This Day In Baseball December 5

On December 5 on this day in baseball history, there were over 125 notable events.  There were , Over 57 Birthdays, 27 Deaths all on December 5 on this Day In Baseball history.

 

1888 – Columbus is admitted to the American Association to replace Cleveland, which is moving to the National League.

Babe Ruth Autographed Photo - 8x10 9 - PSA/DNA Certified

Babe Ruth and two other members of the New York Yankees are suspended for participating in an “illegal” barnstorming

Connie Mack spends money to begin building another winner acquiring Sammy Hale

Connie Mack spends money to begin building another winner acquiring Sammy Hale

1926 – Cardinals C Bob O’Farrell is named National League MVP. O’Farrell caught 146 games and batted .293. He polls 79 points. Reds 2B Hughie Critz is runner-up with 60. Critz set a major-league record amassing 588 assists, which will be topped by Frank Frisch with 643 in 1927.

The National Board of Arbitration rules the Texas League cannot place teams in Tulsa and Oklahoma City without permission of the Western League, which now operates in those cities. This landmark decision establishes league property rights in the cities of each circuit.

In an attempt to combat “chain store” baseball, the American Association votes to bar further ownership of its clubs by the major league clubs.

1950 – Mel Ott, who has been working in the New York Giants farm system, hires on for two years in the Oakland managerial spot vacated by Charlie Dressen.

Mel Ott leaves the Giants’ organization, signing a two-year pact to manage the Pacific Coast League’s Oakland club. ‘Marvelous Mel’ will be replacing Chuck Dressen, who compiled a 222-165 (.572) record and captured last season’s PCL championship during his two-year tenure with the Oaks.

Joe Jackson Cleveland

Joe Jackson dies at the age of 62

1952 – Major league attendance figures released today show an 11 percent drop.

The Red Sox sell 41-year-old pitcher Ellis Kinder to the Cardinals. He will team up with the like-aged Walker Cooper to form just the second 40+ battery. Curt Davis and Clyde Sukeforth, in 1945, are the other such duo.

Carl Stotz announces his plans to organize a rival Little League of his own.

Curt Flood 1968

St. Louis Cardinals make one of their best trades ever, acquiring Curt Flood

The minor leagues threaten to sue Major League Baseball if it televises Sunday games in their territory.

The Cubs send veteran Bob Rush and two players to the Braves for C Sammy Taylor and P Taylor Phillips.

The Cards turn down the Phillies’ offer of Richie Ashburn and Harvey Haddix for Ken Boyer, trusting that Boyer will turn into a good third baseman. Then, in one of their best trades ever, the Cardinals acquire outfielders Curt Flood and Joe Taylor from the Redlegs for pitchers Marty Kutyna and Ted Wieand. The 19-year-old Flood, who appeared in eight games for Cincinnati over the past two seasons, will anchor the St. Louis outfield for the next 12 years.

The American League purchases a $1.8 million group accident policy to help clubs buy new players in case of a major disaster.

Braves trade for Bob Rush

Braves trade for Bob Rush

1958 – The Phils, under pressure provided by the Yankees’ threat to broadcast into their territory, drop any plans for 1959 broadcasts to New York City. The Cards and Pirates follow suit.

The Phillies, hoping to fill the National League void in the Big Apple caused by the departure of the Giants and Dodgers to the west coast, drop any plans for 1959 broadcasts into New York City. The team’s reversal takes place when the Yankees threaten to air Bronx Bombers contests in Philadelphia.

The Phils ship Chico Fernandez and Ray Semproch to Detroit for Ken Walters, Ted Lepcio, and minor leaguer Alex Cosmidis. The Cuban-born Fernandez was the first ethnic minority to play for the Phils, and will be the second ethnic minority to play for Detroit.

Representing Major League Baseball, the Yankees’ Yogi Berra visits Italy to present baseball equipment and aid in the sport’s development.

1960 – American League President Joe Cronin suggests that if the National League starts its new New York franchise in 1961, the American League will stay out of Los Angeles until 1962. The NL turned down the suggested compromise of November 22nd because Houston will not be ready in 1961.

1966 - Bill DeWitt sells the Cincinnati Reds to a group of Cincinnati investors for an estimated $7 million.

1966 – Bill DeWitt sells the Cincinnati Reds to a group of Cincinnati investors for an estimated $7 million.

1967 – Stan Musial resigns as general manager of the St. Louis Cardinals and is replaced by Bing Devine. Musial remains a senior vice-president.

1969 – Chub Feeney succeeds Warren Giles as president of the National League. He is elected for a four-year term, beginning January 1, 1970.

Los Angeles Dodgers acquire relief pitcher Mike Marshall from the Montreal Expos

The Dodgers trade OF Willie Davis to the Expos for relief pitcher Mike Marshall. Marshall will win the Cy Young Award for the Dodgers next season.

The Dodgers trade OF Willie Davis to the Expos for relief pitcher Mike Marshall. Marshall will win the Cy Young Award for the Dodgers next season.

