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1966: No. 1‚rated Notre Dame and second-ranked Michigan State played to a 10‚10 tie before an overflow crowd of 80,011 at East Lansing, Mich. The game, which transfixed much of the nation, featured Irish quarterback Terry Hanratty and Spartan defensive end Bubba Smith. Notre Dame Coach Ara Parseghian was criticized for preserving the tie and not gambling for the victory in the final two minutes.

1989: The United States, with Tony Meola in goal, clinched its first berth in the World Cup tournament since 1950 with a 1‚0 victory over Trinidad and Tobago at Port of Spain. The triumph may yet be recognized as a watershed; Team USA played host to the World Cup only five years later, and the United States men’s team gained the quarterfinals against Germany in 2002.

1884       League secretary Nick Young becomes National League president replacing Abe Mills, who had resigned from the post. The likable executive will stay in the position until he returns to his position with the U.S. Treasury Department in 1902.

TODAY IN BASEBALL HISTORY

1884       League secretary Nick Young becomes National League president replacing Abe Mills, who had resigned from the post. The likable executive will stay in the position until he returns to his position with the U.S. Treasury Department in 1902.

1939       With 20,000 well-wishers jamming the streets in the City by the Bay, Joe DiMaggio marries actress Dorothy Arnold at St. Peter and Paul Church in San Francisco. The Yankees outfielder met his future bride on the set of ‘Manhattan Merry-Go-Round’, a movie in which he had a minor role.

1960       James Vernon will pilot the new American League expansion Senators in the team’s inaugural season in the nation’s capital. During his three-year tenure with the new club, ‘Mickey’ will compile a dismal 135-227 record, finishing no higher than ninth place.

1962       The Cardinals trade pitcher Don Cardwell and infielder Julio Gotay to the Pirates for shortstop Dick Groat and pitcher Diomedes Olivo. The Redbirds’ new infielder will become a central cog in the team’s World championship in 1964.

1968       Yankee right-hander Stan Bahnsen (17-12, 2.05, 162) is named American League Rookie of the Year. The 23 year-old freshman starter easily outdistances outfielder Del Unser (.230, 1, 30) of the last-place Senators.

1975       In a landslide vote, Joe Morgan (.327, 17, 94) is overwhelmingly elected the National League MVP. The Reds’ second baseman, who received 21 of the 23 first-place votes cast by the writers, had a major league-leading on-base percentage of .466.

1979       Former Angel Nolan Ryan agrees to a $4.4 million, four-year deal with the Astros, the largest sum ever given to a free-agent signing with a new team. After inking the richest contract in sports, the ‘Ryan Express’ becomes the first baseball player to earn a million dollars per year.

1986       Mike Schmidt (.290, 37, 119) joins Roy Campanella and Stan Musial, becoming only the third player in National League history to win the MVP three times. The Phillies’ third baseman also won the prestigious prize in 1980 and 1981.

1990       Being named first on 23 of 24 of the writer’s ballots cast by the writers with the other first-place vote cast for teammate Bobby Bonilla, Pirates’ outfielder Barry Bonds (.301, 23, 114) easily wins the National League Most Valuable Player Award. The future all-time home run king will win an unprecedented seven MVPs, five while playing with the Giants.

1993       Howard Johnson, who will turn 33 at the end of the month, becomes the first free agent to sign with another team this off-season when he agrees to a one-year deal worth $2,100,000 to play for the Rockies. The switch-hitting slugger, who led the National League in homers and RBIs two years ago, has seen his production drop in recent seasons, primarily due to injuries.

1996       Free-agent Albert Belle signs a record five-year, $55 million deal with the White Sox. The generous contract makes the 30 year-old left fielder the first $10 million a year player in baseball history.

1998       Sammy Sosa, who receives 28 of the 30 writers’ first-place votes, is selected as the National League MVP, creating a historic Latin American sweep of the MVP awards with Ranger Juan Gonzalez winning the award in the American League this season. The Texas outfielder easily outpoints shortstops Nomar Garciaparra of the Red Sox and the Yankees’ Derek Jeter to cop the AL honor.

