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This Day in Baseball History
January 13th

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18 Fact(s) Found
1922 Buck Weaver applies unsuccessfully for reinstatement in professional baseball, one of six attempts to clear his name. The Black Sox infielder remained banned for life due to allegations of throwing the 1919 World Series to the Reds, although he batted .324 and played errorless ball in the Fall Classic.
1958 On the eve of conferences to discuss the impact of major league telecasts on minor league attendance, Senator Kenneth Keating urges baseball to proceed with caution. The Republican legislator representing New York believes broadcasting big league games in out-of-town markets could doom the existence of the minor leagues, which have already formally appealed to Congress about their 'desperate plight.'
1959 State Senator Joe Cowgill introduces a bill to build an eight-million-dollar stadium in Delaware Township, dependent on the decision of the nearby Phillies to move to southern New Jersey. The proposed legislation is the result of team owner Bob Carpenter threatening to leave Philadelphia if the City of Brotherly Love doesn't build a new ballpark for the team.
1972 Bernice Gera, barred for five years due to gender discrimination, wins her landmark lawsuit against the National Association of Baseball Leagues (NABL). The Ernest, New York housewife will become the first female umpire in a professional game when she makes her debut in June at Geneva, N.Y., arbitrating a New York-Penn League contest.

Amazon1967 Press Photo Bernice T. Gera
1978 At the age of 90, Hall of Fame manager Joe McCarthy dies of pneumonia in a Buffalo hospital. The former Cubs (1926-30), Yankees (1931-46), and Red Sox (1948-50) skipper compiled a 1460-867 (.627) record, winning nine pennants and seven World Championships during his 24-year tenure in the dugout.
1982 The BBWAA elects Hank Aaron (Braves, Brewers) and Frank Robinson (Reds, Orioles, Dodgers, Angels, Indians) to the Hall of Fame in the player's first year of eligibility. Hammerin' Hank, the all-time home run leader, falls just nine votes short of being the first player to be selected unanimously by the baseball writers.

1988 After hitting a meager .211 last season and not being offered a new contract by San Diego, former National League Most Valuable Player Steve Garvey decides to retire. The perennial All-Star first baseman for the Dodgers and Padres ends his 19-year career with a lifetime .294 batting average
1996 Cuban defector Livan Hernandez agrees to a $4.5 million four-year deal, which includes a record $2.5 million bonus, to pitch for the Marlins. The 20 year-old right-hander, known as 'El Duque,' will post a mediocre 24-24 record during his four years with the club, but will play a pivotal role in the team's 1997 World Championship, winning both of his World Series starts.
2005 The owners unanimously approve the $223 million sale of the Brewers to Mark Attanasio, a Los Angeles investor. The purchase of the team, formerly owned by the family of commissioner Bud Selig, ensures Milwaukee will keep their team due to a 30-year lease to play in newly built Miller Park.
2005 Marvin Miller, 88, the former executive director of the Major League Players Association who helped to change the nature of the player-owner relationship forever, receives the Fuchs Award from the Boston Chapter of the Baseball Writers' Association of America. The honor, named for Judge Emil E. Fuchs, who owned the hometown Braves from 1929 through 1935, is given for "long and meritorious service to baseball."
2005 At the owners meeting in Scottsdale, AZ, major league baseball and the players association agree in principle on a stricter drug-testing policy, including steroids but not amphetamines, that will randomly test players year-round, having first-time offenders suspended for ten days with a fourth violation resulting in a one year ban for the offending player. The new program, a response to the scrutiny of national lawmakers, addresses a problem largely ignored for years.
2005 Hoping to sway the veterans' committee, North Dakota's House of Representatives approves House Concurrent Resolution 3006 proclaiming native son Roger Maris (Indians, A's, Yankees, Cardinals) should gain election to the Hall of Fame. The lawmakers' action, which was sponsored by Rep. Andy Maragos, orders the Secretary of State to send a copy of the resolution to the 85 members of the baseball veterans' committee, which includes the 60 living members enshrined in Cooperstown.

Amazon 1962 Topps #1 Roger Maris

2006 Johnny Estrada, who filed for arbitration after being traded from the Braves for relievers Lance Cormier and Oscar Villarreal, agrees to a $2 million, one-year contract to catch for the Diamondbacks. The former All-Star backstop had limited playing time after a mid-season home plate collision with Angels' center fielder Darin Erstad.
2006 The much-anticipated trial to determine if Angels owner Arte Moreno violated a ten year-old contract with Anaheim, in which the city claims to have lost $100 million in tourism and merchandising revenue, when the franchise's name changed from the Anaheim Angels to the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim, begins in California's Orange County. Some of the people in the crowded courtroom wear Angel-colored red T-shirts imprinted with the words, "We Are Not L.A." to show their displeasure with the Halos' new identity.
2009 Appearing on Larry King Live, President George W. Bush makes it very clear he doesn't have any interest in becoming baseball's commissioner when Bud Selig leaves the post. The former owner of the Rangers, who leaves office in seven days, tells the CNN talk show host he isn't looking to get back into the game in any capacity.
2009 After the all-time career saves leader passes a physical, the Brewers announce their $6 million, one-year deal with free-agent reliever Trevor Hoffman. The 41 year-old right-hander, a fixture in the Padres bullpen since 1993, has compiled 554 saves in 930 relief appearances during his 16-year tenure in the major leagues.
2010 The Royals hire former Milwaukee manager Ned Yost to be a special advisor for the team. The 54 year-old is selected by Kansas City GM Dayton Moore, who met the former major league catcher when they both worked in the Braves organization.
2010 Ryan Church and the Pirates come to terms on a $1.5 million, one-year deal. The 31 year-old left-handed hitting outfielder, who batted .273 with the Mets and Braves in an injury-plagued season last year, is expected to be the Bucs' fourth outfielder, backing up Brandon Moss, Andrew McCutchen, and Lastings Milledge.
18 Fact(s) Found