This Day In Baseball January 5

It may be cold outside but baseball happens 365 days a year! January Events include trades, births, ballpark announcements, hires, fires and surprises. On January 1 Cool Papa Bell hits 3 homeruns in Cuban Baseball. Future Hall of Famers Tim Keefe and Hank Greenberg were born. January 15 – 1934 – New York Yankees slugger Babe Ruth signs a one-year contract worth $35,000. While the contract is considered a lucrative one for the times, it represents a pay cut of $17,000 for “The Babe”. January, 24, 1939 – Eddie Collins, Willie Keeler and George Sisler are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Sisler set a major league season-record (later broken by Ichiro Suzuki) with 257 hits in 1920 and batted .420 in 1922 on his way to a .340 career batting average. Collins batted an even .333 for his career and stole 744 bases as a member of four World Series Champions. Keeler, who “hit ’em where they ain’t”, batted .341 and collected 2,932 hits.

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You Wish You Where Here Events for January 5

John McGraw

1906 – John McGraw and jockey Tod Sloan open a billiard parlour at 34th Street and Broadway, which soon becomes a popular and profitable hangout for New York City’s sporting life.

Nap Lajoie

Philadelphia Athletics purchase future Hall of Famer Nap Lajoie

The Federal League sues organized baseball, claiming it to be an illegal trust and asking that it be dissolved and all contracts voided. The case is filed in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Illinois in Chicago, before Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis. He will stall his decision, and peace will be declared at the end of the year, but another suit, brought by the owners of the Baltimore Terrapins franchise, will result in baseball receiving an exemption from antitrust laws. In the meantime, the FL shifts players to strengthen teams in key cities. Benny Kauff, the league’s answer to Ty Cobb, is moved from the Indianapolis Hoosiers to the Brooklyn Tip-Tops.

1916 – The National League, happy to be rid of fractious Chicago Cubs owner Charles W. Murphy, allows Charles H. Weeghman, owner of a restaurant chain and president of the Federal League’s Chicago Whales, to buy the Cubs for $500,000. By putting up $50,000, William Wrigley, Jr. becomes a minority stock holder. Whales manager Joe Tinker succeeds Roger Bresnahan, and the Cubs will play in the Federal League’s newly built ballpark on the North Side, soon to become known as Wrigley Field.

Babe Ruth

New York Yankees formally announce the purchase of outfielder-pitcher Babe Ruth from the Boston Red Sox for $100,000

1920 – Boston Red Sox owner Harry Frazee defends selling Babe Ruth to the Yankees for cash by calling his former player “one of the most selfish and inconsiderate men ever to put on a baseball uniform”.

I think the Yankees are taking a gamble. While Ruth is undoubtedly the greatest hitter the game has ever seen, he is likewise one of the most selfish and inconsiderate men ever to put on a baseball uniform.

I think the Yankees are taking a gamble. While Ruth is undoubtedly the greatest hitter the game has ever seen, he is likewise one of the most selfish and inconsiderate men ever to put on a baseball uniform.

john mcgraw

French Baseball Federation presents medals to Giants’ manager John McGraw, Jennings and Comiskey

1925 – During the Chicago White Sox and New York Giants European tour, John McGraw, Charlie Comiskey and Hughie Jennings are honored with silver medals by the French Baseball Federation for their efforts of promoting the game in France.

John McGraw, Charlie Comiskey, and Hugh Jennings are honored by the French Baseball Federation for their efforts of promoting America’s national pastime in France. The trio is given their medals during a tour of Europe by the Giants and White Sox.

Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis

Judge Landis begins a three-day public hearing to investigate the allegation the Detroit Tigers threw a four-game series to the Chicago White Sox in 1917

Commissioner Judge Landis begins a three-day public hearing to investigate the allegation that the Tigers threw a four-game series to the 1917 White Sox. After summoning and listening to the oral testimony from thirty-five players and ex-players from the two teams, the game’s first commissioner, acting as the judge, prosecutor, defense attorney, and jury, will decide to clear all charges a week later.

Lucille Thomas becomes the first woman to purchase a professional baseball team

1931 – Mrs. Lucille Thomas becomes the first woman to buy a professional baseball team, purchasing the Class-A Topeka Senators of the Western League.

An early afternoon five-hour blaze destroys much of Fenway Park's newly-constructed concrete and steel left-field grandstand and center-field bleachers

An early afternoon five-hour blaze destroys much of Fenway Park’s newly-constructed concrete and steel left-field grandstand and center-field bleachers

1943 – Teams agree to start the season later than usual and prepare to train in northern areas because of World War II. Resorts, armories, and university facilities are chosen for training sites. The Boston Red Sox go to Tufts University; the Brooklyn Dodgers will train at Bear Mountain, NY, and the New York Yankees try Atlantic City, NJ. In Chicago, the Cubs and White Sox agree to start the season later than usual and prepare to train in areas north of the so-called Eastman-Landis Line, named after Joseph Bartlett Eastman, head of the United States Department of Transportation, and Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis – an area East of the Mississippi river and North of the Ohio and Potomac rivers. Meanwhile, the St. Louis teams, the Browns and Cardinals are excluded, though they will train in Cape Girardeau, MO.

