On February 12, 1994, Hall of Fame third baseman Ray Dandridge dies at the age of 80. The former Negro Leagues star batted .322 for his career and gained election to the Hall of Fame in 1987.
1991 – Astros owner John McMullen announces he has cleared the way for Houston to host the 1992 Republican National Convention at the Astrodome. The GOP has already selected Houston but there are details to resolve. National League President Bill Giles and Players Union chief Donald Fehr both voice their disapproval of the proposed 30-day road trip that the Astros will take in order to free up the Dome for the convention.
1988 – The San Diego Padres trade reliever Rich Gossage to the Chicago Cubs for infielder Keith Moreland in a deal that also includes a pair of minor league players.
On February 12, 1981, Arbitrator Raymond Goetz officially declares Carlton Fisk a free agent, citing the Boston Red Sox had violated the CBA by not mailing the catcher’s contract by the December 20th deadline as specified in the agreement. Next month, the 33 year-old future Hall of Fame backstop will sign a $3.5 million deal…
The plan of Marv Davis to buy the A’s from Charlie Finley is thwarted when the American League offers to buy out the Oakland Coliseum lease. The billionaire businessman, who will also make failed bids for the NFL’s Cowboys and Broncos, had hoped to move the franchise from the City by the Bay to Denver.
1955 – In Caracas, Roberto Clemente and Willie Mays hit crucial home runs to lead the Santurce Crabbers of Puerto Rico to a 4 – 2 victory over Venezuela’s entry, Magallanes, in the Caribbean World Series championship. Mays’ homer comes in the 11th inning.
1945 – Don Wilson is born in Monroe, LA. He wins 104 games and tosses two no-hitters in eight memorable seasons as an Astro. He was the third baseman on his Little League team in Compton, CA and only began pitching when his cousin got hurt.
1944 – Bob Coleman is named as manager of the Boston Braves. Previously, Coleman was managing in the minors for twenty-three years.
1942 – Minor league outfielder Gordon Houston becomes the first player in Organized Baseball to die during active duty in World War II. Houston had played with Texarkana in 1940.
1940 – The Brooklyn Dodgers purchase outfielder Joe Vosmik from the Boston Red Sox.
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