Today in Baseball History: November 3rd

1997 On November 3, 1997, shortstop Nomar Garciaparra wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award, after collecting 209 hits, and stringing together a 30-game hitting streak for the Boston Red Sox.

1989 On November 3, 1989, Lou Piniella is named to replace Pete Rose as manager of the Cincinnati Reds. Rose was banned from baseball for his gambling activities while managing the team. In his first season in Cincinnati, Piniella will guide the Reds to the World Series title.

1987 On November 3, 1987, slugging first baseman Mark McGwire wins the American League Rookie of the Year Award. McGwire belted a rookie-record 49 homers for the Oakland A"s, and becomes the second player chosen unanimously for the honor.

1981 On November 3, 1981, Rollie Fingers becomes the first reliever to win the American League Cy Young Award. The mustache-wearing Fingers saves 28 games and posts a miniscule 1.04 ERA for the Milwaukee Brewers, helping them to their first post-season appearance.

1971 On November 3, 1970, Bob Gibson wins the National League Cy Young Award, after going 23-7 for the St. Louis Cardinals. Gaylord Perry finishes second.

1970 On November 3, 1970, the Philadelphia Phillies trade Curt Flood to the Washington Senators for first baseman Greg Goosen, outfielder Gene Martin, and pitcher Jeff Terpko. In 1969, the Phillies had acquired Flood from the St. Louis Cardinals but had been unable to convince him to report to the team. In the meantime, Flood filed and lost a $4.1 million lawsuit against major league baseball.

1953 On November 3, 1953, the sacrifice fly rule is reinstated, which means that a sac fly will not be charges as a time at-bat.

1942 On November 3, despite winning the Triple Crown, Ted Williams finishes second in American League Most Valuable voting to Yankee second baseman Joe Gordon, by 21 votes.

1934 On November 3, 1934, brash pitcher Dizzy Dean is named National League Most Valuable Player by the baseball writers. Fireballing Dean went 30-7 for the World Champion St. Louis Cardinals.

1934 On November 3, 1934, Mickey Cochrane is named MVP of the American League, based on his .320 batting average, 76 RBI, and leadership of the Detroit Tigers as player/manager from his catcher"s position. He beats Lou Gehrig, who had won the Triple Crown.

1926 On November 3, 1926, Ty Cobb resigns as manager of the Detroit Tigers and announces his retirement as a player. Early in 1927, Cobb will sign a one-year contract with Connie Mack"s Philadelphia A"s and return as a player. It will later be revealed that Cobb"s resignation in Detroit, as well as Tris Speaker"s in Cleveland, is due to a gambling scandal that the two players are involved in. Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis will exonerate both players.

1926 On November 3, 1926, the Detroit Tigers name umpire George Moriarty as their manager, replacing Ty Cobb. Moriarty, a former player, had also been a scout, and becomes the first man to play, umpire, and manage in the big leagues.

1918 On November 3, 1918, future Hall of Famer Bob Feller is born in Van Meter, Iowa. Feller makes his major league debut as a 17-year-old pitcher in 1936, and will win 266 games over an 18-year career, despite missing parts of four seasons while serving in World War II.