1893 - First ever recording of Casey at the Bat is released and immediately shoots to #1 on the charts.  For fear of being "just another Casey", baseball players adopt a "hit it where they ain't appraoch" and all strikeouts require a quarter in the "Strikeout Jar". True story*.

(* May not be true)

1956 - During spring training, baseball tries out the automatic intentional walk.  This requires the construction of The WalkaTron 3000 by Professor Henry VanDeMeer.

VanDeMeer quickly lost control of The WalkaTron 3000 and, much to the horror of Major League Baseball, the machine tore through downtown Fort Meyers, setting it ablaze and slaughtering thousands.

(The WalkaTron 3000 was later brought down by a large, radioactive lizard awoken by The WalkaTron 3000's thundering footsteps.  Thanks radioactive lizard!)

Thanks to www.nationalpastime.com for all non-made-up info.

(And don't forget to participate in Colin's community projection)

1957 - Given all the coast-to-coast travel, MLB considers creating a player pool in the event of a plane crash.  I found this very odd, but further research shows that relaxing by a pool does, in fact, help one deal with grief.

1958 - 36 year year old Roy Campenella is involved in a call accident, breaking his neck.  Campanella, recipient of 3 MVP's during his excellent career, would never win another.

(what with being paralyzed and all)

1989 - The Game Winning RBI stat is dropped from the records, leaving Keith Hernandez the all-time leader with 129.  Despite this, the man can't get into the HOF.  Turns out VORP, WARP, OPS, OBP, SLG, RBI, RUN, and WS all win out over GWRBI in the voters mind.  But what about GHF*?

1995 - The Jerky Boys prank call Albert Belle.  He really, really doesn't like when you call him "Joey". Hillarity ensues.

2008 - Twins trade Johan Santana to the Mets for a bunch of li'l fellas.  Not even the great Santana could stave off another Mets' collapse.  Which, you know, is fantastic.

(* Grey Hair Factor, obviously.  Don't let anyone ever tell you his 'stach is trash)

Thanks to www.nationalpastime.com for all non-made-up info.

(And don't forget to participate in Colin's community projection)

1908 - Chicago White Sox are the first major league franchise to make use of the auto-mobile.  Manager Fielder Jones employed the Knox Auto-mobile as a bullpen cart, bringing to the mound closer Moxie Manuel to the raucous sounds of "Cuddle Up A Little Closer, Lovey Mine".  This drove the crowd stir-crazy and the act soon had to be discontinued.

The tradition would later be revived by reliever Rich Garces, but that was really just because he couldn't make it to the mound without assistance.

1943 - Reds trade Derringer to Cubs for cash.  Cash would later go on to write several #1 hits and star in the biopic Walk The Line.

1982 - Cubs trade Ivan DeJesus to the Phillies for Larry Bowa and Ryne Sandberg.  Given DeJesus's .194 batting average and 44 OPS+ in 1981, it's not surprising the Phillies were willing to give up a future HOFer to get him.  I just don't think they should have given up Bowa as well.

2005 - Lance Berkmann, having injured himself playing "flag football" in the offseason, earns a raise to $10.5 million*.

(* An insiders look: see how I put the quotes there?  Those are the "allegedly" quotes (those quotes weren't.  I'm not sure what those quotes are called) and signify that I suspect that he injured himself doing something more incriminating.  If he had said "slipped on fluids while heading downstairs to a strip club basement", I could have believed that.  Or, had he said "washing Jeff Kent's car", that'd also be believable.  But "flag football"? Suspect.  But I can't say that without risking being libelous, so I throw the quotes in there to signify my doubts.  GENIUS!)

Thanks to www.nationalpastime.com for all non-made-up info.

(And don't forget to participate in Colin's community projection)

1874 - Kaiser Wilhelm born.  Wait...Kaiser Wilhelm? Kaiser Wilhelm! KAISER WILHELM!!

(googling)

From wikipedia:

German foreign affairs policy under Wilhelm II was faced with a number of significant problems. Perhaps the most apparent was that William was an impatient man, subjective in his reactions and affected strongly by sentiment and impulse. He was personally ill-equipped to steer German foreign policy along a rational course. It is now widely recognized that the various spectacular acts which Wilhelm undertook in the international sphere were often partially encouraged by the German foreign policy elite.

Wilhelm would also later enter into WWI following the defenstration of The Archduke Franz Ferdinand.  Yeah, that's right; I said defenestration.  Many argue his desire to enter into a global conflict was brought on by frustration with being saddled with a 16-22 record despite posting a 1.87 ERA in 1908.  Which, you know, is pretty understandable.

1957 -Joe Cairnes replaces Lou Perini as president of the Braves.  This move would reverberate through the entire organization, leading to a World Series Championship in 1995.  Nice work, Joe.

1960 - Former MVP Jackie Jenson retires due to his fear of flying.  He'd later reconsider upon learning that the airplane did the flying, not him.

2005 - Mets sign Doug Mienzkwitz Mienkztiwz Monkey Mancow metranome gardengnome gardenhire spencerforhire hireme hermione jeromyburnitz putingontheritz chipsahoy ahoymatey itgetslonelyatsea yar Mientkiewicz.

Thanks to www.nationalpastime.com for all non-made-up info.

