1887 – The Cleveland Blues of the American Association announces a new uniform design featuring dark blue stripes and piping. The new suit will inspire the nickname “Spiders” because of the web-like pattern.

1900 – The National League rejects the American League as an equal, declaring it an outlaw league outside of the National Agreement, thus inaugurating a state of war. This follows the AL’s announcement two days ago that it has made arrangements to go into Washington, DC, Baltimore and Philadelphia. Two weeks later the American Association makes it a three-way battle, but that third circuit will remain a minor league.

Former pitching star Joe McGinnity dies at the age of 58. McGinnity, nicknamed "Iron Man", posted 246 wins in only 10 major league seasons. He will enter the Hall of Fame in 1946.

Former pitching star Joe McGinnity dies at the age of 58. McGinnity, nicknamed “Iron Man”, posted 246 wins in only 10 major league seasons. He will enter the Hall of Fame in 1946.

1946 – Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox wins his first American League Most Valuable Player Award. Williams had hit .406 and led the league in home runs in 1941, but had lost the MVP race to Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees. He won the Triple Crown a year later, but lost the MVP to Joe Gordon of the New York Yankees. This time, Williams beats out Detroit Tigers ace pitcher Hal Newhouser, a two-time winner of the MVP award who finishes second in the balloting

After finishing second to Yankees Joe DiMaggio (1941) and Joe Gordon (1942), Ted Williams (.342, 38, 123) wins the American League Most Valuable Player award. The Red Sox outfielder missed the last three seasons due to serving in the military during World War II.

ted williams

Ted Williams of the Boston Red Sox wins his first Most Valuable Player Award

The Pirates threaten to move the franchise from Pittsburgh unless a new municipal stadium is built to replace the 47 year-old Forbes Field. The second division club drew 949,878 fans, the fifth-best total of the eight National League teams.

The Pirates threaten to move the franchise from Pittsburgh unless a new municipal stadium is built to replace the 47 year-old Forbes Field. The second division club drew 949,878 fans, the fifth-best total of the eight National League teams.

The BBWAA selects Hank Aaron as the National League's Most Valuable Player. The Milwaukee Braves outfielder, with 239 points from the writers, narrowly edges out Stan Musial and his Cardinal former teammate, Giants infielder Red Schoendienst, who collect 230 and 221, respectively.

The BBWAA selects Hank Aaron as the National League’s Most Valuable Player. The Milwaukee Braves outfielder, with 239 points from the writers, narrowly edges out Stan Musial and his Cardinal former teammate, Giants infielder Red Schoendienst, who collect 230 and 221, respectively.

1961 – John Fetzer’s purchase of the outstanding one-third interest in the Detroit Tigers makes him sole owner of the club.

John Fetzer, a passionate fan of the game, becomes the lone owner of the Tigers when he buys out the estate of Fred Knorr. After the 1983 season, the media mogul will sell the team to pizza entrepreneur Tom Monaghan.

John Fetzer, a passionate fan of the game, becomes the lone owner of the Tigers when he buys out the estate of Fred Knorr. After the 1983 season, the media mogul will sell the team to pizza entrepreneur Tom Monaghan.

Oakland Athletics outfielder Reggie Jackson wins the American League MVP Award in unanimous fashion. The future Hall of Famer led the AL with 32 home runs, 117 RBI, 99 runs and a .531 slugging percentage, in helping the Athletics to their second straight World Series title.

19 year old Jim Palmer on the mound at Dodger Stadium on June 6, 1965. The home team was the California Angels who would move south to Anaheim in 1966. Brooks Robinson is ready vacuum up anything that comes his way at 3rd base.

Baltimore Orioles pitcher Jim Palmer is named the 1973 American League Cy Young Award winner. Palmer collected 22 victories and led the circuit with a 2.40 ERA.

Reggie Jackson (.293, 32, 117) is selected unanimously as the American League’s MVP. The 27 year-old right fielder of the World Champion A’s, who captured all of the writers’ 24 first-place votes, easily outdistances Oriole right-hander Jim Palmer (22-9, 2.40) and Royals outfielder Amos Otis (.300, 26, 93) the runners-ups for the honor.

