On January 20, 1965, the Cleveland Indians re-acquire popular slugger Rocky Colavito from the Chicago White Sox in a three-way deal involving the Kansas City Athletics. In the deal, the White Sox send a player to be named later (pitcher Fred Talbot) and outfielders Jim Landis and Mike Hershberger to Kansas City in exchange for…
1954 – The Cleveland Indians and Washington Senators trade catchers with Joe Tipton going to Washington for Mickey Grasso.
On January 20, 1947, Negro Leagues legend Josh Gibson, suffers a stroke at a movie theater, dying a few hours later at his mother’s house at the age of 35. The stroke was believed to be caused by a brain tumor. He will be put to rest in an unmarked grave in Allegheny…
1946 – In a classic pitching matchup played in the newly-constituted Venezuelan League, Alex Carrasquel of Magallanes beats Roy Welmaker and the Equipo Vargas club, 3 – 2, in 17 innings. In the six-and-a-half-hour marathon, Carrasquel is good enough to silence the bats of Roy Campanella and Sam Jethroe. Both pitchers go the distance in one of the greatest winter league matchups ever.
On January 20, 1931, the New York Yankees sign future Hall of Famer Joe Sewell. The former star shortstop batted .289 for the Indians in 1930 before drawing his release. He will end his career with the Yankees, hitting .282 during his three-year tenure with New York. The 33 year-old third baseman will be inducted…
1930 – Commissioner Landis bans boxing for all players following the brief boxing career of Chicago White Sox first baseman Art Shires. His challenge to slugger Hack Wilson purportedly prompts the ban. Shires fought several suspected bouts that resulted in his being suspended by the boxing commissions of 32 states but loses a desultory five-rounder to Chicago Bears center George “The Brute” Trafton. Shires did win a punch-out with Sox manager Lena Blackburne and two hotel detectives late last season.
1916 – The New York Giants buy center fielder Edd Roush from the Newark Peppers of the defunct Federal League for $7,500. Roush will hit just .188 in New York before being packaged to Cincinnati, where he will blossom into a Hall of Famer.
Henry Mathewson signs with the Giants, but the right-hander’s performance will not remind anyone of his more talented brother, Christy. The 19 year-old will appear in just two major league games over the next two seasons, compiling a 0-1 record along with an ERA of 4.91.
1885 – The American Association is reorganized, with clubs from St. Louis, Cincinnati, Pittsburgh, Brooklyn, Louisville, New York and Baltimore.
1882 – The Kentucky Legislature modifies a recently-passed law which inadvertently prohibited the playing of baseball games in the commonwealth.
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