1. materials characteristic of baseball and the culture of baseball; 2. collectible baseball Americana
2000
In Tokyo the Mets defeat the Cubs in 11 innings on Benny Agbayani’s pinch-hit grand slam. Rey Ordóñez ends his MLB streak of 101 consecutive errorless games at SS. Stealing second, Rickey Henderson joins Ted Williams as the only MLB players to have a SB in four different decades.
1934
Rabbit Maranville breaks his left leg while sliding home on a double steal in an exhibition game against the New York Yankees. The Boston Braves veteran is out for the season and will play just 23 games next year.
1963
On an all-or-nothing day for the Dodgers’ Sandy Koufax, he gives up long balls to Roberto Clemente and Donn Clendenon, but strikes out 9 Pirates batters in 7 innings, and also gives up six runs.
1959
In Havana, Cuba, the Cincinnati Redlegs and Los Angeles Dodgers play an exhibition game. For a pre-game photo, Reds outfielder Pete Whisenant swaps his glove for a Fidel Castro rebel’s machine gun.
1968
One of the two American League expansion teams announces its nickname. The Kansas City franchise, now known as the “Royals”, will begin play in 1969. Kansas City’s last major league franchise, the Athletics, moved to Oakland after the 1967 season.
2001
The San Diego Padres sign Rickey Henderson and send him to Triple-A to get in shape. For the 42 year-old Henderson, it is his first time in the minors since a three-game rehabilitation 16 years prior. He will play in 123 games for the Padres in ’01 and steal 25 bases.
1927
In a battle of Irish managers on St. Patrick’s Day, the St. Louis Cardinals of Bob O’Farrell beat the New York Giants of John McGraw, 3 – 0, in a Grapefruit League contest.
1954
Rookie Hank Aaron makes his first spring training start for the Milwaukee Braves in an exhibition game against the Boston Red Sox. Aaron, taking advantage of an injury suffered by the starting outfielder, raps out three hits, including a home run.
2012
Marlins manager Ozzie Guillen is already in mid-season form. He is ejected in the 6th inning of an otherwise placid Grapefruit League game against the Red Sox for arguing a foul ball call. As Ozzie explained afterwards: “I don’t mind getting ejected, man. That’s my job. If I get ejected protecting my players, I can sleep at night.”
…Continue readingOn This Day: March 12
1981
The Chicago White Sox sign prized free agent catcher Carlton Fisk. The future Hall of Fame receiver was declared a free agent in February after the Boston Red Sox failed to mail him a contract by the deadline imposed under the Basic Agreement.
