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This Day in Baseball History
January 31st

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12 Fact(s) Found
1959 Joe Cronin signs a seven-year deal to become the American League president. The former Red Sox infielder will remain in the post until 1973, when he will be succeeded by Lee MacPhail.
1961 Houston voters approve financing for a domed stadium removing the last hurdle to gaining a major league franchise for the Texas city. The Astrodome, the eighth wonder of the world, will be the result of today's approval and will serve as the Astros home from 1965-1999.
1977 One-time Indian infielder Joe Sewell, former Giants hurler Amos Rusie, and Al Lopez, as a manager of the White Sox, are elected to the Hall of Fame. Their selection to the Cooperstown shrine is made by the Veterans Committee.
1980 The Astros sign free-agent second baseman Joe Morgan. Houston was the first major league team the two-time MVP played with before he was traded to the Reds and became a cog in the Big Red Machine.
1983 Future Hall of Famer Tony Perez signs a one-year contract with the Phillies. The veteran first baseman will hit .241 appearing in 91 games in his only season with Philadelphia
2000 Commissioner Bud Selig suspends John Rocker until May 1 due to the Braves closer's racial and ethnic insensitive remarks reported in Sports Illustrated. The 25-year old reliever is also fined and ordered to attend sensitivity training.
2001 The Wall Street Journal quotes former players Monte Irvin, Sal Yvars and Al Gettel admitting the team stole catchers' signs during the 1951 pennant race when the Giants overcame the Dodgers' 13 1/2-game lead. According to the WSJ report, Bobby Thomson, whose three-run, ninth-inning walk-off homer in Game 3 of the National League playoffs won the pennant for New York, did not steal a sign before hitting his historic home run.
2003 In an effort to secure funding for a major re-design of the 12-year old 'new' Comiskey Park, the White Sox announce the ballpark will now be known as U.S. Cellular Field. The 23-year deal with the wireless service provider, which will pay the White Sox $68 million, changes the name of the home used by the Southsiders since 1910.
2007 At New York’s Gracey Mansion, Major League Baseball announces the 2008 All Star Game will be played at Yankee Stadium for the fourth time (1939, 1960, 1977) in the ballpark’s history. The annual Midsummer Classic will showcase the historic ‘House that Ruth Built’ in its final season as the home of the Bronx Bombers.
2008 Pedro Feliz (.253, 20, 72) and the Phillies come to terms on an $8.5 million, two-year contract which could be worth up to $15 million over three years with an option and various performance bonuses. The versatile free-agent third baseman helps the club to shore up its weakness at the hot corner.
2008 Brad Wilkerson (.234, 20, 62) signs a one-year, $3 million contract to roam the outfield for the Mariners. The acquisition of the free-agent flycatcher may be an indication that the much anticipated trade with the Orioles for southpaw Erik Bedard is close, as Seattle includes outfielder Adam Jones to Baltimore as part of the deal.
2011 Rafael Betancourt becomes the fifth non-free agent to sign a multiyear deal with the Rockies when he agrees to a new contract that calls for $4 million in 2012 and includes a $4.25 million mutual option for the following season. The 35-year old right-handed reliever joins shortstop Troy Tulowitzki, outfielder Carlos Gonzalez, and hurlers Matt Lindstrom and Jason Hammel to be offered an extended deal from Colorado this offseason.
12 Fact(s) Found