1944 – Long time American League third baseman Joe Dugan, hit by a car while crossing a Boston street, escapes with a slight concussion and a lacerated scalp.

St. Louis Cardinals sell star catcher Walker Cooper to the New York Giants for a record $175,000

St. Louis Cardinals sell star catcher Walker Cooper to the New York Giants for a record $175,000

1946 – The New York Giants buy catcher Walker Cooper from the St. Louis Cardinals for $175,000. It is the largest amount ever paid for a single player. The Joe Cronin transaction in 1934 and the Dizzy Dean sale in 1938 were larger deals but also involved other players. Cooper was considered the best catcher in the game before his 1945 induction into the Navy following a salary dispute with the team.

robinson jackie

Jackie Robinson of the Brooklyn Dodgers officially announces his retirement, voiding a recent trade to the rival New York Giants

1957 – Jackie Robinson retires rather than move across New York City from the Brooklyn Dodgers to the New York Giants, voiding last December’s deal between the two teams.

1960 – The Continental League, a proposed third major league, gets an assurance of congressional support from New York Senator Kenneth Keating.

A contest to name the new Houston ballclub is announced. Entries will be accepted through the end of the month by the Houston Sports Association.

1963 – Hall of Fame member Rogers Hornsby dies at age 66 of a heart ailment. His .358 career batting average is the second highest in major league history.

rogers hornsby

Hall of Famer Rogers Hornsby dies at the age of 66 from a heart attack

1965 – James M. Johnston and James H. Lemon purchase the remaining 40 percent of the Washington Senators’ stock to acquire complete control of the club.

Due to heavy financial losses, Rheingold Beer announces it will close its Brooklyn-based plant. As as a result, the brewery will be forced to end its 13-year relationship with the Mets as the team’s primary radio-TV sponsor.

1975 Houston Astros Uniform Patch Don Wilson #40 EX

Pitcher Don Wilson , at age 29, dies at home from carbon monoxide poisoning.

1979 – The Minnesota Twins re-sign reentry free agent pitcher Mike Marshall.

1982 – Free agent pitcher Frank Tanana signs a two-year contract with the Texas Rangers.

1983 – The Cincinnati Reds send pinch-hitter Mike Vail to the San Francisco Giants in exchange for pitcher Rich Gale.

phil niekro 300 wins

New York Yankees sign future Hall of Famer Phil Niekro to a two-year contract

1984 – The New York Yankees sign future Hall of Fame pitcher Phil Niekro to a two-year contract. Niekro, who went 11-10 with a 3.97 ERA for the Atlanta Braves in 1983, will fill a void in New York’s rotation and allow the team to move Dave Righetti to the bullpen.

1989 – Three weeks after signing a record four-year, $1.1 billion network television contract with CBS, Major League Baseball signs a $400 million contract with ESPN. The deal will put 175 games per year on cable television beginning in 1990.

Reggie Jackson

Reggie Jackson “Mr. October” is elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot

Reggie Jackson is the lone player elected by the Baseball Writers Association of America to the Hall of Fame. Jackson, whose .262 lifetime batting average is the lowest of any outfielder in the Hall, receives 93.6 percent of the vote. His 563 career home runs make him a hit with voters in his first year of eligibility.

Reggie Jackson is the lone player elected by the Baseball Writers Association of America to the Hall of Fame. Jackson, whose .262 lifetime batting average is the lowest of any outfielder in the Hall, receives 93.6 percent of the vote. His 563 career home runs make him a hit with voters in his first year of eligibility.

The Houston Astros sign free agents Kevin Bass and Jose Uribe.

1994 – In a trade of outfielders, the New York Mets send Vince Coleman to the Kansas City Royals for Kevin McReynolds. For McReynolds, it is his second stint with Mets.

The Mets trade Vince Coleman to the Royals along with $500,000, a sum that will make up the difference between the two salaries, reacquiring Kevin McReynolds. New York’s co-owner Fred Wilpon had clearly indicated that Coleman would never wear his team’s uniform again due to the outfielder’s role in last season’s firecracker incident at Dodger Stadium, that was reported to injure three fans in the Chavez Ravine parking lot.

1995 – According to players’ union chief Donald Fehr, all 835 unsigned major league players are free agents since the owners unilaterally changed the uniform contract.

