BB On this Date ~ Events & Birthdays #2

2001 Giants' left fielder Barry Bonds (.328, 73, 137), receiving 30 of 32 first-place votes cast by the BBWAA, overwhelming wins the Most Valuable Player Award for an unprecedented fourth time (1990, 92-93 with the Pirates). Three-time MVPs include Yogi Berra, Roy Campanella, Joe DiMaggio, Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial, and Mike Schmidt.

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2002 "What I’m most happy about is the fact that I’ve been able to be out there every day. The manager knows I’ll be there. There have been some ups and downs but I’ve been pretty consistent over the course of more than 1,000 games." - JESSE OROSCO, major league reliever reflecting on his long career. the 24-year veteran who is the all-time leader in games pitched at 1,187, agrees to a one-year contract with the Padres estimated to be worth $800,000. The 45-year-old lefty reliever, the oldest player in the majors, started his major league career with the Mets in 1979 after being traded by the Twins for Jerry Koosman.

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2004 The Angels trade flychaser Jose Guillen (.294, 27, 104) to the Nationals for outfielder Juan Riveria and infielder Maicer Izturis. The Dominican Republic native, now playing for his sixth team in his eight-year career, was suspended by Anaheim last September for throwing a helmet during a tirade after being taken out for a pinch-runner

2007 Alex Rodriguez (.314, 54, 156), receiving 26 out of 28 first place-votes cast by the BBWAA, wins his third American League Most Valuable Player Award, the second as a Yankee (2005). The 32-year-old third baseman, presently in contract talks with the Bronx Bombers with a $275 million framework to keep him in New York until 2018, won his first MVP with the Rangers in 2003.

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2007 The Angels trade Orlando Cabrera (.301, 8, 86) to the White Sox in exchange for Jon Garland (10-13, 4.23). Many see this trade of their Gold Glove shortstop for a right-hander as a precursor of the pitching-rich Halos dealing a hurler for a big bat such as Miguel Cabrera or Miguel Tejada.

 

2008 The Mariners hire former A's bench coach Don Wakamatsu as the team's 16th manager in the 31-year history of the franchise. The fourth-generation Japanese-American, whose father was born in an internment camp during World War II, becomes the first Asian-American big-league manager.

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2008 The Royals obtain a much-needed leadoff hitter, acquiring Coco Crisp (.283, 7, 41) from the Red Sox in exchange for setup reliever Ramon Ramirez (3-2, 2.64, 70/71.2). The fleet-footed center fielder became dispensable due to the sensational play of Jacoby Ellsbury in the Boston outfield.

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2010 The Tigers finalize a $16.5 million, three-year deal with reliever Joaquin Benoit, with the 33-year-old right-hander getting $5.5 million a year. The contract for the former Tampa Bay setup man is similar to the one given to Brandon Lyon, who filled the same role for Detroit before going to Houston in the 2009 offseason.

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2010 At a news conference at Minute Maid Park, Astros owner Drayton McLane announces he is putting the club up for sale. The 74-year-old entrepreneur, who purchased the franchise for about $117 million in 1992, tells the gathering, "it's time to change and move forward."

2012 Miami's hurlers Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle along with shortstop Jose Reyes, catcher John Buck, utility player Emilio Bonifacio, and cash go to the Blue Jays for shortstops Yunel Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria, starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez, backstop Jeff Mathis, and three minor leaguers, including highly-regarded pitching prospect, Justin Nicolino. The blockbuster trade is reminiscent of the team's moves in 1997 and 2003 when the Marlins put its bottom line above fielding a competitive team for the South Florida fans.

2012 The Padres exercised their 2014-15 options on Bud Black's contract, ensuring their skipper will remain with the club for the next three seasons. The 2010 National League's Manager of the Year, who has the second-longest tenure in the dugout in franchise history, has compiled a 464-509 (.465) won-loss record during his six seasons with San Diego.

2020 "The historical significance of Wrigley Field is interwoven into our nation's story and a key part of what has become America's beloved pastime for over a century." - DAVID L. BERNHARDT, U.S. Secretary of the Interior designating Wrigley Field a national landmark. David L. Bernhardt designates Wrigley Field, built in 1914, as a National Historic Landmark. The U.S. Secretary of the Interior cites the Cubs' ballpark's significant role in Chicago and the history of professional sports.

