December 20 Baseball Birthdays (1881-1965) Branch Rickey HOF catcher (St. Louis Browns), manager (St. Louis Browns, St. Louis Cardinals), and executive (GM St. Louis Cardinals - 4X World Series champions, Brooklyn Dodgers, Pittsburgh Pirates), noted for breaking MLB color barrier by signing Jackie Robinson, born in Stockdale, Ohio 1888 Fred Merkle baseball figure, born in Watertown, Wisconsin (d. 1958) 1900 Gabby Hartnett Hall of Fame catcher (MLB All Star 1933–38; NL MVP 1935; Chicago Cubs) and manager (Chicago Cubs), born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island (d. 1972) 1949 Cecil Cooper born in Brenham, Texas 1974 Augie Ojeda infielder Cubs (Olympic bronze 1996), born in Los Angeles, California 1976 Aubrey Huff born in Marion, Ohio 1979 David DeJesus, born in Brooklyn, New York City 1981 James Shields born in Santa Clarita, California 1982 David Wright (New York Mets), born in Norfolk, Virginia *********************************
This Day in Baseball History December 201926 The World Champion Cardinals trade Rogers Hornsby to the Giants for Jimmy Ring and Frankie Frisch, who plays an integral role in the success of the Gashouse Gang in the 1930s after being sent to St. Louis due to a falling out with NY's manager John McGraw. The trade gets complicated when the 'Rajah' refuses to sell his 1,167 shares of the team stock back to the Redbirds at the asking price. Hornsby & Frisch 1940 Connie Mack announces he has acquired the controlling interest in the A's, a team he has managed for the past 40 years, for a reported $42,000. The Philadelphia skipper, who will celebrate his 78th birthday in three days, had shared the ownership with Benjamin Shibe's heirs, who started the franchise jointly in 1901. Mack with Ira Thomas 1973 American League president Joe Cronin, siding with Charlie Finley, rules the Yankees cannot sign A's manager Dick Williams. The Bronx Bombers, who will eventually hire Bill Virdon to manage the team, had announced a deal with the Oakland skipper two days earlier. Williams & Virdon 1978 Don Blasingame becomes the first American not of Japanese descent hired as a manager of a Japanese team. The former major league second baseman will pilot the cellar-dwelling Hanshin Tigers to a fourth-place finish next season, compiling a managerial record, including two seasons with the Nankai Hawks, of 180–208–28 during his four years piloting Japanese teams.
1980 The Brewers obtain future Cy Young winners Rollie Fingers [1981] and Pete Vuckovich [1982] along with catcher Ted Simmons in a seven-player deal with the Cardinals. The Brew Crew sends pitcher Lary Sorensen, outfielder Sixto Lezcano, and minor league players Dave Green and Dave LaPointe to St. Louis. 1980 Baseball's basic agreement allows certain veterans to become free agents unless the clubs tendered contracts to the players today. The Red Sox will miss the deadline, permitting All-Stars Fred Lynn and Carlton Fisk to be eligible for free agency. 2000 After trading their All-Star shortstop to the Mets last season, the Orioles get him back, agreeing to a two-year deal with free-agent Mike Bordick. The move will send Melvin Mora, the player obtained from the Mets to replace Bordick, to the outfield, where he will be a stronger defensive player.
2001 Hideo Nomo (13-10, 4.50), last season's American League strikeout leader with 220, inks a $13.75 million, two-year free-agent deal with the Dodgers. The former Red Sox right-hander was the National League Rookie of the Year when he broke into the majors with Los Angeles in 1995. 2001 The Red Sox announce the partners of the Jean Yawkey Trust have voted unanimously to sell 100 percent of the team to a group of investors led by Marlins' owner John Henry, who also has a one-percent share of the Yankees and is Boston's managing partner-in-waiting. The price tag for a family-owned business since 1933, rumored to be $600+ million, doubles the largest amount ever spent to buy a major league team. 2002 After rejecting Boston's salary arbitration, Cliff Floyd (.288, 28, 79) agrees to a $26 million, four-year contract deal with the Mets. Last season, the 30-year-old outfielder ended the season with the Red Sox, also playing with the Marlins and Expos. 2002 Hoping to fill the void after trading Eric Karros to the Cubs, the Dodgers agree with 39-year-old veteran first baseman Fred McGriff (.273, 30, 103) on a one-year deal. The 'Crime Dog,' who has played for the Blue Jays, Padres, Braves, Devil Rays, and the Cubs, with 478 career homers is fourth among active players behind Barry Bonds, Sammy Sosa, and Rafael Palmeiro.
