Major League Season Recap 1991

Seasons

Major League Season Recap 1991

World Series – Minnesota Twins AL over Atlanta Braves NL 4 games to 3

World Series MVP – Jack Morris
Babe Ruth Award – Jack Morris

ALCS Minnesota Twins over Toronto Blue Jays 4 games to 1 ALCS MVP – Kirby Puckett
NLCS Atlanta Braves over Pittsburgh Pirates 4 games to 3 NLCS MVP – Steve Avery

Awards –

Cy Young Award National League Tom Glavine
Cy Young Award American League Roger Clemens

MVP Awards –
NL Terry Pendelton
AL Cal Ripken Jr

NL Rookie of The Year – Jeff Bagwell
AL Rookie of The Year – knoblch01

Roberto Clemente Award – Harold Reynolds

All-Star Game – July 9th 1991 – A.L. 4 over N.L. 2 , played at SkyDome (AL)
AL Starter J. Morris+ NL Starter T. Glavine+ MVP C. Ripken+

 

Hall of Fame shortstop Luke Appling dies at the age of 83

Hall of Fame shortstop Luke Appling dies at the age of 83

Pete Rose is released from federal prison in Marion, IL

Pete Rose is released from federal prison in Marion, IL

Rod Carew, Fergie Jenkins, and Gaylord Perry are elected to the Hall of Fame

Rod Carew, Fergie Jenkins, and Gaylord Perry are elected to the Hall of Fame

Alan Wiggins

Former Padres and Orioles infielder Alan Wiggins dies in a Los Angeles, CA hospital at age 32, reportedly from complications due to AIDS.

Glenn Davis Baltimore Orioles

Orioles trade Curt Schilling and Pete Harnisch and outfielder Steve Finley to the Houston Astros for first baseman Glenn Davis

1991 – The Detroit Tigers obtain catcher Mickey Tettleton from the Baltimore Orioles in exchange for pitcher Jeff Robinson.

Bo Jackson suffers a career-threatening injury in an American Football Conference playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals

Bo Jackson suffers a career-threatening injury in an American Football Conference playoff game against the Cincinnati Bengals

Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors votes unanimously to make all players on baseball’s permanently banned list ineligible for Hall of Fame consideration

Hall of Fame’s Board of Directors votes unanimously to make all players on baseball’s permanently banned list ineligible for Hall of Fame consideration

Roger Clemens Seals Record-Breaking $21.5M Deal with Red Sox

Roger Clemens Seals Record-Breaking $21.5M Deal with Red Sox

Astros owner John McMullen announces he has cleared the way for Houston to host the 1992 Republican National Convention

1991 – Potential buyers of the Astros, Ben Love and six others, approach Nolan Ryan of the Texas Rangers to own a share of the team. The group includes Drayton McLane. Ryan declines, citing that an active player cannot also be a team owner. 

bill veeck

1Bill Veeck and Yankees great Tony Lazzeri are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee

Cool Papa Bell

Hall of Famer James “Cool Papa” Bell dies at the age of 87

1991 - Jim Palmer, who is in the Baltimore Orioles' training camp as a non-roster player, has a shaky outing against the Boston Red Sox, giving up five hits and two runs in two innings. Palmer, who retired in 1984, will retire again tomorrow, citing a hamstring injury.

1991 – Jim Palmer, who is in the Baltimore Orioles’ training camp as a non-roster player, has a shaky outing against the Boston Red Sox, giving up five hits and two runs in two innings. Palmer, who retired in 1984, will retire again tomorrow, citing a hamstring injury.

Jim Palmer's attempted comeback at the age of 45 comes to an end

Jim Palmer’s attempted comeback at the age of 45 comes to an end

1991 – The California Angels obtain DH Dave Parker from the Milwaukee Brewers in exchange for OF Dante Bichette. Parker will be released by the Angels before the end of the season, and will finish his 19-year major league career with the Toronto Blue Jays, while Bichette will turn into one of the decade’s most feared hitters while playing for the expansion Colorado Rockies.

1991 – It’s March Madness time and the most popular guy at the Astros camp is rookie Kenny Lofton. During his years at the University of Arizona, Lofton was known more as a guard for the highly-ranked Wildcat basketball team than as a speedy center fielder. Lofton becomes the resident expert in tournament betting pools. 

Kansas City Royals release Bo Jackson

Kansas City Royals release Bo Jackson

1991 – California Angels pitcher Jim Abbott, born without a right hand, lashes a 400-foot triple in an exhibition game against the San Francisco Giants in Scottsdale, Arizona. Pitcher Rick Reuschel surrenders the three-bagger.

At Sotheby's in New York, a 1909-10 tobacco card in mint condition of Honus Wagner sells for $451,000,

At Sotheby’s in New York, a 1909-10 tobacco card in mint condition of Honus Wagner sells for $451,000,

1991 – Pinch-hitter Dan Lehrman of Ball State University ties an NCAA record by hitting two home runs in the same inning in a 13 – 8 victory over Indiana-Purdue.

1991 – Methodist College defeats Maryville, 43 – 0, to set an NCAA record for runs in a game. The previous record of 42 had been set by King’s College in 1902. Methodist scores 15 runs in the 1st inning, and strokes 34 hits in the contest, including seven by Brandon Bridgers.

A sold-out Joe Robbie Stadium plays host to the Yankees and the Orioles exhibition game, which draws 67,654 fans, a spring training attendance record

A sold-out Joe Robbie Stadium plays host to the Yankees and the Orioles exhibition game, which draws 67,654 fans, a spring training attendance record

Three Mets accused in rape

Three Mets accused in rape

bo-jackson-white sox

Bo Jackson returns to baseball

Nolan Ryan and his son, Reid, pitch against each other as the Texas Rangers take on the University of Texas at Austin. Reid, a 19-year-old freshman, gives up four runs in two innings, and is down 4 – 1 to his father when he leaves the game. Nolan gives up five hits, three runs, and strikes out seven in five innings, as the Rangers win, 12 – 5.

Starter Nolan Ryan and closer Goose Gossage pitch for the Texas Rangers in a 5 – 4 loss to Milwaukee. It marks the first time in major league history that a 300-game winner hurls in the same contest as a teammate with 300 saves.

Major league umpires strike on Opening Day, and amateur umpires are used as replacements. The arbiters, whose working agreement expired on December 31st, will settle and return to work the next day. Among the benefits won by the Major League Umpires Association is an increase in starting salaries from $41,000 to $60,000.

Major League Baseball’s average salary on Opening Day reaches a record $891,188, with 223 players making at least $1 million.

