On This Date in Baseball: March 11

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, whom 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.

2002 - The Yankees release outfielder Ruben Rivera for stealing Derek Jeter's mitt out of his locker, and selling it on the black market for $2,500.

Interesting Baseball Cards (Part I)

2007 Topps Derek Jeter #40

This card was all over the news last year when it came out.

From ESPN:

As President Bush smiled and waved from the stands and Mickey Mantle looked on from the dugout, Derek Jeter swung his bat. Talk about pressure.

The game never happened, of course. It was just someone's idea of a visual gag -- pulled off in a Topps baseball card through digital manipulation. "We saw it in the final proof and we could have axed it," Topps spokesman Clay Luraschi told The Associated Press. "But we decided to let it run, we wanted to print it. We thought it was hilarious." The card was changed when Topps issued a complete set at midseason.