Month: March 2019

Baseball History · On This Day

On This Day: March 26

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1937 

On the advice of Detroit Tigers’ legend, Ty Cobb, budding New York Yankees all-time great Joe DiMaggio reduces the weight of his bat from 40 ounces to 36 ounces. Joe D. will hit 46 HRs in ’37 along with a .346 average.

Baseball History · On This Day

On This Day: March 24

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1982

Fernando Valenzuela ends his holdout and reports to the Dodgers spring training camp in Vero Beach, Florida. After earning just $42,500 as the winner of the N.L. Cy Young and Rookie of the Year Awards in 1981, the 21-year-old southpaw had asked for a raise to $1 million in 1982. The Dodgers unilaterally renewed his contract for a reported $350,000.…

Continue readingOn This Day: March 24

Baseball History · On This Day

On This Day: March 21

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1986
The Yankees announce that their most celebrated off-season acquisition, 26-year-old pitcher Britt Burns, will not pitch at all this season because of a chronic deteriorating hip condition. He never again pitches in the major leagues. Burns had won 18 games for the White Sox the previous season.

Baseball History · On This Day

On This Day: March 19

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1989
With Dave Winfield sidelined, the Yankees trade catcher Joel Skinner and a minor leaguer to the Indians for outfielder Mel Hall. Winfield will miss all of the 1989 season after undergoing back surgery. Hall will remain with the Bronx Bombers through the 1992 season, while future HOF’er Winfield will only play in 20 more games for the Yanks.

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Continue readingOn This Day: March 19

Baseball History · On This Day

On This Day: March 17

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1871
The National Association of Professional Baseball Players is founded setting the stage for the future National League (1876). The entry fee for a National Association franchise is set at $10.

Baseball History · On This Day

On This Day: March 12

Posted on by Baseballia

1980
Slugger Chuck Klein (mostly of the Phillies) and former Red Sox owner Tom Yawkey are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee. Yawkey is the first club owner selected who never served as a player, manager, or general manager.