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Happy ’80s Birthday to Alan Wirth, who was drafted by the Giants and later traded to the A’s in the Vida Blue deal. He won six games for the A’s from 1978 through 1980
Happy ’80s Birthday to John Mizerock, who spent parts of four seasons in the bigs with the Astros and Braves and later managed in the minor leagues.
Happy ’80s Birthday to John Orton, who made his debut in 1989 and spent five years in the bigs with the Angels and later managed in the minor leagues.
12/8/80
The Padres & Cardinals complete an 11-player deal. St. Louis sends Terry Kennedy, John Littlefield, Al Olmsted, Mike Phillips, Kim Seaman, Steve Swisher, and John Urrea to San Diego for Rollie Fingers, Bob Shirley, Gene Tenace and a PTBNL (Bob Geren). Rollie Fingers’ glorious Cardinals career lasts all of four days before he’s dealt to the Brewers in another blockbuster. Whitey was quite busy at the 1980 Winter Meetings.
12/8/80
The Astros trade Enos Cabell to the Giants for Chris Bourjos and Bob Knepper.
12/8/81
In the first move of what would be a busy offseason for the Phillies, Paul Owens trades Dickie Noles, Dan Larson, and Keith Moreland to the Cubs for Mike Krukow.
12/8/83
The Royals trade Duane Dewey (minors) and Mike Armstrong to the Yankees for Steve Balboni and Roger Erickson. Balboni hits 140 homers over the next 5 seasons
12/8/83
The Dodgers trade pitching prospect Sid Fernandez to the Mets in exchange for Carlos Diaz and Bob Bailor.
12/8/84
The A’s trade Bill Caudill to the Blue Jays for Dave Collins, Alfredo Griffin, and cash.
12/8/87
The Braves trade Rafael Ramirez and cash to the Astros for Mike Stoker (minors) and Ed Whited.
12/8/87
The Cubs trade Lee Smith to the Red Sox for pitchers Al Nipper and Calvin Schiraldi. Smith felt underappreciated in Chicago and had asked for a trade.
12/8/87
The Reds trade Dave Parker to the A’s for Jose Rijo and Tim Birtsas. Rijo had a career record of 19-30 with the Yankees and A’s at the time of the deal, but would blossom with the Reds and be named MVP of the 1990 World Series.
12/8/88
The Orioles trade Gordon Dillard and Ken Howell to the Phillies for Phil Bradley.
12/8/88
The Expos trade Tracy Jones to the Giants for Mike Aldrete.
12/8/88
The Red Sox trade Dan Gakeler and Spike Owen to the Expos for John Dopson and Luis Rivera.
12/8/81
The Cubs sign Bill Campbell as a free agent.
12/8/81
The Cubs sign Fergie Jenkins as a free agent. Jenkins wins 20 games over two seasons in Chicago and retires.
12/8/87
The Rangers sign Craig McMurtry as a free agent.
12/8/88
The Yankees sign Andy Hawkins as a free agent.
12/8/88
Bruce Hurst signs a three-year, $5.25 million free agent contract with the Padres.
Big Days
12/8/83
Dr. Bobby Brown, who played 3B for the Yankees before embarking on a successful medical career, is elected president of the American League by the club owners.
12/8/87
The Fresno Flames of the new International Basketball Association select Bo Jackson in the 13th round of their inaugural draft.
“I don’t know how to play,” says Bo. “But if they want to talk money, I’ll listen.”
The Fresno franchise folds after one season.
Transactions
12/8/80
The Astros release Joe Morgan. He signs with the Giants for 1981 and hits .240 with 8 homers and 31 RBI.
12/8/80
The Blue Jays select a young outfielder from the Phillies organization who hit .309 with 0 homers in Double-A in 1980 in the Rule 5 Draft. His power numbers will improve.
12/8/80
The Brewers select a righty from the Royals organization in the Rule 5 Draft who went 10-10 between Jacksonville and Ft. Myers the previous summer.
12/8/80
The Cubs select a young catcher from the Cardinals organization in the Rule 5 Draft who would later become King of Wrigley Field.
12/8/80
The Tigers select a young righty from the Reds organization in the Rule 5 Draft.
12/8/80
The Padres select Alan Wiggins from the Dodgers in the 1980 rule 5 draft.
Managerial Changes
12/8/80
The Giants fire manager Dave Bristol “because of a difference of opinion, a philosophical difference,” according to Giants owner Bob Lurie. Frank Robinson takes over for 1981.
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