1984 – After failing to trade him, the New York Mets give veteran slugger Dave Kingman his release. Kingman hit .198 with 13 home runs last year, but will find a new home as designated hitter with the Oakland Athletics, hitting 35 home runs this year, ranking second behind American League leader Tony Armas, who will finish with 43.
On January 30, 1978, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn cancels the recent trade that sent Vida Blue from the Oakland A’s to the Cincinnati Reds for first baseman Dave Revering and $1.75 million in cash. Believing that the A’s did not receive adequate compensation, Kuhn recommends that the trade be restructured. On February 25, the A’s will…
Former pitcher Addie Joss and former executive Larry MacPhail are voted into the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee.
1977 – Edward W. Stack is elected president of the Hall of Fame. He succeeds Paul Kerr, who is retiring.
1964 – The United States Senate Subcommittee on Monopolies begins hearings on baseball.
1962 – The New York Mets sign Gil Hodges for $33,000. The veteran first baseman had been languishing on the Dodgers’ bench for the past two seasons.
January 30, 1960 – When Henry Aaron was informed that new manager Charlie Dressen was considering moving him from right field to second base, Aaron responded, “I’ll play second if he’ll play third.”
On January 30, 1959, the Pittsburgh Pirates acquire pitcher Harvey Haddix, catcher Smoky Burgess, and infielder Don Hoak (photo)from the Cincinnati Reds for third baseman Frank Thomas, infielder-outfielder Jim Pendleton, outfielder Johnny Powers and pitcher Charles “Whammy” Douglas-cash. The deal will turn out to be one on the worst in Cincinnati history. Frank Thomas (no,…
1958 – Commissioner Ford Frick announces that players and coaches, rather than the fans, will vote on selections for the All-Star Game. The vote will not return to the fans until 1970, when Commissioner Bowie Kuhn reverses Frick’s action. The decision is a reaction to alleged ballot box stuffing by Cincinnati fans before last year’s All-Star Game.
The Little League office is moved to Williamsport, PA, with Peter J. McGovern becoming the circuit’s first full-time president. In November of 1955, Carl Stotz, who started the youth baseball program 28 years earlier, will have strong differences with the increasing commercialization of the organization, causing the L.L.B. Inc. Board to remove him from his position as commissioner.
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