BB On this Date ~ Events & Birthdays #2

1960 The American League awards the new Los Angeles franchise to Gene Autry, a well-known cowboy movie star who once turned down an opportunity to play in the minor leagues, and former football player Bob Reynolds for $350,000. After spending its inaugural season at LA's Wrigley Field and the next three years at Dodger Stadium, the team will move to Anaheim, a short distance from Chavez Ravine, and will be known as the California Angels (1965-1996), the Anaheim Angels (1997-2004) and will become known as the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim in 2005 to market the team better.

1964 Major League Baseball releases its official 1964 batting averages that confirm Twins' outfielder Tony Oliva, who finished the season hitting .323, is the first rookie to win a batting title. The recently crowned American League Rookie of the Year finished ahead of Orioles' third baseman Brooks Robinson (.317), who copped the circuit's Most Valuable Player Award.

​

1968 William Eckert, sometimes referred to as the 'Unknown Soldier,' resigns as baseball commissioner. The former U.S. Air Force lieutenant general, who served as the game's fourth commissioner from 1965-68, will be replaced by Bowie Kuhn.

 

1973 The National League owners unanimously approve the sale and relocation of the Padres to the nation's capital in time to start the 1974 season as the Washington Stars. Grocery chain magnate Joseph Danzansky, who offered to buy the team, sees his effort fail due to local legal maneuvers, giving McDonald's co-founder Ray Kroc the opportunity to buy the Friars and keep the club in San Diego.

1973 The Dodgers trade pitcher southpaw starter Claude Osteen and minor league reliever David Culpepper, a player never to appear in a major league game, to the Astros for outfielder Jim Wynn. The 'Toy Cannon' hits .261 in his two-year stint with the West Coast team, and Houston's newest left-hander posts a 9-9 record in his one season under the Dome.

Osteen Wynn
​

1976 The Brewers trade first baseman George Scott and outfielder Bernie Carbo to the Red Sox for Cecil Cooper. Cooper becomes a dominant player during the early eighties, appearing in five All-Star games and batting over .300 in the first seven of his eleven years with Milwaukee.

​

 

1989 The Mets and Reds swap relievers. Randy Myers goes to Cincinnati, and fellow closer John Franco will finish games in New York.

​

1989 Free-agent closer Jeff Reardon signs with the Red Sox. While in Boston, 'The Terminator,' who will save 88 games during the three years with the team, becomes the all-time leader with 342, breaking Rollie Fingers' previous record.

​

1989 The Padres trade catcher Sandy Alomar, left fielder Chris James, and minor-league third baseman Carlos Baerga to the Indians for outfielder Joe Carter, who has averaged 30 home runs and 108 RBIs during the past four seasons with Cleveland. San Diego's newest outfielder will spend one season with the team, batting .232 and driving in 115 runs, while Alomar, selected as the 1990 Rookie of the Year, and Baerga become perennial all-stars for the Tribe.

​

 

1990 The signature of Shoeless Joe Jackson, known not to read or write, is purchased for a record $23,100 at New York's Leland's auction house, making the bid the highest amount ever paid for a 19th or 20th-century ballplayer's autograph. The White Sox outfielder copied the inscription from one written out by his wife from an unknown document.

​

1997 Tickets for Opening Day of the Devil Rays' inaugural season sell out in 17 minutes after being put on sale to the general public. The 45,369 fans attending the March 31st contest see their team play their first game in franchise history, with Tampa Bay dropping an 11-6 decision to the Tigers.

2001 Bud Selig tells the House Judiciary Committee that baseball owners cannot be competitive and lose money due to the current system. The commissioner uses many statistics to make his case, including a team without a payroll in the top 25 percent failing to win a single World Series game over the last seven years.

2002 The MLB Players Association agrees to allow the Expos to play 22 of its home games in Puerto Rico. To increase overall attendance, the team will play three homestands at San Juan's Hiram Bithorn Stadium while hosting 59 contests at Olympic Stadium in Montreal.

