We performed a site update on April 16, 2013. Please let the admin know if you User_talk:Admin#APRIL_16.2C_2013 encounter any issues. All updates have been performed.
February 11
From BR Bullpen
| Stats of players who were born this day | |
| Stats of players who died on this day | |
| Standings on this day | |
| Permanent link to Today's Entry | |
| Sources | |
| Baseball Library Chronology | |
| Today in Baseball History | |
Events, births and deaths that occurred on February 11.
[edit] Events
- 1900 - The Baltimore Orioles of the National League sell their stars, third baseman John McGraw, catcher Wilbert Robinson and infielder Bill Keister to the St. Louis Cardinals. McGraw, the team's player-manager, batted .391 in 1899, but the Orioles are being contracted out of the National League.
- 1911 - The Chicago Cubs acquire second baseman Dave Shean from the Boston Rustlers for third baseman Scotty Ingerton and pitcher Big Jeff Pfeffer. This is the second time that Boston has traded with the Cubs for Big Jeff.
- 1914 - Declining to remain with the Chicago Cubs as a player after being fired as manager, second baseman Johnny Evers is traded to the Boston Braves for second baseman Bill Sweeney and cash considerations. Evers will have one good season left, leading the "Miracle Braves" to the National League pennant and winning the Chalmers Award for Most Valuable Player. Meanwhile, Sweeney will sour in Chicago.
- 1915 - New York Giants president Harry Hempstead objects to the International League's efforts to put a team in the Bronx.
- 1916 - After playing two seasons in Cleveland, OH, the American Association Mud Hens transfer back to Toledo. The franchise spent two seasons in Cleveland to block a Federal League team from moving in there.
- 1923:
- With rookie Jim Bottomley in the wings, the St. Louis Cardinals send first baseman Jack Fournier to the Brooklyn Robins in a trade for catcher Hy Myers. The veteran Fournier says he'll quit if he has to move, but gives in and plays another five seasons. Fournier, with 22 home runs this year, will finish second in the National League, but his 20 stolen bases in 43 attempts - the 20th century worst percentage for anyone with 20 steals - will barely qualify him for the 20-20 club.
- In a pitcher's deal, the Brooklyn Robins send Clarence Mitchell to the Philadelphia Phillies in exchange for George Smith.
- 1928 - The New York Giants and Pittsburgh Pirates swap pitchers: Burleigh Grimes for Vic Aldridge. Grimes, 19-8 with the Giants last season, will lead the National League in wins this year with 25 after his return to Pittsburgh. Aldridge holds out till May 3, and then will win just four games for New York.
- 1937 - Philadelphia Athletics owner Connie Mack is interviewed on a television demonstration by Philco.
- 1950 - Hall of Fame outfielder Hazen (Kiki) Cuyler dies in Ann Arbor, Michigan, at the age of 50. Considered an outstanding defensive player and baserunner, Cuyler was a .321 hitter with 2,299 hits and 328 stolen bases during an 18-year career. At the time of his death, Cuyler was serving as a coach for the Boston Red Sox.
- 1965 - Braves officials, who already intend to move to Atlanta, GA for 1966, propose to pay five cents from each ticket sold to a fund for the purpose of bringing a new major league team to Milwaukee, WI. Teams, Inc., a civic group, accepts the offer, buys out the park for Opening Day, and stages "Stand Up for Milwaukee Day".
- 1974 - A total of 48 players exercise their rights to settle their contracts through the new arbitration procedure. Pitcher Dick Woodson will become the first player to go through arbitration, winning his case against the Minnesota Twins.
- 1977 - The Chicago Cubs trade two-time National League batting champion Bill Madlock and infielder Rob Sperring to the San Francisco Giants for outfielder Bobby Murcer, third baseman Steve Ontiveros, and a minor league pitcher. In 1976, Madlock led the NL with a .339 mark, while Murcer hit 23 home runs and 90 RBI. Madlock leaves Chicago having hit .336 for them, which ties him with Riggs Stephenson for the top career average in team history.
