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Happy ’80s Birthday to former Twins outfielder Hosken Powell, who showed up in many packs of baseball cards I bought back in the day.
Happy ’80s Birthday to El Presidente, Dennis Martinez, the first player of Nicaraguan descent to ever play in the big leagues.
Martinez won 245 games over 23 seasons and also threw a prefect game, so there’s that.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Tony Perez, one of the most consistent run producers of his era. From 1967 through 1980 his average season was a .284 average with 24 homers and 98 RBI.
That’s production.
Dick Howser was born on this day in 1936.
Howser spent 8 years in the big leagues as a player and 9 more as a manager. He won a World Series with the Royals in 1985 and told George Steinbrenner to stick it in 1980.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Pat Borders, who won the 1992 World Series MVP with the Blue Jays, and spent 17 years catching in the big leagues.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Dick Tidrow, who spent 13 years in the big leagues, won 100 games, and earned the nickname,”Dirt” because he often managed to durty his uniform before the game started.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Dave La Roche, who pitched for 14 years and was known to use La Lob.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Joey Cora, who got stabbed after a minor league game in 1986 while waiting for the team bus and made his big league debut a year later. That’s badass.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Fran Mullins, who spent parts of three seasons with the White Sox, Giants, and Indians.
5/14/81
Chris Smith goes 0 for 1 as a pinch hitter in his big league debut for the Expos.
He’d earn most of his playing time in with the Giants in 1983, when he hit .328 in 22 games.
5/14/83
Mark Thurmond throws a scoreless inning in his big league debut for the Padres.
He finishes his rookie season with a 7-3 record and a 2.65 ERA.
5/15/84
In freezing temps, Boston rookie Roger Clemens allows 11 hits and 5 runs in 5.2 innings against Cleveland and gets a no-decision in his big league debut. Cleveland also steals 6 bases off him. Things would get better for him.
5/14/85
Ernie Riles goes 0 for 3 in his big league debut. He begins his career by going hitless in his first six at bats, then goes 12 for his next 27.
Big Days
5/14/81
Fernando runs his record to 8-0 when Pedro Guerrero hits a walk-off piece to beat the Expos 3-2.
5/14/82
Dodgers farmhand Sid Fernandez strikes out 21 Lakeland Tigers in a Florida State League game. El Sid punches out the side in the 1st, 2nd, 5th, 6th, 8th, and 9th innings and the Vero Beach Dodgers win 18-0.
5/14/83
Ben Oglivie hits three bombs as the Brewers beat the Red Sox, 8 – 7, in 10 innings.
Dude weighed 160 lbs and led the A.L. in homers in 1980.
5/15/85
Mike Davis goes 3-for-5 with 2 homers and 6 RBI as the A’s hammer Milwaukee 19-3.
Four different Oakland players collect three hits in the game.
5/14/86
Reggie hits career dinger number 537 to pass Mickey Mantle and move into 6th place on the all-time list.
He’d finish with 563.
5/14/88
Jose Oquendo throws four innings and gets the loss in a 7-5 Braves win over the Cardinals in 19 innings.
He’s the first position player to get a decision since Rocky Colavito picked up a win in relief for the Yankees in 1968.
5/14/89
Benny Distefano becomes the first left-handed player to catch in a big league game since Mike Squires did it in 1980.
He’s also the last lefty to catch in a big league game.
Fights
5/14/82
The Twins and Tigers have two big brawls at Tiger Stadium.
Detroit pitcher Dave Rozema tears up his knee trying to deliver a karate kick and misses the rest of the season.
