On March 8 in Baseball History... 1900 - In New York, the N.L. meets, voting to shrink to eight teams. They pay the Baltimore owners $30,000 for their franchise, with Charles Ebbets and Ned Hanlon reserving the right to sell the players. Cleveland, Louisville, and Washington receive $10,000 each, with Louisville owner Barney Dreyfuss sending most of his players to his Pittsburgh team. The circuit will remain the same until the Boston Braves move to Milwaukee in 1953. 1913 - The Federal League is organized as a six-team outlaw circuit and elects John T. Powers president. It will play 120 games at a level equivalent to the lower minor leagues, but will enhance its status considerably in 1914 to challenge the major leagues. 1923 - Judge Kenesaw Mountain Landis allows former Giants left-handed pitcher Rube Benton to return to the N.L.. Benton had admitted prior knowledge of the 1919 World Series fix, but he remained in baseball, winning 22 for St. Paul (American Association). N.L. President John Heydler disagrees with Landis, calling Benton undesirable, but does not stop the Reds from signing him. Benton, 35, will be 14-10 for the second-place Reds. 1930 - Babe Ruth signs a two-year contract for $160,000 with New York. At $80,000 per year, he is the highest paid player of all time as of 1930.
Posted on: Sun, 09 Mar 2014 02:19:36 +0000
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