The first player strike in Major League Baseball history ends, with an abbreviated schedule to start two days later.
The first player strike in Major League Baseball history ends, with an abbreviated schedule to start two days later.
April 1972 The First Strike in Baseball
On April 6, 1972, the first general strike in the history of the major leagues officially begins with the cancellation of Opening Day games in both leagues. The strike will be settled seven days later when the players and owners come to agreement on pension fund payments. The two sides agree not to make up the 86 missed games.
Rusty Staub acquired by New York Mets
On April 5, 1972, the New York Mets acquire outfielder Rusty Staub from the Montreal Expos for a package of three players: Ken Singleton, Tim Foli, and Mike Jorgensen. Staub will help the Mets to the National League pennant in 1973.
The season opener between the Astros and Reds is canceled due to the player strike which started on April 1. The work stoppage cancels Opening Day for the for the first time in major league history, with a total of 86 games not played until both sides agree on an increase in pension fund payments with the owners also adding salary arbitration to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
The season opener between the Astros and Reds is canceled due to the player strike which started on April 1. The work stoppage cancels Opening Day for the for the first time in major league history, with a total of 86 games not played until both sides agree on an increase in pension fund payments with the owners also adding salary arbitration to the Collective Bargaining Agreement.
Gil Hodges suffers heart attack and passes away
On April 2, 1972, New York Mets manager Gil Hodges collapses just minutes after completing a round of golf in West Palm Beach, Florida, and dies of a heart attack. The popular Hodges dies just two days before his 48th birthday. Hodges had guided the Mets to their “miraculous” World Series championship in 1969.
Hank Aaron, Rico Carty, and Orlando Cepeda all start in an exhibition game. The contest marks the first time the trio of sluggers, sidelined with a variety of injuries over the past two seasons, has appeared together in the Braves lineup since 1970.
Hank Aaron, Rico Carty, and Orlando Cepeda all start in an exhibition game. The contest marks the first time the trio of sluggers, sidelined with a variety of injuries over the past two seasons, has appeared together in the Braves lineup since 1970.
Marvin Miller finds 663 players are in favor of a strike
1972 – Marvin Miller, executive director of the Major League Baseball Players Association, completes his canvass of players on the strike issue. 663 vote in favor of a strike, ten vote against, and two players abstain.
1972 – The Cincinnati Reds send pitcher Tony Cloninger to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for second baseman Julian Javier.
1972 – The Cincinnati Reds send pitcher Tony Cloninger to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for second baseman Julian Javier.
American League approves the sale of the Cleveland Indians by Vernon Stouffer
On March 22, 1972 — The American League approves the sale of the Cleveland Indians by Vernon Stouffer. A group headed up by businessman Nick Mileti purchases the team for an estimated $9.7 million. Mileti also owns the Cleveland Cavaliers of the National Basketball Association and the Cleveland Crusaders of the World Hockey Association. Stouffer turned down an earlier offer from local business tycoon George…
New York Yankees make one of the best trades in franchise history. The Yankees acquire reliever Sparky Lyle
On March 22, 1972, the New York Yankees make one of the best trades in franchise history. The Yankees acquire reliever Sparky Lyle from the Boston Red Sox for infielder Danny Cater. In seven seasons with the Yankees, Lyle will post a 57-40 record with 141 saves and a 2.41 ERA, win a Cy Young…