Ron Santo becomes the first player to invoke the new 10 and 5 rule. The Cubs want to trade Santo to the Angels for two pitchers, but he vetoes the deal.

Yogi Berra, fired unexpectedly after piloting the club as a first-year manager to a 99-63 record and an American League pennant in 1964, returns to the Yankees as a coach after an 11-year absence. The hiring of the team’s former All-Star catcher and skipper to be Billy Martin’s bench coach marks the first time in the history of the game the designation becomes a description for a member of the coaching staff.

1977 – The White Sox trade C Brian Downing and pitchers Chris Knapp and Dave Frost to the Angels for outfielders Bobby Bonds and Thad Bosley, and minor league P Rich Dotson.

Outfielder Leon Roberts is traded to Seattle for infielder Jimmy Sexton. The versatile Sexton would bat .207 over the next two seasons as a reserve for the Astros. 

After sixteen years with the Cincinnati Reds, Pete Rose signs a four-year, $3.2 million deal with the Phillies

After sixteen years with the Cincinnati Reds, Pete Rose signs a four-year, $3.2 million deal with the Phillies

The Indians deal Alfredo Griffin along with prospect Phil Lansford to the Blue Jays for Victor Cruz. The Tribe’s transaction will prove to be short-sighted when the 21 year-old shortstop wins the American League Rookie of Year Award next season, and their newly acquired right-hander posts a 3-9 record with a 4.23 ERA.

1979 – A month after being acquired by the Blue Jays, Chris Chambliss goes to the Atlanta Braves with Luis Gomez for Barry Bonnell, Pat Rockett and Joey McLaughlin. Chambliss will play eight seasons for the Braves.

1983 – The Phillies trade veteran 1B Tony Perez to Cincinnati for a player to be named later.

Rickey-Henderson-Yanksees

Yankees get the man of STEAL

1987 – The Tigers swap pitcher Dan Petry to the Angels for center fielder Gary Pettis.

1988 – Not the best trade the Cubs have ever made: the Cubs and Rangers complete a nine-player swap, with Chicago giving up OF Rafael Palmeiro, P Jamie Moyer and P Drew Hall in exchange for IF Curtis Wilkerson and pitchers Mitch Williams, Paul Kilgus, and Steve Wilson, and a pair of minor leaguers to be named.

San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays collaborate on an old-fashioned blockbuster trade

San Diego Padres and Toronto Blue Jays collaborate on an old-fashioned blockbuster trade

Free agent OF Vince Coleman signs a four-year contract with the Mets. He has led the National League in stolen bases each of the last six seasons, and this year (June 3rd) copped his 500th theft in his 804th game, the quickest player to reach that plateau.

Hoping to fill the void created by Darryl Strawberry’s departure to LA as a free agent, the Mets make their first move into the free-agent market in 10 years when they sign Vince Coleman to a 4-year contract just shy of $12 million. The former St. Louis outfielder, who will spend time on the disabled list on five occasions during the next two seasons, will be hampered by injuries to his ribs and hamstrings during his stay with New York.

The Twins trade P David West to the Phillies in exchange for P Mike Hartley.

The Dodgers sign free agent OF Cory Snyder to a two-year contract.

The Rangers sign free agent C Dave Valle to a two-year contract.

It is announced that Richard Ravitch will step down as negotiator for the owners on December 31st. Instead, he will resign tomorrow.

The Twins bring back free agent DH Paul Molitor.

The Angels sign free agent 3B Tim Wallach.

Two days after signing C Joe Girardi, the Yankees send back-up catcher Jim Leyritz to the Angels in exchange for minor leaguers Ryan Kane and Jeremy Blevins. Leyritz, the Yankee with the longest tenure – 5 years, 126 days – was vulnerable because of his $1.75 million yearly contract.

The new collective bargaining agreement is unanimously approved by the Players’ association executive committee, clearing the path for interleague play and guaranteeing no work stoppages until 2001.

Following his most productive season with the Oakland A’s, Terry Steinbach elects to take less money and return home. Like Dave Winfield, Paul Molitor and Jack Morris before him, the Minnesota veteran signs with Twins.

Will Clark

The Orioles sign free agent 1B Will Clark to a two-year contract.

1999 – Major League Baseball and ESPN agree to settle their lawsuit by signing a new six-year, $800 million deal. The suit involved ESPN’s decision to give NFL football games priority over late-season Sunday night baseball games on its main channel.

2001 – New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announces he wants to complete new stadium deals for the Mets and Yankees before he leaves office at the end of the month. Before the September 11th attacks, which dramatically changed the city’s financial stature, the mayor thought an arrangement in which the city, the state and the owners agreed to pay one-third of the cost of the new stadiums might complete the negotiations with the teams. A deal will be struck and the two new ballparks will both open in 2009.

