1923 – Two Black Sox sue the White Sox. Swede Risberg and Happy Felsch seek $400,000 damages and $6,750 in back salary for conspiracy and injury to reputation in the aftermath of the scandalous 1919 World Series court case. Their suit will be unsuccessful.
1966 – University of Southern California pitcher Tom Seaver signs with the Mets for a reported $50,000 bonus. A selection of the Braves in the January free-agent draft, Seaver signs with Atlanta’s Richmond farm club a month later, after the start of USC’s baseball schedule. A ruling on the violation nets Richmond a $500 fine and forbids Atlanta from signing Seaver for three years. However, Seaver is also declared ineligible at the college level, so an unprecedented special draft is held. Three clubs willing to match Richmond’s $40,000 contract are the Indians, Phillies, and Mets. New York’s name is drawn from a hat as the winner.
1969 – The Rusty Staub trade with Montreal is finally settled when the Astros accept pitchers Skip Guinn and Jack Billingham, along with $100,000, instead of first baseman Donn Clendenon. Jesus Alou was to accompany Clendenon to Houston and he remains part of the deal.
1985 – The Players’ Association agrees to the owners’ proposal to expand the 1985 League Championship Series from the best-of-five games to best-of-seven.
1987 – The Cubs trade veteran pitcher Dennis Eckersley and minor leaguer Dan Rohn to the A’s for three minor leaguers.
1989 – The Mets win their 11th consecutive home opener, an 8-4 decision over St. Louis at Shea Stadium. They’ve now won on Opening Day in 18 of the last 20 seasons.
1997 – Jimmy Key makes his debut with the Orioles, beating the Royals, 4 – 2, to run his opening day record to 7-0.
2000 – The season opens with Five multi-homer games, a new record. The record is set by Gabe Kapler, Ivan Rodriguez, Vladimir Guerrero, Eric Karros and Jason Giambi.
2011 – Ranger teammates Ian Kinsler and Nelson Cruz become the first pair of players to homer in each of the first three games in a season playing for the same team.