2004 Free agent Carl Pavano signs a four-year deal worth $39.95 million to pitch for the Yankees. The oft-injured Southington (CT) right-hander, who tossed over 220 innings en route to winning 18 games for the World Champion Marlins last season, appears in only 26 games in his three years with the Bronx Bombers, posting a 9-8 record with a 5.00 ERA in during his 145 innings on the mound. 2005 The World Champion White Sox finalizes the trade with the Diamondbacks, bringing starter Javier Vazquez and $4 million to the Windy City. The veteran right-hander Orlando Hernandez, along with reliever Luis Vizcaino, and minor league outfield prospect Chris Young, go to Arizona to complete the deal. 2007 Dontrelle Willis and the Tigers agree to a $29 million, three-year contract extension. Detroit obtained the affable southpaw and Miguel Cabrera from the Marlins in a blockbuster trade at the winter meetings for six very talented prospects, including left-hander Andrew Miller and outfielder Cameron Maybin. 2007 The Mariners and right-hander Carlos Silva (13-14, 4.19) finalized a $48 million, four-year contract. The M's expect the 28-year-old free-agent, formerly with the Twins, to 'bring a quality arm to the starting rotation' and be the pitching staff's workhorse.
2007 Tadahito Iguchi (.267, 9, 43) and the Padres agree on a one-year, $3.85 million deal, which could amount to more with performance-based bonuses. The former Phillies infielder will replace a slumping Marcus Giles at second base. 2007 Ron Mahay (3-0, 2.55) and the Royals finalize a two-year, $8 million deal. The 36-year-old southpaw reliever pitched 67 innings for the Rangers and Braves last season. 2007 Geoff Jenkins (.255, 21, 64) signs a two-year, $13 million contract as a free agent with the Phillies after the Brewers declined his option. Milwaukee chose not to pay the 33-year-old outfielder $9 million to keep him with the Brew Crew. 2007 During an interview with the Hattiesburg American, Jonathan Papelbon shares that his bulldog, Boss, ate the ball used to record the World Series's final out. Teammate Jason Varitek had given the ball to the reliever when Rockies pinch-hitter Seth Smith struck out to complete Boston's sweep of Colorado in the Fall Classic.
2008 The Nationals sign a one-year contract with free-agent hurler Daniel Cabrera. The 27-year-old right-handed starter (8-10, 5.25 ERA), who was non-tendered by the Orioles earlier in the month after spending five seasons in Baltimore, has never lived up to his potential, given his live fastball and above-average curveball. 2009 Roy Halladay, who was traded by the Blue Jays to the Phillies last week in a complicated four-team deal, takes out a full-page ad in the Toronto Sun to thank everyone for their support during his 12-year tenure with the team. Using the newspaper advertisement, he tells the fans he felt "blessed" to have been part of the organization and that the city will "forever have a special place" in his heart. 2011 The Mets announce they are eliminating their minor league team in the Class A Gulf Coast League, a move that could save the cash-strapped team between $750,000 and $800,000. Although eliminating a farm team may appear to be a desperate act for the financially troubled franchise, New York was one of only three clubs to have as many as nine minor league teams. ********************************* 146,146
Chicago #WhiteSox batter Michael Jordan hits an RBI double during a 1994 exhibition game vs. the Chicago #Cubs at Wrigley Field
Henry Aaron hammers a broken bat HR vs. Bob Feller during the Third Annual Cracker Jack Old Timers Baseball Classic at RFK Stadium in Washington, D.C.! (1984)
December21 Baseball Birthdays 1887 Cy Williams outfielder (4 x NL HR leader; Chicago Cubs, Philadelphia Phillies), born in Wadena, Indiana (d. 1974) (1911-1947) Josh Gibson HOF catcher (Negro World Series 1943, 44; 12 × NL All-Star; Triple Crown 1936, 37; batting average .466 1943), born in Buena Vista, Georgia 1948 Dave Kingman DH (3 × MLB All-Star; NL HR leader 1979, 82; NY Mets, Chicago Cubs), born in Pendleton, Oregon 1952 Joaquín Andújar, Dominican baseball pitcher (4 × MLB All-Star; World Series 1982; Gold Glove Award 1984; Houston Astros, St. Louis Cardinals), born in San Pedro de Macoris, Dominican Republic (d. 2015) 1957 Tom Henke relief pitcher (World Series 1992; MLB All-Star 1987, 95; NL Rolaids Relief Man Award 1995; Toronto Blue Jays, Texas Rangers), born in Kansas City, Missouri 1960 Roger McDowell pitcher (NY Mets, Baltimore Orioles), born in Cincinnati, Ohio 1972 Dustin Hermanson born in Springfield, Ohio 1972 Latroy Hawkins born in Gary, Indiana 1980 Royce Ring born in La Mesa, California 1982 Philip Humber born in Nacogdoches, Texas *********************************
Today in Baseball History December 21st1926 Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis dismisses claims by Dutch Leonard, Ty Cobb's former Tiger teammate, alleging the Georgia Peach and Indian outfielder Tris Speaker bet on a fixed game six years ago. The commissioner will declare the matter closed, with both future Hall of Famers getting a clean bill of health, given their support from the public and the accuser's failure to defend his claim at last month's hearing. 1959 After Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh rejects the A's offer to deal Roger Maris for shortstop Dick Groat, Pittsburgh obtains Gino Cimoli and Tom Cheney from the Cardinals for right-hander Ron Kline. The Yankee-bound Maris will enjoy the first of his two consecutive MVP years in New York, while Groat plays a vital role for the World Champion Bucs next season, and he will also be named the most valuable player of his league. 1960 Cub owner P.K. Wrigley announces the club will not have a manager next season but will use a college of coaches instead. The 'faculty' of head coaches for the upcoming campaign will include El Tappe, Charlie Grimm, Goldie Holt, Bobby Adams, Harry Craft, Rube Walker, Ripper Collins, and Vedie Himsl. 1978 Sports cartoonist Willard Mullin, the creator of the lovable caricature known as the 'Brooklyn Bum,' dies in Corpus Christi at 76. The cartoon featured a low-brow, working-class character who would proudly represent the borough of Brooklyn, quickly becoming a favorite of the Dodger fans.
