Today in Baseball History: January 31st

1962 On January 31, 1962, San Francisco Giants star Willie Mays signs the largest contract in baseball, reportedly $90,000 for the upcoming season. Mays will earn every penny in 1962, when he bats .304 with 49 home runs and 141 RBIs and helps the Giants to the National League pennant.

1959 On January 31, 1959, former major league star Joe Cronin succeeds Will Harridge as president of the American League. A Hall of Fame shortstop who played for Pittsburgh, Washington, and Boston, Cronin batted .301 over a 20-year playing career. Cronin will remain in office until his retirement in 1973.

1956 On January 31, 1956, former major leaguer Buck Weaver dies at the age of 65. One of the eight members of the Black Sox to be banned for life, Weaver batted .324 in the 1919 World Series. Although Weaver maintained that he did not participate in the fix, Commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis banished him for failing to report those players who had met with gamblers.

1947 On January 31, 1947, Hall of Famer Nolan Ryan is born in Refugio, Texas. He will make his major league debut in 1966 with the New York Mets, kicking off a major league record 27-year career. Ryan will win 324 games with the Mets, California Angels, Houston Astros, and Texas Rangers.

1931 On January 31, 1931, Hall of Famer Ernie Banks is born in Dallas, Texas. Banks will make his debut with the Chicago Cubs in 1953 and hit 512 home runs during a 19-year career.

1919 On January 31, 1919, future Hall of Famer Jackie Robinson is born to Jerry and Mallie Robinson in Cairo, Georgia. Robinson will become the first black player in 20th century major league history when he debuts for the Brooklyn Dodgers in 1947.