Happy ’80s Birthday to Steve Kemp, the overall #1 pick of the 1976 draft, who seemed destined for stardom after his first four seasons. From 1977 through 1980, Kemp averaged 20 homers and 93 RBI with the Tigers.
Steve Senteney was born OTD in 1955. He served in the Marines before beginning his baseball career and pitched in three games for the 1982 White Sox. He was killed in a car crash in 1989.
Happy ’80s Birthday to John Trautwein who appeared in 9 games for the 1988 Red Sox. His father and brother both played minor league baseball.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Jason Grimsley, who made his debut in 1989 and pitched in the big leagues until 2006. He won rings with the Yankees in 1999 and 2000.
8/7/85
The Phillies trade Bo Diaz to the Reds in exchange for Tom Foley, Alan Kincely, and a PTBNL. Cincinnati sends Freddie Tolliver to Philadelphia to complete the deal.
8/7/87
The Tigers trade a PTBNL and Darnell Coles to the Pirates for Jim Morrison. Detroit sends Morris Madden to Pittsburgh to complete the trade.
8/7/84
Jim Deshaies goes four innings for the Yankees in his big league debut and gets roughed up a bit. He makes one more appearance in the bigs in 1984 and two in 1985 before bring dealt to Houston for Joe Niekro.
8/7/84
Joe Hesketh throws a scoreless inning of relief against the Phillies in his big league debut. He goes 2-2 as a rookie and wins 10 in 1985.
8/7/89
Mike Huff gets a pinch-hit single off Tom Glavine in his big league debut. He appears in 12 games for the Dodgers in 1989 and returns to the bigs in 1991 with Cleveland.
8/7/80
Johnny Bench and the Reds unveil a sculpture called “The Catcher.” The sculpture is limited to 100 pieces and is the first team-produced sculpture made available to the public. Prices range from $900-$1,425 based on the number of the piece.
8/7/80
Bobby Cox is suspended indefinitely by the national league after getting into an argument with umpire Dale Scott and spitting in Scott’s face. Cox admits that he spit at Scott but says he did so only after Scott spit on him first.
8/7/80
The Angels beat the Twins 4-2 in 15 innings thanks in part to the Twins collecting 16 hits and leaving 16 men on base. Rod Carew’s walkoff homer wins it. It’s the only walkoff of his career.
8/7/82
Jim Rice saves the life of Jonathan Keane, who was hit in the head by a line drive foul ball off the bat of Dave Stapleton.
8/7/84
Gator punches out 13 in a 4-hit shutout over the White Sox.
8/7/84
Tony Armas and Bill Buckner both hit grand slams off Jack Morris is a 12-7 Red Sox win over the Tigers Buckner homers twice in the game and drives in 5
8/7/84
Jeffrey Leonard goes 5 for 5 and drives in three in a 9-2 Giants win over the Astros.
8/7/85
The owners and players agree to terms and the 1985 strike is over after two days.
8/7/86
Ray Knight goes 4 for 5 as the Mets hammer the Cubs 12-3. The win puts the Mets 38 games over .500.
8/7/86
Darnell Coles, Pat Sheridan, and Dwight Lowry each collect three hits as the Tigers hammer the Indians 15-1. Detroit bangs out 20 hits in the game.
8/7/87
Rated Rookie Chris James and Glenn Wilson combine to go 5 for 9 with 8 RBI as the Phillies hammer the Cardinals 15-5.
8/7/87
The Pirates retire Bill Mazeroski’s #9.
8/7/87
Home runs from Fred McGriff and George Bell help the Blue Jays hammer the Indians 15-1. Any time you score 15 with Dave Stieb on the hill you have a good chance to win.
8/7/88
Giants big guns Joel Youngblood and Bob Brenley combine to go 6 for 10 with 7 RBI as the Giants beat the Braves 14-4 in Atlanta. San Francisco bangs out 17 hits, which proves to be plenty for Rick Reuschel. Some kid named Tom Glavine starts for the Braves. The loss drops his record to 3-13. He has no future.
8/7/88
The Mariners set an American League record by hitting five sacrifice flies in a 12-7 win over Oakland. Darnell Coles, Alvin Davis, Jim Presley, Jay Buhner, and Rey Quinones all come up huge for Seattle.
8/7/89
Greg Cadaret takes a no-hitter into the 8th inning before it’s broken up. He settles for a 2-hitter and a win against the Indians.
8/7/86
The Giants release Steve Carlton, who had announced his retirement a day earlier.
His retirement lasts until August 12th when he signs with the White Sox.
8/7/84
Ed Lynch and Keith Moreland get into a heated “Tastes Great/Less Filling” debate and settle things on the mound.
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