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Happy ’80s Birthday to Darrell Evans, the slugging 3rd baseman who Bill James called, “the most underrated player in baseball history.”
Evans quietly smacked 414 homers over a 21-year career. His career could have been even longer considering he was drafted five times before finally signing.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Phormer Phillies Phirst baseman Ricky Jordan, who was a 1st round pick in 1983 and hit a 3-run homer off of Bob Knepper for his first big league hit.
Former Orioles skipper Joe Altobelli was born OTD in 1932.
He played three seasons in the big leagues and led Baltimore to a World Series title in 1983.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Dann Billardello, who hit his first career homer off Tom Seaver.
His siblings all have first names that begin with “D” but his mom didn’t like the name “Dan.” Then she was watching I Love Lucy and saw the name Dann Cohen and gave her son the same name.
Happy ’80s Birthday to lefty Rob Murphy, who led the N.L. in appearances in 1988 with 76.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Willie Fraser, who pitched in the big leagues for 8 years and won 12 games for the Angels in 1988.
Former umpire Jim McKean was born OTD in 1945.
He called big league games from 1974 through 2001.
Former Manager Jim Frey was born OTD in 1931.
He took the Royals to the World Series in 1980 and also managed the Cubs
5/26/80
Bob Walk makes his big league debut for the Phillies and, although it doesn’t go well, the rest of the season does.
Walk wins 11 games and helps the Phillies win the World Series.
5/26/87
Bob Malloy goes six innings in his big league debut for the Rangers.
He appears in three games in his major league career.
5/26/87
Chuck Jackson goes 0 for 2 in his big league debut for the Astros.
He collects his first hit a few days later and plays a total of 82 games in the majors.
5/26/82
The Astros and Expos are tied 0-0 in the 10th when Frank Lacorte enters the game for Houston and proceeds to walk the bases loaded.
He’s so upset with himself that he goes to the clubhouse and burns his uniform.
“I had to do something,” he said.
5/26/82
The Rangers are struggling a bit, so Larry Parrish and Doc Medich commune with the fans by wearing bags over their heads in the dugout.
Texas’ problems would eventually cost both Don Zimmer and general manager Eddie Robinson their jobs.
Big Days
5/26/80
Rick Cerone drives in 6 in a 13-5 win over Detroit.
5/26/82
The Bull homers twice and drives in 6 in a 7-5 White Sox win over the Royals.
5/26/82
Steve Mura gives up 11 hits and four runs in 5.2 innings and gets the win.
Crafty.
5/26/84
George Brett goes 3 for 5 and drives in 6 in an 11-7 win over the Red Sox.
5/26/85
Davey Lopes, Leon Durham, and Bob Dernier each steal two bases as the Cubs beat the Astros 10-8 at Wrigley.
5/26/89
Chuck Finley one-hits the Red Sox on 93 pitches. He punches out five.
Transactions
5/26/85
The A’s release Dan Meyer after he begins the season 0 for 12.
He plays 54 more games in the minors and a season in Mexico but his big league career is over.
Fights
5/26/80
The Phillies and Pirates have a huge brawl at Veterans Stadium.
Deaths
We lost Mike Sharperson OTD in 1996. He was playing in the Padres organization and was called up to the majors but was killed in a car accident on the way to the airport.
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