Today In Baseball History: December

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 1st:

1911: Hall of Fame manager Walter Alston is born in Venice, Ohio.

1954: A deal between the Yankees involving 17 players, including Don Larsen, Gene Woodling, and Bob Turley, largest trade in ML history, is completed. The first phase of deal started on November 18th and finishes the day after the draft.

1956: The Reds Frank Robinson is named NL Rookie of the Year. Another future Hall of Famer, the White Sox Luis Aparaicio, takes the award in the AL.

1961: The Red Sox Don Schwall is named AL Rookie of the Year.

1964: The Houston Colt .45s officially change their name to the Astros.

1970: The White Sox trade Luis Aparaicio to the Red Sox for infielders Mike Andrews and Luis Alvarado.

1975: Hall of Famer Nellie Fox dies at age 47.

1987: The Giants sign free agent Brett Butler.

1998: The Mets trade Todd Hundley and Arnold Gooch to the Dodgers for Charles Johnson and Roger Cedeno. The Mets then deal Johnson to the Orioles for Armando Benitez. The Mets also sign Robin Ventura to a four year deal worth $32 million.

2000: The Mets sign reliever Turk Wendell to a three year deal. Wendell, who wore #99, agrees to the deal worth $9,999,999.99.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 2nd:

1948: Stan Musial is named NL MVP.

1991: The Mets sign Bobby Bonilla to a five year deal worth $29 million.

1993: Eddie Murray signs a free agent deal with the Indians.

2005: The Marlins trade Luis Castillo to the Twins for two prospects.

2009: The Braves and Billy Wagner agree to a one year deal worth $7 million.

2013: The Tigers trade Doug Fister to the Nationals for Ian Krol, Robbie Ray, and Steve Lombardozzi.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 3rd:

1926: A Chicago Tribune article about the business side of the Cubs reveals Weeghman Park will be known as Wrigley Field.

1933: The A's sell Mickey Cochrane to the Tigers for $100,000.

1963: The Braves trade Del Crandell, Bob Shaw and Bob Hendley to the Giants for Felipe Alou, Ed Bailey, and Billy Hoeft.

1968: After a dominant year by pitchers, the MLB Rules Committee decreases the strike zone and lowers the pitcher's mound from 15 to 10 inches.

1974: The Mets trade Tug McGraw, Don Hahn, and Dave Schneck to the Phillies for Del Unser, Mac Scarce, and John Stearns.

1993: The Phillies trade Mitch Williams to the Astros for Jeff Juden and Doug Jones.

2003: The Marlins sign Mike Lowell to a four year deal worth $32 million.

2003: The Phillies trade Carlos Silva, Nick Punto, and player to be named to the Twins for Eric Milton.

2007: Former manager Dick Williams is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Veterans Committee. Williams managed the Red Sox, A's, Angels, Expos, Padres, and Mariners. Former Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley is also elected.

2008: The Red Sox and Dustin Pedoria agree to a six year extension worth $40.5 million.

2009: The Phillies and Placido Polanco agree to a three year deal worth $18 million.

2010: Hall of Famer Ron Santo dies at age 70.

2013: The Yankees and Brian McCann agree to a five year deal worth $85 million.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 4th:

1948: The Braves Alvin Dark is named Rookie of the Year.

1963: The Tigers trade Jim Bunning to the Phillies for Gus Triandos, Jack Hamilton, and Don Demeter.

1990: The Giants sign Dave Righetti to a four year deal.

2003: The Red Sox sign Terry Francona to a three year deal to be their manager.

2005: The Dodgers and Rafael Furcal agree to a three year deal worth $39 million.

2007: The Marlins trade Miguel Cabrera and Dontrelle Willis to the Tigers for six prospects, including pitcher Andrew Miller and outfielder Cameron Maybin.

