This Day In Baseball - The Daily Rewind

March 5, 1996 — The Veterans Committee elects four new members for the Hall of Fame, and just misses naming a fifth. The group elected includes fiery manager Earl Weaver, who had a .583 winning percentage in 17 seasons managing the Baltimore Orioles; pitcher Jim Bunning, who won 100 games in both leagues, including no-hitters in each circuit, one of them a perfect game; 19th-century manager Ned Hanlon, who won five National League pennants with the Baltimore Orioles (3) and Brooklyn (2), and Bill Foster, the top left-handed pitcher in the Negro Leagues. Nellie Fox receives the necessary 75% of the Committee’s votes, but the rules allow just one modern player elected, and Bunning has more votes.Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball Broadcasts

Born: March 4, 1897 in San Francisco, CA, How did a baseball player named Lefty O’Doul become so popular in his native San Francisco that a bridge was named after him? The answer is complicated but legendary in the Bay Area. O’Doul began as a pitcher for the San Francisco Seals of the Pacific Coast League, working his way to the big leagues for brief stretches, but an arm injury forced him to concentrate on his hitting. At the age of 31, in 1928, he made it back to the majors as an outfielder with the New York Giants. The following year with the Phillies, the hard-hitting O’Doul smacked 254 hits and 32 homers, while batting .398 to win the first of his two batting titles. He topped the 200-hit mark twice more, and batted .300 or better six times in his “second career.” Lured by a fat contract to manage the Seals back in his home city, O’Doul took his career .349 batting mark and returned to the West Coast in 1937. He held that position for 15 seasons, managing some of the best players

March 3, 1987, former Negro Leagues standout Ray Dandridge is elected to the Hall of Fame. Known for his power hitting ability and slick-fielding at third base, Dandridge starred for a number of Negro Leagues teams in the 1930s and 40s. He was the only player elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee.Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball Broadcasts

Today we celebrate Mel Ott's birthday. We have 5 World Series At Bats and 3 homeruns. Oddly Ott played in 3 World series and homered in the final game in each series, bur didnt hit any in the other games. On March 2, 1909, future Hall of Famer, Mel Ott is born in Gretna, Louisiana. Known as “Master Melvin,” Ott will make his major league debut with the New York Giants as a 17-year-old boy wonder 1926. He will quickly become a fan favorite. Using an unorthodox batting style in which he lifted his right foot prior to impact, Ott will hit 511 home runs with 1,860 RBI, 1859 runs, 2876 hits (1,071 extra-base hits) and a .304 batting average. Hitting 30 or more in a season eight times and winning or sharing home-run honors on six occasions. He will play all 22 seasons for the New York Giants and Ott will receive Hall of Fame honors in 1951.Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball Broadcasts

March 1, 1947 — Father Vincent Powell announces the diocese’s Catholic Youth Organization will no longer participate in the Dodgers’ Knothole Club, stating the church cannot continue to have their youngsters associated with the team’s manager, Leo Durocher. The monsignor, who has been the director of the local CYO since 1940, believes the Brooklyn skipper “represents an example in complete contradiction” to the faith’s moral teachings.Join the Daily Rewind - Join.Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history. Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball Broadcasts

On February 28, 1966 — Refusing to report to spring training, Los Angeles Dodger pitchers Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale begin their joint holdout, asking for a $1 million, three-year contract, to be divided equally between them. The deal, equivalent to an annual salary of $167,000 for each hurler, will make them the best-paid players in baseball, easily surpassing Willie Mays’ $125,000 yearly paycheck with the Giants. Although the deal didn’t happen, On March 30, Drysdale and Koufax will end their holdouts, with each signing one-year contracts worth under $150,000. Koufax, however, will become the highest-paid player in the game. Join the Daily Rewind - Join.Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.Classic Baseball Broadcasts Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball Broadcasts