Orioles right-hander Jim Palmer, runner-up for the AL MVP honors, is named as the American League’s Cy Young Award winner. The 28 year-old future Hall of Famer compiled a 22-9 along with an ERA 2.40 for the first-place Birds this season.

1979 – Don Baylor of the California Angels wins the MVP Award in the American League. The league leader in both runs scored (120) and runs batted in (139), Baylor also hit .296 with 36 home runs, helping the Angels win the AL West Division and reach the postseason for the first time in franchise history.

David Goltz, the first player to be selected by the maximum thirteen teams in the first round of the free-agent draft, signs a six-year, three-million dollar contract with the Dodgers. The former Twins’ pitcher (14-13, 4.16) will post a 9-19 record during his 2+ seasons with the club.

Don Baylor of the California Angels wins the American League’s Most Valuable Player Award

Don Baylor of the California Angels wins the American League’s Most Valuable Player Award

Milwaukee Brewers release future Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers

Milwaukee Brewers release future Hall of Famer Rollie Fingers

Thirty-nine year-old Rollie Fingers is released by the Brewers, bringing an end to his 17-year Hall of Fame career. The all-time major league leader in saves with 341, who won the American League MVP and Cy Young awards four seasons ago, will be enshrined in Cooperstown in 1992.

1986 – The Doubleday Publishing Company agrees to sell the World Champion New York Mets to Nelson Doubleday and Fred Wilpon for $80.75 million. The company had purchased the Mets for a then-record $21.1 million in 1980.

Nelson Doubleday and Fred Wilpon buy the World Champion Mets from the Doubleday Publishing Company for $80.75 million. In 1980, the book company had bought the franchise for a then-record $21.1 million.

1988 The California Angels name Doug Rader as manager of the team. Rader had previously piloted the Texas Rangers from 1982 to 1985.

The Angels announce Doug Rader will replace Cookie Rojas, their fired rookie manager who stunned when the improved fourth-place team (75-79) released him with eight games left in the regular season. The Halos’ new skipper compiled a 155-200 (.437) record while piloting the Rangers from 1982 to 1985.

1989 – San Diego Padres relief ace Mark Davis is selected the Cy Young Award winner in the National League. Davis saved 44 games while sporting an ERA of 1.85. In 1990, Davis will save only six games after signing a free agent contract with the Kansas City Royals.

San Diego Padres relief ace Mark Davis wins the Cy Young Award

1990 – Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Doug Drabek, who posted a 22-6 record with 131 strikeouts and a 2.76 ERA, is named the 1990 National League Cy Young Award winner, collecting 23 of a possible 24 first-place votes.

1995 – Mark Kotsay, of Cal State Fullerton, is named as winner of the Golden Spikes Award as the nation’s top amateur baseball player.

Toronto Blue Jays pitcher Pat Hentgen is named the 1996 American League Cy Young Award winner. Hengen posted a 20-10 record with 177 strikeouts and a 3.22 ERA, while Andy Pettitte of the Yankees (21-8, 162, 3.87) finishes second in the vote.

Texas Rangers outfielder Juan Gonzalez edges Alex Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners by three votes to win the American League MVP Award. It is the tightest race for the award in the AL since 1960. Gonzalez batted .314 with 47 home runs and 144 RBI despite missing 28 games with an injury.

Texas Rangers outfielder Juan Gonzalez edges Alex Rodriguez of the Seattle Mariners by three votes to win the American League MVP Award. It is the tightest race for the award in the AL since 1960. Gonzalez batted .314 with 47 home runs and 144 RBI despite missing 28 games with an injury.

The Toronto Blue Jays and the Pittsburgh Pirates complete a nine-player swap with the Jays acquiring the second baseman they are looking for in 29-year-old Carlos Garcia. In addition, Toronto picks up outfielder Orlando Merced and reliever Dan Plesac. The Pirates receive six prospects, including C Craig Wilson, infielder Abraham Núñez and pitcher Jose Silva.

