After 61 years, the American Association (AAA) folds

ByTom

After 61 years, the American Association (AAA) folds, with some of the franchises being absorbed by the International League and the Pacific Coast League. The PCL adds the Dallas-Fort Worth, TX, Denver, CO and Oklahoma City, OK clubs and drops the Vancouver, BC club. The International League adds the Indianapolis, IN and Little Rock, AR clubs. As a result, both leagues became ten-club leagues. The American Association will re-form after expansion in 1969.

Bert Campaneris pitches both lefthanded and righthanded during a relief appearance
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Bert Campaneris pitches both lefthanded and righthanded during a relief appearance

ByThis Day in Baseball

On August 13, 1962, future major leaguer Bert Campaneris pitches both lefthanded and righthanded during a relief appearance in the Florida State League. Campaneris will eventually make the major leagues – as a shortstop. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ [jetpack_subscription_form title=”Join the Community” subscribe_text=”We bring you cool stories about the game, players, ballparks and the people that shaped the…

Southern Association announces that it is suspending operations

ByThis Day in Baseball

On January 24, 1962, the Southern Association announces that it is suspending operations. Plagued by dwindling attendance, the league lost franchises in Memphis and New Orleans during the past two seasons. Its refusal to accept integration is also a cause of its demise. With the exception of 27 year-old outfielder Nat Peeples, who became the…

Pacific Coast League is turned down in its bid to use the designated hitter rule

Pacific Coast League is turned down in its bid to use the designated hitter rule

ByThis Day in Baseball

On March 31, 1961, the Pacific Coast League is turned down in its bid to use the designated hitter rule. The Professional Baseball Rules Committee votes 8-1 against the proposal. The DH will not come into major league use until 1973, when it is adopted by the American League.

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Bob Sprout sets a Midwest League record with 22 strikeouts

ByThis Day in Baseball

Bob Sprout sets a Midwest League record with 22 strikeouts, and pitches a 7-inning no-hitter as Decatur defeats Waterloo, 3 – 0. The 18-year-old lefty needs a dropped foul ball for his chance at the record. Sprout will pitch just one game in the major leagues, with the Angels in 1961.

National League’s Rookie of the Year in 1959 Willie McCovey demoted

National League’s Rookie of the Year in 1959 Willie McCovey demoted

ByThis Day in Baseball

  VINTAGE BASEBALL MEMORABILIA Vintage Baseball Memorabilia On July 17, 1960, the San Francisco Giants demote Willie McCovey, the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 1959, to their minor league affiliate in the Pacific Coast League. The future Hall of Famer will return to the major leagues later in the summer, but will finish…

Birmingham and Memphis set a Southern League record by hitting 11 home runs in one game

ByThis Day in Baseball

On May 2, 1960, Birmingham and Memphis set a Southern League record by hitting 11 home runs in one game. With Russwood Park unavailable due to a fire, a temporary park proves especially inviting for home runs. Six of the home runs clear the right-field fence, which is only 204 feet from home plate.

Texas League makes a radical rule change, allowing pitchers to automatically signal an intentional walk

Texas League makes a radical rule change, allowing pitchers to automatically signal an intentional walk

ByThis Day in Baseball

  On January 15, 1959, the Texas League makes a radical rule change, allowing pitchers to automatically signal an intentional walk. The rule change eliminates the need for the pitcher to intentionally throw four pitches out of the strike zone. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Play by Play, Box Scores, News Paper Reports and other links Other Resources &…

Reds farm out Vada Pinson‚ who was in Cincy starting lineup on Opening Day

Reds farm out Vada Pinson‚ who was in Cincy starting lineup on Opening Day

ByTom

VINTAGE BASEBALL MEMORABILIA Vintage Baseball Memorabilia May 12, 1958 – The Reds farm out Vada Pinson‚ who was in Cincy starting lineup on Opening Day. Vada will hit .343 at Seattle (PCL) and return next year. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Play by Play, Box Scores, News Paper Reports and other links Other Resources & Links Baseball-Reference Box Score