On August 13, 1972, former major league executive George Weiss dies at the age of 78, one year after his induction to the Hall of Fame. Weiss worked for the New York Yankees from 1932 to 1960 before finishing his career with the rival New York Mets.
In an effort to stop a four-game losing streak, Tigers skipper Billy Martin picks his starting lineup out of a hat for the first game of a doubleheader. The idea works as Detroit edges the Indians in the opener, 3-2, but using a regular lineup in the nightcap, the team loses, 9-2.
1972 – Bengals manager Billy Martin literally picks his starting lineup out of a hat in an attempt to halt the Tigers’ four-game losing streak. The ploy works as Detroit defeats Cleveland, 3 – 2. Using a regular lineup in the nightcap, the Tigers lose, 9 – 2.
1972 – The White Sox top the A’s, 3 – 1, in 11 innings. The Sox‚ who were 8 1/2 games behind Oakland on July 18th‚ take over first place in the AL West.
The A’s defeat the White Sox, 5 – 3, on Joe Rudi’s two-run homer in the 19th inning off Stan Bahnsen. The game had been suspended after a 3 – 3 tie in 17 frames yesterday.
1972 – The Cardinals’ Ted Simmons finally signs his contract for this season, although he has been playing all year. He is believed to be the first major league player to play without a contract.
1972 – Eddie Mathews gets his first managerial win, 8-4, over Houston behind the pitching of Denny McLain. It’s Harry Walker, however, that acts like a rookie manager, listing Johnny Edwards twice in the batting order and leaving out Jesus Alou.
After much speculation about the future of the team, the Yankees sign a thirty-year lease to play in the ‘new’ Yankee Stadium beginning in 1976. After completing the Stadium’s 50th-Anniversary next season, the Bronx Bombers will play their home games for the next two years at Shea Stadium while the ‘House that Ruth Built’ is completely remodeled.
At Riverfront Stadium‚ the Reds beat the Dodgers‚ 2 – 1‚ in 19 innings. The Dodgers use five pitchers and the first four – Tommy John‚ Jim Brewer‚ Pete Richert and Ron Perranoski – strike out 22 batters to tie a National League record. The 5th‚ Pete Mikkelsen‚ fans no one in the defeat to Pedro Borbon. Joe Hague’s single drives in pinch runner Ted Uhlaender to end the marathon.
The New York Yankees sign a 30-year lease to play in renovated Yankee Stadium starting in 1976; they will share Shea Stadium with the New York Mets while the renovations take place in 1974 and 1975.
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