BB On this Date ~ Events & Birthdays #2

Baseball Birthdays February 4, 2024
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1890 -Possum Whitted St. Louis Cardinals


1908 -Hank Garrity Chicago White Sox
1942 -Joe Sparma Detroit Tigers


1954 -Al Javier Houston Astros


1955 -Rusty Kuntz
1955 - Allenson Gary
1956 -Chris Bando Cleveland Indians


1957 -Randy Gomez Giants

1959 -Pat Perry
1959 -Keith Creel
1960 -Tim Pyznarski
1962 -Dan Plesac
1964 -Jeff Gardner
1969 -Brad Cornett
1970 -John Frascatore Cardinals

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This Day in Baseball History
February 4th​

1861 In front of a reported crowd of over 10,000 spectators, the champion Atlantics defeat the Charter Oak Club, 36-27, in a game played on frozen Litchfield Pond in South Brooklyn. The players, wearing ice skates, are allowed to glide past the bases painted on the icy surface.

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1893 The first recorded version (Columbia Graphophone Grand, #9649) of the poem Casey at the Bat, vocalized by recording pioneer Russell Hunting, is released. The more well-known rendition of Earnest Thayer's work, the one popularized by DeWolfe Hopper, will not be heard by the public until 1906.

1909
, a 326-game winner, dies from pneumonia at 47. The right-hander pitched for the Worcester Ruby Legs (1882), Chicago White Stockings (1884-1887), Boston Beaneaters (1888-1892), and the Cleveland Spiders (1892-1894).

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1956 Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick introduces the Cy Young Memorial Award in memory of the Hall of Fame hurler who died last year, honoring the outstanding major league pitcher of the year. The first recipient will be Don Newcombe, who will post a 27-7 record and a 3.06 ERA for the Dodgers next season.

Cy Young


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1956 The American League announces its plans to test automatic intentional walks during spring training. The major leagues will not implement the rule until 2017, but some youth leagues and academic teams will use the concept before then.

1963 Mayor Robert Wagner signs a bill that officially changes the stadium's name under construction in Queens to William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, honoring the New York lawyer who was instrumental in obtaining a National League team for the Big Apple. The ballpark, formerly known as Flushing Meadows Stadium, served as the Mets' home from 1964 to 2008.

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1969 Bowie Kuhn, a compromise candidate filing an interim one-year term, becomes baseball's fifth commissioner when the owners cannot resolve the stalemate between the Giants vice president Chub Feeney and the Yankee president Michael Burke. The 42-year-old former National League attorney, who will hold the position until 1984, replaces the unpopular William Eckert, who resigned after serving only three years of his seven-year term.

 

1969 Bob Gibson, appearing as a guest of Johnny Carson on The Tonight Show, shares with the nationwide audience, using carefully chosen words, that the Major League Baseball Players' Association has suggested that the union members consider striking before the start of the regular season. The Cardinals' ace also reveals that in addition to seeking increased contributions by the owners to the players' pension and insurance funds, the MLBPA is seeking maintenance of the same and an ongoing percentage of the growing television revenues.

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1971 After Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announces former Negro League players will have a separate wing in the Hall of Fame, the outpouring of negative public opinion causes the concept's quick abandonment. The inclusion of former black players into the regular Hall of Fame will continue to be a more fitting honor.

1976 Federal judge John W. Oliver of the United States district court for Western Missouri upholds Peter Seitz's arbitration ruling, making Dodger right-hander Andy Messersmith and Expo southpaw Dave McNally free agents. The pitchers challenged the reserve clause by playing but not signing their contracts, contending they are now free to sign with another team for next season, negating the owners' belief that the one-year contracts renew perpetually without a player's consent.

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1984 The Yankees obtain third baseman Toby Harrah and minor leaguer Rick Brown from the Indians for Dan Boitano, rookie outfielder Otis Nixon, and minor leaguer Guy Elston. The team's new third baseman will hit just .217 in the one season he plays for the Bronx Bombers, but Nixon will go on to have a solid 17-year major league career, leaving the game in 1999 with a lifetime batting average of .270.

