Happy ’80s Birthday to Larry Hisle, who could flat out hit until a torn rotator cuff ruined his career.
From 1973 through 1978 while playing for Minnesota and Milwaukee, Hisle posted an average season of .287 with 20 homers and 87 RBI.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Ron Oester, who had the unenviable task of taking over at second base for Joe Morgan in 1980 and held his own. Oester finished 4th in the Rookie of the Year balloting and was a solid second baseman for a decade.
Happy ’80s Birthday to Gary Christenson, who appeared in 30 games for the Royals in 1979 and 1980, going 3-0 with a save.
5/5/82
The Yankees, who began the season emphasizing speed over power, trade Jeff Reynolds, Tom Dodd and Dave Revering to the Blue Jays for John Mayberry.
The Yankees issue Mayberry an airbrushed hat and send him out to play first base.
5/5/87
The Braves sign Doyle Alexander as a free agent. Three months later, they trade him to the Tigers for some kid in Double-A.
5/5/82
George Steinbrenner orders a morning workout the day after his team lost 9-7 to Oakland in 13 innings, prompting Oscar Gamble to say, “Ernie Banks is the only person who would have been happy to be here.”
5/5/83
Johnny Bench appears on David Letterman.
5/5/85
Cal Ripken Jr. goes 5 for 6 with 4 RBI as the Orioles beat the Twins 10-5 in Minnesota.
The game is played in less than three hours despite the fact that the teams combined to score 15 runs on 28 hits and use six pitchers because 1985.
5/5/87
Bruce Hurst matches a career-high with 14 strikeouts in a 6-0 win over the A’s.
Hurst also punched out 14 in a game in 1986 but gave up 3 homers in a 4-1 loss to the Rangers.
5/5/88
Marty Barrett, Dwight Evans and Todd Benzinger each record four hits as the Red Sox hammer the White Sox 16-3.
5/5/89
Andre Dawson goes 4 for 4 with two homers against the Dodgers. It’s the 12th time in the decade that he posts at least 10 total bases in a single game.
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