Rick Monday. Kansas City’s 21-year-old rookie standout, was struck in the face by a pitch in the first inning

Rick Monday. Kansas City’s 21-year-old rookie standout, was struck in the face by a pitch in the first inning

ByTom

June 3, 1967, Rick Monday. Kansas City’s 21-year-old rookie standout, was struck in the face by a pitch in the first inning by Gary Peters of the White Sox and was carried off the field bleeding from inside the mouth. X-rays revealed no fractures, and he is expected to be ready to return to action…

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Rick Monday is the first, first round pick of amateur free agent draft

ByThis Day in Baseball

On June 8, 1965, the Kansas City A’s select collegiate star Rick Monday with the initial pick of the first-ever amateur free agent draft. Picking second, the Mets take pitcher Les Rohr. Future Hall of Famer Johnny Bench is taken by the Cincinnati Reds in the second round. Another Hall of Famer, Nolan Ryan, is…

Baseball’s executives select New York City as the site of the game’s first free-agent draft

Baseball’s executives select New York City as the site of the game’s first free-agent draft

ByTom

Baseball’s executives select New York City as the site of the game’s first free-agent draft, a controversial measure approved during the winter meetings that gives teams with the worst records the first picks to the talented amateur players. With the first pick in the history of the draft, the A’s will select ASU outfielder Rick Monday when the draft begins on June 8 at the Hotel Commodore.