Nolan Ryan becomes the 12th pitcher in major league history to surpass 5,000 innings pitched 

Nolan Ryan becomes the 12th pitcher in major league history to surpass 5,000 innings pitched 

Jeff Bagwell's first major league homer is a two-run shot off Kent Mercker in the ninth inning to stun the Braves, 3-1

Jeff Bagwell’s first major league homer is a two-run shot off Kent Mercker in the ninth inning to stun the Braves, 3-1

Ken Caminiti starts an around-the-horn triple play during a 10-4 loss to the Braves

A sellout crowd of 42,191 watches the Chicago White Sox play their first game at New Comiskey Park and sees the home team get crushed by the Detroit Tigers, 16 – 0. Jack McDowell gives up the park’s first home runto Cecil Fielder.

ANDRE DAWSON Chicago Cubs SIGNED 8x10 Photo

In the greatest extra-inning comeback in major league history, the Pittsburgh Pirates score six runs in the bottom of the 11th inning to erase a five-run Cubs lead

Frank Thomas is the first Chicago White Sox player to hit a home run at New Comiskey Park. Chicago is an 8 – 7 winner over the Baltimore Orioles.

Robby Thompson of the San Francisco Giants hits for the cycle in a 7 – 5 loss to the San Diego Padres. Thompson triples in the 1st inning, hits a home run in the 3rd, singles in the 6th, and doubles in the 9th.

During the first night game in the new ballpark, Frank Thomas hits the first White Sox home run in Comiskey Park, contributing to Chicago’s 8-7 victory over Baltimore. In the south-side stadium debut three days ago, Jack McDowell surrendered the park’s first homer to Cecil Fielder in a 16-0 rout of the home team by Detroit.

Nolan Ryan, At 44 Pitches his 7th No Hitter

Nolan Ryan, At 44 Pitches his 7th No Hitter

Henderson Rickey 2367.2004.4_Act_PhotoFile_croppe

Rickey Henderson of the Oakland A’s becomes the all-time leader in stolen bases

At County Stadium, the Milwaukee Brewers defeat the Chicago White Sox in a six-hour, five-minute, 19-inning contest, the longest in the American League since the same two clubs played 25 innings on May 8, 1984. Willie Randolph gets the winning RBI in the 19th.

Chris James establishes the club record for RBIs in a game by driving in nine runs with a pair of homers and two singles, helping Cleveland to crush the A’s, 20-6. The Indians first baseman’s offensive output will account for 22% of the 41 runs he will drive in this season.

Rookie Jeff Bagwell hits only the ninth upper-deck home run at Three Rivers Stadium

Rookie Jeff Bagwell hits only the ninth upper-deck home run at Three Rivers Stadium

Strawberry returns to New York to a mixed bag from fans

Gambler Howard Spira is found guilty of trying to extort money from Yankees owner George Steinbrenner. Spira had already received $40,000 from Steinbrenner.

Oakland OF Jose Canseco is photographed leaving the West Side apartment of singer Madonna. He then goes 0 for 3 in Oakland’s 5 – 3 loss to the Yankees.

England’s Queen Elizabeth is President George Bush’s guest at the A’s-Oriole game played at Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium.

The Red Sox defeat the White Sox by a 9 – 6 score in a night game at Fenway Park which takes 4 hours and 11 minutes to complete for a new American League record. The contest is nine minutes longer than the previous longest 9-inning night game.

Paul Molitor of the Brewers hits for the cycle in a 4 - 2 victory over Minnesota

Paul Molitor of the Brewers hits for the cycle in a 4 – 2 victory over Minnesota

England’s Queen Elizabeth is President George Bush’s guest at the Oriole game at Memorial Stadium. The O’s, who play in a city named after a British Lord, drop a 6-3 decision to Oakland.

The Red Sox and White Sox play a contest which lasts 4 hours and 11 minutes, setting a new record for the slowest game ever played in nine innings. Boston’s 9-6 victory at Fenway Park features ten pitchers who throw a total of 352 pitches.

The Calgary Cannons hit three grand slams in their 22 – 7 win over the Tacoma Tigers. Dave Cochrane, Chuck Jackson and Alonzo Powell connect with the bases full for the Cannons in what is believed to be a first in professional baseball.

Jeff Reardon earns his 300th career save and Steve Lyons and Jack Clark hit home runs as the Boston Red Sox beat the Milwaukee Brewers, 3 – 0.

Two-time American League batting champion Pete Runnels dies at the age of 63

Two-time American League batting champion Pete Runnels dies at the age of 63

Manager John Wathan is fired by the Royals. He will be replaced by Hal McRae.

Oakland reliever Dennis Eckersley picks off Toronto pinch-runner Kenny Williams in the 9th inning of a 2 – 1 A’s victory. Eck’s last pick-off occurred four years ago when, on June 29, 1987, he picked off a White Sox runner, none other than Kenny Williams.

Tommy Greene of the Philadelphia Phillies pitches a 2 – 0 no-hitter over the Montreal Expos.

Kirby Puckett 6 hits in 1991

Kirby Puckett strokes 6 hits second time in his career

“I can only hope that one day those teammates who have found it convenient to criticize me will realize that we are all in this together. If only we can concentrate more on the games than complaining and bickering and pointing fingers, we would all be better off.” – Text from Gregg Jefferies’ Open Letter

Brawl breaks out on Dale Murphy Night in Atlanta

Brawl breaks out on Dale Murphy Night in Atlanta

1991 – Cleveland Indians outfielder Albert Belle is demoted to the minors for not running out a ground ball in a 2 – 1 loss to the Chicago White Sox.

1991 – After giving up three runs in the top of the ninth, the Astros storm back with four in the bottom half of the frame to stun Montreal, 9-8. Doubles by Luis Gonzalez and Ken Caminiti key the rally. 

6/11/1991: Andy Van Slyke of the Pirates hit a home run off Dodgers pitcher Bob Ojeda in the bottom of the first inning. The game was rained out in the bottom of the second inning with Pittsburgh leading 1-0.

Otis Nixon sets a National League record and ties the major league mark by stealing six bases against the Montreal Expos

Otis Nixon sets a National League record and ties the major league mark by stealing six bases against the Montreal Expos

Rookie Andy Ashby strikes out the side in the 4th inning against Cincinnati on just nine pitches. It is only the 12th time in National League history that it has been accomplished and the first by a Phillies pitcher.

Tom Glavine ejection after throwing at Dale Murphy

Tom Glavine ejection after throwing at Dale Murphy

Mickey Tettleton of the Tigers becomes the 17th player to ever hit a ball out of Tiger Stadium in Detroit as the Tigers drop a 10 – 3 decision to the Angels.

