National League votes down a proposal to increase club player limit from 21 to 22
The National League votes down a proposal by the Giants, Braves, and Cubs to increase club player limit from 21 to 22. (The Reds want a decrease to 20.)
National League celebrates its 40th anniversary with a Waldorf-Astoria banque
The National League celebrates its 40th anniversary with a Waldorf-Astoria banquet. The NL’s first president, Morgan G. Bulkeley, is present. The chief speaker is former president William Howard Taft.
Bill Veeck is born in Chicago, Illinois.
On February 9, 1914, Bill Veeck is born in Chicago, Illinois. The future Hall of Famer will become an owner of three major league franchises: the Cleveland Indians, St. Louis Browns and Chicago White Sox. He will introduce an array of creative promotions, including fireworks and exploding scoreboards.
Veteran umpire Hank O’Day, who managed the 1912 Reds, signs to skipper the Cubs.
Veteran umpire Hank O’Day, who managed the 1912 Reds, signs to skipper the Cubs.
world tourists arrive in Rome where they stage a demonstration of the game of baseball
The world tourists arrive in Rome where they stage a demonstration of the game. After a private audience with the Pope, they travel to Paris. They will be rained out in Paris and end the tour in England on February 26, playing before King George V.
Giants and Pirates outfielder Tom O’Brien dies at 28
1901 – Giants and Pirates outfielder Tom O’Brien, 28, dies in Phoenix, AZ. A popular player with the Giants, O’Brien played for Pirates in 1900, then accompanied the Giants and Superbas last fall on a trip to Cuba for a series of exhibition games. On the boat trip over, he was told that if he drank enough sea water he’d be sick, but would then be cured of any sea sickness. Both O’Brien and Kid Gleason became violently ill following the prescription, but O’Brien was so affected that all his internal organs were damaged, and he never recovered.
Andrew Freedman institutes reserved grandstand seats to attract businessmen.
1895 – New York Giants owner Andrew Freedman institutes reserved grandstand seats to attract businessmen.
All-America beats Chicago 10 – 6 in the shadow of the Pyramids outside Cairo
1889 – All-America beats Chicago 10 – 6 in the shadow of the Pyramids outside Cairo, and Cap Anson feels compelled to apologize to the Sphinx for his team’s poor play.
Kansas City Cowboys go out of business
1887 – The Kansas City Cowboys go out of business with the sale of their players to the league for $6,000. The club’s spot in the league has already been taken by Pittsburgh.
Kansas City Cowboys are admitted to the National League
1886 – The Kansas City Cowboys are admitted to the National League on a one-year trial basis.