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1990 Bobby Tolan's St. Petersburg Pelicans defeat the Palm Beach Tropics to win the first and only championship of the Senior Professional Baseball Association, 12-4, played in Fort Myers when the Tropics could not host the game at West Palm Beach Municipal Stadium. The eight-team Florida winter circuit for 35-and-older professional baseball players and a minimum age of 32 for catchers, the brainchild of 32-year-old former University of Arizona ballplayer and Colorado property developer Jim Morley, will shut down less than halfway through next season.

1991 The twelve Hall of Fame board of directors vote unanimously to accept the proposal presented last month by a select committee that excludes any player placed on the permanently ineligible list from consideration for enshrinement. The decision will prevent Pete Rose's name from being placed on the HOF ballot.

 

2002 The Minnesota Supreme Court refuses to consider an appeal of an injunction that forces the Twins to fulfill their Metrodome lease in 2002. The decision ends any possibility of contraction in major league baseball this season.

2004 The Cardinals and Albert Pujols, avoiding an arbitration hearing, agree to a $100 million, seven-year deal. The 24-year-old slugging first baseman/outfielder (.359, 43, 124) was the runner-up to Barry Bonds of the Giants in the National League's MVP voting.

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2005 The Cubs, needing to fill the void created by Sammy Sosa and Moises Alou's departure, sign an arbitration-eligible Aramis Ramirez (.318, 36, 103) to an $8.95 million, one-year contract. All-Star manager Clint Hurdle selects the 26-year-old Dominican as a reserve for the National League squad this season.

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2005 A dentist, who became partially blind after being struck attempting to catch a foul ball, is appealing his case in which he alleges the Phillies need to do more to protect fans. The case, dismissed by a Philadelphia Common Pleas judge citing the club made multiple warnings, including public address announcements, text on the back of the ticket, and posted signs in the ballpark, will now be heard in the state's Commonwealth Court.

2008 Curtis Granderson (.302, 23, 74) and the Tigers come to terms on a five-year contract, including a club option for 2013 worth $30.25 million. The 26-year-old outfielder last season became the third player in major league history, joining Willie Mays and Frank Schulte, to swipe 20 bases, and hit at least 20 homers, 20 triples, and 20 doubles.
On the last day of the same season, Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins hits a triple to become the fourth member of this elite group

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2009 Brian Bannister and the Royals avoid salary arbitration, agreeing to a one-year deal valued at $1,737,500. The right-hander, who was 9-16 with a 5.76 ERA in 32 starts for Kansas City in his sophomore season, placed third in the AL Rookie of the Year voting in 2007 after being obtained from the Mets for Ambiorix Burgos

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2010 Justin Verlander and the Tigers finalized an $80 million, five-year deal that keeps the talented hurler in the Motor City until 2014. The 26-year-old right-hander compiled a 65-43 record and a 3.92 ERA during his first four years in the major leagues, all with Detroit.

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2010 Minnesota unveils a bronze statue of Rod Carew outside Target Field, the team's new home, beginning this season. The bigger-than-life sculpture, created by Twins fan Bill Mack, depicts the Panamanian infielder's unorthodox batting stance, used to bat .334 during the dozen seasons played for the team, beginning in 1968.

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2011 In an SRO news conference at Yankee Stadium, 38-year-old southpaw Andy Pettitte becomes the first 'Core of Four' teammate, a group which includes shortstop Derek Jeter, catcher Jorge Posada, and closer Mariano Rivera, to announce his retirement. The five-time World Champion, who compiled a 240-138 record and won the most postseasons games (19) in history during his sixteen years in the major leagues, tells the reporters, "my body would get to where it needs to be, but my heart's not where it needs to be."

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2014 The Diamondbacks announce the contracts of general manager Kevin Towers and skipper Kirk Gibson have been extended but do not disclose the length and financial terms of their new deals. The extensions prevent the club's brain trust from becoming lame ducks with just a year remaining on their current agreement with Arizona, which they signed after its 2011 National League West championship season.

