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.
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.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Jackie Moore, baseball lifer
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.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Alvaro Espinoza, who spent parts of 12 seasons in the big leagues and also managed in the minor leagues.
2/19/85
The White Sox trade Roy Smalley back to the Twins for Ron Scheer and Randy Johnson but not that Randy Johnson.
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.
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.
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.
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.
2/19/83
Fernando wins his arbitration case and becomes the first player to ever win a salary of $1 million through arbitration.
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.
We lost former Reds GM Bob Howsam OTD in 2008.
We lost Gary Woods OTD in 2015
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