July 31st - 1980s Baseball

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Happy ’80s Birthday to Leon “Bull” Durham, who spent ten years in the big leagues with the Cubs, Cardinals, and Reds.
Unfortunately, his career may be largely defined by one play in 1984 but he was a pretty damn good player.

Phormer Phillies coach John Vukovich was born on this day in 1947.

Vuke spent 10 years in the bigs as a player and won rings with the Reds in 1975 and the Phillies in 1980.

He passed away in 2007

Curt Gowdy was born OTD in 1919. He passed away in 2006.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Mike Bielecki, who made his debut in 1984 and pitched in the big leagues for 14 seasons.

He won 18 games for the 1989 Cubs and 70 overall.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Scott Bankhead, who spent ten years in the big leagues with five teams. He was a career-high 14 games for the Mariners in 1989.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Bob Johnson, who was a backup catcher for the Rangers from 1981 through 1983.

He’s also Ernie Banks’ nephew.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Gordie Pladson, who pitched in four seasons for the Astros.

He saw the most action in 1980 when he pitched in 12 games and went 0-4 with a 4.35 E.R.A.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Willie Mays Hayes, who runs like Mays but hits like shit.

7/31/87

The Indians trade Steve Carlton to the Twins for a player to be named later.

Minnesota sent Jeff Perry to Cleveland to complete the trade. Carlton goes 1-6 in Minnesota over parts of two seasons and hangs ’em up.

7/31/87

The Pirates trade Don Robinson to the Giants for Mackey Sasser and $50,000.

7/31/89

The White Sox trade Jerry Reuss to the Brewers for Brian Drahman.

Reuss goes 1-4 for Milwaukee and finishes up his career in 1990 with the Pirates.

7/31/89

The Mets trade Mookie Wilson to the Blue Jays for Mike Brady and Jeff Musselman

7/31/89

The Twins trade reigning A.L. Cy Young Award winner, Frank Viola, to the Mets for Rick Aguilera, Tim Drummond, David West, and Kevin Tapani. The Mets later sent Jack Savage to Minnesota to complete the deal.

Viola is the first Cy Young Award winner to be traded during the following season.

7/31/82

Brad Lesley throws a scoreless inning against the Padres in his big league debut.

The colorful righty spends four years in the big leagues and two in Japan before retiring.

7/31/89

Glenallen Hill goes 2 for 3 with an RBI against the Yankees in his big league debut.

He spends 13 years in the majors and hits .271 with 186 homers.

Big Days

7/31/80
The Rangers beat the Orioles 7-4 to snap pitcher Steve Stone’s 14-game winning streak. His last loss came on May 5th against Minnesota.

7/31/81

The ridiculous 50-day-long MLB strike, caused by the owners and their lackey, Bowie Kuhn, is finally settled. You can read all about it in Split Season

7/31/82

Sixto Lezcano goes 4 for 4 with two dingers and drives in all five Padres runs in a 5-4 win over the Reds.

7/31/82

Manny Trillo boots Bill Buckner’s grounder to end his errorless streak at 479 chances, setting a major league record.

7/31/83

Toby Harrah goes 5 for 6 and drives in three in a 16-11 Indians win over Toronto. Every pitcher who appeared in the game gave up at least one run.

7/31/83

Mike Torrez and Jose DeLeon lock up in a great pitcher’s duel.

Torrez throws 11 shutout innings against the Pirates and gets a no decision while Jose DeLeon holds the Mets hitless for 8 1/3 innings before Hubie Brooks singles to break it up.

New York wins it 1-0 in 12 on a walkoff groundout.

7/31/86

Brian Downing and Bob Boone each hit grand slams off Oakland’s Eric Plunk to lead the #Angels to an 8 – 5 victory.

That’s gonna leave a mark.

7/31/87

Eddie Murray homers twice to reach the 300th career home run mark. He’d finish his career with 504.

#Orioles

7/31/88

Pops in inducted into the Hall of Fame

7/31/88

Jose Canseco belts two home runs in the A’s 6 – 2 win over Seattle to become the first player to hit 30 or more home runs in each of his first three major league seasons.