the Baltimore Orioles announce Albert Belle, “has been found to be totally disabled and unable to perform as a Major League baseball player,”

the Baltimore Orioles announce Albert Belle, “has been found to be totally disabled and unable to perform as a Major League baseball player,”

ByTom

2001 – In a press release, the Baltimore Orioles announce Albert Belle, “has been found to be totally disabled and unable to perform as a Major League baseball player,” due to a degenerative right hip. The Orioles will place the 34-year-old outfielder on the 60-day disabled list thus beginning the process which conforms to the procedure set forth by MLB in the case of a totally disabling and permanent injury to a player.

New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio dies after a much-publicized battle with lung cancer

New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio dies after a much-publicized battle with lung cancer

ByThis Day in Baseball

On March 8, 1999, former New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio dies after a much-publicized battle with lung cancer. The baseball legend and American icon was 84. Born in Martinez, California, DiMaggio arrived in the major leagues at the age of 21. He batted .323 in his first season and helped the Yankees to the…

Toronto Blue Jays ace Dave Stieb signs an unusual 11-year contract

Toronto Blue Jays ace Dave Stieb signs an unusual 11-year contract

ByThis Day in Baseball

On March 8, 1985, Toronto Blue Jays ace Dave Stieb signs an unusual 11-year contract. The deal carries an estimated value of $25 million, based on deferred payments and incentives. The agreement believed to be the longest for a player in baseball history. “You could use that figure ($25 Million) and not be far off,”…

After Donn Clendenon “retires” and refuses to report to spring training, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn rules that Montreal can keep both Rusty Staub and Clendenon, insisting that Houston will have to settle for further compensation rather than voiding the trade. 
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After Donn Clendenon “retires” and refuses to report to spring training, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn rules that Montreal can keep both Rusty Staub and Clendenon, insisting that Houston will have to settle for further compensation rather than voiding the trade. 

ByTom

1969 – After Donn Clendenon “retires” and refuses to report to spring training, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn rules that Montreal can keep both Rusty Staub and Clendenon, insisting that Houston will have to settle for further compensation rather than voiding the trade. 

Veterans Committee waives one of its election rules and selects manager Casey Stengel as the newest member of the Hall of Fame

Veterans Committee waives one of its election rules and selects manager Casey Stengel as the newest member of the Hall of Fame

ByThis Day in Baseball

On March 8, 1966, the Veterans Committee waives one of its election rules and selects manager Casey Stengel as the newest member of the Hall of Fame. Stengel had managed the New York Mets for much of the 1965 season before falling and breaking his hip. The injury ended the elderly Stengel’s career. Given his…

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1963 – Reliever Jim Umbricht undergoes 6-1/2 hours of surgery at Methodist Hospital to remove malignant cancer tumors from his leg, thigh and groin. Two months later, he is back on the mound pitching for the Colt .45s. 

ByTom

1963 – Reliever Jim Umbricht undergoes 6-1/2 hours of surgery at Methodist Hospital to remove malignant cancer tumors from his leg, thigh and groin. Two months later, he is back on the mound pitching for the Colt .45s. 

Roberto Clemente hits Pittsburgh’s inaugural dinger of spring training in an in-house affair

Roberto Clemente hits Pittsburgh’s inaugural dinger of spring training in an in-house affair

ByThis Day in Baseball

1956 – Pirates second-year man Roberto Clemente hits Pittsburgh’s inaugural dinger of spring training in an in-house affair, coached by two key figures in Clemente’s career: “Roberto Clemente slammed three hits today,” reports the Associated Press, “including the first homer by a Pittsburgh Pirate, as the ‘Sukeforths’ defeated the ‘Murtaughs’ 9 – 3 in an intra-squad game.”

Jim Rice

OF Jim Rice is born in Anderson, SC.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1953 – OF Jim Rice is born in Anderson, SC. He will gain fame as a slugger with the Boston Red Sox, starting with an outstanding rookie campaign in 1975, when he will finish second to teammate Fred Lynn for the Rookie of the Year Award. He will be the American League MVP in 1978 and retire in 1989 with 382 homers and 1451 RBI, having played his entire career with the Sox. Rice will be elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA in 2009, in his last year of eligibility.

In front of 5,000 fans at Havana’s new Gran Estadio de La Habana, the Yankees lose to the Dodgers in extra innings, 1-0, with Snuffy Stirnweiss’s tenth-inning single accounting for the Bronx Bombers’ only hit. Pete Reiser’s long double on a 3-2 pitch off Spec Shea scores Carl Furillo, giving Brooklyn the walk-off victory in Cuba.
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In front of 5,000 fans at Havana’s new Gran Estadio de La Habana, the Yankees lose to the Dodgers in extra innings, 1-0, with Snuffy Stirnweiss’s tenth-inning single accounting for the Bronx Bombers’ only hit. Pete Reiser’s long double on a 3-2 pitch off Spec Shea scores Carl Furillo, giving Brooklyn the walk-off victory in Cuba.

ByThis Day in Baseball

In front of 5,000 fans at Havana’s new Gran Estadio de La Habana, the Yankees lose to the Dodgers in extra innings, 1-0, with Snuffy Stirnweiss’s tenth-inning single accounting for the Bronx Bombers’ only hit. Pete Reiser’s long double on a 3-2 pitch off Spec Shea scores Carl Furillo, giving Brooklyn the walk-off victory in Cuba.

The first spring training game ever played in Arizona takes place at Tucson’s Hi Corbett Field. The Indians, behind the pitching of Bob Lemon, beat the Giants, 3-1, in the inaugural Cactus League contest.

ByThis Day in Baseball

The first spring training game ever played in Arizona takes place at Tucson’s Hi Corbett Field. The Indians, behind the pitching of Bob Lemon, beat the Giants, 3-1, in the inaugural Cactus League contest.