2014: The Mariners sign Nelson Cruz to a four year deal worth $58 million deal.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 5th:

1957: The Reds trade Curt Flood and Joe Taylor to the Cardinals for Marty Kutyna, Willard Schmidt, and Ted Wieand.

1973: The Dodgers trade Willie Davis to the Expos for Mike Marshall.

1973: Ron Santo becomes the first player to invoke his 10/5 rights, declining a trade from the Cubs.

1977: The Angels trade Bobby Bonds, Thad Bosley, and Richard Dotson to the White Sox for Brian Downing, Dave Frost, and Chris Knapp.

1978: Pete Rose signs a four year deal worth $3.2 million with the Phillies.

1984: The Yankees acquire Rickey Henderson and Bert Bradley from the A's for Jay Howell, Jose Rijo, Stan Javier, and two minor leaguers. The Yankees also trade Rick Cerone to the Braves for Brian Fisher.

1990: The Blue Jays trade Fred McGriff and Tony Fernandez to the Padres for Roberto Alomar and Joe Carter.

1990: The Mets sign Vince Coleman to a four year deal.

1996: A new five year CBA is agreed to by players and owners, clearing the way for interleague play.

2002: The Mets sign Tom Glavine to a three year deal worth $35 million.

2010: The Nationals and Jayson Werth agree to a seven year deal worth $126 million.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 6th:

1941: The Giants name Mel Ott manager.

1946: Aside from pitchers, All-Star voting is returned to the fans.

1955: Honus Wagner dies at age 81.

1959: The Indians trade Minnie Minoso, Dick Brown, Don Ferrarese, and Jake Striker to the White Sox for Norm Cash, Bubba Phillips, and John Romano.

1960: The new expansion AL franchise in Los Angeles is awarded to Country singer and cowboy movie star Gene Autry.

1968: William Eckert resigns as commissioner.

1989: In a deal for relievers, the Mets trade Randy Myers to the Reds for John Franco.

1989: The Indians trade Joe Carter to the Padres for Chris James, Carlos Baerga, and Sandy Alomar.

1989: Relief pitcher Jeff Reardon signs a free agent deal with the Red Sox.

2002: The Players Association allows 22 home games for the Expos to be played in Puerto Rico.

2005: The Blue Jays sign A.J. Burnett to a five year deal worth $55 million.

2005: The Dodgers name Grady Little manager.

2005: The Padres and Trevor Hoffman agree to a two year deal worth $13.5 million.

2007: The Dodgers and Andruw Jones agree to a two year deal worth $36.2 million.

2010: The Diamondbacks trade Mark Reynolds to the Orioles for relievers David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 7th:

1939: Lou Gehrig is elected to the Hall of Fame. The usual five year waiting period is waived for him due to his ALS diagnosis.

1947: Johnny Bench is born in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

1957: Tony Kubek is named AL Rookie of the Year.

1962: The Yankees Tom Tresh is named AL Rookie of the Year.

1973: The Giants sell Juan Marichal to the Red Sox.

1973: The Royals trade Lou Piniella and Ken Wright to the Yankees Lindy McDaniel.

1984: the Tigers trade Howard Johnson to the Mets for Walt Terrell.

1988: Nolan Ryan signs a deal with the Rangers.

1992: The Reds sign Roberto Kelly to a three year deal.

1995: The Mariners trade Tino Martinez, Jeff Nelson, and Jim Mecir to the Yankees for Sterling Hitchcock and Russell Davis.

1999: The Mariners sign John Olerud to a three year deal worth $20 million.

2001: The Yankees trade David Justice to the Mets for Robin Ventura.

2004: Nomar Garciaparra signs a one year deal worth $8 million with the Cubs.

2005: The Rangers trade Alfonso Soriano to the Nationals for Brad Wilkerson, Terrmel Sledge, and pitching prospect Armando Galarraga.

2006: The Royals sign Gil Meche to a five year deal worth $55 million.

2011: The Marlins sign Jose Reyes to a six year deal worth $106 million and Mark Buehrle to a contract of four years and $58 million.

