1956 – New York City Mayor Robert F. Wagner and Brooklyn Borough President Frank Cashmore sponsor a bill to create a Brooklyn Sports Center Authority, which will propose building a $30 million downtown sports center.
California governor Earl Warren denies the rumor that he is being considered to be baseball’s next commissioner. The former vice-presidential candidate, who was Thomas Dewey’s running mate on the Republican ticket in the last election, will be confirmed as the 14th Chief Justice of the United States in 1954.
1942 – The Boston Braves obtain outfielder Tommy Holmes from the New York Yankees for Buddy Hassett and Gene Moore in one of the best trades in Braves history. Hassett will hit .284, then join the Navy and never make it back to the major leagues. The much-traveled Moore will never play for the Yankees. Holmes couldn’t break into New York’s All-Star line-up, but he will be a .302 career hitter and will lead the Braves to the National League pennant in 1948.
1935 – At 39 years of age, home run king Babe Ruth is released by the New York Yankees. He will sign with the Boston Braves to play one more season, but will not complete it.
On February 5, 1934, a day before Babe Ruth’s 39th birthday, future all-time home run leader Hammerin’ Hank Aaron is born in Mobile, Alabama. After a one-year stint with the Negro Leagues’ Indianapolis Clowns, Aaron will make his major league debut with the Milwaukee Braves on April 13, 1954. The slugger, who will finish his…
Hack Wilson, who set National League records last season when he drove in 191 runs and hit 56 home runs, a mark since surpassed in 1998 by Mark McGwire and Sammy Sosa, signs for $35,000. The 31 year-old Cub outfielder’s 1930 RBI total remains one of the game’s most enduring records.
The Reds select Leo Durocher (.246, 0, 32) off waivers. The 24 year-old shortstop, an unpopular player in the Yankees clubhouse, falls out of favor in New York after a salary dispute with Ed Barrow, the club’s general manager.
On this February 5 1928 in Brooklyn Dodger history, at the Annual Baseball Writer’s banquet, mayor Jimmy Walker of New York City is twitted about his reported ambition to purchase an interest in the Brooklyn team.
1921 – The New York Yankees purchase 10 acres of land in the Bronx. The Yankees will use the land as the site for their new park, which will be called Yankee Stadium.
National League chief John Heydler dismisses charges against Cincinnati Reds star Hal Chase
Enjoy our free trial and start listening to games, interviews and shows! Ruth, Mantle, Aaron, and Seaver!