New York Senator Kenneth Keating proposes a ban within 100-mile radius on telecasts into minor league territories.
New York Senator Kenneth Keating proposes a ban within 100-mile radius on telecasts into minor league territories.
Bob uecker signs minor league contract
February 2, 1957- A Milwaukee Journal article mentioned the signing of Milwaukee native Bob Uecker to a contract with the Braves Corpus Christi (Tex,) farm team in the Class B Big State League. Uecker, 21, a 6 foot 1 inch, 190-pounder, was discharged from the Army camp at Fort Belvoir, Virginia. Braves scout John Ogden…
Chattanooga (Southern Association) OF Jim Lemon clouts four home runs in the league’s All-Star contest
Chattanooga (Southern Association) OF Jim Lemon clouts four home runs in the league’s All-Star contest, as the All-Stars defeat the first-place Birmingham club, 10 – 5.
Montreal Royals rookie outfielder Roberto Clemente hits his first North American home run “Hollywood style”
Montreal Royals rookie outfielder Roberto Clemente hits his first North American home run “Hollywood style” (as per Montreal sportswriter Lloyd McGowan, who also highlights the prodigious nature of this blast, launched “over the left field fence,” a feat “[f]ew players have achieved […] at Delorimier Stadium”). The 10th-inning, walk-off bomb off Havana reliever Bubba Harris guarantees Montreal at least a split of today’s twin bill; it also represents a distinct turning point in Clemente’s frustrating, increasingly bench-warming tenure with Brooklyn’s International League affiliate. It comes on Clemente’s first at-bat after having entered the game as a defensive replacement, and his first plate appearance in more than two weeks; in fact, prior to today’s action, Clemente had not played at all in 14 of the last 15 games, his sole appearance coming as a pinch-runner. From this point forward, he will be back in the starting lineup but strictly on a platoon basis: he will start every remaining game against southpaw starters and none against righties, raising his average from .207 at the start of today’s action to .257 by season’s end. In today’s nightcap, Clemente makes his first start since July 7th, helping Montreal secure a sweep with an RBI double.
Montreal Royals outfielder Roberto Clemente is discovered by Pirates scout Clyde Sukeforth.
1954 – Montreal Royals outfielder Roberto Clemente is discovered by Pirates scout Clyde Sukeforth. Clemente is the Brooklyn Dodgers’ five-tool farmhand. Sukeforth is not primarily a scout but rather the Pirates’ pitching coach on special assignment in Richmond to scout newly-demoted Dodger hurler Joe Black. Unfortunately for the Dodgers, the first thing Sukeforth sees is Clemente. From this moment forward, despite Dodger GM Buzzie Bavasi’s desperate manoeuvering, his prize prospect is lost. As Sukeforth himself will later tell Les Biederman of The Sporting News: “I saw Clemente and forgot all about Black. I arrived at the Richmond ball park just in time to see the pre-game workout. I saw Clemente throwing from the outfield and I couldn’t take my eyes off him. Later in the game he was used as a pinch-hitter and I liked his swing. I started asking questions and learned he was a bonus player and would be eligible for the draft. Since the Pirates had first choice, I knew this would be our man. In fact, I told manager Max Macon to take good care of ‘our boy’ and see that he didn’t get hurt.”
1954 Montreal Royals – Roberto Clemente
1954 Montreal Royals Roberto Clémente Chico Fernandez Clyde McNeil @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Play by Play, Box Scores, News Paper Reports and other links Other Resources & Links Baseball-Reference Box Score
19-year-old Roberto Clemente signs with the Brooklyn Dodgers
1954 – 19-year-old Roberto Clemente signs with the Brooklyn Dodgers for one year at $5,000 with a $10,000 signing bonus. The Dodgers thus beat out a number of other clubs in the Clemente sweepstakes. They’ve outspent the prior two entrants, their cross-river rivals in Manhattan and the Bronx, and simply beaten the Milwaukee Braves to the punch. By far the biggest spenders of the bunch (by all accounts exceeding Brooklyn’s offer by at least 150%), the Braves were just a tad tardy, Clemente having already accepted the Dodgers’ terms. The Dodgers may have won the first battle, but they will lose Clemente’s services in one year when they fail to protect him in the 1954 Rule V Draft.
Milwaukee Minors deliver 3 all stars
August 27, 1953 – Three Braves minor leaguers from the Toledo Sox were named to the American Association All-Star team. They were pitcher Gene Conley, leading the Association with 21 wins; infielder Billy Klaus (#2); and outfielder Sam Jethroe (shown here scoring run).
Hank Aaron wins 1953 MVP for Saly League
1953 Henry Aaron was the MVP for SALY League Jacksonville Braves where he played for Ben Geraghty, his favorite all-time manager.
Joe Relford becomes the first black player in the history of the Class-D league.
On July 19, 1952, The visiting Fitzgerald club (Georgia State Class D League) sends up 12-year-old batboy Joe Reliford to bat as a pinch-hitter in the 8th inning of a game with Statesboro. The black batboy, who thereby breaks the league’s color barrier, grounds out, but makes a fine catch in the outfield when he…
