1909 Detroit Tigers phenom Ty Cobb captured the American League Triple Crown (9 HR, 107 RBI, .377 BA) He was 22
MARCH 20 BASEBALL BIRTHDAYS ************************************** 1871 Joe McGinnity Hall of Fame pitcher (World Series 1905; 5 × NL wins leader; NL ERA leader 1904; Baltimore Orioles, NY Giants) 1915 Stan Spence center fielder (MLB All-Star 1942, 44, 46, 47; Boston Red Sox, Washington Senators, St. Louis Browns 1933 George Altman Mets 1941 Pat Corrales catcher (Philadelphia Phillies, St. Louis Cardinals, Cincinnati Reds, SD Padres) and manager (Texas Rangers 1978–80, Philadelphia Phillies 1982–83, Cleveland Indians 1983–87) 1965 Chris Hoiles, Bowling Green OH, catcher (Baltimore Orioles) 1971 Manny Alexander infielder (Baltimore Orioles, Red Sox ***************************************
This Day in Baseball History March 20th1934 Babe Didrikson, a renowned female athlete, gives up no hits and walks only one Dodger when she pitches the first inning of the Philadelphia A's spring training game at McCurdy Field in Frederick, Maryland. The founder of the LPGA and Olympic track and field Gold Medalist will also participate in exhibition contests with the Indians and Cardinals. Jimmy Foxx and Babe 1937 In one of the most significant trades in Negro League history, the Homestead Grays obtain catcher Josh Gibson and third baseman Judy Johnson from the Pittsburgh Crawfords in exchange for $2,500 and two journeymen; backstop Lloyd' Pepper' Bassett and infielder Henry 'Jake' Spearman. The Baseball Hall of Fame will induct both players, with Gibson becoming a member in 1972 and Johnson following three years later. Gibson Johnson 1953 Although the Department of Justice outlawed this practice in 1949, U.S. Senator Edwin C. Johnson proposes a bill banning the broadcast of major league games in minor league territories. The lawmaker, baseball executive Bob Howsam's father-in-law, serves as the Class A Western League president and once played a significant role in constructing Mile High Stadium, once called Bears Stadium. 1958 The Phillies purchase Joe Collins from the Yankees, but he decides to retire rather than report to the City of Brotherly Love. The 34-year-old first baseman, who spent his entire ten-year career with New York and appeared in seven World Series, finishes with a lifetime .256 batting average. Johnny Kucks, Joe Collins and Billy Martin after Kucks shut out the Indians in 1956. Later that year, he shut out the Dodgers in Game 7 of the World Series.
973 Four months after his death, the BBWAA selects (393-31 votes) the late Roberto Clemente to be a member of the Hall of Fame in a special election after its board of directors previously waived the mandatory five-year waiting period. The 37-year-old Pirates outfielder, the first Latin-American player chosen for induction at Cooperstown, died when a cargo plane crashed on New Year's Eve, bringing supplies to the Nicaraguan earthquake victims. 1975 A rare spring training brawl occurs when Ranger second baseman Dave Nelson takes exception to the two brushback pitches thrown at him by Yankee southpaw Mike Wallace in the seventh inning of a Fort Lauderdale exhibition contest. The trouble begins early after Jim Bibby's first pitch plunks leadoff hitter Elliot Maddox, who had angered Texas skipper Billy Martin when he told the local press that his former manager "has a habit of lying to his players." 1979 In Puerto Rico, Willie Mays, in the second game of an annual exhibition series to benefit a youth sports program started by the late Roberto Clemente, pilots a mini-squad of the Mets to an 8-3 win over the Pirates. Last night, after a 5-3 victory in Game 1, New York manager Joe Torre and many players returned to Florida to play the Dodgers in a Grapefruit League contest. 1989 Outgoing baseball commissioner Peter Ueberroth announces his office is investigating "serious allegations" concerning Pete Rose and gambling. Three days after his successor Bart Giamatti assumes the post on April 1, MLB retains John M. Dowd to investigate the charges against the Reds' manager.
