Today in Baseball History: December 20th

 

 

1978 On December 20, 1978, famed baseball cartoonist Willard Mullin dies at the age of 76. Mullin gained fame for his creation and depiction of the "Brooklyn Bum," a fictional cartoon character who epitomized the frustrations of the Brooklyn Dodgers.

1978 On December 20, 1978, former major league infielder Don Blasingame becomes the first American to manage a team in the Japanese leagues. Blasingame, who played for 12 seasons with the St. Louis Cardinals, San Francisco Giants, Cincinnati Reds, Washington Senators, and Kansas City A's, is named the skipper of the Hanshin Tigers… On December 20, 1990, the Chicago White Sox sign free agent pitcher Charlie Hough, who spent the past 11 seasons with the Texas Rangers. The veteran knuckleballer won 12 games for the Rangers in 1990.

1972 On December 20, 1972, Hall of Fame catcher Gabby Hartnett dies on his 72nd birthday. Hartnett batted .297 over a 20-year career with the Chicago Cubs and New York Giants. Hartnett gained election to the Hall of Fame in 1955…

1960 On December 20, 1960, Charlie Finley buys the 52 per cent of the Kansas City A's contained in the estate of the late Arnold Johnson. The controversial Finley will try to escape his lease with Kansas City's Municipal Stadium almost immediately and will eventually move the team to Oakland in time for the 1968 season…

1900 On December 20, 1900, future Hall of Famer Gabby Hartnett is born in Woonsocket, Rhode Island. Hartnett will hit 236 home runs during a 20-year career with the Chicago Cubs and New York Giants.