Braves History
1979 – The Atlanta Braves sign relief pitcher Al Hrabosky, a reentry free agent formerly with the Kansas City Royals, to a five-year pact worth $2.2 million.
1997 – Free agent first baseman Andres Galarraga
signs a three-year $24.8 million contract with the Atlanta Braves, ending a five-year stint with the Colorado Rockies that helped put Colorado on the baseball map. Galarraga batted .316 with 172 home runs and 579 RBI with the Rockies, including a National League batting crown in 1993, consecutive RBI titles in 1996 and 1997, and a home run title in 1997.
2015 – Several trades are made today. The Tigers obtain OF Cameron Maybin from the Braves for Ps Ian Krol and Gabe Speier.
MLB History
1884 – The National League agrees to allow overhand pitching, but rules that pitchers must keep both feet on the ground throughout their pitching motion in order to reduce the velocity of their pitches. They still must throw the ball at the height requested by the batter. In addition, teams are now required to supply a separate bench for each club at their park to limit inter-team fraternization.
1888 – The Joint Rules Committee reduces the number of balls for a walk from five to four, establishing the four balls/three strikes count that remains in effect to this day. It also eliminates an out on a foul tip if the catcher catches it within 10 feet of home plate.
2001 – Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro Suzuki becomes only the second rookie in major league history to win the Most Valuable Player Award. He had earlier won the Rookie of the Year Award, joining Boston Red Sox outfielder Fred Lynn, who achieved this double distinction in 1975.
2007 – Phillies shortstop Jimmy Rollins wins the 2007 National League Most Valuable Player Award. Rollins is the first major league player with at least 200 hits, 30 homers, 15 triples and 25 stolen bases in a season and also won the Gold Glove Award. Rollins is the second straight Philadelphia Phillies player to be named MVP, following Ryan Howard in 2006. Rollins edges Matt Holliday of the Colorado Rockies in the closest vote in 16 years.
2012 – The Blue Jays bring back John Gibbons for a second stint as the club’s manager, a position he had last occupied in 2008. His second run will be much more successful than his first one, as he will guide the Jays to two postseason appearances.
Information for this article was found via Baseball Reference, NationalPastime.com and Today in Baseball History.
