1882 – John O’Rourke wins a $205 settlement from the Boston Red Caps for salary payments due him in November of 1880. O’Rourke will play for the New York Metropolitans next season.

1887 – The International League disbands. The teams in Syracuse, Toronto, Hamilton, and Buffalo split off to form the International Association, while those in Newark, Jersey City, Wilkes-Barre, and Scranton become the nucleus of the Central League.

1916 – The National Commission orders that injured players shall get full pay for the duration of their contracts. The injury clause previously let clubs suspend players after 15 days’ pay.

St. Louis Browns acquire star outfielder Heinie Manush

1928 – St. Louis Cardinals first baseman Jim Bottomley, who hit .325 with 31 home runs and 126 RBI, is voted National League Most Valuable Player with 76 points against 70 for runner-up Fred Lindstrom, whose .358 batting average was third in the NL behind Rogers Hornsby (.387) and Paul Waner (.370).

1936 – The St. Louis Cardinals sell Virgil Davis and Charlie Gelbert to the Cincinnati Reds, and the St. Louis Browns buy Ethan Allen from the Chicago Cubs.

1937 – At the minor league meeting in Milwaukee, WI, the Detroit Tigers send Gee Walker, Marv Owen and Mike Tresh to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for Vern Kennedy, Tony Piet and Dixie Walker. The trade causes an uproar with Tigers fans, and owner Walter Briggs issues an announcement from his Miami, FL home that “the deal was made with my approval.” Kennedy will start next season with nine straight wins, but end up the year at 12-9.

New York Giants replace one future Hall of Famer with another

1941 – The New York Giants replace one future Hall of Famer with another. Mel Ott is named player-manager replacing Bill Terry, who moves up as the head of the Giants’ farm system.

The Giants name skipper Bill Terry as the team’s new general manager. Mel Ott, a future Hall of Famer, will serve as New York’s player/manager for the next seven years, but the club will never finish above third place.

1942 – The Cincinnati Reds send SS Eddie Joost and P Nate Andrews to the Boston Braves for SS Eddie Miller.

1943 – With only nine leagues operating during the season, the minor league convention in New York has an incipient revolt to oust longtime head William G. Bramham in favor of Frank Shaughnessy, president of the International League, who has five pledges. But Bramham rules that 15 non-operating circuits which have paid dues are eligible to vote. Five of the leagues have given proxies. A later appeal to Commissioner Landis fails.

Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals is named 1948 N L Most Valuable Player

Stan Musial of the St. Louis Cardinals is named 1948 N L Most Valuable Player

Pittsburgh Pirates draft right-hander ElRoy Face from the Montreal Royals

Pittsburgh Pirates draft right-hander ElRoy Face from the Montreal Royals

The Pittsburgh Pirates draft relief pitcher Elroy Face from the Montreal Royals, the top minor league affiliate of the Brooklyn Dodgers. During a 15-year career with the Pirates, Face will lead the National League in saves three times. In 1959, he will win an incredible 18 of 19 decisions in relief.

Brooklyn Dodgers executive Buzzie Bavasi dismisses the New York Yankees reaction to Jackie Robinson’s charges. Commissioner Ford Frick plans no action against Jackie Robinson. Two days earlier Robinson had called the Yankees a racist organization for its failure to promote a black to the parent club.

1957 – In the Pacific Coast League, some franchises are forced to relocate when the Dodgers and Giants confirm their long-rumored move to California for the 1958 season. The Hollywood Stars move from Los Angeles to Salt Lake City; the Los Angeles Angels move to Spokane, and the San Francisco Seals transfer to Phoenix.

The Cleveland Indians send 2B Bobby Avila to the Baltimore Orioles for P Russ Heman and cash. Cleveland also trades 1B Vic Wertz and OF Gary Geiger to the Boston Red Sox in exchange for OF Jimmy Piersall.

National League President Warren Giles says he doubts New York City will get a franchise for several years. He says the NL will reject expansion now, even if assured of a stadium and financial backing.

International League President Frank Shaughnessy reports that club owners are sympathetic to player demands for a pension plan, but says there is no way that $250,000 can be raised to start one.

1961 – Major league clubs vote to curb bonuses. All first-year players not on major league rosters, except one minor leaguer, can be drafted by any other club for $8,000. Clubs are expected to be unwilling to pay large bonuses for players who will be subject to a draft for just $8,000.

The MLB Rules Committee bans oversized catcher’s mitts, effective in 1965.

The Indianapolis and Little Rock franchises are transferred from the International League to the Pacific Coast League. The IL is reduced to eight clubs and the PCL membership raised to 12 clubs.

