Happy ’80s Birthday to Alan Trammell, who had the 2nd most hits of any SS in the show from 1978-1990. I’m glad he finally got his due.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Joel Skinner, the first free agent compensation pick in the history of baseball.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Rick Lysander, who spent parts of four years in the bigs with the A’s and Twins and also played in the Senior League.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Jack Billingham, who spent 13 years in the big leagues, and went 2-0 with a 0.36 ERA in the World Series.
He finished his career in 1980 with the Red Sox.
2/21/81
The Brewers sign Paul Hartzell as a free agent.
He’d battled injuries since 1979 and went 3-9 in Triple-A before retiring. He returned to the game in 1984 and worked his way from A ball back to the big leagues again.
2/21/82
The Yankees sign Roberto Kelly as an amateur free agent. Kelly was just 17, but ended up spending 14 years in the big leagues with multiple teams and making the All-Star Game twice.
2/21/83
The Tigers sign Dave Revering as a free agent.
He’s released the following month and his career is over. He finishes his career with five years in the big leagues for the A’s, Yankees, Mariners, and Blue Jays.
2/21/84
The Mariners sign Jim Lewis as a free agent.
He wins 15 games in Triple-A and resurfaces in the big leagues in 1985.
2/21/89
The Indians sign Brian Giles as a free agent. He spends the year in the Triple-A, comes back to the bigs briefly in 1990 and plays until 1998 in China, Canada, and independent ball.
2/21/83
Steve Sax guest stars on Square Pegs. It doesn’t get much better than that.
2/21/85
George Steinbrenner says Yogi Berra will remain Yankees manager for the duration of the season no matter what. George then fires Yogi after 16 games, because George Steinbrenner.
2/21/85
Tim Raines is awarded an arbitration record $1.2 million salary for 1985. Raines is coming off a 1984 season in which he hit .309 for the Expos and led all major league players with 75 stolen bases.
2/21/86
Rollie Fingers has a chance to extend his career by signing with the Reds. There’s one problem: The Reds ask him to shave off his handlebar to conform with their ridiculous no facial hair policy. Rollie tells the Reds to stick it and retires.
From a strictly teaching standpoint, adding Fingers to a bullpen with John Franco, Ron Robinson, and Rob Murphy would have been nice. But the no mustache rule is WAY more important than winning baseball games, so good on the Reds.
2/21/89
Pete meets with Peter Ueberroth and Commissioner-elect Bart Giamatti to discuss his gambling habits. It’s all good. Nothing to see here. I’m sure it’s all good.
2/21/2011
Tito Francona is one of seven new members of the College Baseball Hall of Fame, Tito could flat out rake but knee injuries robbed him of what could have been an amazing career. Other inductees include Oddibe McDowell, Tim Wallach, & Dave Magadan
2/21/2011
The final portion of Milwaukee County Stadium comes down.
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