November 26th in 1980s Baseball

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Happy ’80s Birthday to Bob Walk, who in 1980 became the first rookie pitcher to start Game 1 of the WS since Joe Black in 1952.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Jay Howell, a 31st round draft pick who made 3 All-Star Game appearances.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Larry Gura, who spent two seasons with the Yankees but was dealt after a falling out with Billy Martin. He then became a Yankee killer, going 11-6 against New York, including a complete game win in the 1980 ALCS.

Happy ’80s Birthday to The Gravedigger, Richie Hebner, who spent 18 seasons in the big leagues, mostly with the Pirates, and collected more than 1,500 hits. His first career knock came off Bob Gibson in 1968 and his last hit was a solo homer in 1985.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Jorge Orta, who spent 16 years in the bigs with five teams. Dude could hit.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Chuck Finley, who won 18 games in back-to-back seasons with the Angels in 1990 and 1991. He finished his career with an even 200 wins.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Harold Reynolds, who spent 12 seasons in the bigs with the Mariners, Orioles, and Angels and lead the AL in stolen bases in 1987 with 60.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Jeff Torborg, who managed five teams and also excelled at catching no-hitters. He caught three over the course of his career (Sandy Koufax, Bill Singer, and Nolan Ryan)

Happy ’80s Birthday to Ron Meridith, who won five games for the Cubs and Rangers from 1984 through 1987

Happy ’80s Birthday to Mike Moore, who was drafted 1/1 in 1981 by Seattle and won 161 games over 14 seasons in the bigs with the Mariners, Tigers, and A’s.

11/26/86

The Pirates trade Rich Rhoden, Pat Clements, and Cecilio Guante to the Yankees for Logan Easley, Brian Fisher and a young righty named Doug Drabek. The deal had been rumored for a while but the Yankees were reluctant to part with Easley, whom Pirates GM Syd Thrift called, “the key to the deal for us.”