This Day In Baseball December 19

On December 19 on this day in baseball history, there were over 200 notable events.  Including, debuts, birthdays, deaths and final games.  All on December 19 on this Day In Baseball history.

 

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Walter johnson

 Washington manager Clark Griffith meets with Walter Johnson in Kansas City and convinces the star to re-sign for $12,500, considerably less than his recent contract with the Chifeds, with the assurance that Griffith would convince the Washington management to spring for a bigger contract later. Washington will later sign Johnson to $16,000 a year for five years. Griffith gets $6,000 from Charles Comiskey to allow Johnson to repay his Chifed signing bonus.

Bucky Harris

Tigers acquire player-manager Bucky Harris from the Washington Senators

1928 – Senators player-manager Bucky Harris is traded to the Tigers for infielder Jack Warner. The future Hall of Famer will replace George Moriarty (68-86, 6th place) as the Motor City skipper.

Joe DiMaggio

New York Yankees send five players to the San Francisco Seals for Joe DiMaggio

Al_Kaline

Hall of Famer Al Kaline is born in Baltimore, Maryland

Eddie Mayo

1936 – The Bees purchase Eddie Mayo from the Giants.

Wally Moon (.304, 12, 106) becomes the first Cardinal player to be selected by the BBWAA as the National League’s Rookie of the Year. The 24 year-old center fielder, who replaced Enos Slaughter in the St. Louis outfield, gets 17 of the 24 writers’ votes, with runners-up including future Hall of Famers Ernie Banks (4) and Hank Aaron (1).

Charles Comiskey, Jr.

In a continuing family squabble, Charles Comiskey, Jr. denies his sister, Mrs. Dorothy Comiskey Rigney’s, allegation that he used the “rule or ruin” tactic to gain control of the club.

Billy Martin signs with the Reds

Billy Martin signs with the Reds

1974 – The race to sign newly-minted free agent Catfish Hunter begins in the law offices of Cherry, Cherry & Flythe in Ahoskie, North Carolina. Yankee and Red Sox representatives are the first arrivals.

plane crashes into On December 19, 1976 — A single-engine Piper Cherokee plane crashes into the upper deck of Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium, home of the Orioles

A single-engine plane crashes into the upper deck of Baltimore’s Memorial Stadium

amos otis

Pittsburgh Pirates sign outfielder Amos Otis as a free agent

darrell-evans-1985-detroit-tigers

Detroit Tigers sign free agent infielder Darrell Evans

Former Cy Young Award winner Vida Blue is sentenced to 90 days in prison, and recently convicted and suspended 1B Willie Aikens is traded by Kansas City to Toronto for DH Jorge Orta.

1985 – The Expos trade P Bill Gullickson and C Sal Butera to the Reds for pitchers Jay Tibbs, Andy McGaffigan and John Stuper, and C Dann Bilardello.

Michael Sergio, a Mets fan who parachuted into Shea Stadium during Game 6 of the World Series, is sentenced to 100 hours of community service and fined $500.

Michael Sergio, a Mets fan who parachuted into Shea Stadium during Game 6 of the World Series, is sentenced to 100 hours of community service and fined $500.

Jack Morris agrees to salary arbitration when no clubs will sign him

Jack Morris agrees to salary arbitration when no clubs will sign him

Tigers release Ernie Harwell after 32 years

Tigers release Ernie Harwell after 32 years

Winfield_Toronto

Toronto Blue Jays sign free agent outfielder-designated hitter Dave Winfield

Yankees P Steve Howe is arrested in Montana on a charge of possession of cocaine. Howe has been suspended from baseball five times for drug and alcohol problems.

The Orioles sign P Rick Sutcliffe as a free agent. The former 1984 Cy Young Award winner was 6-5 with a 4.10 era with the Cubs last season.

The Orioles sign P Rick Sutcliffe as a free agent. The former 1984 Cy Young Award winner was 6-5 with a 4.10 era with the Cubs last season.

Former minor league umpire Pam Postema files a sex discrimination suit against the National and American leagues, the Triple-A Alliance, and the Baseball Office for Umpire Development.