2002 The Commissioner's office announces MLB will continue the practice that began after the September 11 attacks of singing 'God Bless America' during the seventh-inning stretch in each team's first homestand. Also, an American flag patch will be worn on the jackets of 28 major league teams this season with distinctive logos for Opening Day, Memorial Day weekend, the Fourth of July, and Canadian versions designed for the Blue Jays and Expos. 2006 At San Diego's Petco Park, Japan, managed by all-time international home-run king Sadaharu Oh, captures the first World Baseball Classic crown, beating Cuba, 10-6. The 16-team tournament, planned to occur again in 2009, ends with just two major leaguers still in the game. 2006 In his first appearance in a Nationals uniform, Alfonso Soriano refuses to play the outfield in an exhibition game against the Dodgers. The All-Star second baseman, slated to start in left field, could be placed on the disqualified list for insubordination, preventing him from getting paid his $10 million salary and accruing service time used to determine a player's free-agent status. 2008 Behind the strong pitching of Brad Penny, the Dodgers make their Cactus League debut, beating the White Sox in Phoenix, 8-2. On the mound where he made his professional debut, the right-hander's outing earns him the Opening Day start against the Giants. 2014 The Angels trade first baseman Matt Scioscia, the son of manager Mike Scioscia, to the Cubs for outfielder Trevor Gretzky, the offspring of NHL's Hall of Fame center Wayne Gretzky. The name-worthy swap does not help either prospect, with each failing to make the big league club. ********************************** 178,447
2022 Dusty Baker, Cool Papa Bell, Hank Aaron, Satchel Paige and Ralph Garr. That's a lot of Wow. Who wouldn't want to have lunch with Dusty Baker and hear his stories?BTW 3 of these guys started in the Negro Leagues.
Some Nolan Ryan stats (52 games)no-hits thru 5 innings (31 games) no-hits thru 6 innings (23 games) no-hits thru 7 innings (12 games) no-hits thru 8 innings (5 games) broken up in the 9th inning
MARCH 21 BASEBALL BIRTHDAYS ************************************** 1939 Tommy Davis utility (3 x MLB All Star; World Series 1963; NL batting champion 1962, 63 LA Dodgers), born in Brooklyn, New York 1963 Shawon Dunston, infielder (SF Giants), born in Brooklyn, New York 1978 Cristian Guzmán player 1982 Aaron Hilll Jays, DBacks ***************************************
This Day in Baseball History March 21st 1908 Detroit outfielder Ty Cobb signs for $4000, with an $800 bonus if he hits over .300. The 21-year-old 'Georgia Peach' will finish the season with a league-leading .324 batting average for the first-place Tigers. Cobb & Honus Wagner 1931 On a chilly night at Houston's (TX) Buffs Stadium, the White Sox and Giants become the first major league clubs to play a night game when they square off in an exhibition under 245-kilowatt lamps, according to reports, provided adequate lighting for the contest. The disappointing crowd of 2,500, due most likely to the cold weather, watch Chicago score five runs in the tenth frame to beat John McGraw's New York squad, 11-6. 1936 The Reds trade first baseman Jim Bottomley for the Browns' utility player Johnny Burnett, who will never appear in a game for his new team. The former Cincinnati infielder plays two seasons with St. Louis, finishing his 16-year Hall of Fame career with a lifetime .310 batting average. 1943 The A's trade Bob Johnson to the Senators for Jimmy Pofahl and Bobby Estalella. Although the former Philadelphia fan-favorite will make the All-Star squad for his new team and receives consideration for the Most Valuable Player award, Washington will sell the outfielder to the Red Sox. Roy & Bob Johnson
1957 The owners will receive 9.3 million dollars in revenue for the 1957 TV-Radio rights. The breakdown includes $3.2 million for the World Series/All-Star contests, $1.26 million for two Saturday games of the week, and the remaining $4.84 million for local rights fees. 1959 The Indians trade Larry Doby to the Tigers for Tito Francona. The deal will be a great swap for the Tribe when their new outfielder hits .363, while Doby will play in just 16 games for Detroit. Doby Francona 1962 Before the spring training game against New York in Clearwater, the Phillies honor Robin Roberts, sold to the Yankees in the off-season, by retiring his uniform number 36, the familiar numerals he wore for 14 seasons with Philadelphia. The future Hall of Fame right-hander starts the exhibition game giving up four runs in three innings but gets the win when the Bronx Bombers beat his former team, 13-10. 1965 In an exhibition game, Gary Kroll and Gordie Richardson combine to keep Pittsburgh hitless for nine innings in the Mets' 6-0 win in St. Petersburg. The first no-hitter thrown during the regular season in franchise history won't occur until 2012 when Johan Santana accomplishes the feat against St. Louis.
