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 17
- On February 17 1937 – The New York Yankees buy another Babe from the Red Sox, picking up Babe Dahlgren. The California native will become the player who replaces Lou Gehrig.
- On February 17, 1943,. Joe DiMaggio enlists in the US Army, in his customary quiet style, gives no notice to the club drawing. He gives up his $43,500 salary from the Yankees, for the $50 a month as an army enlisted man. Although the Bronx Bomber outfielder asked for no special treatment, he will spend most of his time out of harm’s way playing baseball in America. DiMaggio will miss all of the 1943, 1944 and 1945 seasons before returning to play 132 games for the Yankees in 1946.
- On February 17, 1958, former major league star Bob Feller is hired as a broadcaster by the Mutual Broadcasting System. The Hall of Fame right-hander will serve as a color analyst on the radio network’s “game of the week” broadcast.
- On February 17 1964 – Former White Sox SS Luke Appling is elected into the Hall of Fame by a special vote by the Baseball Writers Association of America. In 1953, Appling’s first year of eligibility for Cooperstown, the Sox great received just two votes.
Appling played 20 seasons with the Chicago White Sox, compiling a lifetime batting average of .310 and a total of 1,116 RBIs. He holds the single-season highest batting average for his position, hitting .388 in 1936.
- Originally aired February 17, 1970, this clip features coverage of Denny McLain, pitcher of the Detroit Tigers. This story covers the news of an impending article in Sports Illustrated regarding alleged activities of McLain consorting with gamblers.
- On February 17, 1989, Hall of Fame pitcher Lefty Gomez dies at the age of 80. Gomez won 189 games over a 14-year career with the New York Yankees and Washington Senators. Gomez pitched exceptionally well in World Series play, winning six games without a loss.
