1867 – Denton True Young is born in Gilmore, Ohio. He will earn the nickname Cy for his cyclone-like pitching motion and he will win (and lose) more games than any pitcher in history with a 511-316 record and 2.63 ERA over 22 seasons. He wins 20 or more games 15 times and tops the 30-win mark five times.
1954 – Phil Cavarretta gives Cubs owner Phil Wrigley an honest assessment of the team’s chances, and is fired for his defeatist attitude, becoming the first manager ever to be given the gate during spring training. Stan Hack replaces him. Cavarretta is right and the Cubs will end the season in seventh place.
1975 – Mel Stottlemyre is released by the Yankees, ending his MLB career.
1983 – While some clubs are concerned about low attendance at the start of the season, the Dodgers become the first team in major league history to cut off season ticket sales before the start of the season. The Dodgers, with 27,000 season tickets already sold, implement the cutoff so that group sales won’t be impeded, and fans will be able to buy tickets for individual games.
1997 – The Chipper Jones Candy Bar Chipper Jones is introduced by Malley’s Chocolates.
2000 – The Chicago Cubs and New York Mets open the season at the Tokyo Dome.
2005 – Andres Galarraga announces his retirement.
2008 – The Dodgers celebrate the 50th anniversary of their move to Los Angeles and set the attendance record for a single game
2009 – The New York Mets start the season in their new home, Citi Field.
