this day in baseball Archives | Baseball Essential

This Day in Baseball: Bonds Splashes Down for First Time

May 1, 2015

Baseball History, Features, Major League Baseball, San Francisco Giants

On this day in 2000, Barry Bonds became the first player to hit a home run into McCovey Cove. Bonds took Rich Rodriguez of the New York Mets deep on an absolute bomb, setting off the first boat chase for a home...

This Day in Baseball: Garbey Paves the Way for Cuban Defectors

Joshua Sadlock

Apr 3, 2015

Baseball History

On this day in 1984, Barbaro Garbey made his debut for the Detroit Tigers on Opening Day against the Minnesota Twins. The 27-year-old utility man entered the game as a pinch-hitter in the seventh inning and the...

This Day in Baseball: DeBusschere Dabbles in Baseball

Joshua Sadlock

Apr 1, 2015

Baseball History, Features

On this day in 1962, the Chicago White Sox signed University of Detroit hoops star Dave DeBusschere to a contract, right around the same time the Detroit Pistons were selecting him in the NBA Draft. The 21-year...

This Day in Baseball: Jordan Hangs ‘Em Up

Joshua Sadlock

Mar 10, 2015

Baseball History, Features

By my count, Michael Jordan has four retirements to his name, but only one is from baseball. On this day in 1995, Jordan, citing labor unrest as his primary concern, retired from his brief foray into profession...

This Day in Baseball: Enter Tampa Bay and Arizona

Joshua Sadlock

Mar 9, 2015

Baseball History, Features

On this day in 1995, Major League Baseball owners voted 28-0 to admit two new teams, the Arizona Diamondbacks and Tampa Bay Devil Rays. The Tampa Bay Devil Rays name initially drew some criticism due to its un...

This Day in Baseball: Hack Called to Hall

Joshua Sadlock

Mar 7, 2015

Baseball History, Chicago Cubs, Features, Hall of Fame, Major League Baseball

Of all the forgotten players of the 1930's, Hack Wilson has always held a special place in my heart. Wilson was the National League's Jose Altuve-sized answer to Babe Ruth. Standing only 5'6", Wilson, born Lewi...

This Day in Baseball: Babe Breaks the Bank

Joshua Sadlock

Mar 2, 2015

Baseball History

On this day in 1927, Babe Ruth signed a $70,000 contract, becoming the highest paid player in league history. Ruth had sought to become baseball's first six-figure player, but settled on a deal with Yankees ow...

This Day in Baseball: Taking Dad Deep

Joshua Sadlock

Feb 27, 2015

Baseball History, Features

If you have taken batting practice off of your father, you have no doubt fantasized about taking him deep. Homering off of your dad is a moment of personal validation, especially if dear old dad is one of the ...

This Day in Baseball: Babe Out of Bronx

Joshua Sadlock

Feb 26, 2015

Baseball History, Features

Many casual baseball fans may not realize this, but Babe Ruth did not end his career with the Yankees. On this day in 1935, the Babe was granted his release from the Yankees. During his tenure with the Yankees,...

This Day in Baseball: Yawkey Buys Red Sox

Joshua Sadlock

Feb 25, 2015

Baseball History, Features

$1.2 million doesn't quite buy what it used to. That sum was the amount paid by Tom Yawkey to purchase the Boston Red Sox on this date in 1933. Yawkey had inherited $40 million from his uncle, Bill Yawkey, bu...

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