On June 21, 1986, Bo Jackson, the former Auburn running back who won the Heisman Trophy last season and was the No. 1 pick in the National Football League draft, signed with the Kansas City Royals today, reportedly shunning a $7 million deal with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers for a contract worth less…
Ozzie Smith agrees to go to the Cardinals to complete the December deal that finally sends Gary Templeton to the Padres. An outside arbitrator, Tom Roberts, will determine ‘the Wizard of Oz’s’ Cardinal salary before the season starts, awarding the light-hitting Gold Glove shortstop $450,000, rather than the $750,000 he requested.
PODCAST On April 10, 1981 the Baseball Season opened in Fenway Park and Carlton Fisk, the heart and soul, and 1975 Game 6 World series hero, had changed his Sox. From Red to White. He had signed a new contract on March 18 to play for the Chicago White Sox. In the season opener in…
Are you interested in owning your own business but don’t know where to start? Contact Franchising Connection today for a free consultation and we will help you through your journey! On Opening Day, Fernando Valenzuela, making his first major league start in place of scheduled starter Jerry Reuss, blanks Houston on five hits at Dodger…
On April 2, 1976, the Oakland A’s trade two key members from their recent World Series championship teams, sending All-Star outfielder Reggie Jackson and pitcher Ken Holtzman to the Baltimore Orioles for outfielder Don Baylor and pitchers Mike Torrez and Paul Mitchell…
1975 – Pitcher Don Wilson , at age 29, dies at home from carbon monoxide poisoning after falling asleep in his car. His young son, asleep in a bedroom above the garage, also dies in the tragedy. His number 40 is retired by the Astros the following spring, the second Houston player to be so honored.
The Chicago White Sox obtain catcher Jim Essian from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for controversial slugger Dick Allen and a reported $5,000. Allen will refuse to report to Atlanta and retire instead. Richie Ashburn will help coax Allen out of retirement and he will play two disappointing seasons back in Philadelphia before going to Oakland as a free agent to finish his major league career.
On April 8, 1974, Atlanta Braves superstar Hank Aaron makes baseball history when he breaks Babe Ruth’s career record for home runs with a blast off Al Downing of the Dodgers.
1974 – James (Cool Papa) Bell is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues. Known for his legendary footspeed, Bell joins Satchel Paige, Josh Gibson, Buck Leonard and Monte Irvin, as Negro Leagues greats selected to the Hall.
On April 6, 1973, Ron Blomberg of the New York Yankees becomes the first designated hitter in major league history. In his first plate appearance, Blomberg walks with the bases loaded. He will end up with one hit in three at-bats as the Yankees lose to the Boston Red Sox, 15-5.