This Day In Baseball January 19

January

Sandy Koufax & Willie Mays Signed 8.75x12 Magazine Page #U91962 - JSA Certified

Baseball history on January 19 includes a total of 53 Major League baseball players born that day of the year, 26 Major League baseball players who died on that date, and 100 noteable other events. All on January 19 on this day in baseball. 

 

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January 19, 1900 - Boston Beaneaters catcher Marty Bergen (photo) kills his wife and two children with an axe, then takes his own life. He was reportedly depressed by his son's death the previous April, and had suffered symptoms of mental illness for several years. Billy Hamilton is the only Boston player to attend the backstop's funeral.

Boston Beaneaters catcher Marty Bergen kills his wife and two children with an axe, then takes his own life. He was reportedly depressed by his son’s death the previous April, and had suffered symptoms of mental illness for several years. Billy Hamilton is the only Boston player to attend the backstop’s funeral.

Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis

a list of 123 Federal League free agents is released by the National Association.

ON THIS DAY..... January 19, 1931 - The Robins, under the terms of a new agreement with Pacific Coast League, purchase the contract of Ernie Lombardi from the Oakland Oaks for $50,000... The 23 year-old 'Schnozz,' inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1986, plays well for Brooklyn, but will be traded to the Reds after his rookie season because the team has a plethora of catchers.

Acting under a new draft agreement with the Pacific Coast League, the Brooklyn Robins purchase the contract of catcher Ernie Lombardi from the Oakland Oaks.

Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis turns down “Shoeless” Joe Jackson’s bid for reinstatement

Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis turns down “Shoeless” Joe Jackson’s bid for reinstatement

Tris Speaker

Baseball Writers Association of America elects second baseman Napoleon Lajoie, outfielder Tris Speaker and pitcher Cy Young to the Cooperstown shrine

Larry MacPhail is coaxed back into baseball by the Dodgers

Larry MacPhail is coaxed back into baseball by the Dodgers

Paul Waner

The Boston Braves release veteran outfielders Paul Waner and Johnny Cooney.

media reports say that Stan “The Man” Musial will enlist in the U.S. military

media reports say that Stan “The Man” Musial will enlist in the U.S. military

1953 – The Augusta Tigers club (South Atlantic League) announces that it is changing its nickname from the Tigers to the Ikes. Because of fans nixing the presidential name, it will changed again on February 9th to the Augusta Rams.

Alexander Cartwright

In New Jersey, the city of Hoboken dedicates a plaque honoring the achievements of Alexander Cartwright in organizing early baseball at Elysian Fields in Jersey City.

Fred Hanley

Braves to be better in 1958

1959 – The Players Association orders their International League members not to sign a pact unless it includes their pension plan.

don newcombe

Cleveland Indians release former National League standout Don Newcombe

Danny O’Connell and Hobie Landrith surprise the Senators’ front office when they both resign to pursue different business opportunities. The pair of coaches will be replaced by Rube Walker and Joe Pignatano, former major league catchers who played for the Dodgers with the team’s manager, Gil Hodges.

Bob Aspromonte is the first recipient of the Jim Umbricht Award

Phil Nevin autographed baseball card (Houston Astros SC) 1994 Fleer Excel #207

Two former Houston first round draft choices are born on this day

Baseball Writers elect three players to the Hall of Fame: Yogi Berra, Sandy Koufax and Early Wynn

The New York Yankees acquire outfielder Johnny Callison on a conditional basis from the Chicago Cubs. The Yankees will end up keeping him and completing the deal by shipping pitcher Jack Aker to the Cubs on May 17th.

Ernie Banks Autographed HOF Plaque Postcard Chicago Cubs Signed Three Times Beckett BAS #10983132 - Beckett Authentication

Chicago Cub standout Ernie Banks is elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility

1978 – Eddie Mathews is elected to the Hall of Fame by the BBWAA. The former third baseman is named on 301 of 379 ballots.

Lee Lacy

Lee Lacy signs 6 year deal with Pirates

Los Angeles Dodgers third baseman Ron Cey is sent to the Chicago Cubs for minor leaguers Vance Lovelace and Dan Cataline. Cey will play 518 games at third for the Cubs, the most since Ron Santo.

ozzie-smith

Ozzie Smith becomes the game’s first $1 million shortstop

1994 – Major league owners amend the major league agreement, giving complete power to the Commissioner on labor negotiations. Bud Selig will continue to act as interim commissioner.