 

2004 Sports Illustrated's Sportsman of the Year issue, featuring the 2004 Red Sox as the magazine's choice for its prestigious honor, arrives on newsstands today. Since its inception in 1954, SI annually has named an "athlete whose performance that year most embodies the spirit of sportsmanship and achievement," making the World Champions the first team to earn the distinction in the 50-year history of the award.

​

2004 The Mets and Royals exchange right-handers, with starter Brian Bannister going to Kansas City and reliever Ambiorix Burgos heading for the Big Apple. The son of former major league southpaw Floyd Bannister will place third in the AL Rookie of the Year voting, earning nine victories for the last-place club, with the 23-year-old Dominican appearing in only 17 games for New York, being derailed by injuries and off-the-field incidents.

2005 At the Winter Meetings, the Blue Jays keep their wallets open as the team agrees to a five-year, $55 million deal with A.J. Burnett (12-12, 3.44). The signing of the Marlin free agent, who many consider the best starter available on the market, comes on the heels of Toronto giving B.J. Ryan $47 million over five years, making it the richest contract in baseball history

​

2005 Filling a two-month managerial void, the Dodgers hire Grady Little as the team's skipper. The former Red Sox manager, who compiled an outstanding 188-136 (.580) record in two seasons in Boston in 2002-03, is best remembered for not pulling a tiring Pedro Martinez during the eighth inning of ill-fated Game 7 of the 2003 ALCS.

​

2005 Trevor Hoffman agrees to stay with the Padres, signing a $13.5 million, two-year contract which includes an option for 2008. The Tigers had courted the veteran closer but could not close the deal after San Diego improved its offer for the second year and made the accomplishments needed to trigger the option year a bit easier to reach.

​

 

2007 The Dodgers and Andruw Jones (.222, 26, 94) reach a preliminary agreement on a $36.2 million, two-year deal, the fifth-highest average salary in the major leagues. The 30-year-old center fielder from Willemstad, Netherlands Antilles, has won ten consecutive Gold Gloves but suffered one of the worst offensive seasons in his 12 years of playing with the Braves.

​

2010 The Red Sox complete their deal for Adrian Gonzalez by sending minor league right-hander Casey Kelly, first baseman Anthony Rizzo, outfielder Reymond Fuentes, and a player to be named to San Diego for the All-Star first baseman. The left-handed slugger, expected to take advantage of the Green Monster's proximity to home plate, is entering the last year of his contract, and the deal does not include a contract extension to stay in Boston.

​

2010 A trade between two last-place teams sends Arizona slugger Mark Reynolds to the Orioles in exchange for right-handed relievers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio. The O's new third baseman will bring much-needed offense to Baltimore, and San Diego's acquisition of the young pitchers will strengthen the team's bullpen for the late innings
.

 

2011 During baseball's Winter Meetings, the White Sox trade their closer Sergio Santos to the Blue Jays in exchange for Nestor Molina, a 22-year-old right-handed prospect with a 27-7 minor league won-loss record and a 2.21 ERA overall. Toronto's new reliever, who recorded 30 saves in 36 opportunities with Chicago last season, will be an upgrade for the club, whose top closer in 2011 recorded only 17 saves.

2011 The Baseball Writers' Association of America selects Bob Elliott as the recipient of the 2012 J.G. Taylor Spink Award for his "meritorious contributions to baseball writing." The Canadian writer, who has practiced his craft for the last 30 years, covered both the Expos and Blue Jays and is presently a columnist for the Toronto Sun.\

2013 The Mariners and Robinson Cano agree to a ten-year contract worth approximately $240 million, making the former Yankee second baseman the third-highest-paid baseball player in history. The All-star middle infielder, trailing Alex Rodriguez and equaling Albert Puljos deals for the same amount of time, signed respectively in 2008 and 2012 with the Yankees and Angels, will spend five seasons with his new team, hitting. 296 with 107 homers before being traded in 2018 to the Mets along with Edwin Díaz, and $20 million for Jay Bruce, Jarred Kelenic, Anthony Swarzak, Gerson Bautista, and Justin Dunn.

