1963 – James M. Johnston, James H. Lemon, and George M. Bunker purchase 80 percent of the Washington Senators, buying out five of the original owners, including club president Pete Quesada. Johnston is elected chairman of the board.
On January 27, 1963, John Clarkson, Elmer Flick, Sam Rice and Eppa Rixey are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Rixey will die before the induction ceremonies that summer, marking the first time that a Hall of Famer passes away between the time of election and induction….
On January 26, 1963, Major League Baseball’s Rules Committee increases the size of the strike zone. The zone will stretch from the top of the batter’s shoulders to the bottom of the knees. The committee hopes the return to the 1950s strike zone will result in a decrease in runs scored. The results will…
On January 14, 1963, the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox exchange future Hall of Famers in a blockbuster seven-player trade. The Orioles send pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm and three other players to the White Sox for shortstop Luis Aparicio and third baseman-outfielder Al Smith. Wilhelm will save 21 games for the Sox in ’63, while…
1963 – The Chicago Cubs hire retired Air Force Colonel Robert V. Whitlow as athletic director.
On January 8, 1963, funeral services for Hall of Fame second baseman Rogers Hornsby are held in Chicago, Illinois. Hall of Fame director Sid Keener, American League president Will Harridge and Hall of Famers Lou Boudreau, Charles “Gabby” Hartnett, Ted Lyons and Ray Schalk attend the services for Hornsby, who died from a…
Craig Shipley is born in Parramatta, Australia. The utility infielder bats .263 in 1995, his lone season as an Astro.
On January 5, 1963, Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby dies at the age of 66 from a heart attack. A hard-hitting second baseman, Hornsby batted .358 over a 23-year major league career. Hornsby had most recently served as a coach and scout for the New York Mets. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ PODCAST – Rogers Horsnby Goes to Cooperstown…
January 3, 1963- The Milwaukee Sentinel reported that Donald Davidson, the Braves Director of team travel and press, radio and television, would receive the meritorious service award from the Milwaukee chapter of the Baseball Writer’s Association of America at their Diamond Dinner at the Schroeder Hotel on January 20. Former manager Fred Haney will be…
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!