On January 2, 1986, legendary major league owner Bill Veeck dies at the age of 71. The victim of a heart attack after several years of poor health, Veeck had owned the St. Louis Browns, Cleveland Indians, and Chicago White Sox at various times during his career. Known as one of the most colorful and…
On January 2, 1981 At Ponce, Puerto Rico, the Santurce Crabbers beat the Ponce Lions, 11 – 4. Ponce’s Rickey Henderson steals his 41st and 42nd bases, breaking the old Puerto Rican League record of 41 set by Carlos Bernier in the 1949-50 season. Henderson will finish the season with 44 stolen bases.
On January 2, 1977 MLB Commissioner Bowie Kuhn suspends Atlanta Braves owner Ted Turner for one year as a result of tampering charges in the Gary Matthews free agent signing. The Braves are permitted to keep the outfielder, however. The Braves owner, an accomplished sailor, uses his free time to pursue another goal, winning this…
1965 – Greg Swindell is born in Fort Worth, TX. Signed to a big free agent contract, the lefthander has a disappointing stint in Houston from 1993 to 1996, going 30-34 with a 4.48 ERA.
On January 2, 1946 The Chicago White Sox buy pitcher Alex Carrasquel and shortstop Fred Vaughn from the Washington Senators. Carrasquel will make only three appearances for the White Sox before The Venezuelan right-hander rejects the deal and signs a three-year contract to hurl in Jorge Pasquel’s Mexican League, becoming the first major leaguer to jump to a team south of the…
On January 2, 1918, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquire outfielder Casey Stengel and infielder George Cutshaw from the Brooklyn Robins for pitcher Burleigh Grimes and Al Mamaux, and infielder Chuck Ward. Stengel will play only two seasons with the Pirates before moving on to Philadelphia, but will eventually enjoy a Hall of Fame career as a…
On January 2, 1915, the St. Louis Cardinals file suit against star outfielder Lee Magee in an effort to prevent him from signing with the Brooklyn Tip-Tops of the Federal League. The suit will fail, clearing the way for Magee to play and manage in the rival league. [jetpack_subscription_form title=”Join the Community” subscribe_text=”We bring you…
On January 2, 1912, Brooklyn Dodgers president Charles Ebbets announces his intention to purchase 4.5 acres of land in the Pigtown section of Brooklyn on which a new 23,000-seat stadium. The stadium will be built with concrete and steel will be built. Construction on the ballpark will start on March 14th. Ebbets decides to name the ballpark…
On January 2, 1888, star second baseman Fred “Sure Shot” Dunlap signs with Pittsburgh of the National League, becoming the highest paid player in the major leagues. Dunlap, who batted .327 with 10 triples for Detroit in 1887, receives a salary of $5,000 and a bonus of $2,000. [jetpack_subscription_form title=”Join the Community” subscribe_text=”We bring you…
On January 2, 1879 The Northwestern League, considered the first minor league circuit in baseball history, is organized in Rockford, Illinois. The fledgling organization, which includes teams from Davenport, Omaha, Dubuque, and Rockford, will be defunct before the season ends as a result of lacking a fixed schedule and paying the players more than their…
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