All clubs will comply within forty-eight hours to Commissioner Kuhn’s orders to open spring training camps as soon as possible, abruptly ending the 17-day work stoppage. The lockout, initiated by the owners over their concerns about free agency and the free-entry draft, will not impact the start of the regular season.

ByThis Day in Baseball

All clubs will comply within forty-eight hours to Commissioner Kuhn’s orders to open spring training camps as soon as possible, abruptly ending the 17-day work stoppage. The lockout, initiated by the owners over their concerns about free agency and the free-entry draft, will not impact the start of the regular season.

ray kroc
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Ray Kroc will suffer with fans

ByThis Day in Baseball

On April 9, 1974, San Diego Padres owner Ray Kroc criticizes his team over the public address system-during a game! “Ladies and gentlemen, I suffer with you,” Kroc says. “I’ve never seen such stupid baseball playing in my life.” The announcement occurs during San Diego’s 9-5 loss to the Houston Astros. Coincidentally, the “San Diego Chicken” makes its debut that day.

Kuhn and Aaron

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn orders the Atlanta Braves to play Hank Aaron

ByThis Day in Baseball

On March 11, 1974, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn orders the Atlanta Braves to play Hank Aaron in at least two of the team’s season-opening three games on the road. The Braves had planned to bench Aaron on the road in order to increase his chances of hitting his record-breaking 715th home run at home.

Willie Mays gets his last hit, an RBI-single that plates the decisive run in the 12th inning of the Mets’ 10-7 victory over the A’s

ByThis Day in Baseball

The contest in which Willie Mays gets his last hit, an RBI-single that plates the decisive run in the 12th inning of the Mets’ 10-7 victory over the A’s in the second game of the World Series, will be best remembered for the aging superstar’s misadventures in the outfield when he loses two fly balls in the sun at the Oakland-Alameda County Coliseum. The game takes four-hours and 13 minutes to complete, making it the longest Fall Classic contest ever played.

Willie Mays appears in his final All-Star Game 

ByThis Day in Baseball

1973 – Although not selected, Willie Mays appears in the All-Star Game thanks to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn increasing the player limit so the “Say Hey Kid” can participate in the Mid-summer classic. Mays strikes out in his final All-Star appearance. The National League wins, 7 – 1. A record 54 players are used, including Catfish Hunter, who sustains a fractured thumb that will sideline him for four weeks. The A’s ace has a 15-3 record at the time.

The owners vote in the DH for a 3 year experiment

The owners vote in the DH for a 3 year experiment

ByThis Day in Baseball

Houston owner Judge Roy Hofheinz votes along with the rest of the National League to allow the American League to conduct a three-year experiment using the Designated Hitter. It will be the first time since the A.L. was formed in 1901 that the two major leagues would have a different set of rules. The gimmick has survived ever since and is now used by National League teams when involved in interleague play.

Bowie Kuhn

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announces that Negro leagues players elected to the Hall of Fame will be given full membership in the Museum and will not be honored in a separate wing

ByThis Day in Baseball

On July 7, 1971, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announces that Negro leagues players elected to the Hall of Fame will be given full membership in the Museum and will not be honored in a separate wing. Satchel Paige will become the first Negro Leaguer to be inducted later in the year. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Play by Play, Box…

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announces former Negro League players will have a separate wing in the Hall of Fame. Due to the controversy the announcement causes, it is decided inclusion in regular Hall of Fame is more fitting and more of an honor for the former black players.

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announces former Negro League players will have a separate wing in the Hall of Fame. Due to the controversy the announcement causes, it is decided inclusion in regular Hall of Fame is more fitting and more of an honor for the former black players.

ByTom

1971 – Commissioner Bowie Kuhn announces former Negro League players will have a separate wing in the Hall of Fame. Due to the controversy the announcement causes, it is decided inclusion in regular Hall of Fame is more fitting and more of an honor for the former black players.

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McLain for the third time on the season

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McLain for the third time on the season

ByThis Day in Baseball

On September 9, 1970, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends Detroit Tigers pitcher Denny McLain for the third time on the season. McLain’s latest ban, which results from him carrying a gun, along with other unspecified charges, will sideline him for the rest of the season…