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February 5
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 5.
[edit] Events
- 1897 - Pitcher Charley Radbourn dies in Bloomington, Illinois, at age of 42. In an 11-season career, Radbourn played for the Providence Grays, Boston Beaneaters, Boston Reds and Cincinnati Reds, compiling a 309-195 record with 1830 strikeouts and a 2.67 ERA. He posted at least 20 wins in nine seasons, including 59 in 1884 and 48 a year before. Affectionately nicknamed "Old Hoss", Radburn will be inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939.
- 1903 - The Chicago Cubs and Chicago White Sox announce they will play a series of 15 pre-season games against each other.
- 1916 - The National League meeting announces that it has come to the league's attention that "some of the diamonds" don't measure properly. On this day, John Heydler's office circulates to clubs the news of the Chicago Cubs' pitching distance, and orders an engineer's certification.
- 1919 - National League president John Heydler dismisses charges against Cincinnati Reds star Hal Chase, who had been accused of throwing games and betting against his team in collusion with gamblers. The charges had been brought forth by Reds manager Christy Mathewson and owner Garry Herrmann. Heydler rules that Chase's poor play was attributable to "carelessness," and not to gambling. Two weeks later, New York Giants manager John McGraw obtains Chase from Cincinnati in exchange for first baseman Walter Holke and catcher Bill Rariden.
- 1921 - The New York Yankees purchase 10 acres of land in the Bronx. The Yankees will use the land as the site for their new park, which will be called Yankee Stadium.
- 1931 - Chicago Cubs outfielder Hack Wilson, who set National League marks for home runs (56) and RBI (191) in 1930, signs for $35,000. His RBI record is still standing today.
- 1934 - Hank Aaron is born in Mobile, Alabama. After a one-year stint with the Indianapolis Clowns of the Negro Leagues and two years in the minors, Aaron will make his major league debut with the Milwaukee Braves on his way to set a then-major league record 755 home runs.
- 1935 - At 39 years of age, home run king Babe Ruth is released by the New York Yankees. He will sign with the Boston Braves to play one more season, but will not complete it.
- 1942 - The Boston Braves obtain outfielder Tommy Holmes from the New York Yankees for Buddy Hassett and Gene Moore in one of the best trades in Braves history. Hassett will hit .284, then join the Navy and never make it back to the major leagues. The much-traveled Moore will never play for the Yankees. Holmes couldn't break into New York's All-Star line-up, but he will be a .302 career hitter and will lead the Braves to the National League pennant in 1948.
- 1951 - California governor Earl Warren denies the rumor he is a candidate for commissioner.
- 1956 - New York City Mayor Robert F. Wagner and Brooklyn Borough President Frank Cashmore sponsor a bill to create a Brooklyn Sports Center Authority, which will propose building a $30 million downtown sports center.
- 1968 - Second baseman Roberto Alomar is born in Ponce, Puerto Rico, the son of major league IF Sandy Alomar. One of the best fielders ever at the position, he will also be a top hitter, with 9 seasons with a .300 average, and 6 with 100 or more runs scored. He will be a key part of the Toronto Blue Jays' back-to-back World Series-winning teams in 1992 and 1993 and will gain election to the Hall of Fame in 2011.
- 1983 - The Toronto Blue Jays acquire minor league first baseman Cecil Fielder from the Kansas City Royals for journeyman outfielder Leon Roberts. Although the Blue Jays won't see the benefits, Fielder will become one of the American League's top power hitters after a stint in the Japanese Central League, leading the AL in home runs in 1990 and 1991 with the Detroit Tigers.
- 1999 - Major League Baseball will honor each league's best hitter with an award named after Hank Aaron. The all-time home run king learns about the honor on his 65th birthday at an event which includes US President Bill Clinton and Hall of Famers Ernie Banks and Reggie Jackson.
- 2002:
- Major League Baseball announces the withdrawal of its plan for contraction this upcoming season, but the sport is still determined to eliminate two teams in 2003. Attempts to contract the Minnesota Twins and Montreal Expos this season could not be accomplished due to a series of legal decisions and fierce opposition from the Players Association.
