March 30, 1991 – Dwight Gooden, Vince Coleman and Daryl Boston are accused of rape during spring training. The alleged gang rape at spring training was an enormous scandal. The police in Port St. Lucie said they’d fielded 200 calls from reporters in the 24 hours after Gooden’s name had been linked to the case….
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. The two-day series between the AL East rivals is part of South Florida’s efforts to be awarded a National League expansion team.
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.
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.
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 – At Sotheby’s in New York, a 1909-10 tobacco card in mint condition of Honus Wagner sells for $451,000, with the 10% auction house premium. Ice hockey legend Wayne Gretzky and Los Angeles Kings owner Bruce McNall purchase the rare card. On the same day, a 1952 Topps card of Mickey Mantle goes for $49,500, tripling the pre-auction estimate, while a baseball, signed by 12 players at the 1939 Hall of Fame induction ceremony, sells for $20,900.
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.
On March 15, 1991, the Kansas City Royals release Bo Jackson, who had injured his hip playing football for the Los Angeles Raiders. In April, Jackson will sign a contract with the Chicago White Sox.
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.
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.
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