Today in Baseball History: February 28th

1986 On February 28, 1986, Commissioner Peter Ueberroth suspends seven players for their involvement with illegal drugs. Each of the players also agrees to donate 10 per cent of his salary to drug abuse programs. The commissioner also doles out lesser penalties to 14 other players for their use of drugs.

1975 On February 28, 1975, the New York Mets acquire slugging first baseman-outfielder Dave Kingman from the San Francisco Giants for cash. Kingman, nicknamed "King Kong," will go on to hit 73 home runs for the Mets in 1975 and 1976, before being traded to the San Diego Padres in 1977.

1966 On February 28, 1966, Los Angeles Dodger stars Don Drysdale and Sandy Koufax begin an unprecedented "joint" holdout. The veteran pitchers are asking for a three-year contract worth over $1 million that will be divided evenly between them. On March 30, Drysdale and Koufax will end their holdouts, with each signing one-year contracts worth under $150,000.

1963 On February 28, 1963, Hall of Fame pitcher Eppa Rixey dies at the age of 71. Rixey had been elected to the Hall of Fame only one month earlier. Rixey won 266 games over a 21-year career with the Philadelphia Phillies and Cincinnati Reds.

1959 On February 28, 1959, Mickey Mantle of the New York Yankees ends his holdout after one day. Mantle agrees to a salary of $72,000 and a bonus of $2,000. Mantle had been asking the Yankees for $85,000 after batting .304 with 42 home runs and 97 RBIs in 1958.

1931 On February 28, 1931, former American League president Ban Johnson dies after a long illness. Johnson had served as the league's first president from 1901 to 1927.

1894 On February 28, 1894, Jud "Boojum" Wilson is born in Remington, Virginia. Considered by Josh Gibson as the best hitter in the Negro leagues, Wilson was known for his potent bat as a line drive hitter to every corner of the ballpark. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 2006.