In the closest vote for the award since 1960, Ranger outfielder Juan Gonzalez (.314, 47, 144) wins the American League MVP. ‘Juan Gone,’ who will also cop the honor in 1998, edges out Alex Rodriguez by just three points, getting one more first-place vote than the Mariner shortstop.

After annually alternating the schedule of the League Championship Series between the divisions, with a 2-3 format in the best-of-five series (1969-84) and a 2-3-2 format in the best-of-seven matchups (1985-1997), the LCS home-field advantage will now be awarded to the team with the best record. In the series that features the wild-card winner, the divisional winner will receive home-field advantage, regardless of which team has the best record.

2000 – Arizona Diamondbacks pitcher Randy Johnson wins his second consecutive National League Cy Young Award, and his third overall.

Diamondback southpaw Randy Johnson wins the NL Cy Young Award for the third time in his career, copping the prestigious pitching prize for the second consecutive season. The 37-year old ‘Big Unit’ struck out a league-leading 347 batters while posting a 19-7 record along with an ERA of 2.64 for the third-place team

For the second time in his career, Seattle Mariners skipper Lou Piniella is named the American League Manager of the Year. Piniella, the only person to appear on every ballot, guided to the Mariners to an historical 116 victories which tied the 1906 Chicago Cubs as the winningest team in major league history.

Larry Bowa, with an 86-76 record, is named the National League Manager of the Year, becoming the first manager in Philadelphia Phillies history to win the award. In his first year at the helm, Philadelphia improved by 21 games finishing the season two games behind the first-place Atlanta Braves.

For the second time in his career, Seattle skipper Lou Piniella is named the American League Manager of the Year. ‘Sweet Lou,’ the only person to appear on every ballot, guided the Mariners to a historical 116 victories, tying the 1906 Cubs as the winningest team in major league history.

Larry Bowa (86-76, .531) becomes the first Phillies skipper to be named by the BBWAA as the National League’s Manager of the Year. In his first year at the helm, Philadelphia improves by 21 games, finishing the season two games behind the first-place Atlanta.

Larry Bowa (86-76, .531) becomes the first Phillies skipper to be named by the BBWAA as the National League’s Manager of the Year. In his first year at the helm, Philadelphia improves by 21 games, finishing the season two games behind the first-place Atlanta.

Six weeks after beginning their search for a new manager, the Tampa Bay Devil Rays have decided that Los Angeles Angels bench coach Joe Maddon is the right man for the job. The team selected Maddon over incumbent Devil Rays bench coach John McLaren as Lou Piniella’s successor.

The Baltimore Orioles officially announce that they will not be bringing back outfielder Sammy Sosa or first baseman Rafael Palmeiro, though both have indicated that they would like to return to baseball. “At this point, we are heading in a different direction,” club executive VP Mike Flanagan says.

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, whose 48 home runs set a league record for that position and broke a 68-year-old club mark for right-handed hitters, earns his second American League MVP Award in the closest vote since 2001. Rodriguez edges Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz, 331-307, in voting by the BBWAA. He receives 16 of 28 first-place votes while Ortiz earns 11, with 2004 MVP Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim collecting the other to finish third with 196 points. The margin of victory is the smallest since Seattle's Ichiro Suzuki edged Oakland's Jason Giambi, 289-281, four years ago.

New York Yankees third baseman Alex Rodriguez, whose 48 home runs set a league record for that position and broke a 68-year-old club mark for right-handed hitters, earns his second American League MVP Award in the closest vote since 2001. Rodriguez edges Boston Red Sox DH David Ortiz, 331-307, in voting by the BBWAA. He receives 16 of 28 first-place votes while Ortiz earns 11, with 2004 MVP Vladimir Guerrero of the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim collecting the other to finish third with 196 points. The margin of victory is the smallest since Seattle’s Ichiro Suzuki edged Oakland’s Jason Giambi, 289-281, four years ago.

Washington Nationals name Manny Acta their new manager

Washington Nationals name Manny Acta their new manager

Brandon Webb (16-8, 3.10) garners 15 of the possible 32 BBWAA’s first-place votes to win the NL Cy Young Award. The Diamondback right-hander, who had the fewest victories of any starter ever to win the prestigious pitching prize, beats out Padres closer Trevor Hoffman and Cardinals starter Chris Carpenter with Reds hurler Aaron Harang, who led the league in victories and strikeouts, not receiving one vote from the writers.

