Hall of Famer José Méndez is born in Cardenas, Cuba

On March 19, 1887, future Hall of Famer José Méndez is born in Cardenas, Cuba. Noted for his blazing fastball and sharp curve, Méndez’s career spanned from 1908 to 1926. As a player-manager with the Kansas City Monarchs, he led the Negro National League team to three consecutive pennants, from 1923 to 1925. He was…

Chris Von der Ahe completes his biggest deal, selling Bob Caruthers to Brooklyn for $8,250. The deal is delayed by Caruthers’s negotiations with Brooklyn, but he finally agrees to a $5,000 salary for 1888.

1887 – Chris Von der Ahe completes his biggest deal, selling Bob Caruthers to Brooklyn for $8,250. The deal is delayed by Caruthers’s negotiations with Brooklyn, but he finally agrees to a $5,000 salary for 1888.

A baseball reporters association is organized. It pledges to work to standardize scoring practices, especially in the gray area of stolen bases.

1887 – A baseball reporters association is organized. It pledges to work to standardize scoring practices, especially in the gray area of stolen bases.

1887 – In a controversial move the American Association doubles its basic admission price to 50 cents. In late August 1888, the league, suffering from decreases in attendance and revenues, will reinstitute the old admission fee.

1887 – In a controversial move the American Association doubles its basic admission price to 50 cents. In late August 1888, the league, suffering from decreases in attendance and revenues, will reinstitute the old admission fee.

1887 – The Arbitration Committee meets and grants reserve rights to minor league clubs for the first time. In the most prominent contract dispute‚ prospect Bug Holliday signs with minor league Des Moines‚ despite the claims by major league St. Louis.

1887 – The Arbitration Committee meets and grants reserve rights to minor league clubs for the first time. In the most prominent contract dispute‚ prospect Bug Holliday signs with minor league Des Moines‚ despite the claims by major league St. Louis.

1887 – The International League disbands. The teams in Syracuse, Toronto, Hamilton, and Buffalo split off to form the International Association, while those in Newark, Jersey City, Wilkes-Barre, and Scranton become the nucleus of the Central League.

1887 – The International League disbands. The teams in Syracuse, Toronto, Hamilton, and Buffalo split off to form the International Association, while those in Newark, Jersey City, Wilkes-Barre, and Scranton become the nucleus of the Central League.

1887 – In the American Association, the St. Louis Browns announce a trade that ships Bill Gleason and Curt Welch to the Philadelphia Athletics in exchange for Fred Mann, Chippy McGarr, and Jocko Milligan, plus $3,000. This is the first of a number of trades or sales, mostly to the Brooklyn Bridegrooms.

1887 – In the American Association, the St. Louis Browns announce a trade that ships Bill Gleason and Curt Welch to the Philadelphia Athletics in exchange for Fred Mann, Chippy McGarr, and Jocko Milligan, plus $3,000. This is the first of a number of trades or sales, mostly to the Brooklyn Bridegrooms.