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1926 Schmelzer's Baseball Glove Ad ~ Featuring the American League pennant winning New York #Yankees and the World Series Champion St. Louis Cardinals!
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Detroit Tigers Slugger,Norm Cash steps into a pitch during a late 1960s game vs the Yankees at
Yankee Stadium
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November Baseball Birthdays 11/20
Kenesaw Mountain Landis (1866-1944) American federal judge (1905-22), Baseball HOF executive and 1st MLB commissioner (1920-44), born in Millville, Ohio
Cobb & Landis

1869 Clark Griffith HOF pitcher (MLB ERA leader 1898 Chicago Colts/Orphans) and manager (Chicago WS, NY Highlanders, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Sens [owner]), born in Clear Creek, Missouri (d. 1955)


1880 George McBride shortstop (AL fielding leader 1912-15 Washington Senators) and manager (Washington Senators 1921), born in Milwaukee, Wisconsin (d. 1973)


1882 Andy Coakley pitcher (Philadelphia A's, Cincinnati Reds) and coach (Williams College 1911–13, Columbia University 1915–18), born in Providence, Rhode Island (d. 1963)


1891 Leon Cadore pitcher (pitched all of 26 inning game), born in Chicago, Illinois (d. 1958)


1967 Alex Arias infielder (Florida Marlins), born in NYC, New York


1975 J. D. Drew born in Valdosta, Georgia


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This Day in Baseball History November 20

1934 Eiji Sawamura strikes out nine batters over five innings, including Charlie Gehringer, Babe Ruth, Lou Gehrig, and Jimmie Foxx in succession during an exhibition game played against a team of visiting All-Star major leaguers at Shizuoka's Kusanagi Stadium. While becoming a national hero, the 17-year-old right-handed reliever's appearance against the American professionals leads to his expulsion from high school and the forfeiture of an opportunity to attend Keio University next semester.

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1952 Commissioner Ford Frick believes the Pacific Coast League will eventually reach major league status. The PCL is the only minor league in history to be given the "Open" classification, considered a step above the AAA level, limiting the rights of big-league clubs to draft players from its teams, and is perceived as a precursor to the circuit becoming a third major league.

1955 The 49ers' third-round pick in this year's NFL Draft, Carroll Hardy, enjoys his best day as a professional football player, catching two Y.A. Tittle touchdown passes in the team's 27-21 loss to the Green Bay Packers at Milwaukee County Stadium. The 22-year-old halfback will leave the gridiron after one season, signing with the Red Sox, where he will be the only player to pinch-hit for Boston legend Ted Williams.

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1958 Jackie Jensen (.286, 35, 122), breaking New York's four-year stronghold on the award, is selected as the American League Most Valuable Player. The outcome is unexpected as the Red Sox fleet outfielder played on a non-contender, unlike runner-up Bob Turley, who pitched for the World Champion Yankees.

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1967 Tom Seaver is named the National League's Rookie of the Year. The 22-year-old right-hander, who compiled a 16-13 record along with a 2.76 ERA for the last-place Mets, easily outdistances fellow righties Dick Hughes of St. Louis and Cincinnati's Gary Nolan for the freshman honor.

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1969 The BBWAA selects Willie McCovey (.320, 45, 126) as the National League's Most Valuable Player. The Giants' first baseman edges Tom Seaver, who posted a 2.21 ERA with 208 strikeouts and a league-leading 25 wins for the World Champion Mets.

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1985 Receiving 23 of the 28 first-place votes cast by the BBWAA, Don Mattingly cops the American League Most Valuable Player Award, easily outdistancing runners-up George Brett and Rickey Henderson. The Gold Gove first baseman batted .324 for the second-place Yankees.

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1985 Jim Leyland, who will become a mainstay in the Bucs' dugout for 11 seasons, replaces Chuck Tanner as the Pirates' manager. Pittsburgh finished last this season, compiling a woeful record of 57-104.

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1987 Longtime-friend Jim Frey hires Don Zimmer, former Padres, Red Sox, and Rangers skipper, to manage the Cubs. In his last managerial stint, Popeye compiles a 265-258 (.507) record during his three-year tenure in Chicago.

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1989 Robin Yount is selected by the BBWAA as the American League's Most Valuable Player, becoming the first American Leaguer from a sub .500 team to win the prestigious prize. The Milwaukee center fielder, who also won the award in 1982 as a shortstop, joins Hank Greenberg and Stan Musial as the third person to win the MVP twice, playing different positions.