1995 – Baltimore Orioles owner Peter Angelos announces that his team will not use replacement players if the strike is not settled before Opening Day.

Ivan Rodriguez

Ivan Rodriguez, avoiding salary arbitration, agrees to a contract worth $6.65 million to catch for the Rangers. ‘Pudge’ set the record for most doubles by a catcher with 44 last season, and the All-Star receiver also set the major league mark for at-bats by a backstop, with 639, surpassing Johnny Bench’s 621, established in 1970.

2000 – Major League Baseball owners vote to approve the $320 million sale of the Cleveland Indians to Larry Dolan and his family trusts. They also vote to give Commissioner Bud Selig power “without limitation” to ensure “there is an appropriate level of long-term competitive balance among the clubs.” He can override all of baseball’s rules, and even attempt to impose a salary cap if he thinks it necessary to reach an agreement with the players following the 2001 season.

Major league owners unanimously give the commissioner’s office sweeping new powers. Bud Selig, in order to restore competitive balance in baseball, will be allowed to block trades and redistribute the wealth, and, under the adopted new constitution, will also be able to fine teams up to two million dollars.

2005 – The Anaheim Angels trade outfielder Jose Guillen to the Washington Nationals for outfielder Juan Rivera and infielder Maicer Izturis. Guillen, who hit .294 with 27 home runs and 104 RBI in 2004, is now playing for his sixth team in his eight-year career. He was suspended by Anaheim after throwing a helmet during a tirade caused by being taken out for a pinch runner last September.

Baseball officials are cautiously expecting good news soon from the George W. Bush administration that would clear the way for Cuba to participate in the first World Baseball Classic. Meanwhile, Fidel Castro suggests the United States doesn’t want to play Cuba in the WBC. The U.S. Treasury Department last month denied MLB’s application for Cuba to play its scheduled first-round games in Puerto Rico, a U.S. territory. Later rounds are to be played on the U.S. mainland. The license is required under 45-year-old American sanctions against Cuba. The International Baseball Federation has said it will not sanction the tournament if Cuba isn’t allowed to play.

Major league baseball owners unanimously approve the November transaction in which Bob Castellini and two other Cincinnati businessmen bought control of the Reds from previous owner Carl Lindner. It is reported the trio, which includes investors Thomas Williams and William Williams Jr., acquired approximately 70 percent ownership of baseball’s oldest franchise, believed to be valued at an estimated $270 million.

Bill Werber, the oldest ex-major leaguer and last living teammate of Babe Ruth, dies at the age of 100. The former infielder, who played for the Yankees, Red Sox, A’s, Reds, and Giants, became the first player to appear in a televised game when he batted leadoff for Cincinnati in a contest played against the Dodgers at Ebbets Field on August 26, 1939.

Stephen Drew and the Diamondbacks avoid arbitration by coming to terms on a $3.4 million, one-year deal. The 26 year-old shortstop, selected as the team’s 15th pick in the 2004 amateur draft, has compiled a .270 batting average during his four seasons with Arizona.

2010 – Free agent catcher Bengie Molina re-signs for one year with the Giants in what is considered a surprise move, first because top catching prospect Buster Posey seems poised to play regularly for San Francisco, and also because the Mets had been expected to bring in Molina to be their starting catcher this season.

Jonathan Papelbon inks a deal with the Red Sox for the largest salary ever given to a relief pitcher with just four years of major league service. The 29 year-old reliever, who has 151 career saves for Boston, agrees to a $9.35 million, one-year contract to continue to be the team’s closer.

After months of toing and froing, the Minnesota Twins and P Carl Pavano agree on a two-year contract worth $16.5 million. Pavano led the Twins with a 17-11 record in 2010, his second straight solid season after four disastrous years with the New York Yankees from 2005 to 2008.

In other signings, the A’s ink lefty reliever Brian Fuentes for the next two years, while the Padres add righty Chad Qualls to their bullpen.