2013: The Yankees sign Jacoby Ellsbury to a seven year deal worth $153 million.

2015: The Diamondbacks acquire Shelby Miller from the Braves for Ender Inciarte and prospects Dansby Swanson and Aaron Blair. Swanson becomes the first player selected first overall in the draft to be dealt within the first year of their pro career.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 8th:

1914: The A's sell Eddie Collins to the White Sox for $50,000.

1958: Hall of Famer Tris Speaker dies at age 70.

1961: The Mets purchase Richie Ashburn from the Cubs.

1983: The Dodgers trade Sid Fernandez and Ross Jones to the Mets for Bob Bailor and Carlos Diaz.

1988: The Padres and Bruce Hurst agree to a three year deal worth $5.25 million.

1992: The Giants sign Barry Bonds to a six year deal worth $43 million.

1992: Dr. Bobby Brown becomes the AL President.

2005: The Red Sox trade Edgar Renteria to the Braves for prospect Andy Marte.

2005: The Reds trade Sean Casey to the Pirates for pitcher Dave Williams.

2005: At 47 years old, Julio Franco signs a two year deal with the Mets.

2009: Longtime baseball reporter Peter Gammons announces he will leave ESPN for the MLB Network.

2009: The Mariners and Chone Figgins agree to a four year deal worth $36 million.

2009: In a three team trade, the Yankees acquire Curtis Granderson, the Tigers receive Max Scherzer and Daniel Schlereth, Austin Jackson, and Phil Coke and the Diamondbacks get Ian Kennedy and Edwin Jackson.

2011: The Angels sign two big free agents. They sign Albert Pujols to a ten year deal worth $254 million and also sign C.J. Wilson to a five year contract worth $77.5 million.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 9th:

1941: The Yankees trade minor leaguer Tommy Holmes to the Braves for two players to be named later.

1941: Bob Feller becomes the first ML player to enlist in the service after the attacks on Pearl Harbor.

1965: The Reds trade Frank Robinson to the Orioles for Milt Pappas, Jack Baldschun, and Dick Simpson.

1976: The Rangers trade Jeff Burroughs to the Braves for Adrian Devine, Ken Henderson, Dave May, Roger Moret, and Carl Morton.

1977: The A's announce they have traded Vida Blue to the Reds for Dave Revering and cash. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn voids the trade, citing it would be bad for baseball because it would benefit an already strong team without losing any significant talent in return

1980: The Cubs trade Bruce Sutter to the Cardinals for Leon Durham and Ken Reitz.

1992: Greg Maddux signs a five year deal worth $28 million with the Braves. After the signing, the Braves trade Charlie Leibrandt and Pat Gomez to the Rangers for Jose Oliva.

1993: Randy Johnson signs a new three year deal with the Mariners worth $20.25 million.

1994: The Rangers trade Jose Canseco to the Red Sox for Otis Nixon and Luis Ortiz.

1997: Wade Boggs signs a deal with the Devil Rays.

2000: The Rockies sign Mike Hampton to an eight year deal worth $121 million. He would pitch two years with Colorado, with a record of 21-28 before a trade to the Braves.

2003: Kazuo Matsui, a seven time All-Star in Japan, signs a three year deal with the Mets for $20.1 million.

2009: Andy Pettitte returns to the Yankees on a one year deal worth $11.75 million.

2009: The Rangers trade Kevin Millwood to the Orioles for Chris Ray and a player to be named.

2010: The Cubs sign Carlos Pena to a one year deal worth $10 million.

2013: The Mets sign Curtis Granderson to a four year deal worth $60 million.

2013: By unanimous vote, the Expansion Era committee elects former managers Bobby Cox, Joe Torre, and Tony La Russa to the Hall of Fame. Between them, the three managers won 7,558 regular season games, 17 pennants, and eight World Series titles.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 10th:

1919: The National League bans the use of the spitball.