Colorado sends Pokey Reese, acquired from the Reds yesterday, to the Red Sox for C Scott Hatteberg. The Sox will make Pokey a free agent by not tendering him a contract and he’ll sign in January with Pittsburgh. Hatteberg will go the same route and sign with the A’s.

Moises Alou (.331, 27, 108) signs a $27 million, three-year deal with the Cubs

Moises Alou (.331, 27, 108) signs a $27 million, three-year deal with the Cubs

barry bonds contract

Several hours before a midnight deadline, Barry Bonds accepts the Giants’ offer of salary arbitration. San Francisco’s decision to go to arbitration avoids a bidding war for their franchise player, and this season’s National League MVP will be likely worth at least $20 million for one year of service.

2002 – One of Japan’s most heralded players, 28-year-old outfield slugger Hideki Matsui (.334, 50, 107), reaches a preliminary agreement with the Yankees on a $21 million, three-year contract. “Godzilla”, the three-time Most Valuable Player of Japan’s Central League, rejected the Yomiuri Giants’ $33 million, four-year offer opting to play for the Bronx Bombers.

Kevin Millwood agrees to the Phillies’ surprise offer of salary arbitration. As the ace of the staff, the All-Star hurler will anchor an outstanding rotation which includes Randy Wolf, Vicente Padilla, Eric Milton and Brett Myers.

Gary Deporter, the managing partner of the late broadcaster Harry Caray’s area restaurants, submits the winning bid of $106,600 to obtain the foul ball that Steve Bartman deflected, costing the Cubs a costly out during Game 6 of the NLCS. The plan is to have the ball destroyed as an act of exorcism during a worldwide toast to Harry on his birthday, February 26th.

Agreeing to a $6 million, two-year contract with the Angels, Jose Guillen (.311, 31, 86) will become the team’s right fielder next season. The deal will give Tim Salmon the opportunity to become Anaheim’s designated hitter full-time.

The Yankees purchase left-handed pitcher Kei Igawa from the Hanshin Tigers for a posting fee of $26 million, and will sign the Eiji Sawamura Award winner to a five-year deal worth another $20 million. The deal, prompted by Boston’s signing of Daisuke Matsuzaka, will prove to be disastrous for the Bronx Bombers when the 27 year-old southpaw compiles a 2-4 record in 14 starts along with an ERA of 6.66 over two seasons.

Agreeing to stay in Anaheim, Juan Rivera (.246, 12, 45) agrees to a $12.7 million, three-year deal to roam the outfield for the Angels. The 30 year-old Venezuelan, who was the team’s best pinch hitter, going 5-for-14, including two game-winning hits, could also be used as the club’s designated hitter.

2009 – 3B Scott Rolen re-signs with the Cincinnati Reds for two years. He had been acquired from the Toronto Blue Jays at the trading deadline last season.

Kansas City trades ace pitcher Zack Greinke, the 2009 American League Cy Young Award winner, and SS Yuniesky Betancourt to the Milwaukee Brewers in return for a package of young players, headed by SS Alcides Escobar. P Jake Odorizzi, OF Lorenzo Cain and P Jeremy Jeffress complete the Royals’ haul, as Milwaukee outbids the Yankees and the Rangers to obtain Greinke.

45-year-old Carlos Yánes beats the Pinar del Río Tobacco Growers for his 234th win in Cuba, tying Jorge Luis Valdés for second all-time behind only Pedro Luis Lazo.

Yo Darvish

The Texas Rangers make the winning bid for star Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish

The Diamondbacks sign free agent OF Jason Kubel and the Nationals offer OF Mike Cameron a minor league deal with an invitation to spring training.

The Phillies finalize a $33 million, three-year deal with Jimmy Rollins (.268, 16, 63), which includes a vesting option for 2015 at $11 million. The 33 year-old shortstop has been an integral part of Philadelphia’s recent success of winning five consecutive NL East titles and the 2008 world championship.

Seattle trades P Jason Vargas to the Angels for 1B Kendrys Morales.

Boston signs free agent P Ryan Dempster for 2 years and $26.5 million.

