1884 – During an exhibition game between the National League Philadelphia Quakers and American Association Philadelphia Athletics, umpire William McLean, reacting to fans’ taunts, hurls a bat into the stands, hitting but not injuring a spectator. McLean is arrested after the game, but the charges are soon dropped.

1889 – In a trade of pitchers, the Indianapolis Hoosiers send John Healy to the Washington Nationals in exchange for Jim Whitney.

1901 – Philadelphia Phillies owner John Rogers files for an injunction prohibiting Nap Lajoie, Bill Bernhard, and Chick Fraser from playing for any other team – the most serious legal test of the reserve clause to date.

1907 – Popular outfielder Chick Stahl, who replaced Jimmy Collins as manager of the Boston Americans at the end of last season, commits suicide while travelling with the team in West Baden Springs, Indiana. After breakfast he returns to his room and drinks four ounces of carbolic acid. He leaves a note: “Boys, I just couldn’t help it. It drove me to it.” Cy Young reluctantly agrees to start the season as Boston’s manager, but there will be three others during the year.

St. Louis Browns make an unusual “trade,” sending infielder Clyde “Buzzy” Wares to a minor league team in exchange for the rental of a stadium

The Browns trade Buzzy Wares to the Montgomery Rebels in exchange for the rent-free use of the minor league’s team stadium during spring training. The Southern Association Class-A team will return the 26 year-old infielder to St. Louis later in the season.

1913 – The St. Louis Browns make an unusual “trade,” sending infielder Buzzy Wares to a minor league team in exchange for the rental of a stadium. The Montgomery Black Sox will allow the Browns to use their stadium during spring training, rent-free. Wares will return to the Browns later in the season.

1918 – International League owners vote 6-2 to disband the league. The two teams voting to continue play are Richmond and Newark. Despite the apparent dissolution of the league, a reborn IL will indeed play in 1918 and beyond.

1927 – In a final exhibition match between the previous World Series’ opponents, the New York Yankees score four runs in the 1st inning off Grover Cleveland Alexander and the St. Louis Cardinals. Then, Alexander shuts down the Yankees until leaving in the 8th, and the Cardinals score two in the 9th to win, 6 – 4. Both teams use their regular lineups – the only teams to make no starting changes from last year’s teams. The four runs off Alexander are the first the 40-year-old veteran has allowed in 15 innings of spring training work.

1931 – Ban Johnson dies in St. Louis, Missouri, at the age of 67. Johnson served as the first president of the American League, guiding the “junior circuit” until 1927. He will be elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1937.

Hall of Fame executive Ban Johnson dies at the age of 67

1934 – Rabbit Maranville breaks his left leg while sliding home on a double steal in an exhibition game against the New York Yankees. The Boston Braves veteran is out for the season and will play just 23 games next year. He had broken his right leg earlier in spring training of 1926.

1937 – Trying to see if a new “dead ball” is better than the existing one, the new sphere is tried in a game between the Boston Red Sox and the Washington Senators. The Sox outslug the Nats, 13 – 12, as Joe Cronin drives in six runs. Last week, the ball was used in a game between the New York Giants and Boston Bees with much the same result. On April 12th, the Chicago White Sox and Pittsburgh Pirates will test the new ball, with the Sox winning, 9 – 6, though the longest hit is a double.

1940 – During a 10 – 1 loss to the Chicago Cubs at Wrigley Field, Chicago White Sox second baseman Jackie Hayes catches a piece of cinder in his eye. The eye will become infected and though he finishes the season, he loses the sight in the eye. In 1943, Hayes will lose the sight in both eyes.

1947 – Second baseman Johnny Evers dies in Albany, New York, at the age of 65. Known as “the Crab,” Evers won the National League MVP Award in 1914 and stole 324 bases over an 18-year career. In 1946, Evers was elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee.

johnny evers

Hall of Fame second baseman Johnny Evers dies at the age of 65

1958 – Slugger Chuck Klein dies in Indianapolis, Indiana, at the age of 53. Klein batted .320 with 300 home runs and 1201 RBI over a 17-year career. His most productive season came in 1933, when he won the National League Triple Crown. Klein will be elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee in 1980.