A’s announce that they have signed an agreement to purchase a 143-acre parcel from Cisco Systems with the plan of building a baseball park in Fremont to be named Cisco Field

Eric Wedge and Bob Melvin, both of whom hit .233 in their major league careers, win the Manager of the Year Awards for 2007. Melvin’s Diamondbacks were the first team in over 100 years to post their league’s best record despite having the lowest batting average.

Bob Melvin is named National League Manager of the Year by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America. The Diamondbacks skipper, who led the club to a league-best 90 victories, also was selected by his fellow managers for the same honor in The Sporting News poll.

Eric Wedge becomes the first Indians skipper to be selected by the Baseball Writers’ Association of America as the American League Manager of the Year. The 39 year-old skipper led the Tribe to the AL Central title, compiling a 96-66 record during the regular season.

Major League Baseball announces the World Champion Red Sox will take on the A’s in the 2008 season opener on March 25 at the Tokyo Dome. The Opening Day game will mark the third time the regular major league season has started in Japan.

Only a few hours after Alex Rodriguez confirms he has spoken directly with the Steinbrenner family; reports start to surface that the Yankees and their third baseman are close to a multi-year deal that would be worth as much as $290 million. The move is seen, in part, as an attempt to soften the harsh criticism incurred when A-Rod, through his agent Scott Boras, announced his decision to opt out of his contract with the team during Game 4 of the World Series.

A Santa Barbara father-son sports collectors team pays $575,912 for the bat that Kirk Gibson used to hit his dramatic World Series Game 1 home run in 1988. The winning bid was the second-highest sale price ever for a baseball bat, topped only by the $1.265 million paid in 2004 for a Babe Ruth signed bat, which was used by the ‘Bambino’ to hit the first home run at Yankee Stadium.

Winners of the Rookie of the Year Award are announced in both major leagues. In the National League, Braves reliever Craig Kimbrel is the winner after setting a new rookie record with 46 saves. In the American League, Tampa Bay P Jeremy Hellickson comes up with the prize on the strength of a 13-10 record and a 2.95 ERA.

Rakuten Golden Eagles pitcher Masahiro Tanaka wins the 2011 Sawamura Award as the best pitcher in Nippon Pro Baseball. He went 19-5 with a 1.27 ERA and 241 strikeouts in 226 1/3 innings. He led the Pacific League in ERA, tied D.J. Houlton for the most wins, tied Yu Darvish for the most shutouts (6), led in complete games (14) and was second to Darvish in strikeouts. Darvish was the other finalist.

Mike Matheny is named to succeed Tony La Russa, who retired as the manager of the Cardinals a few days after leading the Redbirds to a world championship. The 41 year-old former minor league instructor, who served as a special assistant to general manager John Mozeliak, has no previous managerial experience.

Craig Kimbrel unanimously wins the National League Rookie of the Year award. The Braves’ right-handed closer, who struck out 127 batters in 77 innings, set a major league record for saves by a rookie with 46.

Former Red Sox reliever Jonathan Papelbon agrees to a four-year, $50 million free-agent deal to finish games for the Phillies. The contract is the richest ever signed by a closer, surpassing B.J. Ryan’s five-year, $47 million pact with the Blue Jays in 2005.

Former Red Sox reliever Jonathan Papelbon agrees to a four-year, $50 million free-agent deal to finish games for the Phillies. The contract is the richest ever signed by a closer, surpassing B.J. Ryan’s five-year, $47 million pact with the Blue Jays in 2005.

The Cy Young Awards are announced in both leagues. In the National League, R.A. Dickey of the Mets is the first knuckleballer ever so honored after finishing the year with a record of 20-6, 2.73 and 230 strikeouts. In the American League, David Price of the Rays edges last year’s winner, Justin Verlander of the Tigers, 153 to 149. Price receives 14 first-place votes after finishing the season at 20-5, 2.56 with 205 Ks, while Verlander gets 13, after a season during which he went 17-8, 2.64 with 239 strikeouts.