2013 – After three months of frenzied speculation, it appears that Japanese ace hurler Masahiro Tanaka will not be posted after all, and thus will not leave Japan for the United States next year. Tanaka went 24-0 for the Rakuten Golden Eagles and led them to the first Japan Series title in franchise history, but his team is unhappy that it can only receive $20 million for its top player, after changes to the posting system agreed to recently by Major League Baseball and Nippon Pro Baseball. However, in five days’ time, Rakuten will turn around and grant Tanaka’s request.

The Dodgers end the Yankees’ fifteen-year streak of owning Major League Baseball’s biggest payroll. When the luxury tax calculations are in for the year, the Dodgers owe $26.6 million, based on a payroll of $257 million. The Yankees also need to pay the tax levied on payrolls above $189 million, and their bill is $18.3 million, down from $28 million in 2013.

A busy off-season continues with a number of trades and signings. The Padres acquire their third starting outfielder in a few days, landing Justin Upton from the Braves for four prospects, and also obtain 3B Will Middlebrooks from Boston, giving up catcher Ryan Hanigan, who has been with the team for less than a week. The Marlins also continue to be active, as they get OF/IF Martin Prado and P David Phelps from the Yankees for P Nate Eovaldi, 1B Garrett Jones and prospect Domingo German and also send 3B Casey McGehee to San Francisco for a couple of minor leaguers. The Dodgers complete their rumored deal for Jimmy Rollins, sending a couple of pitchers to Philadelphia to obtain the Phillies’ long-time shortstop. In free agent signings, the Royals ink OF Alex Rios for one year at $11 million and the Cubs add back-up C David Ross.

2017 – For the fourth straight year, the Dodgers are assessed the largest luxury tax payment in MLB, while the Yankees have to make a payment for the 15th straight year – in spite of going through a successful youth movement before the season. Los Angeles will have to pay $36.2 million and New York $15.7 million. Three other teams are assessed much smaller amounts.

2018 – Major League Baseball and the Cuban Baseball Federation reach a historic deal that will allow players from the island to be scouted and signed without having to defect. This recognizes the fact that there should be no going back to the days when players had to put their life and the well-being of their families at risk, and deal with unsavory criminal elements, in order to come to the United States. It creates a situation that is akin to that which prevailed before the Cuban Revolution in 1959. However, the Administration of President Donald Trump will kill the deal on April 8th as part of a policy of maintaining as hard a line as possible in dealing with Cuban authorities.

2005 – Owner Drayton McLane presents to star pitcher Roy Oswalt a $200,000 Caterpillar bulldozer to fulfill a promise he made before Game 6 of the N.L.C.S. Oswalt’s strong performance catapulted the Astros into their first World Series as he pitched two of the four victories over St. Louis. 

1996 – Outfielder Luis Gonzalez and pitcher Mike Magnante are signed to free agent deals. It’s the second go-round in Houston for the popular Gonzalez who, after leaving again, would find a home run stroke and blast 57 for Arizona in 2001 and muscle a bloop single off Mariano Rivera to beat the Yankees in Game Seven of the World Series. 

1990 – Danny Darwin leaves the Astros, signing a free agent deal with the Boston Red Sox. It is one month after he was named the club’s MVP for the 1990 campaign. Darwin would return via trade for the last two months of the 1996 season. 

1963 – Colts purchase first baseman Walt Bond from the Cleveland Indians. Bond plays two seasons for Houston, batting .258 with 27 homers and 132 RBIs. 

1943 – Walter “No Neck” Williams is born in Brownwood, TX. He goes oh-for-nine in a brief call-up with the 1964 Colts but the diminutive outfielder reaches the majors again in 1967 and has a solid nine-year career with the White Sox, Indians and Yankees.