1966 In a spring training game in Houston's Astrodome, the Dodgers and Astros become the first major league teams to play on artificial grass. The material, which will become known as AstroTurf, was developed by Monsanto to overcome the team's inability to grow grass indoors. 1968 The new American League team in Kansas City announces its nickname. The expansion club, joining the circuit in 1969, will now be known as the "Royals," paying tribute to the Negro League Monarchs, a team playing in the City of Fountains from 1920 through 1965. 1973 In an exhibition game against the Mets, Fritz Peterson appears in his first game since going public about swapping families with Yankee teammate Mike Kekich. Many of the 4,320 fans at Al Lang Field in St. Petersburg roundly boo the 31-year-old southpaw, but he goes the first five innings, picking up the win in the Bronx Bombers' 6-2 victory over their crosstown rivals. 1975 Georgia Tech blanks Earlham (IN), 41-0, setting the NCAA mark for the largest margin of victory. In 1999, Nebraska will break the record, equaled by West Chester (PA), with a 50-3 win over Chicago State at Buck Beltzer Stadium. 1978 In a surprise move, Padres manager Alvin Dark becomes the second manager ever fired during spring training after being told he was having difficulties communicating with his players. San Diego names the club's pitching coach Roger Craig as the interim skipper. Dark
2002 The Phillies make public the one-day regular-season suspension of Larry Bowa handed down by Bob Watson, Major League Baseball's vice president for on-field operations. The action comes from the Philadelphia manager's "inappropriate conduct toward the umpire" when he became enraged with the home plate umpire over two close calls on checked swings during an exhibition game against the Indians on March 9. 2011 Citing a lack of velocity and command, Mets GM Sandy Alderson announces the release of 29-year-old southpaw Oliver Perez, who is still owed $12 million on his deal. The roster move marks the second time in four days that the team has cut a player with a significant contract, with second baseman Luis Castillo asked to leave despite his $6 million price tag. 2013 David Wright is named the Mets captain, joining John Franco, Keith Hernandez, and Gary Carter as the fourth player honored by the franchise. Like Yankee shortstop Derek Jeter and White Sox first baseman Paul Konerko, the two other major leaguers currently with the title, the 30-year-old third baseman will not wear a "C" on his uniform. 2018 The Cleburne Railroaders' first baseman Rafael Palmeiro becomes the oldest player in professional baseball history to homer in a game when he goes deep against Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks starter Trey McNutt in the American Association independent team's 4-3 home loss at the Depot. The 53-year-old former major league All-Star batted sixth in the lineup, behind his 28-year-old son Patrick, who plays the corner infield spots for the second-year club.
2019 The Angels announce the signing of center fielder Mike Trout to a 12-year record-setting contract, making the biggest financial commitment to a player in North American team sports history. The Halos reportedly will pay the two-time American League Most Valuable Player more than $430 million, far surpassing the mega-deal Bryce Harper (13 yrs, $330 M) and the Phillies agreed on earlier in the month. 2019 After a 19-year eventual Hall of Fame career, Ichiro Suzuki announces his retirement, receiving an overwhelming ovation from the Japanese crowd at the sold-out Tokyo Dome. The 45-year-old three-time Silver Slugger, who holds the MLB mark for consecutive 200-hit seasons, left the Mariners’ 5-4 extra-inning victory over the A’s in the bottom of the eighth, standing alone on the field, soaking in the admiration of over 46,000 fans in the country he started playing professional baseball. 2021 Before an exhibition game at Surprise Stadium, the Royals announce catcher Salvador Perez has agreed to a four-year extension reportedly worth $82 million, setting a franchise record. The 30-year-old backstop's deal, with an average annual value of $20.5 million, easily surpasses the $72 million contract signed by outfielder Alex Gordon in 2014. ************************************ 178,775
