On January 18, 1995, former major league umpire Ron Luciano dies at the age of 57. An American League umpire for 11 seasons, Luciano gained fame as one of the most colorful and flamboyant arbiters in the game’s history.
On January 13, 1995, baseball’s executive council approves the use of replacement players for spring training and regular season games. With the Players’ Association on strike, the owners say they will look to retired players, minor leaguers and amateurs to fill out their rosters.
1995 – Arbitrator Thomas Roberts awards 11 players a total of almost $10 million as a result of collusion charges brought against the owners.
On January 8, 1995, former Philadelphia Phillies standout Mike Schmidt is elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA. Schmidt hit 548 home runs and won three National League MVP awards during his major league career and spent his entire 18 year career with the Philadelphia Phillies. Schmidt is considered to be the best…
1995 – According to players’ union chief Donald Fehr, all 835 unsigned major league players are free agents since the owners unilaterally changed the uniform contract.
On January 4, 1995, Congress introduces five bills directed at settling the lingering baseball strike. One of the bills calls for the abolition of baseball’s long-standing antitrust exemption, but will not be passed into law.
1994 – In one of the biggest player swaps in baseball history, the Astros send infielders Ken Caminiti, Andujar Cedeno and Roberto Petagine, outfielder Steve Finley and pitchers Brian Williams and Sean Fesh to San Diego for infielders Craig Shipley and Ricky Gutierrez, outfielders Derek Bell and Phil Plantier and pitchers Doug Brocail and Pedro Martinez. It’s a thinly-disguised salary dump and, were it not for Bell’s success, would have been regarded as one of the worst trades in club history. Caminiti and Finley blossom into All-Stars who lead the Padres to the N.L. title in 1998. Bell and Gutierrez are the only salvagable parts for the Astros and they are both gone after the 1999 season.
Major League Season Recap 1994 World Series – over games to World Series MVP – Babe Ruth Award – over games to ALCS MVP – over games to NLCS MVP – Awards – Cy Young Award National League Greg Maddux Cy Young Award American League Dave Cone MVP Awards – NL Jeff Bagwell AL Frank…
California Angels sign pitcher Lee Smith to a free agent contract
1994 – Greg Maddux of the Atlanta Braves becomes the first pitcher in major league history to win three straight Cy Young Awards, unanimously sweeping the National League honor. Maddux posted a 16-6 record with a 1.56 ERA, the third-lowest in 75 years.
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