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Pascual Perez was born on this day in 1957.
Perez won 29 games over two seasons for the Braves in the early ’80s but he’ll always be known for being directionally challenged.
He passed away in 2012.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Porfi Altamirano, who went 7-4 with the Phillies in 1982 and ’83 before being dealt to the Cubs in 1984.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Tom Newell who was drafted as an outfielder and converted to pitching in the minor leagues.
He appeared in two games for the Phillies in 1987.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Greg Mathews, who spent parts of five seasons with the Cardinals and Phillies, winning 28 games.
He also won a game in the 1987 NLCS and went 2 for 2 at the plate with 2 RBI.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Rob Nelson, who spent parts of five seasons in the big leagues with the A’s and Padres.
5/17/85
The Royals trade John Morris to the Cardinals for Lonnie Smith.
Smith goes 3 for 9 against his former team to help the Royals win the 1985 World Series.
5/17/81
The Yankees sign Orestes Destrade as an amateur free agent.
He spends parts of four seasons in the big leagues and also puts up big numbers in Japan.
5/17/82
The Rangers select Randy Bass off waivers from the San Diego Padres.
Bass hits .208 in 16 games, then plays in Japan where he becomes a star.
5/17/85
Rocky Childress allows two runs on three hits against the Dodgers in his big league debut.
The 1980 21st-round draft pick spend four years in the majors and wins two games.
5/17/86
Reggie Ritter makes his debut for the Indians and strikes out three in two innings.
He picks up his only career win the following season.
5/17/86
Fred McGriff makes his big league debut as a defensive replacement for Willie Upshaw. He’d play in just three games in 1986 but he’d spend 19 seasons in the show.
5/17/86
Tom Dozier throws a scoreless inning in his big league debut for the A’s.
He appears in just four games, but he got there.
5/17/86
Ed Hearn goes 2 for 3 in his big league debut against the Dodgers.
He plays 62 games in the major leagues, but that was enough to get a ring.
5/17/86
Rey Quinones goes 2 for 3 in his major league debut, including a two-run double off Charlie Hough in his first at bat.
5/17/87
Tom Bolton goes two innings in his big league debut and allows an unearned run to the Twins.
He finishes his rookie year with a 1-0 record.
5/17/88
Angel Escobar goes 1 for 3 in his big league debut against the Phillies.
The 9th-inning single off Kevin Gross is the only hit of his career.
5/17/88
Bob Geren mkaes his major league debut as a defensive replacement.
He goes 1 for 10 in his rookie season, plays five years and later manages the A’s.
Big Days
5/17/80
Matt Keough goes the distance in a 14-inning A’s win over Toronto.
Four different Oakland starters would throw 14-inning complete games in 1980.
5/17/84
Alan Wiggins ties a National League record by stealing five bases in a single game against the Expos.
Wiggins joins Dan McGann (1904), Davey Lopes (1974) and Lonnie Smith (1982) in the club.
5/17/84
Mario Soto strikes out Cubs SS Tom Veryzer, P Dick Ruthven, CF Bob Dernier and 2B Ryne Sandberg In the top of the 3rd inning at Riverfront Stadium in Cincinnati.
5/17/86
Dave Winfield goes 3-5 with 6 RBI in an 11-6 Yankees win over the Mariners.
Managerial Changes
5/17/85
The Rangers tap Bobby Valentine to replace Doug Rader as their manager.
Bobby V would pilot the Rangers until 1992.
