The Yankees name Don Zimmer to be the club’s interim manager while Joe Torre receives treatments for prostate cancer. The team’s bench coach compiled an 885-858 (.508) record during his managerial stints with San Diego, Boston, Texas, and Chicago.
On March 15, 1991, the Kansas City Royals release Bo Jackson, who had injured his hip playing football for the Los Angeles Raiders. In April, Jackson will sign a contract with the Chicago White Sox.
1988 – It hits the fan when newspapers publish pitcher Bob Knepper’s reaction to the performance of minor league umpire Pam Postema, attempting to become the first woman ump in the majors. Knepper states his religious beliefs that women should not “have authority” over men. Astros public relations say calls in reaction to the comments are running 70% opposed. Postema’s career eventually falls short of the big leagues.
1983 – Cy Young Award winner Pete Vuckovich is found to have a torn rotator cuff in his pitching shoulder that will sideline him for almost the entire 1983 season.
An under-the-radar transaction would have a big impact on the NL East race. On March 15th, Montreal traded a player to be named later and cash to the San Francisco Giants for catcher John Tamargo. On September 29th, Tamargo’s pinch-hit 3-run homer in the bottom of the 9th would win the game…
On March 15, 1978, the Oakland A’s trade star pitcher Vida Blue to the San Francisco Giants for seven players and nearly $400,000 in cash. In exchange for Blue, the A’s acquire catcher Gary Alexander, infielder Mario Guerrero, outfielder Gary Thomasson, and pitchers Dave Heaverlo, Phil Huffman, John Henry Johnson, and Alan Wirth….
In a nine-player spring training swap with Pittsburgh, the A’s send Phil Garner, Chris Batton, and Tommy Helms to the Pirates for Tony Armas, Mitchell Page, and four pitchers, including Doc Medich and Dave Giusti. Pittsburgh’s acquisition of infielder Phil Garner, the key player in the deal, will move a very disappointed Bill Robinson back into a utility role after he worked all winter to get ready to be the team’s everyday third baseman.
On March 15, 1975, the Los Angeles Dodgers sign future Hall of Famer Juan Marichal. The former San Francisco Giants’ star will make only two appearances with the Dodgers before retiring.
In Yuma, Arizona, Ron Bryant, a twenty-four game winner for the Giants last year, is hurt in a pool accident during spring training. The promising southpaw’s record will drop to 3-15 this season, and the Redlands, California native’s career will end in 1975 after a brief 0-1 stint with St. Louis.
On March 15, 1971 — Bernie Gera a 39-year-old New York housewife files a civil rights suit against MLB when her contract to umpire in the New York-Penn League becomes void after six days without an explanation. The New York Court of Appeals, in an eventual landmark 5-2 decision, will uphold a previous court’s ruling,…
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