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Happy ’80s Birthday to Jon Matlack, who was the 4th overall pick in the 1967 draft by the Mets. In the days before pitch counts, Matlack threw 13 CGs in his first season in the minors. He went 15-10 and threw 244 innings as a rookie in 1972 to win ROY
Happy ’80s Birthday to Spuds, who was the 1988 Rookie of the Year Award and was one of the goofiest dudes ever, which is why Reds fans loved him. Dude drove a Ford Escort and worked at Mcdonald’s to make extra money during spring training one year.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Rich Gale who won 14 games for the Royals as a rookie in 1978 and pitched until 1984.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Brad Mills, who hit .300 as a 21-year-old rookie for the Expos in 1980 and played in the bigs until 1983 before eventually going into coaching.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Ken Dowell, who appeared in 15 games for the 1987 Phillies.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Scott Little, who appeared in three games for the 1989 Pirates and has served as a minor league coach or manager for more than 20 years.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Dolly!
1/19/83
The Cubs trade Dan Cataline and Vance Lovelace to the Dodgers for Ron Cey. The Penguin spends four years in Chicago and helps them win a division title in 1984.
1/19/87
The Brewers trade Dion James to Atlanta for Brad Komminsk. James hits .283 in three years in Atlanta while Komminsk spends much of 1987 and all of 1988 in the minor leagues.
1/19/81
The Pirates sign Mike Anderson as a free agent. He plays in 39 games for the Triple-A Portland Beavers and his career is over.
1/19/83
The Cardinals sign Ozzie Smith to a three-year contract worth just under $4 million, making him the first $1 million per year shortstop in baseball history.
1/19/84
The Expos sign Miguel Dilone as a free agent. He spends a year and a half in Montreal before finishing up his career with the Padres in 1985.
1/19/87
Cleveland signs Doug Frobel as a free agent. He splits the season between Triple-A and the big leagues and spends 1988 and 1989 in the minor leagues before retiring.
1/19/89
The Expos sign Damaso Garcia as a free agent. He appears in 80 games, hits .271, and his career is over.
1/19/82
One of the most bizarre stories ever. Here is more
Big Days
1/19/81
Astros team doctors clear J.R. Richard to return to the mound after he suffered a stroke in July of 1980. He doesn’t return to game action until 1982 and never makes it back to the big leagues.
Transactions
1/19/87
Toby Harrah announces his retirement. He finishes with 1.954 hits over 17 seasons and four All-Star nods.
1/19/88
The Rangers release Steve Howe after he violates the terms of his after-care program by drinking in a bar with teammates. He resurfaces in the big leagues in 1991 with the Yankees.
Deaths
We lost The Earl of Baltimore OTD in 2013.
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