BB On this Date ~ Events & Birthdays #2

1974 The White Sox obtain a player to be named later and cash from the Braves in exchange for Dick Allen, who refuses to report to Atlanta, citing he wants no part of playing in the South. After announcing his retirement, the 'Wampum Walloper' will play again in May, coaxed by the Phillies, his big-league team, to return to Philadelphia after missing spring training and the season's start.

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1974 In a six-player deal, the Mets trade reliever Tug McGraw to the Phillies along with outfielders Don Hahn and Dave Schneck in exchange for outfielder Del Unser, pitcher Mac Scarce, and catcher John Stearns. The 'Ya Gotta Believe' closer will quickly become a fan-favorite in Philadelphia, helping the team win the World Series in 1980, the first in its 97-year history.

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1993 The Phillies trade World Series goat, closer Mitch Williams, to the Astros for pitchers Doug Jones and Jeff Juden. The much-maligned closer, who posted a 20.25 ERA, losing twice in his three Fall Classic appearances, will be best remembered for giving up Joe Carter's dramatic walk-off home run that clinched the World Championship for Toronto.

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2001 Although Enron has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the corporation is current on its payments and plans to keep its name on the Astros' new ballpark. According to team officials, the downtown stadium will remain Enron Field as long as Enron continues to exist and makes regular payments on its 30-year, $100 million commitment.

 

2003 Mike Lowell signs a four-year, $32 million deal with the Marlins. However, the All-Star third baseman's contract reverts to a one-year deal with a player option for 2005 if the teams fail to secure financing for a new ballpark by November 1st, 2004.

2003 The Phillies, uncertain of re-signing Kevin Millwood, trade right-handed reliever Carlos Silva, infielder Nick Punto, and a player to be named (Bobby Korecky) to the Twins for left-handed starter Eric Milton. The 28-year-old southpaw, who missed most of last season after knee surgery, should join the starting rotation, including Randy Wolf, Vicente Padilla, and Brett Myers.

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2005 To replace Billy Wagner, who joined the Mets as a free agent earlier in the week, the Phillies sign right-hander Tom Gordon as the team's closer. The 38-year-old former Yankee set-up man agrees to an $18 million, three-year deal to hurl for the City of Brotherly Love.

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2007 The Nationals add another young outfielder with considerable potential but a troubled past when the team acquires Elijah Dukes from the Rays for pitching prospect Glenn Gibson. Four days ago, the team traded Ryan Church and Brian Schneider for Lastings Milledge, who had a tumultuous tenure with the Mets.

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2007 Dick Williams, who managed in Boston, Oakland, California, Montreal, San Diego, and Seattle, is elected into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Along with Bill McKechnie, another Hall of Famer, the fiery skipper is the only other manager to appear in the World Series with three different teams (1967 Red Sox, 1972-73 A's, 1984 Padres).

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2007 Baseball pioneer Walter O'Malley is elected posthumously to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee, garnering the minimum amount of votes necessary for induction. The Dodger owner was vilified in Brooklyn when he moved the beloved 'Bums' to LA after failing to reach a deal with city officials to keep the franchise in the Borough of Churches.

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2007 Barney Dreyfuss, owner of the Pittsburgh Pirates from 1900 until he died in 1932, is elected by the Veterans Committee to the Hall of Fame. A German immigrant, who built Forbes Field, helped establish the structure for the first modern World Series in 1903 and played a pivotal role in defusing the animosity between the American and National Leagues.

2008 Reflecting the worldwide economic crisis, Rogers Communications, owner of the Blue Jays, announces corporate layoffs plans, which includes employees from the team's sales staff. The club cites a decline in advertising revenue as the reason for the staffing cuts.

2008 After being declined salary arbitration by the Cubs earlier in the week, Bobby Howry (7-5, 5.35) agrees to a $2.75M, one-year deal with the Giants. San Francisco plans to use the 35-year-old right-handed reliever as the club's primary setup man.

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2008 Dustin Pedroia agrees to a $40.5 million, six-year contract extension, which could keep him in a Red Sox uniform through the 2014 season. The 25-year-old second baseman earned only $457,000 last season and has already won the Rookie of the Year award, an MVP, a Gold Glove, a Silver Slugger, and a World Championship in his first two years in the major leagues.

