Today in Baseball History: April 1st

1996 On April 1, 1996, longtime umpire John McSherry collapses and dies from a heart attack on Opening Day at Cincinnati's Riverfront Stadium. The 51-year-old McSherry had umpired in the National League for 26 seasons.

1987 On April 1, 1987, the Pittsburgh Pirates trade All-Star catcher Tony Pena to the St. Louis Cardinals for catcher Mike Lavalliere, outfielder Andy Van Slyke, and pitcher Mike Dunne. Van Slyke will hit 21 home runs for the Pirates in 1987 and emerge as a Gold Glove-caliber center fielder…

1982 On April 1, 1982, the New York Mets trade popular center fielder and teen idol Lee Mazzilli to the Texas Rangers for minor league pitchers Ron Darling and Walt Terrell. Darling will emerge as an important member of the Mets' starting rotation and a key contributor to their 1986 World Championship…

1970 On April 1, 1970, an ownership group headed up by automobile dealer Allen "Bud" Selig buys the Seattle Pilots for $10.8 million. Selig will move the Pilots to Milwaukee and rename the team the "Brewers." The Pilots had lost $1 million during their lone season in Seattle.

1969 On April 1, 1969, the Seattle Pilots trade little-known minor league outfielder Lou Piniella to the Kansas City Royals for outfielder Steve Whitaker and pitcher John Gelnar. Piniella will hit .282 with 11 home runs and 68 RBIs-good enough to win American League Rookie of the Year honors…

1963 On April 1, 1963, the New York Mets purchase the "Duke of Flatbush," veteran outfielder Duke Snider, from the Los Angeles Dodgers. Snider, one of the most popular players in the New York City area, starred for Brooklyn from 1947 to '57. The future Hall of Famer will hit 14 home runs for the Mets in 1963.

1962 On April 1, 1962, the Detroit Tigers sign University of Detroit basketball star Dave DeBusschere. He will pitch effectively in 1962 and '63 with the White Sox, but will gain much more fame as a key member of the New York Knicks' NBA championship teams of 1970 and '73…

1939 On April 1, 1939, future Hall of Famer Phil Niekro is born in Blaine, Ohio. "Knucksie" will make his major league debut in 1964 with the Milwaukee Braves. He will win 318 games over a 24-year career and will gain election to the Hall of Fame in 1997…

1914 On April 1, 1914, future Hall of Famer Rube Waddell dies from tuberculosis at the age of 37. Waddell, who dies in a sanitarium, had seen his condition weakened by his efforts to contain a winter flood in Kentucky.