A crowd of 37,317 fans enjoys a 3-2 victory over the Braves when LA surpasses the 100 million mark in attendance at Dodger Stadium. The ballpark opened in 1962, four seasons after the franchise moved from Brooklyn to the west coast.
Cincinnati Reds owner Marge Schott agrees to sell her controlling interest in the Reds to a group headed by Carl H. Lindner, ending her 14-year tenure. The group will pay a total of $67 million.
On April 4, 1999, Hall of Famer Early Wynn dies at the age of 79 from complications caused by a stroke. Known for his toughness on the mound, the highly competitive Wynn won exactly 300 games over a 23-year career with the Washington Senators, Cleveland Indians and Chicago White Sox.
1999 – The career of New York Mets pitcher Paul Wilson is derailed again when he suffers a partially torn ligament in his pitching elbow while warming up before a three-inning stint in a minor league game. An MRI will show a partial tear of a ligament in his elbow, and on March 30th he will undergo Tommy John surgery which will sideline him for the year.
On March 8, 1999, former New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio dies after a much-publicized battle with lung cancer. The baseball legend and American icon was 84. Born in Martinez, California, DiMaggio arrived in the major leagues at the age of 21. He batted .323 in his first season and helped the Yankees to the…
1999 – Players Orlando Cepeda and Smokey Joe Williams, manager Frank Selee, and umpire Nestor Chylak are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.
On February 22, 1999, Pittsburgh Pirates scout Howie Haak dies at the age of 87 of complications from a stroke. Haak, who worked for the Pirates from 1950 to 1988, scouted Roberto Clemente while he played in the Brooklyn Dodgers’ farm system and recommended that the Pirates sign him. Dubbed the “King of the Caribbean,”…
The U.S. Postal Service issues a Jackie Robinson stamp as part of their “Celebrate the Century” program. Robinson was selected to represent the 1940s, the second ballplayer chosen. Babe Ruth, last May, represented the 1920s.
Dennis Martinez announces his retirement
On February 2, 1999 San Diego Padres’ outfielder Greg Vaughn becomes the first player traded in major league history after hitting 50 home runs during the season. The slugger is dealt to the Cincinnati Reds, along with Mark Sweeney for Reggie Sanders, Damian Jackson, and Josh Harris. Vaughn spent one season in Cincinnati hitting .245…
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