1. materials characteristic of baseball and the culture of baseball; 2. collectible baseball Americana
1927
N.L. President John Heydler rules that Rogers Hornsby cannot continue to both hold stock in the Cardinals and play for the Giants. In early 1927, Hornsby was able to sell his shares at $105 each, enabling him to officially become a Giant.
1948
Major League Baseball Commissioner Happy Chandler fined the New York Yankees, Chicago Cubs, and Philadelphia Phillies $500 each after it was discovered that they were attempting to sign high school players for the upcoming season.
1944
Lou Perini, Guido Rugo, and Joseph Maney buy control of the Boston Braves and Casey Stengel is soon out as manager. In six seasons at the helm, the “Old Perfesser” had not been able to lift the talent-challenged Bees/Braves out of the second division.
Happy 84th birthday to Milwaukee’s own “Mr. Baseball,” Bob Uecker. No words can adequately describe this Brewers icon. He spent parts of six seasons in MLB with the Braves, Phillies and Cardinals. Here is hoping he has a GREAT day!
1997
Modern New York Yankees great Don Mattingly officially announces his retirement at a media conference in Yankee Stadium. In 14 seasons with the Bronx Bombers, “Donnie Baseball” hit to a slash line of .307/.358/.471
Happy 69th birthday to Jon Matlack of the New York Mets and Texas Rangers. Matlack, the 1972 NL Rookie of the Year, compiled 1,023 strikeouts and a 3.03 ERA in a seven-year run as one of the “Big Three” pitchers the New York Mets were built around in the 1970s, along with Tom Seaver and Jerry Koosman.
1973
Orlando Cepeda signs with the Boston Red Sox, making him the first player signed by a team specifically to be a designated hitter. His slash line will be .289/.350/.444 with 20 HRs and 86 RBI in his one Beantown season.
1964
A.L. owners vote 9-1 against Charlie Finley’s proposal to move the Kansas City A’s to Louisville. Finley is given an ultimatum to sign a lease in Kansas City or lose his franchise. The Athletics will play four more seasons in Kansas City before moving to Oakland.