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1990 The Commissioner's Office suspends Roger Clemens for the first five games of the 1991 season and fines him $10,000 due to his unruly behavior toward the umpires in Game 4 of the ALCS. Starting the deciding game in Boston's loss in the 1990 ALCS against the A's, the right-hander ace was ejected in the second inning of the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum contest by umpire Terry Cooney for his frequent and rapid use of foul language.

 

2001 Ichiro Suzuki becomes the second player in major league history to win the Most Valuable Player Award in the same year as being selected Rookie of the Year. The 28-year-old Mariner outfielder joins Red Sox freshman outfielder Fred Lynn, who accomplished the feat in 1975, as one of two rookies chosen as the MVP.

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2004 U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy (D-MA) introduces a resolution congratulating the Red Sox on their recent World Championship, a four-game sweep of St. Louis. The team had never won the World Series during the lifetime of the 72-year-old legislator.

2006 The Cubs and Nationals' free agent Alfonso Soriano (.277, 46, 95) agree to an eight-year deal worth $136 million, making the outfielder the highest-paid player in franchise history. The addition of the 30-year-old five-time All-Star, who became the fourth member of the 40-homer, 40-steal club last season, gives Chicago a potentially potent offense that includes Aramis Ramirez and Derrek Lee in the friendly confines of Wrigley Field.

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2007 Jimmy Rollins becomes the fifth and second consecutive Phillies player to win the National League Most Valuable Player Award. The 5'8" Gold Glove shortstop, who narrowly edges Matt Holliday of the Rockies for the honor, joins Chuck Klein (1932), Jim Konstanty (1950), Mike Schmidt (1980, 1981, 1986), and Ryan Howard (2006) to win the MVP in the senior circuit playing in Philadelphia.

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2007 Mike Lowell and the Red Sox finalize a $37.5 million, three-year contract. The 33-year-old third baseman, the World Series MVP, sought a four-year deal but chose to stay with the World Champions despite longer and more lucrative offers.

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2008 The 35-year reign of George Steinbrenner as the Yankees boss officially ends when the MLB owners unanimously approve of his son taking control of the franchise. Hal Steinbrenner was appointed co-chairman of the team along with his brother Hank at the start of last season when it became evident their 78-year-old dad was gradually reducing his role as the owner of the storied franchise.

2008 Mike Mussina, a twenty-game winner last season, announces his retirement, ending an 18-year career with the Orioles and the Yankees. 'Moose,' who compiled a 270-153 record with a 3.68 ERA, left Baltimore after the 2000 season, signing an $88.5 million, six-year free-agent deal to play in the Bronx.

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2009 Tim Lincecum becomes the eighth hurler in baseball history, joining Sandy Koufax, Denny McLain, Jim Palmer, Roger Clemens, Greg Maddux, Pedro Martinez, and Randy Johnson to win back-to-back Cy Young Awards. The Giants right-hander, receiving fewer first-place votes than the third-place runner-up Adam Wainwright, outpoints the Cardinals righty and runner-up Chris Carpenter, also a Redbird starter.

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2012 The Blue Jays rehire 50-year-old John Gibbons to replace their manager John Farrell, who was released from his contract last month to become Boston's skipper. In the 605 games, he managed Toronto over parts of five seasons, compiling a 305-305 won-lost record from 2004-08.

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2012 Jeremy Guthrie and the Royals agree on a $25 million, three-year deal that will keep the right-hander in Kansas City through 2015. The former Eagle Scout, obtained in a midseason trade from the Rockies for southpaw starter Jonathan Sanchez, compiled a 5-3 record along with a 3.16 ERA in 14 starts with his new team.

2012 The Rays announce the club has re-signed Joel Peralta to a $6 million, two-year deal that includes club options for 2015-17. The 36-year-old right-handed reliever, mainly as the setup man for Fernando Rodney, posted a 2-6 record, a 3.63 ERA, and a career-high 84 strikeouts in his 76 appearances for Tampa Bay.

2013 The Tigers trade Prince Fielder to the Rangers for second baseman Ian Kinsler, who will fill the void created by the departure of free agent Omar Infante to Kansas City. Texas hopes their new southpaw-swinging slugger, who has blasted at least 30 home runs in six of the past seven seasons, will provide much-needed power to the team's lineup.

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The powerful swing of New York #Yankees legend Mickey Mantle
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Today In 1962: New York #Yankees legend Mickey Mantle is named the American League MVP for the third time in his career! (30 HR - 89 RBI - .321 BA - .486 OBP)
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Randy Milligan takes BP at what is now Camden Yards

 

“If you can't outsmart people, outwork them." ~ Bill Veeck

 

Bobby Tolan