2000 – The 30 major league owners vote to give all their Internet rights to the Commissioner’s office. This decision allows for the creation of mlb.com, which will become a model of success for other professional sports leagues. Bud Selig will parcel out monies earned from the venture in equal amounts, creating an important new source of revenue for all teams.

ByTom

2000 – The 30 major league owners vote to give all their Internet rights to the Commissioner’s office. This decision allows for the creation of mlb.com, which will become a model of success for other professional sports leagues. Bud Selig will parcel out monies earned from the venture in equal amounts, creating an important new source of revenue for all teams.

Signed Lee Smith Picture - Chicago Cubs 8x10 W coa

Veteran reliever Lee Smith and third baseman Terry Pendleton sign minor league contracts with the Kansas City Royals

ByTom

1998 – Veteran reliever Lee Smith and third baseman Terry Pendleton sign minor league contracts with the Kansas City Royals, who invite them to spring training as non-roster players.

Curt Flood 1968

Former outfielder Curt Flood dies of throat cancer at the age of 59

ByTom

Former outfielder Curt Flood, who played most notably with the Cardinals, dies of throat cancer at the age of 59. The baseball pioneer, after being traded to the Phillies in 1969, refused to play for Philadelphia and challenged the owners’ reserve clause, taking the matter as far as the U.S. Supreme Court, where he lost the case but laid the groundwork which would lead to free agency in professional sports.

1977 – The Yankees obtain outfielder Paul Blair from Baltimore for two prospects. Blair will prove a fine defensive addition to the Yankees.

ByTom

1977 – The Yankees obtain outfielder Paul Blair from Baltimore for two prospects. Blair will prove a fine defensive addition to the Yankees.

Lou_Boudreau

Shortstop/Manager Lou Boudreau achieves election to the Hall of Fame

ByTom

1970 – Shortstop Lou Boudreau achieves election to the Hall of Fame, receiving 232 of a possible 300 votes from the BBWAA. Boudreau led the American League eight times in fielding percentage, won a batting title, and was named AL Most Valuable Player as player-manager of the 1948 World Champion Cleveland Indians.

The Baseball Writers Association of America elects former Boston Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams to the Hall of Fame

The Baseball Writers Association of America elects former Boston Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams to the Hall of Fame

ByThis Day in Baseball

1966 – The Baseball Writers Association of America elects former Boston Red Sox outfielder Ted Williams to the Hall of Fame. Williams, the last major league batter to hit .400, receives 282 of a possible 302 votes. He won the Triple Crown twice, the American League MVP Award twice, and produced the highest career on-base percentage of all time (.483), even though he lost five years to military service.