​

****************************************
142,248

 

Luis Tiant watching his old man Luis Tiant Sr bring the heat
​

 

Jackie Robinson stealing home vs. New York #Yankees catcher Yogi Berra during Game 1 of the 1955 World Series at Yankee Stadium
​

 

Lou Piniella
​

 

Kansas City Monarchs star pitcher Satchel Paige warms up before a Negro League game at Yankee Stadium! (1942)
​

 

EarlyPost Another early appointment 12/7​

December 7 Baseball Birthdays
1936 Bo Belinsky, pitcher (no-hitter 1962; LA Angels), born in NYC, New York (d. 2001)


1947 Alex Johnson outfielder (MLB All Star, AL batting champion 1970, California Angels), born in Helena, Arkansas


1942-2015 Johnny Bench HOF catcher (14 x MLB All Star; World Series 1975, 76 [MVP]; NL MVP 1970, 72; 10 x Gold Glove; Cincinnati Reds), born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma


1967 Tino Martinez, first baseman (MLB All-Star 1995, 1997; World Series 1996, 98–2000 Seattle Mariners, NY Yankees), born in Tampa, Florida


1989 Kyle Hendricks pitcher (Chicago Cubs), born in Newport Beach, California


*********************************

 

This Day in Baseball History December 7​

1939 At the urging of Senator owner Clark Griffith, the other American League owners enact a rule prohibiting the league's pennant winner from buying, selling, or trading players during the following season. The winter meeting decision appears to have the desired effect as the Yankees finish in third place.

1939 During their winter meeting, the BBWAA elects Lou Gehrig, who played in his last major league game on June 30th, to the Hall of Fame, waiving the five-year waiting period due to his amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) diagnosis. At age 36, the Yankees' first baseman becomes the youngest to be honored, surpassed by Dodger southpaw Sandy Koufax, five months younger when selected in 1972.

​

1957 Tony Kubek (.297, 3, 39) is selected over Boston's infielder Frank Malzone (.292, 15, 103) by the BBWAA as the American League Rookie of the Year. Much to the dismay of the 27-year-old Red Sox Gold Glove All-Star third baseman, he becomes ineligible when the writers, during the season, change the minimum number of career at-bats to determine rookie status.

​

 

1962 Tom Tresh, the Yankees shortstop and left fielder, is selected as the American League's Rookie of the Year by the BBWAA. The 24-year-old son of former major league catcher Mike Tresh gets 13 of the 20 votes cast by the writers, with Bob Rodgers (4), Dean Chance (1), Dick Radatz (1), and Bernie Allen (1) also receiving consideration.

​

1966 Dick Ellsworth is traded by the Cubs to the Phillies for right-hander Ray Culp and cash. During his eight-year tenure in Chicago, the southpaw authored a 22-win (1963) and 22-loss (1966) season while compiling 84 victories, the most by a Northside hurler during the decade.

​

1973 The Giants sell Juan Marichal to the Red Sox, where the high leg-kicking right-handed Dominican will post a 5-1 record. During his 14 seasons with San Francisco, the future Hall of Famer compiled a 238-140 (.630) record.

​

1973 In a controversial move, the Royals deal outfielder Lou Piniella and pitcher Ken Wright to the Yankees for 38-year-old right-hander Lindy McDaniel, who wins only six games during his two years with the club. The trade draws the Kansas City fans' ire when their departed 29-year-old outfielder enjoys 11 solid seasons in the Bronx, batting .295 and playing a major role in New York's four appearances in the World Series.

​

 

1984 The Mets send right-handed starter Walt Terrell to the Tigers for infielder Howard Johnson. New York's new third baseman will spend nine years with the club, returning to the organization to become a minor-league manager and big-league coach.

​

1988 Nolan Ryan becomes the first major leaguer to play for all four original expansion teams when he signs as a free agent with the Rangers, who played their first 11 seasons as the new Senators in Washington, D.C. The right-hander broke in with the Mets (1966, 1968-71) before being traded to the Angels (1972-79) and then signing with the Astros (1980-1988), known initially as the Colt .45s.

