ON February 4, 1963 – Mayor Robert Wagner signs a bill that officially changes the name the of the stadium being constructed in Queens to William A. Shea Municipal Stadium, honoring the New York lawyer who was instrumental in obtaining a National League team for the Big Apple… The ballpark, formerly known as Flushing Meadows…
1962 – Roberto Clemente accepts Pittsburgh’s annual “Dapper Dan Award”, acknowledging both Pirate fans and fellow Pirates in the process. Les Biederman writes in The Sporting News: “Clemente, the Pirates’ National League batting champion, gave credit to the encouragement of the Pittsburgh fans for his feats in 1961 that earned him the Dapper Dan Award at the 26th annual banquet before more than 2,000 persons (all male) at the Hilton Hotel. The Puerto Rican, who climaxed his greatest season in the majors with a .351 batting average, accepted the plaque from Dapper Dan President Al Abrams, sports editor of the sponsoring Post Gazette, and responded to a standing ovation with a moving and sincere speech. ‘Without the fans’ encouragement here, I never could win this award,’ Clemente told the hushed crowd. ‘This award belongs to the fans and my teammates as much as it does to me.'”
1961 – Houston Sports Association announces an agreement with Apache Junction, AZ for spring training facilities beginning the following season. Geronimo Park, in the shadow of Superstition Mountain, serves as the spring home of the Colt .45s in their first two seasons and is remembered best for its desolation and rumored curses.
The BBWAA voters fail to elect a new Hall of Fame member. Edd Roush gets 146 votes, but 202 are necessary for election. Sam Rice (143) and Eppa Rixey (142) are next in line. All three will eventually be elected.
The San Francisco Giants move their offices to Candlestick Park. They will work out of a locker room until the Giants’ facility is completed.
1958 – The Hall of Fame fails to enshrine any new members for the first time since 1950.
February 4, 1957- Braves’ ticket director Bill Eberly said that a record total of 11,927 season tickets had already been sold, and with 10 more days left to purchase them, the total might hit 12,000.
Joe McCarthy and outfielder Sam Crawford are elected to the Hall of Fame
The American League says it will test the automatic intentional walk during spring training. However, it will not be adopted in the majors until 2017.
The Major Leagues vote to establish the Cy Young Memorial Award for the outstanding pitcher of the year. At first, there will be one award for both major leagues.
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