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 4
This Day In Baseball February 4 highlights:
- On February 4, 1893 — The first recorded version (Columbia Graphophone Grand, #9649) of the poem Casey at the Bat, vocalized by recording pioneer Russell Hunting, is released. The more well-known rendition of Earnest Thayer’s work, the one popularized by DeWolfe Hopper, will not be heard by the public until 1906.
- On February 4 1915 — The New York Yankees purchase Wally Pipp and Hugh High from the Detroit Tigers for a reported $5,000 each. Baseball historian Lyle Spatz (Yankees Coming, Yankees Going) writes that this was the first of some promised funneling of ball players to the recently-sold Yankees franchise.
- On February 4 1956 — The American League says it will test the automatic intentional walk during spring training. However, it will not be adopted in the majors until 2017.
- ON February 4, 1956 – Baseball Commissioner Ford Frick introduces the Cy Young Memorial Award in memory of the Hall of Fame hurler who died in 1955, honoring the outstanding major league pitcher of the year.. At first, there will be one award for both major leagues.The first recipient will be Don Newcombe, who will post a 27-7 record along with an ERA of 3.06 for the Dodgers the following season.
- On February 4, 1957, manager Joe McCarthy and outfielder Sam Crawford are elected to the Hall of Fame. McCarthy, the winningest manager in history, won nine pennants and four consecutive World Championships with the New York Yankees. Crawford, one of the greatest hitters of the dead-ball era, finished his career with 309 triples, first on the all-time list.
- On February 4, 1969, 42-year-old Bowie Kuhn is named commissioner, succeeding Spike Eckert. Kuhn receives a one-year contract paying him $100,000. Major league owners turned to Kuhn after failing to agree on either of two other candidates, Mike Burke of the New York Yankees and Charles Feeney of the San Francisco Giants. The early favorite, John McHale, took his name out of the running early, as he had accepted the job of President of the expansion Montreal Expos a short time before Eckert was ousted.
- On February 4, 1976, Federal judge John W. Oliver of the United States district court for Western Missouri upholds a recent decision by arbitrator Peter Seitz, who had granted free agency to pitchers Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally.Both players had challenged baseball’s reserve clause. By not signing their contracts, contending they are now free to sign with another team for next season, negating the owners’ belief that the one-year contracts are perpetually renewed without a player’s consent. Messersmith will sign a free agent contract with the Atlanta Braves, while McNally will decide to retire.
- On February 4, 1991, the twelve Hall of Fame board of directors vote unanimously to accept the proposal presented last month by a special committee that excludes any player placed on the permanently ineligible list from consideration for enshrinement. The decision will prevent Pete Rose’s name from being placed on the HOF ballot.