Chuck Klein

Hall of Famer Chuck Klein dies at the age of 53

1961 – In their first meeting since Pittsburgh’s dramatic World Series win over New York, the Bucs, behind would-be World Series goat Bob Friend, beat up the banged-up Bombers, 9 – 2. The game’s first run comes in the bottom of the 2nd on Roberto Clemente’s bases-empty bomb over the left-field fence. Pittsburgh goes up 3 – 0 in the 3rd on Dick Stuart’s two-run shot, likewise to left field. By the 7th, the Bucs have built their lead to 8 – 0 before New York can push across its initial tally. Today’s win boosts the Bucs’ Grapefruit League-leading record to 13-5, while miring New York ever more deeply in the preseason cellar.

1969 – The Chicago Cubs purchase Charley Smith from the San Francisco Giants, which had acquired the well-traveled third baseman last December 6th. Smith will reinjure his knee and retire after a few at bats.

1970 – In this first (and last?) “Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial All-Star Baseball Classic”, solo home runs by Ron Fairly of Montreal and Ron Santo of the Chicago Cubs, plus a three-run 8th-inning brings the East a 5 – 1 victory over the West. A crowd of 31,694 watches the charity game in Dodger Stadium. Proceeds go to the late Dr. King’s Southern Christian Leadership Conference and a memorial center planned for Atlanta. For this initial charity game, former New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio manages the East, and ex-Dodger Roy Campanella, confined to a wheelchair since a 1958 auto accident, directs the fortunes of the West. Jim “Mudcat” Grant of Oakland sings the National Anthem in the pre-game program, and then becomes the victim of a four-hit uprising in the 8th inning that insures the outcome. Al Kaline of Detroit beats out an infield hit to open the frame and moves to second as Tommie Agee drives Hank Aaron to the left field wall. Kaline races home on Lou Brock’s double to left. Brock scores on Roberto Clemente’s double and Clemente comes home on Ken McMullen’s single.

Jerry Koosman signed New York Mets B&W 16x20 Photo (1969 World Series champagne celebration with Tom Seaver)

Tom Seaver trade to Dodgers called off

1976 – Media sources report a potential blockbuster trade between the New York Mets and Los Angeles Dodgers which involves two future Hall of Fame pitchers. According to the rumor, the deal will send Tom Seaver to the Dodgers in exchange for Don Sutton. Mets fans respond negatively to the proposed deal, perhaps influencing management to call off the trade. Seaver will remain with the Mets until 1977, when he is traded to the Cincinnati Reds, in a trade which will be universally rued by Mets fans.

lucchesi randle fight

Texas Rangers infielder Lenny Randle physically confronts manager Frank Lucchesi

Upset about losing his second base job to Bump Wills, Ranger Lenny Randle attacks and fractures the cheekbone of his manager Frank Lucchesi. The Ranger skipper may have triggered the episode, which occurred just before the team’s exhibition game against Minnesota, by once-again calling the usually even-tempered infielder a punk.

Texas Rangers second baseman Lenny Randle, upset at having been benched during spring training, physically confronts manager Frank Lucchesi, sending him to the hospital with a shattered cheekbone. Lucchesi helps precipitate the incident by calling the usually good-natured Randle a “punk”. Randle will receive a 30-day suspension. On April 26th, he will be traded to the New York Mets for infielder Rick Auerbach and cash.

The Cincinnati Reds send outfielder Joel Youngblood and pitcher Pat Darcy to the St. Louis Cardinals in exchange for pitchers Bill Caudill and Mike Caldwell.

Oakland A’s release veteran first baseman Dick Allen ending his 15-year career

Oakland A’s release veteran first baseman Dick Allen ending his 15-year career

By releasing the aging superstar, the A’s end the fifteen-year career of Dick Allen. The Wampum, Pennsylvania native finishes his stormy relationship with major league baseball with 351 HRs, 1,192 RBIs, and a .292 batting average.

1978 – The Oakland Athletics release veteran first baseman Dick Allen, ending his 15-year career. Allen finishes with 351 home runs, 1119 RBI and a lifetime batting average of .292. The highlight of Allen’s career occurred in 1972, when he earned the American League MVP Award while playing for the Chicago White Sox.

Sports Illustrated’s April 1st edition tricks the nation when author George Plimpton weaves a fictitious tale of Sidd Finch, a Mets rookie phenom who throws a 168 mph fastball. Staged photographs and quotes from Mets in real life help to give the story a realistic edge.

New York Mets pitcher named Sidd Finch Featured on Sports Illustrated

New York Mets pitcher named Sidd Finch Featured on Sports Illustrated

Don Baylor Boston Red Sox

Boston Red Sox acquire designated hitter Don Baylor from the New York Yankees for outfielder-designated hitter Mike Easler

1986 – The Boston Red Sox acquire DH Don Baylor from the New York Yankees for OF-DH Mike Easler. Baylor will hit 31 home runs and drive in 94 runs, helping the Red Sox to the AL East title.

