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This Day in Baseball History
December 24th

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14 Fact(s) Found
1929 The Giants file a $200,000 damage suit against Francis X. McQuade for seeking to "wreck and destroy" the club. The team's long-time club treasurer countersues, and the NY Supreme Court will eventually rule that he is entitled to back pay, not his job.
1940 The Indians trade Ben Chapman to the Senators for Joe Krakauskas, a southpaw who will post a 3-7 record during his three years with Cleveland. In May, Washington will release Chapman, who will finish the season with the White Sox, batting .226 in 57 games for his team.
1949 Los Angeles County General admits Grover Cleveland Alexander after he is found unconscious in an alley near his Hollywood apartment. The seriously ill Hall of Famer, who will spend several days in the hospital before being released, suffers from alcoholism and epilepsy.
1959 The Braves sign 20-year-old outfielder Rico Carty, who, after spending four years in the minors, will hit .330 in his first season with the club, finishing second to Dick Allen for Rookie of the Year honors in 1964. During his eight years with the team, the Dominican outfielder will hit .317 before being traded to Texas for right-hander Jim Panther before the 1973 campaign.
1967 While skiing at Lake Tahoe, Red Sox right-hander Jim Lonborg (22-9) tears the ligaments in his left knee. After surgery, last season's Cy Young Award winner will rush his comeback, damaging his rotator cuff.
1969

"I do not feel that I am a piece of property to be bought and sold irrespective of my wishes." - CURT FLOOD, responding to being traded to Philadelphia.

In a letter to Commissioner Bowie Kuhn, Curt Flood states his refusal to report to the Phillies after being traded by the Cardinals, citing he is not a piece of property to be sold. The MLB Players Association announces support for the outfielder's suit against baseball and agrees to pay the legal fees for the case that eventually goes to the U.S. Supreme Court.

Flood Letter small

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1990 The Expos trade 31-year-old outfielder Tim Raines and two minor leaguers to the White Sox for outfielder Ivan Calderon and reliever Barry Jones. 'Rock,' a career .300 hitter, will play a key role in Chicago's two divisional titles during his five-year tenure with the team.
2002 In a deal that prompts Red Sox president and CEO Larry Lucchino to label the Yankees an evil empire, Cuban defector Jose Contreras reaches an agreement with New York. The 31-year-old right-hander, considered the top pitcher on Cuba's national team, was declared a free agent after gaining residency in Nicaragua.
2004 Ranger manager Johnny Oates, who retired 28 games into the 2001 season, finishing with a 506-476 (.515) record during his seven seasons with the team, passes away at 58 on Christmas Eve from a brain tumor first diagnosed in 2002. Next season, Texas retires jersey #26 and adds a commemorative patch to the right sleeve of their uniform to honor their likable skipper.
2004 After Jason Varitek receives a $40 million, four-year deal, the Red Sox surprise their veteran catcher by naming him the team captain. Joining Jimmie Foxx, Carl Yastrzemski, and Jim Rice, the 32-year-old switch-hitting backstop learns of the honor when presented with home and road jerseys bearing a red "C" during the press conference announcing his contract.
2005 After agreeing to a one-year, $1 million contract, Mike Stanton will become the first player in Nationals' history to have played with the team twice in its short tenure. After coming in from the Washington bullpen for the last three months of the 2005 season, the team traded the 38-year-old southpaw reliever to the Red Sox for right-handed prospects Rhys Taylor and Yader Peralta.
2009 Former Detroit closer Fernando Rodney signs a $11 million, two-year contract with the Angels. The 32-year-old right-handed reliever, who saved 37 games with only one blown opportunity last season, is expected to compete with the team's current closer Brian Fuentes, the major league leader in saves in 2009, for the coveted spot in the bullpen.
2009 Matt Capps and the Nationals reach a preliminary agreement on a $3.5 million, one-year contract, with an additional $425,000 in performance bonuses for games finished by the closer. Washington will trade its 26-year-old right-handed All-Star reliever to the Twins in July for highly-touted backstop prospect Wilson Ramos and minor league southpaw Joe Testa.
2010 Ricky Nolasco, recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right knee, has agreed to a $26.5 million, three-year deal to stay with the Marlins. The Florida right-hander, who has compiled a 54-39 record along with a 4.45 ERA during his five seasons with the Fish, will remain the team's #2 starter behind Josh Johnson.
14 Fact(s) Found