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January 31st

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Nolan Ryan 1982 Diamond King

Happy ’80s Birthday to Lynn Nolan Ryan, who became baseball’s first Million-Dollar Man when he signed with the Astros for the 1980 season. He homered in his first Houston at-bat just for fun.

Ted Power 1982 Fleer baseball card

Happy ’80s Birthday to Ted Power, who made his debut with the Dodgers in 1981 and spent 13 years coming out of big-league bullpens before suffering a shoulder injury in 1994.

Fred Kendall 1980 Topps Baseball Card

Happy ’80s Birthday to Fred Kendall, who spent 12 years in the bigs with the Padres, Red Sox, and Indians. His son, Jason also caught in the bis leagues.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Mike Rowland, who pitched in 28 games for the Giants in 1980 and 1981.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Rafael Santana, who made his debut in 1983 with the Cardinals and won a World Series with the Mets in 1986. He later became a minor league manager.

Francisco Oliveras 1989 Donruss Baseball Card

Happy ’80s Birthday to Francisco Oliveras, who made his debut with the Twins in 1989 and spent four years in the bigs with the Twins and Giants.

Joe Morgan 1980 Burger King Baseball Card

1/31/80

The Astros sign Joe Morgan as a free agent. Here’s how it happened

Lerrin Legrow 1980 Phillies postcard

1/31/80

The Phillies sign Lerrin LaGrow as a free agent. He throws 39 innings for Philadelphia and is released in July, ending his career. 

Dale Murphy 1983 baseball card

1/31/83

The Braves sign Dale Murphy to a five-year, $8 million contract coming off his 1982 MVP season. That had to be especially sweet for Murph considering Atlanta cut his pay entering 1982. He would win the MVP again in 1983.

1/31/83

Tony Perez signs with the Phillies and the Wheeze Kids are complete.

Bill Robinson 1983 Topps Baseball Card

1/31/83

The Phillies sign Bill Robinson as a free agent. He appears in ten games and is released in June, ending his career. 

Bill Campbell 1986 Topps Baseball Card

1/31/86

The Tigers sign Bill Campbell as a free agent. He goes 3-6 in 34 games and signs with the Expos for 1987. 

Joe Sambito 1986 Topps Baseball Card

1/31/86

The Red Sox sign Joe Sambito as a free agent. He goes 2-0 with 12 saves for Boston and finishes up his career with them in 1987. 

Big Days

1/31/84

Curt Gowdy is named the Ford C Frick winner and granted admission to the Hall of Fame.

Harry Kalas

1/31/2002

Phillies broadcaster Harry Kalas is named the Ford C Frick winner and granted admission to the Hall of Fame.

Deaths

Oscar Gamble 1980 Topps Baseball Card

We lost Oscar Gamble OTD in 2018

We lost Rick Behenna OTD in 2012

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