May 1 in 1980s Baseball

Share This Page

Happy ’80s Birthday to Jose Lind, who spent nine seasons in the big leagues with the Pirates, Royals, and Angels and won a gold glove in 1992.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Roy Lee Jackson, who won 28 games over ten seasons in the big leagues and sang the National Anthem at multiple games.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Charlie O’Brien, who spent 15 years in the big leagues and won a ring with the Braves in 1995.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Steve Lubratich, who spent parts of two seasons in the big leagues with the Angels and is currently an assistant to the GM for the Indians.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Ray Searage, who spent seven seasons in the big leagues with the Mets, Brewers, White Sox, and Dodger and served as the pitching coach for the Pirates for ten years.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Allan Ramirez, who pitched in eleven games for the 1983 Orioles, going 4-4 with a 3.47 E.R.A.

5/1/86

The Yankees sign Ivan DeJesus as a free-agent. He hits .262 in Triple-A then goes hitless in seven games with the Yankees and is released in June.

5/1/87

Free agents Ron Guidry, Rich Gedman, Bob Boone and Tim Raines all re-sign with their former clubs on the first day they are allowed to do so.

For some odd reason, no teams were interested in signing them during free agency. I wonder why…

5/1/85

Kirk McCaskill makes his big league debut and it doesn’t go well. He allows five earned runs in 6.1 innings against Toronto.

He begins his rookie season with an 0-4 record, but finishes 12-12 and wins 17 games in 1986.

5/1/89

Dwight Smith goes 0 for 3 in his big league debut, but finishes the season batting .323 and is runner-up to his teammate Jerome Walton for the N.L. Rookie of the Year Award.

5/1/80

Bill Madlock and umpire Jerry Crawford have a disagreement over a check swing that leads to Mad Dog being suspended.

One of many stories found here.

Big Days

5/1/80

Pete Falcone draws the start against the Phillies and strikes out the first 6 hitters he faces.

He punches out Lonnie Smith, Pete Rose, Garry Maddox, Mike Schmidt, Greg Luzinski, and Bob Boone but loses the game 2-1.

5/1/84

Dwight Gooden strikes out ten for the second straight game. He has 36 strikeouts in his first 27.1 major league innings.

He was 19 years old.

5/1/85

Jimmy Key becomes the first letfy starter to win a game for the Blue Jays since Paul Mirabella did it on the final day of the 1980 season. Key goes 7.2 innings to get the win against the Angels.