The Twins’ Scott Erickson wins his 12th consecutive decision, tops in the majors, stopping the Yankees, 5 – 0, on two hits. He retires 24 of the final 25 batters.

Dave Winfield hits for cycle and becomes the oldest player to collect five hits in a game

Dave Winfield hits for cycle and becomes the oldest player to collect five hits in a game

The California Angels set an American League mark by playing their 13th consecutive errorless game, a 10 – 5 win over Kansas City. The previous mark of 12 had been set by Detroit in 1963.

Mickey Tettleton repeats his feat of four days ago by again hitting a home run out of Tiger Stadium, in an 8 – 7 win over the Brewers. The Tigers break a 7 – 7 tie with two outs in the 9th.

The Indians trade P Tom Candiotti and OF Turner Ward to the Blue Jays in exchange for OF Glenallen Hill, OF Mark Whiten, P Denis Boucher and a player to be named later.

Reds SS Barry Larkin hits three consecutive home runs in an 8 – 5 win over the Astros, giving him a major league record-tying five over a two-game span. Ernie Banks and Freddie Patek are the only other shortstops to homer three times in a game.

In an 8 – 4 loss to the White Sox, the Twins’ Kirby Puckett collects his 1,500th career hit, off winner Greg Hibbard. Scott Erickson is the loser, ending his 12-game win streak.

The visiting Yankees score three in the 9th off Dan Plesac to beat Milwaukee, 9 – 8. Kevin Maas and Jesse Barfield homer for the Bronx Bombers. Teddy Higuera (3-2), in the first year of a $13 million, 4-year contract pitches seven innings, allowing three runs. Higuera, who started the year on the disabled list, will go on the DL again when a significant tear to his rotary cuff is discovered.

During a 14-7 Orioles rout of the Angels, the teams tie a major league record, slugging 11 home runs during the Memorial Stadium contest. O’s starter Mike Mussina gives up all of the Halos’ round-trippers to tie Jim Palmer’s club record of giving 5 in a game.

After grounding out in a 4 – 1 loss to the Dodgers, Padres C Benito Santiago throws his batting helmet in disgust. The helmet bounces into the dugout, where it strikes pitching coach Mike Roarke in the head before ricocheting over to bean coach Greg Riddoch, giving him a concussion. Santiago is fined $300.

National League owners unanimously approve Denver, Colorado and Miami, Florida as cities who will receive expansion franchises

Manager John McNamara is fired by the Indians and replaced by 1B coach Mike Hargrove.

In a 9 – 7 loss to Oakland at Royals Stadium, Danny Tartabull of the Royals becomes the first Royal to hit three home runs in a game.

American League umpire Steve Palermo is shot outside of a restaurant in Dallas, Texas.

 Cal Ripken Jr.'s three-run home run lifts the American League to a 4 - 2 win over the National League in the annual All-Star Game. Andre Dawson homers for the NLers who lose for the 4th straight year. Ripken, who also won the pre-All-Star Game Home Run Derby, is named the game's MVP. Tony LaRussa becomes the first manager with three straight All-Star victories.

 Cal Ripken Jr.’s three-run home run lifts the American League to a 4 – 2 win over the National League in the annual All-Star Game. Andre Dawson homers for the NLers who lose for the 4th straight year. Ripken, who also won the pre-All-Star Game Home Run Derby, is named the game’s MVP. Tony LaRussa becomes the first manager with three straight All-Star victories.

The Reds trade 1B Todd Benzinger to the Royals in exchange for OF-1B Carmelo Martinez.

Recently released by the Angels, Fernando Valenzuela signs a minor league contract with them and will report to the Class-A Midland Angels.

Ken Oberkfell Houston Astros Signed 8x10 Photo W/coa

Ken Oberkfell cracks a two-run double off Dave Smith in the 11th inning for a 6-4 triumph over the Cubs

Four Baltimore Orioles pitchers combine to no-hit the Oakland A’s, 2-0

Pitcher Kip Gross loses two games, in two different leagues, 1,100 miles apart. The Cincinnati Reds hurler takes the loss in the Reds’ 10 – 6 defeat by the Pittsburgh Pirates, and also becomes the loser of a game played by the Triple-A Nashville Sounds. It is the completion of a game in Denver which had been suspended by rain back on May 15.

The New York Mets trade pitcher Ron Darling and minor league P Mike Thomas to the Montreal Expos in exchange for pitcher Tim Burke.

Seattle’s Edgar Martinez just misses hitting for the cycle for the second game in a row. He stokes a single, double, and triple in a 5 – 1 win over the New York Yankees. On the 14th, he had two singles, a triple and a home run against the Cleveland Indians.

Cleveland defeats Oakland, 2 – 1, as Indians hurler Rod Nichols gets the victory and breaks a personal 13-game losing streak dating back to September 1989.

Randy Johnson takes just four innings to rack up 10 walks. He fans 4, tosses a wild pitch and allows one hit and four runs in his stint, a 6 – 1 loss to the Brewers. Bill Wegman takes the complete game win.

Two naked fans run onto the field at Fulton County Stadium then slide into home plate. The duo are apprehended by security guards. Not distracted, the Braves defeat the Cubs, 12 – 2.

In a 15-inning, 9 – 8 loss to the Royals, Sam Horn of the Orioles becomes the first non-pitcher to fan six consecutive times in a single game. Pitcher Carl Weilman of the Browns was the only other player to have the dubious distinction, performing the feat on August 25, 1913.

Detroit pounds Kansas City, 17 – 0, to give Bill Gullickson an easy win over Tom Gordon. It is the worst loss in franchise history for K.C., and a reversal of the match-up of July 14th between the same two starters. That day, the Royals routed the Bengals, 18 – 4.

Cal Ripken Jr. strokes his 20th home run of the season in Baltimore’s 4 – 1 victory over Seattle. He becomes just the 8th player in history to reach that number in each of his first 10 big league seasons and it comes in Ripken’s 1,500th consecutive game played. Roy Smith is the winner over Rich DeLucia.

Robin Ventura drives in six runs on two homers and two doubles to lead Chicago to a 14 – 3 win over Milwaukee. Jack McDowell (12-4) is the winner.

The Expos trade P Oil Can Boyd to the Rangers for pitchers Jonathan Hurst and Joey Eischen, and a player to be named later. Boyd last pitched on the 19th, shutting out the Giants, 6 – 0, on five hits.

Losing 14 – 1 to the Twins, the Red Sox put OF Steve Lyons on the mound. Lyons, who pitched once last year for Chicago, toils one inning, giving up two hits and recording a strikeout. Kevin Tapani is the winner as the first-place Twins complete a four-game sweep.