- 1982 - The St. Louis Cardinals complete one of their best trades ever, acquiring future Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith from the San Diego Padres for fellow shortstop Garry Templeton.
- 1985 - Minnesota Twins first baseman Kent Hrbek signs a new contract making him the club's first million dollar player.
- 1987 - After refusing the Mets' $800,000 one-year offer, 1986 World Series MVP Ray Knight signs with the Orioles for $475,000 plus incentives and an option for an additional year.
- 1993 - Two free agents are signed: pitcher Scott Sanderson by the California Angels, and catcher Mike Scioscia by the San Diego Padres.
- 1994:
- Long-time Milwaukee Brewers star Robin Yount announces his retirement. The 38-year-old Yount leaves the game with 3,142 hits, 251 home runs, and two American League MVP Awards in 21 seasons. Yount will gain election to the Hall of Fame in 1999, his first year of eligibility.
- MLB owners greatly reduce the commissioner's power to act "in the best interests of baseball."
- 1997 - General Mills, the makers of Wheaties breakfast cereals, unveil three new Jackie Robinson boxes to be sold in stores nationwide. Robinson will be the first athlete to be honored on all three varieties of Wheaties: Original Wheaties, Honey Frosted Wheaties, and Crispy Wheaties 'n' Raisins.
- 2001 - As thousands cheer, Three Rivers Stadium, 30-year-old home of the Pittsburgh Pirates, is imploded. Roberto Clemente's 3,000th hit as well as Mike Schmidt's 500th career home run are part of the historic park's legacy.
- 2002 - Major League Baseball owners approve the sales of the Florida Marlins and Montreal Expos. Florida owner John Henry is selling the Marlins to Jeffrey Loria for $158.5 million, while Loria is selling the Expos to Baseball Expos LP, a limited partnership owned by the other 29 teams, for $120 million. The sales won't officially close until later this week.
- 2005:
- Jose Canseco's controversial book, Juiced, is made available in certain markets in anticipation to his appearance on the television news show 60 Minutes. The self-proclaimed godfather of steroids alleges former teammates Mark McGwire, Juan Gonzalez, Rafael Palmeiro and Ivan Rodriguez, among others, all used illegal performance-enhancing drugs.
- The New York Mets announce their former All-Star and Rookie of the Year Darryl Strawberry will rejoin the team as a special outfield instructor during spring training. Strawberry will also join former 1986 World Champion teammates Gary Carter, Lenny Dykstra, Howard Johnson and Tim Teufel at Shea Stadium on February 27 when single-game tickets go on sale.
- 2006:
- All-Star second baseman Alfonso Soriano loses his arbitration case to the Washington Nationals but will make a record $10 million this season. The figure is the highest salary awarded in a baseball arbitration case.
- Pitcher Shawn Chacon and the New York Yankees agree to a $3.6 million, one-year contract and avoid a salary arbitration hearing.
- Rickey Henderson is back in the major leagues, this time as an instructor for the New York Mets.
- 2009 - Miguel Tejada is the first star player convicted of a crime related to steroids. The 2002 American League MVP pleads guilty to lying to Congress when he said in 2005 that he did not know about any players being involved with steroids. Adam Piatt had later admitted Tejada had discussed steroids with him.
- 2010:
- Two long-time baseball icons officially hang their spikes today, although neither played last season. Pitcher Tom Glavine, after 305 wins and two Cy Young Awards, accepts a position in the Atlanta Braves' front office as a special assistant to team President John Schuerholz, putting an end to any desire for a comeback attempt, which would have required undergoing another arm surgery. For his part, 1B/DH Frank Thomas, nicknamed "The Big Hurt", veteran of 19 seasons during which he hit .301 with 521 homers and 1704 RBI, announces he will not attempt a comeback either. He last played for the Oakland Athletics in 2008 but could find no takers for his services last season.