- Troy Percival's seven-year tenure with Anaheim, which is the longest on the current roster, will increase as the All-Star reliever signs a two-year contract extension with the club. Percival, who is Angels' all-time leader with 210 career saves, converted 39 of 42 save opportunities last season.
- The Houston Astros file a motion in the United States Bankruptcy Court for the Southern District of New York, asking the court to determine whether the 30-year naming agreement with Enron signed in 1999 should continue. The team does not want to call its stadium Enron Field any longer due to the financial burden placed on many Houston-area residents caused by the bankrupt energy company's disputable business practices.
- 2008:
- The Tigres del Licey remain unbeaten in the 2008 Caribbean Series, topping the Tigres de Aragua in a 2 - 1 pitching duel. Rosman Garcia and Francisco Rosario, the starting pitchers, do not allow a run. Licey breaks the tie in the 7th when Jose Offerman comes home on what almost is an inning-ending double play. In the 8th, Aragua ties it on a homer by Alex Delgado, but a Nelson Cruz homer in the bottom of the inning gives Licey and Jesus Colome the victory. Carlos Marmol pitches a 1-2-3 9th inning for his second save of the Series.
- The Aguilas Cibaeñas stay a game back of Licey by beating the Yaquis de Obregón, 4 - 1, despite 3 errors. Mendy Lopez goes 3 for 5, Joselo Diaz allows no earned runs and Tony Pena Jr. drives in two in addition to throwing out a runner at home as part of a relay. Dan Serafini takes the defeat.
- 2010:
- 24-year-old outfielder Hiroyuki Oze, who hit over .300 as a backup for the Orix Buffaloes in 2009, is found dead at the team hotel during spring training. He was believed to have committed suicide with a fatal jump.
- In the 2010 Caribbean Series, Danny Valencia goes 2 for 4 with 3 RBI to lead Mayaguez to a 7 - 3 win over Escogido, handing the Dominican League representatives their first loss of the tournament. Randy Ruiz also continues his hot hitting for the Puerto Ricans, reaching base four times with 2 hits and 2 walks and scoring twice, while Jesus Feliciano goes 2 for 5.
- In the other Caribbean Series game, Hermosillo's Vinny Castilla continues to play as if he accidentally stumbled upon the fountain of youth. The 42-year-old member of the Colorado Rockies' front office, who had retired from winter league play in 2007, drives home the winning run in the bottom of the 10th inning in a 3 - 2 win over Caracas. Karim Garcia homers for the winners, while Michael Ryan goes yard to open the score for Caracas.
- The Blue Jays may have found their new closer, signing free agent Kevin Gregg to a one-year contract. Meanwhile, the Padres add catcher Yorvit Torrealba as a free agent.
- 2011 - Obregón defeats Toros del Este, 6 - 3, to move to 3 and 1 in the 2011 Caribbean Series and take the overall lead in the tournament. Jorge Vazquez hits a three-run homer in the top of the 9th for the winners. In the other game, Caguas takes advantage of wildness by Anzoátegui's Jean Toledo, scoring twice on bases-loaded walks in the top of the 10th inning. The Puerto Ricans win, 4 - 2, in a game that goes on until 3 AM after starting two hours late as a result of a rain delay in the opener.
- 2012:
- The Dominican Republic's Leones del Escogido continue their domination of the 2012 Caribbean Series with a 2 - 0 win over Mexico's Yaquis de Obregón, upping their record to 4-0. Francisco Liriano overcomes some early wildness, when he walks four over the first two innings, but settles down to pitch five scoreless frames; the unlucky loser is Edgar Gonzalez, who only gives up 2 hits over 6 innings, but his teammates only get 5 safeties and can't scrape a run off the Leones' hurlers.
- In the other game in the Caribbean Series, Aragua earns its first win of the tournament by shutting out Mayaguez, 7 - 0. Yohan Pino is the winner as both teams are now 1-3. It would have been even worse had Mayaguez right fielder Jorge Padilla not thrown out two runners at home.
