future major league star Ozzie Smith is born in Mobile, Alabama

future major league star Ozzie Smith is born in Mobile, Alabama

ByThis Day in Baseball

On December 26, 1954, future major league star Ozzie Smith is born in Mobile, Alabama. In 1978, the “Wizard of Oz” will make his debut with the San Diego Padres and will eventually establish himself as one of the game’s greatest defensive shortstops… He was a 15X All-Star, won 13 Gold Glove Awards, won the…

The Milwaukee Braves make the first 6 for 1 trade

The Milwaukee Braves make the first 6 for 1 trade

ByThis Day in Baseball

December 26, 1953 – In the first six-players-for-one deal in baseball history, the Braves acquired infielder Danny O’Connell from the Pittsburgh Pirates. O’Connell, a third baseman, was used as a second baseman by the Braves. He will hit .279 in 1954 but fall of quickly after that. He was traded for Larry Lassalle (minors), Sid…

With a large portion going to the players’ pension fund, outgoing Commissioner Happy Chandler announces the Gillette Razor Company has purchased the television rights to the All-Star Game for six years for six million dollars.

With a large portion going to the players’ pension fund, outgoing Commissioner Happy Chandler announces the Gillette Razor Company has purchased the television rights to the All-Star Game for six years for six million dollars.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1950 – With a large portion going to the players’ pension fund, outgoing Commissioner Happy Chandler announces the Gillette Razor Company has purchased the television rights to the All-Star Game for six years for six million dollars.

future Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk is born in Bellows Falls, Vermont

future Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk is born in Bellows Falls, Vermont

ByThis Day in Baseball

    On December 26, 1947, future Hall of Famer Carlton Fisk is born in Bellows Falls, Vermont. Fisk will hit a record at the time 351 home runs as a catcher with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Play by Play, Box Scores, News Paper Reports and other links Other Resources…

Matsutaro Shoriki, head of Yomiuri Newspapers, announces the official formation of Japan’s first professional team, the Tokyo-based Yomiuri Giants. The team is made up of players signed to compete against the American All-Star team. Professional league play, with six teams, will not begin until 1936.

ByTom

Matsutaro Shoriki, head of Yomiuri Newspapers, announces the official formation of Japan’s first professional team, the Tokyo-based Yomiuri Giants. The team is made up of players signed to compete against the American All-Star team. Professional league play, with six teams, will not begin until 1936.

Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee makes a secret agreement to sell Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees 

Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee makes a secret agreement to sell Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees 

ByThis Day in Baseball

1919 – Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee makes a secret agreement to sell Babe Ruth to the New York Yankees for $100,000 (one-fourth cash, plus $25,000 a year at 6 percent) plus guaranteeing a $300,000 loan with Fenway Park as collateral. The transaction will be announced publicly in one week.

Sherry Magee

The Philadelphia Phillies trade star outfielder and team captain Sherry Magee to the Boston Braves for cash and two players to be named later

ByThis Day in Baseball

1914 – The Philadelphia Phillies trade star outfielder and team captain Sherry Magee to the Boston Braves for cash and two players to be named later. The two turn out to be Possum Whitted and Oscar Dugey. Magee led the National League in hits (171), doubles (39), RBI (103), and slugging average (.509), while hitting .314 with 15 home runs and 92 runs. On the first day of 1915 spring training at Macon, Georgia, Magee will step in a hole while shagging fly balls and break his collar bone. He will hit just .280 with two home runs and 87 RBI in 156 games.

In an effort to prevent hitters from rubbing out chalk lines, National League umpire Hank O’Day suggests white rubber strips be used to mark out the batter’s box

In an effort to prevent hitters from rubbing out chalk lines, National League umpire Hank O’Day suggests white rubber strips be used to mark out the batter’s box

ByThis Day in Baseball

In an effort to prevent hitters from rubbing out chalk lines, National League umpire Hank O’Day suggests white rubber strips be used to mark out the batter’s box. The former right-handed hurler and future Hall of Famer will interrupt his 30-year umpiring career to manage the Reds in 1912 and the Cubs in 1914, becoming the only person ever to play, manage, and umpire for a full season in the major leagues.