Texas’s Nolan Ryan notches his 308th career win in a 5 – 4 victory over the Red Sox. Rich Gossage garners his 308th career save in relief. The game marks Ryan’s 545th consecutive start, surpassing Steve Carlton’s major league record.

During an 8 – 5 Chicago win, Cincinnati P Rob Dibble throws a ball at Cubs OF Doug Dascenzo as Dascenzo runs to first base. Dibble is fined by the league office, but not suspended. Cubs OF Andre Dawson bumps umpire Joe West and will be suspended for one game and fined $1,000.

Recently-recalled 1B Brian Hunter of the Braves hits a home run in Atlanta’s 7 – 4 loss to Pittsburgh while his former minor league team, the Richmond Braves, is finishing a suspended game against Pawtucket. Hunter had homered in that game before it was called, giving him round-trippers in the major and minor leagues on the same day.

In a game against the Mariners, the Yankees score three runs on a ground ball hit back to the pitcher. With runners on second and third base and one out in the 4th, Pat Kelly hits a comebacker to Erik Hanson. The Seattle hurler traps Kevin Maas in a rundown between third and home, but Maas scores when 3B Edgar Martinez’s throw hits him in the back. The ball rolls up the first base line in foul territory where it is recovered by C Dave Cochrane. Cochrane throws home to head off Alvaro Espinoza who is also attempting to score. The throw goes into the Mariners’ dugout allowing Espinoza and Kelly to cross the plate with the second and third runs.

1991 – A jersey once worn by Yankees Hall of Famer Mickey Mantle is sold for $71,500 at an auction in Manhattan. A Ty Cobb tobacco card brings in $62,700.

Cincinnati 3B Chris Sabo pushes an autograph seeker into a window in Busch Stadium following a 5 – 1 loss to the Cardinals.

Against the Dodgers, Montreal’s Mark Gardner pitches a no-hitter for nine innings before Lenny Harris beats out an infield single in the 10th. The Dodgers get two more hits, including an RBI single by Darryl Strawberry, to plate the only run of the contest. After a two-out walk in the 1st to Eddie Murray, Gardner retires 19 in a row. The Expos manage only two hits themselves against the combined efforts of Orel Hershiser, Kevin Gross, and Jay Howell. Gardner is the 11th pitcher to lose a no-hitter after nine innings; the last being Jim Maloney, on June 14, 1965, and the first pitcher to hurl nine no-hit innings against the Dodgers since Johnny Vander Meer, in 1938.

1991 – Dan Gladden’s three-run homer in the 9th enables the host Twins to beat Milwaukee, 7 – 4. Gladden’s hit follows a bunt single by Shane Mack and a dribbler by Randy Bush. He has now driven in the winner in three straight games.

dennis martinez

Dennis Martinez of the Montreal Expos becomes first latin American pitcher to pitch a perfect game

The Mariners hit four consecutive doubles in an inning of their 11 – 4 victory over the Orioles, falling one shy of the major league record.

July 29, 1991 Jose Canseco Yankee Stadium

Oakland OF Jose Canseco is bombarded with assorted objects by unruly fans at Yankee Stadium

The Angels trade 3B Jack Howell to the Padres for OF Shawn Abner.

Boston relief pitcher Jeff Gray collapses in the clubhouse prior to the Red Sox game with Texas. He becomes lightheaded, his speech slurs, and he suffers weakness in the right side of his body. Diagnosed as suffering from a stroke, Gray will undergo two years of rehab and, in 1994, become a minor league pitching coach. Gray’s stroke comes on the 11th anniversary of J.R. Richard’s stroke. In the game which follows, the Red Sox’s Carlos Quintana ties a major league record by driving in six runs in one inning in Boston’s 11 – 6 victory. He hits a double and a grand slam.

The Phillies trade P Roger McDowell to the Dodgers for P Mike Hartley and OF Braulio Castillo.

The Astros trade P Jim Clancy to the Braves for P Matt Turner and a player to be named later.

The Expos trade recently-acquired P Ron Darling to the A’s for two minor league pitchers.

Following the Reds’ 7 – 3 loss to the Giants, Cincinnati manager Lou Piniella accuses umpire Gary Darling of being biased against the Reds. The eruption occurs when Darling overrules Dutch Rennert, who had called Bill Doran’s ball a home run. The Major League Umpires Association will file a $5 million defamation suit against Piniella on the 4th.

Mike Jeffcoat of the Rangers gets an RBI double in the 9th inning of a 15 – 1 win over the Brewers. He becomes the first American League pitcher to drive in a run in a game since the designated hitter rule went into effect in 1973, and the first AL pitcher to get a hit since Ferguson Jenkins did so on October 2, 1974.

Oakland OF Dave Henderson blasts three home runs in his first three at bats in an 8 – 6 loss to Minnesota.

1991 – Craig Biggio singles home Gerald Young in the tenth for a 2-1 triumph over Los Angeles, sweeping the series and winning their seventh straight. The last-place Astros also turn their second triple play of the season when Mike Simms snares a fly to right by Alfredo Griffin and guns down Mike Sharperson who tried to advance to third. Ken Caminiti fires to Andujar Cedeno to get Stan Javier who was trailing the play. 

Toronto’s Tom Henke saves his 24th game in 24 opportunities breaking the record set by John Franco in 1988, and tied by Rob Dibble two years later. The Blue Jays edge the booming bats of the Tigers, 2 – 1, and increase their lead to 5 1/2 games over Detroit. Willie Hernandez of Detroit saved 32 consecutive games in 1984, but blown saves were not an official stat at the time.

Deion Sanders makes the conversion from baseball to football, practicing with the Atlanta Falcons for the first time. Neon Deion hits .304 in 97 games with the Braves, and his 14 triples will lead the majors.

Schottzie, the St. Bernard mascot of the Cincinnati Reds, is put to sleep. The dog is buried at team owner Marge Schott’s home, with a Reds’ cap on its head.

1991 – The Detroit Tigers fan a team record 21 times in a 14-inning‚ 4 – 0, win over the Blue Jays. Mark Salas hits a three-run pinch homer off Tom Henke in the top of the 14th. Mickey Tettleton follows one out later with another homer. Starters Bill Gullickson and Tom Candiotti match zeroes for 7 innings‚ with Candy striking out 12.

Mike Simms autographed Baseball Card (Houston Astros) 1991 Bowman #551

Astros and Braves game is delayed for five minutes when a moth becomes lodged in the ear of Houston OF Mike Simms

In only his second big league start, 21 year-old White Sox southpaw Wilson Alvarez becomes the 16th rookie to throw a no-hitter,beating the Orioles, 7-0. Only Browns’ hurler Bobo Holloman, who threw a no-no in his first major league start in 1953, accomplished the feat in fewer starts.

