Guest JoesBros Posted March 8, 2008 Report Posted March 8, 2008 1995 - In spite of their current labor impasse, major league owners agree to expansion franchises in Tampa, FL and Phoenix, AZ for the 1998 season. League and divisional alignments are still under discussion. Some contend the owners need the money from entry fees to withstand the shutdown as much as they are looking to bring baseball to new markets. 1969 - After Donn Clendenon "retires" and refuses to report to spring training, Commissioner Bowie Kuhn rules that Montreal can keep both Rusty Staub and Clendenon, insisting that Houston will have to settle for further compensation rather than voiding the trade. 1963 - Reliever Jim Umbricht undergoes 6-1/2 hours of surgery at Methodist Hospital to remove malignant cancer tumors from his leg, thigh and groin. Two months later, he is back on the mound pitching for the Colt .45s. 1939 - Jim Bouton is born in Newark, NJ. The righthander had a blazing fastball when he pitched in the World Series for the Yankees in 1964. By the time he gets to Houston in 1969, all he has left is a knuckleball and a manuscript. www.astrosdaily.com
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