This Day In Baseball December 3

virigil trucks 2 no hitters

The history of sports is both vast and rich, thanks to the existence of so many different events and the longevity associated with them. With so much history to cull through, We offer the opportunity to look back and see what memorable things happened or milestones were reached on December 3 in baseball history.

Things you don’t want to miss:

  • On December 3, 1933 — For the second time, Connie Mack begins to dismantle a dynasty he has built, deciding to sell Mickey Cochrane to the Detroit Tigers for $100,000. Although the A’s have won three American League pennants and two World Series titles, dating back to 1929, with the Great Depression looming, the Philadelphia owner needs cash in the face of a failing economy. Cochrane is named Detroit manager. Just nine days later, Mack sells Lefty Grove, Max Bishop, and Rube Walberg to the Boston Red Sox for $125,000, and George Earnshaw goes to the Chicago White Sox for $20,000 and another player.
  • On December 3, 1957 — Al Lopez, who traded OF Larry Doby when he was managing the Cleveland Indians, does it again with the Chicago White Sox. The Baltimore Orioles swap P Ray Moore, IF Billy Goodman and OF Tito Francona to the White Sox for Doby, Ps Jack Harshman and Russ Heman and IF Jim Marshall.
  • On December 3, 1966 – Pitcher Camilo Pascual is traded by the Minnesota Twins, along with IF Bernie Allen, to the Washington Senators for P Ron Kline. The period from 1959 to 1964 would see Pascual’s peak years. He would win at least 12 games every season while leading the league in complete games, shutouts, and strikeouts three times each and racking up all five of his All-Star games appearances. However, after starting the season 8–2, injuries limited Pascual to nine relatively ineffective second-half starts and he lost his World Series matchup with Claude Osteen in Game 3. Pascual would continue to have arm problems in 1966 and would pitch only 103 innings in 21 games, both career lows. Seeing the writing on the wall, the Twins traded Pascual and once-promising second baseman Bernie Allen on December 3, 1966, to the new Washington Senators for 35-year-old relief pitcher Ron Kline. Pascual will pitch well for 2 seasons in Washington and ultimately retire in 1971.  Allen went on to play several more seasons for 3 teams. For the Twins, this trade did not work out well, Kline who pitched well in 1967, was then traded to Pittsburgh and he had an outstanding 1968 with the Pirates. The twins received Bob Oliver in the trade who then got drafted by Kansas City. Oliver will have an 8-year career and hit as many as 27 home runs and drive in 99 runs in 1970 for a career high.
  • On December 3, 1974 — In a six-player deal, the New York Mets trade relief ace and Shea Stadium favorite Tug McGraw. It was one of the best trades in franchise history, the Philadelphia Phillies acquiring McGraw (with Don Hahn and Dave Schneck) from the New York Mets for Mac Scarce, John Stearns, and Del Unser. In 10 years with the Phillies (1975-1984), McGraw has 94 saves & 3.10 ERA in 463 games. His best season with the Phils is in 1980 when he has 20 saves & 1.46 ERA, finishing 5th in the NL Cy Young Award . In 1980 he helped the Phillies capture their first World Series Title.
  • On December 3, 1980 — Don Sutton, the winningest pitcher in Los Angeles Dodgers history, signs a four-year contract with the Houston Astros. Sutton posted a 13-5 record in 1980 with a National League leading 2.21 ERA. This will lead to a 324-win career, a plaque at the Hall of Fame and a second career as a broadcaster.
  • On December 3, 2007 — Dick Williams, who managed in Boston, Oakland, California, Montreal, San Diego, and Seattle, is elected into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Along with Bill McKechnie, another Hall of Famer, the fiery skipper is the only other manager to appear in the World Series with three different teams (1967 Red Sox, 1972-73 A’s, and 1984 Padres). The Veterans Committee also Bowie Kuhn, Walter O’Malley, Billy Southworth and Barney Dreyfuss as new members of the Hall of Fame. Whitey Herzog and Doug Harvey miss by one vote, but will gain entrance in two years.

Notable Events and Chronology for December 3

Milwaukee Brewers franchise is officially dropped from the American League and is replaced by the St. Louis Browns.