1935: The A's trade Jimmie Foxx and Johnny Marcum to the Red Sox for Gordon Rhodes, prospect George Savino, and $150,000.

1969: The Indians trade Luis Tiant and Stan Williams to the Twins for Bob Miller, Dean Chance, Graig Nettles, and Ted Uhlaender.

1971: The Mets trade Nolan Ryan and three prospects to the Angels for Jim Fregosi.

1972: The AL owners vote unanimously for the DH on a three year trial basis.

1981: The Cardinals trade Garry Templeton and Sixto Lezcano to the Padres for Ozzie Smith and Steve Mura.

1982: The Mets trade Mike Scott to the Astros for Danny Heep.

1984: The Expos trade Gary Carter to the Mets for Mike Fitzgerald, Herm Winningham, Hubie Brooks, and Floyd Youmanns.

1991: The Giants trade Kevin Mitchell and Mike Remlinger to the Mariners for pitchers Dave Burba, Bill Swift, and Mike Jackson.

1998: Dennis Eckersley announces his retirement. In his 24 year career, "Eck" made 1,071 appearances and became the first and only one of two pitchers (John Smoltz) to have a 20-win season and a 50-save season.

1998: The Devil Rays sign Jose Canseco to a one year deal.

2008: The Mets and Francisco Rodriguez agree to a three year deal worth $37 million.

2008: In a 12-player, three-team trade, the Mets send much-maligned reliever Aaron Heilman, fan favorite Endy Chavez, southpaw Jason Vargas, and three minor leaguers to the Mariners for closer J.J. Putz, who will serve as the setup man for recently acquired Francisco Rodriguez, center fielder Jeremy Reed and reliever Sean Green. The Indians send outfield prospect Franklin Gutierrez to Seattle to get Mets side-slinging reliever Joe Smith and second baseman Luis Valbuena from the Mariners. (copied from nationalpastime.com)

2008: The Yankees and CC Sabathia agree to a seven year deal worth $161 million.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 11th:

1928: NL President John Heydler introduces the idea of a designated hitter for the pitcher. The AL opposes the idea and the NL withdraws the plan.

1950: Falling short of the needed votes from the owners, Happy Chandler's contract as commissioner is not renewed.

1951: Joe DiMaggio announces his retirement.

1952: The Pirates name Fred Haney manager.

1956: A players association is formed with Bob Feller being the first president.

1968: The Angels trade catchers Ed Kirkpatrick and Dennis Paepke to the A's for Hoyt Wilhelm.

1973: After being the first player to invoke his 10/5 rights to decline a trade, Ron Santo accepts a Cubs deal to send him to the White Sox for Jim Kremmel, Steve Stone, Ken Frailing, and Steve Swisher.

1975: The Pirates trade Dock Ellis, Ken Brett, and Willie Randolph to the Yankees for Doc Medich. The Yankees also trade Bobby Bonds to the Angels for Mickey Rivers and Ed Figueroa.

1981: The Giants re-sign Joe Morgan.

1986: The Mets trade Kevin Mitchell and four minor leaguers to the Padres for Kevin McReynolds, Gene Walter, and two minor leaguers.

1991: The Royals trade Bret Saberhagen and Bill Pecota to the Mets for Gregg Jefferies, Kevin McReynolds, and Keith Miller.

2000: The Astros trade Roger Cedeno, Mitch Melusky, and Chris Holt to the Tigers for Brad Ausmus, Doug Brocail, and Nelson Cruz.

2001: The Indians trade Roberto Alomar, Mike Bascik, and Danny Peoples to the Mets for Billy Traber, Matt Lawton, and Alex Escobar.

2007: The Cubs sign Japanese outfielder Kosuke Fukudome to a four year deal worth $48.

2009: The Braves trade Rafael Soriano to the Rays for Jesse Chavez.

2010: The Red Sox sign Carl Crawford to a seven year deal worth $142 million.