The Houston Colt .45’s draft minor league pitcher Jim Ray from Triple-A Rochester (Orioles).

The Angels trade OF Leon Wagner to Cleveland for P Barry Latman and a player to be named later, who turns out to be 1B Joe Adcock.

The major league rules committee bans the use of oversized catcher gloves, starting with the 1965 season. The larger catcher mitt was devised in 1960 by Orioles manager Paul Richards to help his backstops catch Hoyt Wilhelm’s knuckleball.

Chicago Cubs P Lindy McDaniel and OF Don Landrum are traded to the San Francisco Giants for C Randy Hundley and P Bill Hands.

Baltimore sends 1B Norm Siebern to the Angels for OF Dick Simpson.

The Cubs trade pitcher Lindy McDaniel and outfielder Don Landrum to the Giants for catcher Randy Hundley and pitcher Bill Hands. Chicago’s new acquisitions will both play a major role in rebuilding the ‘lovable losers’ into contenders later in the decade.

1966 – The Minnesota Twins trade OF Jimmie Hall, 1B Don Mincher, and P Pete Cimino to the California Angels for P Dean Chance and a player to be named later, who turns out to be IF Jackie Hernandez.

1967 – Minnesota trades P Ron Kline to the Pirates for IF Bob Oliver. Kline, who was 7-1 last season, will post a 12-5 record in relief for the Pirates next year.

1970 – In a six-player swap, the Pittsburgh Pirates trade SS Freddie Patek, P Bruce Dal Canton and C Jerry May to the Kansas City Royals for P Bob Johnson, IF Jackie Hernandez and C Jim Campanis.

Major league teams engineer eight trades, involving a total of 30 players

Major league teams engineer eight trades, involving a total of 30 players

The Boston Red Sox trade outfielder Tommy Harper to the California Angels for infielder Bob Heise.

At the Major League Winter Meetings in New Orleans, LA, the Rules Committee institutes several changes; among the changes is one permitting the use of cowhide, rather than just horsehide, in the manufacture of baseballs.

1976 – Former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh dies at the age of 59. Murtaugh, who had retired from managing after the 1976 season, had suffered a heart attack three days before his death. Known as “The Irishman,” Murtaugh had led the Pirates to World Championships in 1960 and 1971.

Danny Murtaugh

Former Pittsburgh Pirates manager Danny Murtaugh dies at the age of 59

1978 – The Sporting News announces the Gold Glove winners. Shortstop Mark Belanger wins for the eighth and final time, while first baseman Keith Hernandez and catcher Bob Boone are each honored for the first time.

valenzuela_fernando

Following the strike-shortened season, Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher Fernando Valenzuela becomes the third consecutive Dodgers player to be named National League Rookie of the Year

1991 – The New York Mets sign free agent outfielder Bobby Bonilla to a five-year, $29 million contract.

1993 – In a pair of transactions, Cleveland signs free agent first baseman Eddie Murray to a four-year contract and the Phillies trade closer Mitch Williams to the Astros in exchange for relievers Doug Jones and Jeff Juden.

1995 – Michael Stirn, the fan who caught the ball Cal Ripken, Jr. hit for a home run on the night he broke Lou Gehrig’s consecutive game streak, sells it to a Maryland businessman for $41,736.

1996 – The Cubs sign shortstop Shawon Dunston, bringing him back to Wrigley Field, and free agent pitcher Sid Fernandez signs with Houston.

1998 – Free agents pitcher Scott Sanders and third baseman Robin Ventura are signed. The Cubs agree to terms with Sanders and Ventura signs with the Mets to a four-year contract.

In the biggest free agent signing this year, the Philadelphia Phillies sign Cleveland Indians first baseman Jim Thome to a six-year contract.

In support of a national strike, the Venezuelan professional league suspends its games. Many of the eight teams in the league belong to news media owners opposed to President Hugo Chavez. When the strike continues, the league will cancel its season on January 13, 2003.

The Los Angeles Angels sign reliever Hector Carrasco to a two-year contract and veteran outfielder Tim Salmon to a minor league contract. Salmon missed all of last season with an injury, but will come back to play 76 games before retiring at the end of the year.

The Atlanta Braves agree to terms with third baseman Chipper Jones on a three-year contract.

Mets chief operating officer Jeff Wilpon says the new ballpark’s name will remain Citi Field regardless of the suggestion of two New York City council members who think the name should be Citi/Taxpayer Field due to the government’s bailout of the struggling financial institution. Citigroup is paying the franchise $400 million over 20 years for naming rights to the stadium.

