MLB recognizes historic Negro Leagues as โMajor Leagueโ
Major League Baseball (MLB) is finally recognizing the historic Negro Leagues as part of its own history -- counting the statistics and records of thousands of Black baseball players. The MLB is now recognizing more than 3,400 players as โMajor Leagueโ players for the first time in history. โItโs overdue, but itโs a bittersweet moment because most of the guys are gone,โ said Negro League historian Louis Manley Jr. Between 1920 and 1948, four major Negro League teams played in Detroit. He could do it all,โ Rosilyn Stearnes said of her father Turkey Stearns.
Former Detroit Tigers closer Jose Valverde listed on 2020 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot
DETROIT Jose Valverde -- one of the most reliable, albeit frustrating, closers from this era of Detroit Tigers baseball -- is listed as one of 32 finalists on the 2020 Baseball Hall of Fame ballot. Jose Valverde #46 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates after defeating the Los Angeles Angels of Anaheim at Comerica Park on August 26, 2012 in Detroit, Michigan. He was most dominant his first five seasons with the Diamondbacks, but recorded the most saves in Detroit. Jose Valverde #46 of the Detroit Tigers celebrates following their win against the Boston Red Sox during the game on August 1, 2012 at Fenway Park in Boston, Massachusetts. The Hall of Fame ballot also features former Tigers players Carlos Pena, Brad Penny and Gary Sheffield.
Brandy Halladay gives Hall of Fame induction speech for her late husband
Brandy Halladay speaks on behalf of her late husband, Roy Halladay, during the Baseball Hall of Fame induction ceremony at Clark Sports Center on July 21, 2019, in Cooperstown, New York. One of those former players was Roy Halladay, who was one of the most dominating starting pitchers of his era. In her late husband's place on Sunday, Brandy Halladay took the stage and gave an emotional induction speech. Brandy Halladay went on to thank the baseball writers who voted for Halladay in his first year on the ballot. "Roy's natural talent was obviously a huge part of this," Brandy Halladay said.
On this day: August 23
2002: Baseball Hall of Fame pitcher Hoyt Wilhelm, recognized as the first pitcher to save 200 games in his career and the first pitcher to appear in 1,000 games, dies at age 80 in Sarasota, Florida. One of the oldest players to have pitched in the major-leagues, last pitching just 16 days short of his 50th birthday, he retired in 1972 with the lowest career earned run average of any major-league hurler after 1927 who pitched more than 2,000 innings. Wilhelm pitched for 10 different teams in his career, earning an All-Star berth eight times and winning a World Series title with the New York Giants in 1954. Hide Caption
On this day: August 13
2007: Baseball Hall of Fame shortstop Phil Rizzuto, who spent his entire 13-year baseball career with the New York Yankees, dies at age 89 in West Orange, New Jersey. The five-time All-Star won seven World Series championships with the Yankees and was named the American League MVP in 1950. Following his playing career, Rizzuto went on to a 40-year career as a radio and television sports announcer for the Yankees. Hide Caption
On this day: August 12
2002: Baseball Hall of Fame right fielder Enos Slaughter dies of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma at age 86 in Durham, North Carolina. Slaughter (seen here in 1999) played for four different teams during his 19-year baseball career, but is best known for the years he spent with the St. Louis Cardinals. A 10-time All-Star whose career was interrupted by military service during World War II, he was a part of four World Series champion teams, winning titles in 1942 and 1946 with the Cardinals and in 1956 and 1958 with the New York Yankees. Hide Caption