Happy ’80s Birthday to Tony Bernazard, who spent 10 years in the big leagues and enjoyed his best season in 1986, batting .301 with 17 homers and 77 RBI. He also spent three seasons in Japan before returning to the states in 1991.
Happy Birthday to Cal, who played in lots of games all in a row.
Luis Sanchez was born OTD in 1953. He spent five years with the Angels and then went to Japan, where he was an All-Star.
He passed away in 2005.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Neil Fiala, who appeared in three games for the 1981 Cardinals and was traded to the Reds in a deal for Doug Bair. He played two games for the Reds and collected his only hit on September 16th, a RBI bunt single.
Happy Birthday to Butch Benton, who appeared in 51 games over four seasons for three teams and also spent time in the Senior League.
Happy Birthday to Dean Wilkins, who won three games and saved two more for the Cubs and Astros from 1989 through 1991.
8/24/89
Looking for a late-inning playoff pinch-hitter three years hence, the Braves trade Jim Acker to the Blue Jays for Francisco Cabrera and Tony Castillo.
8/24/89
The Braves trade Paul Assenmacher to the Cubs for PsTBNL. Chicago sends Kelly Mann and Pat Gomez to Atlanta to complete the trade.
8/24/85
The Yankees sign Jim Leyritz as an amateur free agent.
8/24/81
In his first major league game, Kent Hrbek hits a 12th-inning homer to give the Twins a 3-2 win over the Yankees.
8/24/81
Phillies manager Dallas Green and shortstop Larry Bowa “strenuously object” to umpire Steve Fields’ assessment that Bowa did not touch 2nd base during an attempted double play against the Braves. Green is suspended.
After the game, Fields is approached by a TV crew who ask if the other umpires didn’t back him up because he had worked while other umpires were on strike.
Crew Chief Nick Colosi responded by yelling at the reporter and smashing the TV camera to the ground. He is later fined $500 by N.L. President Charles Feeney.
8/24/82
It’s the last game of an Oakland homestand and Rickey steals two bases against the Tigers to tie Lou Brock’s single-season stolen base record. Fred Stanley leads off the bottom of the 8th inning with a walk and Rickey singles but Stanley only advances to second base.
In an effort to get Rickey the record at home, Billy Martin instructs Stanley to get picked off intentionally, which ultimately happens despite Tigers manager Sparky Anderson yelling from the dugout not to tag Stanley.
With Stanley off the bases, Rickey is called out attempting to steal second, by umpire Durwood Merrill though Rickey was likely safe. Martin, base coach Charlie Metro, and OF Dwayne Murphy are all ejected for arguing.
Sparky is apoplectic and accuses Martin and Stanley of crimes against the integrity of the game. For their part, Martin and Stanley deny any wrongdoing.
8/24/83
Tippy Martinez picks off three baserunners in the same inning.
8/24/80
A rough day for Rick Honeycutt, who gives up nine runs on ten hits in 2 1/3 innings against Boston.
8/24/81
Rich Dauer homers twice and drives in 5 in a 12-8 Orioles win over the Mariners
8/24/83
Pete Rose sits in the Phillies’ 5 – 3 loss to the Giants, ending his consecutive games played streak at 745.
8/24/83
JB says Goodbye to Wrigley Field
8/24/83
Chuck Rainey comes one out away from a No-hitter against the Reds
8/24/83
Rickey steals one base in each game of a doubleheader against the Yankees, giving him at least one SB in eleven straight games.
8/24/84
Jose DeLeon allows just one hit but loses to the Reds, 2 – 0 on a Dave Parker RBI single. Jeff Russell throws a 3-hitter for CIncinnati.
8/24/84
Giants relief pitcher Frank Williams throws three innings in a doubleheader against the Mets and gets two wins.
8/24/84
Bob Brenly homers twice and drives in 5 in a 7-6 Giants win over the Mets.
8/24/84
Gary Ward homers and drives in six in a 10-4 Rangers win over the Brewers.
8/24/85
Dave Stieb takes a no-no into the 9th before allowing consecutive homers to Rudy Law and Bryan Little. His replacement, Gary Lavelle, gives up a third straight home run before Tom Henke comes in to save the 6 – 3 win.
8/24/86
Teddy Higuera goes ten and strikes out 13 before giving way to Mark Clear in the 11th. Milwaukee wins it 3-2 on a Robin Yount walkoff homer off Dan Quisenberry.
8/24/85
Don Baylor ties a major league record when he is hit by a pitch for the 189th time in his career.
8/24/88
Mike Moore allows three runs and strikes out 13 over nine innings and gets a no decision as the Orioles win the game 4-3 in 12 innings.
8/24/88
Hack Man goes 0-for-5 with five strikeouts in a 7-2 Brewers loss to Cleveland. Ouch.
8/24/89
Bart Bans Pete
8/24/81
The Phillies release Vuke
8/24/80
Twins Manager Gene Mauch resigns after a loss to the Detroit Tigers. “I’m not satisfied enough that I’m making contribution enough to stay around and it irritated me to the point that I suggested to (Twins owner) Calvin Griffith that it would probably be a good idea for the team to operate in a different atmosphere. “He agreed.”
We lost Mike Flanagan OTD in 2011
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