1991 – Rebounding from a 9-2 deficit, Houston gets off the mat for a 12-9 triumph in San Diego to snap a five-game losing streak. Luis Gonzalez launches a three-run bomb and drives in four. Andujar Cedeno also homers.The Astro bullpen fires five innings of one-hit ball. Ryan Bowen claims the victory and Al Osuna gets the save. 

Seattle’s Randy Johnson tosses a one-hitter against the Oakland A’s, losing the no-hitter in the 9th inning when Mike Gallego singles. He records his 11th win of the year with the 4 – 0 victory.

Jeff Reardon of the Red Sox and Lee Smith of the Cardinals both reach the 30-save level for the 6th consecutive season, tying the major league record. Reardon notches his in a 2- 1 win over Cleveland, while Smith saves St. Louis’ 5 – 4 victory over the Mets.

San Diego’s Fred McGriff hits a grand slam for the second game in a row, tying a major league mark. He is the 12th player – but just the third National Leaguer – to perform the feat, with Babe Ruth the only one to do so twice. His blast brings home all San Diego’s runs in a 4 – 1 win over the Astros.

California’s Dave Winfield slugs the 400th home run of his career, becoming the 23rd player in history to reach the milestone, in a 7 – 4 win over the Minnesota Twins. The blow comes off Minnesota southpaw David West.

 Yankees 1B Don Mattingly is benched and fined $250 for refusing to cut his shoulder-length hair, but the Yankees still beat Kansas City, 5 - 1. He will get a haircut two days later, and the hair will eventually be auctioned off for $3,000 to benefit a children's charity. Mattingly is not alone; Steve Farr, Matt Nokes, and Pascual Perez have all been told their hair length violates club policy. Mel Hall, who wears his hair in a small ponytail before and after games, is warned his appearance is "borderline."

 Yankees 1B Don Mattingly is benched and fined $250 for refusing to cut his shoulder-length hair, but the Yankees still beat Kansas City, 5 – 1. He will get a haircut two days later, and the hair will eventually be auctioned off for $3,000 to benefit a children’s charity. Mattingly is not alone; Steve Farr, Matt Nokes, and Pascual Perez have all been told their hair length violates club policy. Mel Hall, who wears his hair in a small ponytail before and after games, is warned his appearance is “borderline.”

The Red Sox obtain P Dan Petry from the Braves 

1991 – Toronto’s first two hitters – Devon White and Roberto Alomar – hit home runs off Detroit’s Bill Gullickson in the Blue Jays’ 4 – 2 win. Gullickson teed up twin leadoff homers once before, in the National League.

Randy Bush got his seventh consecutive pinch-hit

1991 – Dickie Thon’s two-out, two-run homer in the 9th gives the Phils a 6 – 5 win over the Pirates. The Phillies had gone 346 games since winning in the 9th: tomorrow, they’ll win again in the 9th, and on the following night, win in the 10th.

The Helena Brewers beat Idaho Falls, 28 – 0 in the Pioneer League. Helena has 27 hits, including six homers, but sets no records. The good news for Idaho Falls is no errors, and their last pitcher is 1B Loren Gress. He outpitches the real pitchers, giving up no runs and a hit in 1 1/3 innings.

After nearly two months off with a chronic backache, David Justice rejoins the Atlanta Braves in time for tonight’s twinbill with the Reds. Even without him, the Braves are just two games behind the Dodgers in the National League West.

Toronto manager Cito Gaston is hospitalized with a herniated disk and Gene Tenace takes over on an interim basis. He’ll be 13-6 in his first 19 games to keep Toronto on top.

Yankees OF Bernie Williams fans five consecutive times in a 7 – 4 loss to the Royals to tie the major league mark for a 9-inning game. He’s consoled by Yankee hitting coach Frank Howard, one of the 28 batters who share the mark.

1991 – In the Phils’ 10-inning victory, John Kruk gets hit by a pitch for the first time in 2,682 at bats when the Pirates’ Randy Tomlin plunks him. “It didn’t feel good,” grouses Kruk. Herm Winningham had held the record for active players (1,799 appearances).

1991 – The Rangers’ 6 – 1 win over the Royals is marked by an unusual play in the 8th inning. Kansas City 2B Terry Shumpert is charged with a 4-base error when he collides with RF Danny Tartabull while going back on a short fly hit by Juan Gonzalez. Gonzalez and the two runners in front of him score as the ball rolls all the way to the warning track.

1991 – Mariners hurler Rob Murphy sets what is believed to be a major league record by appearing in his 121st straight game without a win, a 7 – 2 loss to Detroit. Tom Henke had pitched in 120 consecutive winless games from 1986 to 1988.

Manager Doug Rader is fired by the Angels and replaced by former Montréal Expos manager Buck Rodgers, who was let go earlier this season.

Cubs OF Doug Dascenzo commits an error in Chicago’s 12 – 9 loss to San Diego, ending his National League-record streak of 242 consecutive games without a miscue (442 chances). The streak, which began in 1988, is two games short of the American League record.

At Busch Stadium, Lee Smith becomes the fifth major leaguer to record his 300th save when he pitches a scoreless ninth inning to preserve the Cardinals’ 5-2 victory over L.A. The Louisiana native will retire with the most saves in major league history with 478, compiled during 18 seasons with eight different teams

At Royals Stadium, Bret Saberhagen fires a no-hitter beating the White Sox, 7 – 0.

The Yankees reluctantly agree to a record $1.55 million contract with 19 year-old high school southpaw Brien Taylor, the overall number one pick from the June amateur draft. George Steinbrenner is outraged by the deal, but the suspended owner actually had driven up the price when he publicly makes his wishes known to Newsday two days prior to the signing by saying, “If they (Gene Michael) let him go, they ought to be shot”.

With the help of a questionable scorer’s decision in the fifth inning, 27 year-old Bret Saberhagen fires a no-hitter, beating the White Sox at Royals Stadium, 7-0. When Royals’ left fielder Kirk Gibson misses Dan Pasqua’s slicing line drive, the play is immediately ruled a double, but after viewing several replays, Del Black changes his mind and calls it a two-base error.

The Mets trade P Alejandro Pena to the Braves for P Tony Castillo and a player to be named later.

Cincinnati’s Tom Browning defeats Montreal’s Dennis Martinez, 11 – 3, in the first matchup of perfect game hurlers in 25 years. Sandy Koufax and Jim Bunning were the last such pair to meet on October 2, 1966.