Dominican Republic authorities arrest Indians­ pitcher Fausto Carmona on charges of using a false identity as he leaves the United States consulate where he is applying for a visa. A police spokesman explains that Carmona’s real name is “Roberto Hernandez Heredia”, and that he is three years older than his listed age. The arrest is part of a joint operation with U.S. immigration authorities to curb visa fraud in the Caribbean country; the campaign earlier nabbed Marlins pitcher Leo Nunez on similar charges last September.

Ryan Braun, facing a 50-game suspension for showing abnormally high levels of testosterone in a PED test last season, pleads his case before a three-member panel in New York, NY. He strongly denies knowingly taking a banned substance. Ironically, Braun is in the “Big Apple” to receive his MVP Award at the annual dinner of the local chapter of the BBWAA, where he is to make his first statement since news of his positive test became public.

The Aguilas Cibaenas get a boost from its two Cuban players in a 5 – 4 win over Licey that takes them to the finals of the Dominican League. Raul Valdes pitches three solid innings in relief of starter Manauris Baez, while Yoenis Cespedes hits a run-scoring double, continuing his hot hitting since being allowed to join the team two weeks earlier. They will now face Escogido in the finals.

In the Dominican League finals, Ramon Santiago and Mauro Gomez lead the Leones del Escogido to an 8 – 5 win over the Aguilas Cibaenas. With the score tied at 5 in the 7th inning, Santiago doubles and Gomez drives him in with a single as the Leones go on to score three runs in the frame to take the win.

In the Puerto Rican League finals, Caguas takes a 2-0 lead over Mayagüez, with a 3 – 1 win as Kelvin Villa pitches into the 8th inning and Saul Rivera picks up the save.

Two all-time greats pass away today, as long-time Baltimore Orioles manager Earl Weaver dies at 82 and St. Louis Cardinals slugger Stan Musial is a victim of Alzheimer’s disease at 92 later in the day. Both were members of the Hall of Fame.

The Astros trade OF Dexter Fowler to the Cubs for 3B Luis Valbuena and P Dan Straily. The deal opens the way for top prospect Kris Bryant to start at third base for the Cubs.

The Brewers send P Yovani Gallardo, their top starting pitcher over the last few years, to the Rangers in return for IF Luis Sardinas and Ps Corey Knebel and Marcos Diplan.

2016 – In settling a class action lawsuit filed by fans, Major League Baseball announces changes to its policy regarding the streaming of live games over the internet on MLB.TV. Fans will now be able to buy a package that covers their favorite team and that allows them to circumvent local blackouts, while the cost of the league-wide full package will be reduced by 15%. However, the settlement does not cover certain regional networks not owned by DirecTV, MLB’s principal broadcasting partner. The suit was filed because, while MLB.TV promised subscribers that they could watch all MLB games lives, local blackouts meant that in reality, fans who bought the package were often unable to follow the games of their local teams, a frustrating situation in markets where the local cable sports network is either not made available by every provider or is part of an expensive premium package.

The Reds announce that Pete Rose will become the 86th member of the team’s Hall of Fame when he is inducted in June. The Cincinnati native, who is banned from baseball for gambling on the sport, will be additionally honored by having his #14 uniform, which he wore from 1963-78 and from 1984-86, retired, and will have a statue of him dedicated at Great American Ball Park.

The Orioles agree to a three-year contrat to re-sign Mark Trumbo, the reigning American League home run champion, pending a physical. The contrat is for $37.5 million, a relative bargain as Trumbo’s value was depressed by a number of other right-handed sluggers being concurrently on the market.

The Reds trade P Dan Straily to the Marlins for three prospects, PS Luis Castillo and Austin Brice and OF Isaiah White. Straily rebuilt his value with a solid season for the Reds in 2016.

The Blue Jays obtain OF Randal Grichuk from the Cardinals in return for Ps Conner Greene and Dominic Leone.

Roy Halladay autopsy results released

Roy Halladay autopsy results released

2015 – Astros deal outfielder Dexter Fowler to the Cubs for infielder Luis Valbuena and pitcher Dan Straily. Valbuena belts 25 homers while splitting time between third base and first base that season. 

Major League Baseball Birthdays on January 19

Major League Baseball Deaths On January 19