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March 31st

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Tom Hausman 1980 Topps Baseball Card

Happy ’80s Birthday to Tom Hausman, who was the first free agent the Mets signed.

He pitched in the big leagues from 1975 through 1982 and a few more seasons in the minor legaues. 

Happy ’80s Birthday to Tracy Jones, who spent six years in the big leagues with multiple teams and also did radio in Cincinnati. 

Happy ’80s Birthday to Balvino Galvez, who appeared in 10 games for the 1986 Dodgers and pitched in Asia until 2001.

Rafael Montalvo 1986 minor league baseball card

Happy ’80s Birthday to Rafael Montalvo, who threw one inning in the big leagues. It came against Atlanta in 1986 and he didn’t allow a run. 

Moose Stubing 1989 Topps baseball card

Former player, manager, and coach Moose Stubing was born OTD in 1939. He passed away in 2018. 

Rusty Staub 1980 Rangers team photo

3/31/80

The Expos trade Rusty Staub again, this time to the Rangers in exchange for Chris Smith and LaRue Washington. Staub hits an even .300 for the Rangers in 109 games in 1980.

3/31/81

The New York Yankees trade Ruppert Jones, Joe Lefebvre, Tim Lollar, and Chris Welsh to the San Diego Padres for Jerry Mumphrey and John Pacella. 

Advantage: Padres

Juan Berenguer 1982 Topps Baseball Card

3/31/81

The Royals trade minor leaguer John Skinner and Marvell Wynne to the Mets for Juan Berenguer. Berenguer splits the year between KC and Toronto, while Wynne makes his big league debut in 1983.

Al Oliver 1982 Topps Traded Baseball Card

3/31/82

The Expos trade Dave Hostetler and Larry Parrish to the Texas Rangers for Al Oliver. All Scoop does is lead the N.L. in hits, doubles, RBI, batting average, total bases, and RBI because that’s what Scoop does.

Alan Knicely 1983 Topps Traded Baseball Card

3/31/83

The Reds trade Bill Dawley and Tony Walker to the Astros for Alan Knicely. Dawley saves 14 games as a rookie for Houston and makes the All-Star team.

3/31/86

The Reds trade Wayne Krenchicki to the Expos for a player to be named later and Norm Charlton. Montreal sends Tim Barker to Cincinnati to complete the trade and Norm becomes a key member of the 1990 Reds bullpen.

Dan Gladden 1987 Donruss Baseball Card

3/31/87

The Twins trade a PTBNL (Bryan Hickerson), Jose Dominguez, and Ray Velasquez to the Giants for Dave Blakley and Dan Gladden.  

Gladden hits .290 and drives in 7 for the Twins in the 1987 World Series victory over the Cardinals. 

3/31/85

The A’s sign Steve Henderson as a free agent. He hits .301 in Oakland in 1985 and spends three seasons in the organization.

Big Days

3/31/88

Wade Boggs guest stars on Cheers.

Transactions

Will McEnaney 1980 Topps Baseball Card

3/31/80

The Cardinals release Will McEnaney. He spends two years pitching in the minor leagues and his career is over. He finishes with 12 wins, 29 saves, and two rings.

Ken Phelps 1982 Fleer Baseball Card

3/31/83

The Mariners purchase Ken Phelps from the Expos. Phelps blossoms in Seattle and is eventually traded to the Yankees for Jay Buhner, which angered Frank Costanza.

Lamar Johnson 1983 Donruss Baseball Card

3/31/83

The Rangers release Lamar Johnson and his career is over. He later played in the senior league and coached in the minors.

3/31/84

The Pirates release Gene Tenace and his career is over. He finishes with 1,060 career hits and three rings, the won two more as a coach with the Blue Jays.

Dave Collins 1988 Reds baseball card

3/31/87

The Expos release Dave Collins. He re-signs with the Reds and spends three years there before finishing up with the Cardinals.

3/31/87

The Mariners release Pete Ladd and his career is over. Bigfoot pitches in the big leagues for 6 years and stepped up in 1982 when Rollie Fingers went down.

Deaths

Former Phillies player, coach, and scout Ruben Amaro Sr. passed away OTD in 2017.

Ken Reitz 1980 baseball card

We lost Ken Reitz OTD in 2021

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