Mickey Cochrane

For the second time, Connie Mack begins to dismantle a dynasty he has built selling Mickey Cochrane to the Tigers

Frenchy Bordagaray

Brooklyn Dodgers complete 6 player trade started in September, selling off Frenchy Bordagaray, Dutch Leonard, and Jimmy Jordan

Guy Hecker

Guy Hecker, who once scored seven runs in a game, dies in Wooster, Ohio, at the age of 82

Denny Galehouse

The St. Louis Browns purchase pitchers Denny Galehouse and Fritz Ostermueller from the Boston Red Sox

trucks

The Detroit Tigers trade pitcher Virgil Trucks for a second time

Al Lopez, who traded OF Larry Doby when he was managing the Cleveland Indians, does it again with the Chicago White Sox

Al Lopez, who traded OF Larry Doby when he was managing the Cleveland Indians, does it again with the Chicago White Sox

Jack Sanford San Francisco

Phillies trade future 24 game winner Jack Sanford

Will_Harridge_1937

American League President Will Harridge announces his retirement.

Harvey Kuenn

1960 – The Cleveland Indians trade OF Harvey Kuenn to the San Francisco Giants for OF Willie Kirkland and P Johnny Antonelli.

Former players Frank Crosetti and Johnny Schulte file a suit to halt any increased Major League Baseball pension benefits that fail to include old-time players.

Former players Frank Crosetti and Johnny Schulte file a suit to halt any increased Major League Baseball pension benefits that fail to include old-time players.

Felipe Alou

The Milwaukee Braves acquire OF Felipe Alou in 7 player deal

California Angels trade Bo Belinsky to the Philadelphia Phillies for Rudy May

California Angels trade Bo Belinsky to the Philadelphia Phillies for Rudy May

1964 – General Manager Paul Richards sparks controversy when news leaks out during the Winter Meetings in Houston that he had offered the team’s entire 40-man roster plus $5 million dollars for the 40-man roster of the Milwaukee Braves. Richards claimed to have had the backing of owners Bob Smith and Roy Hofheinz but the Braves shoot down the idea as a joke that got out of hand. Had it been consumated, future Hall of Famers like Hank Aaron, Phil Niekro and Eddie Mathews could have been Astros.

Camilo Pascual is traded by the Minnesota Twins, along with IF Bernie Allen, to the Washington Senators for P Ron Kline.

Camilo Pascual is traded by the Minnesota Twins, along with IF Bernie Allen, to the Washington Senators for P Ron Kline.

Major League Baseball’s Rules Committee adopts a series of changes designed to increase offense

Robert E. Short, Democratic National Committee treasurer, buys majority ownership of the Washington Senators 

Robert E. Short, Democratic National Committee treasurer, buys majority ownership of the Washington Senators 

Amos Otis at bat

Outfielder Amos Otis is traded to the Royals for third baseman Joe Foy in one of the worst trades in Mets History

The Minnesota Twins send P Tom Hall to the Cincinnati Reds in exchange for P Wayne Granger.

The Cubs trade 25 year-old right-hander Jim Colborn, along with Brock Davis and Earl Stephenson, to the Brewers for outfielder Jose Cardenal. Chicago’s newest outfielder will have a productive stay in the Windy City, batting .296 during his six-year tenure with the team.

1971 – Lefthander Dave Roberts is acquired from San Diego for infielder Derrel Thomas and pitchers Bill Grief and Mark Schaeffer. Roberts compiles a 47-44 mark in four seasons. His best year is a 17-11 record with a 2.85 ERA and six shutouts in 1973. 

dick allen

The Chicago White Sox obtain catcher Jim Essian from the Atlanta Braves in exchange for controversial slugger Dick Allen

"Tug McGraw has got about forty-eight cards in his deck." - Tom Seaver

In a six-player deal, the New York Mets trade relief ace and Shea Stadium favorite Tug McGraw and two players to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for outfielder Del Unser, catcher John Stearns and a pitching prospect.

First baseman Lee May and outfielder Jay Schlueter are traded to Baltimore for infielders Enos Cabell and Rob Andrews

don sutton houston

Don Sutton, the winningest pitcher in Los Angeles Dodgers history, signs a four-year contract with the Houston Astros. Sutton posted a 13-5 record in 1980 with a National League leading 2.21 ERA.