Four days shy of his 47th birthday, Phil Niekro’s 24-year Hall of Fame career comes to an end when the Yankees put him on waivers at the end of spring training. The right-handed knuckleballer, best known for his tenure with the Braves, compiled a 318-274 record along with a 3.35 ERA while hurling for four teams, that also included the Yankees, Indians, and Blue Jays.

1988 – The New York Yankees waive knuckleball pitcher Phil Niekro four days shy of his 47th birthday.

1989 – American League umpire Nick Bremigan dies of a heart attack at the age of 43.

1990 – A plan to allow starting pitchers to earn victories with only three innings pitched (because of the abbreviated spring training period) is scrapped, but teams will be allowed to open the regular season with 27-man rosters instead of the allowed maximum of 25.

1991 – Methodist College defeats Maryville, 43 – 0, to set an NCAA record for runs in a game. The previous record of 42 had been set by King’s College in 1902. Methodist scores 15 runs in the 1st inning, and strokes 34 hits in the contest, including seven by Brandon Bridgers.

1996 – Kirby Puckett is taken to the Ft. Myers Hospital after he awakes with his vision affected by a career-threatening malady. He has a black dot in front of his left eye and his vision is diagnosed as 20/200. Puckett, who hit .360 in spring training, will undergo surgery on April 17th.

At Havana’s Estadio Latinoamericano, the Orioles edge the Cuban National team, 3-2, thanks to a Harold Baines’ eventual game-winning hit in the 11th inning. The contest marks the first time a U.S. team has played in Cuba since the 1950’s.

1999 – The Baltimore Orioles make the first visit to Cuba by major leaguers since 1959, and defeat a team of Cuban amateurs by a score of 3 – 2 in 11 innings. Pitcher Jose Contreras hurls eight innings of two-hit, 10-strikeout ball in relief for the Cubans, while catcher Charles Johnson hits a two-run home run and DH Harold Baines drives in the winning run for the Orioles. The two teams will play a rematch at Camden Yards in Baltimore on May 3rd.

2000 – The Philadelphia Phillies purchase second baseman Mickey Morandini from the Montreal Expos.

2001 – The New York Yankees send Glenallen Hill to the Anaheim Angels for Darren Blakely, and the San Diego Padres trade Matt Clement to the Florida Marlins in exchange for Mark Kotsay.

The commissioner’s office announces teams will pay tribute to the U.S. Armed Forces during the seventh-inning stretch of all home openers by having `God Bless America’ performed. Although the song has been part of all games since the September 11th terrorist attacks, it will be heard only in major league ballparks at the home openers, Sunday, and holidays games.

2003 – Three days prior to Opening Day, the YES Network claims Cablevision has pulled out of a proposed deal signed 17 days ago which would have provided televised New York Yankees games to nearly three million cable subscribers in the New York City metropolitan area. According to a YES press release, the giant cable television company failed to sign a finalized version of the hand-written document that both parties exchanged on March 12th, but Cablevision president, James L. Dolan, said when YES sent him a revised typewritten draft on two days later, the document contained alterations that he found unacceptable.

The insurance claim filed by the Astros in January to get back approximately $15.6 million of Jeff Bagwell’s $17 million guaranteed contract is denied by the Connecticut General Life Insurance Company. The insurers cite no adverse change in the 37 year-old first baseman’s condition between the end of last season and the Jan. 31, 2006 policy.

2006 – Infielder Tony Graffanino is claimed off waivers by the Kansas City Royals, returning to the team that traded him to the Boston Red Sox eight months ago.

The Blue Jays release OF Joey Gathright, brought in during the off-season for his speed and defense, after he hits .167 in 42 spring training at-bats.

The Indians place starting 1B Russell Branyan on the 15-day disabled list with a herniated disk in his lower back. Matt LaPorta will fill in for him in the interim.

The Red Sox round out their bullpen by sending veterans Hideki Okajima and Alfredo Aceves to AAA Pawtucket in order to clear spots for Matt Albers and Dennys Reyes, who have outpitched the two this spring.

With starting C Jason Kendall unavailable for the first month of the season, the Royals acquire Matt Treanor from the Rangers for future considerations. In other moves, the Rockies acquire IF Josh Fields from the White Sox, also for future considerations, and the Padres land IF Alberto Gonzalez from Washington in return for minor league P Erik Davis.

