January 4th in 1980s Baseball

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Happy ’80s Birthday to Daryl Boston, who was the #7 overall pick in 1981 and turned down offers to play baseball at Oklahoma State as well as nibbles from Big 10 schools to play QB The pride of Cincinnati’s Woodward High School, alma mater of Leon Durham.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Jay Tibbs, who won 39 games in the big leagues, including picking up the W to end the 1988 Orioles’ 0-21 start. He also appeared in the 1994 film, Cobb.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Paul Gibson, who spent ten years in the minors before making his big-league debut in 1988 with Detroit where he posted a 4-2 record and a 2.93 ERA out of the bullpen.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Kevin Wickander, who made his debut with Cleveland in 1989 and spent six years in the bigs.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Clint Zavaras, who went 1-6 for the 1989 Mariners and played for Team Greece in the 2004 Athens Olympics.

1/4/80

Cleveland trades David Clyde and Jim Norris to the Rangers for Mike Bucci (minors), Gary Gray, and Larry McCall.

Texas releases Clyde at the end of spring training and he signs with Houston for 1981, pitches in the minor leagues, and his career is over.

1/4/88

The Twins sign Brian Harper as a free agent.

He spends six years in Minnesota and wins a ring in 1991.

1/4/89

The Angels sign Glenn Hoffman as a free agent.

He wraps up his playing career with the Angels and becomes a manager in the Dodgers system, including serving as interim manager of the major league team in 1998.