Happy ’80s Birthday to Joe Sambito, who recorded 17 saves in 1980 and finished 5th in the Cy Young race. He’s currently a player agent in California.
Don Baylor was born OTD in 1949.
He spent 19 seasons in the big leagues and kicked ass in every one of them.
He won the AL MVP in 1979 whilst leading the Angels to their first division title.
Happy ’80s Birthday to a former Yankees minor league outfielder who decided to pursue other interests.
Happy ’80s Birthday to former White Sox 3rd baseman John Cusack.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Chris Speier, who spent 19 years in the big leagues with the Giants, Cubs, Expos, Twins, and Cardinals.
He was a 3-time All-Star and hit .357 in the 1971 NLCS as a rookie.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Mark Grace, whose 1,754 hits in the 1990s were the most of any big leaguer. He made his debut in 1988.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Kevin Reimer, who spent six years in the big leagues with the Rangers and Brewers.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Clay Christiansen, who appeared in 24 games for the 1984 Yankees.
6/28/83
The Cubs sign Rick Reuschel as a free agent. Reuschel had been released by the Yankees after missing all of 1982 with shoulder problems.
6/28/80
Tim Lollar throws two innings out of the Yankees pen in his big league debut.
New York sends him to San Diego in a deal involving Ruppert Jones and he wins a career-high 16 games in 1982 and throw 232.2 innings.
6/28/86
Bruce Ruffin goes six-and-a-third and gets a no-decision against the Cardinals in his big league debut.
He spends twelve seasons in the major leagues and wins 60 games.
6/28/84
Dwight Evans hits a walkoff three-run homer off Ed Nunez in the bottom of the 11th inning to give the Red Sox a 9-6 win over the Mariners. It also completes a cycle for Dewey, who goes 4 for 7 with four runs scored.
6/28/84
Joe Carter hits his first career home run, a solo shot off of Frank Tanana.
“I’ve given up many a thrill in my career,” says Tanana.
6/28/85
It’s Busch Mug Night at Three Rivers.
6/28/87
Don Baylor moves ahead of Ron Hunt on the all-time hit-by-pitch list when the Yankees’ Rick Rhoden plunks him during a 6 – 2 loss to the Red Sox. He’ll end his career with 267 HBPs.
6/28/87
American League batters combine to hit a record 28 home runs, including five from the Oakland A’s.
Mark McGwire has two, to give him five over his last two games.
6/28/82
The Mariners release Lenny Randle and his major league career is over. He plays 12 seasons and collects 1,016 hits.
6/28/82
The A’s release Jim Spencer and his career is over. He plays 15 years, wins two Gold Gloves and makes the All-Star team in 1973.
6/28/85
The Giants release Duane Kuiper. He finishes with 917 hits and exactly one home run.
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