Kansas City Royals trade pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm to the California Angels
Kansas City Royals trade pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm to the California Angels
Commissioner William “Spike” Eckert resigns under pressure from the major league owners
On December 6, 1968, Commissioner William “Spike” Eckert, sometimes referred to as the ‘Unknown Solider’, resigns under pressure from the major league owners. National League attorney Bowie Kuhn is appointed commissioner on an interim basis. Eckert, the former U.S. Air Force lieutenant general, who served as the game’s fourth commissioner from 1965-68.
Baltimore Orioles make a quietly brilliant trade
Baltimore Orioles make a quietly brilliant trade
Major League Baseball’s Rules Committee adopts a series of changes designed to increase offense
Major League Baseball’s Rules Committee adopts a series of changes designed
History of the World Series – 1968
History of the World Series – 1968 The decision went to Gibson, unanimously. McLain was nicked for three fourth-inning runs by the Cardinals, who got a run-scoring single from Mike Shannon and a two-run single from Julian Javier in an uprising helped along by left fielder Willie Horton’s misplay on Shannon’s base hit. In the…
Johnny Bench is named the National League’s Rookie of the Year by the narrowest of margins
Johnny Bench, who kept his freshman status by missing the final three games of the 1967 season due to a hand injury, is named the National League’s Rookie of the Year by the narrowest of margins. The 20 year-old Reds’ catcher edges Mets’ southpaw Jerry Koosman for the award when Chicago American veteran scribe Jim Enright splits his choice because he “couldn’t vote for one and ignore the other.”
Jim Bouton agrees to a one-year deal worth $22,000 to play for the expansion Seattle Pilots
Jim Bouton agrees to a one-year deal worth $22,000 to play for the expansion Pilots, who had purchased the right-hander from New York last month for $20,000 with his previous team agreeing to pick up $12,000 of the salary. The knuckleballer will use his tenure with the club, and the Astros after he is traded to Houston, to chronicle the 1969 season, along with stories from his Yankee years, in his groundbreaking book, Ball Four, a publication which will not endear him to the baseball community, especially with his former Bronx Bomber teammates.
Pitcher Denny McLain is the unanimous choice as American League Most Valuable Player
1968 – Pitcher Denny McLain, a 31-game winner for the American League champion Detroit Tigers, is the unanimous choice as American League Most Valuable Player.
St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Harry Caray is struck by a car while crossing a street in St. Louis, and he suffers two broken legs, a broken shoulder, and a broken nose.
1968 – St. Louis Cardinals broadcaster Harry Caray is struck by a car while crossing a street in St. Louis, and he suffers two broken legs, a broken shoulder, and a broken nose.
Denny McLain is the unanimous choice for the 1968 American League Cy Young Award
Denny McLain is the BBWAA’s unanimous choice for the American League Cy Young Award, after the right-hander posts a 31-6 (.838) record for the World Champion Tigers. The 24 year-old Chicago native, who will cop the prestigious pitching prize again next season, will be also named this year’s Junior Circuit’s Most Valuable Player.
