What happened today in team history?
1962 – The first Astros Spring Training
For the first time, Astros Spring Trainer began in Apache Junction, AZ. Coming off a red-hot Spring, going 14-7, the Colt .45s are still relatively new to the league, showing what a group of people can do when their jobs are on the line.
What else happened on this day?
1889
Warrants are issued for three players in California after they ditched the team for the remainder of their contracts. One of them turned himself in, but the other two didn’t get found.
1956
The league announces that 60% of the World Series pot will be given to the players’ pension fund.
2003
Despite being banned from Cooperstown, Pete Rose gets inducted into the Ted Williams Hitters Hall of Fame. The Museum and memorial would close down just a few years later.
2007
The rules to the game were altered for the first time since 1996. The new rules include a ten-game suspension for scuffing a baseball, elimination of tie games stopping after the fifth inning due to weather resuming the next day, prohibiting players from going into a dugout to make a catch, and allowing pitchers to wear multicolored gloves.