don denkinger errant call

Don Denkinger’s controversial ninth-inning call at first base enables the Royals to beat the Cardinals forcing a game 7

ByThis Day in Baseball

In Game 6 of the World Series, Don Denkinger’s controversial ninth-inning call at first base enables the Royals to beat the Cardinals, 2-1. The play, in which Jorge Orta is called safe, when it appears first baseman Jack Clark’s throw to Todd Worrell, covering the bag, clearly beats him, gives Dane Iorg the opportunity to hit a two-run walk-off single and to extend the Fall Classic to a decisive Game 7 that Kansas City will win to capture its first World Championship.

Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies becomes the first pitcher to win four Cy Young Awards

Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies becomes the first pitcher to win four Cy Young Awards

ByThis Day in Baseball

1982 – Steve Carlton of the Philadelphia Phillies becomes the first pitcher to win four Cy Young Awards, taking National League honors. The 37-year-old lefthander, who led the National League in wins (23), innings pitched (295.2), strikeouts (286) and shutouts (6), was a previous winner in 1972, 1977 and 1980.

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1980 – Al Rosen is named as General Manager. The former Cleveland slugger comes from the New York Yankees’ front office where owner John McMullen used to be a minority partner. Tal Smith is fired as President and General Manager, days before he is awarded Major League Executive of the Year for building the Astros in five seasons into their first pennant-winner. Angry HSA partners force a reorganization, reducing McMullen’s power to make executive decisions without their consent.

ByTom

1980 – Al Rosen is named as General Manager. The former Cleveland slugger comes from the New York Yankees’ front office where owner John McMullen used to be a minority partner. Tal Smith is fired as President and General Manager, days before he is awarded Major League Executive of the Year for building the Astros in five seasons into their first pennant-winner. Angry HSA partners force a reorganization, reducing McMullen’s power to make executive decisions without their consent.

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn notifies Hall of Famer Willie Mays that if he accepts a position with the Bally Manufacturing Corporation he must disassociate himself from major league baseball

Commissioner Bowie Kuhn notifies Hall of Famer Willie Mays that if he accepts a position with the Bally Manufacturing Corporation he must disassociate himself from major league baseball

ByThis Day in Baseball

1979 – Commissioner Bowie Kuhn notifies Hall of Famer Willie Mays that if he accepts a position with the Bally Manufacturing Corporation, owner of several gambling casinos, he must disassociate himself from major league baseball. Mays, a part-time coach and goodwill ambassador for the Mets, will relinquish his duties upon accepting Bally’s job offer.

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1977 – Sparky Lyle of the New York Yankees becomes the first American League reliever to win the Cy Young Award. Lyle led the league with 72 appearances, posting a 13-5 record with 26 saves and a 2.17 ERA.

ByThis Day in Baseball

1977 – Sparky Lyle of the New York Yankees becomes the first American League reliever to win the Cy Young Award. Lyle led the league with 72 appearances, posting a 13-5 record with 26 saves and a 2.17 ERA.

Vida Blue of the Oakland Athletics wins the American League Cy Young Award by a 98-85 margin over Mickey Lolich 

Vida Blue of the Oakland Athletics wins the American League Cy Young Award by a 98-85 margin over Mickey Lolich 

ByThis Day in Baseball

1971 – Vida Blue of the Oakland Athletics wins the American League Cy Young Award by a 98-85 margin over Mickey Lolich of the Detroit Tigers. Blue was 24-8 for Oakland, posting 301 strikeouts, eight shutouts and a 1.82 ERA, becoming the youngest pitcher to win the award. In the National League, Ferguson Jenkins of the Chicago Cubs receives the honor.

In a move designed to get a jump on the National League in the expansion race, the American League grants franchises to Washington and Los Angeles, and okays the Senators’ move to Minnesota. The decision to place a new team in Washington is partly political because the owners fear the nation’s lawmakers, upset about losing the American League’s oldest club, will threaten baseball’s anti-trust exemption.

In a move designed to get a jump on the National League in the expansion race, the American League grants franchises to Washington and Los Angeles, and okays the Senators’ move to Minnesota. The decision to place a new team in Washington is partly political because the owners fear the nation’s lawmakers, upset about losing the American League’s oldest club, will threaten baseball’s anti-trust exemption.

ByThis Day in Baseball

In a move designed to get a jump on the National League in the expansion race, the American League grants franchises to Washington and Los Angeles, and okays the Senators’ move to Minnesota. The decision to place a new team in Washington is partly political because the owners fear the nation’s lawmakers, upset about losing the American League’s oldest club, will threaten baseball’s anti-trust exemption.

The Baseball Writers Association of America selects New York Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto as the American League MVP

The Baseball Writers Association of America selects New York Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto as the American League MVP

ByBaseball

The Baseball Writers Association of America selects New York Yankees shortstop Phil Rizzuto as the American League MVP. He posted a .324 batting average with 200 hits and 125 runs, but drove in just 66 runs. Rizzuto, who receives 16 of 23 first-place votes, easily outpoints runner-ups Billy Goodman of the Boston Red Sox and teammate Yogi Berra.

Walter O'malley

Walter O’Malley succeeds Branch Rickey as president of the Dodgers

ByThis Day in Baseball

Walter O’Malley succeeds Branch Rickey as president of the Dodgers. O’Malley, who had offered to buy Rickey’s share of the club to become majority owner, is forced to pay more money when ‘the Mahatma’, in a final act of defiance about being told to leave the organization, offers his share of the team to a friend for a million dollars, a deal the new president believes, but can’t prove, to be as “fraudulent as a four-dollar bill.”