1954 The Pirates purchase the contract of Roberto Clemente from the Montreal Royals, a Dodger farm club. The outfielder hit only .257 for the Brooklyn Triple-A club last season, but the five-tool player will become a Hall of Famer, playing his entire 18-year career with Pittsburgh. 1957 Yankee outfielder Mickey Mantle edges out Red Sox superstar Ted Williams to win the American League MVP in a controversial vote. Despite the 'Splendid Splinter' leading the league with a .388 average, 38 home runs, and a stunning .731 slugging average, two Chicago writers still list him in the ninth and tenth places on their ballots. 1957 After 22 seasons, Larry Goetz is unwillingly 'retired' as a National League umpire by Warren Giles. The discharged arbitrator had been critical of the Senior Circuit because of the league's refusal to include umps in the players' pension fund.
1960 The American League proposes expanding to nine teams in both circuits with interleague play. If the National League agrees, the Junior Circuit will delay its plans for a Los Angeles franchise. 1961 Frank Robinson becomes the first Reds' player to win the National League MVP award since first baseman Frank McCormick copped the honor after the 1940 season. The 26-year-old right fielder gets all the writers' 15 first-place votes, easily outpointing Orlando Cepeda, 219-117. 1967 Rod Carew (.292, 8, 51) wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The Twins' second baseman, receiving 19 of 20 first-place votes, easily outdistances Reggie Smith of the Red Sox. 1968 Johnny Bench, who kept his freshman status by missing the final three games of the 1967 season due to a hand injury, is named the National League's Rookie of the Year. The 20-year-old Reds' catcher narrowly edges Mets' southpaw Jerry Koosman for the award when Chicago American veteran scribe Jim Enright splits his choice because he "couldn't vote for one and ignore the other."
NOVEMBER 23 BASEBALL BIRTHDAYS **************** 1910 Hal Schumacher pitcher (World Series 1933; MLB All-Star 1933, 35; New York Giants) 1914 Emmett Ashford umpire (first certified black umpire) 1930 Jack McKeon manager (World Series 2003, Florida Marlins; 2 × NL Manager of the Year 1999, 2003) 1940 Luis Tiant pitcher (MLB All-Star 1968, 74, 76; Cleveland Indians, Boston Red Sox HOF) ' 1954 Glenn Brummer 1954 Ken Schrom 1959 Brook Jacoby third baseman (MLB All Star 1986, 90 Cleveland Indians) 1963 Dale Sveum player and coach, 1964 Jose Gonzales 1977 Adam Eaton 1980 Jonathan Papelbon 1984 Justin Turner 3rd baseman (MLB All-Star 2017, 21; World Series 2020; NLCS MVP 2017; Los Angeles Dodgers) *********************
This Day in Baseball History November 23rd 1943 Commissioner Landis suspends William Cox indefinitely after the Phillies owner acknowledges making some "sentimental" bets on his team, not knowing it was against the rules. The gambling allegations first surfaced in July, when the club's recently fired manager, Bucky Harris, revealed he had evidence that his former boss was wagering on Philadelphia's games. 1962 The BBWAA selects Dodger shortstop Maury Wills as the National League's Most Valuable Player. The Gold Glove infielder stole a record 104 bases this season and served as a catalyst in the team's 102 victories and their attempt to capture a pennant, an effort that fell short in a three-game playoff against San Francisco. 1964 The Mets purchase future Hall of Fame southpaw Warren Spahn from the Braves. In addition to serving on the club's coaching staff, the 43-year-old crafty southpaw will post a 4-12 record in twenty appearances during the first half of the season before being sold again to the Giants, with New York receiving $1 in return.
1971 The Pirates name Bill Virdon, who will guide Pittsburgh to a 96-59 finish and a divisional flag in his managerial debut, to take over for the retiring Danny Murtaugh as the World Champion Pirates manager. The Bucs' former skipper will return to the dugout during the 1973 season to replace his replacement. 1977 The Red Sox sign free agent Mike Torrez when the former Yankee agrees to a seven-year, $2.5 million deal to pitch for Boston. The 32-year-old right-hander compiles a 60-55 record before his trade to the Mets five years later but becomes the scapegoat for a frustrated Fenway Faithway fan base as the losing pitcher in the 1978 one-game playoff against the Bronx Bombers. 1981 The Hewpex Sports Network replaces Early Wynn with Jerry Howarth, who will spend 36 seasons in the Blue Jays' broadcast booth before announcing his retirement at the start of spring training in 2018. For the first 23 years, he worked with legendary announcer Tom Cheek as part of Toronto's play-by-play radio team, with their partnership becoming known as "Tom and Jerry." 1988 Steve Sax signs a three-year deal as a free agent with the Yankees worth $3.75 million. The former NL Rookie of the Year will replace fan-favorite Willie Randolph at second base, and Randolph will sign with the World Champion Dodgers, taking Sax's spot.
