Charlie Finley gives in to American League pressure and signs a four-year lease with the municipal government to keep the A’s in Kansas City. Finley wanted two years. His exasperated AL colleagues vote 9-1 that KC’s offer is reasonable. Finley will move the team out of KC as soon as the lease expires after the 1967 season.

ByTom

Charlie Finley gives in to American League pressure and signs a four-year lease with the municipal government to keep the A’s in Kansas City. Finley wanted two years. His exasperated AL colleagues vote 9-1 that KC’s offer is reasonable. Finley will move the team out of KC as soon as the lease expires after the 1967 season.

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1964 – Colts trade in cacti for grapefruits as they begin their first spring training in Cocoa, FL. The new facility is hailed as “state-of-the-art” but soon becomes disparaged because of poor drainage, snakes, and a spartan dormitory where the players are housed. Prankster Turk Farrell livens things up by purchasing a young alligator and slipping him into the clubhouse whirlpool. 

ByTom

1964 – Colts trade in cacti for grapefruits as they begin their first spring training in Cocoa, FL. The new facility is hailed as “state-of-the-art” but soon becomes disparaged because of poor drainage, snakes, and a spartan dormitory where the players are housed. Prankster Turk Farrell livens things up by purchasing a young alligator and slipping him into the clubhouse whirlpool. 

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Colts trade outfielder Carl Warwick to St. Louis for outfielder Jim Beauchamp and pitcher Chuck Taylor. Beauchamp would hit .164 and .189 as an Houston reserve. The 21-year-old Taylor was sent back to St. Louis where he saw his first big league action in 1969 and became a quality reliever.

ByTom

1964 – Colts trade outfielder Carl Warwick to St. Louis for outfielder Jim Beauchamp and pitcher Chuck Taylor. Beauchamp would hit .164 and .189 as an Houston reserve. The 21-year-old Taylor was sent back to St. Louis where he saw his first big league action in 1969 and became a quality reliever.

Former White Sox SS Luke Appling is elected into the Hall of Fame by a special vote

Former White Sox SS Luke Appling is elected into the Hall of Fame by a special vote

ByThis Day in Baseball

1964 – Former White Sox SS Luke Appling is elected into the Hall of Fame by a special vote. In 1953, Appling’s first year of eligibility for Cooperstown, the Sox great received just two votes. He holds the single-season highest batting average for his position, hitting .388 in 1936.

Chicago Cubs star Ken Hubbs is found after the crash of his private plane

ByThis Day in Baseball

On February 15, 1964, the body of Chicago Cubs star Ken Hubbs is found after the crash of his private plane near Provo, Utah. The 22-year-old Hubbs, a newly licensed pilot, was at the controls of the Cessna 172 when it crashed on an ice-covered lake, killing him and his 23 year-old friend, Dennis Doyle….

1964 – Pitcher-writer Jim Brosnan is given permission by the Chicago White Sox to make his own deal with another team. His in-season writing has been censured by White Sox owner Ed Short.

ByTom

1964 – Pitcher-writer Jim Brosnan is given permission by the Chicago White Sox to make his own deal with another team. His in-season writing has been censured by White Sox owner Ed Short.

Cincinnati Reds center fielder Vada Pinson is cleared of assault charges from Cincinnati sportswriter Earl Lawson 
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Cincinnati Reds center fielder Vada Pinson is cleared of assault charges from Cincinnati sportswriter Earl Lawson 

ByThis Day in Baseball

1964 – Cincinnati Reds center fielder Vada Pinson is cleared of assault charges stemming from a September 5, 1963, incident when Cincinnati sportswriter Earl Lawson does not pursue charges further.