Today In Baseball History: December

CrimsonCowboy

CrimsonCowboy

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December 1st:



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

1954: The Yankees and Orioles make the largest trade in M.L. history with 17 players involved, including Don Larsen, Gene Woodling, and Bob Turley.

1956: The Reds Frank Robinson is named N.L. Rookie of the Year. The White Sox Luis Aparicio wins the A.L. honor.

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

1964: The Houston Colt .45s change their name to the Astros. A dispute with the Colt firearm company forces the name change.

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

1971: The Cubs announce Ernie Banks will be a coach the next season, ending his 19-year playing career.

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

1998: The Mets trade catcher Todd Hundley and pitcher Arnold Gooch to the Dodgers for outfielder Roger Cedeno and catcher Charles Johnson. The Mets also signed third baseman Robin Ventura to a four year deal worth $32 million.

2000: Pitcher Turk Wendell, who wore #99, agrees to a three year deal worth $9,999,999.99.

December 2nd:



1948: The Cardinals Stan Musial is named N.L. MVP.

1963: The Pacific Coast League expands to 12 teams, adding franchises in Indianapolis and Little Rock.

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

1993: Eddie Murray agrees to a deal with the Indians.

2005: The Marlins trade second baseman Luis Castillo to the Twins for a pair of pitching prospects.

2008: Blue Jays owner Ted Rogers dies at age 75.

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

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

December 3rd:



1926: In a Chicago Tribune article reveals the Cubs will change the name of Weeghman Park to Wrigley Field.

1933: The A's sell Mickey Cochrane to the Tigers for $100,000. Owner Connie Mack makes the sale, needing money during the Great Depression.

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

1974: The Mets trade pitcher Tug McGraw along with outfielders Don Hahn and Dace Schneck to the Phillies for outfielder Del Unser, pitcher Mac Scarce, and catcher John Stearns.

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

2003: Mike Lowell signs a four year deal with the Marlins worth $32 million.

2007: Former manager Dick Williams is elected to the Hall of Fame buy the Veterans Committee. Former Dodgers owner Walter O'Malley is also elected.

2008: Dustin Pedroia and the Red Sox agree to a six year deal worth $40.5 million.

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

December 4th:



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

1990: The Giants trade pitcher Dave Righetti to a four year deal worth $10 million.

2003: The Red Sox name Terry Francona manager.

2007: The Tigers acquire infielder Miguel Cabrera and pitcher Dontrelle Willis from the Marlins for six prospects.
 
December 5th:

1950: Mel Ott leaves the Giants organization, agreeing to a deal to manage Oakland in the Pacific Coast League.

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

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

1973: The Cubs Ron Santo becomes the first player to use his 10/5 rights, denying a trade to the Angels.

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

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

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

1990: The Mets sign Vince Coleman to a four year deal, their first free agent signing in ten years.

1996: The players association unanimously approves the new CBA, clearing the way for interleague play for the 1997 season.

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

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

2011: The Golden Era committee elects Ron Santo to the Hall of Fame.
 
December 6th:

1941: The Giants name Mel Ott manager. The Hall of Famer hit 511 home runs in his career playing for the Giants.

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

1960: The American League awards their expansion franchise in Los Angeles to singer Gene Autry.

1968: William Eckert resigns as commissioner.

1989: The Mets trade reliever Randy Myers to the Reds for relief pitcher John Franco.

2002: The Players Association allows the Expos to play 22 home games in San Juan, 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 resign closer Trevor Hoffman to a two year deal worth $13.5 million.

2007: The Dodgers and Andruw Jones agree to a two year deal worth $26.2 million.

2010: The Diamondbacks trade Mark Reynolds to the Orioles for David Hernandez and Kam Mickolio.
 
December 7th:

1939: Lou Gehrig, who played his last game on June 30th, is elected to the Hall of Fame. The five year waiting rule is waived for Gehrig due to his ALS.

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

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

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

1988: Nolan Ryan signs a one year deal with the Rangers.

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

1995: The Mariners trade Tino Martinez, Jim Mecir, and Jeff Nelson 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 Mets trade Robin Ventura to the Yankees for David Justice.

2005: The Rangers trade Alfonso Soriano to the Nationals for Brad Wilkerson and Terrmel Sledge.

2005: The Braves trade Johnny Estrada to the Diamondbacks for Lance Cormier and Oscar Villarreal.

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

2011: The Marlins sign Mark Buehrle to a four year deal worth $58 million.

2013: The Yankees sign Jacoby Ellsbury to a seven year deal worth $153 million.
 
December 9th:

1941: Bob Feller becomes the first M.L. player to enlist after the Pearl Harbor attacks.

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 Adrain Devine, Ken Henderson, Dave May, Roger Moret, and Carl Morton. The Rangers also got $250,000.

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

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

1992: The Braves sign Greg Maddux to a five year deal worth $28 million. The deal allows them to trade Charlie Leibrandt along with Pat Gomez to the Rangers for Jose Oliva.

1993: The Mariners resign Randy Johnson to a three year deal worth $20.25 million.

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

1997: The Giants sign Orel Hershisher to a contract.