- The Mets round out their squad as spring training is about to get under way, signing veteran Japanese lefthander Hisanori Takahashi, 1B Mike Jacobs and C Shawn Riggans to minor league contracts. Takahashi, unrelated to Ken Takahashi who pitched for New York last year, was 10-6 with a 2.94 ERA with the Yomiuri Giants in 2009; he joins Ryota Igarashi, who was signed earlier this off-season, on the Mets' pitching staff.
- 2011 - The Perth Heat win the 2010-2011 Australian Baseball League title, sweeping the Adelaide Bite in three games. In the finale, Ben Moore tosses a 10-strikeout, 4-hit gem for Perth, allowing only one 9th-inning run. Paul Mildren matches him for four innings before folding and Perth goes on to win, 7 - 1. Mitch Graham drives in two, Robbie Widlansky hits a two-run homer and Tim Kennelly gets three hits for the victors.
- 2013 - OF Michael Bourn, one the last remaining unsigned big name free agents this off-season, reaches a four-year deal with the Cleveland Indians, worth $48 million.
[edit] Births
- 1854 - Leech Maskrey, outfielder (d. 1922)
- 1862 - Curt Welch, outfielder (d. 1896)
- 1863 - Jimmy Ryan, outfielder (d. 1923)
- 1883 - Bill Warren, catcher (d. 1960)
- 1887 - Ray Boyd, pitcher (d. 1920)
- 1887 - Ray Collins, pitcher (d. 1970)
- 1895 - Seizo Noda, NPB owner; Japanese Baseball Hall of Fame (d. 1978)
- 1897 - Red Miller, pitcher (d. 1973)
- 1897 - Joe Shannon, outfielder (d. 1955)
- 1897 - Red Shannon, infielder (d. 1970)
- 1901 - Jimmy O'Connell, outfielder (d. 1976)
- 1905 - Ed Walsh, pitcher (d. 1937)
- 1911 - Yank Terry, pitcher (d. 1979)
- 1912 - Leon Ruffin, Negro League catcher (d. 1970)
- 1916 - Hadley Badgett, minor league outfielder (d. 2011)
- 1916 - George Hausmann, infielder (d. 2004)
- 1916 - Sam Page, pitcher (d. 2002)
- 1920 - Boyd Bartley, infielder (d. 2012)
- 1922 - Don Jameson, minor league outfielder and manager (d. 1996)
- 1924 - Hal Rice, outfielder (d. 1997)
- 1925 - Jack Blaylock, coach
- 1928 - Chris Kitsos, infielder (d. 2004)
- 1928 - Kenjiro Tamiya, NPB pitcher-outfielder and manager; Japanese Hall of Fame (d. 2010)
- 1929 - Ralph Beard, pitcher (d. 2003)
- 1932 - Ford Baker, minor league pitcher (d. 2011)
- 1935 - George Alusik, outfielder
- 1939 - Willie Smith, outfielder
- 1941 - Sammy Ellis, pitcher; All-Star
- 1944 - Ollie Brown, outfielder
- 1945 - John Paciorek, outfielder
- 1949 - Ben Oglivie, outfielder; All-Star
- 1951 - Steve Hirdt, announcer
- 1953 - Tom Veryzer, infielder
- 1961 - Steve Springer, infielder
- 1961 - James Grossman, minor league pitcher
- 1963 - Todd Benzinger, infielder
- 1966 - Daishin Nakamura, Japanese national team outfielder
- 1967 - Cheng-Hsien Chen, CPBL outfielder
- 1967 - John Patterson, infielder
- 1967 - Scott Pose, outfielder
- 1968 - Dave Swartzbaugh, pitcher
- 1969 - Bryan Eversgerd, pitcher
- 1969 - Kevin King, pitcher
- 1969 - Byron Ward, Hoofdklasse infielder
- 1972 - Brian Daubach, infielder
- 1974 - Trey Beamon, outfielder
