December 23rd
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Happy ’80s Birthday to Jerry Koosman, who won 19 games as a rookie in 1968 and finished 2nd in the Rookie of the Year balloting because Johnny Bench. He also won 14 games in his age-41 season with the Phillies.
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Happy ’80s Birthday to Frank Eufemia, who went 4-2 for the 1985 Twins and later coached in college, high school, and independent ball.
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Happy ’80s Birthday to Tim Leary, who was the #2 overall pick in the 1979 draft out of UCLA and spent 13 years in the big leagues, including a 17-11, 2.91 season with the Dodgers in 1988.
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Happy ’80s Birthday to Keith Comstock, who has one of the best baseball cards ever.
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Happy ’80s Birthday to Jerry Manuel, who spent five years in the bigs with Montreal, Detroit, and the Padres and later managed the Mets and White Sox.
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Happy ’80s Birthday to Bert Bradley, who pitched in six games for the 1983 A’s and spent more than 20 years as a coach in the minor leagues and the big leagues.
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12/23/80
The Orioles sign free agent Jim Dwyer away from the Red Sox. He wins a World Series with them three years later.
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12/23/81
The Yankees sign Dave Collins as a free agent as part of their philosophy shift towards speed for 1982. This shift lasted until May 5th when they traded for John Mayberry and switched back to a power game.
12/23/83
The Tigers sign Doug Bair as a free agent. He goes 14-6 with eight saves over two-plus seasons and wins a ring in Detroit before signing with the Cardinals in 1985.
12/23/87
Dave Righetti turns down a reported $10 million contract offer to play in Japan and re-signs with the Yankees. He signs a three-year, $4.3 million deal.
12/23/88
The Braves sign Darrell Evans as a free agent. He returns to Atlanta and hits 11 dingers in his final season to finish with 414. Dude had a solid career.
Big Days
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12/23/81
Bill Madlock is named the Roberto Clemente Award winner.
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