Jim Eppard of the Salinas Spurs of the California League plays all nine positions as the Spurs defeat the San Bernardino Spirit, 2 – 1. Eppard gets credit for the win by pitching a scoreless 5th inning. The former California Angels OF becomes one of the few left-handers to play every position in a single game.

Ken Caminiti and Charlie Hayes trade five-RBI nights from the third base spot

1991 – The White Sox’s Carlton Fisk crashes two homers to become the oldest player in the 20th century to accomplish the mark. He’ll top this by hitting two homers on October 3rd. Jack McDowell goes the distance to beat Cleveland, 7 – 2.

1991 – The Rangers trade 3B Steve Buechele to the Pirates in exchange for prospect Kurt Miller and a player to be named later. The “later named” is another pitching prospect, Hector Fajardo.

1991 – The Twins’ Chuck Knoblauch hits his first major league homer, off the Orioles’ Mike Mussina, and it puts the Twins ahead in the 6th. It is Knoblauch’s only homer this year. The Twins win, 5 – 2, with the win going to Kevin Tapani.

1991 – Three months after an operation that replaced a vein in his arm with one from his leg, White Sox pitcher Roberto Hernández holds the Royals hitless for six innings before Bill Pecota leads off the 7th with a double, the only hit Hernandez allows in Chicago’s 5 – 1 win over Kansas City. In the same game, Bo Jackson makes his miraculous return to the majors following a career-threatening football injury. He hits a sacrifice fly to drive in a run against his former team. Bo will end the year hitting .225 in 23 games, with three homers and 14 RBIs.

Milwaukee’s Jim Gantner has a double and hits his first homer since 1987, a streak of 1762 at bats without a dinger. In two days he’ll hit another. With two outs in the 9th, Robin Yount bangs a 3-run home run off Oakland’sDennis Eckersley for a 5 – 3 win.

In a game in Montreal, shortstop Jeff Blauser breaks his big left toe and will be out for two weeks. The Braves will call up SS Rico Rossy to replace him.

1960's Stadium Picture Pack Roger Maris New York Yankees Photograph

The alleged asterisk attached to Roger Maris’ record of 61 home runs in 1961 is officially removed

Infielders Shane Turner and Tommy Shields both play all nine positions for the Rochester Red Wings in their season finale, an 8 – 0 win against Syracuse of the International League.

Lou Gehrig’s 1938 Yankees road uniform brings $220,000 at a memorabilia auction in San Francisco, CA, becoming the most expensive non-card sports memorabilia item ever sold. A Honus Wagner card goes for $125,500 while an autographed Gehrig bat sells for $47,500.

The Statistical Accuracy Committee re-defines a no-hit game as one which ends after nine or more innings with one team failing to get a hit, thereby removing 50 games from the list that had previously been considered hitless, including the 1959 performance of Harvey Haddix’s 12 perfect innings against the Braves and Jim Maloney’s 1965 1-0 loss to the Mets in 11-innings.

1991 – The [White Sox score 10 runs in the 4th inning of a game against the Royals‚ all with 2 outs. Chicago wins by a score of 11 – 2. Bo Jackson drives in 3 runs with his first two hits since returning from a serious hip injury. Slugger Frank Thomas receives a mauling‚ bruising his wrist in a 2nd-inning collision with Terry Shumpert‚ then chipping two front teeth when he is hit in the mouth with a ball thrown by pitcher Charlie Hough. Hough gets a throwing error on the toss.

 Pete Harnisch becomes the second Astro to strike out the side on nine pitches.

1991 – At Cleveland, Eric Bell debuts for the Indians with three innings of scoreless relief, and leaves in the 8th with the score, 3 – 3. The Sox score a run and win, 4 – 3.

SimLeague Baseball

Kent Mercker, Mark Wohlers, and Alejandro Pena of the Atlanta Braves combine on a 1-0 no-hitter against the San Diego Padres

1991 – Texas Ranger Nolan Ryan wins his 10th game, beating the Twins, 4 – 3, and becoming just the second pitcher ever to reach double figures in wins in 20 different seasons. Don Sutton did it in 21 seasons. The win, Ryan’s 312th of his career moves him past Tom Seaver into 14th place on the career list. Jack Morris is the complete game loser.

Toronto OF Joe Carter drives in a run in the Blue Jays’ 7 – 6 victory over the A’s, becoming the first player in history to reach the 100 plateau in three consecutive seasons with three different teams. Nine players had collected 100 RBI with three teams, but none consecutively.

A 55-ton concrete beam crashes onto an empty public walkway at Olympic Stadium in Montreal. The Expos will reschedule, playing their final 13 home games on the road while the stadium is repaired and growing cracks in concrete ribs supporting the stadium are checked out.

55-ton piece of concrete falls from the rafters of Montreal’s Olympic Stadium onto the playing field

Baltimore’s Juan Bell’s tenth inning at-bat against Eric Bell is not a ringing success when he flies out to Albert Belle in left field. The Orioles drop the Memorial Stadium contest to the clangorous Cleveland club in 11 innings, 6-5.

In the Tigers’ 6 – 4 win over the Brewers, Detroit’s Cecil Fielder hits a 502-foot home run, which is believed to be the first ball ever hit out of Milwaukee’s County Stadium, off Dan Plesac. The ball lands in the back of a truck driven by Gary Schumacher, who doesn’t stop until he is near Madison, WI.

Mariano Duncan, Hal Morris, and Paul O’Neill hit back-to-back-to-back home runs off Astros hurler Mark Portugal for the Reds. The homers account for the only Cincinnati runs in a 7 – 3 loss.

Cardinals rookie Ray Lankford hits for the cycle in a 7 – 2 win over the Mets.

In Baltimore’s 4 – 3 win over Cleveland, O’s OF Joe Orsulak – he starts today in LF and switches to RF – has an assist, his 6th in an 11-day stretch. He leads ML outfielders with 20 assists and will finish with 22.

Atlanta OF Otis Nixon is suspended for 60 days for violating baseball’s drug policy. Nixon, who had been arrested on charges of cocaine possession in 1987, is currently leading the National League with 72 stolen bases. He will miss the NL playoffs due to the suspension.

Barry Bonds homers and drives in his 100th run for the second consecutive season, just the 8th Pirate to accomplish that. Pittsburgh beats the Cubs, 9 – 2,

Kevin Tapani (15-8) becomes the Twins’ third 15-game winner, pitching a three-hitter for 7 2/3 inning against the Royals. The Twins win, 9 – 0, jumping on Mark Gubicza. Tapani is 13-2 since June 5th.