- 1975 - Simon Pantophlet, Netherlands Antilles national team pitcher
- 1975 - Reinier Yero, Cuban league catcher
- 1976 - Rick O'Dette, college coach
- 1977 - Cory Scott, minor league pitcher
- 1978 - Terrence Antonacci, First Division pitcher
- 1978 - Brent Butler, infielder
- 1979 - Eric Cyr, pitcher
- 1979 - Michel Enríquez, Cuban league infielder
- 1979 - Shlomo Lipetz, Israeli national team pitcher
- 1979 - Chris Mabeus, pitcher
- 1979 - Martin Veselý, Extraliga player
- 1980 - Matt Lindstrom, pitcher
- 1981 - Ken Kume, Japanese national team infielder
- 1982 - Matt Peterson, minor league pitcher
- 1984 - J.R. Towles, catcher
- 1984 - Cheng-Wei Huang, CPBL outfielder
- 1985 - Steve Alexander, minor league infielder
- 1985 - Chris Errecart, minor league outfielder
- 1986 - Ikuhiro Kiyota, NPB outfielder
- 1986 - Mike LaLuna, minor league pitcher
- 1986 - Ryan Lee, minor league outfielder
- 1987 - Brian Matusz, pitcher
- 1987 - John Whittleman, minor league infielder
- 1988 - Shane Peterson, infielder
- 1988 - Brad Tippett, minor league pitcher
- 1989 - Phil Bauer, minor league outfielder
- 1989 - Christopher Howard, Bundesliga catcher
- 1989 - Philippe Lecourieux, New Caledonia national team pitcher
- 1991 - Beau Amaral, minor league outfielder
- 1992 - Clarisa Navarro, USA women's national team pitcher
- 1992 - Heidi Northcott, Canadian women's national team pitcher
[edit] Deaths
- 1903 - Sam McMackin, pitcher (b. 1872)
- 1912 - Jimmy Knowles, infielder (b. 1856)
- 1916 - Pat Carroll, catcher (b. ????)
- 1920 - Ray Boyd, pitcher (b. 1887)
- 1921 - John Cullen, outfielder (b. 1854)
- 1927 - Bobby Rothermel, infielder (b. 1870)
- 1929 - Dutch Ulrich, pitcher (b. 1899)
- 1943 - Ralph McLaurin, outfielder (b. 1885)
- 1945 - Ham Iburg, pitcher (b. 1877)
- 1950 - Kiki Cuyler, outfielder; All-Star, Hall of Famer (b. 1898)
- 1950 - Hank Griffin, pitcher (b. 1886)
- 1950 - Paul Meloan, outfielder (b. 1888)
- 1956 - Joseph Myers, pitcher (b. 1882)
- 1960 - Fritz Clausen, pitcher (b. 1869)
- 1961 - Pete Shields, infielder (b. 1891)
- 1963 - Bunny Brief, infielder (b. 1892)
- 1965 - Lefty Herring, infielder (b. 1880)
- 1965 - Pete Noonan, catcher (b. 1881)
- 1976 - Johnny Miljus, pitcher (b. 1895)
- 1977 - Clarence Garrett, pitcher (b. 1891)
- 1980 - Red Torphy, infielder (b. 1891)
- 1984 - John Douglas, infielder (b. 1917)
- 1984 - Charley Suche, pitcher (b. 1915)
- 1985 - Luis Montes de Oca, minor league infielder; Salon de la Fama (b. 1926)
- 1987 - Bill McGee, pitcher (b. 1909)
- 1996 - Joe Lewis, minor league pitcher and manager (b. 1931)
- 1997 - Glen Stewart, infielder (b. 1912)
- 1998 - Mike Fornieles, pitcher; All-Star (b. 1932)
- 2000 - Robert Gaston, Negro League catcher (b. 1910)
- 2002 - Frankie Crosetti, infielder; All-Star (b. 1910)
- 2002 - Les Peden, catcher (b. 1923)
- 2006 - Rankin Johnson, pitcher (b. 1917)
- 2006 - Robert Peterson, writer (b. 1925)
- 2011 - Chuck Tanner, outfielder, manager (b. 1928)
- 2012 - Gene Crumling, catcher (b. 1922)
