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 This Day In Baseball February 13 .
This Day In Baseball February 13 highlights . . .
- On February 13 1953 — The Philadelphia Athletics change the name of Shibe Park to “Connie Mack Stadium”, in honor of their longtime owner and manager. Mack was part-owner and manager of the franchise for a record 50 years. The Athletics will depart Philadelphia at the end of the following season, and the Phillies will continue to inhabit Connie Mack Stadium until the end of the 1970 season, when they will move to Veterans Stadium. After being badly damaged in a fire in 1971, Connie Mack Stadium will continue to decay until being torn down in 1976.
The ‘Tall Tactician’ guided the team to nine American League pennants and appeared in eight World Series, winning five of the Fall Classics.
- On February 13 1964 — Chicago Cubs second baseman Ken Hubbs, named National League Rookie of the Year in 1962, dies in Provo, Utah at age 22, when the plane that he is piloting crashes.
- On February 13, 1995, the Los Angeles Dodgers sign Japanese pitching star Hideo Nomo to a contract that includes a $2 million signing bonus. Nomo won 78 games for the Kintetsu Buffaloes over the past four seasons. Nomo will become the National League’s Rookie of the Year in 1996.
- On February 13 1996 — The St. Louis Cardinals complete a long-rumored swap, acquiring closer Dennis Eckersley from the Oakland Athletics in exchange for minor league reliever Steve Montgomery. Eckersley replaces Tom Henke, who announced last month he was retiring. The Cardinals also announce that they are laying nearly three acres of grass over the field at Busch Stadium, replacing the artificial turf that has been used for 26 years. The grass turf will be ready for the April 8th opener against Montreal.
- On February 13, 1944 Sal Bando was born in Cleveland, OH. His best season was in 1969 when he had 31 HR, 113 RBI, 111 BB, .281 BA, .400 OBP, & .885 OPS. Bando was a 4X All-Star and a key member of 3 World Series champions (1972-74 Oakland A’s). He also finished in the top 4 of the AL MVP voting 3X (1971, 1973-74).
- Born: February 13, 1883 in Los Gatos, CA, Hal Chase among the most unsavory characters in the history of the game during baseballs often rough-and-tumble Deadball Era. Chase was an oddly charismatic star. Hal Chase was both acclaimed as the finest defensive first baseman of his time, and simultaneously accused of countless instances of throwing games. A master card shark and billards player, Chase spent much of his time hustling unsuspecting opponents. When he did play honestly on the diamond he was a fine hitter and marvel with the glove, but the honest streaks were few and far between. Ultimately, this tragic figure was banished from the major leagues.
Notable Events and Chronology for This Day In Baseball February 13