- Joaquín Andújar and Neifi Pérez are inducted into the Caribbean Baseball Hall of Fame. Both had appeared in three Caribbean Series, Andújar going 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA and Pérez twice making the All-Tournament Team.
- Veteran pitcher Brad Penny signs a contract with the Softbank Hawks of Japan's Pacific League, after spending the last 12 seasons in the U.S. major leagues.
- 2013:
- The Leones del Escogido would have won the 2013 Caribbean Series under the prior format; under the format put in place this year, they win a spot in the finals when they beat the Yaquis de Obregón, 11 - 6, with a seven-run 8th-inning rally., Oscar Villarreal takes the loss and Luis Ayala is on the hill for the final five runs. Leadoff hitter José Ramírez's three-run homer is the capping blow. Obregón wastes a tremendous performance in relief by 21-year-old David Reyes, who retires all 13 batters he faces, including 7 by strikeout. In the other game, Puerto Rico's Criollos de Caguas continue to rebound, winning their second straight after an 0-3 start, as Efrain Nieves and three relievers contain the Navegantes del Magallanes in a 4 - 1 win. All three teams other than Escogido are now tied at 2-3 and can still hope to claim the other spot in the finals.
- For Escogido, Miguel Tejada hits another homer, pushing his all-time Caribbean Series record to 15; his two RBI place him in front of Tony Batista for most in Series history, 46 to 45. He is also the all-time tournament leader in doubles (18) and runs scored (54).
[edit] Births
- 1852 - Charlie Hautz, infielder (d. 1929)
- 1856 - Harry Smith, utility player (d. 1898)
- 1857 - Jack Lynch, pitcher (d. 1923)
- 1873 - Jack O'Brien, outfielder (d. 1933)
- 1883 - Dick Scott, pitcher (d. 1911)
- 1885 - Ray Winder, minor league executive (d. 1967)
- 1888 - Bill Rariden, catcher (d. 1942)
- 1889 - Jim Neher, pitcher (d. 1951)
- 1890 - Max Flack, outfielder (d. 1975)
- 1891 - Roger Peckinpaugh, infielder, manager (d. 1977)
- 1903 - Joan Payson, owner (d. 1975)
- 1905 - Joe Hutcheson, outfielder (d. 1993)
- 1907 - Lennie Backer, minor league infielder (d. 1989)
- 1910 - Lick Carlisle, Negro League infielder (d. 1972)
- 1913 - Herb Souell, Negro League infielder (d. 1978)
- 1914 - John Gaddy, pitcher (d. 1966)
- 1916 - Dewey Williams, catcher (d. 2000)
- 1918 - Cy Buker, pitcher (d. 2011)
- 1918 - Bill Seinsoth Sr., minor league pitcher (d. 1984)
- 1923 - Chuck Diering, outfielder (d. 2012)
- 1923 - Jack Murphy, writer (d. 1980)
- 1925 - Jack Maguire, outfielder (d. 2001)
- 1926 - Hank Workman, infielder
- 1928 - Don Hoak, infielder; All-Star (d. 1969)
- 1929 - Al Worthington, pitcher
- 1930 - Eric Rodin, outfielder (d. 1991)
- 1933 - Carlos Tovar Bracho, announcer (d. 2006)
- 1934 - Hank Aaron, outfielder; All-Star, Hall of Famer
- 1936 - Lee Thomas, outfielder; All-Star
- 1937 - John Lennon, minor league player (d. 1998)
- 1946 - Vic Correll, catcher
- 1946 - Norm Miller, outfielder
- 1947 - Barry Raziano, pitcher
- 1951 - Tom Farias, minor league pitcher
- 1955 - Mike Heath, catcher
- 1962 - Yoshihiko Morita, NPB infielder
