This Weekend in Baseball History
December 11th, 2002: Andy Pettitte after going 149-78 over nine years with the Yankees, leaves New York and signs a three-year, $31.5 million deal with his "hometown" Astros.
December 11th, 2000: Alex Rodriguez makes sports history when he signs the first free agent contract worth more than a quarter-billion dollars. He leaves the Mariners and signs with the Rangers for 10 years and $252 million.
December 11th, 2000: The Mets, after being spurned by Mike Hampton, try to replace him by signing free agent pitchers Kevin Appier and Steve Trachsel.
December 11th, 1991: The Royals trade two-time Cy Young winner Bret Saberhagen to the Mets (along with Bill Pecota) for Kevin McReynolds, Gregg Jefferies and Keith Miller.
December 11th, 1976: A busy day of Winter Meetings trades that reshape the Yankees: they obtain Willie Randolph from the Pirates for Doc Medich, and send Bobby Bonds to the Angels for Mickey Rivers and Ed Figueroa.
December 11th, 1962: The Red Sox send Tracy Stallard and infielders Pumpsie Green and Al Moran to the Mets for Felix Mantilla.
December 11th, 1959: Roger Maris becomes a Yankee. In the most significant of the many New York-Kanasa City trades of the era, a seven-player swap sends Hank Bauer, Marv Throneberry, Don Larsen and Norm Siebern to the Athletics for the promising lefthanded power hitter who becames a Yankee legend (plus infielder Joe DeMaestri and backup 1st baseman Kent Hadley).
December 11th, 1954: The Phillies, now the only MLB team in Philadelphia, purchase Connie Mack Stadium from the Athletics new owner Arnold Johnson for $1.6 million.
December 11th, 1951: Joe DiMaggio announces his retirement after 13 Yankee seasons (and three others given to military service). He finishes his career with a .325 lifetime average and 361 home runs.
December 11th, 1941: Johnny Mize becomes a Giant. Helping to clear a place for promising rookie Stan Musial, the Cardinals trade their 1st Baseman (and future Hall of Famer) to the New York Giants for three players -- Ken O'Dea, Bill Lohrman and Johnny McCarthy, plus $50,000 cash.
December 11th, 1928: Here's a man ahead of his time: National League president John Heydler proposes the use of a designated hitter for pitchers to improve and speed up the game. Claiming that fans are tired of watching weak-hitting pitchers try to bat, Heydler refers to his concept as "the 10th regular." It will take more than 40 years before it's adopted by the American League. And, except for the pandemic shortened 2020, the National League has resisted the concept.
December 11th, 1917: Desperate for cash, the Phillies trade three-time 30 game winner Grover Cleveland Alexander to the Cubs for pitcher Mike Prendergast, catcher Pickles Dillhoeffer and cash. Ironically, Alexander will pitch in just three games for Chicago in 1918, after being drafted into the Army. But he returns in 1919 and regains his place among baseball's best pitchers.
December 12th, 2017: Bob Costas is named the winner of the Ford Frick Award for broadcasters.
December 12th, 2015: Ken Giles and former 1st overall draft pick Mark Appel are the big names in a four-player deal between the Astros and Phillies, who also receive Brett Oberholtzer and Vince Velasquez.
December 12th, 1998: Another salary milestone is reached, as the Dodgers sign pitcher Kevin Brown to a seven year contract for $15 million per season.
December 12th, 1975: In a trade that proves disastrous for the Mets, they send fan favorite Rusty Staub to the Tigers for Mickey Lolich. Detroit's 1968 World Series hero goes 8-13 for New York, while Rusty gives the Tigers three strong seasons as an outfielder and DH.
December 13th, 2017: The Marlins' new ownership continues their fire sale, sending Marcell Ozuna to the Cardinals for Sandy Alcantara, Daniel Castano, Zac Gallen and Magneuris Sierra. That follows trades shipping out Giancarlo Stanton and Dee Gordon.
December 13th, 2008: The Yankees continue to remake their rotation, signing AJ Burnett to a five year contract just three days after their deal to bring CC Sabathia aboard.
December 13th, 2007: Barry Bonds, Roger Clemens, Andy Pettitte, Miguel Tejada and Jason Giambi are among the 89 players named in The Mitchell Report, the MLB-authorized investigation into use of performance-enhancing drugs.
December 13th, 2003: The Dodgers send Kevin Brown to the Yankees for Jeff Weaver, prospects and cash.
December 13th, 2001: Jason Giambi leaves the A's and signs a seven-year deal, $120 million free agent deal with the Yankees.
December 13th, 1983: Joe Morgan, who keyed the "Wheeze Kids" Phillies' improbable late season pennant drive -- but aware the club expects to go with Juan Samuel in 1984, signs with the A's as a free agent.
December 13th, 1956: The Dodgers trade Jackie Robinson to the cross-town rival Giants for Dick Littlefield and cash -- unaware the future Hall of Famer has already decided to retire and enter private industry.
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