Cleveland Indians outfielder Joe Charboneau, who hit .289 with 23 home runs and collected 87 RBI, is named American League Rookie of the Year.

1988 – Two free agent pitchers sign three-year contracts, Jesse Orosco with the Cleveland Indians and Dave LaPoint with the New York Yankees.

Milwaukee Brewers sign free agent Dave Parker

Milwaukee Brewers sign free agent Dave Parker

1990 – National League batting champion Willie McGee signs as a free agent with the San Francisco Giants, ending his three-month stint across the bay with Oakland. McGee finished the season with Oakland following a trade with the Cardinals, but he still qualified as the NL batting champion.

Tom Candiotti 

The Los Angeles Dodgers sign free agent knuckleballer Tom Candiotti to a four-year contract.

The Seattle Mariners sign free agent P Chris Bosio to a four-year contract.

The Seattle Mariners sign free agent P Chris Bosio to a four-year contract.

The Phillies trade World Series goat, closer Mitch Williams, to the Astros for pitchers Doug Jones and Jeff Juden. The much-maligned closer, who posted a 20.25 ERA, losing twice in his three Fall Classic appearances, will be best remembered for giving up Joe Carter’s dramatic walk-off home run that clinched the World Championship for Toronto.

1996 – The Florida Marlins sign free agent OF Jim Eisenreich to a two-year contract.

1996 – John Bateman dies in Sand Spring, TX at age 56. The native Texan would enjoy a ten-year big-league career with a .230 batting average and 81 home runs. 

1997 – The Tampa Bay Devil Rays agree to terms with free agents P Wilson Alvarez, to a five-year contract, and OF Dave Martinez to a two-year contract.

2001 – Although Enron Corporation has filed for Chapter 11 bankruptcy, the corporation says it is current on its payments and plans to keep the company’s name on the Houston Astros’ new ballpark. The downtown stadium will be known as Enron Field as long as Enron continues to exist and makes regular payments on its 30-year, $100 million commitment, according to team officials.

The Oakland Athletics send P Billy Koch and two minor leaguers to the Chicago White Sox in exchange for P Keith Foulke, C Mark Johnson, minor league P Joe Valentine, and cash considerations.

The Los Angeles Dodgers trade 1B Eric Karros, 2B Mark Grudzielanek and cash to the Chicago Cubs. In return, the Dodgers get C Todd Hundley and OF Chad Hermansen.

Uncertain of re-signing starter Kevin Millwood, the Philadelphia Phillies trade reliever Carlos Silva, infielder Nick Punto, and pitcher Danny Mota to the Minnesota Twins for starter Eric Milton. Milton, who missed most of last season after knee surgery, will join the starting rotation which will includes Randy Wolf, Vicente Padilla and Brett Myers.

Mike Lowell signs a four-year, $32 million deal with the Marlins. The All-Star third baseman’s contract, however, reverts to a one-year deal with a player option for 2005 if the teams fail to secure financing for a new ballpark by November 1, 2004.

In an effort to replace Billy Wagner, who joined the Mets as a free agent earlier in the week, the Phillies sign right-hander Tom Gordon to be the team’s closer. The 38 year-old former Yankee set up man agrees to an $18 million, three-year deal to hurl for the City of Brotherly Love.

Dick Williams is elected into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee

Dick Williams is elected into the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee

Reflecting the worldwide economic crisis, Rogers Communications, owner of the Blue Jays, announces plans of corporate layoffs, which includes employees from the team’s sales staff. The team cites a decline in advertising revenue as the reason for the staffing cuts.

After being declined salary arbitration by the Cubs earlier in the week, Bobby Howry agrees to a $2.75M, one-year deal with the Giants. Chicago plans to use the right-handed reliever as the club’s primary setup man.

2009 – Free agent 2B Placido Polanco signs a three-year $18 million contract with the Philadelphia Phillies, where he is expected to replace 3B Pedro Feliz.

The A’s trade right-handed pitcher Jeff Gray and minor league prospects Matt Spencer and Ronny Morla to the Cubs in exchange for infielders Jake Fox and Aaron Miles along with cash considerations. With the addition of Fox added to their lineup, Oakland gets a much-needed power boost from the right side of the plate.

