In accepting the Tris Speaker Award from Houston sportswriters, Roberto Clemente gives a speech which, apart from being called by many of those in attendance “the best talk any baseball player ever made,” is the source of Clemente’s most famous – if oft misquoted – assertion: “If you have an opportunity to accomplish something that will make things better for someone coming behind you, and you don’t do that, you are wasting your time on this earth.”

ByTom

In accepting the Tris Speaker Award from Houston sportswriters, Roberto Clemente gives a speech which, apart from being called by many of those in attendance “the best talk any baseball player ever made,” is the source of Clemente’s most famous – if oft misquoted – assertion: “If you have an opportunity to accomplish something that will make things better for someone coming behind you, and you don’t do that, you are wasting your time on this earth.”

Pirates and Cardinals make 4 player deal the trade is key to 1971 Championship

Pirates and Cardinals make 4 player deal the trade is key to 1971 Championship

ByThis Day in Baseball

On January 29, 1971, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquire pitcher Nellie Briles and outfielder Vic Davalillo from the St. Louis Cardinals for outfielder Matty Alou and pitcher George Brunet. Briles and Davalillo will play important roles in the Bucs’ 1971 World Championship. Alou was the big piece in the deal. He hit .327 over five seasons…

No player receives three-fourths of the necessary votes to be elected into the Hall of Fame

No player receives three-fourths of the necessary votes to be elected into the Hall of Fame

ByThis Day in Baseball

1971 – No player receives three-fourths of the necessary votes to be elected into the Hall of Fame, with Yogi Berra (242) and Early Wynn (240) coming the closest. Berra and Wynn will be elected in next year’s vote.

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Two former Houston first round draft choices are born on this day

ByTom

1971 – Two former Houston first round draft choices are born on this day. Infielder Phil Nevin is born in Fullerton, CA. The first pick overall in the 1992 June draft, Nevin tries management’s patience before being traded to Detroit. Pitcher Jeff Juden is born in Salem, MA. The 6-8 righthander is the 12th overall pick in the 1989 draft but would record just a 0-3 record before being dealt. 

John Hiller

John Hiller: Heart Attack Survivor to Detroit’s Save Leader

ByThis Day in Baseball

John Hiller: Heart Attack Survivor to Detroit’s Save Leader On January 11, 1971, Twenty-seven year-old Tiger pitcher John Hiller drives himself to the hospital after suffering a heart attack while relaxing at home. After missing the entire season this year, the Canadian native will make a great comeback with the team in 1973, establishing a…

Elmer_Flick

Hall of Fame outfielder Elmer Flick dies at the age of 94

ByThis Day in Baseball

On January 9, 1971, Hall of Fame outfielder Elmer Flick dies at the age of 94. Flick batted over .300 eight times and won a batting title in 1905. During a 13-year career, Flick stole 330 bases. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IGp1c3QgY2xpY2sgdGhlIHRhZ3MhICAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImxpbmtfdG9fdGVybV9wYWdlIjoib24iLCJzZXBhcmF0b3IiOiIgfCAiLCJjYXRlZ29yeV90eXBlIjoicG9zdF90YWcifX0=@

Bobby Tolan ruptures his Achilles tendon playing basketball

Bobby Tolan ruptures his Achilles tendon playing basketball

ByThis Day in Baseball

On January 7, 1971, Cincinnati Reds star Bobby Tolan ruptures his Achilles tendon while playing basketball. Tolan will miss the entire season and will never regain the form that he displayed in 1970, when he batted .316 and stole a league-leading 57 bases. Bobby Tolan will not be streak­ing along the paths until June 1…