New York City Mayor Rudolph Giuliani announces he wants to complete new stadium deals for the Mets and Yankees before he leaves office at the end of the month. Before the September 11 attacks, which dramatically changed the city’s financial stature, the mayor believed an arrangement in which the city, the state, and the owners agreed to pay one-third of the cost of the new stadiums might complete the negotiations with the teams.

Tom Glavine signs with the Mets

Tom Glavine signs with the Mets

2005 – Reaching a preliminary deal with the Dodgers a day before baseball’s winter meetings, Rafael Furcal agrees to a $39-million, three-year contract to play shortstop in the City of Angels. The 28-year old Dominican infielder was also strongly pursued by the Braves, his former team for the past six seasons, and the Cubs.

After trying seven shortstops since Nomar Garciaparra’s 2004 trade to the Cubs, the Red Sox give Marco Scutaro an opportunity to play the position, inking the 34 year-old infielder to a two-year deal with a club option for 2012. The free-agent, who hit a career-best .282 along with 12 homers and 60 RBIs for Toronto last season, will replace Alex Gonzalez, who left the Red Sox after Boston declined his $6 million option and recently signed with the Blue Jays.

2010 – The Washington Nationals sign free agent OF Jayson Werth to a seven-year deal worth $125 million. The deal is considered shocking because of its length, considering Werth is already 31 and was a late bloomer.

On the eve of the winter meetings, free-agent Jayson Werth (.296, 27, 85) and the Nationals come to terms on a $126 million, seven-year contract. The signing of the 31 year-old right-fielder, who has been a cog in Philadelphia’s recent success, will help to fill the void created by the departure of Adam Dunn, the team’s former clean-up hitter, to the south side of Chicago.

2011 – Ron Santo, former Chicago Cubs third baseman in the 1960s, who died last year, is the lone player elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. He receives 15 of 16 votes from members of the “Golden Era” Committee.

Tom Cheek, who broadcast every Toronto Blue Jays game from the team’s creation in 1977 until 2004, is the posthumous recipient of the Ford Frick Award.

The Yankees see two potential replacements for injured 3B Alex Rodriguez slip away, as Eric Chavez, who was A-Rod’s back-up over the last two seasons, signs with Arizona while Jeff Keppinger, whom the Yankees were also pursuing, agrees to a three-year deal with the White Sox.

For the third straight year, 1B Joey Votto of the Reds is named recipient of the Tip O’Neill Award given to the best ballplayer in Canada.

The Brewers trade OF Norichika Aoki to the Royals for P Will Smith, while a number of free agents sign with new teams: P Edward Mujica with Boston, P Ronald Belisario with the White Sox, and SS Rafael Furcal, who was injured all of last season, with the Marlins.

The Yankees make a couple of moves today. First, they sign reliever Andrew Miller for four years and $36 million, then they acquire SS Didi Gregorius from Arizona as the heir apparent to the retired Derek Jeter, parting with P Shane Greene, with the Tigers also involved in the deal.

The Rays hire former C Kevin Cash as their new manager, after an extended search to replace Joe Maddon, who jumped to the Cubs.

2015 – Another day, another free agent pitcher signs a huge contract. Today, Jeff Samardzija inks a five-year deal with the Giants worth $90 million. The deal, which is pending a physical exam, follows on the heels of even larger contracts signed by David Price and Zack Greinke in previous days.

legendary Nancy Faust's organ who entertained fans for more than 3,000 White Sox is purchased by Red Sox organist Josh Kantor

legendary Nancy Faust’s organ who entertained fans for more than 3,000 White Sox is purchased by Red Sox organist Josh Kantor

2016 – A couple of important free agent signings are announced at the winter meetings taking place in National Harbor, MD. The Giants sign closer Mark Melancon for four years and and $62 million, after the lack of a reliable closer cost them dearly in the second half of the previous season and in the postseason. For their part, the Dodgers re-sign P Rich Hill for three years and $48 million, two years after the 36-year-old one-time reliever re-launched his career by going to the independent leagues and tried his luck as a starting pitcher.

2017 – The Cardinals sign free agent P Miles Mikolas to a two-year deal worth $15.5 million. Mikolas failed to make much of an impression in his first taste of the majors earlier this decade but is coming off three excellent seasons with the Yomiuri Giants in which his ERA never exceeded 2.45 and will be an All-Star in 2018.

2018 – The Cardinals acquire 1B Paul Goldschmidt from Arizona for a package of young players that includes C Carson Kelly, P Luke Weaver, IF Andy Young and a Compensation Round B pick in the 2019 amateur draft.

Major League Baseball Birthdays on December 5

Major League Baseball Deaths On December 5

Sponsor this Page

 

Listen to Voices From The Past on Our Podcast

The Daily Rewind

on Apples Podcast | Spotify  | Google | Stitcher

And connect with us wherever else you listen to Podcast and hangout!

 

This Day In Baseball Has - Over 1,000 videos!

 

Full Radio Broadcasts | Interviews  | WORLD SERIES Highlights | PODCAST