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September 30th

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Johnny Podres was born OTD in 1932. He spent 15 years in the bigs and won four rings with the Dodgers before serving as a pitching coach for the Twins and Phillies.

Dave Magadan 1988 Donruss Baseball Card

Happy ’80s Birthday to Dave Magadan, who just quietly raked every damn year. He’s been a hitting coach since he retired.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Rusty Torres, who spent nine years in the big leagues with five teams. He was involved in three forfeits in eight years.

Dan Gonzales 1980 minor league baseball card

Happy ’80s Birthday to Dan Gonzales, who appeared in nine games for the Tigers in 1979 and 1980.

Happy ’80s Birthday to Carlos Lezcano, who appeared in 49 games for the Cubs in 1980 and 1981. He was the Cubs Opening Day center Fielder in 1980 and spent more than 20 years managing after he retired.

Doug Jennings 1988 Fleer Baseball Card

Happy ’80s Birthday to Doug Jennings, who spent five years in the big leagues with Oakland and the Cubs.

Kevin Brown 1987 Donruss Baseball Card

9/30/86

Kevin Brown allows two runs in five innings against Oakland in his big-league debut. He doesn’t return to the big until 1988 and wins 211 games over the course of his career, including a no-hitter in 1997.

Sandy Alomar Jr 1988 minor league baseball card

9/30/88

Sandy Alomar Jr. goes 0-for-1 as a pinch-hitter in his big-league debut. He plays in seven games in 1989 and wins Rookie of the Year in 1990.

Big Days

Rickey Henderson 1980 Topps rookie card

9/30/80

Rickey Henderson steals his 97th base, breaking Ty Cobb’s American League record of 96 set in 1915. He’ll finish the year with 100.

Fernando Valenzuela 1981 baseball card

9/30/80

Fernando Valenzuela picks up his first big league win. He’d get a few more in 1981.

9/30/81

It’s the last major league game at Minnesota’s Metropolitan Stadium and the Royals clinch at least a tie for the American League West second-half title with a 5 – 2 win over the Twins. The Twins would move into the Metrodome in 1982. 

Willie Aikens 1982 Topps Baseball Card

9/30/82

Willie Aikens homers twice and drives in seven in an 11-4 win over Oakland.

LaMarr Hoyt 1983 baseball card

9/30/83

LaMarr Hoyt records his 13th win in a row, a 9-4 win over the Mariners, to raise his record to 24-10. He would win the Cy Young Award. 

Greg Luzinski 1983 baseball card

9/30/83

Greg Luzinski sets a single-season record with his 32nd home run as a designated hitter. The White Sox beat the Seattle Mariners, 9-4.

9/30/83

The Dodgers beat the Giants, 4 – 3, and the Padres beat the Braves, 3 – 2, to give L. A. the       N. L. West title. They would fall to the Phillies in the N.L.C.S.

9/30/84

Mike Witt throws a perfect game on the final day of the season. Witt needs just 94 pitches.

1984-Donruss-Don-Mattingly-RC

9/30/84

Donnie Baseball goes 4-for-5 to edge out Yankees teammate Dave Winfield for the batting title.

Bret Saberhagen 1985 baseball card

9/30/85

Bret Saberhagen pitches a complete game win over the Angels to win his 20th game of the year. The win gives the Royals a tie for 1st place in the AL West.

9/30/85

Mario Soto strikes out 14 in seven innings of work but the Reds fall to the Giants 4-3.

Von Hayes 1986 Fleer Baseball Card

9/30/86

Von Hayes homers twice and drives in five in a 9-2 Phillies win over the Cubs. He enjoyed his best year in 1986, batting .305 with 19 homers and 98 RBI

Darnell Coles 1987 Topps Baseball Card

9/30/87

Darnell Coles homers thrice and drives in six in a 10-8 Pirates loss to the Cubs.

Roger Clemens 1987 Donruss Baseball Card

9/30/87

Roger Clemens throws a CG shutout and strikes out 13 Yankees. He would finish the season with 20 wins and collect his second Cy Young Award.

Dave Stewart 1987 baseball card

9/30/87

Dave Stewart becomes the major leagues’ first 20-game winner this season as the A’s beat the Indians, 4 – 3.

David Cone 1988 Donruss Baseball Card

9/30/88

David Cone beats St. Louis, 4 – 2, to reach the 20-win mark for the first time in his career. He would reach it again ten years later. 

Dave Stieb 1988 baseball card

9/30/88

Dave Stieb is one out away from a no-hitter for the 2nd consecutive game, but falls short again when Jim Traber bloops a single over the head of 1B Fred McGriff. Stieb finishes with his 2nd straight one-hitter, 4 – 0 over the Orioles.

Nolan Ryan 1989 baseball card

9/30/89

Nolan reaches the 300 strikeout mark for the 6th time in his career.

9/30/89

The Blue Jays score three runs in the bottom of the 8th inning to beat the Orioles and win the A.L. East.

Managerial Changes

Paul Owens 1984 Topps Baseball Card

9/30/84

Phillies manager Paul Owens resigns after the last game of the season to return to the Phillies front office. He will be succeeded by coach John Felske for the 1985 season.

Deaths

Dan Quisenberry 1983 Donruss Baseball Card

We lost Quiz OTD in 1998.

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