On November 18 in Baseball History... 1886 - The Pittsburgh Alleghenys leave the American Association to join the National League. After a few name changes, including the Innocents, the team will become known as the Pirates in 1891.
1914 - The Cubs hire future Hall of Famer Roger Bresnahan to manage the team. The former Cardinal skipper will stay for just a year as Chicago finishes the season in fourth place with a 73-80 record.
1947 - The Browns trade All-Star shortstop Vern Stephens and pitcher Jack Kramer to the Red Sox for six players and $310,000. The dealing will continue tomorrow as Ellis Kinder and Billy Hitchc0ck also go to Boston in exchange for three more St. Louis players and $65,000, making the total number of players traded 13 (4 Browns, 9 Red Sox) along with $375,000 going to the cash deprived Browns.
1949 - Dodger second baseman Jackie Robinson (.342, 16, 124) becomes the first black player to win the MVP Award. Stan Musial, Ralph Kiner, and teammate Pee Wee Reese are the runners-ups in the BBWAA balloting.
1951 - Wanting to stay in California, minor leaguer Chuck Connors , an infielder for the PCL's Los Angeles Angels, becomes the first player to refuse to participate in the major league draft. The former Cub first baseman's refusal to leave the Pacific Coast League allows the minor leagues to ask for more money for big league talent.
1954 - The A's hire Lou Boudreau to replace skipper Eddie Joost, who is given his unconditional release as a player-manager. During his three-year tenure in Kansas City, the future Hall of Famer will pilot the second-division club to a 151-260 record.
1959 - Harry Craft is replaced by Bob Elliott as the A's manager. During his three-year stint in Kansas City, 'Wildfire' compiled a 162-196 (.453) record finishing in seventh place each season.
1959 - Outfielder Bob Allison of Washington is voted the American League Rookie of the Year. Cleveland's Jim Perry is a distant second.
1960 - Charlie Finley, 42-year-old insurance tycoon from Gary, Indiana, makes a formal bid for the new Los Angeles club.
1964 - Baltimore third baseman Brooks Robinson is voted American League Most Valuable Player, outpolling Mickey Mantle 269 to 171.
1965 - Zoilo Versalles is named American League Most Valuable Player. The Minnesota shortstop gets 275 votes to 174 for outfielder teammate Tony Oliva.
1966 - After finishing the Cy Young season with a 27-9 record and a league-leading 1.73 ERA, Sandy Koufax shocks the baseball world by announcing his retirement at the age of 30. The southpaw, who has thrown four no-hitters and set the single season strikeout record last year with 382, cites his arthritic arm and the fear of permanent damage as the reason for placing himself on the voluntarily retired list.
1966 - Replacing the legendary Casey Stengel (175-404, .302) , the Mets name Wes Westrum as the team's second manager in the franchise's brief history. The former Giant catcher had taken over the club reins after the 'Old Perfessor' had fractured his hip in July.
1970 - Johnny Bench wins the National League Most Valuable Player Award with 326 points, 108 more than Billy Williams of the Cubs. Bench had 45 homers, 148 RBI, and a .293 average for the Reds.
1980 - Despite having missed 45 games with injuries, George Brett is named American League Most Valuable Player. The 27-year-old third baseman's .390 average was the highest in the major leagues since Ted Williams hit .406 in 1941, and he added 24 home runs and 118 RBI to lead Kansas City to its first American League pennant.
1981 - Phillies third baseman Mike Schmidt wins his second consecutive National League Most Valuable Player Award, joining Ernie Banks and Joe Morgan as the only National League players to take the award back-to-back. Schmidt hit .316 with 31 home runs and 91 RBI in the abbreviated season and also led the league in runs and walks.
1981 - Dick Williams replaces Frank Howard as manager of the last-place Padres. The future Hall of Fame skipper, who has won three pennants and two World Series in the last 14 years as a major league pilot, will lead San Diego to a National League pennant in 1984.
1984 - Dwight Gooden becomes the second consecutive Met player to be named the National League’s Rookie of Year. The 19-year right-hander, who compiled a 17-9 record along with a 1.53 ERA and a league-leading 268 strikeouts, joins his teammate and close friend Darryl Strawberry to be honored the coveted freshman award.
1985 - Dwight Gooden (National League) and Bret Saberhagen (American League) win the Cy Young Award in their respective leagues. Willie McGee, meanwhile, wins the National League Most Valuable Player Award, capping a season in which he led the league in batting average (.353) and hits (216) and also stole 56 bases for St. Louis.
1986 - Roger Clemens becomes the first starting pitcher to win the American League Most Valuable Player Award since Vida Blue in 1971, receiving 19 of a possible 28 first-place votes to defeat runner-up Don Mattingly.
1987 - Cubs outfielder Andre Dawson becomes the first player from a last-place club ever to win an Most Valuable Player Award, taking National League honors with .287 average, 49 home runs, and 137 RBI.
1987 - George Bell (.308. 47, 134) is selected as the American League's Most Valuable Player making the San Pedro de Macoris native the first Dominican to win the prestigious award. The Blue Jays' all-star left fielder narrowly beat out Tigers shortstop Alan Trammell, who received 12 of the 28 first-place votes cast by the writers.
