TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

On February 12, 1924 — The National League announced it would join the AL in awarding a thousand dollars to the player selected by writers as the league's Most Valuable Player.

Dazzy Vance outpolled Rogers Hornsby, who set a major league record with a .424 batting average that year because one voter failed to place Hornsby on the ballot to win the first NL MVP award. Vance also had competition from his teammate, Zach Wheat (4th overall). You can see the voting here.

Vance led the NL with 28 victories, 305 complete games, 262 strikeouts, and a 2.16 ERA, winning the pitching triple crown.

On August 23, 1924, he set the then-National League record for strikeouts in a nine-inning game when he fanned 15 Chicago Cubs.

September 24, 1924, Vance became the sixth pitcher in major league history to pitch an immaculate inning, striking out all three batters on nine total pitches in the third inning of a game against the Cubs. He finished the season with 262 strikeouts, more than any two National League pitchers combined (Burleigh Grimes with 135 and Dolf Luque with 86 were second and third respectively). That season, Vance had one out of every 13 strikeouts in the entire National League.

Vance used the award to negotiate a highly publicized three-year contract worth $47,500 from Brooklyn owner Charles Ebbets.

He was a true story of perseverance. The right-hander pitched only 33 innings in his twenties and didn't win his first game in the majors until after his 31st birthday. Once he got started, he was a star. He led the league in ERA three times, won twice, and established a National League record by leading the league in strikeouts in seven consecutive years (1922–1928). Vance retired with a 197–140 record, 2,045 strikeouts, and a 3.24 ERA.

Vance spent his career mostly toiling for poor Brooklyn teams much of his career. At 41, he was traded to the St Louis Cardinals in February 1933. He was released a year later, but the St Louis Cardinals reacquired Vance on June 25, 1934. Then, on September 12, 1934, Vance hit his seventh and final major league home run at 43 years and 6 months; he was the second oldest pitcher to do so. He appeared in game 4 of the 1934 World Series for the Gashouse Gang and picking up his only World Series title.

Vance was inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1955. He learned of his election when a highway patrolman got his attention on a local highway and told him that a photographer was at his house. A Dazzy Vance Day celebration was held in Brooklyn.

Historic Days!

February 12, 1924 — The National League announces it will join the AL in awarding a thousand dollars to the player selected by writers as the league’s Most Valuable Player. Dazzy Vance, who posts a 28-6 record along with an ERA of 2.16 for the Brooklyn Dodgers, easily outpoints Rogers Hornsby to become the National Leagues first MVP.

Born: February 12, 1926, Joe Garagiola was a decent enough catcher in the 1940s and 1950s, but became much more famous after his playing days as a celebrity. He began in this line early, as he was a much liked after-dinner speaker in the off-season during his playing career, thanks to his large store of amusing anecdotes about contemporary players. He then moved into broadcasting after he retired as a player. He was not only a broadcaster, but his 1960 book “Baseball is a Funny Game” was a best-seller and helped to make him a frequent guest on shows like the Johnny Carson late-night TV show. Similar to catcher Bob Uecker years later, Garagiola liked to disparage himself.

February 12 , 1945 — Don Wilson is born in Monroe, LA. He wins 104 games and tosses two no-hitters, and an 18-strikeout game, in eight memorable seasons as an Houston Astros. Wilson had not reached his potential when he died, a suicide, of carbon monoxide poisoning in the garage of his home on January 5, 1975.

February 12 1955 — In Caracas, Roberto Clemente and Willie Mays hit crucial home runs to lead the Santurce Crabbers of Puerto Rico to a 4 – 2 victory over Venezuela’s entry, Magallanes, in the Caribbean World Series championship. Mays’ homer comes in the 11th inning.

February 12, 1981, Arbitrator Raymond Goetz officially declares Carlton Fisk a free agent, citing the Boston Red Sox had violated the CBA by not mailing the catcher’s contract by the December 20th deadline as specified in the agreement. Next month, the 33 year-old future Hall of Fame backstop will sign a $3.5 million deal to catch for the White Sox this upcoming season.

February 12 1988 — The San Diego Padres trade reliever Rich Gossage to the Chicago Cubs for infielder Keith Moreland in a deal that also includes a pair of minor league players.

Todays featured clip:

“My arm came back just as quickly as it went sore on me in 1915. I awoke one morning and learned I could throw without pain again.”

Hall of Famer - Dazzy Vance

TRIVIA

TRIVIA: Dazzy Vance is the second oldest pitcher to hit a homerun. Who is the oldest?

A. Phil Niekro

B. Warren Spahn

C. Jack Quinn

D. Bartolo Colon

Answer in tomorrows newsletter

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Birthday Boys!

 ANSWER TO YESTERDAY’S TRIVIA

TRIVIA: Through 2010, 88 players had a career batting average of 1.000. How many were 3-3?

A. 1

B. 2

C. 3

D. 4

Trivia Answer:  A. 1  77 were 1 for 1, 9 were 2 for 2, and Paciorek was the only one to go 3 for 3.

Passings.

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