1897 – Cleveland Spiders secure a deal with Holy Cross standout Louis “Chief” Sockalexis. Renowned for his exceptional abilities, Sockalexis swiftly garners admiration from Spiders fans, leading to the team’s eventual adoption of the Indians moniker. Despite his prowess, Sockalexis’s tenure spans only three years due to struggles with alcoholism, yet the Indian name resurfaces in 1915 as the team’s official title.1936 – Babe Ruth turns down an offer by Reds general manager Larry MacPhail to make a comeback as a player. Ruth, who retired in June 1935, is inclined to accept the offer at first, but after talking it over with his wife, Claire, he says he has put on too much weight and is concerned about injuries to his legs if he returns as a player.
1946 – Ted Williams is offered $500,000 to play in the Mexican League. He stays in the U.S. and captures the A.L. MVP while leading the Red Sox to the pennant.
1963 – The official Mets them song, “Meet The Mets”, is released.
1972 – Players on the White Sox vote 31-0 in favor of a strike, if necessary, during negotiations between players and owners. The dispute centers around health and pension benefits for players. This is the first of a series of landmark team votes.
1979 – Commissioner Bowie Kuhn issues a notice to all clubs urging that all reporters, regardless of sex, be treated equally in the matter of access to locker rooms.
1981 – Carlton Fisk signs a free agent contract with the White Sox
1995 – Major League baseball announces two new expansion teams, the Arizona Diamondback and Tampa Bay Devil Rays.