​

1988 The Mets deal Wally Backman and prospect Mike Santiago to the Twins for minor leaguers Jeff Bumgarner, Steve Gasser, and Toby Nivens. The trade leaves second base open for Gregg Jefferies, but the highly touted rookie infielder will falter, hitting a meager .258 next season.

 

1992 The Reds sign free-agent outfielder Roberto Kelly to a three-year deal. The 28-year-old All-Star outfielder will play solid baseball for his new team, compiling a .313 batting average in 125 games in Cincinnati before being traded to Atlanta during the season in 1994 for Deion Sanders.

​

1995 On the day he is traded to the Yankees, Tino Martinez celebrates his 28th birthday and the birth of his daughter, Victoria. After reaching an agreement on a five-year, $20.25 million deal with his new team, the former Mariners' first baseman is acquired by the Bronx Bombers today, along with pitchers Jim Mecir and Jeff Nelson for southpaw Sterling Hitchcock and third baseman Russell Davis.

​

1999 The Mariners sign Mets' free-agent first baseman John Olerud to a $20-million, three-year deal. The former Washington State University All-American garners a Gold Glove in his three seasons with Seattle, playing a pivotal role in the team's historic 116-46 campaign in 2001, compiling a .401 on-base percentage.

​

 

2001 In a rare deal between the crosstown rivals, the Yankees trade outfielder/DH David Justice (.241, 18, 51) to the Mets for third baseman Robin Ventura (.237, 21, 61). The teams had exchanged players only six times in forty years, the last time being in 1992 when the Mets dealt Frank Tanana for Kenny Greer, a minor league pitcher.

​

2004 The Executive Board of the Players' Association authorizes union head Donald Fehr and their lawyers to work on a new agreement to better address the steroid problem in major league baseball. In light of the BALCO scandal, the 40 players attending the meeting appeared to agree with the owners that there is a need for more frequent and stricter testing.

2004 After refusing a $60 million, four-year extension from the Red Sox last winter, Nomar Garciaparra signs a one-year deal with the Cubs, the team he was traded to in July, for $8 million. The All-Star shortstop, coming off an injury-plagued season, can increase the contract's value with bonus incentives based on performance and playing time to $11 million.

​

2005 The Rangers trade Alfonso Soriano to the Nationals for outfielders Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge, along with minor league pitching prospect Armando Galarraga. Texas frees up funds to seek much-needed pitching by dumping the All-Star second baseman's salary.

​

2005 The Diamondbacks acquire All-Star catcher Johnny Estrada (.261, 4, 39) from the Braves for a pair of right-handed relievers, Lance Cormier (7-3, 5.11) and Oscar Villarreal (2-0, 5.27). The deal, which is the first for Arizona's new general manager Josh Byrnes, fills the D-Backs' need for a starting backstop and provides Atlanta to give emerging rookie Brian McCann more playing time.

​

 

2006 Near the end of the Winter Meetings, the Royals sign Gil Meche to a five-year deal valued at $55 million, matching Mike Sweeney's contract as the largest in franchise history. During his five major league seasons, all with the Mariners, the 28-year-old right-hander compiled a 55-44 career record and a 4.65 ERA in 147 games.

​

2009 The Lowell Spinners, the Red Sox short-season affiliate, well-known for their unique promotional events, publicly extend an invitation to Michaele and Tareq Salahi to attend the team's Eighth Annual Alumni Dinner to be held later this month at the city's Memorial Auditorium. The infamous couple recently became newsworthy for appearing at a White House State Dinner without being included on the guest list.

2009 Brad Penny and the Cardinals come to terms on a one-year deal, which will pay the right-hander $7.5 million, with an additional $1.5 million available in incentives. After compiling a 7-8 record with a 5.61 ERA and being moved to the bullpen by the Red Sox, the two-time All-Star hurler (2006, 2007) asks Boston to release him, which allows the 31-year-old to finish the season with San Francisco.

