Happy ’80s Birthday to Wayne Gross, who stole home 3 times… in the first half of the 1980 season, under Billy Martin.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Derrel Thomas, who spent 15 years in the big with the Dodgers, Padres, Giants, Phillies, Angels, Expos, and Astros
Happy ’80s Birthday to one of David Letterman’s favorite baseball players.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Danny Boone, who pitched in the bigs in 1981 and ’82 with the Padres and Astros, then returned in 1990 as a knuckleballer. He is also a direct descendent of THE Daniel Boone.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Tony Brizzolara, who went 8-11 for the Braves from 1979 through 1984.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Jeff Keener, who went 1-1 for the Cardinals over 23 games in 1982 and 1983.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Ross Jones, who was the 9th overall selection in the 1980 draft and spent parts of three years in the bigs with the Mets, Mariners, and Royals.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Joe Redfield, who had a cup of coffee with the Angels in 1988 and played 11 games with the Pirates in 1991.
1/14/82
The Royals trade Frank Costanza’s favorite player to the Expos who sell him to the Mariners a year later. This sets up an unfortunate series of events.
1/14/82
The Expos sign Tim Blackwell as a free agent. He spends his final two years in the big leagues in Montreal and retires after 1983.
1/14/85
The Red Sox sign Bruce Kison as a free agent. He goes 5-3 in 22 games and his career is over. He finishes with 115 wins and a ring.
Big Days
1/14/81
George Argyros purchases controlling interest in the Seattle Mariners. He owns the team until 1989 when he sells to Jeff Smulyan.
1/14/84
The Mariners drop out of the running for free agent Pete Rose, saying they are “out of the rent-a-player business.” Rose signs with Montreal but they trade him to the Reds later in the year.
1/14/87
Catfish Hunter and Billy Williams are elected to the Hall of Fame.
Transactions
1/14/86
The Pirates select Moises Alou with the 2nd pick in the January draft. It’s the final January draft in MLB history.
1/14/86
The Red Sox select Curt Schilling in the 2nd round of the January draft.
1/14/86
The Cubs select Jerome Walton in the 2nd round of the January draft. He would win Rookie of the Year in 1989.
1/14/86
The Blue Jays select Mark Whiten in the 5th round of the January draft. He makes his debut in 1990.
Managerial Changes
1/14/81
Frank Robinson replaces Dave Bristol as manager of the San Francisco Giants.