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February 19th

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Tim Burke 1985 Fleer Update

Happy ’80s Birthday to Tim Burke who, like most rookie pitchers today, led the National League in appearances his rookie year. Tim appeared in 78 games and threw 120 innings out of the Expos pen in 1985.

Dave Stewart 1987 baseball card

Happy ’80s Birthday to Dave Stewart, who was released by the Phillies in 1986 and then won at least 20 games for the next four years for Oakland. Hate it when that happens.

Jackie Moore mgr

Happy ’80s Birthday to Jackie Moore, baseball lifer

Keith Atherton 1984 Topps Baseball Card

Happy ’80s Birthday to Keith Atherton, who won a ring with the 1987 Twins and won 33 games over 7 years in the big leagues. 

Alvaro Espinoza 1987 Topps Baseball Card

Happy ’80s Birthday to Alvaro Espinoza, who spent parts of 12 seasons in the big leagues and also managed in the minor leagues.

Roy Smalley baseball card

2/19/85

The White Sox trade Roy Smalley back to the Twins for Ron Scheer and Randy Johnson but not that Randy Johnson.

Jesse Jefferson 1982 Fleer Baseball Card

2/19/82

The Orioles sign Jesse Jefferson as a free agent. They release him in April and he pitches one more season, in 1983, in the Angels system.

Mike LaCoss 1985 Fleer Update Baseball Card

2/19/85

The Royals sign Mike LaCoss as a free agent. He spends one year in KC then finishes his career with 6 seasons in San Francisco. 

Ray Fontenot 1987 minor league baseball card

2/19/87

The Giants signed Ray Fontenot as a free agent. He is released in March and spends the 1987 season in Triple-A in the Astros system. 

Vern Ruhle 1987 Topps Baseball Card

2/19/87

The Angels sign Vern Ruhle as a free agent. He appears in 25 games at Triple-A, it doesn’t go well, and his career is over. 

Big Days

Fernando Valenzuela baseball card

2/19/83

Fernando wins his arbitration case and becomes the first player to ever win a salary of $1 million through arbitration.

Transactions

2/19/87

Vida Blue unexpectedly announces his retirement less than a month after re-signing with the Oakland A’s. He finishes his career with 209 wins, a Cy Young, an MVP, and three rings.

Deaths

Bob Howsam baseball card

We lost former Reds GM Bob Howsam OTD in 2008. 

Gary Woods

We lost Gary Woods OTD in 2015

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