2001       In a landslide vote, Giants’ left fielder Barry Bonds (.328, 73, 137), receiving 30 of 32 first-place votes cast by the BBWAA, wins the Most Valuable Player Award for an unprecedented fourth time (1990, 92-93 with the Pirates). Three-time MVPs include Yogi Berra, Roy Campanella, Joe DiMaggio, Jimmie Foxx, Mickey Mantle, Stan Musial, and Mike Schmidt.

2002       Twenty-four year veteran Jesse Orosco, the all-time leader in games pitched at 1,187, agrees to a one-year contract with the Padres estimated to worth $800,000. The 45 year-old lefty reliever, who started his major league career with the Mets in 1979 after being traded by the Twins for Jerry Koosman, is the oldest player in the majors.

2004       The Angels trade flychaser Jose Guillen (.294, 27, 104) to the Nationals for outfielder Juan Riveria and infielder Maicer Izturis. The Dominican Republic native, now playing for his sixth team in his eight-year career, was suspended by Anaheim last September for throwing a helmet during a tirade after being taken out for a pinch-runner

2007       Alex Rodriguez (.314, 54, 156), receiving 26 out of 28 first place-votes cast by the BBWAA, wins his third American League Most Valuable Player Award, the second as a Yankee (2005). The 32 year-old A-Rod, presently in contract talks with the Bronx Bombers with a $275 million framework in place to keep the third baseman in New York until 2018, won his first MVP with the Rangers in 2003.

2007       The Angels trade Orlando Cabrera (.301, 8, 86) to the White Sox in exchange for Jon Garland (10-13, 4.23). Many see this trade of their Gold Glove shortstop for a right-hander as a precursor of the pitching-rich Halos dealing a hurler for a big bat such as Miguel Cabrera or Miguel Tejada.

2008       The Mariners hire former A’s bench coach Don Wakamatsu as the team’s 16th manager in the 31-year history of the franchise. The fourth-generation Japanese-American, whose father was born in an internment camp during World War II, is the first Asian-American to manage in the big leagues.

2008       The Royals obtain a much-needed leadoff hitter, acquiring Coco Crisp (.283, 7, 41) from the Red Sox in exchange for setup reliever Ramon Ramirez (3-2, 2.64, 70/71.2). The fleet-footed center fielder became dispensable due to the sensational play of Jacoby Ellsbury in the Boston outfield.

2010       The Tigers finalize a $16.5 million, three-year deal with reliever Joaquin Benoit, with the 33 year-old right-hander getting $5.5 million a year. The contract for the former Tampa Bay setup man is similar to the one given to Brandon Lyon, who filled the same role for Detroit before going to Houston in the 2009 offseason.

2010       At a news conference at Minute Maid Park, Astros owner Drayton McLane announces he is putting the club up for sale. The 74 year-old entrepreneur, who purchased the franchise for about $117 million in 1992, tells the gathering, “it’s time to change and move forward.”

2012       Miami sends starting pitchers Josh Johnson and Mark Buehrle along with shortstop Jose Reyes, catcher John Buck, utility player Emilio Bonifacio, and cash to the Blue Jays for shortstops Yunel Escobar and Adeiny Hechavarria, starting pitcher Henderson Alvarez, backstop Jeff Mathis, and three minor leaguers, including highly-regarded pitching prospect, Justin Nicolino. The blockbuster trade is reminiscent of the team’s moves in 1997 and 2003 when the Marlins put its bottom line above fielding a competitive team for the South Florida fans.

2012       The Padres exercised their 2014-15 options on Bud Black’s contract, ensuring their skipper will remain with the club for the next three seasons. The 2010 National League’s Manager of the Year, who has the second-longest tenure in the dugout in franchise history, has compiled a 464-509 (.465) won-loss record during his six seasons with San Diego.

WORLD SERIES HISTORY

1929 World Series

As baseball prepared to close its books on the 1920’s, the National League’s Chicago Cubs were still looking for their third World Series Championship. Joe McCarthy’s team was more determined than ever after losing in their previous two attempts (1910 & 1918) and had made it back to the big show on the arm of Pat Malone, who boasted twenty-two victories during the regular season. On the American League side, one of baseball’s original dynasties, the Philadelphia Athletics were back on top after a lengthy rebuilding process. Connie Mack had finally assembled a line-up of talent that brought back memories of the perennial championship A’s and featured players like Al Simmons, who had topped the American League with one-hundred fifty-seven RBIs. The A’s were 104-46 in 1929 and won the American League pennant by eighteen games over the New York Yankees, who had swept the World Series in 1927 and 1928.

