1951 – Cesar Cedeno is born in Santo Domingo, DR. Considered the franchise’s first superstar, Cedeno has twelve fascinating and sometimes frustrating seasons in Houston (1970-1981) and is a member of the 35th Anniversary All-Astros team.
1951 – Smokey Joe Williams dies in New York City at age 62. Williams has been considered by many historians to be one of the game’s greatest pitchers, even though he never played a game in the major leagues. He spent his entire 27-year career (1905-1932) pitching in the Negro Leagues, Mexico and the Caribbean, but his path to the majors was barred by the color line. During his stellar career, he defeated five Hall of Fame pitchers in exhibition competition: Grover Alexander, Chief Bender, Waite Hoyt, Walter Johnson and Rube Marquard. In 1999, after extensive research on the early years of black baseball reveal his outstanding numbers, Williams will gain Hall of Fame honors himself.
St. Louis Browns sign the legendary Satchel Paige
1951 – Gabby Street dies in Joplin, Missouri, at age of 67. Nicknamed “The Old Sarge”, he had a prolific baseball career as a catcher, manager, coach and play-by-play broadcaster. As a manager, Street led the St. Louis Cardinals to two National League championships and one World Championship in 1932.
1951 – Major League Baseball signs a six-year All-Star Game pact for TV and Radio rights calling for $6 million. A number of owners criticize Commissioner Happy Chandler, believing that in a couple of years, the broadcast rights will be worth much more than a million per annum.
1951 – The Baseball Writers Association of America vote sluggers Mel Ott and Jimmie Foxx into the Hall of Fame. Ott hit .304 with 511 home runs and 1860 RBI; he managed the New York Giants from 1942 to 1948. Foxx was a .325 hitter with 534 home runs and 1922 RBI.
1951 – Guido Rujo sells his interest in the Boston Braves to co-partners Lou Perini and Treasurer Joe Many.
Major League Baseball Season Recap 1950 World Series – New York Yankees AL over Philadelphia Phillies NL 4 games to 0 World Series MVP – Babe Ruth Award – Ferry Coleman Awards – Major League Cy Young Award Cy Young Award National League Cy Young Award American League MVP Awards – NL Kim Konstanty AL Phil Rizzuto Major League Rookie…
1950 – With a large portion going to the players’ pension fund, outgoing Commissioner Happy Chandler announces the Gillette Razor Company has purchased the television rights to the All-Star Game for six years for six million dollars.
1950 – Yankee great Tommy “Old Reliable” Henrich calls it a career as a player. He accepts a coaching position with the Yankees.
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