1945 – The rules are revised for election of modern players to the Hall of Fame. A runoff election is formulated as a way to qualify more players for selection, but it fails to meet its objective as no one reaches the 75 percent requirement in the runoff. Former players Frank Chance, Johnny Evers and Ed Walsh and former manager Miller Huggins come closest.
The Phillies and Cardinals swap catchers, with hard-hitting Virgil Davis going to St. Louis and Jimmy Wilson traded to the ‘City of Brotherly Love.’ Philadelphia makes the deal to have the former Redbird backstop become the team’s player-manager, a position ‘Ace’ will hold for five seasons.
1922 – Former Providence Grays outfielder Paul Hines is arrested on charges of pick-pocketing. The 69-year-old Hines made a famous play in a game on May 8, 1878: the first unassisted triple play in major league history, a rare feat has only occurred 12 times after that. His accomplishment is questionable, however.
Cuban pitcher Jose Mendez one-hits the visiting Reds, 1-0. During the remainder of the 14-game barnstorming trip, the 21 year-old Almendares right-hander will throw another seven shutout innings in relief in two weeks, and then four days after that tosses a second complete-game shutout, recording an amazing 25 consecutive scoreless innings against the first major league club to ever play on the island.
1895 – Future Hall of Famer Cap Anson makes his stage debut in A Runaway Colt. Aside from forgetting a few lines, Anson does quite well.
Sporting Life erroneously claims that “Bid McPhee will hardly discard the glove next season now that he is accustomed to wearing it.”
1889 – The Kansas City Cowboys drop out of the American Association.
1888 – In Los Angeles, the All-Americans of Al Spalding beat Chicago, 7 – 4, in the final game on American soil of Chicago’s world tour. Spalding’s group now sets sail for Australia.
The American Association’s Red Stockings deal rookie catcher Jack Boyle and $400 to the Browns in exchange for outfielder Hugh Nicol. The transaction is the first recorded trade in major league history.
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