November 4 Ernie Banks

Frank Robinson was the first black manager when the Cleveland Indians hired him, but there was another black player who managed before Robbie . . . .   On November 4, 1948  Jake Powell, 39, former big league baseball star, shot himself to death in Washington police headquarters late today while being questioned on bad check charges.Powell had been picked up at the Union Station the complaint of a local hotel where he had been staying the past three days. After Powell was taken to the check and fraud division of local police headquarters and during the questioning police said he asked permission to leave the room for several minutes. Police said he stepped outside the door pulled out a 25-caliber revolver and shot himself once in the chest and once in the right temple. With him when he was taken into custody was a woman who identified herself as Josephine Amder, of Deland, Fla. she told police she and Powell had planned to be married during the day, but later changed their plans.But Mrs. Elizabeth Powell, to whom the ballplayer had been married several years, said she was still his wife and as far as she was concerned there had been no separation.On November 4, 1889 — After a formal meeting of representatives from all National League chapters, the Brotherhood issues a “Manifesto” in which it claims that “players have been bought, sold and exchanged as though they were sheep instead of American citizens.” This bold statement constitutes a declaration of war between the Brotherhood and major league officials which will soon explode into the formation of the Players League. 86 years later . . . . On November 4, 1976 — The first mass-market free agent re-entry draft is held at the New York Plaza Hotel. Among those available are Reggie Jackson, Willie McCovey, Joe Rudi, Don Gullett, Gene Tenace, Nate Colbert, Rollie Fingers, Don Baylor, and Bobby Grich. McCovey and Colbert are the only two players not selected, but McCovey will catch on with the Giants in spring training and have a banner year at his old first base position.Jackson will go onto star for the New York Yankees and win two World Championships. Fingers will have several excellent seasons for the Padres and Brewers including winning an MVP and Cy Young award. Baylor will go to win an MVP award.  On November 4, 1959 — – Ernie Banks wins his second National League MVP Award in a row on the strength of his 45 home runs and 143 RBI for the Chicago Cubs. Eddie Mathews finishes second. What really made 1959 special for Ernie was his defense, his 3.5 Dwar is the highest of his career, he will be rewarded with a gold glove in 1960, but he was much better in 1959.    Fun fact from 1955 to 1960 his 248 home runs were more than anyone else in the majors, including Mickey Mantle, Willie Mays and Hank Aaron. His 5 Grand slams in a single season is still tied for the single season record in the NL. And was the MLB record until 1987.  On November 4, 2001, the Arizona Diamondbacks win their first World Series championship.