Bonehead baserunning almost costs the Dodgers a win over the Reds. With one out in the 11th, and the score 3 – 3, Los Angeles has Jose Offerman on third base, with Brett Butler on first. When Lenny Harris hits a ground ball, Offerman tries to score but fails to touch the plate and is tagged out on the throw. Harris is called out for passing Butler, who inexplicably stands watching the play. But the Dodgers rally with three runs in the 12th to win, 6 – 5. Eddie Murray hits his first triple of the year and Eric Karros has his first major league hit, a double, before Joey Hamilton’s game-winning single. L.A. sets a National League record in the 4 1/2-hour marathon by using 27 players, including nine pitchers. The Reds use 19.

The Braves blow a three-run lead and lose to the Giants, 8 – 5, at Candlestick Park. Darren Lewis scores half the Giants’ runs.

9/16/1991: Devon White of the Blue Jays led off the game with a tremendous drive to right field off Mariners pitcher Brian Holman destined for the upper deck. The ball struck one of the Kingdome’s speakers attached to the dome’s roof and fell to the turf. White, who had gone into a home run trot, had to sprint into second base for a double.

Darren Lewis scores four runs and steals three bases without the benefit of a base hit. The Giants leadoff hitter reaches base in four of his five plate appearances via base on balls in San Francisco’s victory over the Braves at Candlestick Park, 8-5.

Despite Cal Ripken’s 30th homer of the year, Baltimore loses to Boston, 7 – 5. With 42 doubles already, Cal is the first SS in major league history to top 30 home runs and 40 doubles in the same year.

In Toronto’s 5 – 3 win over Seattle, Toronto’s Rob Ducey is knocked unconscious in a collision at the plate with Seattle C Scott Bradley. Unlike most catchers, Bradley keeps his mask on for throws from the OF, and Ducey hits his head on the mask.

San Diego’s Tony Gwynn undergoes arthroscopic surgery to repair cartilage damage in his left knee. Gwynn has missed 11 of the Padres’ last 17 games. He has just four hits in his last 27 at bats and has fallen behind Hal Morris in the batting race.

Howard Johnson

Howard Johnson of the Mets strokes his 37th home run of the season to set a new National League record for switch-hitters

Atlanta Falcons defensive back Deion Sanders rejoins the Atlanta Braves for the remainder of the season to help the Braves’ pennant drive. Sanders still wants to play in the Falcons’ game on the 29th against New Orleans.

John Kruk hits a grand slam and solo homer to provide all the scoring as the Phils edge the Cubs, 5 – 4.

1991 – The Indians lose their 100th game as the Yankees beat Greg Swindell, 3 – 0. With eight innings of work, Pascual Perez (2-4) earns his last major league decision.

Ernie Harwell has his first last dayhe will again be the Voice of the Tigers in 1993

The Blue Jays, in front of 50,324 enthusiastic fans, clinch the American League East title with a 6-5 walk-off victory over California in the SkyDome’s season finale. Toronto becomes the first sports franchise in history to draw four million fans in one season.

At the Kingdome, the Mariners whitewash the White Sox, 10-0, for their 83rd win of the campaign. The victory assures the team of their first winning season in the 14-year history of the franchise.

Scott Erickson becomes a 20-game winner in his sophomore season when he hurls six scoreless innings in the Twins’ 3-1 victory over Blue Jays at the Metrodome. The 23 year-old right-hander, nicknamed the Prince of Darkness for using a black glove and wearing dark socks on the days he pitches, compiles a 20–8 record along 3.18 ERA for the eventual World Champs.

1991 – After 11 lead changes or ties in the closing weeks of the NL West race, the Atlanta Braves finally clinch the division on the second-to-last day of the season.

David Cone New York Mets

David Cone ties a National League mark for strikeouts as he fans 19 Phillies en route to a 7-0 victory in the season’s finale. The Mets right-hander finishes the campaign with a league-leading 241 strikeouts, making it second straight season he has led the circuit.

After flying out as a pinch-hitter, Red Sox third baseman Wade Boggs completes the season hitting .332 to finish each of the first ten seasons of his career with a batting average above .300. Al Simmons, accomplishing the feat in the first 11 seasons of his career with the A’s and the White Sox from 1924-34, and Pirate outfielder Paul Waner, reaching the milestone for a dozen consecutive seasons beginning in 1926, are the only players with the longer streaks than the Boston infielder, who has compiled a .345 average during the past decade.

1991 – The Blue Jays chase Minnesota Twins starter Kevin Tapani for the second time in the ALCS, but Minnesota’s bullpen holds strong and its bats speak, leading to six unanswered runs in Game 5 as the Twins win their third American League pennant.

1991 – Behind another brilliant performance by pitcher Steve Avery, the Atlanta Braves win the third 1 – 0 game-score of the National League Championship Series to force a seventh game in Pittsburgh. Catcher Greg Olson doubles home the only run of the game in the 9th inning, as Ron Gant collects his sixth stolen base of the Series for a new playoff record.

John smoltz

Atlanta Braves win their first National League pennant since their move from Milwaukee

1991 – Minnesota defeats the Braves, 5 – 2, in Game 1 of the World Series. Greg Gagne’s three-run home run off Charlie Leibrandt in the 5th inning helps support the strong effort of winning pitcher Jack Morris.

Lonnie Smith becomes the first player in baseball history to play in the World Series with four different teams

1991 – The Minnesota Twins take a 2-0 lead in the World Series with a 3 – 2 victory over the Atlanta Braves. The deciding blow is a leadoff home run in the 8th inning by rookie Scott Leius. Chili Davis also homers for Minnesota.

1991 – The first-ever World Series game played in Atlanta goes to the Braves. A two-out single by Mark Lemke in the 12th inning gives the Braves a 5 – 4 win in Game 3 of the Series. David Justice scores the winning run. Lemke had made a potentially crucial error in the top half of the inning. The contest is the longest night game in Series history at four hours and four minutes, and the second longest by innings. The Minnesota Twins use a World Series-record 23 players in the game.

1991 – Mark Lemke hits his second triple of the night in the 9th inning and then scores on a close play on Jerry Willard’s sacrifice fly for Atlanta’s 3 – 2 win over the Twins.

1991 – The Atlanta Braves take the lead in the World Series with a 14 – 5 rout of the Minnesota Twins in Game 5. Atlanta blows open a 5 – 3 game with nine runs in the last two innings.

1991 – George Brunet dies of a heart attack in Poza Rica, Mexico at age 56. The lefthander made 22 appearances for the Colt .45s in their first two seasons as part of a 15-year major league career. After that, he continued to pitch in the minors and then in Mexico until he was 54. 