1997: The Devil Rays sign Wade Boggs.

2000: The Rockies sign pitcher Mike Hampton to an eight year deal worth $121 million.

2009: Andy Pettitte agress to a one year deal to return to the Yankees.

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

2013: Former managers Bobby Cox, Joe Torre, and Tony LaRussa are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Expansion Era Committee
 
December 10th:

1919: The National League bans pitchers from using the "spitball" pitch.

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 Dean Chance, Bob Miller, Graig Nettles, and Ted Uhlaender.

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

1972: The American League votes to adoph the D.H. rule 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 Bill Swift, Mike Jackson, and Dave Burba.

1998: Dennis Eckersley announces his retirement.

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

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

2008: The Mets trade Aaron Heilman, Endy Chavez, Jason Vargas, and three minor leaguers to the Mariners for J.J. Putz, Jeremy Reed, and Sean Green.

2008: The Yankees sign CC Sabathia to a seven year deal worth $161 million.
 
December 11th:

1950: The owners decide not to renew the contradt of Commissioner Happy Chandler.

1951: Joe DiMaggio announces his retirement.

1956: A M.L. players union is formed with Bob Feller being its first president.

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

1973: The Cubs trade Ron Santo to the White Sox for Jim Kremmel, Ken Frailing, Steve Stone, and Steve Swisher.

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

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

2009: The Rays sign reliever Rafael Soriano to a one year deal.

2010: The Red Sox sign Carl Crawford to a seven year deal worth $142 million.
 
December 12th:

1903: Future Hall of Famer Mordecai Brown and Jack O'Neill are traded by the Cardinals to the Cubs in exchange for Larry McLean and Jack Taylor.

1930: The rules committee decides that a ball that bounces over the wall and into the stands will be a ground rule double and no longer a home run.

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

1966: By a 4-3 vote, the Supreme Court refuses to review Wisconsin's lawsuit over the Braves relocation to Atlanta.

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

1998: Kevin Brown signs the first $100 million deal in MLB history, reaching the agreement with the Dodgers.

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

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

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

2013: The Mariners sign Robinson Cano to a ten year contract worth $240 million.
 
December 13th:

1956: The Dodgers trade Jackie Robinson to the Giants for Dick Littlefield and $35,000. Rather than accepting the trade, Robinson decides to retire.

1969: Curt Flood attends the Players Association meeting to seek financial support in his lawsuit against baseball on the grounds that the game's reserve clause violates Federal antitrust laws.

1996: After 13 years in Boston, Roger Clemens signs a deal with divsional rival Blue Jays.

1999: After selecting him from the Astros in the Rule V Draft, the Marlins trade Johan Santana to the Twins for Jared Camp.

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

2001: Jason Giambi signs a seven year deal worth $120 million with the Yankees.

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

2007: Alex Rodriguez and the Yankees agree to a ten year deal worth $275 million.

2007: The Mitchell Report, the investigation of performance enhancing drug use in MLB led by Senator George Mitchell, is released. The report calls the steroid era in baseball a collective failure and names 89 former and current players who were alleged to use PEDs. Among those named were Barry Bonds, Gary Sheffield, and Roger Clemens.
 
December 14th:

1948: The Senators trade pitcher Early Wynn and first baseman Mickey Vernon to the Indians for first baseman Eddie Robinson along with pitchers Joe Hayness and Eddie Kliemann.

1977: The Red Sox trade Fergie Jenkins to the Rangers for pitcher John Poloni, who never played a M.L. game again after the deal.

1985: Roger Maris dies at age 51.

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

2001: The Mets trade David Justice to the A's for pitcher Mark Guthrie and minor leaguer Tyler Yates.

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

2010: Cliff Lee signs a five year deal worth $120 million dollars with the Phillies.
 
December 16th:

1954: Ted Williams becomes the first player to win the MVP award in his first full season.

1975: Bill Veeck returns to baseball when he leads a group that 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: The trade of Tom Seaver back to the Mets is complete when he agrees to terms on a contract. The Mets trade pitcher Charlie Puleo and two minor leaguers to the Reds.

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

1991: The Marlins sign 16-year old Dominican pitcher Clemente Nunez as their first player in franchise history.

1992: The Giants name Dusty Baker manager.

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

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

2009: John Lackey signs a five year deal worth $82.5 million deal with the Red Sox.

2012: Torii Hunter signs a two year deal worth $26 million with the Tigers.
 
December 17th:

1891: The American Association disbands. The Baltimore Orioles, St. Louis Browns, Louisville Colonels, and Washington Senators join the National League.

1964: The Yankees fire long time radio and TV voice Mel Allen.

1975: A day after becoming owner of the White Sox, Bill Veeck fires manager Chuck Tanner and hires old friend Paul Richards.

1992: The Twins sign Dave Winfield.

1993: The A's sign Rickey Henderson to a two year deal worth $8.6 million.

2002: The Giants trade starter Russ Ortiz to the Braves for starter Damian Moss and a minor leaguer.

2003: The Yankees sign Gary Sheffield to a three year deal worth $39 million.

2004: The Cardinals sign Edgar Renteria to a four year deal.
 
