This Day In Baseball January 4

You Wish You Where Here Events for January 4

Pitcher Larry Corcoran, who had signed with the Chicago team of the outlaw Union Association, breaks his contract to re-sign with his old club, the Chicago White Stockings of the National League.

The newly-organized Union League changes its name to the Eastern League to avoid confusion with the new Union Association. The EL continues into the 21st century as the AAA International League.

1886 – Having waited in vain for the $1,000 check from the Baltimore Orioles club, St. Louis Browns owner Chris Von der Ahe takes $1,000 from the Pittsburgh Alleghenys for the rights to Sam Barkley, ignoring the fact that the infielder has already signed with the Orioles.

1889 – The Spalding Baseball Tourists play their final game in Australia, with the Chicagos winning, 5 – 0.

1896 – A portion of the fence surrounding the Polo Grounds blows down in a fierce storm.

After the death of Charles H. Byrne, team secretary Charles Ebbets replaces the one-third owner as president of the Bridegrooms (Dodgers). The team’s former office boy and future owner will also manage the Brooklyn nine for the last 110 games of the season, finishing tenth in the 12-team National League circuit.

1901 – The Baltimore American League club incorporates, with John McGraw as manager and part owner.

Bill Dineen, who has averaged nearly 18 wins over the past two seasons for the NL’s Beaneaters (Braves), signs with the year-old Boston Americans (Red Sox). The 24 year-old right-hander, known as ‘Big Bill,’ will win 20 or more contests for the next three years for the cross-town rivals in the upstart American League.

1902 – Pitcher Bill Dineen, winner of 36 games for the Boston Beaneaters over the past two years, signs with the cross-town rival Boston Americans, for whom he will win 20 or more for the next three years.

The Highlanders (Yankees) announce plans to play their Sunday home games this season at Long Island’s Ridgewood Park. In March, the National Commission’s chairman August Herrman will announce he will not allow the club to play there due to the proximity of the ballpark to Brooklyn, the home of the National League’s Superbas.

1904 – The New York Highlanders announce plans to play on Sundays at Ridgewood Park in Queens, NY, but the Brooklyn Superbas object. Sunday games are legal in Detroit, St. Louis, Chicago and Cincinnati.

1915 – Infielder Hans Lobert, well known as the “fastest man” in the National League, is traded by the Philadelphia Phillies to the New York Giants for pitcher Al Demaree, infielder Milt Stock, and catcher Bert Adams. The speedster will injure his knee in a preseason game at West Point.

Birthdays

Death 

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