November 3 stands as a remarkable day in baseball history, marking a series of memorable achievements and pivotal moments for the Atlanta Braves and the MLB. One of the most recent highlights is from 2020, when Atlanta Braves pitcher Max Fried clinched his first National League Gold Glove Award. This honor marked the beginning of a streak, with Fried eventually securing three consecutive Gold Gloves for his exceptional defensive skills on the mound. As one of the league’s top left-handed pitchers, Fried’s recognition underscored his growing reputation and established him as a defensive powerhouse in the game.
Looking further back in Braves history, a unique milestone occurred in 1928, when voters in Massachusetts gave the green light for Sunday baseball in Boston, with the condition that Braves Field had to be at least 1,000 feet from any church. This progressive move left Pennsylvania as the only state at the time to prohibit Sunday major league games. Another significant moment for the Braves franchise happened in 1960, when Warren Spahn narrowly missed the Cy Young Award, finishing second to Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Vern Law, who had an impressive 20-9 season with 18 complete games.
The wider landscape of MLB history also holds remarkable moments on this date. In 1926, Ty Cobb resigned as manager of the Detroit Tigers after a season that saw his team place sixth with a 79-75 record. His successor, umpire and former Tigers infielder George Moriarty, would make history by becoming the first individual to have held the four main roles in baseball: player, umpire, scout, and manager. Cobb later joined the Philadelphia Athletics as a player and went on to hit an impressive .357 in the 1927 season.
The awards and honors continued to shape MLB’s legacy. For instance, in 1934, Athletics catcher Mickey Cochrane was named MVP of the American League, beating out Lou Gehrig, who had achieved the Triple Crown with a .363 batting average, 49 home runs, and 165 RBIs. Similarly, in 1942, Yankees’ Joe Gordon received the AL MVP over Ted Williams, who had also won the Triple Crown with a .356 average, 36 homers, and 137 RBIs. Such decisions remain debated among fans and historians, highlighting the competitive spirit and achievements of these baseball legends.
Throughout the years, November 3 has also marked key turning points for MLB teams. In 2014, the Cubs introduced Joe Maddon as their new manager, hoping his leadership could turn the franchise’s fortune around. Just a year later, the Nationals hired Dusty Baker as their manager, a decision that came after failed negotiations with Bud Black. These managerial changes reflect the ongoing efforts of teams to build strong leadership in pursuit of championship success. Each event on this day adds another chapter to baseball’s rich history, showcasing the evolution and enduring passion within the sport.
