Today in Baseball History: December 12th

1991 On December 12, 1991, former third baseman Ken Keltner, whose brilliant defensive plays stopped Joe DiMaggio"s 56-game hitting streak in 1941, dies at the age of 75 in Wisconsin.

1980 On December 12, 1980 the St. Louis Cardinals send pitchers Rollie Fingers and Pete Vuckovich, and catcher Ted Simmons to the Milwaukee Brewers for outfielder Sixto Lezcano, pitcher Lary Sorensen, and two minor leaguers. The trade will benefit the Brewers; Fingers will win the Cy Young award in 1981 and Vuckovich will garner the same honor in 1982.

1968 On December 12, 1968, the expansion Kansas City Royals trade pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm to the California Angels for catcher Ed Kirkpatrick and a minor leaguer. Wilhelm becomes the first-and only-Hall of Famer taken in an expansion draft…

1941 On December 12, 1941, future Hall of Famer Arky Vaughan is traded by the Pittsburgh Pirates to the Brooklyn Dodgers. The Bucs receive four players in return, including catcher "Hot Potato" Hamlin.

1933 On December 12, 1933, the Philadelphia A's trade away two Hall of Famers. The A's deal catcher Mickey Cochrane to the Detroit Tigers for catcher Johnny Pasek, and send pitcher Lefty Grove to the Boston Red Sox. In the third deal, the A's send Pasek and pitcher George Earnshaw to the Chicago White Sox for catcher Charlie Berry…

1930 On December 12, 1930, the rules committee abolishes the sacrifice fly scoring rule and the "ground-rule" home run. Hitters will now be charged with official at-bats when they advance runners with sac flies. Balls that bounce into the stands in fair territory will be considered ground-rule doubles, not home runs…

1903 On December 12, 1903, the Chicago Cubs acquire future Hall of Famer Mordecai Brown from the St. Louis Cardinals for pitcher Brakeman Taylor and catcher Larry McLean.