1. materials characteristic of baseball and the culture of baseball; 2. collectible baseball Americana
1978
Hall of Fame manager Joe McCarthy dies in Buffalo, NY, at the age of 90. McCarthy was the first manager to win pennants with both National and American League teams, winning nine league titles overall and seven World Series as manager of the Yankees.
1907
The New York Giants’ John McGraw plays the role of off-the-field hero as he prevents a team of horses from injuring two women. The fiery Giants manager’s heroic deed of stopping the runaway steeds takes place in Los Angeles, CA.
1989
Bill Terry dies at the age of 92. Terry batted .341 over a 14-year tenure with the New York Giants, including a career-high .401 in 1930. Terry also served as the Giants’ manager for 10 seasons, leading the team to three consecutive pennants. He gained election to the Hall of Fame in 1954.
1997
Former Atlanta Braves knuckleballer Phil Niekro is elected to the Hall of Fame by the Baseball Writers Association of America, becoming the 227th member of the Hall. He receives 80.34% of the vote, and is only the 87th player to be elected by the BBWAA.
1976
The Kansas City Royals release pitcher Lindy McDaniel, ending his career after 21 years. He has appeared in 987 games, second only to Hoyt Wilhelm’s 1,070.
A whole, new scorecard to fill out…
1900
Future Hall of Fame pitcher Ted Lyons is born in Lake Charles, Louisiana. Lyons will make his major league debut in 1923 and will go on to win 260 games over a 21-year career with the Chicago White Sox.
May You Know A Merry Christmas…
1980
The Boston Red Sox mail Fred Lynn and Carlton Fisk their new contracts two days after the Basic Agreement’s December 20 deadline. Boston’s blunder make their All-Stars eligible for free agency.
1974
The race to sign newly-minted free agent Catfish Hunter begins in the law offices of Cherry, Cherry & Flythe in Ahoskie, North Carolina. Yankees and Red Sox representatives are the first arrivals. Hunter will sign with New York and go 23-14 his first season in the Big Apple.