Major League Baseball Birthdays on December 19

Gordie Windhorn Stats & Facts

Gordie Windhorn Stats & Facts

Tony Taylor Stats & Facts

Tony Taylor Stats & Facts

Jack Kubiszyn Stats & Facts

Jack Kubiszyn Stats & Facts

Walt Williams Stats & Facts

Walt Williams Stats & Facts

Rob Gardner Stats & Facts

Rob Gardner Stats & Facts

Geoff Zahn Stats & Facts

Geoff Zahn Stats & Facts

Art Kusnyer Stats & Facts

Art Kusnyer Stats & Facts

Tex Jeanes Stats & Facts

Tex Jeanes Stats & Facts

Wally Gilbert Stats & Facts

Wally Gilbert Stats & Facts

Tom Sullivan Stats & Facts

Tom Sullivan Stats & Facts

Eddie Yount Stats & Facts

Eddie Yount Stats & Facts

Mickey Witek Stats & Facts

Mickey Witek Stats & Facts

Ray Poat Stats & Facts

Ray Poat Stats & Facts

Tommy O'Brien Stats & Facts

Tommy O’Brien Stats & Facts

Bill DeKoning Stats & Facts

Bill DeKoning Stats & Facts

Vern Freiburger Stats & Facts

Vern Freiburger Stats & Facts

Herb Gorman Stats & Facts

Herb Gorman Stats & Facts

Rex Barney Stats & Facts

Rex Barney Stats & Facts

Aaron Loup Page

Aaron Loup Page

Ian Parmley Page

Ian Parmley Page

Tim Cooney Page

Tim Cooney Page

Austen Williams Page

Austen Williams Page

Edubray Ramos Page

Edubray Ramos Page

Jose Leclerc Page

Jose Leclerc Page

Kevin Stanfield Stats & Facts

Kevin Stanfield Stats & Facts

Tom Lawless Stats & Facts

Tom Lawless Stats & Facts

Stew Cliburn Stats & Facts

Stew Cliburn Stats & Facts

Stan Cliburn Stats & Facts

Stan Cliburn Stats & Facts

Bill Wegman Stats & Facts

Bill Wegman Stats & Facts

Clay Parker Stats & Facts

Clay Parker Stats & Facts

Mike Fetters Stats & Facts

Mike Fetters Stats & Facts

Chito Martinez Stats & Facts

Chito Martinez Stats & Facts

Joe Slusarski Stats & Facts

Joe Slusarski Stats & Facts

Doug Johns Stats & Facts

Doug Johns Stats & Facts

Tom Wilson Stats & Facts

Tom Wilson Stats & Facts

Jose Silva Stats & Facts

Jose Silva Stats & Facts

Russell Branyan Stats & Facts

Russell Branyan Stats & Facts

Jason Kershner Stats & Facts

Jason Kershner Stats & Facts

Mark Woodyard Stats & Facts

Mark Woodyard Stats & Facts

Marshall McDougall Stats & Facts

Marshall McDougall Stats & Facts

Vinnie Chulk Stats & Facts

Vinnie Chulk Stats & Facts

Andy Cannizaro Stats & Facts

Andy Cannizaro Stats & Facts

Rafael Soriano Stats & Facts

Rafael Soriano Stats & Facts

Chip Ambres Stats & Facts

Chip Ambres Stats & Facts

Jeff Baisley Stats & Facts

Jeff Baisley Stats & Facts

Ian Kennedy Stats & Facts

Ian Kennedy Stats & Facts

Michael Taylor Stats & Facts

Michael Taylor Stats & Facts

Mike Drissel Stats & Facts

Mike Drissel Stats & Facts

Welcome Gaston Stats & Facts

Welcome Gaston Stats & Facts

Kid O'Hara Stats & Facts

Kid O’Hara Stats & Facts

Burley Bayer Stats & Facts

Burley Bayer Stats & Facts

Paul Krichell Stats & Facts

Paul Krichell Stats & Facts

Doc McMahon Stats & Facts

Doc McMahon Stats & Facts

Art Butler Stats & Facts

Art Butler Stats & Facts

Pep Goodwin Stats & Facts

Pep Goodwin Stats & Facts

Fred Thomas Stats & Facts

Fred Thomas Stats & Facts

Jack Farrell Stats & Facts

Jack Farrell Stats & Facts

Paul Strand Stats & Facts

Paul Strand Stats & Facts

Mike Herrera Stats & Facts

Mike Herrera Stats & Facts

Lou Koupal Stats & Facts

Lou Koupal Stats & Facts

Sam Dodge Stats & Facts

Sam Dodge Stats & Facts

Willis Wyman Stats & Facts

Willis Wyman Stats & Facts

Al Kaline Stats & Facts

Al Kaline Stats & Facts

Ford Frick Stats & Facts

Ford Frick Stats & Facts

Major League Baseball Deaths On December 19