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2009 Placido Polanco agrees to an $18 million, three-year deal with the Phillies, the club that traded him to Detroit in 2005 to make room for a rookie named Chase Utley. The 34-year-old Gold Glove second baseman will play third base, filling the position vacated by Pedro Feliz, became a free agent after Philadelphia did not pick up his $5.5 million option.

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2009 The A's trade right-handed pitcher Jeff Gray and prospects Matt Spencer and Ronny Morla to the Cubs for infielders Jake Fox and Aaron Miles, along with cash considerations. With Fox's addition to their lineup, Oakland gets a much-needed power boost from the right side of the plate.

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2010 Former major league third baseman Ron Santo dies at the age of 70 in an Arizona hospital from bladder cancer and diabetes complications. Consider one of the best players in Cubs history, rejoined the team in 1990 as a WGN radio announcer, enamoring his listeners with his love of the game and gaining their admiration for his struggle to earn induction into the Hall of Fame, an honor he receives posthumously in 2012.

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2011 Hoping to fill the void created when Jose Molina left as a free agent to join the Rays, the Blue Jays acquire veteran backstop Jeff Mathis from the Angels in exchange for left-hander Brad Mills. Mathis, known for his defensive skills and his ability to work with young pitchers, will back up starting catcher J.P. Arencibia.

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2012 At the Winter Meetings in Nashville, MLB announces former Yankee owner Jacob Ruppert, longtime umpire Hank O'Day, and Deacon White, who debuted with the Cleveland Forest Citys in 1871 as a barehanded catcher, have been elected into the Hall of Fame by the pre-integration panel. The trio's selection gives the Cooperstown shrine precisely 300 members, a number that will not change when the BBWAA does not select any players next month for induction during the ceremonies in July.

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2013 Brian McCann agrees to a five-year deal with the Yankees worth $85 million, the richest contract ever for a catcher acquired in free agency. The 29-year-old All-Star backstop spent his first nine years with the Braves, providing consistent offense and leadership for the very successful franchise.

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2014 Nick Markakis (276, 14, 50) and the Braves agree on a four-year deal reportedly in the range of $45 million. The Orioles had declined the 31-year-old outfielder's $17.5 million mutual option for next season, making the two-time Gold Glover available as a free agent.

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2014 The Original League field in Williamsport, the birthplace of Little League Baseball, is placed on the National Register. The site is where the youth league's founder Carl E. Stotz used newspapers as bases to determine the appropriate size of an infield for children a year before the organization's first game in 1939.

2015 New Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro selects veteran Indians executive Ross Atkins for the team’s general manager position and executive vice-president of baseball operations. The 42-year-old North Carolina native, a close friend of Shapiro from working with him in Cleveland, becomes the seventh GM in franchise history.

2018 The Mariners deal All-star second baseman Robinson Cano, Edwin Diaz, last season's major league leader in saves, and cash to the Mets for Gerson Bautista, Jay Bruce, Justin Dunn, Anthony Swarzak, and minor leaguer Jarred Kelenic. The trade doesn't fix New York's need to bolster their flailing bullpen when their new closer loses his role, finishing the season with 26 saves and seven blown opportunities.

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Lou Gehrig gave it his all in this swing
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Cardinals Big Bats,Curt Flood, Roger Maris,Orlando Cepeda and Lou Brock before a 1967 game at Wrigley Field
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Looks like a long day at the office for Hatless Joe Jackson
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Wade Boggs uses his knuckleball to pitch a scoreless 8th inning during a #Yankees vs. #Angels game!
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The floating knuckleball of Tim Wakefield
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This is early, I have a very early meeting Monday morning

 

December 4 Baseball Birthdays
1868 Jesse Burkett HOF left fielder (NL batting champion 1895-96, 1901; 240 hits in 1896 MLB record for 15 years; Cleveland Spiders, St. Louis Perfectos/Cardinals), born in Wheeling, West Virginia (d. 1953)


1890 Bob Shawkey pitcher (World Series 1923, 27; AL ERA leader 1920, New York Yankees), born in Sigel, Pennsylvania (d. 1980)


1930 Harvey Kuenn utility (AL batting champion 1959; 10 × All-Star 1953–1960 Detroit Tigers), born in West Allis, Wisconsin (d. 1988)


1957 Lee Smith HOF pitcher (7 × MLB All-Star; 4 x saves leader; Chicago Cubs, Boston Red Sox, St. Louis Cardinals, NY Yankees, Baltimore Orioles), born in Jamestown, Louisiana


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This Day in Baseball History December 4 ​

1906 The Norwich Reds, winners of the Connecticut State League championship, have all of its assets sold at a public auction to Dennis Morrissey, a local banker who buys the club with a $25 bid. The circuit had seized the franchise when the Class B team fell behind on its ballpark mortgage and owed $1,500 in unpaid player salaries.

