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January 23rd

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Benny Distefano 1985 Topps Baseball Card

Happy ’80s Birthday to Benny Distefano, who was the last lefty to catch in the major leagues.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Charlie Spikes, who wrapped up his career in 1980 in Atlanta.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Kurt Bevacqua, one of Tommy Lasorda’s favorite players. This little dustup came after the Dodgers and Padres exchanged brushback pitches in 1982 and Bevacqua called Lasorda fat. 

It’s also NSFW

Happy ’80s Birthday to Joe Amalfitano, who spent 10 years in the big as a player for the Giants, Astros, and Cubs, and later managed the Cubs. 

Alfonso Pulido 1985 Donruss Baseball Card

Happy ’80s Birthday to Alfonso Pulido, who appeared in 12 games for the Pirates and Mets between 1983 and 1986.

Reggie Ritter 1986 Indians baseball card

Happy ’80s Birthday to Reggie Ritter, who pitched in 19 games for Cleveland in 1986 and 1987.

Marty Brown 1990 Donruss Baseball Card

Happy ’80s Birthday to Marty Brown, who played parts of three seasons with the Reds and Orioles between 1988 and 1990.

Garry Hancock was born OTD in 1954. He spent six years in the bigs with the Red Sox and A’s but played behind talented outfielders in both places. He passed away in 2015.

1/23/81

The Red Sox trade Fred Lynn and Steve Renko to the Angels for Joe Rudi and Frank Tanana after a contract snafu. People in Boston are “displeased.”

Lary Sorensen 1984 Topps Baseball Card

1/23/84

The A’s sign Lary Sorensen as a free agent. He wins six games in his lone season in Oakland and signs with the Cubs for 1985. 

1/23/85

The Cardinals sign Mike LaValliere as a free agent. He spends most of the year in the minor leagues but does see some action at the big-league level before becoming the starter in 1986. 

Big Days

1/23/83

Former Giants catcher Mike Sadek and his son appear on the TV show, Starcade. 

The show featured people playing video games against each other. Scroll down to episode 109 to watch the entire show.

1/23/86

The Pittsburgh Drug Trials come to a close.

Transactions

Dan Ford 1986 Topps Baseball Card

1/23/86

The Orioles release Dan Ford and his career is over. Knee problems had limited him to just 53 games in 1984 and 1985. 

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