TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

Jim Bouton was born on March 8, 1939 best known for his transformation from a fastballer to a knuckleballer and for writing Ball Four, one of the most influential baseball books ever published.

After signing out of Western Michigan University, Bouton joined the New York Yankees in 1962. He had immediate success, winning 21 games in 1963 and 18 in 1964 while excelling in the World Series both years. However, arm issues diminished his fastball by the mid-1960s, and he reinvented himself as a knuckleball pitcher. He resurfaced in 1969 with the Seattle Pilots and later the Houston Astros before retiring. In 1978, he made a brief comeback with the Atlanta Braves at age 39, pitching surprisingly well in five starts.

Bouton's Ball Four, published in 1970, was a groundbreaking, behind-the-scenes account of baseball life. Written as a diary of his 1969 season, it revealed players’ use of amphetamines, womanizing, and the economic exploitation of players by owners. Commissioner Bowie Kuhn tried to pressure Bouton into recanting, but he refused. The book enraged baseball’s establishment but became a bestseller, widely credited with changing how athletes and sports were covered.

Bouton followed with I'm Glad You Didn’t Take It Personally in 1971 and wrote several other books. He also worked as a sportscaster, acted in The Long Goodbye, and co-invented Big League Chew gum. Though baseball largely ostracized him for decades, the Yankees welcomed him back for Old-Timers’ Day in 1998 after a plea from his son.

Listen to Jim talk about Ball Four and his career!

Todays highlights and Historic Days!

March 8, 1909 in Evansville, IN, Ervin "Pete" Fox rose from the sandlots of Evansville, Indiana. A spark plug at the top of the Tiger lineup in the mid-1930s, Ervin "Pete" Fox was a daring baserunner and a career .298 hitter in 13 seasons. He had 10 hits and batted .385 in the 1935 World Series as Detroit won their first championship. Shuttled in and out of a four or five man outfield rotation for much of his career, Fox always managed to get playing time due to his range in the outfield and aggressive baserunning. He was at his best in 1937, when he batted .331 and smashed 208 hits.

Listen to Pete in 6 Broadcasts from 1934 and his sparkling 1935 performance

March 8, 1930 -- Babe Ruth signs a two-year contract with the New York Yankees for $160,000. At $80,000 per year, he becomes the highest-paid player of all time. The team's general manager Ed Barrow predicts at the time that, "No one will ever be paid more.

Born: March 8, 1942 in Wampum, PA, Dick Allen.

"Allen was scary at the plate. When he came up there, he had your attention. I want to forget a couple of line drives he hit off me, but I can’t because they almost killed me." — Mickey Lolich on Dick Allen.

Allen was an enigmatic superstar who baffled teammates, fans, and the front office with his bizarre behavior, Dick Allen was Dennis Rodman before it was cool. Allen's off the field flare and penchant for controversy overshadowed his great baseball skills. He was one of the most feared sluggers of the 1960s and early 1970s, and many of his teammates identified him as a significant influence on their career. Who finally got his Cooperstown call after he passed away.

Long interview with Dick Allen, he ranges into many areas of his career and life in baseball, book and post baseball.

Listen: Bill Stern Sports Newsreel March 8, 1946 with Jack Carson

March 8, 1953 in Anderson, SC, As a successor to Ted Williams and Carl Yastrzemski in left field for the Boston Red Sox, Jim Rice emerged as the AL's most feared slugger in the late 1970s and early 1980s. Rice will become the third straight Left Fielder who was inducted into Cooperstown.

Listen to Jim being interviewed in 1976 at Fenway park by Leo Cloutier

March 8, 1966, the Veterans Committee waives one of its election rules and selects manager Casey Stengel as the newest member of the Hall of Fame. Stengel had managed the New York Mets for much of the 1965 season before falling and breaking his hip. The injury ended the elderly Stengel’s career. Given his age, the Veterans Committee decides to make him immediately eligible for the Hall of Fame.

Casey back in 1958 gave his thoughts about the reserve clause to Congress. Members visit his page to hear his testimony.

March 8 , 1969 -- After Donn Clendenon "retires" and refuses to report to spring training, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn rules that Montreal can keep both Rusty Staub and Clendenon, insisting that Houston will have to settle for further compensation rather than voiding the trade.

Donn Clendenon Interviewed in 1972 discussing that trade

March 8, 1999, former New York Yankees great Joe DiMaggio dies after a much-publicized battle with lung cancer. The baseball legend and American icon was 84. Born in Martinez, California, DiMaggio arrived in the major leagues at the age of 21. He batted .323 in his first season and helped the Yankees to the 1936 World Championship. DiMaggio’s rookie performance served as an indicator of future success, both for him and the Yankees. During his 13-year career, the “Yankee Clipper” participated in 10 World Series, with the Yankees winning the World Championship nine times. In 1941, DiMaggio won the MVP Award when he compiled a major league record 56-game hitting streak. After his playing days, DiMaggio gained added fame by serving as a national spokesman for “Mr. Coffee.”

Listen to Pete Rose talk about 22 days with Joe DiMaggio

March 8, 2011 -- Major League Baseball names Dodgers Assistant General Manager Kim Ng, the highest-ranking woman in the major leagues, as senior Vice-President of baseball operations. She will report to former Dodgers manager Joe Torre, who was named Executive Vice-President last month.

TRIVIA

TRIVIA: Jim Bouton was blackballed after writing Ball Four and he came back to pitch for one season for the Atlanta Braves in 1978. It was a maverick owner that brought him back, some would say to antagonize Bowie Kuhn. Who was the franchise owner?

IF you think you know the answer and bonus points for how many respond with details and if you are right I will give you a shut out! No Googling!

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A Couple of Birthday Boys!

 ANSWER TO YESTERDAY’S TRIVIA

YESTERDAY'S TRIVIA: Pud Galvin has 365 wins to his credit good for 5th all time. Cy Young is first with 511. Can you name the players between them and how many wins they have each?

Walter Johnson, 417, Pete Alexander 373 and Christy Mathewson 373.  Right behind Galvin, Warren Spahn 363 and Kid Nichols with 362.

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