The Blue Jays acquire reliever Carlos Villanueva from the Brewers for a player to be named later; the deal will be completed on December 6th when the Jays send P Shaun Marcum, their Opening Day starter, to the Brewers but also receive top prospect Brett Lawrie.

After spending lavishly to secure deals with Adam Dunn and A.J. Pierzynski yesterday, the White Sox shed some payroll by trading veteran reliever Scott Linebrink to Atlanta in return for Class AA pitcher Kyle Cofield.

Ron santo 1963

Future Hall of Famer Ron Santo passes away

2011 – The Blue Jays acquire C Jeff Mathis from the Angels for left-hander Brad Mills. Mathis is an outstanding fielder, but has a career batting average below .200. He will back up J.P. Arencibia, whose strengths and weaknesses are exactly opposite.

The Veterans Committee elects three candidates from the pre-integration era to the Hall of Fame: owner Jacob Ruppert helped build the New York Yankees into the most successful franchise in the major leagues; Hank O’Day was an outstanding umpire who called the shots for the first-ever World Series game; and Deacon White was the first great catcher in baseball history, with one of the longest careers of the 19th century. The three will be inducted next July.

On the first day of the Winter Meetings, the Red Sox sign C Mike Napoli to a three-year deal worth $39 million With backstop Jarrod Saltalamacchia already on the roster, the Sox see Napoli as a first baseman and think his power swing is ideally suited for the cozy fences of Fenway Park, but he will fail his physical examination because of a hip injury and have to settle for a one-year deal worth $5 million..

In other signings, the Rangers sign reliever Joakim Soria, coming off Tommy John surgery, and re-sign C Geovany Soto, who will be Napoli’s replacement, while the Rays ink 1B James Loney, who vacated the spot Napoli will now fill in Boston, to a one-year deal.

It’s also a day of trades as the Rockies trade OF Dexter Fowler and a player to be named later to Houston for OF Brandon Barnes and P Jordan Lyles; the A’s acquire P Luke Gregerson from San Diego for OF Seth Smith; the Rangers send OF Craig Gentry and P Josh Lindblom to Oakland for prospects Michael Choice and Chris Bostick; and the Rays get C Ryan Hanigan and P Heath Bell in a three-team deal with the Reds and Diamondbacks, with P David Holmberg going from Arizona to Cincinnati and Justin Choate from Tampa to Arizona, while some money also changes hands to even things out.

Ellsbury heading to New York

In a major coup, the Yankees grab American League stolen bases leader Jacoby Ellsbury 

The Braves sign free agent OF Nick Markakis to a four-year, $44 million contract. Markakis has spent all of his career with the Baltimore Orioles and will replace recently traded right fielder Jason Heyward in Atlanta.

The Blue Jays trade P J.A. Happ to Seattle in return for Canadian OF Michael Saunders.

Nick Markakis (276, 14, 50) and the Braves agree on a four-year deal reportedly in the range of $45 million. The Orioles had declined the 31 year-old outfielder’s $17.5 million mutual option for next season, making the two-time Gold Glover available as a free agent.

The Original League field in Williamsport, the birthplace of Little League Baseball, is placed on the National Register. The site is where the youth league’s founder Carl E. Stotz used newspapers as bases to determine the appropriate size of an infield for children, a year before the organization’s first game in 1939.

New Blue Jays president Mark Shapiro selects veteran Indians executive Ross Atkins for the team’s general manager position and executive vice-president of baseball operations. The 42 year-old North Carolina native, a close friend of Shapiro from working with him in Cleveland, becomes the seventh GM in franchise history.

P James Paxton is named the winner of the Tip O’Neill Award given by the Canadian Baseball Hall of Fame to the best baseball player from Canada. His win breaks a stranglehold on the award by Joey Votto, who had won it in seven of the previous eight years.

In what is looking more and more like a fire sale, the Mariners trade another veteran for prospects, sending SS Jean Segura to the Phillies for SS prospect J.P. Crawford and other youngsters. The Mariners also take on the remaining contract of 1B Carlos Santana to even out the costs, and decide to also fork over Ps Juan Nicasio and James Pazos to sweeten the deal.

