On February 9, 1972, former California Angels infielder Chico Ruiz is killed in an auto accident, just 11 days before the start of spring training. The 33-year-old Ruiz had recently signed with the Kansas City Royals. In 1971, Ruiz had been involved in an incident with Angels’ teammate Alex Johnson, in which Ruiz allegedly threatened…
Josh Gibson and Buck Leonard win election to the Hall of Fame through the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues
On January 19, 1972, the Baseball Writers elect three players to the Hall of Fame: Yogi Berra, (339 votes) Sandy Koufax (344 votes) and Early Wynn (301 votes) One year earlier, the writers had failed to elect anyone to the Hall. Koufax, at the age of 36, becomes the youngest man to gain election to…
On January 13, 1972, Bernice Gera wins her lawsuit against Organized Baseball, initiated on March 15, 1971, clearing the way for her to make her umpiring debut in the New York-Penn League during the summer. Gera, who had initiated the suit in 1971, will umpire just one game before deciding to call it quits.
1972 – Houston Astros at the Astrodome. Cesar Cedeno- Jim Wynn-lee May-Bob Watson-Doug Rader
In the secondary phase of the January draft, P Tom Hume is picked by the Cincinnati Reds, OF Sam Bowen by the Atlanta Braves, IF Duane Kuiper by the Cleveland Indians, and the Boston Red Sox, with pick 1,653, take IF Roy Smalley, who decides to stay in school.
Detroit Tigers owner John Fetzer announces that the Tigers have signed a lease to build a $126 million domed stadium along the river in downtown Detroit. The complex will seat 52,000 for baseball, and 60,000 for football. Lawsuits, a failed bond issue, and the construction of the Silverdome in nearby Pontiac will eventually kill the idea.
Nolan Ryan becomes and Angel
1971 – Major league teams engineer eight trades, involving a total of 30 players. In the biggest trades, P Doyle Alexander is sent by the Dodgers along with P Bob O’Brien, C Sergio Robles, and OF Royle Stillman to the Orioles, for OF Frank Robinson and P Pete Richert. After acquiring Robinson, the Dodgers send 1B Dick Allen to the White Sox for P Tommy John and IF Steve Huntz. The White Sox also send IF Rich McKinney to the Yankees in exchange for P Stan Bahnsen as the Yankees get IF Bernie Allen from the Rangers in a deal for two pitching prospects. Finally, 1B John Mayberry is sent by the Astros to the Royals in a four-player transaction.
1971 – The Chicago Cubs release longtime star and future Hall of Famer Ernie Banks, ending his 19-year major league career. The Cubs also announce that Banks will serve as a coach on manager Leo Durocher’s staff next season. Mr. Cub finishes his playing career with 512 home runs and 1,636 RBI.
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