2015 Former major leaguer John Hudek's daughter, Sarah, announces she has signed a letter of intent with Louisiana's Bossier Parish Community College, making her one of the first females to compete in baseball at the collegiate level. The 5-foot-10, 150-pound teenage southpaw, whose fastball clocks in at 82 mph, is as good as, or even better than, some of the males on the team, according to BPCC coach Aaron Vorachek.

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2015 Carlos Delgado, who enjoyed eight consecutive 30-homer seasons with the Blue Jays while becoming the team's all-time leader in home runs (336), RBIs (1,058), and runs (889), will be inducted into the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame in June. The Class of 2015 will also feature former Canadian players Corey Koskie and Matt Stairs, longtime Montreal Expos skipper Felipe Alou, and Toronto Sun columnist Bob Elliott, the recipient of the 2012 Spink Award given by the National Hall of Fame in Cooperstown.

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"Champions get many a small boy to eat a good breakfast!" ~Vintage Wheaties ad featuring Babe Ruth!
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Babe Ruth tries his best to sign a snowball!

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Roy Welmaker, pitcher mostly for the Homestead Grays, died #OTD in 1998. He led the league in wins in 1945, in ERA ad shutouts in 1937, and twice in winning percentage. He later pitched in the Pacific Coast League for several years

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Baseball Birthdays February 5, 2024
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1890 Max Flack


1891 RogerPeckinpaugh


1926 HankWorkman


1928 Don Hoak


1929 -Al Worthington


1930 - Eric Rodin
1934 - Hank Aaron


1955 -Mike Heath
1966 -Ray Giannelli
1968 -Andres Santana
1968 -Roberto Alomar


1969 -David Holdridge,
1970 -Chris Brock,
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This Day in Baseball History
February 5th​

1930 The Reds select Leo Durocher (.246, 0, 32) off waivers. The 24-year-old shortstop, an unpopular player in the Yankees clubhouse, falls out of favor in New York after a salary dispute with Ed Barrow, the club's general manager.

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1931 Hack Wilson, who set National League records last season when he drove in 191 runs and hit 56 home runs, a mark since surpassed in 1998 by Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, signs for $35,000. The 31-year-old Cub outfielder's 1930 RBI total remains one of the game's most enduring records.

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1934 A day before Babe Ruth's 39th birthday, future all-time home run leader Hammerin' Hank Aaron is born in Mobile, Alabama. The slugger, who will finish his career hitting 755 home runs playing for the Braves and Brewers, will surpass the 'Bambino's' record of 714 home runs in 1974 after receiving much hate mail from people who did not want to see a black man break baseball's hallowed mark.

at 17 714

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1951 California governor Earl Warren denies the rumor that he is under consideration to be baseball's next commissioner. The US Senate will confirm Thomas Dewey's 1950 Republican running mate as the 14th Chief Justice in 1954.

 

1977 The Cubs deal southpaw Darold Knowles to the Rangers for a player to be named later and cash. The left-hander will post a 5-2 record for Texas, and outfielder Gene Clines, who made part of the trade ten days later, will help his new club, batting a respectable .293 while playing in 101 games for Chicago.

1983 The Royals trade minor league prospect Cecil Fielder to the Blue Jays for 32-year-old outfielder Leon Roberts, who will retire after having two mediocre seasons in Kansas City. 'Big Daddy' will enjoy several MVP-caliber seasons during his 13-year tenure in the major leagues, having his best years playing for the Tigers.

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1999 Major league baseball will start recognizing the best hitter in each league with the Hank Aaron Award. The all-time home run king learns about the honor on his 65th birthday at an event that includes President Bill Clinton, Ernie Banks, and Reggie Jackson.

