Highlighted entries:
1976
Aurelio Rodriguez becomes the first American League 3B since 1959 to beat out Brooks Robinson for the Gold Glove Award. Other Newcomers on TSN fielding team include 3B Mike Schmidt, OF Dwight Evans, and C Jim Sundberg, who would combine to win 24 awards.
Aurelio Rodriguez is the answer.
1968
The Astros trade 3B Bob Aspromonte, who lost his job to Doug Rader, to the Braves for infielder Orlando Martinez. Aspro was the last original Colt 45 on Houston's roster, and when he retires, he will be the last original Brooklyn Dodger.
Good name for a book? Last of the Bums. Last of the Colt 45s.
1964
Baseball approves a free-agent draft. At their winter meetings in Houston, the minor league and major league organizations establish a system, basically like that of professional football, which will take effect in January 1965 and be held every four months thereafter. Choices will be exercised by clubs in inverse order of their previous year's standing. Draftees must be included in their club's 40-man roster or be susceptible to claim at the waiver price the following season.
A draft every four months? Wow. Good thing that got changed.
1914
Walter Johnson accepts a $6,000 bonus from the FL Chicago Whales and signs a three-year contract for $17,500 per year. Clark Griffith threatens to take Johnson to court, claiming he has paid Johnson for the reserve option in his contract. American League Prexy Ban Johnson asserts that Johnson was on the market and is "damaged goods," worth getting rid of. Griffith travels to Coffeyville, KS, to persuade his franchise player that the option clause is legal and binding. Two weeks later Griffith signs Johnson for three years at $12,500 per year and returns the bonus to the Feds.
Now that is hardball. Usually the players went to the owners. Getting the owner to go to Coffeyville, Kansas is bargaining power.
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