1943 In a deal that owner Clark Griffith will recall as one of the worst he ever made, the Senators sell All-Star Bob Johnson to the Red Sox. The outfield slugger will enjoy two solid seasons with Boston, hitting .302 for theFenway Faithful, before retiring at 39

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1943 Based on testimony given by former manager Bucky Harris, who was fired during the season by the Phillies, and other evidence, MLB suspends Philadelphia owner William Cox for life for betting on games played by the team he owned. The ruling, made at an appeal hearing, makes the youngest owner in the league the first non-player to be banned from baseball by Commissioner Landis, renowned for his zero tolerance for gambling in the sport.​

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1948 The BBWAA selects Alvin Dark, who hit .322 for the pennant-winning Braves, the major league rookie of the year, casting 27 of their possible 48 votes for the Boston infielder. The 25-year-old shortstop easily outdistances his closest rivals, southpaw Gene Bearden, a twenty-game winner for the World Champion Indians, and outfielder Richie Ashburn, a .333 batter in 117 games for the Phillies before breaking his hand in August.

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1952 The Browns trade utility man Jay Porter, second baseman Owen Friend, and outfielder Bob Nieman to the Tigers for outfielder Johnny Groth and pitchers Hal White and Virgil Trucks, the author of two no-hitters last season. Porter, called J.W. by his teammates, signed as an 18-year-old "bonus baby" in 1951, missing the next two seasons due to military service before continuing his brief major league career.

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1957 The major league owners eliminate the bonus rule, a mandate that required 'bonus babies,' who signed a contract for more than $4,000, to stay on the major league roster for two full seasons. The four-year-old regulation created much resentment among teammates, delaying the development of talented players in many instances.

1958 The Dodgers trade Gino Cimoli to the Cardinals for former Rookie of the Year Wally Moon and right-hander Phil Paine. The club's new outfielder will quickly become known for his 'Moon Shots,' 250+ foot high fly balls to left field at LA's Memorial Coliseum, which clear the 40-foot-high screen for home runs.

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1963 The Tigers trade pitcher Jim Bunning to the Phillies for catcher Gus Triandos, starter Jack Hamilton, and outfielder Don Demeter. The 33-year-old right-hander and future US senator (R-KY) will become the first pitcher since Cy Young to win a hundred games in both leagues.

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1964 The owners vote to use a free-agent draft with clubs selecting in the inverse order of the previous year's standings to choose players every four months. The new system, scheduled to begin next month, is designed to level the playing field by preventing rich clubs, like the Yankees, from using their wealth to lock up all talented players.

1968 The Orioles deal minor league prospect John Mason and veteran outfielder Curt Blefary to the Astros for Elijah Johnson, Enzo Hernandez, and hurler Mike Cuellar. The right-hander from Cuba will spend eight years with Baltimore, averaging nearly 18 wins a season.

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1990 The Giants sign Yankee free agent Dave Righetti (1-1, 3.57, 36 saves) to a four-year deal worth nearly $10 million. After the South Bay native's playing days are over, the left-handed reliever will become the club's longtime pitching coach.

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1995 Michael Stirn, a 32-year-old carpenter who caught Cal Ripken's home run ball on the night Baltimore infielder tied Lou Gehrig's consecutive-game record, sells the historic horsehide to a Maryland businessman at an auction for $41,736. The lucky Orioles fan had offered the ball back to the Baltimore third baseman through the club but never received a reply.

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2003 The Red Sox announce the signing of Terry Francona to a three-year deal, with an option for a fourth, to be the team's manager. The 44-year-old former Phillies' skipper replaces Grady Little, who became the scourge of Red Sox Nation after failing to remove Pedro Martinez in Game 7 of the ALCS.

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2005 Reaching a preliminary deal with the Dodgers a day before baseball's winter meetings, Rafael Furcal agrees to a $39-million, three-year contract to play shortstop in the City of Angels. The Braves, his former team for the past six seasons, and the Cubs vigorously pursued the 28-year-old Dominican infielder.

