This Day in Baseball History

2014 - Yankees, Tanaka agree to 5th-largest deal for pitcher

The New York Yankees sign Japanese right-hander Masahiro Tanaka to a seven-year, $155-million contract, the fifth-largest deal awarded to a pitcher in baseball history. His deal includes an opt-out after four years and $88 million.

In addition to landing Tanaka with the richest contract given to an international player, the Yankees are forced to pay a $20-million posting fee to the Rakuten Golden Eagles.

Tanaka, who went 24-0 the previous season with the Eagles, comes to Major League Baseball as one of the most hyped players to ever leave his country. 

Tanaka lives up to the expectations during his first few months in the majors, winning 11 of his first 12 decisions and recording at least 10 strikeouts in five outings over the stretch.

However, the 25-year-old rookie's season is derailed in July after he partially tears the UCL in his right elbow. Tanaka avoids surgery but appears in just two more starts the rest of the season, allowing six earned runs in seven innings of work.

1982 - Reggie Jackson leaves Yankees for Angels

Postseason hero Reggie Jackson ends his run with the New York Yankees by agreeing to a four-year, $4-million deal with the California Angels.

Jackson, 35, was an All-Star in each of his four seasons in the Bronx, helping the Yankees win back-to-back titles in 1977 and 1978. He won World Series MVP honors during New York's 1977 championship run after slugging five homers and batting .450 in six games.

Jackson's playoff exploits earned him the moniker "Mr. October." He finished his career with 18 homers in 77 postseason games.

The second overall pick of the 1966 draft led the league in home runs four times during his 21-year career, earned 14 All-Star selections and was named the 1973 American League MVP.

He was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 1993.

Birthdays

1978 - Chone Figgins
1979 - Carlos Ruiz
1984 - Ubaldo Jimenez