The Athletics’ skipper shocked everyone after selecting Howard Ehmke, their seventh best pitcher, for the start in Game 1. The thirty-five-year-old veteran had a 7-2 record with an unimpressive ERA of 3.29. In a brilliant move, Mack had placed Ehmke in the stands at various games to study the Cub’s hitters anonymously. His strategy paid off as the surprise underdog went on to beat Charlie Root and Guy Bush in a 3-1 opening victory. George Earnshaw and Lefty Grove maintained the Athletics’ momentum with a Game 2 win over four of the National League’s best. Pat Malone, Sheriff Blake, Hal Carlson and Art Nehf all came up short in a game that featured a combined twenty-three hits in a 9-3 Philadelphia romp. The Cubs struck back in Game 3 with a crucial 3-1 triumph that put them back in the hunt and set the stage for one of the most exciting comebacks in the history of the World Series.

Game 4 rotated nine different pitchers including the Cubs’ Charlie Root, Art Nehf, Sheriff Blake, Pat Malone, Hal Carlson and the A’s Jack Quinn, Rube Walberg, Eddie Rommel and Lefty Grove. Things appeared to remain in Chicago’s favor even as Al Simmons added to his league leading stats with a homerun in the bottom of the seventh. Jimmie Foxx, Bing Miller and Jimmy Dykes followed him with singles. With the score still in the Cubs’ advantage at 8-3 (with two runners on and no outs) Joe Boley stepped up to the plate and delivered another run-scoring single and the fifth consecutive hit off of starter Charlie Root. As the rally continued, Philadelphia had pulled within four and Root was pulled in favor of Art Nehf. The veteran lefty had won several crucial games for the New York Giants (in four consecutive World Series match-ups) but promptly surrendered three more runs on an error by outfielder Hack Wilson, who had let a long drive roll to the fence. The A’s line-up had clearly taken control leaving Chicago in shock as they watched their significant lead dissolve to a single run in a single inning. Then, Mickey Cochrane walked as Sheriff Blake came in to replace the struggling Nehf. Simmons, who had started the Athletics’ comeback, stepped up for the second time in the inning and added yet another single. Jimmie Foxx returned as well driving in the tying run making it an 8-8 contest. McCarthy’s team had fallen into “quicksand” and was sinking fast. Pat Malone was summoned from the bullpen, but nothing changed as he hit Miller with a pitch, loading the bases. Dykes followed suite and slammed a double scoring the ninth and tenth runs of the inning, but Malone dug in and struck out Boley and Burns ending the devastation. Lefty Grove came in to finish to job and retired Chicago in order in the eighth and ninth innings while striking out four consecutive batters. The A’s, staring at the likelihood of a 2-2 tie in games when they came to bat in the seventh inning, now boasted a three games-to-one lead after their unlikely 10-8 triumph and looked to close out the Cubs in Game 5.

A battered Pat Malone returned for the start in Game 5 hungry for payback after his team’s Game 4 debacle. Paired up against the unlikely Game 1 winner Howard Ehmke, he managed to keep the Cubs’ hopes alive with a clutch performance. Both aces were locked in a 0-0 struggle until the fourth inning when Chicago drove in two runs and Ehmke off the mound. Rube Walberg came in as relief and matched the National League ace until the bottom of the ninth. With one down and a two run lead, the Cubs stood two outs away from sending the Series back to Wrigley Field, but Max Bishop kept the A’s alive with a crucial single. Mule Haas stepped up to the plate for his biggest at-bat of the season and tied the game with a bomb over the right-field wall. Down, but not out, Malone remained tough and got out #2 off a Mickey Cochrane grounder. With two down now and one to go, the Cubs still had a chance. That was until Al Simmons came up big with a priceless double – forcing the intentional walking of Jimmie Foxx. Bing Miller completed the cycle, hitting one off Shibe Park’s scoreboard for the winning run and another World Series Championship. The 3-2 comeback gave Connie Mack’s Athletics’ their first title since 1913 and sent Chicago packing after surrendering leads in both Games 4 and 5.