Bobby Thomson Running Past Ecstatic Fans

Wall Street Journal quotes players Monte Irvin, Sal Yvars and Al Gettel, three former members of the 1951 New York Giants, as admitting that they stole catchers’ signs at the Polo Grounds to help the club overtake the 13 1/2-game lead of the Brooklyn Dodgers and win the National League pennant

ByTom

2001 – A story in The Wall Street Journal quotes players Monte Irvin, Sal Yvars and Al Gettel, three former members of the 1951 New York Giants, as admitting that they stole catchers’ signs at the Polo Grounds to help the club overtake the 13 1/2-game lead of the Brooklyn Dodgers and win the National League pennant. Except for Yvars, all the participants will deny using the system during the three-game playoff with the Dodgers. According to the report, Bobby Thomson, whose three-run, ninth-inning home run in Game Three of the playoff won the pennant for the Giants, did not, however, steal a sign before hitting his historic home run.

Curt Blefary dies from pancreatitis at the age of 57

Curt Blefary dies from pancreatitis at the age of 57

ByThis Day in Baseball

On January 28, 2001, former major leaguer Curt Blefary dies from pancreatitis at the age of 57. Nicknamed “Clank” for his defensive limitations, Blefary hit 112 home runs over an eight-year career with the Baltimore Orioles, Houston Astros, New York Yankees, Oakland A’s, and San Diego Padres. In 1965, Blefary was named the AL’s Rookie…

interleague games between the Astros and Rangers will be known as the Lone Star Series

interleague games between the Astros and Rangers will be known as the Lone Star Series

ByTom

The June 8-10 (Arlington) and June 15-17 (Houston) interleague games between the Astros and Rangers will be known as the Lone Star Series. It will be first time the two Texan teams have ever played one another during the regular season.

2001 – In what is believed to be an historical first, 68 major league umpires participate in a pre-season session to practice calling strikes as defined by the rule book. With the help of minor league players wearing tapes nine inches above their belts, the men in blue get a good look at pitches, normally called balls, which now will considered a strike as the correct interpretation of the zone will be enforced this upcoming season.

ByTom

2001 – In what is believed to be an historical first, 68 major league umpires participate in a pre-season session to practice calling strikes as defined by the rule book. With the help of minor league players wearing tapes nine inches above their belts, the men in blue get a good look at pitches, normally called balls, which now will considered a strike as the correct interpretation of the zone will be enforced this upcoming season.

In an effort to conserve electricity during California’s energy crisis, the Angels turn off Edison International Field’s Big A and the Little A signs. The landmark beacons, that had been usually illuminated 24 hours a day, now will be turned on only for stadium events.

ByTom

In an effort to conserve electricity during California’s energy crisis, the Angels turn off Edison International Field’s Big A and the Little A signs. The landmark beacons, that had been usually illuminated 24 hours a day, now will be turned on only for stadium events.

2001 – US President George W. Bush, in an interview with the Associated Press, says he is worried about baseball’s labor contract, which expires on October 31st. Bush, once managing partner of the Texas Rangers, left the job to run for governor of Texas in 1994. He suggests, “Get rid of arbitration if possible and have, maybe, free agency occur at an earlier time, and if there’s three shortstops and two bidders the price goes down, and vice versa, it goes up.”

ByTom

2001 – US President George W. Bush, in an interview with the Associated Press, says he is worried about baseball’s labor contract, which expires on October 31st. Bush, once managing partner of the Texas Rangers, left the job to run for governor of Texas in 1994. He suggests, “Get rid of arbitration if possible and have, maybe, free agency occur at an earlier time, and if there’s three shortstops and two bidders the price goes down, and vice versa, it goes up.”

Hall of fame Dave Winfield and Kirby Puckett

Outfielders Dave Winfield and Kirby Puckett are elected to the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility

ByThis Day in Baseball

Outfielders Dave Winfield and Kirby Puckett are elected to the Hall of Fame in their first year of eligibility. The former Minnesota Twins are the fourth pair of teammates selected by BBWAA in the same year.