Happy ’80s Birthday to Zonk!
Keith Moreland won a College World Series title with the University of Texas in 1975 and a World Series with the Phillies as a rookie in 1980. He also won a division title with the Cubs and finished up with the Padres, Orioles, and Tigers.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Felix Jose, who spent 11 years in the big leagues with multiple teams as well as three seasons in Korea and three in Mexico.
He made one All-Star team in the majors, won batting titles in three different leagues, led the KBO once in OPS and won MVP honors in Mexico.
Happy ’80s Birthday to umpire Steve Rippley who called big league games from 1983 through 2003.
Steve worked 2,513 major league games, the 1990 All-Star Game, four Division Series, three League Championship Series and three World Series.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Jim Walewander, who played parts of four season in the big leagues and also played professionally in Italy.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Brick Smith, who played in ten games for the Mariners in 1987 and 1988.
5/2/88
The Orioles release veteran Scott McGregor and his career is over.
He finishes with 138 career wins, including a career-best 20 wins in 1980.
5/2/84
The Cardinals sign Andy Hassler as a free-agent.
He spends the final two years of his career in the Cardinals organization and retires after the 1985 season.
5/2/86
The Cubs sign Terry Francona as a free-agent.
He hits .250 in 86 games in Chicago and plays for the Reds in 1987.
5/2/86
The Yankees sign Tommy John as a free-agent.
He returns to New York and finishes his 26-year major league career after the 1986 season with 288 career wins.
5/2/87
Another victim of collusion, Catcher Rich Gedman re-signs with the Red Sox.
He spends parts of four seasons in Boston before moving to Houston in 1990.
5/2/83
Jose Oquendo makes his major league debut as a pinch-hitter in the ninth inning of a 3-2 loss to Houston.
The 19 year-old Oquendo is the first person to play for the Mets who is younger than the franchise, which started in 1962.
5/2/88
A young Cubs first baseman makes his big league debut in San Diego and goes 2-5.
He’d hit .296 and finish the season 2nd in the Rookie of the Year balloting behind Chris Sabo.
5/2/82
Simba goes 2-for-5 with home runs from each side of the plate and 6 RBI in an 11-4 Brewers win over the Twins. Simba could always hit.
5/2/83
Wayne Gretzky presents Ron Kittle with his 1982 Minor League Player of the Year Award.
Kittle hit 50 homers at Triple-A Edmonton the previous season. He wins A.L. Rookie of the Year in 1983 and helps the Sox reach the postseason.
5/2/84
LaMarr Hoyt faces the minimum 27 batters in a 3-0 White Sox win over the Yankees. Don Mattingly gets the sole hit of the game for New York but is erased on a double play.
5/2/84
Mario Soto throws a 2-hitter and punches out 13 in a 3-2 Reds win over the Astros
You wanna talk about an underrated ’80s pitcher? Let’s talk about Mario Soto
5/2/87
Newspaper carries story of owners routing the players but, unbeknounced to the owners, the game wasn’t over yet. “These players and their agents… became offensive with their arrogance and greed.” Yeah, that’s what happened.
5/2/87
Graig Nettles and Dion James each hit grand slams in a 12-4 Braves win over Houston.
5/2/87
In his first game back with the Expos after being a collusion victim, Tim Raines gets four hits, including a grand slam, in an 11-7 win over the Mets.
5/2/88
Ron Robinson comes within one strike of a perfect game until Wallace Johnson breaks it up.
Tim Raines then homers and Robinson escapes with a 3-2 win on a 2-hitter.
5/2/89
Michael Jack Schmidt hits his 548th, and final, dinger.
Moment of silence, please.
5/2/88
Morganna claims another victim.
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