1951 – Detroit Tigers player representative Fred Hutchinson asks that players be allowed a say in choosing the new baseball commissioner.
On March 19, 1941, the New York Giants sign former St. Louis Cardinals pitching star Paul “Daffy” Dean. Recently released by the Cardinals, Dean will struggle to a record of 4-4 with the Giants, who will also release him. @ET-DC@eyJkeW5hbWljIjp0cnVlLCJjb250ZW50IjoicG9zdF90YWdzIiwic2V0dGluZ3MiOnsiYmVmb3JlIjoiTGVhcm4gTW9yZSBhYm91dCB0aGUgdGVhbXMsIHBsYXllcnMsIGJhbGwgcGFya3MgYW5kIGV2ZW50cyB0aGF0IGhhcHBlbmVkIG9uIHRoaXMgZGF0ZSBpbiBoaXN0b3J5IGp1c3QgY2xpY2sgdGhlIHRhZ3MhICAiLCJhZnRlciI6IiIsImxpbmtfdG9fdGVybV9wYWdlIjoib24iLCJzZXBhcmF0b3IiOiIgfCAiLCJjYXRlZ29yeV90eXBlIjoicG9zdF90YWcifX0=@
1940 – In an exhibition game that might be a spring training record of sorts, the Triple-A Kansas City Blues pound the Washington Senators, 22 – 5. The Blues collect 23 hits for 46 total bases. Frenchy Bordagaray starts the scoring with a home run in the 1st inning; Jack Saltzgaver hits three triples in three at-bats with five RBI. Another familiar name, Johnny Lindell, yields three hits in three innings on the mound for the Blues.
1927 – Don Richard (Richie) Ashburn is born in Tilden, Nebraska. A five-time All-Star, Ashburn will be a solid center fielder and a solid hitter for the Philadelphia Phillies. He will hit over .300 during 9 of his 15 major league seasons, twice capturing the National League batting title and conclude his career with a .308 lifetime average. Following his playing career, he will call Phillies games for more than three decades. Ashburn will be elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee in 1995.
1889 – In the American Association, the Columbus Solons finally resolve their long-disputed attempt to sign third baseman Spud Johnson by paying the Kansas City Cowboys $500.
The Boston Herald reports the first practice of the Red Caps under the direction of George Wright. Manager Harry Wright is still in Florida‚ recuperating from a severe cold. The team has been weakened considerably by the loss to the Chicago White Stockings of Al Spalding‚ Cal McVey‚ and Ross Barnes.
1871 – Joseph Jerome (Joe) McGinnity is born in Cornwall Township, Henry County, Illinois. A right-handed pitcher, McGinnity will gain notoriety by winning both ends of doubleheaders, and in 1903, he will pull off the feat three times in a single month, winning all six games. In a ten-season major league career, he will amass 246 wins, including 31 in 1903, 35 in 1904, and seven seasons with 20-plus wins. McGinnity will be elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1946.
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