On February 29, 1972, future Hall of Famer Hank Aaron becomes the first player to earn $200,000 in average annual salary. Aaron signs a three-year deal with the Atlanta Braves on the heels of one of his best seasons – a .327 average, 47 home runs, and 118 RBIs.
St. Louis Cardinals trade future Hall of Famer Steve Carlton to the Philadelphia Phillies
On February 9, 1972, former California Angels infielder Chico Ruiz is killed in an auto accident, just 11 days before the start of spring training. The 33-year-old Ruiz had recently signed with the Kansas City Royals. In 1971, Ruiz had been involved in an incident with Angels’ teammate Alex Johnson, in which Ruiz allegedly threatened…
Josh Gibson and Buck Leonard win election to the Hall of Fame through the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues
ON February 2, 1972 – Lefty Gomez, a southpaw best known for his four 20-win seasons with the Yankees, and Ross Youngs, a popular outfielder for the Giants who compiled a lifetime .322 batting average before succumbing to kidney disease at the age of 30, are selected by the Special Veterans Committee to be enshrined…
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