On December 21, 1981, the Philadelphia Phillies sign future Hall of Famer Mike Schmidt to a six-year contract worth $1.2 million per season. During the strike-shortened 1981 season, Schmidt led the National League in home runs (31), RBI (91) and runs (78). During the course of the contract, Schmidt will lead the league in home…
Houston Astros outfielder Jimmy Wynn is stabbed during a domestic dispute
Chicago Cubs owner Phil Wrigley announces that the team will use a rotating “College of Coaches,”
1940 – Chicago writers name Cleveland Indians shortstop Lou Boudreau as the outstanding rookie in the major leagues. Boudreau will be honored at the annual January banquet. The Rookie of the Year Award won’t be created until 1947, however.
Given the outpouring of public support for the popular players and the failure of the accuser to publicly defend his claim at a hearing last month, Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis announces Ty Cobb’s former Tiger teammate Dutch Leonard had accused the Georgia Peach and Indian outfielder Tris Speaker of betting on a fixed baseball game played six years ago. The commissioner will declare the matter closed, giving both future Hall of Famers a clean bill of health.
On December 21, 1911, future Hall of Fame catcher Josh Gibson is born in Buena Vista, Georgia. Although record-keeping in the Negro Leagues is somewhat nebulous, Gibson will become the leading home run hitter in all of black baseball. Gibson’s legendary power will earn him the nickname, “The Black Babe Ruth.” Gibson began his pro…
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