2014: The Dodgers trade Dee Gordon, Dan Haren, and Miguel Rojas to the Marlins for Austin Barnes, Chris Hatcher, Enrique Hernandez and top prospect Andrew Heaney. The Dodgers then trade Heaney to the Angels for Howie Kendrick.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 12th:

1903: The Cardinals trade Mordecai "Three Finger" Brown and Jack O'Neill to the Cubs for Larry McLean and Jack Taylor.

1930: The rules committee decides a ball that bounces over the wall will no longer be a home run, making it a ground rule double.

1933: The A's trade Lefty Grove, Rube Wallberg, and Max Bishop to the Red Sox for Bob Klein, Rabbit Warstler, and $125,000.

1966: In a 4-3 vote, the Supreme Court refuses to review Wisconsin's request to block the Braves move to Atlanta.

1975: The Tigers trade Mickey Lolich and Billy Baldwin to the Mets for Rusty Staub and Bill Laxton.

1998: Kevin Brown becomes the first player in baseball history to sign a $100 million deal. He and the Dodgers agree to a seven year deal that also makes him the first to earn $15 million per season.

2007: The Orioles trade Miguel Tejada to the Astros for Matt Albers, Troy Patton, Dennis Sarfate, Luke Scott, and Michael Costanzo.

2007: The Giants and Aaron Rowand agree to a five year deal worth $60 million.

2008: The Yankees and A.J. Burnett agree to a five year deal worth $82.5 million.

2013: The Mariners and Robinson Cano agree to a ten year deal worth $240 million.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 13th:

1911: James E. Gaffney and Montgomery Ward purchase the Boston Doves. Due to Gaffney's ties to Tammany Hall, the team is renamed the Braves.

1923: Hall of Famer Larry Doby, the first black player in AL history, is born in Camden, South Carolina.

1956: The Dodgers trade Jackie Robinson to the Giants for Dick Littlefield and $35,000. Instead of accepting the trade Robinson announces his retirement.

1969: Curt Flood attends a meeting of the Players Association executive board to seek funds in his attempt to sue MLB over its reverse clause. The player reps unanimously vote in favor of helping Flood with the costs.

1994: Reliever Lee Smith signs a deal with the Orioles.

1996: After 13 seasons with the Red Sox, Roger Clemens signs a free agent deal with division rivals Toronto.

1999: The Marlins select pitcher Johan Santana in the Rule 5 Draft, then trades him to the Twins for Jared Camp.

2000: The Red Sox sign Manny Ramirez to an eight year deal worth $160 million.

2001: The Yankees sign Jason Giambi to a seven year deal worth $120 million.

2003: The Cardinals trade J.D Drew and Eli Marrero to the Braves for pitchers Adam Wainwright, Jason Marquis and Ray King.

2007: Former Senator George Mitchell releases his report on performance enhancing drug use in baseball. His reported included 409 pages, 115,000 copies of receipts, cancelled checks, telephone records, and emails. Mitchell and his committee called the steroid era a collective failure. The reported listed 89 current and former players alleged to have taken PEDs, including Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, and Gary Sheffield.

2008: The Indians sign Kerry Wood to a two year deal worth $20 million.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 14th:

1948: The Senators trade Early Wynn and Mickey Vernon to the Indians for Eddie Robinson, Joe Hayness, and Eddie Klieman.

1965: Hall of Famer Craig Biggio is born in Smithtown, New York.

1977: The Red Sox trade Fergie Jenkins to the Rangers for 23 year old pitcher John Poloni, who never played another game in the majors.

1985: After battling lymphatic cancer for two years, Roger Maris dies at age 51.

1995: Lance Johnson and the Mets agree to a two year deal worth $5 million.

2000: The Cardinals trade Fernando Tatis and Britt Reames to the Expos for Dustin Hermanson and Steve Kline.

