Baltimore Orioles make a quietly brilliant trade
Baltimore Orioles make a quietly brilliant trade
Robert E. Short, Democratic National Committee treasurer, buys majority ownership of the Washington Senators
Robert E. Short, Democratic National Committee treasurer, buys majority ownership of the Washington Senators for $10 million. James Lemon will retain 15 to 20 percent. The controversial Short will move the Senators to Texas after the 1971 season.
Major League Baseball’s Rules Committee adopts a series of changes designed to increase offense
Major League Baseball’s Rules Committee adopts a series of changes designed
Johnny Bench is named the National League’s Rookie of the Year by the narrowest of margins
Johnny Bench, who kept his freshman status by missing the final three games of the 1967 season due to a hand injury, is named the National League’s Rookie of the Year by the narrowest of margins. The 20 year-old Reds’ catcher edges Mets’ southpaw Jerry Koosman for the award when Chicago American veteran scribe Jim Enright splits his choice because he “couldn’t vote for one and ignore the other.”
Cincinnati trades SS Leo Cardenas to the Twins for P Jim Merritt.
1968 – Cincinnati trades SS Leo Cardenas to the Twins for P Jim Merritt.
Stan Bahnsen wins 1968 AL Rookie of the Year
1968 – New York Yankees pitcher Stan Bahnsen, who posted a 17-12 record with 162 strikeouts and a 2.05 ERA, is named American League Rookie of the Year. Bahnsen easily outdistances outfielder Del Unser of the Washington Senators.
Jim Bouton agrees to a one-year deal worth $22,000 to play for the expansion Seattle Pilots
Jim Bouton agrees to a one-year deal worth $22,000 to play for the expansion Pilots, who had purchased the right-hander from New York last month for $20,000 with his previous team agreeing to pick up $12,000 of the salary. The knuckleballer will use his tenure with the club, and the Astros after he is traded to Houston, to chronicle the 1969 season, along with stories from his Yankee years, in his groundbreaking book, Ball Four, a publication which will not endear him to the baseball community, especially with his former Bronx Bomber teammates.
1968 – Kent Bottenfield is born in Portland, OR. Expected to solidify the starting rotation in 2001, the righthander lands on the disabled list after just 13 games, posting a 2-5 record with one save.
1968 – Kent Bottenfield is born in Portland, OR. Expected to solidify the starting rotation in 2001, the righthander lands on the disabled list after just 13 games, posting a 2-5 record with one save.
Bob Gibson wins the 1968 National League Most Valuable Player Award
Bob Gibson (22-9, 268 strikeouts, 1.12 ERA) wins the National League’s Most Valuable Player Award, edging out Reds infielder Pete Rose. The Cardinals’ right-hander was also the unanimous winner of the Senior Circuit’s Cy Young Award when he garnered all 20 of the first-place votes cast by the BBWAA.
Pitcher Denny McLain is the unanimous choice as American League Most Valuable Player
1968 – Pitcher Denny McLain, a 31-game winner for the American League champion Detroit Tigers, is the unanimous choice as American League Most Valuable Player.
