History of the World Series – 1968

ByThis Day in Baseball

History of the World Series – 1968 The decision went to Gibson, unanimously. McLain was nicked for three fourth-inning runs by the Cardinals, who got a run-scoring single from Mike Shannon and a two-run single from Julian Javier in an uprising helped along by left fielder Willie Horton’s misplay on Shannon’s base hit. In the


Johnny Bench is named the National League’s Rookie of the Year by the narrowest of margins

Johnny Bench is named the National League’s Rookie of the Year by the narrowest of margins

ByThis Day in Baseball

Johnny Bench, who kept his freshman status by missing the final three games of the 1967 season due to a hand injury, is named the National League’s Rookie of the Year by the narrowest of margins. The 20 year-old Reds’ catcher edges Mets’ southpaw Jerry Koosman for the award when Chicago American veteran scribe Jim Enright splits his choice because he “couldn’t vote for one and ignore the other.”

Jim Bouton agrees to a one-year deal worth $22,000 to play for the expansion Seattle Pilots

Jim Bouton agrees to a one-year deal worth $22,000 to play for the expansion Seattle Pilots

ByThis Day in Baseball

Jim Bouton agrees to a one-year deal worth $22,000 to play for the expansion Pilots, who had purchased the right-hander from New York last month for $20,000 with his previous team agreeing to pick up $12,000 of the salary. The knuckleballer will use his tenure with the club, and the Astros after he is traded to Houston, to chronicle the 1969 season, along with stories from his Yankee years, in his groundbreaking book, Ball Four, a publication which will not endear him to the baseball community, especially with his former Bronx Bomber teammates.

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1968 – Kent Bottenfield is born in Portland, OR. Expected to solidify the starting rotation in 2001, the righthander lands on the disabled list after just 13 games, posting a 2-5 record with one save. 

ByTom

1968 – Kent Bottenfield is born in Portland, OR. Expected to solidify the starting rotation in 2001, the righthander lands on the disabled list after just 13 games, posting a 2-5 record with one save. 

Bob Gibson wins the 1968 National League Most Valuable Player Award
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Bob Gibson wins the 1968 National League Most Valuable Player Award

ByTom

Bob Gibson (22-9, 268 strikeouts, 1.12 ERA) wins the National League’s Most Valuable Player Award, edging out Reds infielder Pete Rose. The Cardinals’ right-hander was also the unanimous winner of the Senior Circuit’s Cy Young Award when he garnered all 20 of the first-place votes cast by the BBWAA.

harry carey

St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Harry Caray is struck by a car while crossing a street in St. Louis, and he suffers two broken legs, a broken shoulder, and a broken nose.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1968 – St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Harry Caray is struck by a car while crossing a street in St. Louis, and he suffers two broken legs, a broken shoulder, and a broken nose.

Denny McLain is the unanimous choice for the 1968 American League Cy Young Award

Denny McLain is the unanimous choice for the 1968 American League Cy Young Award

ByThis Day in Baseball

Denny McLain is the BBWAA’s unanimous choice for the American League Cy Young Award, after the right-hander posts a 31-6 (.838) record for the World Champion Tigers. The 24 year-old Chicago native, who will cop the prestigious pitching prize again next season, will be also named this year’s Junior Circuit’s Most Valuable Player.