2001: A week after acquiring him from the Yankees, the Mets trade David Justice to the A's for Mark Gutherie and minor leaguer Tyler Yates.

2007: The Cardinals trade Jim Edmonds to the Padres for minor league prospect David Freese.

2009: The Brewers and Randy Wolf agree to a three year deal worth $29.75 million.

2010: The Phillies and Cliff Lee agree to a five year deal worth $120 million.

2013: The Mets sign Bartolo Colon to a two year deal worth $20 million.

2014: Commissioner Rob Manfred denies Pete Rose's request for reinstatement, citing a reversal of the lifetime ban would risk the sport's credibility.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 15th:

1896: The first pitching machine is demonstrated at the gymnasium at Princeton University. It was created by school professor Charles E. Hinton.

1967: The White Sox trade Tommy Agee and Al Weis to the Mets for Buddy Booker Tommy Davis, Jack Fisher, and Billy Wynne.

1974: Arbitrator Peter Seitz rules in favor of Catfish Hunter in a dispute against A's owner Charley Finley, making him a free agent.

1980: Dave Winfield and the Yankees agree to a ten year deal worth $16 million.

1981: The Yankees and Ron Guidry agree to a four year deal worth $3.6 million.

2001: The Rockies trade Jeff Cirillo to the Mariners for Jose Paniagua and minor leaguers Dennis Stark and Brian Fuentes.

2002: The Giants sign Edgardo Alfonzo to a four year deal.

2004: The Mariners and Richie Sexson agree to a four year deal worth $50 million.

2004: The Mets and Pedro Martinez agree to a four year deal.

2007: The Dodgers agree to a three year deal with Japanese pitcher Hiroki Kuroda.

2008: The Phillies agree to a two year deal worth $13 million with 46 year old pitcher Jamie Moyer.

2011: The Twins sign Josh Willingham to a three year deal worth $21 million.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 15th:

1954: Willie Mays becomes the first player to win the MVP in his first full season in the majors.

1975: Bill Veeck returns to baseball when the group he leads buys 80% of the White Sox.

1976: The Reds trade Tony Perez and Will McEnaney to the Expos for Woody Fryman and Dale Murray.

1982: Tom Seaver agrees to terms with the Mets, completing a trade back to the team from the Reds. The Reds acquire Charlie Puelo along with minor leaguers Lloyd McClendon and Jason Felice.

1983: Yogi Berra is named Yankees manager for the second time.

1991: Clemente Nunez becomes the first player signed by the Marlins.

1992: The Giants name Dusty Baker manager.

1996: The Rangers sign John Wetteland to a four year deal worth $23 million.

2003: The Orioles and Miguel Tejada agree to a six year deal worth $72 million.

2008: The Phillies and Raul Ibanez agree to a three year deal worth $31.5 million.

2009: The Angels sign Hideki Matsui to a one year deal worth $6.5 million.

2009: The Red Sox sign John Lackey to a five year deal worth $82.5 million. They also agree to terms with Mike Cameron on a two year deal worth $15.5 million.

2012: The Tigers sign Torii Hunter to a two year deal worth $26 million.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 18th:

1973: Despite a looming showdown with A's owner Charley Finley, the Yankees announce they have signed Dick Williams to be their new manager.

1975: Chuck Tanner becomes the A's new manager.

1981: The Reds trade Ray Knight to the Astros for Cesar Cedeno.

2000: The Marlins sign Charles Johnson to a five year deal worth $35 million.

2000: The White Sox and Sandy Alomar agree to a two year deal worth $5.4 million.

2001: The Cardinals sign Tino Martinez agree to a three year deal worth $21 million.

2001: The Indians trade John Rocker to the Rangers for minor league pitcher David Elder.

2002: Jeff Kent signs a two year deal worth $18.2 million with the Astros.

2003: The Angels and Adam Kennedy agree to a three year deal worth $8.85 million.

