Today in Baseball History: January 14th

   

 

 

1988 On January 14, 1988, slugging infielder Bob Horner makes a return to the major leagues by signing a one-year contract with the St. Louis Cardinals. Horner played the 1987 season with the Yakult Swallows of the Japanese League.

1987 On January 14, 1987, the baseball writers elect Catfish Hunter and Billy Williams to the Hall of Fame. Hunter, a five-time 20-game winner, won 224 games during a 15-year career. Hunter also pitched on five World Championship teams with the New York Yankees and Oakland A's. Williams spent most of his 18-year career with the Chicago Cubs, where he played in a record 1,117 consecutive games. Williams won the National League Rookie of the Year in 1961.

1981 On January 14, 1981, Frank Robinson is named manager of the San Francisco Giants, replacing the fired Dave Bristol. In 1975, Robinson became the first black manager in major league history when he was hired by the Cleveland Indians.

1970 On January 14, 1970, former pitcher Johnny Murphy, who starred in relief for the Yankees in the 1930s and 1940s, dies of a heart attack at the age of 61. At the time of his death, Murphy was serving as general manager of the New York Mets.

1963 On January 14, 1963, the Baltimore Orioles and Chicago White Sox exchange future Hall of Famers in a blockbuster seven-player trade. The Orioles send pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm and three other players to the White Sox for shortstop Luis Aparicio and third baseman-outfielder Al Smith. Wilhelm will save 21 games for the Sox in '63, while Aparicio will lead the American League in stolen bases.

1954 On January 14, 1954, Joe DiMaggio of the New York Yankees marries famed movie actress Marilyn Monroe.

1940 On January 14, 1940, 91 players in the Detroit farm system are set free by commissioner Kenesaw Mountain Landis, who rules that the organization had improperly handled the players and makes them free agents. Among the notable players effected by the ruling who go on to major league careers are outfielders Roy Cullenbine and Benny McCoy, and pitcher Johnny Sain.

1919 On January 14, 1919, a trio, led by Wall Street tycoon Charles A. Stoneham, buys the New York Giants. The other investors include manager John McGraw and politician Francis X. McQuade of New York. Stoneham rose from a job as a runner on Wall Street, to the president of a huge investment firm to make his millions.

1911 On January 14, 1911, the St. Louis Browns name star shortstop Bobby Wallace their new player-manager. The future Hall of Famer will perform dual duties until 1912, when he will surrender his managerial position but continue as an active player.