Categories: September

September 2nd

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Happy ’80s Birthday to Gold Glove outfielder Rick Manning, who spent 13 years in the bigs with Cleveland and Milwaukee.

Happy ’80s Birthday to former closer Jeff Russell, who led the A.L. in saves in 1989.

Former Orioles uber-prospect Drungo Hazewood was born on this day. For all his talent, he didn’t make it

Here is his story.  

Happy ’80s Birthday to Danny Goodwin, the only player ever to be drafted #1 overall twice.

Here is his story.  

Happy ’80s Birthday to Lamar Johnson, who was a member of the South Side Hitmen in 1977 and hit .282 with 55 homers between 1976 and 1980. 

Happy ’80s Birthday to Nate Snell, who won 7 games over four seasons with the Orioles and Tigers between 1984 and 1987.

Happy ’80s Birthday to John Flinn, who won five games over parts of four seasons for the Orioles and Brewers. 

Happy ’80s Birthday to Johnny Paredes, who broke in with the 1988 Expos and played until 1991.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Terry Jorgensen, who made his debut with the Twins in 1989 and also played in parts of 1992 and 1993 with the Twins. 

Happy ’80s Birthday to former Commissioner Peter Ueberroth. 

9/2/85

The Cardinals sign Doug Bair as a free agent. He finishes the season in St. Louis and pitches until 1990 with multiple organizations. 

9/2/88

The Tigers sign Chris Bando as a free agent. He appears in one game for Detroit and spends most of 1989 in the minor leagues with Oakland before retiring. 

9/2/80

Mookie Wilson goes 0-for-4 against the Dodgers in his big-league debut. He would collect his first hit a few days later and spend 12 years in the bigs.

9/2/80

Wally Backman goes 2-for-4 with a single and a double against the Dodgers in his big-league debut. Wally played for 14 years in the major leagues and, with Mookie, won a World Series with the Mets in 1986.

9/2/80

Eddie Milner goes 0-for-1 against the Cardinals in his big-league debut. He becomes a regular in 1982 and played until 1988 but drug problems cut his career short.

9/2/81

Johnny Ray goes 0-for-1 against the Dodgers in his big-league debut. He collects two hits the following day and finishes 2nd in the N.L. Rookie of the Year balloting in 1982 to Steve Sax.

9/2/81

Eric Show throws two scoreless innings against the Cubs in his big-league debut. He moves into the Padres rotation the following year and pitches until 1991.

9/2/81

A Phillies prospect makes his debut as a pinch-runner for Bob Boone.

9/2/82

Ron Kittle goes 0-for-1 against Texas in his big-league debut. He would win the Rookie of the Year Award in 1983 and help the White Sox reach the playoffs.  

9/2/83

Tony Fernandez goes 0-for-1 against Detroit in his big-league debut. He would turn into one of the top shortstops in the game.

9/2/83

Phil Bradley goes 0-for-1 against the Yankees in his big-league debut. He would collect nine hits in his next 22 at-bats and finish the year batting .269 in 23 games.

9/2/83

Mitch Webster goes 0-for-2 against the Tigers in his big-league debut. He spends 13 years in the major leagues and appears in the postseason with the Cubs in 1989 and the Dodgers in 1995.

9/2/84

Glenn Davis goes 1-for-4 with a double off Ricky Horton in his big-league debut. He hits 20 homers in 1985 and finishes 2nd in the NL MVP balloting in 1986.  

9/2/85

A bulky A’s prospect makes his big league debut. He strikes out as a pinch-hitter and wins Rookie of the Year honors in 1986

9/2/85

Devon White makes his big-league debut as a defensive replacement against the Tigers. He spends 17 seasons in the major leagues and wins three rings.

9/2/86

Kevin Elster makes his big-league debut as a defensive replacement against the Giants. He spends 13 years in the major leagues and wins a ring with the 1986 Mets.

9/2/87

Mike Devereaux goes 1-for-3 with a single off Don Carman in his big-league debut. He plays until 1998 and wins a ring with the Braves in 1995.

9/2/88

Gregg Olson throws a scoreless inning and gets the win against Seattle in his big-league debut. He wins the Rookie of the Year the following season after winning five games and saving 27.

9/2/88

Felix Jose goes 0-for1 against the Yankees in his big-league debut. He plays professionally until 2003, including stints in Korea and Mexico.

9/2/81

Jerry Reuss and Jay Johnstone don a groundskeeper uniforms and drag the infield with a few Dodger teammates during a game against the Pirates.   

Big Days

9/2/80

Mark Fidrych records his 1st win since April of 1978 when he beats the White Sox 11-2.

9/2/81

The Texas Rangers announce that they have signed manager Don Zimmer to a two-year extension. The fire him ten months later.

9/2/85

Cal Ripken Jr. homers twice and drives in five in a 12-4 win over Oakland. He would finish the year with 26 dingers and 110RBI.

9/2/85

Keith Hernandez goes 5-for-5 with a homer and three RBI in a 12-4 Mets win over the Padres.

9/2/86

Bo gets his first hit.

9/2/87

Kevin Bass becomes the first player to homer from both sides of the plate twice in the same season when he turns the trick in a 10-1 Astros win over the Cubs. 

He also did it on August 3rd against the Giants. 

9/2/88

Julio Franco goes 5-for-7 in a 13-inning 4-3 win over the White Sox. In his final year in Cleveland, Franco hits .303 and wins a Silver Slugger.

9/2/88

Andres Galarraga homers twice and drives in five in a 10-0 Expos win over the Giants. The Big Cat leads the N.L. in hits, doubles, and total bases in 1988.

9/2/88

Eight Men Out hits theaters. It grosses more than $1.1 million in the first weekend. 

Transactions

9/2/80

The Reds release Dave Tomlin. He signs with the Blue Jays in 1981 and pitches until 1986 with multiple organizations.

9/2/86

The White Sox release Steve Henderson. He re-signs with Oakland in 1987 and finishes his career with Houston in 1988.

Deaths

Todd Cruz passed away OTD in 2008

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