1871 – The National Association of Professional Baseball Players is founded setting the stage for the future National League (1876). The entry fee for a National Association franchise is set at $10.
1936 – Much-heralded rookie Joe DiMaggio makes his spring training debut with the Yankees, collecting four hits, including a triple.
1946 – In Daytona Beach, the Dodgers take the field against their minor-league farm team, the Montreal Royals. With Jackie Robinson in the lineup for Montreal, the game marks the first appearance of an integrated team in organized baseball in this century. More than 40 years later, the field will be renamed Jackie Robinson Ballpark.
1953 – Bill Veeck says that he will accept an offer of $2.475 million for his 80 percent of the St. Louis Browns’ stock. Baltimore Mayor D’Alesandro seeks a syndicate to buy Veeck out. The group will eventually purchase 206,250 shares at $12 per share.
1965 – Jackie Robinson becomes the first black broadcaster
1969 – St. Louis Cardinals trade former National League MVP Orlando Cepeda to the Atlanta Braves for catcher/first baseman Joe Torre
1976 – Commissioner Bowie Kuhn orders teams to open spring training camps as soon as possible, ending a 17-day work stoppage.. All teams will comply within 48 hours.
1977 – Federal Judge Frank McGarr rules in favor of Bowie Kuhn, saying that the commissioner acted within his authority in voiding the 1976 player sales engineered by A’s owner Charlie Finley.
1978 – For the St. Patrick’s Day exhibition game, the Reds don green uniforms, rather than their traditional red, starting an annual ritual. The Cardinals and other teams will follow suit.