1991 - President George H. W. Bush presents Red Sox legend Ted Williams, along with former first lady Betty Ford and former House Speaker Thomas ''Tip'' O'Neill, the Presidential Medal of Freedom. Yankee Clipper Joe DiMaggio (1977) and Dodger great Jackie Robinson (1984, posthumously) have also been honored with the highest civilian award in the United States.
1997 - The expansion draft, and a dizzying series of trades, result in dozens of players packing their bags. Two pitchers who appeared in the World Series a month earlier, Tony Saunders of the Marlins and Brian Anderson of the Indians, are the first players taken. Saunders, the first player chosen overall, heads a list of new Tampa Bay Devil Rays that includes Quinton McCracken, Bubba Trammell, Albie Lopez, and Terrell Wade, plus Fred McGriff, a Tampa native who arrives in a trade after the draft. The Arizona Diamondbacks, who signed shortstop Jay Bell to a five-year contract the day before the draft, select Jeff Suppan, Gabe Alvarez, Jorge Fabergas and Karim Garcia. The trade that makes perhaps the biggest splash is National League Cy Young winner Pedro Martinez going from Montreal to Boston.
1998 - In a close race, Juan Gonzalez wins the American League's Most Valuable Player award when he barely outpoints Mariners shortstop Alex Rodriguez, 290-287. The Rangers outfielder, who was also selected as the AL's MVP in 1996, becomes the first Latin American native to win the prestigious prize multiple times.
2000 - The Mariners sign Orix Blue Wave's Ichiro Suzuki to a three-year deal making him the first Japanese position player in major league history. Although terms of the contract were not disclosed, Seattle agrees to pay $13 million to his former team for the right to negotiate with Japan's best hitter.
2002 - The Braves, Marlins, and Rockies complete a three-team trade which sends starting pitcher Mike Hampton and outfielder Juan Pierre to Florida with backstop Charles Johnson, outfielder Preston Wilson, southpaw reliever Vic Darensbourg and infield prospect Pablo Ozuna to the Colorado. The Marlins then sent Hampton to the Braves in exchange for righty reliever Tim Spooneybarger and pitching prospect Ryan Baker.
2004 - Although the Expos may not know where they are playing next season (the final MLB approval for Washington, DC has been postponed) or the team’s new name, the former Montreal franchise will know who is the club’s manager. Frank Robinson, after compiling a 233-253 record despite many restrictions and hardships, will return to the helm for his fourth year as the skipper of this nomad ship.
2008 - Joining Cal Ripken Jr. (Orioles - 1983) and Ryan Howard (Phillies - 2006), Dustin Pedroia (.326, 17, 83) becomes the third player in major league history to win the Most Valuable Player award a season after being selected as the Rookie of the Year. The scrappy Gold Glove second baseman, the 10th Red Sox player to earn the American League honor, received 16 of the 28 first-place votes to easily outdistance heavy-hitting Twins first baseman Justin Morneau (.300, 23, 129).
2008 - Ryan Dempster (17-6, 2.96) and the Cubs agree to a $52 million, four-year deal. The 31-year-old right-handed stater had been the club's closer saving 87 games in 102 chances during the 2005-07 seasons.
2008 - Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice introduces Ken Griffey, Jr. as an American Public Diplomacy Envoy, a position in which the future Hall of Famer will represent the “values of the United States, not the government of the United States". The free-agent outfielder, who played for the Reds and White Sox last season, joins Cal Ripken Jr. as a major leaguer serving his country in the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs.
2009 - Jim Tracy is named the National League Manager of the Year becoming the just the second person to cop the honor after taking over a team during the season, joining Jack McKeon for 2003 Marlins. The 53-year-old skipper, who piloted the Rockies to the NL Wild Card from a 14.5 game deficit on May 29, is rewarded by Colorado with a three-year contract.
2009 - Mike Scioscia is named the AL Manager of the Year for the second time. The 50-year old Angels skipper, who piloted the club to its third consecutive division title and sixth postseason appearance in the last eight years, guided Los Angeles past a myriad of injuries to key players and helped to ease the team's deep sorrow caused by the sudden death of starter Nick Adenhart in a fatal car accident in April just hours after the 22-year old had earned a victory for the team.
2010 - A day after he is selected as the American League Manager of the Year, Ron Gardenhire accepts a two-year extension through the 2013 season from the Twins. The 53-year-old skipper, who has won six division titles in his nine years with the team, has compiled a record of 803-656 (.550) during his tenure in Minnesota.
2010 - Free-agent backstop John Buck signs a three-year, $18 million contract to catch for the Marlins, the team that sought his services a minute after free agency opened. The signing of the 30-year old catcher, who enjoyed a career year with the Blue Jays, hitting .281 with 20 home runs, continues Florida's active participation in the early off-season, that also includes the acquisition of four relievers and an infielder.
