Today in Baseball History: December 22nd

2004 On December 22, 2004, former major league infielder Doug Ault dies in Tarpon Springs, Florida, from a self-inflicted gun shot wound. Ault slugged a pair of home runs in the Blue Jays first game in franchise history on opening day in 1977, and later managed in the Toronto organization.

1995 On December 22, 1995, Anheuser-Busch sells the St. Louis Cardinals for $150 million. The sale price is the second highest for a franchise in major league history.

1959 On December 22, 1959, the upstart Continental League awards its last franchise to the cities of Dallas-Fort Worth. The league is designed as a third major league and as a potential rival to the established American and National Leagues. But the Continental League will never play a single game. When the leagues elect to expand by four franchises into the cities of New York, Minneapolis, Houston, and Denver, the Continental League is doomed.

1944 On December 22, 1944, future Hall of Famer Steve Carlton is born in Miami, Florida. "Lefty" will win 329 games during a 24-year major league career with the Cardinals, Phillies, Giants, Indians, White Sox, and Twins.