Bill veeck chicago white sox

White Sox owner Bill Veeck gives Yankee free-agent Ron Blomberg, who has played in only one game during the last two seasons, a generous four-year contract worth $500,000 that includes an additional $80,000 signing bonus. The questionable deal will turn out to be a complete bust when ‘Boomer’ hits only .231 in 169 plate appearances in his one year with Chicago.

ByTom

White Sox owner Bill Veeck gives Yankee free-agent Ron Blomberg, who has played in only one game during the last two seasons, a generous four-year contract worth $500,000 that includes an additional $80,000 signing bonus. The questionable deal will turn out to be a complete bust when ‘Boomer’ hits only .231 in 169 plate appearances in his one year with Chicago.

Thurman Munson 1976 AL MVP

Yankee catcher Thurman Munson wins 1976 AL Most Valuable Player

ByTom

Yankee catcher Thurman Munson (.302, 17, 105), receiving 18 of the 24 first-place votes, easily outdistances Royals’ third baseman George Brett to become the American League’s MVP. The team’s captain is the first Bronx Bomber to be selected as the league’s Most Valuable Player who had also previously won the Rookie of the Year award (1970).

Retired Air Force Lieutenant General William Eckert becomes the fourth Commissioner of Major League Baseball

Retired Air Force Lieutenant General William Eckert becomes the fourth Commissioner of Major League Baseball

ByThis Day in Baseball

By a unanimous vote of the owners, retired Air Force Lieutenant General William Eckert becomes the fourth Commissioner of Major League Baseball, succeeding the retiring Ford Frick, who served 14 years in the position. The game’s unfamiliar new leader, who hasn’t attended a game in a decade, will quickly be dubbed in the press as “the Unknown Soldier.”

Dick Groat of the Pittsburgh Pirates is named the 1960 National League’s Most Valuable Player

Dick Groat of the Pittsburgh Pirates is named the 1960 National League’s Most Valuable Player

ByTom

Dick Groat, the Pirates 30 year-old shortstop who led the league with a .325 average, is selected as the National League’s Most Valuable Player, with Don Hoak, his partner on the left side of the Bucs’ infield, being the runner-up to the award. Another teammate, right-fielder Roberto Clemente, who will cop the award in 1966, is very disappointed with being named eighth on the ballot.

The new Washington Senators franchise is awarded to Elwood Quesada

The new Washington Senators franchise is awarded to Elwood Quesada

ByThis Day in Baseball

Elvin Quesada, a native of the District of Columbia, is awarded the American League’s Washington expansion team, filling the void created due to the original American League franchise moving to Minnesota to play as the Twins next season. The new owner of the Senators is presently the head of the Federal Aviation Administration.