Happy ’80s Birthday to Rick Langford, who threw 23 straight complete games in 1980.
Happy ’80s Birthday to former A’s pitcher Steve McCatty, who once stepped to the plate in a spring training holding a 15-inch toy bat under the orders of Oakland manager Billy Martin. Billy was upset that his pitchers had to hit. McCatty finished 2nd in the A.L. in E.R.A. in 1981 and spent seven years as the Washington Nationals pitching coach.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Chris Hoiles, who spent 10 years in the bigs and once hit two grand slams in the same game.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Dana Williams, who appeared in eight games for the 1989 Red Sox and later managed in the Mariners system.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Mike Young, who once hit two dingers in extra-innings in the same game, including a walkoff piece.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Paul Mirabella, who spent 13 years in the big leagues, primarily as a reliever, for six teams.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Pat Corrales, who spent 9 years in the bigs as a player and another 10 as a manager.
3/20/89
The Twins trade Balvino Galvez to the Yankees for Steve Shields.
Shields splits the year between Triple-A and the big leagues and his career is over. Galvez pitches until 2001 in the U.S. and the Far East
3/20/80
Knowing the 3rd base line was leaning towards the infield, the Mariners sign Lenny Randle to address said situation.
3/20/87
The Angels sign Tack Wilson as a free agent. He hits .314 in Triple-A and appears in seven games at the major league level, the last games he’d play in the big leagues.
3/20/88
The Mets sign Hector Carrasco as an amateur free agent. He makes his big league debut with the Reds in 1994 and pitches until 2008
3/20/81
The Brewers release Bob Galasso. He signs with the Mariners and splits the year between Triple-A and the big leagues.
3/20/86
The Mariners release Donnie Scott. He spends the next five-plus years in the minor leagues and resurfaces in the bigs in 1991 with Cincinnati. He later won four league championships as a minor league manager.
3/20/86
The Mariners release Frank Wills. He returns to Cleveland then finishes his major league career with four years in the Toronto organization.
3/20/87
The A’s release Rusty Tillman. He signs with the Giants and appears in four games at the major league level in 1988.
3/20/87
The Expos release Len Barker. He catches on with Milwaukee and goes 2-1 in 11 games before retiring after the season.
3/20/88
The Royals release Tom Gilles. He signs with Minnesota and eventually appears in two games for Toronto in 1990.
3/20/84
Dick Ruthven and Mel Hall get into a fight during batting practice. Ruthven asked Hall to help him pick up balls and the two exchanged words and then punches.
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