Today in Baseball History: December 18th

 

 

1991 On December 18, 1991, the Toronto Blue Jays sign free agent pitcher Jack Morris. An 18-game winner during the regular season, Morris won two games in the World Series, helping the Minnesota Twins to their second World Championship. Morris will win 21 games for the Jays in 1992, helping them to their first world title.

1975 On December 18, 1975, the Oakland A's hire Chuck Tanner as their new manager, giving him a three-year contract. Tanner will last only one year under Charlie Finley. After the season, the A's will trade Tanner to the Pittsburgh Pirates for catcher Manny Sanguillen.

1974 On December 18, 1974, Hall of Famer Harry Hooper dies at the age of 87. Considered a standout defensive outfielder, Hooper batted .281 over a 17-year career with the Boston Red Sox and Chicago White Sox. He was elected to the Hall of Fame in 1971.

1973 On December 18, 1973, the New York Yankees announce the signing of Dick Williams as manager. Oakland A's owner Charlie Finley will not allow the Yankees to hire Williams without compensation, negating the deal. Williams had resigned as A's manager after Oakland won its second straight World Series.

1967 On December 18, 1967, Dan Holmes, founder of The Baseball Page is born in Plainwell, Michigan. Holmes will author a book about Ty Cobb, with whom he shares a birthday, and will work for six years for the National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum in Cooperstown, NY.

1958 On December 18, 1958, Brooklyn Dodgers shortstop Pee Wee Reese announces his retirement at age 40. A slick-fielding shortstop, Reese batted .269 over a 16-year career. Reese will become a coach with the transplanted Los Angeles Dodgers.

1956 On December 18, 1956, former New York Yankee star Phil Rizzuto signs on as one of the team's radio and television broadcasters. Rizzuto, a future Hall of Famer, will remain with the Yankees as an announcer until 1996.

1886 On December 18, 1886, Tyrus Raymond Cobb is born in a rural Georgian farming community known as "The Narrows." He makes his major league debut in 1905 at the age of 18, and plays 24 seasons in the big leagues, retiring with more hits, runs scored, RBI, and stolen bases than any other player in history. His .367 career batting average and 12 batting titles have never been surpassed. In 1936, Cobb will receive 222 votes out of a possible 226 and be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame as part of the first class.