2004: The A's trade Mark Mulder to the Cardinals for Dan Haren, Kiko Calero, and minor leaguer Daric Barton.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 20th:

1926: The Cardinals trade Rogers Hornsby to the Giants for Franke Frisch and Jimmy Ring.

1940: Connie Mack acquires a controlling interest in the A's for whom he had managed for the past 40 years.

1973: Two days after the Yankees announced a deal for Dick Williams to manage the team AL President Joe Cronin voids the agreement.

1980: The Cardinals trade Rollie Fingers and Pete Vuckovich to the Brewers for Larry Sorenson, Sixto Lezcano, and two minor leaguers.

2000: The Orioles sign Mike Bordick to a two year deal.

2001: The Dodgers sign Hideo Nomo to a two year deal worth $13.75 million.

2001: The Jean Yawkey Trust announces that all partners had voted to sell the Red Sox to Marlins owner John Henry. The Yawkeys had owned the team since 1933.

2002: The Mets and Cliff Floyd agree to a four deal deal worth $26 million.

2004: The Yankees sign Carl Pavano to a four year deal worth $39.95 million.

2005: The Diamondbacks trade Javier Vasquez and cash to the White Sox for Orlando Hernandez, Luis Vizcaino, and prospect Chris Young.

2007: The Tigers and Dontrelle Willis agree to a three year extension worth $29 million.

2007: The Mariners and Carlos Silva agree to a four year deal worth $48 million.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 21st:

1959: The Pirates acquire Gino Cimoli and Tom Cheney from the Cardinals for Ron Kline.

1995: David Cone resigns with the Yankees on a three year deal worth $19.5 million.

1995: The Orioles sign Roberto Alomar to a three year deal worth $18 million.

2005: The Dodgers trade Steve Finley to the Giants for Edgardo Alfonzo.

2007: The Reds trade Josh Hamilton to the Rangers for Edison Volquez and Danny Herrera.

2010: The Reds Sox sign Bobby Jenks to a two year deal worth $12 million.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 22nd:

1953: Jack Dunn III, owner of the International League Baltimore Orioles, turns over the team's nickname to the new ML franchise moving over from St. Louis.

1962: Voters in Harris County, Texas approve financing of the new domed stadium, eventually becoming the Astrodome.

1982: The Yankees trade Lee Mazzilli to the Pirates for Tim Burke and three minor leaguers.

1994: The Giants trade John Burkett to the Rangers for Desi Wilson and Rich Aurilia.

1995: Bill DeWitt Jr. along with Stephen and Frederick Brauer purchase the Cardinals from Anheuser-Busch for $150 million.

2000: The Mariners sign Bret Boone to a one year deal.

2001: The Rangers sign Chan Ho Park to a five year deal worth $65 million.

2009: The Braves trade Javier Vazquez to the Yankees for Melky Cabrera.

2011: The Cardinals and Carlos Beltran agree to a two year deal.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 23rd:

1953: The Dodgers Jim Gilliam is named NL Rookie of the Year.

1975: Arbitrator Peter Seitz rules that Andy Messersmith and Dave McNally are free agents, the first true ones in baseball history. The two pitchers for the Dodgers and Expos respectively, without signing a contract during their option years, challenged the owners assumptions that the reserve clause meant one year deals were automatically renewed. Following the landmark decision, the owners dismiss Seitz as their representative in labor matters.

1994: While the players still striking, the owners put a salary cap in place along with revenue sharing. The new rules never take effect because when a judge's ruling that eventually ended the strike proclaimed the next two seasons must be played under prior labor conditions.

1997: The Cubs trade Doug Glanville to the Phillies for Mickey Morandini.

2004: The Dodgers sign J.D. Drew to a five year deal worth $55 million.

2004: The Cardinals sign David Eckstein to a three year deal.

2004: The Red Sox and Jason Varitek agree to a four year deal worth $40 million.

2008: The Yankees and Mark Teixeira agree to an eight year deal worth $180 million.

