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This Day in Baseball History
November 29th

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16 Fact(s) Found
1957 Not wanting to be remembered for losing the Dodgers and Giants, NYC mayor Robert Wagner appoints a four-man committee, led by a politically connected attorney William Shea, to explore opportunities to bring an existing National League team to relocate to New York. The efforts of the "Mayor's Baseball Committee," which included former Postmaster General James A. Farley; business magnate Bernard Gimbel (father-in-law of Hank Greenberg); and Clint Blume, a prominent real estate developer and former Giants pitcher, will result in the major leagues adding four new clubs, including the Mets, an expansion team that will play in New York.
1964 The Red Sox trade first baseman Dick Stuart to the Phillies for left-hander Dennis Bennett, who will stun the team when he casually tells a Boston audience when speaking at a winter banquet that his sore arm might not be ready for Opening Day. Although the Phillies make an offer to nix the trade, the Red Sox, happy to be free from Dr. Strangeglove because of his inept fielding and inability to get along with the respected and likable Boston manager Johnny Pesky, make no effort to nullify the deal.
1965 The Yankees trade Phil Linz to the Phillies for infielder Ruben Amaro. Over the next three seasons, the 26-year-old utility player, who became infamous for playing his harmonica on the team bus last season, will appear in only 165 games, retiring after spending just seven years in the major leagues.
1966 The Dodgers trade Derrell Griffith and two-time batting champ Tommy Davis, who missed most of 1965 after severely breaking his ankle, to the Mets for Ron Hunt and Jim Hickman, the franchise's all-time home run leader with 60 round-trippers. The injured outfielder continues his hitting prowess, following a solid comeback season in LA with a very productive one-year stay in New York, leading the team in almost every offensive category.
1966 The Yankees trade veteran third baseman Clete Boyer to the Braves for outfielder Bill Robinson and right-hander Chi-Chi Olivo. Atlanta's new 29-year-old infielder, obtained to fill the void created by Eddie Matthew's departure to Houston, will have a very productive year, hitting a career-high 26 home runs and driving in 96 runs for the seventh-place club.
1971 The Giants deal Gaylord Perry to the Indians for All-Star pitcher "Sudden" Sam McDowell. The former San Francisco right-hander will finish his Hall of Fame career with 314 victories, and 'Sudden Sam,' due to personal reasons, will post an 8-17 record for three different teams before retiring after the 1975 season.
1971 In a winter meeting deal, now considered one of the worst in baseball history, the Astros trade nine-year veteran second baseman Joe Morgan, Ed Armbrister, Jack Billingham, Cesar Geronimo, and Denis Menke to the Reds for Tommy Helms, Lee May, and Jimmy Stewart. Cincinnati gains a regular center fielder and a top-of-the-rotation starter because Houston skipper Harry Walker, not known for his tolerance, labeled the 29-year-old future Hall of Famer middle infielder a troublemaker.
1971 After being swept in the ALCS by the Orioles, the A's bolster their starting rotation, acquiring Ken Holtzman from the Cubs for veteran center fielder Rick Monday, who hits .270 during his five seasons with the Northsiders. The 26-year-old southpaw, who recorded only nine wins with the Chicago last season, rebounds with a 19-11 record and becomes a mainstay in Oakland's rotation behind Vida Blue and Catfish Hunter.
1976 After listening to offers from the Expos and the Orioles, Baltimore free-agent Reggie Jackson agrees to a five-year, $3.5 million deal to play for the Yankees, a team that many had argued against signing him. During Mr. October's turbulent tenure in the Big Apple, the Bronx Bombers will win four divisions, three pennants, and two World Series.
1992 Marge Schott, in a New York Times article, tries to explain her recent insensitive remarks by stating her reference that Adolph Hitler was initially good for Germany was in jest and that she didn't understand why the word "Jap" was offensive. MLB will appoint a four-person panel to investigate the Reds owner's comments, eventually suspending her for the inappropriate remarks.
1995 Charley Smith, the player traded to the Yankees from the Cardinals for Roger Maris in 1967, dies at 57 in Reno (NV). In 1965, the Mets dealt the third baseman and southpaw Al Jackson to the Redbirds to obtain Ken Boyer.
2007 HBO Films announces its plan to make a movie out of Game of Shadows, the book about Barry Bonds's alleged steroid use and the federal government's subsequent investigation. The authors, San Francisco Chronicle reporters Lance William and Mark Fainaru-Wada, based much of their content on leaked secret grand jury testimony.

(Ed. Note: Game of Shadows never aired, but in May of 2023, HBO and Words + Pictures announced a Barry Bonds documentary is currently in production. Keith McQuirter is directing the untitled film. - LP)

2007 With fan favorites Jimmy Rollins and Cole Hamels modeling the team's new 'old' look, the Phillies unveil their alternate home uniform, to be worn during all home day games next season. The outfits, which do not feature the familiar red pinstripes, are similar to those the club wore in the 1940s.

2010 The Rangers sign free agent Yorvit Torrealba to a two-year deal worth $6.25 million. The acquisition of the veteran catcher, slated to be the team's starting backstop, fills the potential void created by the possible retirement of Bengie Molina.
2011 The Royals have agreed to a one-year contract with right-handed reliever Jonathan Broxton. The former Dodgers closer, who missed most of last season due to bone spurs in his pitching elbow, will be used out of the bullpen in a setup role for last-inning specialist Joakim Soria.
2015 The Tigers agree to a five-year, $110 million deal with Jordan Zimmermann, who won 70 of 120 decisions with the Nationals. The 30-year-old right-hander's stay in the Motor City will be less than stellar when he posts a 25-41 record with a 5.63 ERA.
16 Fact(s) Found