2009 – The Korea Professional Baseball Players Association votes to unionize, 188 in favor, 17 opposed and 68 not voting. 253 KBO players do not attend the meeting. Min-han Son, the Players Association president, says that the league has ignored discussion about player rights and interests for two years, forcing the unionization push.

The Braves and left-hander Billy Wagner come to terms on a $7 million, one-year deal for the southpaw to become the club’s closer, replacing Rafael Soriano and Mike Gonzalez. The six-time All-Star, who missed most of last season due to elbow surgery, was traded by the Mets to the Red Sox in late August after the reliever showed he still has a live fastball in his initial appearance off the disabled list in New York.

The White Sox sign free agent OF-1B Adam Dunn from Washington to a four-year deal.

The Mariners trade IF Jose Lopez to the Rockies for minor league P Chaz Roe.

The Angels sign P Hisanori Takahashi to a two-year deal; the Japanese veteran spent last season with the Mets.

Ron Santo, who played more games at third base than anyone in Chicago Cubs history, dies at age 70, a victim of bladder cancer. Also beloved as a broadcaster, Santo led a lifetime battle against diabetes that forced to have both of his legs amputated in recent years, but always maintained a positive attitude. He was a leading candidate for election to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee; he fell short of the honor during his lifetime but will gain election barely a year from today.

2011 – The Dodgers sign P Chris Capuano to a two-year contract.

2012 – Japan clinches Gold at the 2012 Asian Championship, beating China. Taiwan will earn the Silver tomorrow, while South Korea will get the Bronze. The MVP is Junichi Katayama, a Japanese pitcher.

The Orioles send closer Jim Johnson, author of back-to-back 50-save seasons, to the Athletics in return for 2B Jemile Weeks. The A’s also sign free agent P Scott Kazmir to a two-year deal worth $22 million, in expectation of losing both starter Bartolo Colon and closer Grant Balfour to free agency. Kazmir’s signing will prove to be a good move, but Johnson will be a complete bust, earning his unconditional release by mid-season.

The pitching-rich Tigers send Doug Fister to the Nationals in return for IF Steve Lombardozzi and Ps Ian Krol and Robbie Ray.

The Nationals obtain Tigers starter Doug Fister for southpaws Ian Krol and Robbie Ray and infielder Steve Lombardozzi. Washington’s acquisition of the 29 year-old right-hander improves the team’s already strong rotation that includes Stephen Strasburg, Jordan Zimmermann, and Gio Gonzalez.

Veteran major league umpire and crew chief Dale Scott openly acknowledges his homosexuality, as he is featured in a magazine article with his long-time life partner. The reaction from baseball circles is overwhelmingly positive.

On a day when a large number of players become free agents when they are not tendered with contracts for the upcoming season, the Mariners sign All-Star 3B Kyle Seager to a seven-year deal worth $100 million.

2016 – For the sixth time in seven years, Reds 1B Joey Votto is named the recipient of the Tip O’Neill Award given out by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame to honor the best baseball player in Canada. Votto hit .326 with a National League-leading .434 OBP, 29 homers and 97 RBIs in an outstanding all-around season for the last-place club.

1996 – Infielders Pat Listach and Bill Spiers, along with pitcher Sid Fernandez, are signed as free agents. While Listach is slated to be the starting shortstop and Fernandez is expected to find a role in the starting rotation, it is the versatile Spiers who has the more lasting impact with the ballclub. 

1993 – Astros deal righthanders Doug Jones and Jeff Juden to Philadelphia for lefthander Mitch Williams. The two closers both falter in their new roles while Juden fails to catch on despite pitching for eight different organizations. 

1986 – Astros announce the firing of Gene Elston, play-by-play voice of the ballclub since 1962. Outcry from fans and the Houston media are swift but Elston moves on to do work for CBS Radio and write books. 20 years later, he receives the Ford C. Frick Award by the Baseball Hall of Fame. 

1971 – First baseman John Mayberry is traded to the Kansas City Royals for reliever Jim York. Expected to be the new closer in the Houston bullpen, York earns a 9-11 mark with seven saves in four seasons with the Astros. 

1968 – Darryl Kile is born in Garden Grove, CA. He compiles a 71-65 record over seven seasons in Houston (1991-1997) that reflect outstanding potential as well as frustrating inconsistency. He becomes a 20-game winner in St. Louis but dies on June 22, 2002 of a heart attack in his hotel room while the Cardinals are on a road trip in Chicago.