2011: The Reds trade Travis Wood, Dave Sappelt, and a minor leaguer to the Cubs for Sean Marshall.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 24th:

1949: Grover Cleveland Alexander is found unconscious in an alley near his Hollywood apartment. He had been suffering from alcoholism and epilepsy.

1959: The Braves sign 20-year old Dominican outfielder Rico Carty.

1969: In a letter to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, Cardinals outfielder Curt Flood states his refusal to report to the Phillies after a trade between the two teams. Flood states that he is not a piece of property to be sold. The MLB Players Association would help with his legal fees in a case that would eventually be heard in the US Supreme Court.

1990: The White Sox acquire Tim Raines and two minor leaguers from the Expos for Ivan Calderon and Barry Jones.

2009: The Angels sign Fernando Rodney to a two year deal worth $11 million.

2010: The Marlins and Ricky Nolasco agree to a three year deal worth $26.5 million.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 26th:

1919: Though the transaction won't be official until next month, the Yankees purchase Babe Ruth from the Red Sox. The transaction is for $100,000 and guarantees a $300,000 loan with Fenway Park as collateral.

1950: Commissioner Happy Chandler announces the Gillette Razor Company has purchased TV rights to the All-Star Game at $6 million for six years.

2001: The Angels sign Aaron Sele to a three year deal.

2008: Randy Johnson signs a one year deal worth $8 million with the Giants.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 27th:

1984: The Yankees sign Ed Whitson to a five year deal worth $4.4 million.

2001: The Angels trade Mo Vaughn to the Mets for Kevin Appier.

2004: The Giants sign free agent Moises Alou.

2013: The Rangers and Shin-Soo Choo agree to a seven year deal worth $130 million.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 28th:

1926: The Cardinals name Bob O'Farrell manager.

1957: The Reds trade Ted Kluzsewski to the Pirates for Dee Fondy.

1994: The Astros trade Ken Caminiti, Andujar Cedeno, Steve Finley, Roberto Petagine, Brian Williams, and a player to be named later (Sean Fesh) to the Padres for Derek Bell, Doug Brocail, Ricky Guiterrez, Pedro Martinez, Phil Plantier, and Craig Shipley.

1998: The Tigers sign Gregg Jefferies to a two year deal. After that, they trade outfield prospect Luis Gonzalez for Karim Garcia.

2005: The White Sox sign Jon Garland to a three year deal worth $29 million.

2005: The Diamondbacks trade Troy Glaus and prospect Sergio Santos to the Blue Jays for Orlando Hudson and Miguel Batista.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 30th:

1926: The Chicago Tribune reports the Tigers threw a four game series to the White Sox to help them win the pennant. Commissioner Landis would start an investigation within the week.

1935: Sandy Koufax is born in Brooklyn, New York.

2002: Roger Clemens agrees to a one year deal worth $10.1 million with the Yankees.

2008: The Diamondbacks and Chris Snyder agree to a three year deal worth $14.5 million.

[CrimsonCowboy]

December 31st:

1897: Charles Ebbets gains 80% control of the Dodgers.

1966: The Braves trade Eddie Mathews, Sandy Alomar, Sr., and Arnie Umbach to the Astros for Dave Nicholson and Bob Bruce.

1972: Roberto Clemente dies when the plane he is traveling to crashes near Puerto Rico. Clemente was helping deliver relief supplies to earthquake victims in Nicaragua. Roberto Clemente was 38 years old.

1974: Catfish Hunter signs a five year deal worth $3.75 million deal with the Yankees.

2008: The Angels sign reliever Brian Fuentes to a two year deal worth $17.5 million.

2008: The Cubs trade Mark DeRosa to the Indians for pitching prospects Chris Archer, Jeff Stevens, and John Gaub.

2009: The Cubs sign Marlon Byrd to a three year deal worth $15 million.

2009: The Red Sox sign Marco Scutaro to a two year deal worth $12.5 million.