​

2009 Adam Everett and the Tigers agree to a one-year, $1.55 million deal, keeping the infielder in Detroit. The slick-fielding shortstop batted .238 with three homers and 44 RBIs for the second-place club last season.

​

2009 Carl Pavano accepts the Twins' salary arbitration offer, keeping the right-hander with Minnesota next season. The Southington, CT native posted a 5-4 record with a 4.64 ERA in a dozen starts for the team after being obtained from Cleveland in August.

​

 

2011 The Marlins continue to sign prime free agents when they reach a deal with 32-year-old southpaw Mark Buehrle (13-9, 3.59) for $58 million over four years. Miami has also come to terms with shortstop Jose Reyes and closer Heath Bell while pursuing super-star Albert Pujols and starting pitcher C.J. Wilson.

2011 In separate deals with free agents, the Pirates sign left-handed starter Erik Bedard and outfielder Nate McLouth, who played with the franchise from 2005 to 2009. The Bucs' new southpaw compiled a 5-9 record last season with Seattle and Boston, and the 30-year-old Gold Glove flycatcher returns to the Steel City three years after being traded to Atlanta, where he hit .229 in 250 games.

2011 The Astros hire Jeff Luhnow as the team's general manager to replace Ed Wade, who was fired last month in the first major moves made by the new owner Jim Crane. The 45-year-old new GM, a vice president with St. Louis since 2003, will try to improve upon Houston's 56-106 finish last season, the worst record in franchise history.

2011 Tim McCarver is named the Ford C. Frick Award recipient, becoming the second television analyst, joining Tony Kubek to win the broadcasting excellence award. The former catcher and longtime broadcaster has provided regional analysis for the Mets, Yankees, and Phillies, as well as appearing on the national stage doing the Game of the Week and postseason telecasts for NBC, CBS, and FOX.

​

2011 At the Winter Meetings, Jose Reyes is introduced as the Marlins' new shortstop. The 28-year-old switch-hitting infielder, the NL's batting champ, signed a six-year, $106 million contract to play with Miami after the cash-strapped Mets showed little interest in retaining their homegrown All-Star.

​

 

2012 The Nationals bolster an already solid rotation when the team signs veteran Dan Haren to a one-year deal for $13 million. The 32-year-old right-hander joins starters Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, Gio Gonzalez, and Ross Detwiler.

2013 Center Fielder Jacoby Ellsbury and the Yankees agree to a seven-year deal, valued around $153 million, joining Brian McCann as the team's second major free-agent signing this week. The outfielder, who played a major role in the Red Sox' World Championship last season, also received offers from the Tigers, his former team, and the Mariners.

​

2015 The Diamondbacks obtain right-handed starter Shelby Miller from the Braves for outfielder Ender Inciarte, pitching prospect Aaron Blair, and Dansby Swanson, the first player selected in this year's MLB June Amateur Draft. The transaction marks the first time a #1 overall pick has been dealt within the first year of their career, a move made possible because teams are now allowed to trade recently drafted picks after the World Series.

2020 "It could have been a joy, a celebration. Instead, I played angry. In baseball, if a couple things go wrong for you, and those things get misperceived, or distorted, you get a label. I was labeled an outlaw, and after a while that's what I became." - DICK ALLEN, reflecting in autobiography on his embattled major leaguer career. Seventy-eight-year-old Dick Allen, known as the Wampum Walloper, died in the Pennsylvania town where he was born. The controversial All-Star first baseman/DH had difficulties with the press and teammates, but the former Rookie of the Year (1964 Phillies) and Most Valuable Player (1972 White Sox) became one of the most dominant players in the game during his 15-year major league career.

​

2022 Joining a well-paid infield featuring Fernando Tatis Jr. (14 years, $340 million) and Manny Machado (10 years and $300 million), Red Sox free-agent shortstop Xander Bogaerts agrees to an 11-year, $280-million deal with the Padres. The four-time All-Star from Oranjestad, Aruba, batted .292 during his decade with Boston.

****************************************