This Day in Baseball History

1954 - The Pittsburgh Pirates purchase the contract of Roberto Clemente from Montreal - the Triple-A affiliate of the Los Angeles Dodgers. The outfielder would go on to play 18 seasons for the Pirates and was named an All-Star 15 times in his Hall-of-Fame career.

1967 - Minnesota Twins second baseman Rod Carew is named American League Rookie of the Year. The future Hall of Famer hit .292 with eight home runs and 51 RBIs to earn 19 of 20 first-place votes.

1977 - The New York Yankees sign Goose Gossage to a six-year, $2.75-million contract. The right-hander closer would collect 310 saves over his 22-year career. He was enshrined in Cooperstown in 2008.

Birthdays

1984 - Yusmeiro Petit

1980 - Jonny Gomes

1974 - Joe Nathan

1950 - Greg Luzinski