The 2012 Matsutaro Shoriki Award is split between Yomiuri Giants catcher Shinnosuke Abe and Giants skipper Tatsunori Hara. Abe, the Central League batting and RBI champion, is the first player to win since Hideki Matsui in 2000. It is the first time ever that two people from the same organization split the award.

Free agent OF Torii Hunter signs a two-year, $26-million contract with the Detroit Tigers.

In one of the closest races to determine the American League Cy Young Award winner, Rays’ southpaw David Price (20-5, 2.56) outpoints last year’s recipient Tigers ace Justin Verlander (17-8, 2.64) by the slim margin of four points. The difference proves to be the one first-place vote given to the Tampa Bay left-hander’s teammate, closer Fernando Rodney.

In one of the closest races to determine the American League Cy Young Award winner, Rays’ southpaw David Price (20-5, 2.56) outpoints last year’s recipient Tigers ace Justin Verlander (17-8, 2.64) by the slim margin of four points. The difference proves to be the one first-place vote given to the Tampa Bay left-hander’s teammate, closer Fernando Rodney.

The MVPs in the two major league circuits are both clear-cut picks: Andrew McCutchen gets 28 of 30 first-place votes in the National League and Miguel Cabrera 23 in the American League. McCutchen had a well-rounded season that put him either first or second in Wins Above Replacement (depending on who was doing the calculation) despite no one dominant area, leading the Pirates to their first winning season and postseason appearance in 21 years, when Barry Bonds was MVP. Cabrera led the AL in average, slugging and OBP and was second in homers and RBI to win the honor for the second straight season.

The MVPs in the two major league circuits are both clear-cut picks: Andrew McCutchen gets 28 of 30 first-place votes in the National League and Miguel Cabrera 23 in the American League. McCutchen had a well-rounded season that put him either first or second in Wins Above Replacement (depending on who was doing the calculation) despite no one dominant area, leading the Pirates to their first winning season and postseason appearance in 21 years, when Barry Bonds was MVP. Cabrera led the AL in average, slugging and OBP and was second in homers and RBI to win the honor for the second straight season.

Major League Baseball owners agree to fund an expanded video review system in 2014. The plan, which would allow managers to challenge almost any call by umpires except for balls and strikes, still needs to gain approval from the Players Association and Umpires Union.

For the second consecutive season, Miguel Cabrera (.344, 44, 137) is named the AL Most Valuable Player. The Detroit third baseman, who received 23 of 30 first-place votes to finish ahead of Mike Trout and Chris Davis, joins Hal Newhouse (1944-45) and Hank Greenberg (1935, 1940) as the only players to win the prestigious award twice while playing for the Tigers.

The National College Baseball Hall of Fame announces its naming its new facility in Lubbock, Texas after George H.W. Bush, who was a first baseman and captain for Yale baseball team. The 41st president of the United States participated in the College World Series with the Bulldogs in 1947 and ’48, the inaugural years of the collegiate national championship.

After leading the Pirates to their first postseason appearance since 1992, Andrew McCutchen (.317, 21, 84) is named the National League’s Most Valuable Player. The Pittsburgh outfielder garners 28 of the writers’ 30 first-place votes, easily outdistancing runners-up Diamondback first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and Cardinal catcher Yadier Molina for the MVP honor.

After leading the Pirates to their first postseason appearance since 1992, Andrew McCutchen (.317, 21, 84) is named the National League’s Most Valuable Player. The Pittsburgh outfielder garners 28 of the writers’ 30 first-place votes, easily outdistancing runners-up Diamondback first baseman Paul Goldschmidt and Cardinal catcher Yadier Molina for the MVP honor.

2014 – The Rays trade P Jeremy Hellickson, the 2011 Rookie of the Year who has since fallen out of favor, to the Diamondbacks in return for two prospects, IF Andrew Velazquez and OF Justin Williams.

The Tigers come to terms on a $68 million, four-year deal with 35 year-old Victor Martinez, the team’s designated hitter who finished second behind Mike Trout in the AL MVP balloting this year. The Detroit DH helped the team to capture its fourth straight American League Central title, hitting .335 with 32 home runs while driving 103 runs.

