Portal:Baseball/Anniversaries/December 31

The following are baseball-related events, births, and deaths that took place on December 31.

Events

• 1897 – At the age of 38, Charles Ebbets gains a controlling 80 percent interest in the team.
• 1914 – In an effort to strengthen the New York Yankees, American League president Ban Johnson arranges the purchase of the team by Colonel Jacob Ruppert and Captain Tillinghast L'Hommedieu Huston for $460,000 from William Devery and Frank Farrell.
• 1966 – The Atlanta Braves trade Eddie Mathews to the Houston Astros.
• 1974 – Free agent Catfish Hunter signs with the New York Yankees.
• 1990 – Oakland Athletics Carney Lansford is severely hurt in a New Year's Eve snowmobile accident.
• 1993 – Baseball's collective bargaining agreement runs out with no new agreement yet signed.

Births

• 1857 – King Kelly, outfielder, manager; Hall of Famer (d. 1894)
• 1870 – Tom Connolly, umpire; Hall of Famer (d. 1961)
• 1955 – Jim Tracy, outfielder, manager
• 1961 – Rick Aguilera, pitcher; All-Star
• 1971 – Esteban Loaiza, pitcher; All-Star

Deaths

• 1915 – Tip O'Neill, outfielder (b. 1858)
• 1972 – Roberto Clemente, outfielder; All-Star, Hall of Famer (b. 1934)
• 1980 – Bob Shawkey, pitcher, manager (b. 1890)