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.
On June 18, 1972, colorful Oakland A’s owner Charlie Finley holds baseball’s first ever “Mustache Day.” Finley agrees to pay $300 to each of his players for growing mustaches by Father’s Day and all do except Vida Blue, who is still bitter about his recent contract negotiations with the team owner. Reggie Jackson had started…
On May 2, 1972, the long holdout of Oakland A’s pitching star Vida Blue comes to an end. Blue, who won the both the American League MVP and Cy Young awards in 1971, agrees to sign a contract for $63,000, after balking at owner Charlie Finley’s previous offers. Perhaps affected by the long layoff, the…
On April 15, 1972, Reggie Jackson of the Oakland A’s becomes the first major leaguer to sport a mustache since Wally Schang of the Philadelphia Athletics in 1914. Jackson starts a trend with the A’s, as owner Charlie Finley eventually encourages all of his players to grow mustaches. By the end of the season, the World Champion A’s will become known as the “Mustache Gang.”
During a visit to the White House, 21 year-old Vida Blue, who is presently 22-4, is told by President Nixon that he is the most underpaid player in the game. The Commander-in-Chief tells the eventual Cy Young Award winner and AL MVP he would like to negotiate the A’s southpaw’s next contract, much to the chagrin of Oakland owner Charlie Finley.
On June 28, 1971, this clip was Originally aired of Vida Blue of the Oakland A’s was in the midst of setting the baseball world on its ear when this story aired. Interviews with Blue’s mother is included as are clips of him pitching against the Kansas City Royals. Royals manager Bob Lemon and first…
Joe Cronin, the AL president, gives in to A’s owner Charlie Finley’s request to allow three balls, rather than four, to constitute a base on balls during an exhibition game against the Brewers. The experiment, designed to add offense and speed up the game, proves to be tedious for both teams when 19 walks are issued as well as six homers being drilled during the 13-9 spring training victory for Oakland.
Interested in exploring FRANCHISING? We will help you through your journey visit us @ www.franchisingconnection.com PODCAST On Friday afternoon April 11, 1969, Major League Baseball came to Seattle with the American League expansion Seattle Pilots debuting at Sick’s Stadium. After near misses with Indians and A’s considering a move to the Pacific Northwest Seattle finally…
On October 22, 1967, Kansas City A’s’ owner Charlie Finley hires Hall of Famer Joe DiMaggio as vice-president. “Joe D.” will also serve as a coach with the A’s.
On October 18, 1967, The American League owners grant Charlie Finley permission to move the Kansas City Athletics to Oakland, California, in time for the start of the 1968 season. Kansas City is promised a new team by 1971, but when Senator Stuart Symington and Kansas City Mayor Ilus Davis threaten action against the move, AL President Joe Cronin reopens talks. The expansion deadline is moved forward to 1969, and will award new franchises to Kansas City and Seattle, the Pilots, will play in Seattle, an ill-advised decision given the fact that new owners will prove to be under-financed.
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