Jim Deshaies, former Astro lefthander and current broadcaster, receives one vote in the Hall of Fame balloting. It comes from local sportswriter John Lopez. Deshaies receives notoriety for a humorous website openly promoting his candidacy for Cooperstown. At least he would have worn an Astros cap.
On January 16, 1996, major league baseball’s executive council approves a history-making first: inter-league play for the 1997 season. The Players’ Association will eventually give its approval, enabling geographic rivals like the Mets and Yankees, Cubs and White Sox, and Angels and Dodgers to play each other during the regular season.
The San Francisco Giants sign much-acclaimed amateur free agent Osvaldo Fernandez. The Cuban national squad’s All-Star pitcher, who defected as his club played Team USA in Tennessee, will post a disappointing 10-17 record during two seasons with the Giants.
On January 16, 1986, the New York Mets acquire second baseman Tim Teufel and a minor leaguer from the Minnesota Twins for three minor leaguers: outfielder Billy Beane and pitchers Joe Klink and Bill Latham. Teufel will platoon with Wally Backman during the Mets’ 1986 championship run. Baseball HOT ON EBAY Card Collections ENDING…
January 16, 1975 – The Twins release future hall of famer, 38-year-old slugger Harmon Killebrew. He was promptly signed by the Royals. He hit his 573rd and final major league home run at Met Stadium off Eddie Bane on September 18, 1975.
1974 – The Baseball Writers Association of America elects former New York Yankees teammates Mickey Mantle and Whitey Ford to the Hall of Fame. Mantle becomes only the seventh player to make it in his first try. His 536 home runs with the Yankees rank second only to Babe Ruth, and he played in more games (2,401) than any other pinstriper, including Lou Gehrig. Ford was arguably the greatest Yankees pitcher of all time, retiring with more wins (236), innings pitched (3,171), strikeouts (1,956), and shutouts (45) than anyone in club history.
Steve Carlton becomes the highest paid pitcher when he signs a contract with the Phillies for a reported $165,000. The 28 year-old southpaw, last season’s unanimous Cy Young Award winner, will lose a league-leading 20 games this season after posting a 27-10 record in the previous campaign for the last place team.
On January 16 1970 — Gold Glove outfielder Curt Flood files a lawsuit challenging the reserve clause, which binds major league players to teams perpetually. Flood had been traded by the St. Louis Cardinals to the Philadelphia Phillies on October 7, 1969, but has refused to report to the Phillies. Flood contends that the…
On January 16, 1964, American League owners vote down Charlie Finley’s proposed move of the Kansas City A’s to Louisville. The owners, who vote 9-1 against the proposal, also tell Finley the maverick owner is given an ultimatum to sign a lease in Kansas City by February 1 or lose his franchise. Ten days…
The NFL Steelers beat the Pirates, 22-20 in a benefit basketball game played at the Field House for the Children’s Hospital. The Bucs’ very competitive shortstop Dick Groat, a Duke University hoop standout, scores 14 points, but takes exception to the foul called on him by Bob Prince, the team’s broadcaster refereeing the game, that allows their football rivals to tie the score in the final few seconds of the contest and eventually win the scheduled 15-minute exhibition in overtime.
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