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Happy ’80s Birthday to Pat Putnam, who finished 4th in the 1979 AL Rookie of the Year balloting. Pat was named Topps A.L. Rookie of the Year in 1979 and apparently had a few interesting quirks, according to The Sporting News. “Putnam belongs on any all-whacko list for his proclivities of eating dog biscuits, imitating Shamu the Whale in the whirlpool and assorted other eccentricities.”
Happy ’80s Birthday to Damon Berryhill, who was one of two Cubs (Mark Grace) in the running for the NL Rookie of the Year in 1988. He ended up finishing 6th. Damon also spent time with Boston, Cincinnati, and San Francisco.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Bob Pate, who played in 31 games for the Expos in 1980 and 1981 and later coached in the minor leagues.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Mark Bradley, who was a first-round draft pick in 1975 and played in 90 games for the Dodgers and Mets from 1981 through 1983.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Mike Martin, who played in eight games for the 1986 Cubs and caught Greg Maddux’s debut.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Gene Nelson, who spent 13 years in the bigs with six teams. He won 53 games, saved 28, and won a ring with the 1989 A’s
Darryl Hamilton was born OTD in 1964 He made his debut with the Brewers in 1988 and got to the big leagues to stay in 1990. He spent 13 years in the majors with five teams and was killed in 2015. Just a tragic story.
12/3/80
Don Sutton leaves the Dodgers after 15 years to sign a free agent deal with the Houston Astros. He was also courted by the Yankees and when Sutton’s agent called George Steinbrenner to tell him Don had signed with Houston, George hung up on him.
12/3/82
The Pirates sign Jose Lind as an amateur free agent. He makes his debut in 1987 and spends nine years in the bigs.
12/3/88
The Indians sign Jesse Orosco as a free agent. His best days behind him, he’d only manage to pitch in the big leagues for another 15 years and retire as the all-time leader among pitchers in games played.
12/3/88
The Yankees sign Dave LaPoint to a three-year, $2.5 million free agent contract.
12/3/89
It’s the first day of the Winter Meetings in Nashville and the Brewers sign free agent outfielder Dave Parker away from the A’s. Cobra hits .289 with 21 homers and 92 RBI in his lone season in Milwaukee.
Big Days
12/3/80
Super Joe wins the A.L. Rookie of the Year Award. Here is more about his amazing rookie season.
12/3/80
Hal McRae wins the Outstanding Designated Hitter Award after batting .293 with 14 homers and 75 RBI. It’s the second time he has won the award.
12/3/84
In his address to kick off the Winter Meetings, new commissioner Peter Ueberroth pisses off the owners by calling them uncooperative, selfish, defensive, too conservative, and resistant to change. He wasn’t wrong.
12/3/84
It’s Day One of the Winter Meetings in Houston and the hot rumor is of a three-way trade between Philadelphia, Montreal, and San Diego that would send Jeff Reardon to the Phillies, Tim Wallach to the Pads, and Tom Lollar, Luis Salazar, and Ivan DeJesus to Montreal.
12/3/85
George Brett wins the only Gold Glove of his career. Other first-time winners include Don Mattingly, Alfredo Griffin, Gary Pettis, Tim Wallach, and Rick Reuschel.
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