1963 – The Milwaukee Braves acquire OF Felipe Alou, C Ed Bailey, P Billy Hoeft and IF Ernie Bowman from the San Francisco Giants for catcher Del Crandall and pitchers Bob Hendley and Bob Shaw. After an injury-shortened 1964 season, Alou will enjoy standout seasons in 1965 and 1966.
The A’s and Orioles swap first basemen with Jim Gentile along with $25,000 going to Oakland in exchange for Norm Siebern. Each player will have a mediocre season with their new club, but Baltimore’s new infielder plays for American League’s All-Star team.
On November 18, 1963, the Detroit Tigers trade outfielder Rocky Colavito and pitcher Bob Anderson to the Kansas City A’s and a reported $50,000 for second baseman Jerry Lumpe and pitchers Dave Wickersham and Ed Rakow. Colavito will hit 34 home runs and drive in 102 runs for the A’s in 1964 and will be…
The Cardinals trade outfielder George Altman and pitcher Bill Wakefield to the Mets for veteran right-hander Roger Craig. Next season, the hard-luck hurler, who has lost 20 games the last two years, will win Game 4 of the Fall Classic, beating the Yankees, for the World Champion Redbirds.
October 29, 1963 – Milwaukee Braves president John McHale confirmed that the Detroit Tigers had offered slugger Rocky Colavito to Milwaukee, possibly for Eddie Mathews, and that “we are interested.” The trade was never consummated. [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…
On July 22, 1963, the New York Mets release colorful outfielder Jimmy Piersall, who was hitting .194. Piersall made headlines in June when he ran around the bases backward after hitting his 100th home run.
On July 1, 1963, the Cincinnati Reds sell second baseman Don Blasingame to the Washington Senators. The move makes room for a young infielder named Pete Rose, who will hit .273 and score 101 runs in his rookie season. Rose will enjoy a 24-year career and break the all-time record for most hits.
The Tigers claim Denny McLain on first-year waivers from the White Sox. The right-hander, who will become the game’s last 30-game winner playing in the Motor City, will win the American League Most Valuable Player and Cy Young Award in 1968, helping Detroit to win its first World Series in 23 years.
On April 1, 1963, the New York Mets purchase the “Duke of Flatbush,” veteran outfielder Duke Snider, from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Snider, one of the most popular players in the New York City area, starred for Brooklyn from 1947 to ‘57. The future Hall of Famer will hit 14 home runs for the Mets in 1963.
On January 14, 1963, the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox exchange future Hall of Famers in a blockbuster seven-player trade. The Orioles send pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm and three other players to the White Sox for shortstop Luis Aparicio and third baseman-outfielder Al Smith. Wilhelm will save 21 games for the Sox in ’63, while…
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