2012 – Major League Baseball opens its season at the Tokyo Dome in Tokyo, Japan, with a 3 – 1 Seattle win over Oakland. The two teams are tied at 1 after exchanging runs in the 4th until the Mariners, who are considered the visiting team, score a pair in the top of the 11th off Andrew Carignan. Brendan Ryan opens the frame with a double and is driven home by Dustin Ackley’s single; Ackley then proceeds to steal second and scores on a single by Ichiro Suzuki, the local favorite’s fourth hit of the night. Both starters, Felix Hernandez and Brandon McCarthy, are excellent, but the win goes to reliever Tom Wilhelmsen.

Mike Trout and the Angels come to terms on a $144.5 million, six-year deal, keeping the 22 year-old outfielder on the team through 2020. The five-tool phenom from Millville, N.J., the American League’s MVP runner-up in his first two seasons in the majors, was the unanimous choice for the AL Rookie of the Year award in 2012.

Major league baseball is back in Montreal, QC for the first time since 2004 as the Blue Jays play the first of two exhibition games against the Mets. More than 46,000 fans, most sporting the colors of the defunct Montreal Expos, pack Stade Olympique to pay tribute to Hall of Famer Gary Carter and to their beloved former team. The Jays win, 5 – 4, on minor league veteran Ricardo Nanita’s run-scoring single with two outs in the 9th. Tomorrow, over 50,000 fans will be at the game in what will become an annual tradition to close out the Jays’ schedule of pre-season exhibition games.

Major League Baseball and the Players Association agree to a number of changes that toughen the major leagues’ PED policy. The penalty for a first offense goes from 50 to 80 games, suspended players will no longer be eligible for the postseason or for full a postseason share, while the number of random tests will be significantly increased.

The 2014 Nippon Pro Baseball season opens with a full slate of gems. The defending champion Rakuten Golden Eagles kick off with a 2-1 win over the Seibu Lions, as Kazuo Matsui hits a two-run homer off Takayuki Kishi and Takahiro Norimoto fans 10. Yakult Swallows rookie shortstop Naomichi Nishiura has a great debut, swatting a three-run dinger off of Kazuki Mishima in his first at-bat in NPB.

Two-time defending American League MVP Miguel Cabrera signs an eight-year contract extension with the Tigers. Including the two years remaining on his present contract, the deal is worth $292 million, making it the biggest in major league history. It surpasses the ten-year extension signed by Alex Rodriguez in 2006 for $275 million. In fact Rodriguez had held the record since signing as a free agent with the Texas Rangers for $252 million in 2001. The huge deal makes the six-year contract for $144.6 million that Angels OF Mike Trout also signs today seem like an anecdote.

2015 – Mariners pitching prospect Victor Sanchez passes away after spending 42 days in a coma following a swimming accident in his native Venezuela on February 13th.

2019 – It’s Opening Day across Major League Baseball as all 30 teams are active, one week after a preliminary two-game opening series in Japan. A record number of homers are hit today – 48 across the majors. Leading the charge are the Dodgers, who hit an opening day record 8 long balls in their 12 – 5 win over the Diamondbacks.

2013 – Gus Triandos dies of heart failure in San Jose, CA, at age 82. The four-time All-Star catcher batted .181 for Houston in 1965 at the end of a 13-year career. 

2005 – In the first trade of Tim Purpura’s tenure as General Manager, the Astros send pitcher Tim Redding to San Diego for catcher Humberto Quintero. On the field, Houston outslugs the Tigers, 14-11 as Roger Clemens tosses 106 pitches in his first start since pulling his hamstring. 

2003 – Halliburton Plaza opens next to Minute Maid Park, showcasing the team’s history and featuring action statues adorned with the uniform numbers of Jeff Bagwell and Craig Biggio turning a double play. 

1990 – Astros Special Assistant Donald Davidson dies in Houston at age 64. Only four-feet-tall after contracting a childhood illness, Davidson spent 50 years in baseball, working his way up from batboy to baseball executive. Davidson came to Houston in 1976 and served a number of front-office roles. His body was donated to science. 

1961 – Glenn Davis is born in Jacksonville, FL. As a troubled youth, he is taken in by the parents of major league pitcher George “Storm” Davis. Glenn would become Houston’s best slugger since Jim Wynn, smashing 166 homers over seven seasons (1984-1990) while driving in 518 runs.