1997 – Boston Red Sox knuckleball pitcher Tim Wakefield escapes serious injury when he is hit by a car while out jogging. He is released from the hospital after being treated for bruises.

don sutton

Don Sutton, winner of 324 games, is the only player elected to the Hall of Fame

1998 – Don Sutton gets into the Hall of Fame on his fifth try. With 324 wins, Sutton had the most victories of any eligible pitcher not in the Hall. He reached the postseason with three different clubs (the Dodgers, Brewers and Angels), and struck out 3,574 batters in 23 seasons. Sutton receives 386 votes of the record 473 ballots cast for 81.6 percent. Tony Perez falls short with 355 votes, and Ron Santo, on the ballot for the 15th and final time, gains 204 votes.

In their first year of eligibility, George Brett, Nolan Ryan and Robin Yount are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America. Carlton Fisk finishes fourth in the voting, missing election by 43 votes. It is the only time since the first inductees were selected in 1939 that more than two first-timers have made it into Cooperstown in the same year.

Yogi Berra receives an apology from New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner about his dismissal as Yankees manager in 1985 after only 16 games. Berra says he will end his self-exile from Yankee Stadium and the organization. He is expected to participate in future Opening Day and old timers ceremonies.

Yogi Berra, after receiving an apology from Yankees owner George Steinbrenner for his 1985 dismissal as the team’s manager 16 games into the season, ends his self-exile from Yankee Stadium and the organization. The Bronx Bomber legend is expected to participate in future Opening Day and Old Timers’ ceremonies.

2000 – The Los Angeles Dodgers sign free agent pitcher Gregg Olson to a two-year contract.

Free agent signings include outfielder Reggie Sanders by the Diamondbacks; infielder Greg Norton by the Rockies, both for one year; and pitcher Mark Guthrie by the Athletics for two years.

Outfielder Ichiro Suzuki, who has won seven batting titles in the Pacific League, is signed by the Seattle Mariners to a $14,088,000, three-year contract.

The plan to name a new downtown Montréal, QC ballpark “Labatt Park” dim as the Canadian Labatt Brewing Company announces it is ending its 15-year sponsorship of the Expos. The company cites the lack of a local television contract and stalled stadium plans as factors in the decision.

The St. Louis Cardinals, needing help due the departures of infielder Shawon Dunston and outfielder Eric Davis, sign their first free agents of the off-season: outfielders Bobby Bonilla, Bernard Gilkey and John Mabry, and infielder Shane Andrews.

The Mariners ink Ichiro Suzuki to a three-year deal worth $14,088,000. The signing rights to the Japanese outfielder, winner of seven batting titles in Japan, were awarded to Seattle for approximately $13 million.

tug mcgraw

former reliever Tug McGraw dies at the age of 59

In a trade involving four pitchers, the Los Angeles Dodgers acquire Jae Seo and Tim Hamulack from the New York Mets in exchange for Duaner Sanchez and Steve Schmoll.

Jeff Conine and the Baltimore Orioles finalize a $1.7 million, one-year contract. Conine, who was with the Orioles from 1999 to 2003, hit .304 and had a .374 on-base percentage in 131 games for the Florida Marlins last season, batting .327 after the All-Star break.

Major League Baseball files for mediation against the District of Columbia after the city failed to approve a lease for the Washington Nationals’ new ballpark by the December 31st deadline.

The Texas Rangers complete their six-player trade with the San Diego Padres to acquire starting pitcher Adam Eaton. Texas also gets relief pitcher Akinori Otsuka and minor league catcher Billy Killian, sending pitcher Chris Young, first baseman Adrian Gonzalez and outfielder Terrmel Sledge to San Diego in a deal that will turn out to be outrageously in favor of the Padres.

Felipe Alou is named special assistant to Brian Sabean, general manager of the Giants. The team’s 72 year-old former manager (2003-06), handling both major league and minor League scouting assignments, will provide insights on personnel for the GM.

The Chicago Cubs reach a preliminary agreement with free agent Milton Bradley for three years and $30 million. Bradley led the American League in on-base percentage last season (.436) but has not played the outfield regularly for five years. The signing will turn out to be a huge bust.

The Tampa Bay Rays come to terms with Pat Burrell, whose Phillies beat Tampa Bay in the 2008 World Series. The deal is for two years and $16 million. Burrell hit 33 homers and drew 102 walks last season, but his production will plummet in Tampa.

According to reports, a preliminary agreement has been reached between the Cubs and free-agent outfielder Milton Bradley on a $30 million, three-year deal. The switch-hitting All-Star, who batted .321 and led the American League with a .436 on-base percentage, will fill the team’s need for a left-handed presence in the middle of the lineup.

OF Matt Holliday signs a seven-year deal worth $120 million to stay with the St. Louis Cardinals. The contract is the largest awarded this offseason and the biggest in team history, surpassing that of superstar Albert Pujols.