- 1963 - Asdrudes Flores, Nicaraguan national team pitcher
- 1966 - Ray Giannelli, infielder
- 1968 - Roberto Alomar, infielder; All-Star, Hall of Famer
- 1968 - Andres Santana, infielder
- 1969 - David Holdridge, pitcher
- 1970 - Chris Brock, pitcher
- 1971 - Jo Matumoto, minor league pitcher
- 1972 - Jorge Avellan, Nicaraguan national team infielder
- 1972 - Mladen Krpanec, Croatian national team outfielder
- 1973 - Laura Espinoza-Watson, USA womens' national team infielder
- 1974 - Mel Motley, minor league player
- 1975 - Derrick Gibson, outfielder
- 1977 - Javier Martinez, pitcher
- 1977 - Abraham Nunez, outfielder
- 1978 - Devern Hansack, pitcher
- 1978 - Han-Chou Tseng, CPBL infielder
- 1979 - Kenny Baugh, minor league pitcher
- 1979 - Brett Roneberg, minor league infielder
- 1981 - Andrey Bolotin, Russian national team infielder
- 1982 - Chris Gale, minor league pitcher
- 1983 - Rafael Rivas, Division Honor infielder
- 1985 - Eric O'Flaherty, pitcher
- 1986 - Johnny Cueto, pitcher
- 1986 - Ryan Webb, minor league pitcher
- 1987 - Dexter Carter, minor league pitcher
- 1987 - Mark Hamburger, pitcher
- 1988 - Ulises Domínguez, minor league umpire
- 1988 - Calvin Martinus, Hoofdklasse outfielder
- 1990 - Adam Law, drafted infielder
- 1991 - Colton Cain, minor league pitcher
- 1991 - Marek Červenka, Extraliga pitcher
- 1991 - Yao-Lin Wang, minor league pitcher
- 1992 - Ernesto Silva, minor league pitcher
- 1993 - Shawon Dunston, Jr., minor league outfielder
[edit] Deaths
- 1888 - Martin Powell, infielder (b. 1856)
- 1897 - Charley Radbourn, pitcher; Hall of Famer (b. 1854)
- 1900 - Harry Diddlebock, manager (b. 1854)
- 1911 - Dad Clarkson, pitcher (b. 1866)
- 1913 - George Frazier, manager (b. 1861)
- 1915 - Ross Barnes, infielder (b. 1850)
- 1916 - Ed Irvin, infielder (b. 1882)
- 1918 - Carl Druhot, pitcher (b. 1881)
- 1920 - Tom Catterson, outfielder (b. 1884)
- 1932 - Barney Dreyfuss, owner (b. 1865)
- 1936 - Fred Blank, pitcher (b. 1874)
- 1937 - Al Bradley, outfielder (b. 1856)
- 1939 - Joe Crisp, catcher (b. 1889)
- 1940 - Frank Decker, infielder (b. 1857)
- 1940 - Byrd Lynn, catcher (b. 1889)
- 1947 - Ed Callahan, outfielder (b. 1857)
- 1950 - Ralph Shafer, pinch runner (b. 1894)
- 1952 - Esty Chaney, pitcher (b. 1891)
- 1952 - Mike Hopkins, catcher (b. 1872)
- 1954 - Ed Warner, pitcher (b. 1889)
- 1965 - Bill Brinker, infielder/outfielder (b. 1883)
- 1966 - Eddie Dancisak, scout (b. 1912)
- 1969 - Hack Spencer, pitcher (b. 1885)
- 1970 - Rudy York, infielder, manager; All-Star (b. 1913)
- 1975 - Ad Swigler, pitcher (b. 1895)
- 1981 - Jake Stephens, Negro League infielder (b. 1900)
- 1983 - Mal Moss, pitcher (b. 1905)
- 1985 - Frank Tanana Sr., minor league outfielder (b. ????)
- 1993 - Ed Boland, outfielder (b. 1908)
- 1998 - Marv Olson, infielder (b. 1907)
- 2000 - Burdette Thurlby, minor league outfielder and manager (b. 1928)
- 2001 - Jerry McQuaig, outfielder (b. 1912)
- 2009 - Hiroyoshi Kodama, NPB catcher (b. 1942)
- 2010 - Hiroyuki Oze, NPB outfielder (b. 1985)
- 2012 - Herbert Kam, minor league outfielder (b. 1918)
- 2013 - Shelby Whitfield, announcer (b. 1935)
