1973 – Hall of Fame member Frankie Frisch dies in Wilmington, Delaware, at the age of 74. Frisch batted .316 over a 19-year career. As player-manager for the St. Louis Cardinals, he led the team to the 1934 World Championship.
1973 – Larry Hisle of the Minnesota Twins becomes the first designated hitter in major league history during an exhibition game against the Pittsburgh Pirates. Hisle makes the new American League rule look good by collecting two home runs and seven runs batted in.
On March 2, 1973, Arizona State left-hander Eddie Bane pitches a perfect game against Cal State Northridge. The five-foot, nine-inch Bane, who wins a 9-0 decision, Bane will rack up a record of 41-4 in college. He will eventually reach the major leagues with the Minnesota Twins, but will win only seven games in three…
On February 27, 1973, Chicago White Sox first baseman Dick Allen signs the richest contract in baseball history-a three-year deal worth $250,000 per season. Allen won the American League’s MVP Award in 1972 after leading the league in home runs, RBIs, and slugging percentage.
players and owners come to terms on a three-year collective bargaining agreement
In a national poll, Phillies’ southpaw Steve Carlton beats out golf legend Jack Nicklaus to win the $15,000 diamond-studded gold buckled Hickok Belt, an award given to the top “Professional Athlete of the Year.” Last season’s National League Cy Young Award winner joins an elite list of previous recipients that includes Willie Mays, Sandy Koufax, Jim Brown, Rocky Marciano, and Arnold Palmer.
1973 – MLB owners announce that “early bird” spring training camps are canceled until all bargaining with the Players’ Association is concluded.
Monte Irvin is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Committee on the Negro Leagues
On January 24, 1973, Warren Spahn is elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA. Spahn, in his first year of eligibility, is named on 316 out of a possible 380 ballots. Spahn won a total of 363 games during a 21-year major league career.
Nineteenth century players Mickey Welch and Mike Kelly are selected by the Hall of Fame Special Veterans Committee for enshrinement in Cooperstown. ‘Smiling Mickey’, who posted a 307-210 (.594) during his 13 years in the National League, and ‘King Kelly’, baseball’s first matinee idol, will be joined Billy Evans, nicknamed ‘The Boy Umpire’, who, at age 22, became the youngest arbitrator in major league history.
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