Today In Baseball History: December

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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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.
 
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