December 7
2011 In separate
deals with free-agents, the Pirates sign left-handed starter Erik Bedard and
outfielder Nate McLouth, who played with the franchise from 2005 to 2009. The
Bucs' new southpaw compiled a 5-9 record last season with Seattle and Boston,
and the 30-year old Gold Glove flycatcher returns to the Steel City three years
after being traded to Atlanta where he hit .229 in 250 games.
December 8
1947 Brooklyn
acquires infielder Billy Cox and southpaw Preacher Roe from the Pirates, both
will play vital roles in the success of the Dodgers during the next decade. The
trade, which also includes utility player Gene Mauch, sends hurlers Vic
Lombardi and Al Gregg as well as Dixie Walker, a former batting champ who asked
to be traded in the spring because he didn't want to play with Jackie Robinson,
to Pittsburgh.
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| 1991 Topps Barry Bonds |
1992 Former Pirates
outfielder Barry Bonds signs the richest contract in major league history when
he agrees to a $43-million, six year deal to play for the Giants. The free
agent will not disappoint in San Francisco winning the National League Most
Valuable Player award, his third in four years, hitting a career-high .336
batting average to go along with 46 homers and 123 RBIs.
2005 The Pirates
send southpaw Dave Williams (10-11, 4.41) to the Reds for Pittsburgh area
native Sean Casey. The popular first baseman, who is dubbed ‘The Mayor’ because
of his outgoing personality, becomes expendable as Cincinnati seeks pitching to
complement its heavy-hitting lineup.
December 9
1965 Eleven days
shy of his 84th birthday, former Cardinals, Dodgers, and Pirates executive Wesley
Branch Rickey, named by ESPN in 1999 as the most influential sports figure of
the twentieth century, suffers a heart attack, falling over the podium while
beginning his remarks to an audience during his induction into the Missouri
Sports Hall of Fame. Rickey, who is responsible for breaking the color
barrier in 1947 with the signing of Jackie Robinson and implementing the
concept of farm systems for the major leagues, will die three weeks later while
in intensive care at Boone County Memorial Hospital.
1992 Carl Barger, former baseball president of the Pittsburgh Pirates and Florida Marlins, dies at age 62.
December 10
1919 The National
League, spearheaded by the leadership of Pirates owner Barney Dreyfuss,
approves the banning of the spitball, allowing just the current spitballers
presently throwing the pitch to use it under a "grandfather" clause.
A year later the American League will adopt the same rule.
2009 The Pirates
sign Bobby Crosby (.231, 22, 64), the 2004 American League Rookie of the Year,
to a $1 million, one-year contract. Last season, the 29-year-old versatile
infielder played multiple games for the A's at all four infield positions.
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| 1992 Topps Jay Bell |
December 11
1952 Fred Haney is
named as the Pirates manager replacing Billy Meyer. The Bucs will finish in
last place each season, compiling a dismal 163-299 (.353) record during the new
skipper's three-year tenure in Pittsburgh.
1965 Jay Bell, infielder for the Pirates, is born.
1975 In a busy day
of trading, the Yankees acquire pitchers Dock Ellis and Ken Brett, and second
baseman Willie Randolph from the Pirates for hurler Doc Medich. In a separate
deal with the Angels, the club trades Bobby Bonds for outfielder Mickey Rivers
and pitcher Ed Figueroa.
December 12
1941 The Dodgers
obtain Arky Vaughn from the Pirates for right-hander Luke Hamlin, 1B/OF Jimmy
Wasdell and catcher Babe Phelps. The future Hall of Fame infielder, who will
have his stint in Brooklyn interrupted by WWII, plays four seasons for the club
compiling a .291 batting average.
2008 The Pirates
sign Ramon Vazquez, the only player with major league experience added to the
club during the winter meetings, to a two-year deal worth $4 million. The
versatile infielder played all four infield positions last season while
compiling a career-high .290 batting average with the Rangers.
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| 1985 Topps Dale Berra |
December 13
1956 Dale Berra, son of Yogi Berra and an infielder for the Pirates and Yankees, is born.
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