Major League Baseball Birthdays on December 3 

Bill Harris Stats & Facts

Bill Harris Stats & Facts

Dave Eilers Stats & Facts

Dave Eilers Stats & Facts

Clay Dalrymple Stats & Facts

Clay Dalrymple Stats & Facts

Ron Stillwell Stats & Facts

Ron Stillwell Stats & Facts

Ed Connolly Stats & Facts

Ed Connolly Stats & Facts

Chico Salmon Stats & Facts

Chico Salmon Stats & Facts

Jose Pena Stats & Facts

Jose Pena Stats & Facts

Jerry Johnson Stats & Facts

Jerry Johnson Stats & Facts

Lou Marone Stats & Facts

Lou Marone Stats & Facts

Steve Huntz Stats & Facts

Steve Huntz Stats & Facts

Greg Washburn Stats & Facts

Greg Washburn Stats & Facts

Gerry Pirtle Stats & Facts

Gerry Pirtle Stats & Facts

Wayne Garrett Stats & Facts

Wayne Garrett Stats & Facts

Lafayette Currence Stats & Facts

Lafayette Currence Stats & Facts

Larry Anderson Stats & Facts

Larry Anderson Stats & Facts

Pat Putnam Stats & Facts

Pat Putnam Stats & Facts

Bob Pate Stats & Facts

Bob Pate Stats & Facts

Bennie Tate Stats & Facts

Bennie Tate Stats & Facts

Al Spohrer Stats & Facts

Al Spohrer Stats & Facts

Charlie Wagner Stats & Facts

Charlie Wagner Stats & Facts

Butch Wensloff Stats & Facts

Butch Wensloff Stats & Facts

Joe Cleary Stats & Facts

Joe Cleary Stats & Facts

Hooks Iott Stats & Facts

Hooks Iott Stats & Facts

Joe Collins Stats & Facts

Joe Collins Stats & Facts

Fred Taylor Stats & Facts

Fred Taylor Stats & Facts

Harry Simpson Stats & Facts

Harry Simpson Stats & Facts

Al Corwin Stats & Facts

Al Corwin Stats & Facts

Andy Oliver Page

Andy Oliver Page

Mike Tauchman Page

Mike Tauchman Page

Matt Reynolds Page

Matt Reynolds Page

Miguel Gonzalez Page

Miguel Gonzalez Page

J. T. Chargois Page

J. T. Chargois Page

Mark Bradley Stats & Facts

Mark Bradley Stats & Facts

Mike Martin Stats & Facts

Mike Martin Stats & Facts

Gene Nelson Stats & Facts

Gene Nelson Stats & Facts

Damon Berryhill Stats & Facts

Damon Berryhill Stats & Facts

Darryl Hamilton Stats & Facts

Darryl Hamilton Stats & Facts

Steve Carter Stats & Facts

Steve Carter Stats & Facts

Jeff Carter Stats & Facts

Jeff Carter Stats & Facts

Kevin Morgan Stats & Facts

Kevin Morgan Stats & Facts

Paul Byrd Stats & Facts

Paul Byrd Stats & Facts

Robert Ramsay Stats & Facts

Robert Ramsay Stats & Facts

Gary Glover Stats & Facts

Gary Glover Stats & Facts

Chad Durbin Stats & Facts

Chad Durbin Stats & Facts

Matt Childers Stats & Facts

Matt Childers Stats & Facts

Eric Hull Stats & Facts

Eric Hull Stats & Facts

Chris Snelling Stats & Facts

Chris Snelling Stats & Facts

Manny Corpas Stats & Facts

Manny Corpas Stats & Facts

Tobi Stoner Stats & Facts

Tobi Stoner Stats & Facts

Cozy Dolan Stats & Facts

Cozy Dolan Stats & Facts

Frank Shannon Stats & Facts

Frank Shannon Stats & Facts

Walt Dickson Stats & Facts

Walt Dickson Stats & Facts

Joe Birmingham Stats & Facts

Joe Birmingham Stats & Facts

Delos Drake Stats & Facts

Delos Drake Stats & Facts

Bill Crouch Stats & Facts

Bill Crouch Stats & Facts

Louis Drucke Stats & Facts

Louis Drucke Stats & Facts

Larry Gilbert Stats & Facts

Larry Gilbert Stats & Facts

Tim Manning Stats & Facts

Tim Manning Stats & Facts

Major League Baseball Deaths On December 3 

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