one year, with Chicago finishing in fourth place with a 73-80 record.

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1947 In the second of two deals between the clubs on the two-day, 13-player transaction, St. Louis obtains Sam Dente, Clem Dreisewerd, Bill Sommers, and $65,000 from the Red Sox in exchange for Ellis Kinder and Billy Hitchcock. When the dust settles, Boston ends up with two top-of-the-rotation hurlers, Kinder and Jack Kramer, and an All-Star offensive shortstop to hit behind Ted Williams, Vern Stephens, and the cash-deprived Browns, in addition to its four new players, receive a total of $375,000.

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1949 Dodger second baseman 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 runners-up in the BBWAA balloting.