THIS DAY IN BÉISBOL January 18: Orlando Cepeda signs with Red Sox as a DH

An aging Orlando Cepeda, 35 and coming off a bad year, signed with the Red Sox to become the team’s primary designated hitter on this day in béisbol, January 18, 1973.

The new American League-only DH rule allowed a batter to hit for the pitcher in a move meant to add more offense to games. Cepeda was primed to be history’s first DH during the 1973 home opener at Fenway Park against the Yankees.

But the honor went to Bombers designated hitter Ron Blomberg instead. Batting sixth that day, Blomberg came up in the top of the first inning with the bases loaded and two outs against Luis Tiant and walked. Cepeda batted third in the bottom of the inning, thereby becoming the second DH in history.

The DH rule allowed Cepeda to resuscitate his career. The Puerto Rico-born slugger and future Hall of Famer had been released by the Oakland A’s in 1972 and was hampered by chronic knee issues that limited his production to 4 homers and 9 RBI in 31 games.

In his one season as Boston DH, he hit .289 with 20 homers 86 RBI and a surprising 25 doubles and won 1973’s Outstanding DH Award, now called the Edgar Martinez Award.

Cepeda moved on to the Kansas City Royals in 1974 but was limited to just 33 games and retired at age 36.

Also on this day: In 2017, catcher Ivan Rodriguez is inducted into the Hall of Fame in his first year of eligibility. The much-traveled backstop went into the Hall as a Texas Ranger.

In 2005, five-tool centerfielder Carlos Beltran, 28, signed a seven-year, $119 million contract with the Mets, one of seven teams the future Hall of Famer played for.