National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum

"You couldn't tell the difference," Roy Campanella said of Hilton Smith and Satchel Paige. Smith would often follow Paige to the mound and confound hitters with his legendary curveball. The Hall of Famer was born #OTD in 1907. https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/smith-hilton

"He's the best ballplayer in the American League," Boston Red Sox general manager Dick O'Connell said of Carl Yastrzemski. #OTD in 1969, Boston signed Yaz to a contract worth a reported $130,000 making him the highest paid player in AL history.

Justyn Farano is one of baseball’s most accomplished artists. His unique style captures the essence of the game’s greats and includes Hall of Famers Johnny Bench, Derek Jeter, Jackie Robinson & more. Visit https://shop.baseballhall.org//artw/justyn-farano-artwork/ to check out our selection of his work!

#OTD in 1935, Babe Ruth signed on as a player and executive with the Braves. The Bambino was the biggest news of the day in Boston and around the baseball world. https://baseballhall.org//babe-ruth-released-by-yankees-si

#OTD in 1957, the Cardinals acquired 34-year-old Hoyt Wilhelm from the Giants. Over the next 16 seasons, Wilhelm would use his knuckleball to win 101 games and save 187 more while building his Cooperstown resume. https://baseballhall.org//giants-trade-wilhelm-to-cardinals

It seems only fitting that the inimitable Reggie Jackson was the singular star #OTD in 1993 when he was elected to the Hall of Fame in his first year on the ballot. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)

Kelley was one of the greatest outfielders of all time. He was rated the kingpin of the Baltimore Orioles outfield. He covered a lot of ground and was one of the best hitters in the league. - Dutch Brennan on #HOFer Joe Kelley, born #OTD in 1871. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)

A native right-hander, Pete Gray lost his right hand in a wagon accident as a child and reinvented himself as a lefty - including teaching himself to play baseball one-handed. His remarkable story remains an inspiration to millions. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) https://baseballhall.org//pete-gray-overcame-accident-to-m

Richie Ashburn took his talents to NYC #OTD in 1961 when the New York Mets acquired him from the Cubs. The Hall of Famer would close out his career with New York the following season at age 35, earning All-Star honors and hitting .306/.424/.393. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)

#OTD in 1984 44-year-old Phil Niekro signed a 2-year deal with the New York Yankees You still have a home plate, a backstop, nine men on the field. You still get four balls and three strikes. The game doesn’t change, the show goes on, said the ever-wise #HOFer (Michael Ponzini/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) https://baseballhall.org//move-to-yankees-showed-niekro-ha

The Hall of Fame remembers former @RedSox, @Rangers and @Braves pitcher Rogelio Moret, who passed away on Monday. Photo: Doug McWilliams

These Limited Edition Collectible Baseballs featuring iconic stadiums, teams and players make a great holiday gift for the baseball fan in your family. Go to https://shop.baseballhall.org//co/unforgetaball-baseballs/ to shop our selection.

Born Byron Bancraft Johnson #OTD in 1864, but better known by his nickname, Ban, this Hall of Famer founded and presided over the American League for decades. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) https://baseballhall.org/hall-of-famers/johnson-ban

40 years ago today Rollie Fingers embarked on a whirlwind four-day stretch that saw the reliever go from San Diego to St. Louis to Milwaukee. (Doug McWilliams/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) https://baseballhall.org//fingers-trades-reshaped-franchis

Congratulations to MLB's 2020 Hank Aaron Award winner (NL), Freddie Freeman!

After leading the St. Louis Cardinals to the 1967 World Series, Orlando Cepeda capped off a remarkable comeback season by earning NL MVP honors #OTD in ’67. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) https://baseballhall.org//inside-p/cepeda-wins-1967-NL-MVP

At age 37, with six toes and three dependents at home, Red Ruffing was called into service for the U.S. Army AirCorps #OTD in 1943. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) https://baseballhall.org//ruffing-called-to-military-servi

The bright beginnings of some of MLB's current stars Mookie Betts, Giancarlo Stanton, Juan Soto, Mike Trout and more are now highlighted through their rookie cards in the Museum’s Shoebox Treasures exhibit. (Milo Stewart Jr./National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) https://baseballhall.org//rookie-card-treasures-now-part-o

#OTD in 1945 Billy Southworth signed with the Atlanta Braves and changed the history of the franchise. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) https://baseballhall.org//ins/southworth-signs-with-braves

17 was the magic number for Greg Maddux #OTD in 2007 when the 41-year-old San Diego Padres hurler set the record for most career Gold Glove Awards. (Brad Mangin/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) https://baseballhall.org//maddux-sets-record-with-17th-gol

They nicknamed Cristóbal Torriente the Babe Ruth of Cuba, but perhaps Ruth should have been known as the Cristóbal Torriente of the U.S. The two baseball legends faced off in Havana 100 years ago today. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) https://baseballhall.org//cristobal-torriente-bests-the-ba

Choo choo! All aboard the Birthday Train! The great Walter The Big Train Johnson was born #OTD in 1887 in Humboldt, Kansas. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bv9cvdLKVn8

John Wyatt’s path to the majors was far from simple. A standout with the Indianapolis Clowns, he worked his way through the minors - with a two-year period of service in the U. S. Army - and didn’t make his MLB debut until age 26. But Wyatt soon became one of the game’s most durable pitchers and a key member of the 1967 Impossible Dream @RedSox #CardCorner https://baseballhall.org//card-corner/1967-topps-john-wyatt

1981 was a magical season for baseball in Montreal. Read about how two of the team’s stars, Tim Raines and Andre Dawson, felt during that memorable year. (Ron Vesely Photography/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) https://baseballhall.org//tim-raines-andre-dawson-recall-h

After his ninth season leading the league in strikeouts and topping the NL in ERA and wins - Arizona Diamondbacks ace Randy Johnson won his fifth Cy Young Award #OTD in 2002. (Ron Vesely Photography/National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum)

Jim Palmer was in superb company #OTD in 1976 when the Baltimore Orioles star earned his third Cy Young Award, joining Sandy Koufax and Tom Seaver as the third to earn the award thrice - and the first AL pitcher to do so. (National Baseball Hall of Fame and Museum) https://baseballhall.org//inside/jim-palmer-cy-young-award