Categories: January

January 31st

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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.

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.

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.

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.

1/31/80

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

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. 

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.

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. 

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. 

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.

1/31/2002

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

Deaths

We lost Oscar Gamble OTD in 2018

We lost Rick Behenna OTD in 2012

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J. Daniel

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