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1996 – Pitcher Russ Springer is signed to a free agent contract. The righthanded reliever has two stints with the Astros (1997, 2004-2006), compiling an 8-9 record with three saves in Houston.

ByTom

1996 – Pitcher Russ Springer is signed to a free agent contract. The righthanded reliever has two stints with the Astros (1997, 2004-2006), compiling an 8-9 record with three saves in Houston.

The San Francisco Giants trade popular second baseman Ron Hunt to the Montreal Expos 

The San Francisco Giants trade popular second baseman Ron Hunt to the Montreal Expos 

ByThis Day in Baseball

1970 – The San Francisco Giants trade popular second baseman Ron Hunt to the Montreal Expos for first baseman Dave McDonald. Hunt will be a solid starter for three seasons in Montreal, while McDonald will be sold back to the Expos less than a year later.

Babe Dahlgren to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for catcher Babe Phelps

Happy New Year to a couple of Babes that swap places

ByTom

1943 – Happy New Year to a couple of Babes that swap places. The Philadelphia Blue Jays (Phillies) send much-traveled first baseman Babe Dahlgren to the Pittsburgh Pirates in exchange for catcher Babe Phelps and cash considerations. A former Yankees first baseman, Dahlgren gained most of his notoriety after replacing Lou Gehrig when the “Iron Horse’s” playing streak ended in 1939.

Chicago Tribune breaks a story that the Detroit Tigers have thrown a four-game series to the Chicago White Sox in 1917

Chicago Tribune breaks a story that the Detroit Tigers have thrown a four-game series to the Chicago White Sox in 1917

ByThis Day in Baseball

1926 – The Chicago Tribune breaks a story that the Detroit Tigers have thrown a four-game series to the Chicago White Sox in 1917 to help Chicago win the pennant. Responding to the publicity, Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis convenes a hearing on the matter, but dismisses all charges. Landis can find no witnesses to confirm any part of Swede Risberg’s claim.

rogers hornsby

In a trade of pitchers, the New York Giants send Jack Bentley and Wayland Dean to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jimmy Ring

ByThis Day in Baseball

1925 – In a trade of pitchers, the New York Giants send Jack Bentley and Wayland Dean to the Philadelphia Phillies for Jimmy Ring. Bentley will return to the Giants before the end of next season.

The Mills Commission on the origins of baseball reports that the game was invented by Abner Doubleday in Cooperstown, New York, in 1839.

The Mills Commission on the origins of baseball reports that the game was invented by Abner Doubleday in Cooperstown, New York, in 1839

ByThis Day in Baseball

1907 – The Mills Commission on the origins of baseball reports that the game was invented by Abner Doubleday in Cooperstown, New York, in 1839. The Commission is convinced by the testimony of Abner Graves, who claimed to be a childhood companion of Doubleday’s. Grave’s story is later “verified” when an old, rotting ball is found among his personal effects; the ball is now in the Hall of Fame. The Commission ignores the fact that Doubleday did not graduate from West Point until 1842.