This day in baseball: Cox buys the Phillies
Posted: February 18, 2019 Filed under: 20th Century, This day in baseball | Tags: Baseball, history, Kenesaw Mountain Landis, Major League Baseball, MLB, National League, Philadelphia Phillies, sports, William D. Cox Leave a commentAfter the bankrupt team had been taken over by the National League, William D. Cox purchased the Philadelphia Phillies from the NL on February 18, 1943. At the age of 33, this made Cox the youngest owner in the league. However, evidence surfaced later that year that Cox had placed some bets on his own team. Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis launched an investigation, and Cox eventually admitted to making some “sentimental” bets on the Phillies. Landis responded by banning Cox from baseball on November 23, 1943.
Shibe Park (Wikipedia)
This day in baseball: King Kelly sold to Boston
Posted: February 14, 2019 Filed under: 19th Century, This day in baseball | Tags: Baseball, Boston Beaneaters, Chicago White Stockings, history, King Kelly, National Baseball Hall of Fame, National League, sports Leave a commentThe Chicago White Stockings sold National League batting champion and future Hall of Famer Mike Kelly to the Boston Beaneaters on February 14, 1887 for what was at that time a record $10,000. Kelly would earn the nickname “King” while in Boston, where he would hit .311 during this three-year span with the team.
King Kelly (Wikimedia Commons)
This day in baseball: First ever arbitration ruling
Posted: February 11, 2019 Filed under: 20th Century, This day in baseball | Tags: Baseball, Dick Woodson, history, Major League Baseball, Minnesota Twins, MLB, sports Leave a commentOn February 11, 1974, Twins pitcher Dick Woodson won the first arbitration ruling in baseball history after becoming the first player to invoke the new free agency clause. Woodson asked for and was awarded $29,000 (I’ve also seen $30,000 cited as the figure), over the Twins’ offer of $23,000.
baseball-almanac.com
This day in baseball: The Yankees’ future home
Posted: February 6, 2019 Filed under: 20th Century, This day in baseball | Tags: Baseball, history, Major League Baseball, MLB, New York Yankees, sports, William Waldorf Astor, Yankee Stadium 2 CommentsOn February 6, 1921, the New York Yankees announced the purchase of a ten-acre plot of land from the estate of William Waldorf Astor. The site, purchased for $675,000 and situated on the west side of the Bronx, would serve as the location of the new Yankee Stadium. Construction of the new ballpark began in May 1922, and the Yankees would play their first game in the new stadium on April 18, 1923.
This day in baseball: Thorpe signs with New York
Posted: February 1, 2019 Filed under: 20th Century, This day in baseball | Tags: Baseball, history, Jim Thorpe, Major League Baseball, MLB, New York Giants, sports, St. Louis Browns 2 CommentsAfter turning down an offer from the last-place Browns, Jim Thorpe signed with the New York Giants, the defending NL champs, on February 1, 1913. Thorpe, a Sac and Fox Nation native American, compiled a lifetime .252 batting average during his six seasons in the majors.
Jim Thorpe (The Sporting News)
This day in baseball: Irvin signs with the Giants
Posted: January 28, 2019 Filed under: 20th Century, This day in baseball | Tags: Baseball, Ford Smith, history, Major League Baseball, MLB, Monte Irvin, National Baseball Hall of Fame, Negro Leagues, New York Giants, sports Leave a commentMonte Irvin and Ford Smith became the first African-American players to sign with the New York Giants on January 28, 1949. Irvin would only play five full seasons in the major leagues, but he is considered by many to be the best of the players who made the jump from the Negro Leagues to the majors. In 1973, Irvin was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame, primarily for his play in the Negro Leagues.
Wikimedia Commons
This day in baseball: Elaine Weddington Steward promoted
Posted: January 26, 2019 Filed under: 20th Century, This day in baseball | Tags: Baseball, Boston Red Sox, Elaine Weddington Steward, history, Major League Baseball, MLB, sports, Women Leave a commentOn January 26, 1990, Elaine Weddington Steward was promoted to assistant general manager for the Boston Red Sox. She had been working with the franchise since 1988 as an associate counsel. Her promotion in 1990 made her the highest-ranking black female executive in Major League Baseball.
Elaine Weddington Steward (The Business Journals)
