Special Sub-Topic: February in Baseball History Click Here To Play: February in Baseball History

February 6, 1895: This baseball Hall of Famer was born. He went on to win 89 games as a Boston Red Sox pitcher, then win only five more for the Yankees in his next 15 seasons. Who was this player who wore the number three on his back?

Babe Ruth. The others listed never played for Boston, and never threw a pitch in their Major League career. The Babe was a great pitcher, but the Yankees wanted him in every game. This insight paid off as the Babe went on to hit 54 home runs in his first season in the pinstripes, then retire in the number one spot with 714 home runs. His career pitching record was 94-46. Ruth was one of the five first inductees into the Hall of Fame in 1936.

February 21, 1972: After winning 20 games for the Mets in 1971, this pitcher became the highest paid pitcher in baseball history at the time. Who was this Hall of Fame pitcher who retired with three Cy Young awards?

Tom Seaver. The other pitchers never played for the Mets or won a Cy Young award. Seaver won the Rookie of the Year award in 1967. His three Cy Young awards came in 1969, 1973, and 1975. 10 times in his 20 seasons, 'Tom Terrific' struck out more than 200 batters in a season. Retiring in 1986, the Hall of Fame took him in his first year of eligibility in 1992 with 99% of the ballots, the first to ever score that high.

February 7, 1942: This Cincinnati Reds catcher was traded to the Boston Braves. One of only two catchers in the 20th century to win a batting title, he won another one in 1942! Who was this 17-season catcher, and 1986 Hall of Fame inductee?

Ernie Lombardi. The others listed never played catcher or donned the Reds or Braves uniform. In 1926, the only other catcher to win a batting title in the century was also a Cincinnati Red. He was Bubbles Hargrave who batted a league-leading .353. Lombardi retired as a New York Giant in 1947. Unfortunately, Ernie died nine years before his Hall of Fame induction in 1977.

February 15, 1948: This future 1970s Los Angeles Dodger third baseman was born. This rather short third baseman was nicknamed 'Penguin'. Who is he?

Ron Cey. The others never played for the Dodgers. Cey helped the Dodgers get to four World Series. Although not being a large sized player, he retired with 316 home runs after 17 seasons. He received his nickname of 'Penguin' due to his running style.

February 25, 1972: This pitcher was traded from the Cardinals to the Phillies for pitcher Rick Wise. He paid the Cardinals back by winning 27 games, striking out 310, taking the NL Cy Young award, and winning a Triple Crown in his first season with the Phillies. Who was this Hall of Fame pitcher?

Steve Carlton. The other pitchers listed never played for the Cardinals or Phillies. After seven seasons with the Cardinals and going 20-9 in 1971, St. Louis let him go. Unfortunately after his great 1972 season, in 1973 he lost 20 games. Steve would rebound in 1977, 1980, and 1982, winning three more Cy Young awards. He was inducted into the hall in 1994 with 329 wins.

February 7, 1959: This 1937 Hall of Fame player and manager died. Playing his entire 21-season career in Cleveland and Philadelphia, he was the first player in the 20th century to bat .400 in a season. In 1901, he batted .426 and won the American League Triple Crown, also a first. Primarily a second baseman, he retired with a .338 career batting average. He never saw a World Series game. Who was this Triple Crown winner?

Nap Lajoie. The others never played for Philadelphia or Cleveland, and didn't begin their MLB career for at least another 20 seasons when Lajoie won his Triple Crown. Nap led the American League five times in batting. He was overshadowed by the great Ty Cobb. Showing the speed of Cobb, Nap led the league four times in hits and five times in doubles. He also stole 380 bases in his career. Lajoie was inducted in the second round of the Hall of Fame inductions in 1937.

February 16, 1961: This pitcher who did not win his first Major League game until he was 31 years old, died at the age of 69. After his first win, he went on to win 196 more games, led the league in strikeouts for seven consecutive seasons, and won the 1924 NL MVP. He retired in 1935. Who is he?

Dazzy Vance. The others were not pitchers and did not begin their Major League careers yet. Clarence 'Dazzy' Vance played mostly for Brooklyn. His best season was his MVP winner when he went 28-6 with 262 strikeouts, and winning the Triple Crown in 1924.

Billy Evans was born on February 10, 1884. What did he accomplish in the Major Leagues?

Was the third umpire inducted into the Hall of Fame (Was the first owner of the Detroit Tigers and brought them to the American League, Was the first person to market concession stands at ballparks, Owned the first company contracted by MLB to supply balls, bats, and bases in 1914). Evans was inducted into the hall as an umpire in 1973. He followed umpires Tom Connolly and Bill Klem who were inducted in 1953.

February 2, 1936: This baseball great had the most ballots in the Hall of Fame considerations, and was inducted in the first ceremony in 1936. Who is he?

Ty Cobb. The others were all Hall of Famers, but were not selected for at least another 10 years. The inaugural induction, in order with the most ballots were Ty Cobb, Babe Ruth, Honus Wagner, Christy Mathewson, and Walter Johnson.

Febuary 25, 1934: The baseball world mourned on this day when this 34-season baseball manager died. He managed the New York Giants in 31 of those seasons, and took them to 10 World Series. Who was he?

John McGraw. The others never managed in baseball. At age 26, McGraw took the reins of the National League Baltimore Orioles in 1899. He took over the Giants in 1902, and began a lifelong relationship with New Yorkers. From 1921-1924, McGraw took his Giants to four consecutive World Series. He died two years after he retired in 1932, and was inducted into the Hall of Fame in 1937.