The American and National leagues agree to try an experimental rule change in spring training using a designated pinch hitter

ByTom

The American and National leagues agree to try an experimental rule change in spring training using a designated pinch hitter, but they don’t agree on the implementation. The AL tells the teams to use the DPH when they are the home team; the NL gives the home manager the choice of which rules to use, but the visiting manager has to agree. The Mets, Giants, and Cardinals say that they will not use the rules, and the Astros and Reds follow suit.

Masanori Murakami, the first Japanese player in the major leagues, says he will not play for the San Francisco Giants this season

ByThis Day in Baseball

Masanori Murakami, the first Japanese player in the major leagues, says he will not play for the San Francisco Giants this season, instead returning to the Nankai Hawks. This ends a long dispute over the rights to Murakami and no Nippon Pro Baseball player will try to come to the US for almost 30 years due to the legal and cultural barriers on both sides.

Willie Mays signs the largest contract in baseball reportedly $90,000 for the upcoming season

Willie Mays signs the largest contract in baseball reportedly $90,000 for the upcoming season

ByThis Day in Baseball

On January 31, 1962, San Francisco Giants star Willie Mays signs the largest contract in baseball, reportedly $90,000 for the upcoming season. Mays will earn every penny in 1962, when he bats .304 with 49 home runs and 141 RBIs and helps the Giants to the National League pennant. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@[jetpack_subscription_form title=”Subscribe to This Day In…

Houston voters approve financing for a domed stadium, removing the last hurdle to gaining a major league franchise for the Texas city. The Astrodome, the eighth wonder of the world, will be the result of today’s approval and will serve as the Astros’ home from 1965-1999.

Houston voters approve financing for a domed stadium, removing the last hurdle to gaining a major league franchise for the Texas city. The Astrodome, the eighth wonder of the world, will be the result of today’s approval and will serve as the Astros’ home from 1965-1999.

ByTom

Houston voters approve financing for a domed stadium, removing the last hurdle to gaining a major league franchise for the Texas city. The Astrodome, the eighth wonder of the world, will be the result of today’s approval and will serve as the Astros’ home from 1965-1999.

Joe Cronin succeeds Will Harridge as president of the American League
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Joe Cronin succeeds Will Harridge as president of the American League

ByThis Day in Baseball

  On January 31, 1959, former major league star Joe Cronin succeeds Will Harridge as president of the American League. A Hall of Fame shortstop who played for Pittsburgh, Washington, and Boston, Cronin batted .301 over a 20-year playing career. Cronin will remain in office until his retirement in 1973. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IC0gLSAtIC0gLSAtIC0gIiwiYWZ0ZXIiOiIiLCJsaW5rX3RvX3Rlcm1fcGFnZSI6Im9uIiwic2VwYXJhdG9yIjoiIHwgIiwiY2F0ZWdvcnlfdHlwZSI6InBvc3RfdGFnIn19@ Play by Play, Box…

Chicago Black Sox – Buck Weaver dies at the age of 65

Chicago Black Sox – Buck Weaver dies at the age of 65

ByThis Day in Baseball

On January 31, 1956, former major leaguer Buck Weaver dies at the age of 65. One of the eight members of the Black Sox to be banned for life, Weaver batted .324 in the 1919 World Series. Although Weaver maintained that he did not participate in the fix, Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis banished him for…

The Cincinnati Redlegs send pitcher Jackie Collum to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for pitcher Brooks Lawrence and a prospect

The Cincinnati Redlegs send pitcher Jackie Collum to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for pitcher Brooks Lawrence and a prospect

ByTom

The Cincinnati Redlegs send pitcher Jackie Collum to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for pitcher Brooks Lawrence and a prospect. Lawrence, who finished the year at 5 – 1 after spending time in the minors, will open the 1956 season with 13 straight victories.