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This Day In Baseball History: December 4th
By Administrator | December 4, 2009
In 1957, the major league owners raised the minimum salary to $7,000 and eliminated the bonus rule.
In 1958, the Dodgers traded Gino Cimoli to the Cardinals in exchange for former Rookie of the Year Wally Moon and right-hander Phil Paine; the club’s new outfielder quickly became known for his ‘Moon Shots’, 250+ foot high fly balls to left field at the LA’s Memorial Coliseum which cleared the 40-foot-high screen for home runs.
In 1963, the Tigers traded pitcher Jim Bunning to the Phillies for catcher Gus Triandos, pitcher Jack Hamilton and outfielder Don Demeter.
In 1964, Major League Baseball approved a free agent draft. At their winter meetings in Houston, the minor-league and major-league organizations established a system which would take effect in January 1965 and be held every four months thereafter. Choices were to be exercised by clubs in inverse order of their previous year’s standing. Draftees would have to be included in their club’s forty-man roster or be susceptible to claim at the waiver price the following season.
In 1990, the Giants signed Yankee free agent Dave Righetti (1-1, 3.57, 36 saves) to a four-year deal worth nearly $10 million… after the South Bay native’s playing days were over, the left-hander reliever became the club’s pitching coach.
In 1995, the home run ball Cal Ripken hit on the night he tied Lou Gehrig’s record was sold by Michael Stirn, the fan who caught it, to a Maryland businessman at an auction for $41,736.
In 2007, in an unexpected blockbuster trade at the winter meetings, the Tigers acquired 3B Miguel Cabrera and P Dontrelle Willis from the Florida Marlins in exchange for six prospects. To get the highly touted hot-cornerman, Detroit traded southpaw Andrew Miller, outfielder Cameron Maybin, and four other highly regarded minor leaguers.
Born Today: Harvey Kuenn (1930), Barbaro Garbey (1956), Lee Smith (1957)
Topics: MLB History |
