The Pittsburgh Pirates send pitcher Claude Passeau and catcher Earl Grace to the Philadelphia Phillies for catcher Al Todd. Passeau will have three decent seasons in Philadelphia before blossoming with the Cubs.

The Pittsburgh Pirates send pitcher Claude Passeau and catcher Earl Grace to the Philadelphia Phillies for catcher Al Todd. Passeau will have three decent seasons in Philadelphia before blossoming with the Cubs.

Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis clears Ty Cobb

Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis clears Ty Cobb

Given the outpouring of public support for the popular players and the failure of the accuser to publicly defend his claim at a hearing last month, Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis announces Ty Cobb’s former Tiger teammate Dutch Leonard had accused the Georgia Peach and Indian outfielder Tris Speaker of betting on a fixed baseball game played six years ago. The commissioner will declare the matter closed, giving both future Hall of Famers a clean bill of health.

Josh Gibson

Hall of Fame catcher Josh Gibson is born in Buena Vista, Georgia

On December 21, 1911, future Hall of Fame catcher Josh Gibson is born in Buena Vista, Georgia. Although record-keeping in the Negro Leagues is somewhat nebulous, Gibson will become the leading home run hitter in all of black baseball. Gibson’s legendary power will earn him the nickname, “The Black Babe Ruth.” Gibson began his pro…

In the New York Evening Journal‚ 80s player-manager Sam Crane picks his all-time list

In the New York Evening Journal‚ 80s player-manager Sam Crane picks his all-time list‚ in response to a list that Charles Comiskey compiled. Crane graciously faults Comiskey for not including himself‚ as well as for not going back far enough. He lists 20 in chronological order: G. Wright‚ Ross Barnes‚ C. Anson‚ M. Kelly‚ C. Radbourne F. Dunlap‚ B. Ewing‚ J. Ward‚ C. Comiskey‚ B. Lange‚ J. McGraw‚ L. Lajoie‚ F. Clarke‚ H. Wagner‚ W. Keeler‚ J. Collins‚ C. Mathewson‚ H. Chase‚ T. Cobb‚ and E. Collins.

1871 – The National Association’s Boston Red Stockings meet and elect a new board of directors, who will retain Harry Wright as manager. The club reports an operating surplus of $75 on home attendance of around 35,000.

1871 – The National Association’s Boston Red Stockings meet and elect a new board of directors, who will retain Harry Wright as manager. The club reports an operating surplus of $75 on home attendance of around 35,000.