Randy Johnson, who won his 300th game with the San Francisco Giants last season, announces his retirement, ending a 22-year career that began with the Montreal Expos in 1988. The 6’10” lefthander amassed 4875 strikeouts, the second-most in major league history after Nolan Ryan, and pitched both a no-hitter and a perfect game while winning five Cy Young Awards.

The Atlanta Braves sign 3B Troy Glaus to a one-year deal.

In a deal intended to strengthen Philadelphia’s bullpen, right-handed reliever Danys Baez (4-6, 4.02) and the Phillies come to terms on a $5.25 million, two-year contract. The 32 year-old former Baltimore closer will be used with Ryan Madson and J.C. Romero as a setup man but could become an option to replace an unreliable Brad Lidge, who led the majors last season with 11 blown saves while compiling an 0-8 record along with a 7.21 ERA.

Jeff Bagwell draws 41.7% of the vote in his first year on the Baseball Hall of Fame ballot, which sets off a debate about Bagwell’s credentials and suspicions of steroid use. Bagwell insists he’s never used them and no accuser has comes forward with any proof yet that doesn’t seem to be good enough for some writers who declare their opposition. 

Roberto Alomar and Bert Blyleven are voted into the Hall of Fame when the results of the 2011 Hall of Fame Election are announced. Alomar, twice a World Champion with the Toronto Blue Jays and a perennial Gold Glove winner at second base, makes it in his second year on the ballot. For workhorse pitcher Blyleven, it’s been harder. He started out at 17.5% in his first year of eligibility, and finally crossed the 75% threshold in his 14th year after a dedicated campaign on his behalf conducted through the internet. Once again, voters express their disgust with avowed steroid users, as Mark McGwire and Rafael Palmeiro, both members of the 500 home run club, finish well down on the ballot.

The Rangers land a big name free agent, signing 3B Adrian Beltre to a six-year deal worth $96 million. The signing means veteran Michael Young will move from 3B to DH, the third time the acquisition of a new teammate has resulted in a switch of position for him.

Adrian Beltre agrees to a $96 million, six-year deal with the Rangers, the reigning American League champs. The acquisition of the All-Star third baseman will make incumbent Michael Young the team’s designated hitter, giving Texas a potent lineup and a much-improved defense.

The Cubs trade P Carlos Zambrano to Miami in return for P Chris Volstad. Zambrano, who walked out on his team after a rough outing on August 12th, is considered a chronic malcontent in spite of his success over the years and the new regime in Chicago did not want to have to put up with his periodic tantrums. The Marlins are glad to take him, however, as new manager Ozzie Guillen is one of the Big Z’s closest friends and is convinced he can keep him focused on playing the game.

The Mariners sign Japanese P Hisashi Iwakuma to a one-year contract as a free agent. Iwakuma had gone through the posting system a year ago, but the 2008 Pacific League MVP failed to agree on a contract with the winning bidders, the Oakland A’s. For their part, the Yankees announce they have been unable to reach an agreement with SS Hiroyuki Nakajima, whose rights they secured through the posting system last month; Nakajima will return to play for the Seibu Lions this season.

The Rockies acquire 1B Chad Tracy, the son of manager Jim Tracy, in a deal with the Rangers for former top draft pick Greg Reynolds. Colorado also signs 3B Casey Blake as a free agent.

The Cubs trade Carlos Zambrano to the Marlins for right-hander Chris Volstad and cash. The 30 year-old right-hander will join fellow Venezuelan Ozzie Guillen, Miami’s new manager, who has been publicly supportive during the combative hurler’s controversial moments, which have included firing a ball into the outfield and physically fighting with teammates.

2013 – The Rangers sign free agent Lance Berkman and plan to use his as their DH this season.

2014 – Veteran player, manager, broadcaster and World War II and Korean War hero Jerry Coleman passes away at age 89. An infielder for the New York Yankees from 1949 to 1957, he spent 71 years in the game, acting as a broadcaster for the San Diego Padres since 1972 – except for one-year hiatus in 1980 when he managed the Friars.

2015 – A few signings are announced today, as the White Sox ink utility player Emilio Bonifacio to a one-year deal, the Phillies sign starting pitcher Aaron Harang and the Rockies add catcher Nick Hundley to their squad.

2017 – In an embarrassing moment, manager Pat Kelly of the Tigres del Licey in the Venezuelan League comes to the mound to replace reliever Rafael Soriano in trying to protect a 2- – 0 lead in the 8th inning without realizing no one is warming up in the bullpen. He is forced to bring in a cold Leyson Septimo to the mound, who walks the first batter he faces as the Águilas del Zulia score five times in the inning and win the game, 5 – 2. Kelly’s bosses are not amused, as he is fired the next day.

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