February 11
From BR Bullpen
| Stats of players who were born this day | |
| Stats of players who died on this day | |
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| Today in Baseball History | |
Events, births and deaths that occurred on February 11.
[edit] Events
- 1881 -Veteran shortstop Chick Fulmer is signed by the Philadelphia White Stockings of the National Association.
- 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.
- 1911 -The Chicago Cubs acquire second baseman Dave Shean from the Boston Braves 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 consideration. Evers will have one good season left, leading the Miracle Braves to the National League pennant and willing 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 in 1923, 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 in 1928 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 Cubs 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:
- Longtime 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, 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 60 Minutes. The self proclaimed godfather of the steroids alleges Mark McGwire, Juan Gonzalez, Rafael Palmeiro and Ivan Rodriguez, between 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 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 lost 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 agreed to a $3.6 million, one-year contract and avoided a salary arbitration hearing.
- Rickey Henderson is back in the major leagues, this time as an instructor for the New York Mets.
[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)
- 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)
- 1916 - George Hausmann, infielder (d. 2004)
- 1916 - Sam Page, pitcher (d. 2002)
- 1920 - Boyd Bartley, infielder
- 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
- 1929 - Ralph Beard, pitcher (d. 2003)
- 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
- 1953 - Tom Veryzer, infielder
- 1961 - Steve Springer, infielder
- 1963 - Todd Benzinger, infielder
- 1967 - John Patterson, infielder
- 1967 - Scott Pose, outfielder
- 1968 - Dave Swartzbaugh, pitcher
- 1969 - Bryan Eversgerd, pitcher
- 1969 - Kevin King, pitcher
- 1972 - Brian Daubach, infielder
- 1974 - Trey Beamon, outfielder
- 1977 - Cory Scott, minor league pitcher
- 1978 - Brent Butler, infielder
- 1979 - Eric Cyr, pitcher
- 1979 - Michel Enríquez, Cuban league infielder
- 1979 - Chris Mabeus, pitcher
- 1980 - Matt Lindstrom, pitcher
- 1982 - Matt Peterson, minor league pitcher
- 1984 - J.R. Towles, catcher
- 1988 - Brad Tippett, minor league pitcher
[edit] Deaths
- 1903 - Sam McMackin, pitcher (b. 1872)
- 1912 - Jimmy Knowles, infielder (b. 1856)
- 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)
- 2002 - Frankie Crosetti, infielder; All-Star (b. 1910)
- 2002 - Les Peden, catcher (b. 1923)
- 2005 - Rankin Johnson, pitcher (b. 1917)
- 2006 - Robert Peterson, writer (b. 1925)