1995 After considering an attractive offer from the Orioles, David Cone re-signs with the Yankees as a free agent, inking a three-year deal worth $19.5 million. The 32-year-old 'hired hand' starts 4-1 with a 2.02 ERA before being diagnosed with an aneurysm in his right arm, placing him on the disabled list for most of the season. 1995 The Orioles sign Toronto free-agent Roberto Alomar to a three-year $18 million contract. The 27-year-old second baseman, selected as an All-Star all three seasons he is with the team, wins two Gold Gloves and a Silver Slugger award during his stay in Baltimore. 2000 Hoping to pick it up where his success started, 41-year-old outfielder Tim Raines, a lifetime .295 batter, signs a minor league contract with the Expos, the team he played for as a rookie in 1979. Last season, the Rock retired during spring training with the Yankees and failed to make the U.S. Olympic baseball team. 2002 After deciding originally not to exercise their club option to sign Mark Grace (.252, 7, 48), the Diamondbacks retain the popular veteran first baseman. The lifetime .305 hitter agrees to a one-year deal, including a club option for the 2004 season that the club declines after the 39-year-old bats .200 in 66 games.
2005 With the announcement Oakland will no longer sell tickets for the third deck of McAfee Coliseum, the A's home becomes the smallest park in the major leagues. The seating capacity, reduced from 44,073 to 34,179, is less than Fenway Park, recently increased to accommodate 38,805 denizens of Red Sox Nation. 2005 After trying to sign the All-Star outfielder twice as a free agent, the Giants finally acquire Steve Finley (.222, 12, 54) in a trade with the Angels, which sends third baseman Edgardo Alfonzo (.277, 2, 43) to Los Angeles. The veteran infielder appeared in only 109 games last season due to injuries. 2009 The Yankees are assessed with a luxury tax of $25.69 million for its spending in 2009. The World Series champion club is the only team to be penalized this year for crossing the salary threshold, as it has in all seven years since the collective bargaining agreement initiated the tax in 2002. 2009 Chip Caray, who left Turner Sports three weeks ago under a storm of criticism, reveals Fox Sports South and SportsSouth has hired him as their play-by-play announcer for Braves games. The 44-year-old broadcaster, son of the late Atlanta broadcaster Skip Caray and grandson of fabled Harry Caray, is replacing ESPN-bound Jon Sciambi and is expected to call approximately 105 games next season. Skip Harry Chip
2010 The Red Sox and Bobby Jenks agree to a two-year, $12 million deal bringing the former White Sox closer to Boston as a set-up man for Jonathan Papelbon. The two-time All-Star reliever, who did not pitch after saving both ends of a doubleheader against his new team in early September, saved 27 games for Chicago but lost his job at the end of the season when he struggled because of difficulties with his forearm. 2022 Eight days after Carlos Correa tentatively agreed to terms on a 13-year, $350 million deal with the Giants, his agent, Scott Boras, informs the team, concerned about the results of a physical, that his player doesn't want to wait any longer to sign a contract. Upon hearing the news, Mets owner Steve Cohen quickly negotiates a 12-year, $315 million contract to acquire the free-agent shortstop. **************************************** 146,403
"Spark Up…to pick-off a base runner!” says Roy Campanella, Brooklyn #Dodgers Star Catcher (1950s Wheaties Ad)
