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April 12
⚾The Shocking Tris Speaker Trade of 1916
TODAY ON THE DAILY HIGHLIGHT
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April 12, 1916, the Cleveland Indians acquire future Hall of Famer Tris Speaker from the Boston Red Sox for pitcher Sad Sam Jones, minor league infielder Fred Thomas, and $55K in cash. This season, Speaker will lead the American League in batting (.386), slugging (.502), on-base percentage (.470), hits (211), doubles (41), and total bases (287).
The Shocking Tris Speaker Trade of 1916
In the early 20th century, the Boston Red Sox were a dynasty in the making. By 1915, they had already secured their third World Series title in just 12 seasons, and Tris Speaker—MVP and one of baseball’s greatest talents—had played a pivotal role in two of them. But just months later, Speaker found himself at the center of a payroll controversy that would lead to one of the most stunning trades in baseball history.
Team owner Joe Lannin, who had purchased the Red Sox in 1914, claimed he barely profited from the team’s 1915 championship. Looking to cut costs, he set his sights on Speaker’s $14,000 salary. Despite Speaker being just 27 and entering his prime, Lannin offered him only $9,000. When Speaker refused to sign, he was persuaded to report to spring training on a game-by-game pay basis by manager Bill Carrigan.
Rumors of a trade quickly spread. Cleveland sportswriter Ed Bang caught wind of the situation and alerted Indians GM Bob McRoy, who immediately got owner Jim Dunn involved. On April 12, 1916, after Speaker hit a game-winning homer, Lannin told him they’d finalize his contract the next day. But that night, McRoy called Speaker to his hotel lobby with shocking news: he had been traded to Cleveland.
Speaker, furious and blindsided, threatened to retire. Cleveland, however, agreed to pay the $15,000 he wanted—plus an additional $10,000 bonus, which Speaker demanded from Lannin. After a brief standoff, AL president Ban Johnson intervened and forced Lannin to pay. In the end, Lannin received just $45,000 for one of the game’s premier stars.
Speaker thrived in Cleveland. In 1916, he batted .386 and led the league in nearly every offensive category. Over 11 seasons with the Indians, he hit .354, patrolled center field like no other, and even managed the team to its first World Series title in 1920. He was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1939.
As for Lannin, he sold the Red Sox after the 1916 season—though not before bringing Babe Ruth to Boston. He died under mysterious circumstances in 1928, having made—and perhaps lost—a few enemies along the way.
Game of the Day
April 12, 1965 Boston Red Sox vs Washington Senators
Sox go yard OFTEN
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Did you know?
April 12, 1931 — Former Cubs Manager Joe McCarthy makes his debut as Yankee manager, beating Boston at the Bronx ballpark, 6-3. The future Hall of Fame manager, who is the team’s all-time leader in managerial wins with 1460, guides the club to eight pennants and seven World Championships during his 16-year tenure in the Bronx.
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Trivia:
Tris Speaker is the All Time leader with 792 Doubles, but he is also the all time leader in two other stats rarely discussed do you know what they are?
Hint: The answer is below
TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY
April 12, 1965 In the season opener at DC Stadium the Boston Red Sox hit 5 homeruns to beat the Senators 7-2. The success will be short lived, as they will lose 100 games. The Red Sox drew only 652,201 fans to Fenway Park in 65, seventh in the ten-team league but the Red Sox’ lowest turnstile count since 1945, the last year of World War II. Tony Conigliaro goes 3-4 in the opener, and will lead the league with 32 homeruns.
April 12, 1966 Before a crowd of 50,671 at Fulton County Stadium, the Braves play their first game in Atlanta after moving from Milwaukee. Joe Torre hits two home runs for the Braves, but Willie Stargell spoils the occasion with a two-run homer in the 13th inning to give the Pittsburgh Pirates a 3 – 2 victory.
April 12, 1980 Nolan Ryan makes a slash on his debut with the Houston Astros when he hits a 3-run homer in the 4th inning. His first in 279 plate appearances. He will hit one more in his career in 1987 also with the Astros. *Watch it here*
April 12, 1992, At Cleveland Stadium, Boston Red Sox left-hander Matt Young pitches eight no-hit innings, but loses a 2 – 1 decision to the Cleveland Indians in the first game of a doubleheader. In the second game, Roger Clemens shut outs Cleveland as the Indians manage only two hits against him, setting a major league club-record for fewest hits (2) in a twinbill.
Quote of the day:
". . . Cleveland in Tris Speaker has not only a great ballplayer but a magnetic leader who knows how to get 100% from the efforts of his men. The Texan is an unusual type - the most effective manager in baseball today." - from an article written by Grantland Rice in 1921
MILESTONES
Birthday Boys
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Debuts
A few notable debuts, Bill Virdon, Dennis Eckersley and Cesar Tover
Final Games
Dick Bertell, Don Schwall and Tony Jacobs
Passings
Carl Morton, Dick Brown, Eddie Joost, Frank Skaff, Glenn Beckert and Hal Smith
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Trivia Answer:
He was not only the premier fielding center fielder of his day but perhaps of all baseball history, holding career records in assists (449) and double plays (139). He was fast enough that he would play shallow and if a ball was hit over his head he could usually run back fast enough to corral it. His lifetime range factor is much better than era rival Cobb's. Speaker's throwing achievements are all the more remarkable considering they were achieved by throwing with his off hand. At age 10, he was thrown from a horse and broke his collarbone and right arm, causing him to throw lefty the rest his life.
