March 11 in Tigers and mlb history:
1901 - The Cincinnati Enquirer reports that Baltimore Orioles manager John McGraw has signed a Cherokee Indian named "Tokohama" to play second base. In reality, Tokohama isn't a Native American; he is an African-American whose actual name is Charlie Grant, who McGraw is trying to pass off as an Indian, but the ruse does not work. Baseball's color line will prevent Grant from ever playing a game for the Orioles.
1933: During an exhibition game in Los Angeles, CA, a significant earthquake sends the Chicago Cubs and New York Giants scurrying to second base until the tremors stop.
1957 - New York Representative Emanuel Celler, whose committee investigated baseball, calls Ford Frick a "czar" who wishes to "gag" officials; Frick had cautioned Major League Baseball owners about commenting on the recent Supreme Court decision on professional American football coming under antitrust rules.
1958 - Starting this season, American League batters will be required to wear batting helmets.
1959 - The Players Association drops its threat of a strike against the International League.
1974 - Commissioner Bowie Kuhn orders the Atlanta Braves to play Hank Aaron in at least two of the team's season-opening three games in Cincinnati. The Braves had planned to bench Aaron on the road in order to increase his chances of hitting his record-breaking 715th home run at home.
1981 - Slugger Johnny Mize and Negro Leagues pioneer Rube Foster are elected to the Hall of Fame by the Special Veterans Committee. Mize hit .312 with 359 home runs during a 15-year major league career, while Foster served as a pitcher, manager, and Negro League organizer in the first quarter of the 20th century.
Tigers players birthdays:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/r/rublear01.shtml
Art Ruble 1927.
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/l/lawrebi01.shtml
Bill Lawrence 1932.
Tigers players who passed away:
http://www.baseball-reference.com/players/c/cowenal01.shtml
Al Cowens 1980-1981.
from Baseball Reference