2007 While visiting his wife's family and scheduled to be the best man at a wedding later in the day, Joe Kennedy awakes and collapses in the bedroom at 1:00 am and dies unexpectedly. The 6'4", 250-pound Blue Jays southpaw reliever, who signed with the club in September after being released by the Diamondbacks, also played for the A's, Rockies, and Devil Rays during his seven-year career. 2007 The woeful Reds bullpen gets a big boost when they sign free-agent Francisco Cordero to a four-year, $46 million contract. The 32-year-old former Brewers closer collected 44 saves in 51 chances while posting a 2.98 ERA with Milwaukee last season. 2009 Joe Mauer (.365, 28, 96) becomes the fifth Twin to be named the American League's Most Valuable Player, joining Zoilo Versalles (1965), Harmon Killebrew (1969), Rod Carew (1977), and Justin Morneau (2006). The slugging Gold Glove catcher, who missed the first month of the season with a back injury, receives 27 of 28 first-place votes cast by the BBWAA, and the St. Paul native easily outpoints Yankee teammates Mark Teixeira and Derek Jeter. 2010 Josh Hamilton joins Jeff Burroughs (1974), Juan Gonzalez (1996, 1998), Ivan Rodriguez (1999), and Alex Rodriguez (2003) as the fifth Ranger player to win the American League's Most Valuable Player award. The Texas slugging outfielder, who received 22 of the 28 first-place votes cast by the writers, led the major leagues in batting with a .359 average, hitting 32 homers and driving in 100 runs despite missing 29 games in September after suffering two broken ribs. 2010 Aubrey Huff agrees to a $22 million, two-year deal to stay with the World Champions Giants. Last January, San Francisco signed the 33-year-old to a one-year contract, hoping he could provide some pop in the middle of the batting order, and the first baseman/outfielder did not disappoint, hitting a team-leading 26 home runs along with 86 RBIs.
2011 The A's send right-hander Gio Gonzalez and pitching prospect Robert Gilliam to the Nationals for southpaw Tommy Milone, catcher Derek Norris, right-hander Brad Peacock, and minor-league hurler A.J. Cole. After agreeing to a five-year, $42 million extension following the trade, Washington's newest member of the rotation will enjoy a spectacular first season in the nation's capital, going 21-8 with an ERA of 2.89. 2011 The oft-injured Grady Sizemore agrees to a one-year, incentive-laden contract to stay with the Indians after the club declined his $9 million option for 2012. The Tribe will pay the 29-year-old All-Star outfielder $5 million next season, the opportunity to make another $4 million based on plate appearances, and another $500,000 if selected as the comeback player of the year. 2015 The Dodgers, the first club to break the color barrier when Jackie Robinson made his major league debut in 1947, hire their first minority manager in franchise history. Dave Roberts, the team's former center fielder and most recently the Padres' bench coach for the past two seasons, takes over the reins from the new Marlins skipper Don Mattingly, who left Los Angeles after guiding the club to three consecutive NL West titles. 2018 Kansas City hire former Cardinals skipper Mike Matheny as a special adviser for player development. The 48-year-old may be a possible successor to the Royals' veteran manager, Ned Yost, who agreed to a one-year contract for the upcoming campaign on the final day of the season. ********************** 317,159
NOVEMBER 24 BASEBALL BIRTHDAYS **************** 1911 Joe Medwick HOF left fielder (World Series 1934, Triple Crown & NL MVP 1937 St. Louis Cardinals; 10 x MLB All Star) 1930 Bob Friend pitcher (4 x MLB All Star; World Series 1960 Pittsburgh Pirates; MLB wins leader 1958) 1948 Steve Yeager catcher (World Series MVP 1981 LA Dodgers) 1967 Ben McDonald College Baseball HOF pitcher (Golden Spikes Award 1989 LSU; Olympic gold 1988; Baltimore Orioles, Milwaukee Brewers) 1970 Jason Jacome, pitcher (KC Royals) *********************
This Day in Baseball History November 24th 1870 On Thanksgiving Day, New York City baseball enthusiasts enjoy the official closing of the season with all the available fields packed with players on this day of gratitude. The New York Times reports if the weather is good, "the ball tossers will have a great deal of exciting sport." 1883 The American Association expands to a dozen teams, admitting the Brooklyn Atlantics, Indianapolis Hoosiers, Toledo Blue Stockings, and the Washington Nationals. The new clubs join existing franchises in New York (Metropolitans), Columbus (Buckeyes), Louisville (Eclipse), St. Louis (Browns), Cincinnati (Red Stockings), Baltimore (Orioles), Richmond (Virginians), and Pittsburgh (Alleghenys). 