National League officials meet with Charles “Chief” Zimmer, Pittsburgh Pirates catcher and the president of the Players Protective Association, and agree to contract concession

ByTom

1901 – National League officials meet with Charles “Chief” Zimmer, Pittsburgh Pirates catcher and the president of the Players Protective Association, and agree to contract concessions granted by the American League for NL players who will agree not to sign with AL clubs. Zimmer promises suspensions for members of the union who jump to the new league.

kid Gleason

Giants and Pirates outfielder Tom O’Brien dies at 28

ByTom

1901 – Giants and Pirates outfielder Tom O’Brien, 28, dies in Phoenix, AZ. A popular player with the Giants, O’Brien played for Pirates in 1900, then accompanied the Giants and Superbas last fall on a trip to Cuba for a series of exhibition games. On the boat trip over, he was told that if he drank enough sea water he’d be sick, but would then be cured of any sea sickness. Both O’Brien and Kid Gleason became violently ill following the prescription, but O’Brien was so affected that all his internal organs were damaged, and he never recovered.

Phillies star infielder Nap Lajoie in violation of reserve clause jumps to the new American League

Phillies star infielder Nap Lajoie in violation of reserve clause jumps to the new American League

ByTom

Phillies star infielder Napoleon Lajoie is rumored to have jumped to the new American League’s Philadelphia franchise. The National League’s leading hitter, clearly in violation of the reserve clause, does switch to the Junior Circuit, where he will win the Triple Crown, leading the league with a .426 batting average, 14 homers, and 125 RBIs.

Ban_Johnson,_1905

American League is born January 28 1901

ByThis Day in Baseball

On January 28, 1901 The American League formally organizes as a major league, having been a top minor league in 1900: the Baltimore Orioles, Philadelphia Athletics, and Boston Americans are admitted to join the Washington Nationals, Cleveland Blues, Detroit Tigers, Milwaukee Brewers,  and Chicago White Sox. Three of the original clubs – Indianapolis, Minneapolis, and…

1901 – Philadelphia Athletics manager-GM Connie Mack signs a 10-year lease on grounds at 29th and Columbia to be called Columbia Park. A contract is set for construction of single-deck stands to hold 7,500.

ByTom

1901 – Philadelphia Athletics manager-GM Connie Mack signs a 10-year lease on grounds at 29th and Columbia to be called Columbia Park. A contract is set for construction of single-deck stands to hold 7,500.