1991 – Pinch-hitter Dan Lehrman of Ball State University ties an NCAA record by hitting two home runs in the same inning in a 13 – 8 victory over Indiana-Purdue.

ByTom

1991 – Pinch-hitter Dan Lehrman of Ball State University ties an NCAA record by hitting two home runs in the same inning in a 13 – 8 victory over Indiana-Purdue.

Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball’s color line playing for the Dodgers in 1947, is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously by President Reagan. Rachel Robinson, on behalf of her late husband, accepts the award, the highest civilian honor given in the United States.

ByTom

Jackie Robinson, who broke baseball’s color line playing for the Dodgers in 1947, is awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom posthumously by President Reagan. Rachel Robinson, on behalf of her late husband, accepts the award, the highest civilian honor given in the United States.

1979 – The San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants announce that the 1980 exhibition series between the two teams will be played in Tokyo, Japan. Nevertheless, Giants owner Bob Lurie leaves the decision up to his players, who reject the agreement.

ByTom

1979 – The San Diego Padres and San Francisco Giants announce that the 1980 exhibition series between the two teams will be played in Tokyo, Japan. Nevertheless, Giants owner Bob Lurie leaves the decision up to his players, who reject the agreement.

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1977 – Astros obtain outfielder Willie Crawford and infielder Rob Sperring from San Francisco for infielder Rob Andrews. After the season, outfielder Art Gardner is sent to the Giants to complete the deal. 

ByTom

1977 – Astros obtain outfielder Willie Crawford and infielder Rob Sperring from San Francisco for infielder Rob Andrews. After the season, outfielder Art Gardner is sent to the Giants to complete the deal. 

Infielder Rico Petrocelli is released by the Boston Red Sox after a 13-season career for his only major league club
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Infielder Rico Petrocelli is released by the Boston Red Sox after a 13-season career for his only major league club

ByThis Day in Baseball

Infielder Rico Petrocelli is released by the Boston Red Sox after a 13-season career for his only major league club. Petrocelli retires with 210 home runs and two All-Star appearances.

The American League votes to expand to Toronto, awarding a franchise to a group consisting of Labatt’s Breweries (45%), the Imperial Trust, Ltd (45%), and CIBC (10%), who will eventually purchase the rights for the team for $7 million. At first, the decision will appear in peril when President Gerald Ford attempts to put pressure on MLB to give the expansion franchise to Washington, D.C., which has been without a major league team since the Senators moved to Arlington, Texas to become the Rangers following the 1972 season.

ByTom

The American League votes to expand to Toronto, awarding a franchise to a group consisting of Labatt’s Breweries (45%), the Imperial Trust, Ltd (45%), and CIBC (10%), who will eventually purchase the rights for the team for $7 million. At first, the decision will appear in peril when President Gerald Ford attempts to put pressure on MLB to give the expansion franchise to Washington, D.C., which has been without a major league team since the Senators moved to Arlington, Texas to become the Rangers following the 1972 season.

luis aparicio

Boston Red Sox release two future Hall of Famers

ByThis Day in Baseball

On March 26, 1974, the Boston Red Sox release two future Hall of Famers. Designated hitter Orlando Cepeda and shortstop Luis Aparicio are both given their unconditional releases. Aparicio, who elects to retire, finishes his career with 2,677 hits and 506 stolen bases and will enter the Hall of Fame in 1984. The sore-kneed Cepeda…