The Astros trade 3B Bob Aspromonte

ByTom

The Astros trade 3B Bob Aspromonte, who lost his job to Doug Rader, to the Braves for infielder Marty Martinez. Aspro was the last original Colt .45 on Houston’s roster, and when he retires, he will be the last Brooklyn Dodger to play in the majors. Houston also swaps P Mike Cuellar and infielders Elijah Johnson and Enzo Hernandez to the Orioles for outfielders Curt Blefary and John Mason. Cuellar, 8-11 this past season, will average 20 wins a year for five years in Baltimore. This ranks as one of the best trades in Oriole history, along with the one which brought in Frank Robinson.

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 

ByTom

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.

Johnny Bench is named the National League’s Rookie of the Year by the narrowest of margins

Johnny Bench is named the National League’s Rookie of the Year by the narrowest of margins

ByThis Day in Baseball

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.”

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 Seattle Pilots

ByThis Day in Baseball

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.

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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. 

ByTom

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 National League’s Most Valuable Player Award, edging out Reds infielder Pete Rose.
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Bob Gibson wins the National League’s Most Valuable Player Award, edging out Reds infielder Pete Rose.

ByTom

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.