On December 20, 1960, Charlie Finley buys the 52 per cent of the Kansas City A’s contained in the estate of the late Arnold Johnson. The controversial Finley will try to escape his lease with Kansas City’s Municipal Stadium almost immediately and will eventually move the team to Oakland in time for the 1968 season…
1998 – Efforts to bring Texas legend Roger Clemens to the Astros collapse in spectacular fashion when General Manager Gerry Hunsicker blasts additional contract demands made by Clemens’ Houston-based agents during a press conference at the winter meetings. It was a rare stipulation in Clemens’ contract with the Toronto Blue Jays that allowed him to demand a trade. The Astros are willing to part with outfielder Derek Bell and pitcher Scott Elarton among others to acquire Clemens until they are informed the pitcher is also demanding a $43 million dollar contract extension rather than the $16 million dollars left on his two-year deal. Talks quickly reduce to name-calling. Owner Drayton McLane says he still hopes to make a deal but decides to stand with his negotiators. Ten days later, Clemens withdraws the trade demand but later invokes it when a deal is arranged with the New York Yankees.
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December 13, 1998