(And don't forget to participate in Colin's community projection)

1866 - Charlie Hallstrom born.  Nicknamed "The Swedish Wonder", Hallstron posted an 11.00 ERA over his 9 inning career.  Interesting side note: American's didn't have high opinions of Swedes back in the 19th century.

1953 - Immigration Commissioner Mackey warns aliens of possible deportation should they not file the proper papers.  Additional warnings made to aliens:

• use of Death Ray no longer permitted
• middle relievers are not simply appetizers for the Dark Overlord
• no pepper

2001 - Brian Giles wins Clemente Award.  The similarity to Clemente on the field was definitely there. Giles had an excellent offensive season showing good power while patrolling center field.  There were a few differences, however, as Giles preferred beating up pregnant women* in his spare time while Clemente delivered relief supplies to a ravaged Nicaragua.  Other than that...like twins.

(*allegedly)

2003 - Ivan Rodriguez signs on to play with the Marlins.  F***er.

Thanks to www.nationalpastime.com for all non-made-up info.

(And don't forget to participate in Colin's community projection)

1902 - Slappy McAdams joins the Boston squad.  Teammates would later find out how he earned the nickname "Slappy".  It's not what you think.  I..I can't even describe it.  I think I'm going to be sick.

1953 - Joe DiMaggio is denied entry to the Hall of Fame.

...wait, what?

1960 - Stan Musial insists that he take a $20,000 pay cut.  Insists!  That year Musial would also insist that he wear his underpants on his head and snaiis down his pants.  Stan Musial was not a well man.

2005 - Roger Clemens asks for a record 22 million dollars in his salary arbitration deal.  He'd later settle for 18 million dollars and six boxes of horse testosterone.

2009 - Cubs acquire Jake Peavy in 6 for one deal.

(made you look)

Thanks to www.nationalpastime.com for all non-made-up info.

(And don't forget to participate in Colin's community projection)

1882 - Kentucky ratifies law that accidentally banned baseball in their state.  Luckily for Kentuckians everywhere, no laws were accidentally enacted forbidding relatives to marry (Zing!).

1947 - Josh Gibson, "The Black Babe Ruth", dies at the young age of 37 with a brain tumor.  Gibson, like Ruth, was known for his unique ability to both hit prodigious homers and die at a young age.

2001 - Former Texas Rangers owner George W. Bush is sworn in as the 43rd president.  No comment*.

2006 - Ozzie Guillen celebrates his 42nd birthday by becoming an American citizen.  America coughs descretely and pretends not to notice.

2009 - Barack Obama sworn in as president and proves to be nowhere near as good at baseball as his predecessor.  America decides to give him a shot anyway.

(* you can't see it right now, but I'm literally** biting my tongue right now)

(** okay, not literally.  That would be quite painful)

Thanks to www.nationalpastime.com for all non-made-up info.

1900 - Boston Beaneater Marty Bergen allegedly kills his entire family with an axe and then kills himself.  This after posting an OPS+ of 65 for the 1899 season.  So...rough year for Bergen all around.

1932 - Shoeless Joe Jackson emerges from a corn field to appeal his suspension.  The appeal was denied and a dejected Jackson recedes back into the corn, dragging a screaming Charlie Comiskey with him.

1937 - Cy Young elected to Hall of Fame, despite not once winning a Cy Young himself.

1961 - Anthony Young, possessor of the record for consective losses, is born.  I suppose had he known what was in store for him, he would have elected to stay in the womb.  I refer, of course, to having to play on the 1994 Cubs.

2006 - Theo Epstein returns to the Red Sox after an 80 day absence.  During his press conference, Epstein remarked that leaving the Red Sox was "the stupidest thing I could have possibly done.  I'm a god in Boston.  A GOD.  And the tail I can pull.  Seriously.  What was I thinking?"

1938 - Grover Cleveland Alexander elected to HOF, becoming first player elected to be named after both a muppet and a city.  He'll remain the only one unless Juan Snuffleupagus Pierre can turn his career around.

1950 - After a mediocre season, Bob Feller takes a $20,000 pay cut.  That sound you hear is the collective weaping of the Player's Union.

1973 - Orlanda "Cha Cha" Cepeda is the first player signed to be nothing but a designated hitter.  This would later pave the way for elite hitter-only-hitters such as Jim "Fox Trot" Thome and Jason "Electric Slide" Giambi.

2002 - Lots of teams sign lots of players to avoid arbitration, including Scott Rolen and Kerry Wood.  Booooriiiiiing.

2008 - Lots of other players sign deals to avoid arbitration.  WHEN DOES THE BASEBALL SEASON START?!?

Thanks to www.nationalpastime.com for all non-made-up info.

(And don't forget to participate in Colin's community projection)

1942 - Roosevelt writes his famous "Green Light Letter" saying that it's okay - nay, preferred - to play baseball in wartime.  Despite this, they still let girls play baseball.  GIRLS?!?!?  PLAYING BASEBALL???!!!??  I say LOL to that.  Yep.  Out loud.

1958 - Yankees sign first ever TV deal for a whopping One Million Dollars.  Or, to put it in current terms, one ARod kneecap.

1969 - Delino DeShields is born.  Deshields was famous for coining the Expos motto "De faster de hitter de better de player".

1990 - Cecil Fielder comes over from Japan to use the mysterious powers he found in the East.  This would usher in a new era of fat people hitting homers.

Thanks to www.nationalpastime.com for all non-made-up info.