1889 – The Philadelphia Quakers, renamed the Phillies the next year, head for Jacksonville, Florida, for spring training. No other major league clubs will train in the Deep South this season.
1909 – The Pittsburgh Pirates begin construction on Forbes Field.
1947 – In anticipation of the signing of the first black players, Bill Veeck, a resident of Phoenix, sets up a spring training camp there for the Cleveland Indians. Arizona is chosen because of its relatively tolerant racial climate. During the season, Veeck will sign the A.L.’s first black player, Larry Doby, who will train at the Arizona camp. The Giants also set up camp in Arizona, while the Dodgers move their training camp from Florida to Havana, Cuba.
1949 – In a bid to secure a rental increase from their Sportsman’s Park tenants, the St. Louis Browns opt to evict the Cardinals. The Redbirds counter by accusing the owners of lease violations, leaving uncertainty about their home game venue as the season draws near.
1967 – William Eckert approves the Baseball Writers Association of America’s plan to select a Cy Young Award recipient from both the National and American Leagues.
1969 – Mickey Mantle retires. He ends his career with 2,415 hits and 536 home runs in 18 years with the New York Yankees, numbers that would have certainly been higher if not for persistent knee injuries.
1993 – New York Yankees owner George Steinbrenner resumes his role as the team’s general partner after his suspension from baseball.
2012 – Boston Red Sox captain Jason Varitek announces his retirement
2015 – Minnie Minoso passes away in Chicago, IL, at the age of either 92 or 89, as there remains uncertainty surrounding his actual date of birth.
