Hey everyone! Welcome to the weekly show where we look back and forward at some of the biggest news stories affecting the sport we love. Whether it's a broken home run record, a famous player’s birth, or a significant franchise trade, we'll have it covered.
I’m Jeff Lambert, and this is This Week in Baseball History.
Memorable Events This Week
February 27, 1901
The N.L. Rules Committee decrees that all fouls are to count as strikes, except after two strikes.
February 28, 1966
Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale begin a joint holdout of the Dodgers. They seek an unprecedented three-year, $1.05 million contract to be divided evenly.
March 1, 1969
Mickey Mantle retires. He ends his career with 2,415 hits and 536 home runs in 18 years with the New York Yankees, which would have certainly been higher if not for persistent knee injuries.
March 2, 1874
The batter's box is officially adopted at the fourth meeting of the Professional Association in Boston. It is also decided that expulsion will be the penalty for any player betting on his own team and any player betting on any other team will forfeit his pay
March 3, 1956
To keep the Giants in New York, Manhattan Borough President Hulan Jack makes plans for a new 110,000-seat stadium over the New York Central railroad tracks, on a 470,000-foot site stretching from 60th to 72nd streets on Manhattan's West Side. The estimated cost of $75M for the stadium eventually dooms the project and will be a significant factor in Horace Stoneham's decision to move to San Francisco.
March 4, 1913
The Yankees are the first team to train outside the U.S. when they travel to Bermuda for spring practice.
March 5, 1973
Yankees teammates Fritz Peterson and Mike Kekich arrive at spring training and announce they have swapped their wives and families. Even the family dogs were traded.
Focus Story: Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale’s Joint Holdout of the LA Dodgers
Sandy Koufax and Don Drysdale, both star pitchers for the Los Angeles Dodgers, began a joint holdout in 1966 to negotiate better contracts with the team.
At the time, Koufax and Drysdale were two of the best pitchers in the major leagues, and they felt that they were not being paid what they were worth. The Dodgers had won the World Series in 1963 and 1965, with Koufax and Drysdale playing key roles in those championship teams.
Koufax and Drysdale demanded that their contracts be renegotiated, and they both refused to report to spring training until a deal was reached. The holdout lasted for several weeks and generated significant media attention.
Eventually, the Dodgers caved to the pressure and agreed to increase Koufax and Drysdale's salaries. Koufax went on to have another outstanding season in 1966, and he retired at the end of the year due to chronic arm injuries. Drysdale continued to pitch for several more years, although his effectiveness declined somewhat after the holdout.
The holdout by Koufax and Drysdale is often cited as a key moment in the history of player contract negotiations in professional sports, as it demonstrated that even star players could hold out for better deals and win.
Current News
1) Czech Republic are the World Baseball Classic's Underdog Stars
The Czech Republic baseball team is gearing up for its first appearance in the World Baseball Classic. Despite being considered an underdog, the team is confident in their abilities and excited to compete globally.
The team comprises a mix of experienced veterans and young up-and-comers, and they hope to surprise the competition with their energy and enthusiasm. While the group faces many challenges, including a lack of funding and limited access to high-quality training facilities, they are determined to make the most of their opportunity and represent their country with pride.
The Czech Republic team's journey to the World Baseball Classic has been a long and challenging one, but they are ready to prove themselves on the world stage. The team is focused on building a strong team culture and staying positive, even when facing adversity. With a combination of talent, hard work, and a little bit of luck, the Czech Republic team hopes to make a splash in the tournament and inspire a new generation of baseball players in their country.
Read more about this inspiring team in Michael Clair’s article from MLB.com.
2) The MLB’s New Rules Are Showing Encouraging Signs in Spring Training
The introduction of a pitch clock in Major League Baseball has been controversial, with some fans and players worried that it would change the nature of the game.
However, according to Zach Crizer from Yahoo Sports, the pitch clock is actually a positive development that helps to bring baseball back to its roots. The author argues that the pitch clock forces pitchers to throw more strikes and puts the focus back on the art of pitching rather than the pace of the game.
The article also notes that the pitch clock is not a new idea; it has been used in various forms throughout baseball history. By bringing back this old tradition, MLB is embracing the sport's heritage and paying homage to the great pitchers of the past. Ultimately, the pitch clock is seen as a way to help modernize the game and make it more appealing to a new generation of fans, while also staying true to the sport's rich history and traditions.
Conclusion
That's all for this edition of This Week in Baseball History. Be sure to check back next week for more memorable moments, current news, and updates from around the league!
This Week in Baseball History