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2007 In an unexpected blockbuster trade at the winter meetings, the Tigers acquire Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis from the Marlins in exchange for six prospects. Detroit trades southpaw Andrew Miller and outfielder Cameron Maybin to get the highly touted Fish and four other highly regarded minor leaguers.

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2007 The Royals sign heavy-hitting Jose Guillen (.290, 23, 99) to a three-year, $36 million deal. The 31-year-old outfielder, who played with the Mariners last season, which chose to decline its $9 million option for him, according to the San Francisco Chronicle, allegedly purchased nearly $20,000 worth of banned substances from 2003-05.

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2007 Needing nine votes from the 12-member executives/pioneers committee, Bowie Kuhn collects ten to get the nod for induction into the Hall of Fame. The former Commissioner of Baseball, who served in the post from 1969 through 1984, bests his nemesis, Marvin Miller, the executive director of the players' union from 1966 to 1983, who garnered only three votes in his bid for Cooperstown.

2007 Jack Zduriencik, the Brewers' Special Assistant to the General Manager/Director of Amateur Scouting, becomes the first non-general manager to be named Baseball America Executive of the Year, an award inaugurated by the national periodical in 1998. The Mariners' future general manager has been with the Milwaukee front office for eight seasons.

2009 The Brewers sign free-agent Gregg Zaun (.260, 8, 27) to a $2.15 million, one-year deal. The 38-year-old, who played with Baltimore and Tampa Bay last season, will replace Jason Kendall behind the plate for Milwaukee.

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2009 The Padres hire Jason McLeod as the team's assistant general manager. Jed Hoyer, San Diego's new GM, who worked in the same capacity as Theo Epstein's assistant before joining the club, hired the former Red Sox director of amateur scouting.

2010 Outside of Target Field, the Twins unveil a statue of Harmon Killebrew, one of three sculptures, along with the larger-than-life likenesses of Kirby Puckett and Rod Carew, that the team commissioned Bill Mack to create depicting Minnesota's three Hall of Fame inductees. The 750-pound bronze Bunyanesque work of art replicates the slugger getting full extension on the swing that sent a Jim Maloney fifth-inning pitch into the bleachers at Minnesota's Metropolitan Stadium, tying the 1965 All-Star Game at 5-5.

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2011 Eight months after leaving the sport, Manny Ramirez applies for reinstatement from baseball's retired list rather than face a 100-game ban due to failing a drug test. In a statement released by MLB, the 39-year-old veteran would have to serve a 50-game suspension that would begin with the first game he is eligible to play as a condition of resuming his big league career.

2012 The Baseball Writers' Association of America selects longtime Philadelphia scribe Paul Hagen as the annual J.G. Taylor Spink Award recipient, an honor recognizing a lifetime of excellence in baseball writing. The BBWAA nominated the MLB.com reporter and retirees Jim Hawkins of the Detroit Free Press and Russell Schneider of the Cleveland Plain Dealer.

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2014 At a Safeco Field news conference, the Mariners announce that the team has signed free agent Nelson Cruz to a four-year, $58 million deal. Seattle acquired the right-handed slugging outfielder, who led the big leagues with 40 home runs last season while playing for the Orioles, to bat behind Robinson Cano, giving the switch-hitting second baseman more protection in the lineup.

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2015 The Diamondbacks and Zach Greinke come to terms, much to the chagrin of the Dodgers and Giants, who had sought to sign the highly-touted free agent. The 32-year-old right-hander agrees to a reported $206.5 million, six-year deal, making his annual average salary ($34.4 million) the richest in the sport's history.

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2015 The Marlins hire the former steroids-tainted superstar Barry Bonds, who joins newly hired manager Don Mattingly's staff as the team's hitting coach. Some of the 51-year-old all-time home king return to baseball to enhance his Hall of Fame chances, but his presence may also be beneficial for a 71-91 team that finished next to last in runs, homers, and the fewest walks in the majors.

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2015 The Red Sox announce the team has signed southpaw David Price to a seven-year, $217 million contract, the richest deal ever given to a pitcher. The 29-year-old left-hander, who posted an 18-5 record hurling for the Tigers and Blue Jays last season, is projected to be the ace of a talented rotation that includes Wade Miley, Clay Buchholz, and Rick Porcello.

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2020 The Rangers name former big-league pitcher Chris Young, who broke in with the organization in 2004, as the team's general manager. The 41-year-old right-hander posted a 79-67 record with a 3.95 ERA during 13 seasons in the majors, including stops with the Padres, Mets, Mariners, and Royals.
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