February 27, 2011 — The “Duke of Flatbush”, Hall of Famer Duke Snider dies in Escondido, CA at age 84. Snider was a power-hitting centerfielder for the great Brooklyn Dodgers teams of the 1950s and is immortalized in Terry Cashman’s song “Willie, Mickey and the Duke”. Snider was Brooklyn’s entry into one of the most passionate debates in baseball history.  New York sportswriter Red Smith once wrote, “(Duke) Snider, (Mickey) Mantle, and (Willie) Mays.  You could get a fat lip in any saloon by starting an argument as to which was the best.” Sharing the big city spotlight with fellow future Hall of Fame centerfielders Willie Mays and Mickey Mantle, Snider was part of a magical period in New York baseball that saw a team from the nation’s largest city win the World Series in nine out of the 10 seasons between 1949 and 1958.  The Dodgers appeared in the Fall Classic five times during that time, winning their only championship in Brooklyn in 1955

On February 26, 1935, the New York Yankees release longtime star outfielder Babe Ruth, freeing him to sign a $20,000 contract with the National League’s Boston Braves. Ruth’s new contract with the Braves also gives him a share of the team’s profits. In 1934, Ruth had endured one of his worst seasons with the Yankees, at least by his lofty standards, with a .288 batting average, 22 home runs, and 84 RBIs.This season, he will play just only 28 games for the Braves before announcing his retirement on June 2nd at the age of 40. Ruth will hit the final three home runs of his major league career on May 25th against the Pittsburgh Pirates, giving him a total of 714. His last home run will clear the right field grandstand at Forbes Field and will travel an estimated 600 feet.Join the Daily Rewind - Join.Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball Broadcasts

February 25, 1972, the St. Louis Cardinals trade future Hall of Famer Steve Carlton to the Philadelphia Phillies for pitcher Rick Wise. The trade will prove to be one of the best in the history of the Philadelphia franchise, as Carlton will win an amazing 27 games for the last-place Phillies in 1972. During his career with the Phillies, Carlton will win 241 games and four Cy Young awards. Carlton will also help the Phils win 6 NL East crowns, 2 National League pennants, and the 1980 World Series.Join the Daily Rewind - Join.Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball Broadcasts

On February 24, 1917 – – Smoky Joe Wood, his arm dead at 26, is sold by the Boston Red Sox to Cleveland for $15,000. He will become an outfielder after one last, losing start on the mound, and will play five more years.Wood had slipped on wet grass while fielding a bunt in a game against the Detroit Tigers. He fell and broke his thumb, and pitched in pain for the following three seasons. Although he maintained a winning record and a low ERA, his appearances were limited, as he could no longer recover quickly from pitching a game. Wood sat out the 1916 season and most of the 1917 season, and for all intents and purposes ended his pitching career.When Wood was sold to the Cleveland Indians, he rejoined former teammate Tris Speaker. Always proficient with the bat, he embarked on a second career; like his former teammate Babe Ruth, Wood ended his career as an outfielder. His hitting statistics, however, were far more pedestrian than those of Ruth. Nonetheless, Wood finished in the top 10 in the American League in

February 24, 1986, Dick Williams resigns as manager of the San Diego Padres, eleven weeks after Padres executives attempt to buy out his contract, only to be thwarted by team owner Joan Kroc, and is replaced by Steve Boros. In 1985, Williams guided the Padres to a record of 83-79. The previous year, Williams led the Padres to their first post-season berth and World Series appearance and compiled a 337-311 (.520) record during his four seasons in San Diego.Join the Daily Rewind - Join.Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball Broadcasts

February 23, 1929 in St. Louis, MO The Yankees’ first black player, Elston Howard was forced to play the outfield through much of his first five seasons because Yogi Berra was behind the plate. By 1960, Howard was the starting catcher and Berra was more often in the field. Howard was an exceptional defensive catcher; his .993 career fielding average is one of the highest ever, and he pioneered the use of a hinged catcher’s mitt that led to the modern one-handed catching techniques. He was also highly regarded as a handler of pitchers. He was named to the AL All-Star team nine consecutive years.Join the Daily Rewind - Join.Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.Show Notes & Featured AudioGreatest Sports ThrillElston Howard Tops on SportsElston Howard over 100 GamesMentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball Broadcasts