2010 - Despite an unspectacular 13-12 record, Felix Hernandez is named the American League Cy Young Award winner ahead of Tampa Bay's David Price (19-6) and New York's CC Sabathia (21-7). King Felix's league-leading 2.27 ERA and the lack of run support provided by the last-place Mariners made the Seattle ace an easy choice for the Baseball Writers’ Association of America, who placed him first on 21 of the 28 ballots cast.
2011 - The Cubs introduce Dale Sveum as the fifth-place team's new manager replacing Mike Quade, who was fired at the end of the season by Chicago's new GM Theo Epstein. The 52nd manager in franchise history, whose managerial experience consists of sixteen games as Milwaukee's interim skipper in 2008, is considered a no-nonsense baseball lifer who will stress the game's fundamentals while implementing “high standards of accountability” for the players.
2013 - Tim Hudson agrees to a two-year deal, reportedly worth $23 million, to pitch for the Giants, joining a stellar rotation that includes Madison Bumgarner, Matt Cain, and Tim Lincecum. The 38 year-old right-hander compiled an 8-7 record with a 3.97 ERA last season for the Braves, before sustaining a season-ending ankle injury.
2014 - The Mets announce the team is moving in sections of the Citi Field outfield wall, adjusting the distances from home plate to center and right field from three to 11 feet. According to New York's General Manager Sandy Alderson, the modifications are a refinement of previous changes made at the ballpark and will continue to be fair to both pitchers and hitters.
2014 - Three-time All-Star backstop Russell Martin and the Blue Jays finalize a five-year, $82-million contract, the second-largest free-agent deal in franchise history. The acquisition of the 31 year-old Canadian-born catcher, who led the Pirates to playoff appearances for the past two seasons, signals Toronto intention of being a contender in the AL East next year.
2014 - The Chicago White Sox signed Zach Duke as a free agent. 2015 - The Milwaukee Brewers traded Francisco Rodriguez to the Detroit Tigers in exchange for Javier Betancourt and player to be named.
Baseball Birthdays on November 18... 1857 - Munce, John
1860 - McLaughlin, Jim
1863 - McGuire, Deacon
1869 - Johnson, John
1872 - Griffith, Frank
1874 - Fox, Henry
1882 - Coombs, Jack
1882 - Shipke, Bill
1884 - Vowinkel, Rip
1886 - Gregory, Howie
1889 - Shook, Ray
1892 - Dibut, Pedro
1892 - Trekell, Harry
1893 - Hauger, Arthur
1893 - Mann, Les
1896 - Hughes, Bill
1899 - Kelly, Ren
1899 - Ulrich, Dutch
1900 - Marquis, Jim
1900 - Shields, Vince
1909 - Merena, Spike
1909 - Coscarart, Joe
1910 - Cicero, Joe
1912 - Fuchs, Charlie
1916 - Burkhart, Ken
1921 - Layton, Les
1922 - Wahl, Kermit
1924 - Nelson, Rocky
1924 - Wise, Roy
1925 - Mauch, Gene
1926 - Sievers, Roy 1928 - Lombardo, Lou
1932 - McDevitt, Danny
1933 - Raydon, Curt
1936 - Hook, Jay
1938 - Zipfel, Bud
1940 - Koonce, Cal
1941 - Slaughter, Sterling
1943 - Shellenback, Jim
1943 - Joyce, Dick
1952 - Briggs, Dan
1952 - Henderson, Steve
1953 - Rondon, Gilberto
1954 - Stimac, Craig
1955 - Pujols, Luis
1958 - Pastornicky, Cliff
1959 - Heathc0ck, Jeff
1961 - Felder, Mike
1962 - Moyer, Jamie
1963 - Bichette, Dante
1965 - Petkovsek, Mark
1965 - Howard, Chris 1965 - Hemond, Scott
1966 - Farmer, Howard
1966 - Tucker, Eddie
1966 - Coomer, Ron
1967 - Gordon, Tom 1968 - Sheffield, Gary
1968 - Whitmore, Darrell
1968 - Bellinger, Clay
1968 - Stidham, Phil
1970 - Watson, Allen
1975 - Camp, Shawn
1975 - Ortiz, David
1975 - Wise, Matt
1978 - Hummel, Tim 1979 - Bechler, Steve
1980 - Wilson, C.J.
1982 - Leach, Brent
1983 - Buck, Travis
1985 - Billings, Bruce
1991 - Taillon, Jameson
1992 - Reed, Michael
1996 - Webb, Logan
Baseball Deaths on November 18... 1934 - Stewart, Tuffy
1939 - Helmbold, Horace
1941 - Kalbfus, Charlie
1945 - Rath, Morrie
1946 - Lush, Johnny
1948 - Regan, Joe
1951 - Mayer, Wally
1953 - McCormick, Mike
1959 - Smith, Wib
1962 - Moyer, Ed
1967 - Prendergast, Mike
1979 - Fitzsimmons, Freddie
1996 - Michaels, John
1996 - Neal, Charlie
1999 - Heard, Jay
2001 - Deutsch, Mel
2003 - Brett, Ken 2004 - Baldwin, Frank
2017 - Borkowski, Bob