1948 National League president Ford Frick pays $350 for funeral services, including the cost of a coffin for the unclaimed body of Hack Wilson, who died alone and penniless yesterday in a Baltimore City Hospital from internal hemorrhages and a pulmonary condition. The 48-year-old former slugger, initially identified only as a white male, will be laid to rest at Rosedale Cemetery in Martinsburg, West Virginia, where he began his professional career playing in the Class D Blue Ridge League. Hack Wilson had one of the greatest seasons in MLB history when he set a record with 191 RBI for the Chicago Cubs in 1930. Only 18 years later, he died alone and penniless. Hack Wilson had a short career by typical Hall of Fame standards, playing for only 12 Major League seasons. Of those 12 years, Wilson appeared in 100 games in only nine of them. Nonetheless, he was an incredible power hitter for the Chicago Cubs, leading the National League in home runs four times, and setting a record with 191 RBI in 1930. Unfortunately, Wilson was also an alcoholic, and his success on the field only furthered his drinking off it. This led to a rapid decline, with Wilson being out of the Majors only four years later. After a season in the minors in 1935, Wilson retired, the successes of his career seemingly a lifetime ago. His business ventures failed, and after a bitter divorce, Wilson was broke. He was working as municipal park employee in Baltimore, a job given to him due to the memory of his glory years, when he was discovered unconscious after a fall in his home. Pneumonia and other complications set in, and Wilson, once the highest paid player in the National League, died penniless and alone on November 23, 1948. 1953 At a gathering of stunned reporters in his office on Montague Street, Dodger owner Walter O'Malley announces replacing manager Chuck Dressen with Walter Alston, the future winner of seven pennants and four World Series during his 23-year tenure with the team. The leading candidate for the position was Pee Wee Reese, Brooklyn's fan-favorite shortstop.
1963 In the extreme cold, Bill Veeck, the former owner of the Phillies, Indians, Browns, and White Sox, along with his son Mike and a nephew, are among the 250,000 people who pay their respect to John F. Kennedy, lying in state in the Rotunda of the U.S. Capitol. Encouraged by the slain president's family to move to the front, the World War II vet declines the offer, insisting he is just an ordinary citizen and keeps his place in line for 15 hours with blood from his amputated leg soaking his trousers. 1964 The BBWAA selects 33-year-old Ken Boyer (.295, 24, 119) as the National League's MVP when he receives 14 of the 20 first-place cast by the writers. The World Champion Cardinal third baseman easily outdistances Phillies right fielder Johnny Callison and teammate Bill White for 1969 The Pilot hire recently fired Reds manager Dave Bristol over Billy Martin to replace the expansion team's first skipper, Joe Schultz, but the 36-year-old will never manage a game in Seattle. The financially troubled franchise will move to Milwaukee at the end of spring training to become the Brewers, where their new leader will compile a 144-209 (.408) record over 2+ seasons.
1971 Atlanta's slugger Earl Williams receives 18 of 24 first-place votes cast by the BBWAA to win the National League Rookie of the Year Award. The Braves' 23-year-old catcher-infielder hit 33 home runs and drove in 87 runs for the third-place team this season. 1975 Former Phillies and Expos skipper Gene Mauch, who will replace the Twins' popular Frank Quilici in the dugout, becomes the first manager in franchise history to sign a multi-year contract, agreeing to a three-year deal with an estimated annual salary of $70,000. The respected 50-year-old National League strategist will compile a 378-394 (.490) record during his five-year tenure with Minnesota. 1982 Orioles infielder Cal Ripken (.264, 28, 93) wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award. The Maryland native, whose consecutive game streak is in its infancy at 118 games, garners 24 of the writers' 28 first-place votes, easily outpointing runners-up Red Sox's third baseman Wade Boggs and Twins' first baseman Kent Hrbek. 1986 Receiving 23 of 24 first-place votes, Todd Worrell is selected as the National League's Rookie of the Year by the BBWAA. The 27-year-old Cardinals' reliever, a late-season call-up in 1985, led the Senior Circuit with 36 saves for the third-place club. 1986 The Twins announce interim manager Tom Kelly will be the club's skipper next season. The 35-year-old Graceville (MN) native, who replaced Ray Miller for 23 games at the end of the season, will compile a losing record (1140-1244) but wins two World Championships in a span of five seasons, 1987 and 1991, during his 16-year tenure as skipper.