Kirby Puckett turns out the lights in the 11th with a home run to force a seventh game in 1991 World Series

Kirby Puckett turns out the lights in the 11th with a home run to force a seventh game in 1991 World Series

The Twins beat the Braves, 1-0 to capture 1991 World Series

The Twins beat the Braves, 1-0 to capture 1991 World Series

Buck Showalter replaces Stump Merrill as the Yankee manager. During his four-year reign as the Bronx Bomber skipper, the 36 year-old will compile a 313-268 (.539) record, capturing the American League Manager of the Year award and AL East title in 1994, and the league’s first wild card the following year.

Braves skipper Bobby Cox becomes the first person to be named the Manager of the Year in both leagues when the BBWAA selects him as the National League’s top field boss. The 50 year-old former third baseman, who won the AL honor with the Blue Jays in 1985, led Atlanta to their first pennant after the team finished with the worst record in baseball during the previous season.

1991 – Houston Astros first baseman Jeff Bagwell is named the National League Rookie of the Year, becoming the first Houston player to win the award. Bagwell hit .294 with a team-leading 15 home runs and 82 RBI. His 82 walks also led the Astros. Bagwell was picked in the fourth round of the 1989 amateur draft by the Boston Red Sox, then traded in the 1990 stretch drive for relief pitcher Larry Andersen.

Terry Pendleton of the Atlanta Braves wins the 1991 National League Most Valuable Player Award

Terry Pendleton of the Atlanta Braves wins the 1991 National League Most Valuable Player Award

The Cleveland Indians trade pitcher Greg Swindell to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for Ps Jack Armstrong, Scott Scudder and Joe Turek.

1991 – Minnesota Twins second baseman Chuck Knoblauch is named the American League Rookie of the Year. Knoblauch hit .281 and stole 25 bases in 30 tries. His fifteen post-season hits is a major league record for first-year players.

Jeff Bagwell is named N.L. Rookie of the Year

Cal Ripken, Jr. of the Baltimore Orioles is named the American League MVP

President George H. W. Bush presents Red Sox legend Ted Williams, along with former First Lady Betty Ford and former House Speaker Thomas ”Tip” O’Neill, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Yankee Clipper Joe DiMaggio (1977) and Dodger great Jackie Robinson (1984, posthumously) also honored with the highest civilian award in the United States.

Mike Scott announces his retirement after 13 major league seasons

Mike Scott announces his retirement after 13 major league seasons

Atlanta Braves third baseman Terry Pendleton wins the National League MVP Award

Atlanta Braves third baseman Terry Pendleton wins the National League MVP Award

Phil Garner and his family are saved from a fire in their Kingwood, TX home

1991 – The Montreal Expos trade first baseman Andres Galarraga to the St. Louis Cardinals for starting pitcher Ken Hill. Galarraga will struggle for St. Louis before enjoying a career renaissance with the Colorado Rockies in Rockies, while Hill will emerge as one of the the league’s best starting pitchers with his new team.

New York Mets sign slugging first baseman Eddie Murray as a free agent

The Dodgers acquire outfielder Eric Davis and pitcher Kip Gross from Cincinnati in exchange for pitchers Tim Belcher and John Wetteland. The Dodgers have high expectations of the brittle Davis, but he’ll play in just 76 games next season.

The New York Mets sign slugging first baseman Eddie Murray as a free agent. Murray will hit 16 home runs with 93 RBI in his first season with the Mets, but will clash with local media covering the team.

The New York Mets sign slugging first baseman Eddie Murray as a free agent. Murray will hit 16 home runs with 93 RBI in his first season with the Mets, but will clash with local media covering the team.

The New York Mets sign free agent outfielder Bobby Bonilla to a five-year, $29 million contract.

The New York Mets sign free agent outfielder Bobby Bonilla to a five-year, $29 million contract.

Tom Candiotti 

The Los Angeles Dodgers sign free agent knuckleballer Tom Candiotti to a four-year contract.

1991 – The Brewers obtain P Jesse Orosco from the Indians in exchange for a player to be named later.

Houston has a tentative deal in place with the Chicago White Sox. The Sox want pitcher Mark Portugal and are expected to trade a disappointing outfielder who hit just .203 after being acquired from the Texas Rangers. Eventually, the White Sox find a better offer for Sammy Sosa and the deal never happens. 

The Reds trade P Randy Myers to the Padres in exchange for IF-OF Bip Roberts and a player to be named.

The Angels acquire 1B-OF Von Hayes from the Phillies in exchange for P Kurt Abbott and OF Ruben Amaro Jr.

Brewer reliever Julio Machado is arrested for murder in Venezuela. Machado is accused of shooting a woman following an auto accident between his car and a car in which the woman was a passenger. Machado will be convicted and, following appeals, be sentenced to 12 years in prison in 1996. He will never again play in the major leagues.

The Royals sign free agent 1B Wally Joyner to a one-year, $4.2 million contract.

The Expos trade P Barry Jones to the Phillies in exchange for C Darrin Fletcher and cash.

The Giants trade OF Kevin Mitchell and P Mike Remlinger to the Mariners in exchange for P Bill Swift, Mike Jackson, and Dave Burba.

Admitted gambler Howard Spira is sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison for attempting to extort $110,000 from Yankees owner George Steinbrenner.

Outfielder Kenny Lofton is traded to the Cleveland Indians for catcher Ed Taubensee.

1991 – In a blockbuster trade, the Mets obtain two-time Cy Young Award winner Bret Saberhagen along with SS Bill Pecota from the Royals in exchange for Kevin McReynolds, Gregg Jefferies and Keith Miller.

The man who stopped Joe DiMaggio’s streak Ken Keltner passes away

Clemente Nunez, signed by Florida scout Edmundo Borrome, becomes the first player in Marlins history. The 16 year-old Dominican right-hander will compile a 29-26 record and an ERA of 3.51 during his five seasons in the team’s farm system, but will never appear in a major league game.

1991 – The Blue Jays sign free agent P Jack Morris to a two-year, $10.85 million contract.

Winfield_Toronto

Toronto Blue Jays sign free agent outfielder-designated hitter Dave Winfield

Yankees P Steve Howe is arrested in Montana on a charge of possession of cocaine. Howe has been suspended from baseball five times for drug and alcohol problems.

rick_suttcliffe

The Orioles sign P Rick Sutcliffe as a free agent. The former 1984 Cy Young Award winner was 6-5 with a 4.10 era with the Cubs last season.

Former minor league umpire Pam Postema files a sex discrimination suit against the National and American leagues, the Triple-A Alliance, and the Baseball Office for Umpire Development.

1991 – State Senators pass a bill to rename a part of State Highway 288 the “Nolan Ryan Expressway”. The highway passes near the Astrodome on its way through Ryan’s boyhood hometown of Alvin.