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2002 The Latin American Baseball Hall of Fame Museum inducts Luis Arroyo, best remembered for his 1961 season with the Yankees (15-5, 29 saves). The Puerto Rican reliever, who made the National League All-Star squad as a rookie with the Cardinals in 1955, had an eight-year career mark of 40-32, saving 36 games with a 3.93 ERA.

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2002 Major League Baseball announces the withdrawal of its plan for contraction this upcoming season, but the sport is still determined to eliminate two teams in 2003. Attempts to contract the Twins and Expos this season did not happen due to a series of legal decisions and fierce opposition from the Players Association.

 

2002 Troy Percival's seven-year tenure with Anaheim, the longest on the current roster, will increase when the All-Star reliever signs a two-year contract extension to stay with the club. The 32-year-old right-hander, the Angels' all-time leader with 210 career saves, converted 39 of 42 save opportunities last season.

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2002 The Astros file a motion in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, asking the court to determine whether the 30-year naming agreement with Enron signed in 1999 should continue. The team does not want to call its stadium Enron Field due to the financial burden many Houston-area residents face due to the bankrupt energy company's business practices.

2008 Alex Rios (.297, 24, 85) and the Blue Jays agree on a $4,835,000, one-year deal, including a $3.5 million signing bonus with a base salary of $1,335,000. The 26-year-old All-Star outfielder will not become eligible for free agency until the end of the 2010 season.

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2008 Freddie Sanchez signs an $11 million, two-year contract to continue to play second base for the Pirates. The 2006 National League batting champ could add another $8 million in 2010 if the Bucs exercise their option to retain his services.

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2008 Scott Podsednik (.243, 2, 11) agrees to a $750,000 minor league contract with the Rockies, appearing in 93 games in a part-time role for the third-place club. The speedy 31-year-old outfielder, best known for his role in the 2005 White Sox World Championship, has been slowed down by injuries during the past two seasons.

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2008 Dave Bush (12-10, 5.12), vying to stay in the starting rotation, signs a $2.55 million, one-year deal to pitch for the Brewers. The durable 28-year-old right-hander, who made at least 31 starts each of the previous two seasons, will make an additional $50,000 as part of the arbitration agreement if he pitches 210 innings.

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2009 In an arrangement similar to last year, Odalis Perez and the Nationals agree to a non-guaranteed minor league deal, which will reward the southpaw with an $850,000 major league contract if he makes the club this season during spring training. A year ago, the left-hander made 30 starts for Washington, posting a 7-12 record with a 4.34 ERA for the last-place team.

2009 Joseph Reaves, Dodgers director of international relations, announces that the May 16 regular-season game between the Mexico City Diablos Rojos and the Monterrey Sultanes will occur at Dodger Stadium. The contest between the two most storied franchises south of the border marks the first time a Mexican League game has taken place in the City of Angels.

2010 The Twins and Dodger former infielder Orlando Hudson (.283, 9, 62) agree to a $5 million, one-year contract. The 32-year-old free-agent second baseman, known as O-Dog, is expected to bat second in the Minnesota lineup, hitting between leadoff man Denard Span and AL MVP Joe Mauer.

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2010 The ball Alex Rodriguez hit for his 500th home run is sold at an auction for $103,579 to an anonymous bidder. The historic horsehide, which cleared the left field wall at Yankee Stadium on August 4, 2007, was recovered by 6-foot-4-inch Walter Kowalczyk, a Rutgers University student who used his 250-pound frame to protect his prized possession from the scrum of souvenir seekers.

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2014 The Dodgers agree to a minor league contract with free-agent Justin Turner, who was non-tendered by the Mets after hitting .265 in 301 games with the team over four seasons. Since his arrival, the All-Star third baseman's steady fielding and consistent hitting prove to be a significant asset in LA's string of titles.

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"My motto was always to keep swinging. Whether I was in a slump or feeling badly or having trouble off the field, the only thing to do was keep swinging." ~ Baseball legend Henry Aaron

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Henry Aaron, Ted Williams, Stan Musial & Willie Mays
chat before the 1959 Major League All-Star Game at the Los Angeles Coliseum
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