The Tigers come to terms on a $68 million, four-year deal with 35 year-old Victor Martinez, the team’s designated hitter who finished second behind Mike Trout in the AL MVP balloting this year. The Detroit DH helped the team to capture its fourth straight American League Central title, hitting .335 with 32 home runs while driving 103 runs.

The Diamondbacks trade P Jeremy Hellickson to the Phillies for pitching prospect Sam McWilliams.

Five of the eight quarterfinal spots at the 2015 Premier 12 are decided. The Kingdom of the Netherlands national team is first to advance, beating Puerto Rico, 11 – 7, behind two home runs from Randolph Oduber. The South Korean national team advances next with a 4 – 3 win over Mexico as Hyun-soo Kim hits a two-run double and Woo-chan Cha, Tae-hyeon Chong and Hyun-seong Lee toss shutout relief. Samurai Japan gets five shutout innings of relief in a 10 – 2 romp of Team USA to advance, with 3 runs by Tetsuto Yamada and 3 RBI by Yoshitomo Tsutsugo; the US also advances thanks to Mexico’s loss. Jared Mortensen and Kyle Lotzkar of Team Canada combine on a shutout of the Italian national team in a 4 – 0 win to clinch a spot for Canada, while Italy is eliminated. In the other two games today, Venezuela knocks out the Dominican national team with a 8 – 6 comeback win capped by a three-run double by Luis Jimenez and host Taiwan downs Cuba, 4 – 1, on a three-run, 8th-inning dinger by Chih-Sheng Lin.

Winners of the Rookie of the Year Award are announced: in the NL, Dodgers SS Corey Seager is an unanimous winner, while in the AL, P Michael Fullmer of the Tigers receives 26 of 30 first-place votes.

Dustin Nippert of the Doosan Bears is named KBO MVP for 2016 after going 22-3 with a 2.95 ERA; he is only the second foreign pitcher to win the award. The KBO Rookie of the Year goes to the Nexen Heroes’ Jae-young Shin, who won 15 games with a 3.90 ERA in a hitter-friendly environment.

2017: Paul Molitor, who led the Minnesota Twins from a last-place finish in 2016 to the Wild Card Game, is the recipient of the Manager of the Year Award in the American League, while first-year skipper Torey Lovullo of the Diamondbacks wins the award in the National League after taking his team to the postseason.

For the second straight Nichi-Bei Series, the NPB stars defeat the MLB All-Stars. They take Game 5 by a 6 – 5 margin to go up 4 games to 1 with one remaining. For the third time this Series, Japan rallies. Rhys Hoskins hits a two-run homer off Nao Higashihama early and the MLB team leads 5 – 1 after 6 innings, but Japan ties it in the 7th. In the 8th, 2018 Japan Series MVP Takuya Kai singles off Dan Otero to bring in a hustling Seiji Uebayashi with the winner.

In spite of notching just 10 wins, Jacob deGrom of the Mets wins the 2018 National League Cy Young Award, receiving 29 of 30 first-place votes. His major-league leading ERA of 1.70 convinced voters to set aside his win/loss record, which was largely influenced by terrible run support. In the American League, Blake Snell of the Rays is the winner after going 21-5 with an ERA of 1.89.

2001 – Former Astro Ken Caminiti is arrested on drug possession charges. The infielder had previously battled alcoholism and will admit the following year that he used steroids in his MVP season with San Diego. He would die in 2004 of heart failure. 

1989 – Despite being the National League’s only 20-game winner, Mike Scott finishes behind San Diego reliever Mark Davis for the N.L. Cy Young Award. Scott receives just four of the 24 first place votes. 

1968 – Kent Bottenfield is born in Portland, OR. Expected to solidify the starting rotation in 2001, the righthander lands on the disabled list after just 13 games, posting a 2-5 record with one save. 

1966 – Curt Schilling is born in Anchorage, AK. The sturdy righthander is 3-5 with eight saves in his one season in Houston (1991) before being traded to Philadelphia, a deal that Bill Wood probably regrets to this day.