On February 22, 1936, Walter Johnson fires a silver dollar over the Rappahannock River, estimated to be a 386-foot toss. The spectacle—it took place in the backyard of Washington’s childhood home in Fredericksburg, Virginia. I will tell you the story through Bobby King II research and words. Afterward, I will bring you something that was hard to find, the voice of Walter Johnson doing a radio broadcast for the Senators.  Join the Daily Rewind - Join.Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history. Show Notes & Featured AudioWalter Johnson No Hitterwalter Johnson audio vaultWalter Johnson BroadcastMentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball Broadcasts

February 21, 1986, Rollie Fingers passes up an opportunity to return to the majors. Fingers is invited to spring training by the Cincinnati Reds, who ask him to shave off his handlebar mustache to comply with team rules. Fingers refuse to do so and decides to retire.The future Hall of Fame reliever, who leaves the game with 341 saves, had been offered a contract by Cincinnati’s skipper Pete Rose after being released by the Brewers at the end of last seasonMentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball Broadcasts

February 20, 1980 — The Oakland Athletics sign Billy Martin to a two-year contract for $125,000 as manager. Martin, who was fired by the Yankees only four months earlier, will popularize the notion of “Billy Ball” with the A’s and lead the team to a split-season crown in 1981. He will compile a 215-218 record and destroy the young arms of several would be long term starting pitchers. His style also allowed Ricky Henderson to run free on the bases and set the all-time record for stolen bases in a season.Join the Daily Rewind - Join.Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.Billy Martin Audio VaultMentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball Broadcasts

February 19 1957 — The Kansas City Athletics ship pitchers Art Ditmar, Bobby Shantz, and Jack McMahan, and infielders Clete Boyer, Curt Roberts and Wayne Belardi to the Yankees. In return they receive pitchers Mickey McDermott, Tom Morgan, Rip Coleman and Jack Urban, OF Irv Noren, plus infielders Billy Hunter and Milt Graff.There entire interview can be found at Passed Ball PodcastJoin the Daily Rewind - Join.Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.Notes & Featured AudioArt Ditmar Audio Vault1960 World Series 1958 World SeriesMentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball Broadcasts

February 18 1998 — Chicago Cubs broadcaster Harry Caray dies four days after collapsing at a Valentine’s Day supper. Caray, age 84, after suffering a heart attack four days earlier while having Valentine’s Day dinner with his wife, Dutchie. – 1957 All Star Game called by Harry Caray.From a compilation aired in 2016 from ESPN Classic, appearances from Harry Caray on Up Close with Roy Firestone.Show Notes & Featured AudioHarry Caray Game BroadcastsJoin the Daily Rewind - Join.Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball Broadcasts

Originally aired February 17, 1970, this clip features coverage of Denny McLain, pitcher of the Detroit Tigers. This story covers the news of an impending article in Sports Illustrated regarding alleged activities of McLain consorting with gamblers.Join the Daily Rewind - Join.Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.Audio Links & CreditsDenny McLain Games & InterviewsNews Report 30th WinMentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball Broadcasts

February 16 2012 – Hall of Fame catcher Gary Carter dies of brain cancer in Palm Beach Gardens, FL. After becoming a perennial All-Star with the Montreal Expos, Carter led the New York Mets to a World Series title in 1986.Join the Daily Rewind - Join.Classic Baseball Broadcasts - reconnect with baseball history.Show Notes & Featured AudioGary CarterMontreal ExposMentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball Broadcasts

February 15, 2005 Lawrence Ritter passed away. He was the author of Glory of Their times. The Glory of Their Times: A Timeless Baseball ClassicFew books in the vast library of baseball literature hold the revered status of The Glory of Their Times by Lawrence Ritter. Published in 1966, this groundbreaking work captures the essence of early 20th-century baseball through the voices of the men who played the game. Hailed as one of the greatest books ever written about baseball, it remains a cherished piece of sports history, offering readers an intimate look at the sport's formative years.Larry talks about his Dad and I talk about mine. Enjoy! Mentioned in this episode:Classic Baseball BroadcastsClassic Baseball Broadcasts