December 18th:

1973: Despite the threat of legal action from A's owner Charlie Finley, the Yankees name Dick Williams manager.

1975: The A's name Chuck Tanner manager.

1981: The Reds trade third baseman Ray Knight to the Astros for outfielder Cesar Cedano.

1985: The Giants trade Rob Deer to the Brewers for two minor leaguers.

1990: The National League names six finalists for two expansion teams to start play in 1993. The cities are Buffalo, Denver, Miami, Orlando, Tampa/St. Petersburg, and Washington.

2000: Charles Johnson signs a five year deal worth $35 million with the Marlins.

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

2003: The Angels sign Adam Kennedy to a three year deal worth $8.85 million.
 
December 19th:

1934: Hall of Famer Al Kaline is born in Baltimore, Maryland.

1976: A single-engine plane crashes into the upper deck of Baltimore's Memorial Stadium, injuring the pilot and three others. A few minutes earlier, the plane was flying over the stadium in the final moments of the Steelers playoff win over the Colts.

1991: The Blue Jays sign Dave Winfield to a deal.

1991: The Orioles sign free agent pitcher Rick Sutcliffe.

2002: Japanese slugger Hideki Matsui agrees to a three year deal worth $21 million with the Yankees.

2008: The Dodgers sign Rafael Furcal to a three year deal worth $33 million.

2010: The Royals trade pitcher Zach Greinke to the Brewers for shortstop Alcides Escobar, outfielder Lorenzo Cain, and pitching prospects Jake Odorizzi and Jeremy Jeffress.

2011: The Rangers win the negoitation rights to Japanese pitcher Yu Darvish after a posting fee of $51.7 million.
 
The Rafael Furcal is sneakily one of the biggest things that's happened to the Braves (or didn't) the past decade. So many things happened after that took place as a result of him spurning us (Derek Lowe for example, Yunel Escobar era never happens, etc.)

This is an awesome thread CC
 
December 20th:

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

1940: Connie Mack, who has managed the A's for the past 40 years, announces he has acquired controlling interest in the team at a cost of $42,000.

1973: Two days after announcing they had named Dick Williams manager, A.L. President Joe Cronin sides with A's owner Charlie Finley and denys the hire.

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

2001: Hideo Nomo returns to the Dodgers, signing a two year deal.

2001: The Jean Yawkey Trust announces they have sold the Red Sox to a group led by Marlins owner John Henry for a reported $600 million. The Red Sox had been owned by the Yawkey Family since 1933.

2002: The Mets sign Cliff Floyd to a four year deal worth $26 million.

2002: The Dodgers sign Fred McGriff to a one year deal.

2005: The Diamondbacks trade pitcher Javier Vazquez and cash to the White Sox for starter Orlando Hernandez, reliever Luis Vizcaino, and outfield prospect Chris Young.

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

2007: The Mariners sign pitcher Carlos Silva to a four year deal worth $48 million.
 
December 21st:

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

1995: Roberto Alomar signs a three year deal worth $18 million with the Orioles.

2000: Tim Raines signs a minor league deal with the Expos, the team who he broke into the majors with in 1979.

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

2007: The Reds trade outfielder Josh Hamilton to the Rangers for pitchers Edison Volquez and Danny Herrera.
 
December 22nd:

1944: Hall of Famer Steve Carlton is born in Miami, Florida.

1962: Voters in Harris County, Texas approve a bond issue to construct the first domed sports stadium in the world, eventually becoming known as the Astrodome.

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

1995: Bill DeWitt and two investment partners purchase the Cardinals from Anheuser-Busch for $150 million.

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

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

2011: Carlos Beltran signs a two year deal worth $26 million with the Cardinals.
 
December 24th:

1949: Suffering from alcoholism and epilepsy, Hall of Famer Grover Cleveland Alexander is found unconscious in an alley in Hollywood.

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

1969: In a letter to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, recently traded Cardinals outfielder Curt Flood tells him that he is not a piece of property to be sold and refuses to report to the Phillies. The Players Association announces support for Flood and will pay his legal fees.

1990: The Expos trade Tim Raines and two minor leaguers to the White Sox for Ivan Calderone and Barry Jones.

2002: Pitcher Jose Contreras, who recently defected from Cuba, signs a deal with the Yankees. It's that deal which prompts a Red Sox official to call the Yankees "The Evil Empire".

2004: Catcher Jason Varitek agrees to a four year deal, staying with the Red Sox. He would also be named team captain.

2009: Reliever Fernando Rodney signs a two year deal worth $11 million with the Angels.

2010: Rickey Nolasco signs a three year deal worth $26.5 million to stay with the Marlins.
 
MLBTR posted this on Rico Carty today: "It was on this day in 1959 that the Braves signed a very notable 20-year-old outfielder out of San Pedro de Macoris in the Dominican Republic. Rico Carty ended up playing in 829 games for the Braves from 1963 to 1972, and one wonders just how good Carty might’ve been had it not been for several injury setbacks. Despite all the injuries, Carty still produced a .299/369/.464 line and 204 homers over 15 Major League seasons, also playing for the Rangers, Cubs, A’s, Indians and Blue Jays during his career."
 
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