Former Padres skipper Gary Coleman was born on this day in 1968. He passed away in 2010.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Steve Dillard, who spent eight years in the big leagues with the Tigers, Cubs, Red Sox, and White Sox. His son, Tim, pitched in the bigs as well.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Edgar Diaz, who played in 91 games for the Brewers in 1986 and 1990.
2/8/82
The Dodgers need to make room for Steve Sax so they break up their famous infield by trading Davey Lopes to the Athletics.
2/8/86
The Indians sign Dickie Noles as a free agent. He goes 3-2 in 54 2/3 innings in his lone season in Cleveland and signs with the Cubs the following spring.
2/8/88
The Brewers and Teddy Higuera avoid arbitration when Higuera signs a one-year deal worth $1,025,000.
Higiera had been seeking $1.25 million and the Brewers offered $900,000.
2/8/89
Dwight Gooden becomes the highest-paid player in baseball when he signs a three-year $6.7 million deal with the Mets.
Through his first five seasons, Gooden has amassed a record of 91-35 with a WHIP of 1.10. Injuries limit him to just 118 innings in 1989.
2/8/83
Bowie Kuhn tells The Mick to sever all ties with MLB after he takes a job at a casino.
2/8/84
Reports surface that the IRS is seeking to collect more than $7 million in taxes from the estate of Thurman Munson. An attorney representing the family says the estate isn’t worth that much altogether but the IRS says IF the family wins the various lawsuits stemming from Munson’s deadly air accident they could receive more than $22 million.
Stay classy, IRS.
2/8/87
Cal Ripken Jr. and Eddie Murray each homer three times as the A.L. beats the N.L. 19-14 in a softball game in Fort Lauderdale.
2/8/84
The A’s select Tim Belcher from the Yankees as free agent compensation pick. Belcher was the overall #1 pick in the June 1983 draft (Minnesota), but didn’t sign. The Yankees picked him in the 1984 January draft but didn’t protect him, which allowed Oakland to grab him.
2/8/82
The Indians purchase Mike Stanton from the St. Louis Cardinals. They release him five days later and he signs with the Mariners.
Powered by BlueHost
From Jack Morris to Len Barker, here are the wins leaders for every major league…
From Robin Yount to Chili Davis, here are the hits leaders for every major league…
From Mike Schmidt to Carmelo Martinez, here is the home run leader for every major…
An excerpt from Patrick Montgomery's new book, Baseball's Great Expectations: Candid Stories of Ballplayers Who…